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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING FOR July 10, 2000
A) Call to Order. Mayor Jepsen
called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
B) Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor
Jepsen led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C) Announcements. Mayor Jepsen
welcomed all to the Council Meeting. Manager Breazeale
announced that the City had received a request for an animal
permit from Ashley Wolff. Manager Breazeale also noted that included
in the Council's packet were listings of the obligations of the
City's bonds, and copies of the latest HCC minutes.
D) Approval of the Minutes from
the June 12, 2000 Council Meeting. Mayor Jepsen asked
if there were any corrections to the minutes. Councilman Wolff
noted that there should be a correction to page 6, section 6(E).
He suggested that the word adequately be changed to "to
code." The next correction noted was to page 9, section
10(H). Clarification of the sentence, "Attorney Spicer explained
that this was a transfer of property to the City."
There was one final correction to page 9, section 12(A). From:
"There were to There was." Motion made by Councilman
Wolff to adopt the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Councilwoman
Robinson. MOTION CARRIED.
E) Report from the Planning Commission.
There was no report from the Planning Commission.
F) Correspondence. Mayor Jepsen
noted that included in the Council's packet was a letter from
Verda Hager regarding a problem (she had experienced) with inconsistent/inadequate
garbage collection. Manager Breazeale explained that any complaints
(regarding Heppner Garbage Service) needed to be submitted in
writing. He explained that David Green d.b.a. Heppner Garbage
Service was a franchise of the City, and all issues had to be
brought before the City Council. Attorney Spicer and Manager
Breazeale explained that the Franchise Ordinance was specific
as to what services he is to provide. Attorney Spicer noted that
procedure called for a letter to be sent to Heppner Garbage Service
giving Mr. Green an opportunity to respond (to the City.) Councilman
Wolff made a motion directing City Manager Breazeale/The City
of Heppner to send Heppner Garbage Service a letter requesting
an explanation for inconsistent collection service. Seconded
by Councilman Matthews. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Jepsen noted that there was
a letter from Sharon Harrison requesting that fellow merchants
and neighbors make contributions to "The Heppner Merchants
Committee" for seasonal banners to decorate lamp posts along
Main Street. The banners would commemorate specific holidays.
Manager Breazeale mentioned that the City was not specifically
requested to be a contributor, but that the festive appearance
of the banners would help stimulate economic development by attracting
more tourism. Councilman Wolff made a motion that the City donate
$50.00 toward the banner program as an advertising expense. Seconded
by Councilwoman Robinson. MOTION CARRIED.
2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
A) Oral communications from the
public not on the agenda. Mayor Jepsen noted that
the City had received a request for an Animal Permit from Ashley
Wolff. The request was for one rabbit. Councilman Matthews made
a motion to accept the request. Seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.
MOTION CARRIED. Abstained: Councilman Wolff.
A) Nuisance abatement at 295 South
Chase Street, Map 2S 26 35BC, Tax Lot 13200. Chief Rathbun presented
a video tape showing "before and after" shots of all
properties. This property is owned by Jim Nelson, and occupied
by Shirley Harris. Chief Rathbun noted that this property had
been cleaned up to code. The Council decided that no further
action was necessary regarding this property.
B) Nuisance abatement at 270 North
Chase Street, Map 2S 26 35BB, Tax Lot 2000. Chief Rathbun noted
that this property was owned by the Chase Manhattan Bank. The
property will be coming up for Public Auction in August. Chief
Rathbun commented that there had been no improvements made to
clean up this property.
C) Nuisance abatement at 620 North
Main street, Map 2S 26 26CC, Tax Lot 5600. Chief Rathbun noted
that this was the Davidson property. Mr. Davidson informed Chief
Rathbun that the present tenant would be vacating within the
next 30 days.
D) Nuisance abatement at 165 Linden
Way, Map 2S 26 26CC, Tax Lot 6402. Chief Rathbun had spoken with
the property owner, Paul Breeding. Mr. Breeding has been working
on cleaning up the property, and stated that he would have it
cleaned up in a couple more loads. Council will table this temporarily.
E) Nuisance abatement at 280 Baltimore
Street, Map 2S 26 34AA, Tax Lot 1500. Chief Rathbun noted that
this property was owned by Paul Lang. There had been no improvements
made toward cleaning up.
A) Resolution No. 425-2000, A
Resolution Declaring Certain Property a Nuisance and Ordering
Cleanup of Property. (270 North Chase Street, Map 2S 26 35BB,
Tax Lot 2000.) Councilman Matthews made a motion to pass
the "Resolution Declaring Certain Property A Nuisance And
Ordering Cleanup Of Property." Seconded by Councilwoman
Sly. MOTION CARRIED.
B) Resolution No. 426-2000, A
Resolution Declaring Certain Property a Nuisance and Ordering
Cleanup of Property. (620 North Main Street, Map 2S 26
26CC, Tax Lot 5600.) Motion made by Councilman Matthews
ordering cleanup of said property. Seconded by Councilman Wolff.
MOTION CARRIED.
C) Resolution No. 424-2000, A
Resolution Declaring Certain Property a Nuisance and Ordering
Cleanup of Property at 280 Baltimore Street, Map 2S 26 34AA,
Tax Lot 1500.) Motion made by Councilman Wolff ordering
cleanup of said property. Seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.
MOTION CARRIED.
5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHIEF
OF POLICE. A) Code Enforcement. Chief
Rathbun commented that his report was included in the Council's
packet. He commented that the Police force was temporarily shorthanded
as Officer Sweek was away at National Guard camp.
Chief Rathbun noted that he had received
four more nuisance abatement complaints. He listed and described
the following properties:
1. Property known as 340 Water Street.
Mark White occupant. Motion was made by Councilman Matthews to
send the occupant a 30 day notice requesting clean up of said
property. Seconded by Councilman Wolff. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Property known as 460 Morgan St.
Owner Gary Gaines. Chief Rathbun noted that the problem here
was the field (owned by Mr. Gaines,) behind the property which
has very tall grass posing a severe fire hazard. Mr. Gaines neighbors
were quite concerned. Motion by Councilman Matthews to send the
property owner a 30 day notice requesting the clean up of the
field. Seconded by Councilman Wolff. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Property known as 620 North Elder
Street. Helen Troxell occupant. Chief Rathbun noted that there
was quite a bit of dead grass piled up in the yard. This posed
a fire hazard. Councilman Matthews, concerned for fire hazard
requested that the Council send Ms. Troxell a letter requesting
the cleanup of the piles of dead grass to eliminate any potential
fire hazard. Motion made by Councilwoman Robinson. Seconded by
Councilwoman Sly. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Property known as 135 Center Street.
Owner Gary McCorkle. Motion made by Councilman Wolff to send
the property owner a 30 day notice requesting cleanup of said
property. There was some additional discussion regarding the
RV parked next to the old Laundromat building. Seconded by Councilwoman
Robinson. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Councilman Wolff commented that
there were several empty lots located at the Lakeview Heights
subdivision that had tall grass as well. Mayor Jepsen noted that
this was within the City limits.
B) Activity Report. Chief
Rathbun commented that the Police Department had cut their mileage
due to a reduced budget. Mileage would probably increase in the
next month.
C) Police Commission - Next
Meeting July 28, 2000. Chief Rathbun mentioned that on the
19th and 30th of July, the Corrections workers will be in Heppner
working on the firing range cutting down weeds. They will also
be working on the fence at Hager Park.
6. 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 Matthews complimented City employee,
Randy Samples on the fine job he did cleaning up the leak on
Rock Street.
B) Utilities Commission Meeting
- June 22, 2000. Next meeting July 20, 2000. There was no additional
discussion. Included in the Council's packet was a copy of a
Procurement Bidding Sheet for a piece of equipment known as a
Vibroplate.
