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D) Swearing in of new Council
Member, Tom Wolff Tom Wolff was sworn in by Mayor Jepsen
by repeating the oath of office. Mayor Jepsen welcomed Mr. Wolff
to the City Council and explained his responsibilities and duties.
E) Approval of the Minutes from
the December 13, 1999 Council Meeting. Mayor Jepsen stated
that there was an error on the first page regarding the MIA/POW
flag. Where the minutes states "night of" the correct
wording would be "National". Councilor Tim Van Cleave
stated that on page 5, "Skip McGuire" should be changed
to "Skip Matthews". Also, City Manager Breazeale stated
that Dave Winters was present at the meeting. Motion was made
by Tim Van Cleave, seconded by Skip Matthews to approve the minutes
as corrected. MOTION CARRIED. F) Report from Planning Commission
- No report was given as the Planning Commission did not meet
in January. G) Correspondence Mayor Jepsen
stated that there was correspondence to be reviewed. City Manager
Breazeale referred to the letter from Oregon Economic and Community
Development stating that the Willow Creek Valley Enterprise Zone
was approved including the City of Heppner. The enterprise zone
designation includes the hotel/motel exemption. Breazeale also
referred to the notice of the Annual Chamber Luncheon to be held
at All Saints Episcopal Church, January 11th at 11:00 AM, and
the Town and Country Banquet to be held January 13th at the Elk's
Lodge at 7:00 PM. Breazeale then referred to a letter from SAIF
Corporation stating that the case of Alsea Veneer v. State of
Oregon had been settled and there was a check enclosed for the
City's share of the settlement. The check was in the amount of
$6,852.82. 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
A) Oral communications from the
public not on the agenda. - None offered B) Intergovernmental Agreement
- Willow Creek Valley Enterprise Zone Morrow County Commissioner
Dan Brosnan explained that the agreement was similar to the agreement
with the City of Boardman. It provides that the City of Heppner
will work with Morrow County on issues of extending tax exemptions
within the City. He also stated that they would need to appoint
a Zone Manager. He was recommending that County Assessor, Greg
Sweek, be appointed Zone Manager. Mayor Jepsen asked Commissioner
Brosnan if he could supply any more information on the announced
tenant for the Kinzua mill site. Brosnan stated that the company
would manufacture board made from wheat straw. They would be
occupying a couple of the existing buildings according to information
available to him. Motion by Skip Matthews, second by Rita Hedman,
to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement and appoint Greg Sweek
Zone Manager. MOTION CARRIED.
A) Low Income Senior and Disabled
Persons Water and Sewer Rates. Mayor Jepsen opened the public
hearing and asked City Manager Breazeale to explain the proposed
adjustment. Breazeale reviewed the history of the Low Income
Senior Rate that was established in 1976. While the water and
sewer rates for everyone else had been raised from time to time
to reflect costs of operating the systems, the rate for low income
seniors had not been adjusted. Surrounding cities had been contacted
to determine what they had available for reduced rates for low
income seniors. Results had varied from no special rate in Pendleton,
to a 50% discount in Hermiston. The Hermiston rate also applied
to low income disabled persons. The Utilities Commission had
studied the senior rate and was recommending that the rate be
set at 50% of the base minimum rate for the first 5,000 gallons
for water and 50% of the regular rate for sewer and sewer bond.
The Utilities Commission was also recommending that the rate
be made available to low income disabled individuals. Water usage
above 5,000 gallons would be billed at the regular rate of $0.80
per 1,000 gallons. The concept being that the rate was reduced
to help low income seniors and disabled persons meet their basic
needs for water and sewer service. The Utilities Commission believes
that 5,000 gallons is adequate for all basic domestic needs.
Water usage above that amount would be discretionary and should
be billed at the normal rate. Breazeale reported that letters
had been sent to all customers who are currently on the special
rate advising them of the proposed rate adjustment and notifying
them of the public hearing. A news release was printed in the
Gazette Times about the proposed rate adjustment and public hearing.
