--- date: "2004-07-14" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2004-07-14" source: "2004-07-14-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 14, 2004 Attended: Lance Delgado, Mayor Anna Bass, Councilor Karen Jacobs, Councilor Roger McKinley, Councilor Jim Hamsher, Councilor Mike Springer, Councilor Diane Clingman, City Recorder Bob Titus, Public Works Joe Hitz Sarolta Sperry Holly Warner Trevor Hamsher Honey Schatz Mayor Delgado called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The roll was called, Marvin Casebeer being absent. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the June 23, 2004 meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes of the June 23, 2004 meeting as written, Roger McKinley/Jim Hamsher. Mayor Delgado recognized Holly Warner who addressed the Council regarding her concern over stray cats. She said she was not asking the City to consider a cat ordinance, but hoped to work together to promote responsibility among cat owners. She said she would like to see people keep their cats indoors or in pens and stressed that cats running loose tend to multiply and become nuisances or are sometimes used for satanic rituals. She said she had been having trouble with cats coming into her yard and that she had been using the police department’s cat trap. There was discussion of what to do with trapped cats and Karen Jacobs said a couple in John Day had been adopting out stray animals. She said she would put Mrs. Warner in touch with them. There was discussion of putting a statement on the water bills reminding people to take responsibility for their pets and of posting notices around town. Mrs. Warner was instructed to meet with Karen Jacobs to coordinate. Planning: No report Public Safety: No Report Abatement: Mayor Delgado apologized to Ms. Schatz that he had not gotten back to her or the Council after inspecting her property (June 28) and said the bottom line is that the nuisances have been abated. He said he had talked with the neighbor (Gerry) and that the neighbor said the situation was much improved and that he had no complaints. It was re- Minutes July 14, 2004 capped that the abatement committee had been directed by the Council to make the inspection and determination at the June 23, 2004 meeting. Considering the information provided, the Council declared that the nuisances have been abated by the property occupant and stated that any new complaint(s) will be handled as such and the process will start over. Mayor Delgado referred to a prior meeting where the Larkin property had been discussed as a possible nuisance. He reminded Jim Hamsher that he (Hamsher) had volunteered to talk with the owner about the problem instead of following the procedure outlined in the ordinance and asked what he had learned. Hamsher said he had not talked with the owner about the problem yet. Landfill: Bob Titus gave the Council a written landfill report and said the methane monitoring had been performed as required by the DEQ. He said he didn’t know why the DEQ is requiring two reports, but at a previous meeting it was noted that two reports are required this year because he failed to have one done last year. Public Works: Bob Titus said the restrooms in the city park are 99% complete and noted that there are a number of volunteers that should be recognized. He said he is still working on a bench that will be placed in front of the building. Mayor Delgado asked if the remaining 1% needing to be done included painting the doors, but Titus said he wasn’t a painter and didn’t know whether to spray them or what. There was discussion of various methods to use on metal doors and it was noted that they should be painted a shade darker than the building. Titus said he would get it done. He also said the lock mechanism on the men’s door should be replaced with a better quality lock set. The Council said to go with Stan Horrell’s recommendation. The Recorder asked them to back up and finish their conversation about the recognition of volunteers. It was agreed that a list should be made of the people who helped and that letters should be written to each thanking them for their contributions. Bob Titus said he would make the list. In other business, Titus said the water levels are good and that the wastewater system is functioning. He said the Hospice roof project is scheduled to begin the next week and there was much discussion over the differences between a bid bond and a performance bond and the confusion about the two. It was agreed that a performance bond will be required as well as a signed contract before any work is to begin. The request by Ingo Wedde to have his parking lot maintained by the City in exchange for allowing over-flow parking from downtown was considered again. Roger McKinley said the City had an agreement with Wedde, but Bob Titus said they do not. It was noted that