CITY
OF
PLANNING
COMMISSION
March
1, 2004
ATTENDEES:
Jerry Gentry, Chairman
Dan Dunnett, Vice-Chairman
Jerry Breazeale, City Manager
Bob Jepsen, Mayor
Suzanne Jepsen
Rod Wilson (arrived at 7:15 PM)
Dave Fowler
Deborah Kendrick
Duane Jones (arrived at 7:15 PM)
Bill Kuhn, City Attorney
1. General Business:
A) Call to Order: The March 4, 2004, meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Chairman Gentry.
B) Introductions: None.
C) Announcements: None.
D) Approval of the minutes of the Planning Commission, October 6, 2003. The October 6, 2003 minutes were reviewed by members present with no changes. Motion by Mr. Dunnett to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Kendrick. Motion carried.
E) Election of Officers. The following officers were nominated for the 2004 term: Chairman, Jerry Gentry; Vice-Chairman, Dan Dunnett. Motion by Mrs. Jepsen to accept the nominees. Seconded by Mr. Fowler. Motion carried.
2. Public
Hearings. None.
3. New Business.
A)
The committee investigated employing an architect to draw up the plans and had considering hiring Gail Sargent to draft plans, specifications, and a cost estimate. In the meantime, the bank building became available and the committee has been investigating the possible purchase of the property. It appears that the city could purchase the building with the funds that are being set aside each year without having to obtain any money from the taxpayers. The owner of the Gazette Times building is considering purchasing the present city hall and exchanging his property to the city for fire department use. Currently, the committee is investigating the differences in value between the two properties and the City Council has authorized looking into the costs of the two buildings and the tax implications if the bank building came off the tax rolls. The present building would go back on the tax rolls, but the appraisal will not be done by the assessor until the building is sold. Mr. Jones asked if the alley in back of the city hall building is part of the property and Mr. Breazeale stated that there would need to be an easement to use the alley for access the public works shop. Part of the proposal would be that the Public Works Department would move their office into the “old Gonty building”which is owned by the city. Mrs. Jepsen asked if buying the bank building was dependent on selling the present building and Mr. Breazeale stated that financially it is not, but that it makes more sense to do these transactions all at one time. Mrs. Jepsen asked what is the recommendation of the City Hall Remodel Committee, and is that as far as you go, i.e.,with their recommendation, the Planning Commission, and the City Council’s recommendation. She also asked if this would be put out for a vote. Mr. Breazeale stated that the ultimately it is up to the City Council to make this decision and it could be done without any further input from the citizens. The Council is looking at all the scenarios before making a decision. The City Hall Remodel Committee determined that City Council should make the decision , but they want all the information disseminated to the public. Many citizens have expressed the opinion that they are in favor of this as long as it doesn’t involve any new money. Mrs. Jepsen asked when the City Council would make this decision and Mr. Breazeale stated that it is expected that it probably will be made at the March 8 Council Meeting.
Mr. Jones asked Mr. Breazeale what his guess is on the value of the present City Hall and Mr. Breazeale stated this is yet to be determined. The square footage of the present building is approximately 5400. Mr. Fowler asked if the property where the shop is located could be broken down into different parcels if someone wanted to purchase it. Mr. Gentry asked about the second floor of the bank building and Mr. Breazeale stated that currently it isn’t usable. Mrs. Kendrick stated that she and Gail Sargent had met with Mr. Breazeale some time ago and they felt this was a good opportunity. They estimated approximately $15,000 to make the restrooms, etc., ADA compliant and do other necessary repairs. Mrs. Jepsen stated that she thinks this sounds good, but that the City Hall Remodel Committee wasn’t willing to take a stand and if the Planning Commission and City Council say they are in favor of this, are we going to have to go through a public discussion. Mr. Gentry thinks this is a great opportunity, but has questions on the roof and contamination of the basement. Mr. Breazeale stated that to his knowledge, this has been taken care of. Mr. Jepsen stated that Mr. Koffler had stated that he was confident that the building was safe. Mr. Fowler asked about the tax roll, and did the entire building come off the tax rolls. Mr. Breazeale informed him that the part of the building that was leased would be taxed. If the upstairs was leased in the future, it would be put on the tax rolls. Mr. Jones inquired about access for fire codes. Mr. Wilson asked if the building was on the market for sale and Mr. Breazeale stated that if the City doesn’t buy the building, the Bank of Eastern Oregon will use it for additional office space. Mr. Gentry asked whether a roof inspection would be built into any offer that was made, and he also had concerns about the foundation. He asked if the Commission was all in agreement to pursue this and Mr. Breazeale stated that he feels that what will make this go should have support of the public. Mr. Gentry feels that relocating the City Hall is long overdue. Mr. Dunnett asked if relocating City Hall is a done deal and Mr. Breazeale stated it is long overdue. Mr. Jones stated that he is in favor of the move. Mrs. Jepsen stated that she feels there is a lot hope in Heppner and has met several new people that were impressed with the city. She also stated that if we don’t keep the city up, we are not going to make Heppner a place to live. Mr. Gentry also asked if anyone on the Commission is against this, and members replied that they are all in favor. Mr. Breazeale stated that the thing that is going to make this go or fail is the amount of public support from people that are supportive of the project. It is important to get this message out. Mr. Gentry stated that the Planning Commission can play a huge role in the approval of this, and should be prepared to voice their feelings about it. Mr. Jones discussed the wording of a motion. Mr. Gentry stated that he is very, very much in favor of moving forward and feels this is a great idea.
