---
date: "2026-02-11"
title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2026-02-11"
source: "2026-02-11-council-minutes-monthly.pdf"
---


City of Prairie City
Council Meeting
February 11, 2025

Attendance:
Mayor Pro Tempore, Chase McClung
Councilor Bernard
Councilor Clark
Councilor Coburn
Councilor Bradford
Mike Patterson, Public Works
Brian Heuckman, Public Works
Rob Gaslin, CPA
Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder
Ben Richardson, Museum Director
Visitors:
David Kebler, Technology Volunteer
Dennis Lynch, OPRD Committee President
Sue Malaney
Steve Patterson
Wanda Patterson
Larry Johnson
Ed Clark
Sandy Murray, Downtown Beautification Committee
Mary Brown
Fran Bunch
Colin Kolb
Ingo Wetty
Christine
Cheryl Hoefler

The meeting was called to order at 6pm, roll call taken, and the pledge of allegiance recited.
Councilor Davis was not present with an excused absence. MSP: To amend the agenda to
include the council vacancy, and the employee handbook amendment to the agenda.
Councilor Bernard/Coburn. All present in favor.
Minutes: January 14, 2026, council meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the council
meeting minutes of January 14, 2026, Councilor Bernard/Coburn. All present in favor.
Public Comment:
Leaderboard (downtown sign) repair:
Brian to inspect; target operational by summer
Water/sewer rates concerns (Mary):
Apartment units billed individually per established policy; correction increased bill for a business
with apartments
Voter eligibility: Based on residential address per state rules; non-resident business owners
cannot vote in city elections


City employment residency: Historical response-time requirement (20 minutes) for certain roles;
current staff meet criteria
Employment and residency policies: Acknowledged past practices and constraints in small-town
hiring.
Downtown Beautification Committee:
Request: City purchase final plant materials to complete tree project by end of March
Needs: 3 trees (incl. 1 for the bank), 2–4 serviceberry shrubs, 4 serviceberry bushes, soil
amendments/compost
Beautification Committee to fund flowers, planters, bark, and volunteer labor
Motion: Approve purchase of 3 trees, 4 shrubs, 4 berry bushes, and compost; City to be billed;
not to exceed $1,500
Discussion:
Past costs ~ $150–$200 per tree; total estimate $1,000–$1,500
Nursery timing and stock dependent; weather may affect schedule
Stump grinding: One removed; others pending contractor response
Site prep: Need walk-through with Council/Public Works; remove fill, amend soil, dig holes,
grind stumps to depth
Watering: Jerry unlikely to renew contract; City must hire watering support by April/May;
expanded scope. MSP: To approve the purchase of the three remaining trees, 4 shrubs, and
soil amendments, not exceeding $1500.00 Councilor Coburn/Bernard. All in favor.
IT and Infrastructure:
Wireless Backbone and City Network Plan (David Kebler)
Overview:
Proposed wireless backbone with two primary relays: new hilltop tower (on city property near
old tanks) and existing pole by inlet works
Partnerships: County Road Dept. seeks to erect and power a tower; City can co-locate
SCADA network (low-bandwidth control/data) separated from 5 GHz data network
Smart meters to report via city-owned network; potential for live usage data and leak alerts
Resilience: Local network functions without Internet; copper backup line retained
Phasing: City Hall → hilltop → relay → water plant (Phase 1 by early–midsummer); full
buildout by end of year/next year
Benefits: Centralize Internet at City Hall; reduce telecom costs (Rally bill from ~$1,100 to
~<$200/month projected)
Features: VOIP phones at blue nodes; security cameras; event Wi-Fi at park via access points
Maintenance and Continuity:
Full documentation to be created; database of assets/configurations
Potential to train local support; plan to identify service pathways/vendors
County Tower Agreement:
Discussion: Seek written agreement (e.g., MOU), 99-year lease concept; county funds erection,
power, road improvements


Maintenance: City likely to maintain if acquired; ensure non-charging terms in writing
Timing: County scheduling soon; negotiation by Mayor/City to return for signature
Website and Communications
Status:
Domain: test.prairiecity.or.gov operational (served from David’s server)
Needs: Local $300 server; DNS service (~$5/month); small monthly services
MSP: Motion to approve Ramp virtual credit card with $20/month limit; authorize
purchase of server up to $300 to host city website/data locally. Councilor Coburn/Clark. All
present in favor.
Draft website before next meeting (focus priority)
Draft at draft.prairiecity.or.gov (login-protected) for review; publish to main when approved
prairiecityoregon.com to forward to .gov; potential separate future use for business focus
Network Procurement and Plans
Consensus from council to continue. David to develop and present:
Cost analysis and phased procurement plan for wireless backbone and Rally replacement
Hardware/software plan for City Hall server room and LAN
Timeline flexible; website delivery prioritized.
Water Meter Project and RFP (RFP/RFQ)
Working group completed draft; at City Attorney for sample contract review
EPA/Grant Writer (Tricia) approved RFP content; posting to OregonBuys pending attorney
approval (target early next week)
Open period ~2 weeks; recommendation possible by next council meeting
Build America, Buy America (BABA):
Likely need variance; process 4–6 months; may shift installation to 2027
Grant extension probable; EPA indicated support if variance pursued
Key is documenting efforts to comply
Potential CIP (Congressional) Funding Application
Source: Congressional Community Project Funding (via Senator Merkley’s office)
Deadline: ~February 25 (prior to next council meeting)
Use Cases:
Water system priorities:
Electrical: Service entrance equipment, controls, VFDs
Mechanical: Booster pumps; Well 2 power line to eliminate costly generator use; avoid reliance
on Well 3 (taste)
Match: Historically waived due to income criteria; waiver not guaranteed but likely
Consensus: Proceed with application; staff/engineer/electrician team preparing; council available
for special meeting if needed.
Employee Handbook Amendment:
Subject: Timecard system policy update per attorney
MSP: Approve Employee Handbook Amendment No. 1, Councilor Clark/Bernard.


Vote: Unanimous
Accounts Payable & Financial Report: (Rob Gaslin)
Cash: Just under $2M across accounts; majority in LGIP at 4.1% interest
LGIP interest YTD: $43,000
Water Fund Revenues:
Up $15,000 vs prior year (7 months ended Jan 31); annualized +$26,000
Goal: +$35,000–$50,000; stronger summer usage may help
Museum:
Income YTD: $6,600 vs $1,500 prior year
Sales: $1,159 vs $700 prior year (note corrected title)
Budget to Date (Appropriations):
Target remaining ~42% of annual budget
Admin personnel slightly behind; expected to normalize
Landfill: Higher due to engineering; watch for additional costs
Road Fund: Close to threshold
Water Fund materials/services: Over due to chlorine purchases; expected to normalize later
Check Run Highlights:
Engineering: HECO (parks; grant-funded/mostly); Sixel (~$40,000, 1.5 years; expectations set
for future billing/project process)
Large items
Lexipol (emergency calling/related)
Huffman’s Market: Prior check voided; reissued corrected amount
Hotel Prairie: Gift certificates (Fire Department)
MSP: To pay the City’s bills. Councilor Bernard/Coburn. All present approved.
OPRD Park Committee:
Status:
Recent meetings canceled due to low attendance
Plan: Request HECO to send updated plan reflecting committee edits from notes/cards; review
prior to in-person meeting
HECO onsite cost: Potentially no charge if during council meeting; otherwise travel/meeting fee
(~$2,700)
Action: Explore scheduling HECO near/before a council meeting to minimize cost
Council Vacancy
Action: Advertise for applications
Motion: Bradford Second: Clark. All in favor
Mayoral Appointment
Action: Appoint Colby as Mayor
Motion: Councilor Bernard
Second: Councilor Clark
Effective: Immediately following this meeting


Vote: Unanimous; no opposition voiced
Acknowledgment: Appreciation expressed for service as Mayor Pro Tem; request to continue
assisting
Mayor Pro Tem: No change noted; prior arrangement continues.

Public Works Update
Winter projects ongoing
Portable generator (sold to Mt. Vernon; borrowed back) being remounted on trailer after service
for return
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: Made and seconded, Councilor Coburn/Clark. All in favor.

Approved by the City Council on this 11th day of March 2026 and signed by the Mayor.

Mayor Bradford

Attested

Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder