City Council

City Council Meeting Minutes ___________________________________________________________________________________________ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: CONVENED: Mayor Cheryl A. Young called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Harold Olsen delivered the invocation and Mayor Young led the flag salute. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cheryl A. Young Councilor Nell Harrison Councilor Sally Ann Marson Councilor Gordon Thistle COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Josh Fromm ALSO PRESENT: Micah Rogers, Public Works Superintendent Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder ATTORNEY PRESENT: Harold Olsen, City Attorney A quorum was present and due notice had been published. AGENDA ITEM 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: None AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT: Paulette Lichatowich of Columbia City read a prepared statement, dated November 6, 2014, regarding a feasibility study the Port of St. Helens has planned for the Columbia City industrial site. Paulette expressed concerns about what the Port ultimately plans to do with the Columbia City site, and quoted from a March 6, 2014 e-mail message written by Shannon FitzGerald of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) who suggested the study appeared to be more than just a study. In her e-mail message, Shannon made mention of a $1 billion project that may involve a methanol plant or coal export facility. Paulette also quoted from an October 31, 2014 document written by the Columbia Riverkeeper to the EDA, requesting the EDA prepare a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Port’s feasibility study project. Paulette reported that the City Council of Ocean Shores, Washington, recently passed a resolution intended to protect their community’s quality of life. She encouraged the Mayor and Council to review all of the documents she had mentioned, and distributed copies to Council and staff. 3.1 Comcast Cable: Tess Fields, Director of Government Affairs, presented the City Council with a $1,000 sponsorship check for the Columbia City Veterans Park. She commended the Mayor and Council for taking on this project, saying it is quite an 2 - Regular City Council Meeting November 6, 2014 undertaking for such a small community. She thanked the City for the complimentary Comcast logo brick and complimentary veteran bricks, and said the Comcast veterans were very touched by the engraved brick offer. Tess offered her assistance with fund raising efforts, and encouraged the City to make additional support requests in the future. She stressed the importance of Internet services for students, saying it is essential to their success in today’s learning environment. Tess asked the Mayor and Council to help Comcast get the word out about Comcast’s Internet Essentials, which offers Internet services for $9.95 per month to households that have at least one child who is eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. AGENDA ITEM 4 COUNCIL REPORTS: 4.1 Parks Committee: Leahnette was pleased to announce that Scout Members have selected two Eagle Scout projects for completion in the Veterans Park. 4.2 Water and Sewer Committee: No report. 4.3 Street Committee: Micah said he has received the following quotes: Street Striping: All-N-One Sweeping $9,000 Pavement Maintenance Inc. $5,860 Crack Sealing: All-N-One Sweeping $1.10 per linear foot Pavement Maintenance Inc. $1.05 per linear foot MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (HARRISON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO SELECT PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE, INC. TO COMPLETE THE WORK PROVIDED REFERENCE CHECKS ARE POSITIVE. Leahnette noted that in February 2014 the Streets Committee voted to invest $30,000 in crack seal work, and the funds are appropriated in the budget. 4.4 Audit Committee: None. 4.5 Hazard Mitigation Planning Group: Leahnette said the Hazard Mitigation Planning Group will meet later this month. 4.6 Other Reports: None. AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA: 5.1 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 2, 2014. 5.2 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 16, 2014. 5.3 Appointment of Gordon Thistle to the Street Committee. 5.4 Activities report for the month of September and October 2014 from the Public Works Superintendent. Micah noted that his activities report included both September and October 2014, and the Consent Agenda was amended to reflect the change. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (THISTLE) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUISNESS: None. 3 - Regular City Council Meeting November 6, 2014 AGENDA ITEM 7 NEW BUSINESS: 7.1 Council Bill No. 14-743; Ordinance No. 14-687-O: An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 14-683-O, granting a non-exclusive gas utility franchise to Northwest Natural Gas Company, and fixing terms, conditions and compensation of such franchise; declaring an emergency. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (THISTLE) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (THISTLE) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 14-743 WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE. 7.2 Holiday closures and benefits: City Administrator/Recorder recommendation regarding holiday closures and benefits. Council reviewed Leahnette’s memo dated October 29, 2014, recommending the City Hall be closed from noon to 5 pm on Christmas Eve, and all day on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas, instead of being closed all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She noted that this change would provide qualifying employees with an additional 4 hours of paid leave. MOVED (THISTLE), SECONDED (HARRISON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE 2014 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND BENEFITS SCHEDULES. AGENDA ITEM 8 OTHER BUSINESS: Accounting Clerk/Office Supervisor hours of work: Council considered a recommendation from Leahnette to increase the work hours for Colleen Calkins, Office Supervisor/Accounting Clerk, from 32 hours per week to 33-40 hours per week, depending upon work load, beginning in January 2015. Leahnette said the change will provide additional scheduling flexibility during staff absences due to vacation, illness, training, or other unanticipated events, and will be especially helpful during the Springbrook Software upgrade, which will occur during the first half of calendar year 2015. Under the proposal, Colleen would qualify for the same insurance benefit package that other employees currently receive. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (HARRISON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION. Public Works update: Micah reported that the crew is trying to wrap up the water project, and has a lot of storm drain projects planned. Councilor Harrison expressed concern about the high water loss, and Micah said we have repaired a lot of water leaks during this past year. Basketball hoop regulations: Leahnette said the new basketball hoop regulations are now in effect, and letters have been mailed as the first step of enforcement. Christmas Party: Councilor Marson offered to host the Christmas Party on December 14, 2014. City Attorney Report: Harold shared the following Oscar Wilde quotes: “Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live - it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” “Some cause happiness where ever they go, and others whenever they go.” “I think God in creating man somewhat overestimated his ability.” 4 - Regular City Council Meeting November 6, 2014 AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned 6:56 p.m. APPROVED: _______________________________________ Cheryl A. Young Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Leahnette Rivers City Administrator/Recorder