PRESENT: Mayor Bob Jepsen; Council
Members Kay Robinson, Rita Hedman, Tim Van Cleave, Tom Wolff,
Skip Matthews; Kari Keown; City Manager Jerry Breazeale;
Police Chief Merle Cowett; Public Works Director Craig Canham;
Acting City Attorney Ann Spicer
ABSENT: City Attorney Bill Kuhn
VISITORS: Dave Sykes
1. GENERAL BUSINESS
A) Call
to Order. Mayor Jepsen called the meeting to
order at
B)
Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Jepsen led the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C) Announcements:
There were no announcements
D) Approval
of Minutes of
Motion to
approve minutes by Kay Robinson, seconded by Kari Keown. MOTION
CARRIED.
E) Report
from the Planning Commission: No report.
F) Correspondence:
City Manager Jerry Breazeale presented the following
correspondence:
Invitation from Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation to
attend their 20th anniversary annual
membership meeting on Friday, January 25;
Two thank-you letters from the City of Ione, one for the dinners
provided by the City of Heppner for the Morrow Leadership 2001,
the other for a $50.00 donation for the hospitality room
provided at the League of Oregon Cities meeting in November;
Letter from the Oregon Rural Housing Services, Inc., providing
information on services available;
Notice from the Region 12 Workforce Investment Board announcing
the first annual NE Oregon Workforce and Economic Development
Summit on February 4;
Letter from the State Historical Preservation Office informing
the City that there are no historic properties adversely affected
by the proposed Library/City Hall project.
Notification from the Oregon Progress Board of a Public Hearing
on the Oregon Benchmarks.
2.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A) Request for renewal of Animal Permit from Elizabeth Jones/Pettibone for 8 horses at 710 Heppner/Spray Highway. Motion to approve by Kay Robinson, second by Skip Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE
CHIEF OF POLICE
A) Activity
Report was presented by Chief Cowett.
B) Next Police
Commission meeting is January 31.
C) Code
enforcement: Chief Cowett showed video of the Breeding
property on Linden Way which he recommended be considered for
Nuisance Abatement enforcement. Motion by Tom Wolff to
initiate proceedings with the letter requesting cleanup, second
by Kay Robinson. MOTION CARRIED
Kari Keown reported that she had visited with the Ministerial
Association about disable people in town who are unable to
comply with Nuisance Abatement regulations. Tim Van
Cleave added that the Association is forming a network of people
who would be willing to help these disabled people. Kari
Keown is going to follow-up on the City’s letters of
notification to let people know that assistance is available.
Keown also reported that the service is going to be available in
Heppner, Lexington and Ione.
Chief Cowett reported that he met with Ed Haugsvar, whose
property had been the subject of Nuisance Abatement enforcement
last fall, and Mr. Haugsvar has made arrangements for continuing
upkeep of the property.
Tom Wolff noted that Officer Mike Sweek’s father had passed
away. Manager Breazeale was instructed to send the family
flowers from the City Council.
6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
A) Activity Report: Director Canham presented his activity report
for December, noting that work on the sewer system had resulted
in the removal of 35,000 gallons of sludge. He is planning
to devote primary effort in January to sewer plant maintenance
and water service. February and the first part of March will see
particular emphasis on City cleanup.
B) Parks and Lands
Commission meeting will be held January 28.
C) Utility Commission meeting will be held January 17, 2002.
D) Mayor
Jepsen noted that if the City plans to go ahead with demolition
of the old swimming pool site, the Council will need to declare
the property surplus and authorize the demolition. Motion to
declare the old swimming pool property surplus, authorize City
Manager Breazeale to dispose of said property as appropriate and
proceed with demolition by Kari Keown, second by Tom Wolff.
MOTION CARRIED.
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM
THE FIRE CHIEF: No report.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM
THE CITY MANAGER
A) Resolution # 482-2002, A Resolution Approving Accounts Payable
for Payment; Motion to approve by Kay Robinson, seconded by Kari
Keown. MOTION CARRIED.
B) Resolution #483-2002, a Resolution Approving the Transfer of
Appropriations Within the 2001-2002 Budget. Tom Wolff moved
to approve, second by Skip Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
C) Resolution
#484-2002, a Resolution Ratifying Appointments to City
Committees, Boards, Commissions and Positions. Tim Van
Cleave moved to approve, second by Kari Keown. MOTION
CARRIED.
D) Library/City
Hall Project work session: City Manager Breazeale reported
that 87 people attended the public meeting regarding the
Library/City Hall project. Tom Wolff reported that the
Library/City Hall Survey taskforce met to begin work on the
surveys which are to be in the mail by January 25. Results
will be tallied and a report delivered to the City Council and
to the Library District by February 15. All registered
voters in the four Heppner precincts will be sent a survey.
Those who reside outside the city limits will be sent different
colored surveys so that the Library District and the City can
earmark their particular constituents. The taskforce
anticipates an expenditure of approximately $1000 to distribute
the survey. The Library District has indicated that it will
probably be able to contribute to that cost. Wolff
estimated an approximate cost to the City of $750 and $250 to the
Library District, though final figures are not yet available.
Wolff noted that there are 847 registered voters within the City
limits. There are 1,189 registered voters in the four
precincts, which leaves 342 library patrons outside the City
limits. The surveys will be returned either by mail or by
drop-off at either of the two banks. Wolff asked the City
Council if the Council wished to include a question on a separate
page regarding the proposed agreement with Morrow County to
provide policing for the City and does the Council wish to
postpone the February Council meeting one week to a point
following the compilation of the survey results. Wolff
provided a sample question regarding the policing agreement.
It was the consensus of the Council to include a question
regarding the proposed policing agreement with Morrow County and
that a special Council meeting will be called to consider the
results of the survey.
Kari Keown moved to pay the City’s portion of the costs
incurred in the preparation and mailing of the survey, second by
Skip Matthews. MOTION CARRIED (two opposed).
City Manager Breazeale asked for reactions to the effectiveness
of the meeting and way it was conducted. Skip Matthews
noted that it was the first time it had been possible to hear all
sides of the question. Tom Wolff stated that he felt Mary
Nixon had been very effective in her administration of the
proceedings. Mayor Jepsen agreed that Ms. Nixon had done an
excellent job.
E) Financial Report, December, 2001: In response to a
question from Tom Wolff, City Manager Breazeale said he feels the
City is doing very well financially. His only concern is
for the Sewer Fund (because of the recent maintenance activity)
but he feels that long-term savings will result from the work
being done now.
9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY: Ann Spicer reported that City Attorney Bill
Kuhn had been concentrating on developing the dog control
enforcement procedures. City Manager Breazeale noted that
the program is paying expenses. Public Works Director
Canham suggested that the addition of a couple of gates would
allow access to a graveled area which could provide a run for
dogs in custody.
10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE
MAYOR/CITY COUNCILORS
A) The Beautification
Commission met December 13 and January 10. The next meeting
will be February 14.
B) Mayor Jepsen reported that the Heppner Housing Authority
will meet January 28.
C) Tom Wolff reported that the Willow Creek Valley Economic
Development Group will hold its annual luncheon on January 23.
Discussion are still going on about the possibility of purchasing
a business to bring into the Valley.
D) Mayor Jepsen reported that he had met with Bruce
Anderson, Superintendent of Morrow County School District,
regarding closure of Stansbury Street during school hours.
Mr. Anderson will attend the February Council meeting to discuss
the issue.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:07.