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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR JANUARY 11, 1999 PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen; Council Members: McGuire, Sly, Robinson, Matthews; City Treasurer: Rene' Devin; Police Chief: Doug Rathbun; Fire Chief: Rusty Estes; City Attorney: Bill Kuhn; City Manager: Gerald Breazeale; Planning Commission: Howard Gilliam. ABSENT: Council Members: Tim Van Cleave, Loretta Nairns.
(Unless otherwise noted, "Motion Carried" indicates all in favor.) 1.GENERAL BUSINESS A) Call to Order. Mayor Jepsen called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. B) Pledge of Allegiance. Allegiance to the flag of the United States was pledged. C) Announcements - Mayor Jepsen announced that Howard Gilliam was present representing the Planning Commission and John Church representing the Farm Museum Board. D) Oaths of Office - City Manager Jerry Breazeale swore in Robert Jepsen as Mayor. Mayor Jepsen then swore in Council Members: Skip Matthews and Mike McGuire. Tim Van Cleave will be sworn in at next meeting. Mayor Jepsen thanked the Councilors for their service last year. He stated that there had been some differences of opinion over various issues and that this was healthy. Councilors should feel free to express their opinions. As elected officials, councilors are responsible for the City and speak on behalf of the citizens of Heppner. Mayor Jepsen stated that the Council should keep Heppner, Heppner and improve on it if we can. E) Election of Council President - Councilor Robinson nominated Mike McGuire for Council President. Councilor Sly seconded the nomination. MOTION CARRIED. Abstained: McGuire F) Approval of the Minutes of Dec 14, 1998. Mayor Jepsen pointed out that on Page 5 a line was omitted and was included in a council update. Motion by Robinson, second by Matthews, to approve the minutes as corrected. MOTION CARRIED. G) Correspondence - Jerry Breazeale mentioned a letter from League of Oregon Cities - To report on Elected officials of workshops around the state. It was encouraged that councilors attend the workshop in Pendleton on March 19, 20, 1999. Matthews and McGuire attended in 1995. 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC A) Oral Communications - No one present B) Written Communications - Request from Liz Jones for a renewal for animal permit. 10 Head of horses at 710 Heppner/Spray Hwy. Motion by Robinson to approve, second by McGuire. MOTION CARRIED. C)Request for vacation of right of way for Morgan St. east of Riverside; John Church, representing the Farm Museum appeared to request abandonment of Morgan St.. Mayor Jepsen and Councilor Jerri Sly stated that they are also on this board. A map was presented of the area and possible use of the right of way was explained. Mayor Jepsen reported that he had investigated usage of area and found that Heppner TV was using that location for a TV cable. Manager Breazeale stated that the street can be vacated, but a utility easement will need to be kept to preserve the TV cable. Attorney Kuhn explained that he had been talking with John and Jerry about the use of County property used for the realignment of Hinton Street intersection. Mayor Jepsen stated that there was also some piece that belonged to the County along Riverside that needs to be deeded to the City. Ferguson Engineering has surveyed the area and has maps that clearly show the encroachment. Attorney Kuhn stated that the County could provide a deed to the City for that property and didn’t believe the County would have any problem with doing that. Motion by Mike McGuire to vacate Morgan St. contingent on Morrow County clearing up the right of way lines. Heppner TV is to be included in the discussions. Second by Councilor Robinson. MOTION CARRIED.
More discussion of procedures to make this work. Advertising and Public Hearing needed. Mayor Jepsen discussed the easement & Rawlins would like to be reimbursed for any expenses incurred for moving any lines etc. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None.
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE - Chief Rathbun reported that he and Jerry Breazeale viewed Richard Drake's property clean-up. He has moved items around and made some attempt to comply. They will keep an eye on further progress. Chief Rathbun supplied copies of Police activity reports for Council. He asked whether the Council wold like to get monthly copies of this report. Councilor McGuire and Councilor Sly said they would appreciate receiving the reports. Manager Breazeale mentioned that the police are active and that the public needs to know that the Police are there to help the Citizens. Report only includes hours worked and who worked during each day but does not indicate what shift it was. Arrests were made for criminal mischief. The Neighborhood Watch Committee is apparently currently inactive, however the Police Department would like to take an active roll in assisting the group.
5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
Dave Winters was not available but had submitted a written report. Breazeale read his report. Finished the tree at Mini-park, Fixed light by Les Schwab, Serviced City Rigs, located water and sewer lines for the Phone Co. Updating water maps, worked on Clay Dob on Reservoir 2, House cleaning, Fixed electrical box by Post Office, Changed Shut-off valves at Hutchinson's, Sanded streets in town, Repaired water meters at Les Schwab and Garden Club, fixed leak on Sperry St., Ordered new gear motor for secondary tank at Sewer Plant, and working on Police and City storage facility. Daily chores were not listed. Discussion of Christmas Tree and whether the existing stump would remain. Councilor McGuire mentioned that there was a plan for a permanent living Christmas Tree to be planted. Some discussion regarding where the permanent tree should be located. The Public Works has taken possession of a new utility truck. Jay Coil is working on making a utility bed for it. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FIRE CHIEF Chief Estes was questioned on whether he got the new truck yet. They reported that they do not have it yet but are working on acquiring one. Police Chief Rathbun reported that they had received their patrol car from the State Pool.