Wedde already has an agreement with the Forest Service and is compensated to allow over-flow parking, so it was questioned how he could enter into an agreement with the City as well. The Mayor said he would look into the agreement that Wedde has with the Forest Service and see if perhaps they could supply the gravel. It was also noted that if an agreement is made between Wedde and the City, it should be in writing for future reference. Minutes July 14, 2004 The issue of how to help out the Legion with their request for relief of water charges was considered again. A suggestion was made that they be provided a frost free faucet in the flower bed in front of their building in order to water their landscaping areas and the flower beds. It was noted that faucets are provided along Front Street to provide water for the flower beds and planters so that the businesses do not have to their own water to keep them up. It was also noted that the businesses may not use the water for their personal use, only that it is intended for the flower beds and washing down the sidewalks. Karen Jacobs said she thought the Legion should come to a meeting to discuss other options, but it was pointed out that Mort Rennels had already attended two meetings to discuss ideas. Jim Hamsher noted that the amount of water that might be used to water the landscaping would more than likely be made up for by that fact that the Legion does not use their entire allotment of 5,000 gallons of water per month although they pay for it. It was noted that they will still receive a water and sewer bill each month. MSP: To install a frost free faucet in front of the Legion Hall on Front Street, Jim Hamsher/Roger McKinley. Karen Jacobs opposed. Mayor Delgado did not vote. It was noted that the City had set a precedent by installing water faucets for use along Front Street and was remaining consistent by providing one to the Legion. Bob Titus said they are a number of trees around town that are hanging over the sidewalks and intersections that need to be trimmed. It was agreed that the property owners should be contacted and asked to trim the trees instead of the City crew doing it. Titus agreed and said he would compile a list of names and addresses. The Recorder said she would type a letter that could be sent to them. Titus was reminded that the weeds around the ambulance bay are quite high and need to be removed. Well Drilling: Joe Hitz said he would be meeting with the well driller the following week. It was noted that there had not been a response from John Coombs yet on the letter sent to him by the City. It was also noted that a workshop needs to be set up with Jess Holt of Anderson Perry. Mayor Delgado said they would set the date at the next council meeting. Office: MSP: To pay the July bills, Anna Bass/Roger McKinley. There was a question about the striping done over the loose gravel on Overholt. Bob Titus said the contractor guarantees his work and will do it over if it doesn’t last. Other Business: Anna Bass made a motion to add the bid award for the gas pumps to the agenda. Mayor Delgado seconded, MSP. MSP: To award the bid to O’Rorke Logging, apparent high bidder on the four gas pumps advertised for bid, Roger McKinley/Jim Hamsher. The bid amount was $250 each/$1,000 for all four. Resolutions/Ordinances: Resolution 2004-47 was considered. MSP: To adopt Resolution 2004-47 authorizing a budget transfer within the sewer fund, Anna Bass/Roger McKinley. It was noted that business owners in the downtown area had been complaining that bicyclists and skateboarders have been riding on the sidewalks of Front Street causing problems to pedestrians. Ordinance 10.10 was read once by title and Minutes July 14, 2004 once in its entirety. MSP: To adopt Ordinance 10.10 Roger McKinley/Lance Delgado. The request for a donation to the Kam Wah Chung museum for matching grant funds was considered. Mayor Delgado said he had looked over the budget and felt the City is unable to provide financial support at this time. The Council generally agreed. It was noted that a letter of support could be written if it would be of any help. Mike Springer said there would be a meeting on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to provide information to potenetial web site participants. It was agreed that the office computers could be utilized for demonstration. He asked if the City would be able to pay the $200 fee if the web designer isn’t able to get 12 people to sign up (the fee is waived if at least sign up.) It was agreed that money was budgeted to provide for a web site. The question was raised as to who is responsible for cleaning out the birdhouses the scouts put up in Deport Park. Mayor Delgado and Karen Jacobs said the scouts have the responsibility. 7:50 p.m. MSP: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Lance M. Delgado, Mayor Minutes July 14, 2004