---
date: "2024-01-10"
title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2024-01-10"
source: "2024-01-10-minutes-council-monthly.pdf"
---

City of Prairie City
Council Meeting
January 10, 2024

Attendance:
Mayor Scott Officer
Councilor Chase McClung
Councilor Ed Clark
Councilor Jenny Shaw
Councilor Candy Reagan
Councilor Pam Gangler
Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder
Jennifer Kingsford, City Clerk
Chris Camarena, Public Works Director
Marvin Rynearson, Fire Chief
Rob Gaslin, CPA

Visitors:
Nancy Hitz
Garrett Hitz
Cassie Hitz
Sue Maloney

Mayor Officer called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm, the pledge recited, and roll was called,
Councilor Williams was not present with an excused absence. Mayor Officer amended the
agenda, moving CPA, Rob Gaslin, to the beginning of the meeting (because of the snow), to
discuss the payables and water rate resolution, so that Gaslin may head back to Baker City.
The amendment also included adding that the City Council select a Mayor Pro-tem/Council
President.

Minutes:
The minutes of December 13, 2023 council meeting were considered. Councilor Gangler noted
that she was not listed in the attendance and that needed correcting. Councilor McClung made a
motion to approve December 13, 2023 meeting minutes, amending the attendance to include
Councilor Gangler’s name listed.

MSP: To approve the meeting minutes of December 13, 2023 with the amendment to the
minutes to include Councilor Gangler in the attendance. Councilor McClung/Gangler

Payables:
CPA, Rob Gaslin, read aloud the city’s financial review, appropriations review, and budget vs
actual. The council reviewed the check detail. The City made their final rental payment to CAT,
making next year’s payment the $1 dollar buyout and the City will own the equipment. The
City’s audit is completed and just waiting on the auditing firm to review the signed documents
the City submitted.
MSP: To pay the City’s bills. Councilor McClung/Gangler

Water Rate Resolution:
Gaslin presented statistics on water rates vs gallons from different cities around the state of
Oregon. The data also included what the projected revenues would be if the City implemented
some of those changes.

Mayor Pro-Tem/Council President:
Councilor Pam Gangler nominated Councilor Ed Clark as Mayor Pro-Tem/Council President. All
councilors present agreed Councilor Ed Clark should be Mayor Pro-Tem/Council President.
Councilor Ed Clark accepted the nomination.
MSP: To elect Councilor Ed Clark as Mayor Pro-Tem/Council President. Councilor
Gangler/McClung All present voted unanimously.

Mayor Scott Officer excused himself from the meeting and left the room. Council
President Ed Clark presided over the remainder of the meeting.

Wastewater Extension Update:
Engineer Joe Hitz distributed a hand out to the councilors with the updated wastewater
extension plan for getting the line out to the Prairie Wood Mill. The City will need to install a lift
station toward the center of the City’s Industrial property, and a collection line. There is Title 2
funding that could potentially fund this project that the City is applying for. The Cogen up and
running would remove 240,000 tons of biomass per year, thinning the forest by utilizing fire
hazardous material, and creating ecofriendly green energy.  An upcoming meeting with DEQ
that will give the City clarification for a time frame that this project has to be completed.

These discussions ended at 7:02 pm and Council President ED Clark brought Mayor Officer
back into the room.

DEQ:  Bank of Eastern Oregon requires City Council approval to issue a letter of credit. DEQ
mandates we have a letter of credit to close the landfill.

MSP: To approve the Bank of Eastern Oregon writing the City of Prairie City a letter of
credit for the closing of the landfill. Councilor McClung/Shaw

Fire Report:
Fire Chief Marvin Rynearson encouraged the residents of Prairie City to be pro-active in
cleaning and sweeping out their chimneys because flu fires are prevalent this time of year.
Dominique Stebbins and Rebekka Camarena attended the Fire Academy, completing 60 hours of
fire training, including online.
Marvin also reported that remaining fire grant funds may be used for fire prevention next year.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:
Chris Camarena, Public Works Director, reported that the City has been diligently working on
the Man Hole projects to meet the requirements put forth by DEQ. Camarena was happy to
confirm the project complete!

Mayor Officer adjourned the Council Meeting at 7:24 p.m.

Approved by the City Council this 15th day of February, 2024 and signed by the mayor.

Scott Officer, Mayor

Attested:

Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder