--- date: "2021-08-11" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2021-08-11" source: "2021-08-11-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY OF PRAIRIE CITY PRAIRIE CITY OREGON MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2021 ATTENDEES: Mayor Jim Hamsher Councilor Jenny Shaw Councilor Chase McClung Georgia Patterson Bobbie Brown Councilor Scott Officer via phone Councilor Brook Williams Contract Fiscal Officer Anna Bass Francis Preston The meeting was opened at 6:00 pm with the pledge of allegiance.      Additions to the agenda. Mayor Hamsher read a letter addressed to the Council regarding the feeding of deer inside the city limits. It was noted that it is illegal to feed the deer according to Oregon Fish & Wildlife. After discussion is was decided to place this issue on a future agenda giving the council members time to discuss with residents. During the deer discussion, the discussion of fence regulations was also brought up. It was decided to place the fence ordinance on a future agenda. Changing this ordinance may help with the deer in yards issue. Roll Call Councilor Reagan was absent, but may call in. Approval of the July 14, 2021 Minutes Councilor Williams made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilor McClung seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Ratify Payment of the Bills The Payables Transaction Report for the period 7/11-8/10 was presented. Councilor McClung made a motion to ratify payment of the bills. Councilor Shaw seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Council Member Vacancy There were three applications received. Georgia Patterson Scott Nepper Chase Bloom After review of the applications; Councilor McClung nominated Georgia Patterson, Councilors Williams and Officer nominated Chase Bloom. During a call to vote, Councilors Williams, Shaw and Officer voted for Chase Bloom while Councilor McClung voted for Georgia Patterson. Mayor Hamsher will contact Mr. Bloom and keep the applications on file.  Francis Preston Mrs. Preston gave a presentation on the Restore Oregon Now Movement. The objective of the movement is the pass local resolution(s) and ordinance(s) that require adherence to the US Constitution above all lower laws or executive orders. The mission is to provide relieve and protection for individuals and businesses suffering under the emergency declarations and restrictions of the Governor. The goal is to empower local governments and law enforcement agencies to uphold the higher law (The US Constitution) when there is a conflict with lower law. Mrs. Preston explained the petition process and the results were that the results of the petition process was for the executive team of the movement to have a local meeting to explain the movement in person. After discussion, Councilor McClung made a motion to schedule a meeting to learn more about the movement. Councilor Williams seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Preston explained that the City of John Day had requested a meeting following their regularly Tuesday meetings, but weeknights were difficult. The County Court had requested a Saturday at 9 am at the Fairgrounds to enable indoor or outdoor participation, depending on the mask requirements at the time. It was suggested to have it the same day as the County Court meeting date, either earlier or later, at the same location. Mayor Hamsher suggested having it following the Sept 8 or Oct 13 council meetings. Mrs. Preston presented the council with a draft resolution for review. She indicated that Douglas County has passed the resolution on June 23rd. Mayor Hamsher indicated that he would provide a copy to the City Attorney for review. At this time, Mayor Hamsher gave an update on the water project. The easement had been filed, but there was an issue with the legal description on the title report. This issue has set the project timeline back to possibly starting in the fall and completing before winter. Councilor Williams asked about the level of the Faiman well. Mayor Hamsher indicated the well is doing good with no issues. Councilor McClung inquired as this timing set back affecting the prices of the pipe necessary for the project. Mayor Hamsher explained there was escalation clause language in the agreement that allows the pricing to go up or down with the market. Mayor Hamsher indicated that bid packets should go out as soon as the project was approved by the USDA. He was trying to get the bid process shortened because of the water emergency declarations. Resolution 2021-12: A Resolution of the City of Prairie City Declaring a Local Disaster and Emergency for the Purpose of Assessment, Evaluation, and Acquiring the Ability to Appropriate Available Resources. Mayor Hamsher read the resolution. He explained that the previously passed emergency resolution was more for agricultural water usage, while this one is more for municipal water usage. Councilor Williams made a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-12. Councilor Officer seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Preston asked about the budget impact of the water hauling. Mayor Hamsher explained that it was not budgeted for during the budget process in the spring, but he is working on receiving state funding because of the drought declaration.    Fire Department Report Chief Rynearson was not in attendance at the meeting. Councilor Williams asked if any of the fire trucks were being utilized for hauling water. Mayor Hamsher explained that the dept did not want to have the tankers unavailable to the department incase of fire. He added that the County may have a tanker available for the City next week.  Public Works Report Public Works Director Camarena was not in attendance at the meeting. Mayor Hamsher updated the Council on the following: The deer composing site was up and running. There will be an MOU with the Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation. Councilor McClung inquired about ATVs on the highway. Mayor Hamsher said it was being worked on to make it legal from Buchanan to Sawmill Road to enable ATVs to get to the City burn pile. He added that public meeting would be required for this to happen. Mrs. Preston stated that teenagers on dirt bikes and ATVs have been crossing the highway at the Chevron. She added they were speeding. Jim indicated he would contact the Sheriff’s Office for follow-up.  Mayor Hamsher informed those present that the City had completed the necessary documentation to receive the Recovery Act funding. There are still no final rules as of yet. He suggested when the final rules are available that the City have a work session to discuss the allowable uses of the funding. Meeting was adjourned at 6:49 pm. Accepted by the Council the 8th day of September, 2021. __________________________________________________ Mayor Hamsher