--- date: "2005-05-11" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2005-05-11" source: "2005-05-11-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 11, 2005 Attended: Jim Hamsher, Mayor Marvin Casebeer, Councilor Mike Springer, Councilor Roger McKinley, Councilor Mark Wishard, Councilor Diane Clingman, City Recorder Bob Titus, Public Works Tom McAuslan Bill Harrington Sandy Murray Karen Jacobs Rick Minster Ingo Wedde Mayor Hamsher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The roll was called, Don Strong being absent. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The council recognized Ingo Wedde who said he is having a problem with the city’s use of his property next to his shop. He said he has allowed the use of the lot for overflow parking over the years and has only asked for some help to keep it level and in good shape. He indicated that there has been lots of use without his permission, such as the use of it by Dice Construction during the recent street project. He explained that his problem was not with Dice, but with the city telling him he could use the lot without asking permission. He said he was told to put up a fence or post the property and is willing to do it if the city doesn’t want to help out or bother to ask permission to use it. He also explained that the street has been built up higher than the lot over the years and now water accumulates in it. He said he only wants some help in leveling the lot occasionally and keeping it rocked, and that the city should ask for permission when they wish to utilize it during a project. There was mention of past verbal agreements he has had with other councils and mayors. It was suggested that some sort of agreement be put in writing so that in the future everyone knows exactly what their commitments are. Wedde said he didn’t want a contract with all the legalities. It was agreed that the council would address the issue later in the meeting. Rick Minster of Oregon Economic and Community Development was recognized. He asked the council to consider approving a resolution to grant an enterprise zone exemption to Malheur Lumber in order to allow them to expand operations. It was noted that all the other enterprise zone sponsors had passed the resolution. MSP: To approve a resolution to grant an enterprise zone exemption to Malheur Lumber, Roger McKinley/Mike Springer. Minutes May 11, 2005 Sandy Murray addressed the council in regard to the status of the Texaco property committee and asked that they be changed to a recommendation committee. She explained that the change in status is needed in order to make any recommendations to the council that could result in a decision. It was noted that the status would require the committee to advertise their meetings and take minutes. MSP: To approve changing the status of the committee to a recommendation committee, Mike Springer/Mark Wishard. Planning: The council was asked to consider appointing Kristine Shull to the Planning Commission per the commission’s recommendation. MSP: To approve the appointment of Kristine Shull to the Planning Commission, Mike Springer/Mark Wishard. Public Safety: No report Landfill: A written inspection report was received. Bob Titus reported that the area needs to be seeded. Public Works: Bob Titus said the new water line project on Fourth Street is complete and now requires some cleanup. He said one of the wastewater pumps had been repaired and installed but another pump has had a seal fail. He said the lagoon levels are rising approximately 1 ½” a day. There was discussion of the pivots being hindered by the mud in the ruts and what could be done to remedy the situation. There was also discussion of raising the sprinklers to allow for more evaporation. No decisions were made. Bob was asked if the parks had been sprayed yet. He said he didn’t think so. He was encouraged to get it taken care of and the use of Escort was recommended. It was also suggested that a sprayer that could be mounted on a 4 wheeler or the lawn mower might be a good idea. There was also discussion of spraying the right of ways but it was brought up that in the past private property got over spray and there were problems. It was noted that no one in public works has an applicator’s license. Mike Springer told Bob to contact Shannon Springer on the subject. Well Drilling: No report Other Business: The council was asked to consider approval of a temporary OLCC license application submitted by Shoshoni Winds to hold an event outside their establishment on July 2. The council was reminded that they had already approved temporary closure of the alley during the event at a prior meeting. MSP: To approve the application for a temporary OLCC license, Mike Springer/Roger McKinley. Accounts Payable: MSP: To approve the payables before they go up, Marvin Casebeer/Mark Wishard. Ordinances/Resolutions: none Minutes May 11, 2005 Other Business: The council was asked to consider letters of interest in the vacant council position from Tom McAuslan and Bill Harrington. Roger McKinley said they better get a letter of resignation from Anna Bass first. When questioned why (since she isn’t on the council) he argued that she did, in fact, get enough votes to be appointed at two prior meetings. The Mayor countered that she was not appointed and that they had followed the charter in requiring at least 4 votes. McKinley argued that the charter only calls for a majority of a quorum. The council members were each given a copy of the charter and discussion followed as to how it should be interpreted. It was agreed that clarification is needed in order to know what to do, i.e., offer the positions to Anna Bass and Mort Rennels or just recognize the mistake (if any) and start over. MSP: To accept the letters of interest from McAuslan and Harrington and vote for appointment pending the outcome of what the council finds out, Roger McKinley/Mark Wishard. Concern was also raised over the council position held by Don Strong given that he has only attended one meeting since being appointed in March and has attended none of the budget meetings. The council members said they felt he should be asked to resign from the position since he obviously cannot fulfill the obligation. Mayor Hamsher said he would talk with Strong. Mike Springer said there were some housekeeping issues that the council should also address such as the election of a mayor pro tem and the appointment of commissioners. It was pointed out the pro tem should have been elected at the first meeting of the year per the charter. Mayor Hamsher said he put off the duties because of the lack of a full council at the time. He nominated Mike Springer as the mayor pro tem; it was seconded by Roger McKinley. MSP: To accept Mike Springer as mayor pro tem. The mayor then appointed Mark Wishard as public works commissioner, Roger McKinley as streets/road commissioner, Mike Springer as office commissioner and Marvin Casebeer as the fire department commissioner. It was noted that a commissioner is needed for the museum/depot park. The council re-addressed the issue of Ingo Wedde’s lot and the mayor said he would not be opposed to hauling in some rock and leveling the lot. Mike Springer stressed the need for something in writing to avoid future issues regarding what is expected of the city, but warned against the city taking on any liability. 7:15 p.m. It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Jim Hamsher, Mayor Minutes May 11, 2005