A public notice had also been published in the paper. Breazeale
stated that he had received no calls regarding the proposed rate
increase other than one caller asking about the time and place
for the hearing. He stated that one of the recipients of the
low income senior rate had told him in person, that the rate
was too low. Breazeale also stated that the rate would apply
to renters as well as homeowners. Annual proof of income would
be required to ensure that the recipient sill qualified. No one was present to give testimony
regarding the proposed water and sewer rate adjustment. B) Resolution No. 398-2000, A
Resolution Adopting the City of Heppner First Supplemental Budget
for Fiscal Year 1999-2000. Mayor Jepsen opened the public hearing
on the supplemental budget. No one was present to testify. Mayor
Jepsen closed the public hearing. Motion by Tom Wolff, second
by Tim Van Cleave to approve Resolution No. 398-2000. MOTION
CARRIED.
A) Code Enforcement Chief
Rathbun showed a video tape of the apartment building at 168
W Willow, which was next door to City Hall. He stated that he
had received numerous complaints on the property. Evident in
the video were trash and debris, a disabled vehicle, and appliances.
Motion by Skip Matthews, seconded by Tim Van Cleave to start
the formal process to obtain compliance. MOTION CARRIED. Rathbun next showed a video on the
car lot south of City Hall. The lot contains many unlicenced
vehicles and the tenant no longer has a valid vehicle dealer
licence. Discussion ensued regarding the history of the car lot
and ownership. Motion by Tom Wolff, second by Skip Matthews,
to start the cleanup process. MOTION CARRIED.
A) Activity Report- Public
Works Director Dave Winters distributed a list of department
activities for December. Skip Matthews asked about the meeting
on the bank of Shobe Creek. Dave explained that the Water Control
District was contemplating doing work on Shobe Creek within the
city limits where it runs parallel to Cannon Street. There has
been erosion of the bank and the District wanted to shore it
up. He stated that he and City Manager Breazeale had met with
Al Osmin to discuss the proposal. Breazeale stated that the proposal
was to install stacked concrete blocks along the south bank of
the creek. Tom Wolff asked Dave if the City had used Insituform
for any sewer repair work. Dave stated that they had not used
it due to the high cost. (The following was discussed under Communications
from City Manager but is placed here to conform to the agenda.)
City Manager Breazeale stated that one of the items not clear
on Dave's report is that the altitude valve on Reservoir 2 has
been repaired and adjusted. This valve had been inoperable previously
and large quantities of water had been wasted into Shobe Creek
when the reservoir overflowed. The valve is now functioning properly
and the wasting of water will be eliminated for the most part.
B) Utilities Commission Meeting
Mayor Jepsen stated that there would be a Utilities Commission
meeting on January 18th at City Hall, at 8:00 AM. C) Acceptance of Thompson Street
Water and Sewer Lines Mayor Jepsen stated that the water
and sewer lines that were installed on Thompson Street need to
be accepted. Mayor Jepsen reminded Council of the relocation
of the water line that crossed a parcel of property that fronted
on Thompson Street. Motion by Skip Matthews, second by Rita Hedman,
to accept the water and sewer lines installed on Thompson Street.
MOTION CARRIED.
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY
MANAGER A) Resolution No.399-2000,
A Resolution Approving Accounts Payable for Payment. Motion by
Tim Van Cleave, second by Tom Wolff. MOTION CARRIED. B)Resolution No 400-2000, A Resolution
Approving the Transfer of Appropriations Within the 1999-2000
Budget. Breazeale reviewed the proposed transfers which were
necessary to provide for payment of certain bills and anticipated
expenses. Motion by Skip Matthews, second by Rita Hedman. MOTION
CARRIED. C) Resolution No 401-2000, A Resolution
Establishing a Discounted Water and Sewer Rate for Disabled Individuals
on a Low and Limited Income and Individuals 65 Years or Older
on a Low and Limited Income. Breazeale explained that this
was the resolution to implement the recommendation of the Utilities
Commission. Motion by Tom Wolff, second by Tim Van Cleave to
approve Resolution No. 401-2000. MOTION CARRIED. D) Resolution No. 402-2000, A
Resolution Establishing Goals for 2000. City Manager had
presented a draft resolution based on the discussions of the
previous meeting. Upon review of the goals in the resolution,
Tom Wolff asked to change the wording under the 7th bolded item
to drop the word develop and start with the word maintain so
the goal would read: Maintain a strong and responsive law
enforcement and crime prevention system, including citizen participation,
to curtail the growth of crime and vandalism. Mayor Jepsen
stated that the City has supported new industry in the local
area and asked if this was covered or if it needed to be added.
