---
date: "2025-09-10"
title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2025-09-10"
source: "2025-09-10-minutes-council-monthly.pdf"
---

City of Prairie City
Council Meeting
September 10, 2025

Attendance:
Mayor Clark
Councilor McClung
Councilor Bradford
Councilor Davis
Councilor Scott Clark
Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder
Mike Patterson, Public Works
Marvin Rynearson, Fire Chief
Rob Gaslin, CPA
Visitors:
Wanda Patterson
Emily Bernard
Colin Kolb
Pam Woodworth
Ford Tannock

 :

    Minutes

Mayor Clark called the council meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. The
pledge of allegiance was recited, and the roll was called.
Announcements & Remembrance
Passing of Georgia Patterson:
Mayor Clark asked for a moment of silence to be observed for
Council Member Georgia Patterson, who passed away two weeks
prior.
Celebration of Life scheduled for Friday at 3 PM at the Public
Works Building.
August 13, 2025
Discussion regarding a Napa bill, approval to pay the chlorine
tank rentals until the City established an account with another
vendor to purchase the tanks outright.
MSP: Councilor McClung moved to approve August 13, 2025,
minutes; seconded by Councilor Bradford. Motion passed
unanimously.
Visitor Recognition:
No visitors on the speaker roster.
City Council Vacancies:
Current Vacancies: Two positions to fill (due to Amanda’s
resignation and Georgia Patterson’s passing).
Applicant Pool:
Existing applicant from previous round is still interested.
Council has legal authority (ORS 221.904) to appoint from

applicant pool.
New applications for Amanda’s position open until October 7.
Decision: Consensus to appoint previous runner-up for
Patterson’s vacancy.
MSP: Motion by Councilor Bradford, seconded by Councilor Clark;
passed unanimously.
Next steps: Swearing-in and paperwork for new council member.
Special Election Declaration:
Declaration read by Shonalie Oakes (City Recorder) per ORS
249.865-249.877.
Sufficient signatures received for recall petition submitted to
recall Mayor Ed Clark.
Recall election scheduled for October 7, 2025.
Statement of Reasons for Recall:
Alleged dishonesty, lack of transparency, favoritism, non-
adherence to public meeting laws, lack of accountability,
charter violations.
Mayor’s Statement of Justification:
Rejects claims as opinion, not fact.
Asserts transparency, proper staff discipline, adherence to
posted hours, compliance with meeting laws, accountability, and
legal compliance.
Authentication: Declaration made official per city and state
requirements.
Cell Tower Offer:
Negotiations & Offer:
Initial offer from US Cellular: $210,000.
After renegotiation: $245,000 offered for single-carrier cell
tower.
Alternative buyer uninterested due to single carrier.
Financial Impact:
Current annual income: ~$36,000.
Sale would help city’s budget, provide emergency funds, and earn
interest.
Decision:
Council consensus to accept the $245,000 sale.
MSP: Motion by Councilor McClung, seconded by Councilor
Bradford; passed unanimously.
Action: Mayor Clark to proceed with sale.
Small City Allotment Grant:
ADA Compliance:
Discussion of adding front entrance improvements as an option in
grant contract for ADA compliance.
Issues: Rotted railings, non-compliance, lawsuit risk.
Consensus:
Move forward with pricing; vote to occur once costs are known.

