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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FOR AUGUST 14, 2000 A) Call to Order. Mayor Jepsen
called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.
B) Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor
Jepsen led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C) Announcements. The Mayor
welcomed visitors to the Council meeting, and asked that they
please introduce themselves as they spoke. City Treasurer Devin
announced that she had several additions to the Council's packet.
D) Approval of the Minutes from
the June 12, 2000 Council Meeting. Motion made by
Councilwoman Hedman to adopt the minutes as submitted. Seconded
by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
E) Report from the Planning Commission
August 7, 2000 Meeting. Tom Sly reported that the Planing
Commission had received a Request for Endorsement of Proposal
by Tom Wolff and Jerry Gentry to Have the City Petition the Corps
of Engineers for Ownership of the Access Road to Willow Creek
Campground and Private Property. The Planning Commission made
the recommendation that the City Council approve the request.
Councilman Wolff offered a detailed explanation of the map submitted
with the Proposal. He explained that the object of the Proposal
was to create a permanent legal access to the Willow Lake Campground
and to a private parcel. The Planning Commission felt that obtaining
this access would be of great benefit to the City. Not only would
it allow for connectivity to these previously detached areas,
but would allow the City to take title to this access without
bearing the expense of maintaining the road. Councilman Wolff
explained that the Real Estate Liaison for the Corps of Engineers
stated that they were willing to make this transfer. The transfer
cannot be made to a private party, only to a municipality. Motion
made by Councilman Matthews to direct the City to contact the
Corps of Engineers regarding this Proposal. Seconded by Councilman
Van Cleave. MOTION CARRIED. Abstained: Councilman Wolff.
F) Correspondence. Treasurer
Devin called the Council's attention to a letter the City had
received from Columbia River Associates. C.R.A. had submitted
a request for a temporary water and sewer charge decrease. Their
letter explained that they would not be renting the upstairs
apartments for an undetermined length of time while renovating.
They would, however, be renting the downstairs apartment and
two business spaces that shared a bathroom. Treasurer Devin reported
that after receiving the letter from C.R.A., she had been personally
contacted by a young woman stating that she would be renting
and managing one of the upstairs apartments. Treasurer Devin
explained that there were two water meters on the building, and
there was no way the City could shut off water to some of the
apartments and not to others. Manager Breazeale's recommendation
was that their request not be granted at this time. Additional
time and information was needed to determine how the vacant apartments
would be secured. Treasurer Devin pointed out that the sewer
charges and bond fees were separate. Columbia River Associates
would still be charged for the bond fees, not the minimum sewer
and water fees. There was some general discussion regarding the
actual minimum fee amounts, and providing relief as incentives
for those property owners supplying lower cost apartments. Councilman
Matthews stated that he felt that an actual time frame was necessary
for this consideration. The Council was in agreement.
Treasurer Devin mentioned that the
City had received a copy of an article "So, Just What Can
The Arts Do For My Town?" Submitted by John Edmundson.
The article highlighted the town of Joseph, OR and emphasized
the impact that fine arts have had in adding to the economic
base. Mayor Jepson commented that at one point in its history,
Joseph had the highest unemployment rate in our ten county area.
Morrow County now has that distinction.
2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
A) Oral communications from the
public not on the agenda.
There was no communication from the public.
B) Policy on Signs for Bicycles
on Main Street Sidewalks.
John Edmundson explained that this issue had come forward most
recently at the last HCC meeting. The issue is one of safety
and aesthetics. There have been problems with children and young
adults riding their bicycles on Main Street sidewalks. This creates
a safety issue for older people that may not have the physical
ability to dodge a fast moving cyclist. Since the new Main Street
remodel only allows for "head in" parking, it also
creates safety issues for children riding their bicycles on the
street. Mr. Edmundson presented a stencil and several different
types of messages that could be painted onto the sidewalk intersections
to provide instruction. Ray French voiced his concerns on the
matter, and offered several suggestions as well. Mark White suggested
having a bike lane. Mayor Jepsen pointed out that the City had
an ordinance prohibiting riding bicycles on Main Street sidewalks.
Christine White suggested a small sign posted with the message.
Mr. Edmundson felt that it would be a good idea to have one of
Heppner's police officers hold presentations at the local schools
explaining the newly adopted policy regarding the bike issue.
He also thought that an officer making a foot patrol on the sidewalk
would be beneficial. Mayor Jepson mentioned that there were people
opposed to painting on our sidewalks. He felt that painting the
message "please walk your bike" may be one of the more
effective ways to convey the message. There was some additional
discussion regarding bicycle safety classes, and licensing bikes
after passing the safety course. Councilman Wolff made the motion
to refer this issue to the Beautification Committee for their
recommendation on how to provide notice on the streets; and to
the Police Commission to provide education to students as school
begins. Their responses would be discussed at the September Council
Meeting. Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
C) Animal Permit for Kelsey Wolff.
Kelsey Wolff made application to the City to allow
one rabbit at 180 Rock Street. Motion by Councilman
Van Cleave to approve the permit. Seconded by Councilwoman
Sly. MOTION CARRIED. Abstained: Councilman
Wolff.
D) Liquor License Renewals.
Mayor Jepsen noted that six businesses have made application
for their Liquor License renewals. They are: C & J Food Markets,
LLC, tradename Central Red Apple Market; Murray's Drugs, Inc.,
tradename The Country Rose; Jeff and Kathie Maben, tradename
Kate's Pizza & Pastry; John and Ruth Maben, tradename Court
Street Market; Kate & Doreen, LLC, tradename Cal's Restaurant
& Lounge; Elk's Lodge #358. Treasurer Devin commented that
there would be more applications at the next Council meeting;
they would be late applications and charged a fee accordingly.
Councilman Wolff made a motion to approve the applications noting
that The Country Rose's application was not signed. Seconded
by Councilman Hedman. MOTION CARRIED.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS. A) Nuisance abatement at 340 Water
Street, Map 2S 26 27DD, Tax Lot 2100. Officer Mike Sweek
presented a video tape showing "before and after" shots
of all properties. This property is owned by Mark White. Chief
Rathbun's recommendation was that no further action was necessary
at this time. The property had been cleaned up to code.
B) Nuisance abatement at 460 W.
Morgan Street, Map 2S 26 27DA, Tax Lot 5300. The property
is owned by Gary Gaines. Chief Rathbun's recommendation was that
the property had been cleaned up to code, and no further action
was necessary at this time.
C) Nuisance abatement at 620 North
Elder Street, Map 2S 26 26CC, Tax Lot 3200. Officer Sweek
noted that there had been no improvements made to this property.
D) Nuisance abatement at 135 E.
Center Street, Map 2S 26 35BB, Tax Lot 4500. This property
is owned by Gary McCorkle. Chief Rathbun's recommendation was
that no further action be taken at this time, the property had
been cleaned up to code.
E) Nuisance abatement at Lakeview
Heights Subdivision. Officer Sweek showed a video, and commented
that there were several vacant lots at the subdivision that had
tall grass that needed to be mowed. The lot owners would be sent
notification to eliminate this potential fire hazard.
F) Ordinance No. 529-2000, An
Ordinance Allowing the Operation of Class I and Class II ATVs
Upon City Streets. Attorney Kuhn explained that this ordinance
would require proper equipment and liability insurance, and will
not permit ATVs to be operated outside the City limits. The State
will not be licensing ATVs for street use. Councilman Wolff mentioned
that it was his understanding that the reasoning behind this
was- that the ATV manufacturers were having liability problems.
G) Street Vacation, The 100 foot
section of the unnamed street which abuts lot 8, block 6, Valley
View Heights Estates Addition to the City of Heppner, Morrow
County, Oregon and which connects the south ends of Thompson
and Bisbee Streets. Enclosed within the Council's packet
was a map submitted by Councilman Wolff. He offered an explanation
of the map outlining specific details. Attorney Kuhn suggested
that the sewer line running through John Murray's property would
need to be surveyed to correctly create an easement.
H) Amendment to City Code Section
Title 5, Chapter 2A, The City Dog Control Code. Mayor Jepsen
noted that some of the wording in the ordinance had changed.
Attorney Kuhn explained that Manager Breazeale felt that it was
important to have a little flexibility in appointing an Animal
Control Officer. (Any Police Officer or person authorized as
an Animal Control Officer.) He also felt that instead of having
set fines perhaps the fines could be set by periodic Council
resolution.
A) Resolution No. 430-2000, A
Resolution Declaring Certain Property a Nuisance and Ordering
Cleanup of Property. (620 North Elder Street, Map 2S 26 26CC,
Tax Lot 3200.) Mayor Jepsen and the other Councilors were
concerned that Ms. Troxel was an elderly single woman, and perhaps
physically unable to maintain her yard. There was some discussion
regarding volunteering a community service worker to assist her.
Motion by Councilman Wolff to approve resolution No 430-2000.
Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
John Edmundson mentioned that the
Heppner Chamber of Commerce had been effective in implementing
an "Adopt A Highway" litter pick up program utilizing
volunteers to clean up the State Highway shoulders. The program
would be implemented four times a year.
A) Ordinance No. 529-2000, An
Ordinance Allowing the Operation of Class I and Class II ATVs
Upon City Streets. Motion made by Councilman Wolff to adopt
this ordinance. Seconded by Councilman Van Cleave. MOTION CARRIED.
B) Ordinance No. 530-2000, An
Ordinance Amended City Code Section Title 5, Chapter 2A, The
City Dog Control Code. Motion made by Councilman Van Cleave
to adopt this ordinance. Seconded by Councilwoman Sly. MOTION
CARRIED.
Treasurer Devin explained that the
Ordinance 530-2000 would probably begin in October. The tags
require a year date which would begin January 1, 2001. The dog
tags and licenses have been ordered. The City Dog Pound will
be located at the City Sewer Treatment Plant.
6. STREET VACATION ACTION Section of the Unnamed Street
Which Abuts Lot 8, Block 6, Valley View Heights Estates Addition
to the City of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon and Which Connects
the South Ends of Thompson and Bisbee Streets. Motion made
by Councilman Matthews. Seconded by Councilman Van Cleave. MOTION
CARRIED. Abstained: Councilman Wolff.
A) Activity Report. Chief
Rathbun was not present to comment, however copies of the Activity
Report were included in the Council's packets.
C) Police Commission July 28,
2000 Meeting. Minutes from this meeting will be included
in next Council Meeting packet. The next meeting will be held
August 25, 2000.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR. A) Activity Report. Director
Winters was not present but his written report was included in
the Council's packet. Councilman Wolff questioned item #7 on
the Activity Report. Mayor Jepsen explained that the Public Works
employees had not been able to locate the 8 inch main shown on
the map. The plan was to install a new fire hydrant on this main.
They were only able to locate a 3 inch main. Councilwoman Hedman
questioned the City's plans to correct water pressure problems
on Barratt Way. Treasurer Devin explained that the City planned
to bore under the State Highway to connect to and create a loop
in the existing line, thus enhancing the pressure. Plans are
to wait until after the Morrow County Fair to begin.
B) Utilities Commission Meeting
for July 20, 2000. Next meeting August 17, 2000 has been
canceled. Minutes from the meeting were enclosed in the Council's
packets. There was no additional discussion.
C) Parks and Lands Commission
Meeting for July 31, 2000. There was no discussion. The next
meeting will be held August 28, 2000.
9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FIRE
CHIEF. Chief Estes was not present to comment.
A) Resolution No. 431-2000. A
Resolution Approving Accounts Payable for Payment. Councilman
Wolff questioned the mileage reimbursement for Chief Rathbun.
The dollar amount should read $39.68. He also questioned an expense
for Share Corporation. Treasurer Devin noted that that expense
was for enzymes used by the sewer treatment plant. Councilman
Matthews questioned an expense for Grizzle & Hunter Plastic,
LLC. Treasurer Devin explained that this was an expense for water
valves. Motion made by Councilman Wolff to pass Resolution 431-2000
as corrected. Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
B) RARE Application Interview
for August 24, 2000. Treasurer Devin noted that Manager Breazeale
had only received one application for this project. The interview
was to be held August 24th. The person will not be hired until
funding has been obtained.
C) Morrow Leadership 2000 - Request
for donation of meals $300.00. Treasurer Devin explained
that this was a six session training program that would include
thirty individuals. The programs will be held in the evenings,
beginning at 6:30 PM. Manager Breazeale felt it would be appropriate
to provide meals to the participants. He was requesting a donation
of $300. or approximately $10. per person. The funding could
come from the general budget under Meetings and Conferences.
Motion made by Councilman Matthews to approve the donation. Seconded
by Councilman Van Cleave. MOTION CARRIED. Abstained: Councilwoman
Hedman. Opposed: Councilman Wolff.
D) Report on Bonded Debt.
The information was enclosed in the Council's packet and was
presented for their information only.
E) Council Permission for Treasurer
Devin or Public Works Director Winters to sign a contract with
Business and Utilities Services, Inc. Treasurer Devin explained
that this contract applied to the testing of backflow valves
required by the State. If any private residence is located on
a Public Water System they must install a backflow valve when
installing an underground sprinkler system or private swimming
pool. These valves must be inspected annually. The service is
provided by the City, with the property owner paying the City
for the individual inspection. Mayor Jepsen approved the request.
Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
11. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY. A) Easement Request Across City
Property at 280 Hill Street. Mayor Jepsen explained that
the City had received a request from Fred Painter to relocate
his sewer line across City property. Attorney Kuhn explained
that an easement was needed on the West property line of Tax
Lot 900. There was some general discussion as to requiring an
appropriate survey to insure against future easement and lot
line problems. The survey would be at the expense of the property
owner. Motion made by Councilman Wolff to approve the Easement
Request. Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
A) Beautification Commission -
August 1, 2000 Meeting. The next meeting will be held September
14, 2000. Mayor Jepsen reported that only high priority cleanups
would be pursued at this time.
B) Heppner Housing Authority -
Mayor Jepsen, Chairman. Mayor Jepsen reported that the St.
Patrick's Senior Center may have two vacancies open soon. There
would be some progress on the dining room renovation this fall.
C) Neighborhood Enhancement Team
- Acceptance of additional projects. Mayor Jepsen stated
that the Neighborhood Enhancement Team needed the Council's approval
to accept two additional sidewalk projects. There is an eighteen
foot section of sidewalk on Marlin Donohoe's property that is
now owned by the Biddle's. A section of this sidewalk is also
owned by the Rawlins. The sidewalk repair would guarantee insurance
coverage. Motion to approve the two additional projects made
by Councilman Matthews. Seconded by Councilman Van Cleave. MOTION
CARRIED.
D) Additional Discussion.
There was no additional discussion.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:20 PM |