The goals were reviewed to determine if this was stated clearly
anywhere in the draft goals. Skip Matthews asked to add a goal
which would read: Promote business recruitment in Heppner
and the Willow Creek Valley. Motion by Skip Matthews, seconded
by Tom Wolff to approve Resolution No. 402-2000 with the above
changes. MOTION CARRIED. E) Water System Master Plan-
Progress Report. Breazeale explained that he had been gathering
data on the water system for the computer model and loading it
into the City's computer. He stated that he had run a few scenarios
and needed to work out some problems with the model. He explained
that the system, although small, is incredibly complex due to
many different pipe routings that cross and overlap and may or
may not be tied in together. Mayor Jepsen stated that we were
making progress on the plan and hoped that we could accomplish
much of what we set out to do. F) Heppner Coordinating Council
- Oral report. City Manager Breazeale stated that the Heppner
Coordinating Council had discussed the possibility of establishing
a web site for marketing Oregon's Willow Creek Valley. The Coordinating
Council was very supportive of the idea and wanted to see it
proceed. HEDC was approached with the idea of publishing on the
web the marketing brochure prepared by Elesco on Oregon's Willow
Creek Valley. HEDC indicated strong support for the idea and
wished to sponsor the site. The Port of Morrow is also supportive
and has offered financial assistance. Jerry Breazeale stated
that the next meeting would be Tuesday the 11th at the Forest
Service Office and the main topic of the meeting would be the
community telecommunication needs assessment. This is required
by SB 622 prior to funding under the bill. Lisa Breckenridge
with GEODC would be at the meeting to gather information and
to explain the process. G) Speed Zone Reduction- North
Highway 207/74 Mayor Jepsen stated that this speed reduction
request was submitted some years ago by Gary Marks and was just
now completed. Chief Rathbun stated that he wanted to reduce
the speed along the highway by the swimming pool to 25 MPH. Breazeale
reported that the recommendation was to leave all the speed zones
as they are except for the short portion from Riverside to where
the speed changes to 35. The recommendation was to lower the
speed from 55 to 45. The City has the option to accept the recommendation
as it is, do nothing which would leave the zones as they currently
are, or to appeal the decision. After discussion, Skip Matthews
made a motion to accept the recommendation. A second to the motion
was made by Rita Hedman. MOTION CARRIED.
A) Local Improvement District
Ordinance City Attorney Bill Kuhn reported that there had
been little progress on the proposed ordinance. B) Code Enforcement Mr. Kuhn
reported that he had discussions with the District Attorney regarding
enforcement of local codes. The District Attorney would be meeting
with all of the cities in Morrow County and informing them of
the policy of code enforcement. C) St. Patrick's Senior Center Financing Mr. Kuhn reported on the work being done to provide financing for the Housing Authority to renovate the building. The proposed package would involve extending the terms on the existing general obligation bond for a longer period on the remaining balance. The additional funds needed for the renovation would be secured by the building equity. The goal is to keep the monthly payments at the current level.
A) Mayoral recommendations for
appointments to boards and commissions. Mayor Jepsen reported
that it was time for him to make his annual appointments for
boards and commissions. He made the following appointments: Planning
Commission; Howard Gilliam, and Deborah Kendrick. Budget Committee;
Jim Wishart and Joyce Kay Hollomon. Housing Authority Board;
Barb Watkins and Karen Dubuque. St. Patrick's Committee; Claudia
Hughs and Cara Osmin. Christmas Parade of Lights; Darrel Raver
and Bob Kahl. Police Commission; Rita Hedman. Personnel Committee;
Tom Wolff. Motion by Skip Matthews to approve Resolution 403-2000,
A Resolution Ratifying Appointments to Committees, Boards, Commissions,
and Positions. Second provided by Tom Wolff. MOTION CARRIED. B) Beautification Commission-
Set first meeting date. Mayor Jepsen stated that a meeting
date had not been established for the Beautification Commission.
Consensus was to have City Manager Breazeale notify the Councilors
of the date he can establish, preferably in February.
Mayor Jepsen asked if there were
any other items for discussion. Councilor Skip Matthews reported
that agriculture in Morrow County was suffering from a combination
of low prices coupled with drought. Without the Federal subsidies
programs, many farms could go out of business.
Mayor Jepsen reported that the deal
with Union Oil had not been obtained at this point. He had been
expecting the papers to be in the mail. Jepsen stated he would
remove the fence around the property as soon as the agreement
has been obtained.
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