Motion by Mr. Fowler that City Council proceed with the acquisition of this building. Seconded by Mr. Dunnett. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Old Business.
A) Baker Morrow Land Use Committee, Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Adjustments grant from the Oregon Community Solutions Team.
Mr. Breazeale stated that at the last Planning Commission in October, Mr. Todd Chase from OTAK briefed what the objectives were. The City Planning Commission has also met with the County Planning Commission at a joint session. He has contacted all of the property owners in the subject area to provide information on this. Currently the point of the UGB is the golf course. All property owners in the surrounding areas have been contacted to see if they are interested in coming into the UGB. They are scattered and he has not heard from the golf course. Right now, it is up to the city now to draw some boundaries and bring this to the citizens at a public hearing to get all the information out. Ultimately it is up to the City Council to make a final determination. Presently, some of the land in the existing UGB cannot be developed for various reasons. Some of the current property is also in the flood area. The property that the Department of Land and Conservation Development (DLCD0 needs to rule on is private property. Property in the buildable lands inventory has to be immediately developed. At this point, we have not heard from DLCD on their position. Mrs. Kendrick asked what the objections were and Mr. Breazeale stated that most of the people were afraid that their property would be annexed into the city and their taxes would go up. Mr. Breazeale stated that he feels that it would make good sense to be in the UGB. He has asked for a statement from John Jennings, DLCD, but have heard nothing to date. This had the previous director’s support, but have not heard from the new director. The Port of Morrow has asked to remain out of the UGB. Mr. Breazeale explained that under a new law, industrial sites like old mill sites could have sewer extended. Mr. Kuhn stated that he has concerns on not including the mill site and whether small industries could come in if the property was not in the UGB. Mr. Breazeale stated that it is legally permissible to run a sewer line to the property but that he didn’t know if the city would want to do it. He also stated that at some point they want the Planning Commission to lay out the boundaries.
B) Flood Map Revision. Mr. Breazeale stated that this is an old subject. He has gone through the tax rolls property by property in the flood zone and identified the value for these properties of $16,413,250 total value of land and improvements in the flood zone. There is $12, 232,410 worth of improvements. This figure is $13,000,000 plus the St. Patrick’s Senior Center which is partially in the flood zone. He has gotten FEMA to agree that the flood area is wrong and has discussed hiring a contractor and going to FEMA to get the maps amended. In talking to City Council and trying to figure out how to get this funded, they have also talked to the cities of Ione and Lexington and they have indicated that they would also like to have their flood maps amended but do not have funds available for this.
He has informed FEMA that this is their mistake and they need to amend the maps, and FEMA has agreed to amend all these maps starting in March or April of this year.
Mr. Breazeale reported on a class on Cooperating Technical Partners he had attended in Maryland which was sponsored by FEMA. He was very encouraged that we will get accurate maps from FEMA, and that there will be substantial reductions in the flood zone and some of the building restrictions and flood insurance requirements will be lifted. Mrs. Jepsen stated that she is very glad Mr. Breazeale has finally gotten FEMA to agree to this.
5. Information
Items.
A) Correspondence. None.
B) Communications from the Commissioners. Mr. Breazeale announced a basic planning class that is scheduled in March. Grant funds are available for anyone wishing to attend this. Several members who had attended previous classes found them very beneficial.
C) Mr. Gentry will represent the Planning Commission at the City Council Meeting on March 8, 2004.
Meeting Adjourned at
8:15 PM.