--- date: "2013-05-08" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2013-05-08" source: "2013-05-08-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- City of Prairie City CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 8, 2013 Attended: Gary Waterhouse, Mayor Pro Tem Carole Garrison, Councilor Dennis Lynch, Councilor Les Church, Councilor Viola Rose, Councilor Butch Goslin, Councilor Georgia Patterson Mike Springer Dan Bishop Larry Blasing The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call was taken, Mayor Tim Cooley being absent. The minutes of the April 10 meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes as written, Carole Garrison/Viola Rose. All members voted in favor. Mayor Pro Tem Gary Waterhouse read a letter of resignation submitted by Mayor Cooley. He cited health reasons for stepping down, effective May 10, 2013. Mike Springer was recognized and addressed the Council regarding the budget that the Budget Committee had recently approved. He noted that it was well prepared and credited the Budget Officer for a good job. He referred to a section in the Budget Message concerning the Water, Sewer and Road Funds and read it to the Council. “Minimal amounts have been budgeted for Water and Sewer Capital Outlay. Staff has been advised of the importance of keeping operating expenses to a minimum. This is especially critical in the Road Fund which will no longer be able to contribute its share of Personnel Services after fiscal year 2014-15 primarily due to the loss of timber receipts. Similarly, more is spent in the Water Fund than is taken in each year. If spending at this rate continues, the Water Fund will not be able to contribute its entire share of Personnel Services by fiscal year 2015-16. The Sewer Fund just breaks even in keeping pace but like the Road and Water Funds, is not able to build a reserve for future replacement, repairs or improvements. The City must address these issues in the near future to determine its course of action.” As Budget Chair he was asking the Council to be sure to keep these issues in mind. He suggested that vacating portions of 80 and 100 foot wide streets and certain streets and alleys that will never be opened might be a way to bring in additional property tax revenue for the Road Fund. The process would also eliminate encroachment problems and result in less right-of-way maintenance. Easements would remain in place for utilities. He did not think it would involve surveying if center lines and monuments are in place. Springer volunteered to assist May 8, 2013 the City if they are interested. With regard to the Water and Sewer Funds he did not necessarily advocate rate increases, but rather to become more efficient in operations instead. Economic Development: Dan Bishop and Larry Blasing of the Grant County Public forest Commission introduced themselves and presented a draft letter for the City to consider. The letter was concerning the Forest Service’s proposed 10 year stewardship timber sale. They explained that it is not a competitive approach and would result in only one mill in Grant County getting the bulk of any timber sales with the other mill basically being put out of business. They would rather see each mill be able to compete based on their efficiencies. The stewardship program would also result in loss of money to the County, whereas in a regular sale 25% goes to the County. The reasoning for the 25% return is because 65% of the land in Grant County belongs to the government and is not on the tax rolls. In the case of stewardship, the money goes back to the Forest Service for replanting costs. They asked the Council to consider supporting their efforts to keep the playing field level by submitting a letter to the Forest Service, Congressman Walden and Senators Merkley and Wyden. It was noted that it is particularly important for Prairie City as one of the mills is located here. They cited the need to move quickly as the sales will be awarded in August. MSP: To give the Mayor Pro Tem the authority to go over the letter with Dennis Lynch and make any changes or additions, and to sign and send to the suggested people, Carole Garrison/Les Church. All members voted in favor. Dennis Lynch said he had talked to Kristi at the Forest Service and that she said she will help in any way she can. Dan Bishop also reported that they are getting the mill ready to possibly open again very soon. In other business Dennis Lynch said he had attended an Oregon Unlimited meeting. The group coordinates projects, inventories properties and equipment, etc. He also said he and Viola Rose had sat in on a CEDS webinar that went over County and City economic strategies. If cities don’t have projects on the list they won’t be eligible for certain grants. He submitted a proposed list and said a form would need to be submitted by Friday. Lynch said he had attended a County Court meeting regarding road closures and asked the Council to consider sending a letter of support for keeping roads open. Regarding the Industrial Site property, he said he had been approached by Chuck Church about the possibility of purchasing a portion of it for a gold processing plant that could employ 5 to 10 people. He said Sally Bartlett (Economic Development Coordinator) will be at the June 12 meeting to discuss possibilities for the site. Museum: Carole Garrison reported that the museum would be opening in the next week. She asked the Council to approve the appointment of Howard and Marsha Gieger and Ron Smith as museum volunteers. MSP: To approve the appointment of the suggested volunteers, Butch Goslin/Viola Rose. All members voted in favor. Public Safety: Deputy Moore said he had addressed the complaint regarding the two firewood trailers parked on Front Street. The owners were advised that they cannot be parked within 100 feet of an intersection. May 8, 2013 Abatement: It was noted that no report had been received on the Gill’s progress for over 5 months. It was noted that the Mayor had asked Councilor Goslin to look into it. Goslin said the Gill’s are working on it. The Council felt more information is needed. Landfill: A landfill report was received. Public Works: Georgia Patterson reported that they have been cleaning at Depot. Accounts Payable: MSP: To pay the bills, Les Church/Carole Garrison. All members voted in favor. Resolutions: none Other Business: The statement regarding the amendment of the City Charter was read aloud. It was generally agreed that what the attorney had summarized reflected what the Council had discussed. MSP: With that being said, I make the following motion in three parts: a. The City Council direct the City Attorney to move forward with any necessary and/or appropriate revisions to the Amended Charter to address, to the extent possible, the aforementioned community concerns. b. The City Council plan to present the Amended Charter to the legal voters of Prairie City for their approval at the general election to be held in November 2013. c. The City Attorney is directed to prepare a press release for the local newspaper concerning the City Council’s decision to move forward with the Amended Charter, Les Church/Carole Garrison. All members voted in favor. The Council considered the contract for the July 4 fireworks display. MSP: To approve the 4th of July contract with Western Display Fireworks, Carole Garrison/Dennis Lynch. Dennis Lynch noted that the VFW could use some help with flags. He also said he had been looking into the mineral rights on the Industrial Site and that a title search would cost about $500. Viola Rose said she would be willing to go to the courthouse to do some research. Lynch said he already spent quite a lot of time there but welcomed her to go ahead. 7:15 pm It was moved and seconded to adjourn, all members voted in favor. ___________________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved by the City Council this ____ day of ___________________, 2013 and signed by the Mayor. _______________________________ Gary Waterhouse, Mayor Pro Tem May 8, 2013