Water Resolution:
Background
Ongoing complaints and need for relief on water billing,
specifically the base gallons and overage rates for various user
categories (residential, commercial, non-taxpayer entities).
Key Points & Data Presented
Historical and current rates for base gallons and overages
reviewed in detail by Shonalie Oakes.
Proposed scenarios for base gallon amounts (4,500 vs. 7,500
gallons) and overage rates.
Significant impact on commercial and non-taxpayer entities
(schools, care center, federal buildings).
Discussion
General consensus to amend water Resolution to:
* Increase base rate across all categories to 7,500 gallons.
* Leave Tax-Payer Residential overage rates unchanged.
* Non-Taxpayer Residential overage rates to match Taxpayer
Residential overage rates.
* Set Tax-Payer Commercial and Non-Taxpayer Commercial overage
rates to be the same.
* Adjust availability charge to $10 per tax lot (down from $35).
(Noted that doubling base rates for certain entities is
standard, but overage rates may be too steep.)
Decisions & Action Items
Amendments to be drafted and brought back for vote in October.
Past two months billed at previous rates will stand; changes
will apply going forward if and once amendments pass in October.
Alleyway Property Issue
Background
Dispute regarding access and usage of city-owned alleyway
involving four adjoining properties, a dilapidated cherry tree,
and a parked semi-truck.
Some residents have been using the alleyway for decades, leading
to confusion over ownership and rights.
Discussion
Options considered:
Abandon alleyway and divide property among landowners.
Require removal of obstructions and restore alley access.
Seek legal counsel regarding property rights and precedent.
Concerns raised about setting precedent, legal exposure, and
fairness to both long-term users and rightful city ownership.
Decisions & Action Items
City to seek legal advice from city attorney regarding:
Rights to reclaim alleyway after decades of non-enforcement.
Council to await legal guidance before further action. Will
provide update at October’s meeting.

Council Meeting Scheduling
Some council members will be absent due to hunting schedules for
October’s monthly meeting. Due to not having a quorum, proposal
to move October's council meeting to October 22nd (fourth
Wednesday). All present agreed.
Second Council Vacancy & Application Deadline
Current deadline for council vacancy applications was October
7th. Proposal to extend deadline to the day before the re-
scheduled council meeting for the 22nd, to allow a larger
applicant pool.
Decision: Consensus to extend deadline as suggested.
Public Works Report
Chlorine booster pump failure and generator room backup;
replacements underway.
Four or five small water leaks fixed since last meeting.
New hire: Stephen Harwood, completed first on-call weekend.
Working with Joe Hitz on TMDL report.
Grant management: Someone identified to help manage the grant,
awaiting proposal.
Old Business
Water meter project likely delayed due to timing and approaching
winter.
Selling public works and recycled buildings:
Public meetings required.
Still on the agenda but delayed due to other priorities.
Need for additional storage if buildings are sold.
Solutions for storage discussed (containers, wall tent, etc.).
Accounts Payable & Financial Report (Rob Gaslin, CPA)
City cash: $1.76 million
Most funds in LGIP, earning ~4.6%.
Law enforcement budget: No agreement or payments made yet.
LGIP earnings: $13,061 for two months.
Annual insurance payment: $52,000 made.
Museum income: $5,780 for first two months.
Water revenues up ~$3,000 year-over-year for first two months;
tracking progress toward $30-50k target.
Caution against month-to-month comparisons; longer-term trends
more meaningful.
Appropriations review: Insurance payment front-loaded, water
fund materials/services hit harder.
Action: Keep close watch on water fund expenditures; budget
amendments possible.
Check Approval & Policy Discussion
Addition of previously unapproved check to Napa.
Refund issued for prepayment on water hookup (never completed),
~$4,297.
No existing policy for refunds in such cases; discussion about

implementing controls (time limits, tracking).
Suggestion: 3-year window for action before forfeiture.
Discussion: Payment upfront is standard, but need for better
tracking and policy.
Motion to Approve Bills
Motion and second to pay bills, including previously omitted
Napa check.
Motion passed unanimously. MSP: To pay the City’s bills and the
disputed NAPA bill, Councilor McClung/Bradford.
Fire Report (Fire Chief, Marvin Rynearson)
Ongoing lightning storms, but adequate moisture.
ADA parking concern: Fire Chief requests reconsideration of
location due to operational access needs.
Suggestion to move ADA spot to alternate location.
Water meter could be relocated inside building if needed.
Bridge fire update: 40% contained, recent rains helping.
Request for computer replacement: Current system outdated
(Windows 7).
Council confirms multiple computer upgrades are in process,
including Fire Chief’s.
Extra computer available for Fire Department training.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
MSP: To adjourn the council meeting, Councilor Bradford/Clark.
All in favor.

Approved by the City Council on this 22nd day of October 2025 and
signed by the Mayor.

Ed Clark, Mayor

Attested:

Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder