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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR DECEMBER 11, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Bob Jepsen, Council Members Skip Matthews, Tim Van Cleave, Tom Wolff, Kay Robinson, Jerri Sly, Rita Hedman, City Attorney Bill Kuhn, City Manager Jerry Breazeale, Police Chief Doug Rathbun, Fire Chief Rusty Estes (Unless otherwise noted, "MOTION CARRIED" indicates all in favor.) GENERAL BUSINESS Call to Order. Mayor Jepsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Jepsen led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Announcements. Mayor Jepsen commented on the fact that everyone is in attendance. Manager Breazeale noted that the agenda stated that the resolutions would begin with 438-2000, but in fact, we would start with 440-2000. Manager Breazeale noted that the League of Oregon Cities has requested everyone’s e-mail address and their occupation to be put in their directory. He will consolidate the list and send it in. Approval of the Minutes for the November 13th meeting Mayor Jepsen asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. Councilperson Robinson noted that on page two, the spelling of SESSION was incorrect. Councilperson Sly moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Councilperson Matthews seconded the motion. Councilperson Robinson abstained, as she wasn't at the last meeting. THE MOTION CARRIED. Report from Planning Commission December 4, 2000 Meeting Rusty Estes noted that the December 4th meeting was cancelled. Correspondence. Manager Breazeale directed everyone's attention to the first letter from Rev. Duane Jones, Pastor of the Heppner Nazarene Church. The letter thanked the city and their employees for the repairs and relocation of the fire hydrant in front of the property. He was very complimentary of the employees and their professionalism. The next letters were from Robin Baker-Krebs of the Morrow County Museum. The first letter outlined the preliminary plans for a commemoration of the 2003 Heppner Flood Centennial. The second letter was a request for committee volunteers. Manager Breazeale noted that no plans have been made as of yet and nobody has come forward to volunteer. Councilperson Wolff will talk to Robin about how she has worded the letter to the consulate, but he thinks that the letter is a good idea. If Robin Baker-Krebs gets the approval, and can get funding, the city council would approve it but Mayor Jepsen said she needs to come up with concrete plans. Public Works Director Dave Winters said that the mini park was supposed to be a memorial to the flood victims but it is getting full. A sign could be put up in the mini park indicating where the memorial is. Mayor Jepsen wants to go to the cemetery to identify headstones and clean up the cemetery. He would like to get a translator to see if they can read the markings. All the wooden markers of the Chinese people have been burned down so there is no way to identify who is buried. There are also a number of unmarked graves. It was noted that the courthouse was built in 1903 and the hope is to include it in the centennial celebration. Dave Winters visited with the youth at Campus Life to see if they had ideas of other ways to use the old pool site, but has received no responses yet. Other sites can be developed for the youth if it is desired. The final piece of correspondence was a notice that the museum will be closed for the months of December, January and February to conduct inventory and complete maintenance projects.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Oral communications from the public not on the agenda - There were no communications offered.
B) Intervening with Teen Tobacco Users - Karen Masshof Karen Masshof presented an overview of an interactive 2-½ week program, which is thehe result of collaboration between the juvenile department, the South Morrow County Accountability Board and Tobacco Prevention. The Tobacco Education Program (TEG) is a part of the process that will help support the counties no-smoking policy and the school districts tobacco free policy. The program is funded through the Morrow County Tobacco Prevention program. Karen said that if the police cite a student for smoking and the teen is between the 8th grade and the age of 18, a report is filed with the accountability board where the student will have to appear. The student will then be directed into the TEG program. Karen said this is more than just an educational program; this is a time-out, getting away from the shame and blame. There is also a companion program that encourages quitting smoking. Police Chief Rathbun said that although there isn't a big problem, they do occasionally have to go to the school and cite the kids, although they haven't had to do any this year. The council supported the program unanimously. Animal Permit for Jason & Stacy Just, 329 E. Linden Way. The permit is for a horse. Councilperson Wolff moved to approve the permit. Councilperson Matthews seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARINGS A) Cleanup of Property Located at 220 Chase Street, Map 2S 26 35BC, Tax Lot #5600 Chief of Police Rathbun showed a video of the Looney property, which had been taken today. As the video showed, only one vehicle was removed. Mr. Looney told Chief Rathbun that the rest of the vehicles would be removed this week. Chief Rathbun will send a second letter giving Looney’s 30 days to clean the property up. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FIRE CHIEF A) Resolution No. 440, A resolution declaring certain property a nuisance and ordering cleanup of property (220 S. Chase Street, Map 2S 26 35 BC, Tax Lot 5600. Councilperson Matthews moved to approve the resolution. Councilperson Van Cleave seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. Swearing in of new Reserve Officer - Mayor Jepsen swore Mikel G. Patrick in as a new volunteer officer. Police Chief Rathbun said that a woman came in today and asked for an application. C) Activity Report - Police Chief Rathbun reviewed the activity report. There were questions regarding one entry stating the speedometer quit. Chief Rathbun said that there were problems with one of the cars and it had to be taken in for repairs. There were also questions regarding the listing of "Morrow". Chief Rathbun said that there are times that the police have to assist the other departments. Police Commission - Next meeting cancelled. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Activity Report - Public Works Director Dave Winters briefly reviewed the activity report. There were questions regarding insulating the pipes under the bridge on Morgan Street. Winters assured everyone that the pipes under bridges don't freeze. There was also a brief discussion regarding the water line going into Fairview Way. The plans are to go just past the bus sheds, crossing the road and going on the uphill side to eliminate the problem of erosion. Winters discussed purchasing a 2001 Ford Ranger Pickup. He said this is through the state-purchasing agency and there are funds available for the purchase. He said the state-purchasing agency goes to dealers to get a fleet rate, which accounts for the price. He said the vehicle would normally sell for $22,000 - $23,000. Councilperson Wolff moved approval of the purchase of a 2001 Ford Ranger Pickup through state-purchasing for $16,376.00. Councilperson Robinson seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. Utilities Commission Meeting. The minutes of the October 19th meeting were reviewed. It was noted that the next meeting was cancelled. Councilperson Wolff reported that the City had asked Dave Green of Heppner Garbage to negotiate a contract with the City. He was also asked to get an answering machine. Councilperson Wolff called the number that is listed in Directory Assistance and found that there is now an answering machine, but they don't have a message telling whose number has been called. Dave Green also hasn't responded to the letter of November 29th. There was discussion regarding the fact that he doesn't always pick up the garbage on the established pick-up date. This has proven to be a problem if the garbage has been left out and animals get into it. Dave said he never skips picking up the garbage completely for the week, but he may delay the pickup a day or two. He has been asked to communicate with customers if the pickup day will be changed. He will also be asked to put a message on the machine so when people call they know they have the right number.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FIRE CHIEF Fire Chief Estes prepared the yearend report. He said there were 71 official pageouts. There were 20 MVA's, 5 home fires in town and one out of town. He reported that CSEPP training will begin next month. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER Resolution No. 441-2000, A Resolution Approving Accounts Payable for Payment. Exhibit "A" - Current Bills was reviewed and discussed. CouncilpersonWolff moved approval of the Accounts Payable for payment. Councilperson Robinson seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. ODDA Special Projects Award - A meeting was held on November 28, 2000 at St. Patrick's Senior Center for ODDA (Oregon Downtown Development Association). The goal was to get input from business leaders regarding their feelings about the Heppner community. ODDA is asking for suggestions in order to develop a marketing plan. They reviewed the Heppner goals, which include increasing the population, job availability, increased visitors to the community and establishing one major event each month. It was stressed that Heppner has many strengths and very few weaknesses. Manager Breazeale was very impressed with how quickly they got started on the report. He is waiting to hear from them to find out when they will begin the next phase. Resolution 442-2000, A resolution approving the 2001 Special City Allotment Agreement between the City of Heppner and the Oregon Department of Transportation, and authorizing the Mayor and City Recorder/Manager to sign. The city will need volunteers to work on sidewalk on Water Street, but it was stressed that we will need the buy-in of property owners because it's their responsibility to take care of sidewalks on their property. City Manager Breazeale will talk to the Neighborhood Enhancement Team. Councilperson Robinson moved approval of the resolution. Councilperson Matthews seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. HCC Report - City Manager Breazeale said that the meeting scheduled for tomorrow, December 12th will be a brief review of the Strategic Plan goals, which wont take much time. Councilperson Matthews will be there to talk about the Willow Creek Water Park. There will also be a discussion of the local gasoline tax, which has been an item of concern. People agree that we need to fix our streets and roads, but the state failed to pass the gasoline tax, which only leaves the option of a local gas tax. All the proceeds would go to the city and county. Manager Breazeale stressed that this may be a good way to get the money to fix our streets. Budget Committee Meeting - It was noted that the Budget Committee meeting will be held on December 18th at 7:00 at City Hall. Goal Setting Session - There was discussion about whether a special meeting should be held to set goals, or should the HCC Strategic plan be adopted as was done last year. It was decided that it would be done the same this year. Manager Breazeale will bring the goals to the next meeting and will be put in the packet for review. Resolution No. 443-2000, a resolution canvassing the results of the November 7, 2000 General Election of the Mayoral and City Council positions and declaring the results. The election results prepared by Barbara Bloodsworth were reviewed. No decision was made for the council position. Keri Keown is considering taking the vacant position on City Council. Councilperson Wolff moved approval of Resolution No. 443-2000. Councilperson Sly seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED. 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Bill Kuhn reported on the current developments with Measure 7. The measure allows that if a property owner feels they have had any detrimental effect by any new regulation that they can ask for reimbursement of their losses. He said that the League of Oregon Cities has a website that has continuous dialogue about the measure and the impact it will have. A Marion County Judge issued a temporary injunction against Measure 7 but Marion County doesn't have jurisdiction in Morrow County. There is still a lot of confusion regarding the scope of the measure and Attorney Kuhn would like to wait until the Attorney General has filed his opinion before he draft's an ordinance. Kuhn said he can draft an ordinance that will say that the city has a procedure but we could be sued anyway. There is still so much confusion regarding the measure that the consensus of the group was to wait a couple of months and see if there is a problem before a decision is made. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL A) Beautification Commission - Next meeting cancelled Heppner Housing Authority - Mayor Jepsen said that the minutes are in the packet. Bids are due on December 15th to do repairs on the St. Patrick's Senior Center. The Board will meet on the 19th of December to consider the bids. HEDC Current Activities - Councilperson Wolff reported that they are still working on the Zero Money Marketing Plan and the committee will get the mass mailing out in February. HEDC’s annual meeting will be held in January. A notice will be in the Heppner Gazette Times and Wolff will advise everyone of the meeting date. Nancy Snider will be replacing Louis Carlson, who resigned last fall. Announcements Mayor Jepsen announced that Ron Wyden will be in Heppner on Saturday from 9:00 - 10:30 on December 16th for a Town Hall Meeting. They will meet in the judge’s chamber at the courthouse. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Bob Kahl turned in his resignation for the Budget Committee. Manager Breazeale will send a letter thanking him for serving on the committee Mayor Jepsen thanked Jeri Sly for her 4 years of service Mayor Jepsen adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Nova Sweeney |