C) Parks and Lands Commission
Meeting- June 25, 2000. Next meeting July 31, 2000. Mayor
Jepsen commented that the minutes from the last meeting were
included in the Council's packet. Manager Breazeale mentioned
the status of the swimming pool demolition. He noted that there
were volunteers to do the job, but their job descriptions would
need to be defined before putting these commitments to use. Paying
for the work would cost approximately $20,000.00. Manager Breazeale
thought the City should apply for a grant if choosing the second
alternative. Councilman Wolff commented on the
status of the horseshoe pits at Hager Park. Manager Breazeale
stated that he had not heard any new news. Councilwoman Sly mentioned
that the Beautification Committee was interested in obtaining
a drawing of a map of the park for landscape purposes.
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FIRE
CHIEF. Chief Estes commented that the Fire Department has
had a very busy season so far. He mentioned that they had spent
36 hours at the Hanford fire. There had been numerous brush fires
and also two house fires. The Police Department is still investigating
both house fires. Chief Estes also mentioned that one of the
trucks was down with a bad transfer case. Chief Estes complimented
the volunteer fire crew for their hard work. There was some additional
discussion regarding the possibilities of making monetary contributions
to the Fire Department for services rendered. Chief Estes noted
that there were two accounts for the Fire Department. One through
the City of Heppner, and the other through the Fireman's Auxiliary.
A) Resolution No. 427-2000. A
Resolution Approving Accounts Payable for Payment. Manager
Breazeale noted that enclosed in the Council's packet was a list
of current billings. Motion made by Councilman Matthews to pay
the Accounts Payable as shown. Seconded by Councilman Wolff.
MOTION CARRIED.
Councilman Wolff voiced concerns
that concrete for sidewalk renovation projects was being paid
for by the City, not the property owner. He felt that this eroded
the City's budget, and the property owner should be paying for
the concrete at the time of delivery. Manager Breazeale noted
that perhaps some changes would be appropriate, possibly requiring
the collection of an estimated payment from the property owner
prior to delivery of the concrete, instead of being reimbursed
after delivery. Manager Breazeale commented that a sidewalk was
on a public right-of-way, and the City (also) benefited from
the improvement. He felt that additional discussion and refinement
was necessary since the program was relatively new. Chief Rathbun
noted that there was an ordinance requiring the property owner
to install/repair sidewalks if necessary.
B) Resolution No. 428-2000. Special
City Allotment. Manager Breazeale explained that this was
essentially the same as the resolution passed last year, for
the application of $25,000.00 from the Special City Allotment
program for Water Street. Motion made by Councilwoman Robinson
to adopt Resolution No. 428-2000. Seconded by Councilwoman Sly.
MOTON CARRIED.
C) Resolution No. 429-2000. A
Resolution Establishing A Loading Zone On The South Side Of Church
Street From The Intersection With Gale Street East Approximately
40 Feet, On Sundays From 9:00AM To 1:00 PM. Manager Breazeale explained that
the City has received a request from the Episcopal Church to
obtain the necessary signs. They were also requesting several
"handicap parking" signs. The new signs will establish
the loading zone. The Police force will then be able to enforce
any violations as such. Motion made by Councilman Wolff to adopt
Resolution 429-2000. Seconded by Councilman Matthews. MOTION
CARRIED.
D) RARE Application. Manager Breazeale noted that RARE
stood for: Resource Assistance for Rural Environments. Manager
Breazeale shared a copy of the text portion of the application
with the Council members. The City is requesting a participant
from The University of Oregon program to work with the Willow
Creek Valley to market the Willow Creek Valley as a good place
to live. The Willow Creek Valley would be marketed primarily
through the Internet as a web based plan with a web page. The
participant would work with each of the Willow Creek Valley towns,(Ione,
Lexington, Heppner,) HEDC, HCC, ICABO, OEDD AND OECD, participating
in meetings and building a consensus. Manager Breazeale explained
that it would take approximately three months to develop a mission
statement, and six months to develop a web page. At the end of
a twelve month period this would be a model program for other
communities to use.
E) Business Retention/Expansion
Program. Manager Breazeale explained that
most of the interviews had been completed, and the responses
are being tabulated to determine the needs of the Willow Creek
Valley. There were specific immediate needs that our local businesses
needed assistance with.