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER -
Manager Breazeale pointed out the importance of local control to be able to manage the right of way, regulate work within the right of way and to charge fees for the use of the right of way. Discussion - Franchise Fees for usage of Right of Ways, 3% of the gross. The City does realize it's responsibility to keep these Right of Ways running. B) Resolution No. 351-99 A resolution establishing goals for 1999. City manager Breazeale presented the goals as they had been established at the work session. The goals had been incorporated into a resolution for adoption. Mike McGuire moved that Resolution No. 351-99, A Resolution Establishing Goals for 1999 be adopted. Seconded by Skip Matthews. On discussion, Bill Kuhn commented on goal 4. He stated that the population of Heppner has changed little in the time he has been here. He mentioned that he has not seen any plan for community development. He has talked with the Port of Morrow and they said we need a goal to expand. Mr. Kuhn said that he had not seen the Port do anything, mainly as a lack of direction from the community. HEDC's lack of action was discussed. Breazeale mentioned that HCC is working on an action plan. The plan is being developed to guide the community to reach a population of 2,000 while preserving the quality of life that Heppner enjoys. Part of that document will include an action plan to bring employment to the community. Councilor McGuire questioned who would implement that plan and believed that that should be the role of HEDC. Bill Kuhn stated his opinion that the City would need to take a leadership role in economic development in order to achieve real results. Mayor Jepsen said that he would like to see Heppner Coordinating Council be more active and that the Strategic Plan would help and encourage HCC to be more active. Councilor McGuire stated that HCC was not designed to be the driver but an encourager. Breazeale agreed that the City would need to be involved in bringing in new employers to the community. Mayor Jepsen stated that it is difficult to know which way the community wants to go. Manager Breazeale stated that the purpose of this goal was to alert the Port of Morrow that if they could locate, or got wind of, a small business that could be located in Heppner, that would be in line with the desires of the City. It is a goal that can be pursued without cost to the City while we are working to pursue other options. Mayor Jepsen called for the vote. MOTION CARRIED.
City Manager Breazeale stated that the proposed employee incentive plan had been discussed at previous meetings. A resolution had been prepared which would institute the policy. This plan would come into affect in the 1999 fiscal year, which would be July 1. This incentive program does not apply to department heads. Motion by Sly, second by Robinson. MOTION CARRIED. D) Resolution No. 353-99 A resolution approving accounts payable for payment. Motion by Councilor Robinson to approve Resolution No. 353-99, second by Councilor Sly. MOTION CARRIED. E) City Manager Breazeale discussed the new Heppner Web Page . This Web page is currently being accessed. Currently two inquiries have been made from people wanting to know about Heppner. Local citizens have been accessing the previous Minutes that have been posted. The City has received positive comments on this. There have been about 17 requests for the RFP for the water system that have been received through e-mail. This has proved to be a real time saver for the City in sending out RFPs.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Kuhn has been working with Rathbun and Breazeale on developing additions to the departmental policy. They are: 1) Use of Force 2) City Policy 3) Developing vehicle impoundment for forfeiture to sale the vehicles. An ordinance is needed. 4) Reminder for Rene' to make a collection for Dec. on clean-up of Rita Heath property. 5) Amendment for Nuisance Ordinance for Abandoned Vehicles. Current ordinance does not cover vehicles that are on a person's property. Amendments include: a) Having an expired plate and being inoperative. b) Expand what constitutes an abandoned vehicle to include vehicle left on private property over 5 days that are in discarded condition.
Kuhn mentions that other cities have accepted such vehicles if there is permission from the city. Discussion insures of permits and conditions of permit. This could be incorporated into this policy. Breazeale and others commented that it would be a good idea. McGuire questioned Fulleton’s Used Car Dealership. License allows selling cars in a commercial zone. Comment was made that there should be regulation on condition of the cars and how many can be on the lot at one time. The consensus was to include the permit condition in the ordinance. It was also mentioned that there should be an amendment for shutting houses down that deal in drugs and related activities.
9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
The following appointment were suggested by the Mayor. Planning Commissioner: Tom Sly, Cyde Estes Budget Committee: Jackie Alstott, Marsha Sweek, and Steve Rhea. Housing Authority: Howard Gilliam, Doris Brosnan Fire Dept. Advisory Committee: Steve Rhea, Hal Bergstrom St. Patrick's Committee: Claudia Hughes Christmas Parade of Lights: Darrell Raver, Bob Kahl Mayor recognizes that all City Council Members are the same as last year. Motion by McGuire, second Matthews to approve Resolution 354-99. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Jepsen announced that the Mayor of Huntington will be in Heppner for the "Black Powder Shoot". It will be held at Wilkison's Ranch at the Justice Place on June 18 - 27. Mayor Jepsen indicated that Jerry Healy would like to know when street lights need to be changed. Report any lights that go on and off to CBEC. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. |