F) Economic Development Activities.
Mayor Jepsen noted that his last
check of Heppner's unemployment status for May 2000, revealed
that our unemployment rate was 14%. Councilman Wolff endorsed
Manager Breazeale's participation in the Economic Development
program.
G) Heppner Coordinating Council
- Oral Report. Manager Breazeale noted that copies
of the minutes from the last HCC meeting were included in the
Council's packet. There is a meeting Tuesday morning, July 11,
2000 at 7:30 AM, at the Heppner Ranger District building. There
will be two important subjects discussed, our school district,
and hospital district. Manager Breazeale had previously discussed
several ideas with superintendent Bruce Anderson, regarding rebuilding
public confidence. The Baker/Morrow partnership will also be
discussed.
H) August City Council Meeting
- Vacation Conflict. Manager Breazeale explained that
he had an opportunity to fly to Hawaii with his daughter to visit
his parents. His plans to be gone August 12th through August
17th conflicted with the City Council meeting of August 14th.
Manager Breazeale requested an approved absence from attending
the August 14th Council meeting. Discussion of rescheduling the
meeting or having Rene' Devin stand in ensued. The Council agreed
to have Rene' stand in for Manager Breazeale for the meeting
on the 14th.
9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY. A) Right of Way Vacation - Morgan
Street. Attorney Kuhn explained that he still
needed a survey description from the engineering company before
finishing this vacation.
B) Right of Way Vacation - Between
Thompson and Bisbee Streets. Attorney Kuhn explained that he and
Manager Breazeale were still working on defining an easement
for the Rock Street sewer line. There is presently no written
easement recorded. Attorney Kuhn explained that he had been working
with Tom McElligott in developing a written description for drafting
an easement.
C) Four Wheeler Ordinance.
Attorney Kuhn explained that he had
been able to draft an ordinance for the use of four wheelers
on City streets. He is presently checking with Bob Kahl to make
sure there are no conflicts with the insurance regulations. There
was some general discussion involving Pilot Rock's four wheeler
ordinance and the State's Motor Vehicle Code, including statutes.
Attorney Kuhn offered a definition of Class I and Class II all
terrain vehicles, which excluded golf carts by definition. All Council members were in favor
of pursuing this ordinance. A copy of the ordinance will be published
for the next City Council meeting.
10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR/CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS. A) Beautification Commission -
Next Meeting - July 13, 2000.
B) Heppner Housing Authority -
Mayor Jepsen, Chairman. Mayor Jepsen reported that the St.
Patrick's Senior Center was presently full with no vacancies.
Manager Breazeale mentioned that the new owner of Heppner Heating
had taken a look at the heat pump at the senior center. He explained
that there were significant problems with the unit and it would
take a significant amount of money to re-condition the heat pump.
C) UNOCAL Property Purchase.
Mayor Jepsen noted that included
in the Council's packet was a letter from Commerce Escrow Company
regarding recorded documents taking four to six months for delivery.
He explained that he did have a copy of the Special Warranty
Deed. There was some additional discussion regarding the fencing
around the property. Chief Rathbun commented that fencing donations
could help with the construction of the City's new dog pound.
If the City did not have any use for the used fencing, it could
be sold as scrap to someone for the value of removing it. An
interested party would have 30 days to remove the fencing. Motion
made by Councilman Wolff. Seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.
MOTION CARRIED.
D) Additional Discussion.
Councilman Matthews commented that
the City pool had experienced a tremendous number of start up
expenses this year, approximately $6500.00. The new pool cover
was one. Also, the heater motor had to be repaired.
Manager Breazeale explained that
the State had plans to widen Hinton Creek between the highway
and Riverside. He wondered if the silt removed from the creek
site could be used as fill on the UNOCAL property.
Councilman Wolff mentioned that the
Port of Morrow is scrapping the infrastructure of the sawmill
building at the old Kinzua Mill site. He was wondering if the
metal catwalks could be used as a footbridge across Hinton Creek.
Mayor Jepsen mentioned that ADA standards were 36 inches wide.
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