City Council

City Council Meeting Minutes ___________________________________________________________________________________________ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: CONVENED: Council President Marson called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the flag salute. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cheryl A. Young (arrived 6:02 p.m.) Council President Sally Ann Marson Councilor Nell Harrison Councilor Josh Fromm Councilor Gordon Thistle COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Michael S. McGlothlin, Chief of Police Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder ATTORNEY PRESENT: None A quorum was present and due notice had been published. AGENDA ITEM 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT: Joe Turner of Columbia City questioned the recent comparison information that was included in the October newsletter. He said the City is comparing apples to oranges. He said cities like Gold Beach and John Day have hospitals and school districts and their own fire departments. He said they are completely different from Columbia City. He said Columbia City is basically like Warren. He said Columbia City's tax base is not diverse enough. AGENDA ITEM 4 COUNCIL REPORTS: 4.1 Parks Committee: Chair Marson said the recent activities are outlined in the last set of meeting minutes, which are included in the packet. 4.2 Water and Sewer Committee: Leahnette said the announcements about a Source Water Protection grant award and Safe Drinking Water forgivable loan in this month's newsletter were a little premature. She said the City's projects have been 2 - Regular City Council Meeting October 6, 2016 recommended for funding, but there is another step in the process before official awards are announced. Leahnette said she is working on a funding package for the upper reservoir restoration work. She said the project might include seismic upgrades to both of the city's steel reservoir tanks, and if so, the seismic upgrades might receive up to 75% grant funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program. In addition, she said this is a perfect time to secure loan funds from the Safe Drinking Water Loan program because they are currently offering the lowest interest rate in the history of the program - just 1.72% - plus 10% debt forgiveness. She will be working with the City Engineer and City staff in an attempt to identify other project needs that might fit this funding program. 4.3 Street Committee: Chair Marson said the streets were recently swept. 4.4 Audit Committee: Secretary Harrison said the committee will be meeting later this month. 4.5 Hazard Mitigation Planning Group: Chief McGlothlin said the meeting was rescheduled for October 24th. 4.6 Other Reports: Mayor Young said she attended the League of Oregon Cities Conference in Salem, and it was an excellent conference. AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT (continued): 3.1 Brian Gray presentation of Knife River Foundation Grant: Brian Gray, Regional President of Knife River Northwest, said Knife River pursued opening a rock pit just to the north of Columbia City in 2001. He said at the time, it was a very controversial application that drew a lot of attention due to a wide range of concerns such as noise, dust, light pollution, traffic, etc. He said they have been operating for 15 years now and they never hear any complaints. Mayor Young said Knife River has proven to be an excellent neighbor. Brian said Knife River pays an annual fee to Columbia City in lieu of tax revenues, and they have also agreed to help the City with some park improvements. He said they have tried to be very good, quiet and clean neighbors, and they barge as much product as possible to keep traffic down on the roads. Brian presented the City with a $5,000 check for the Columbia City Community Hall - A Legacy to Treasure - Capital Campaign from MDU Resources Foundation, commonly referred to as the Knife River Foundation. He said Knife River Northwest will also sponsor the project with another $350 in materials and $2,650 in cash. The Mayor, Council and staffed thanked Brian, Knife River Northwest, and the Knife River Foundation for their support of the project. AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA: 5.1 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on September 1, 2016. 5.2 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on September 15, 2016. 5.3 Bills paid with check numbers 19732 through 19796 during the month of September 2016. 5.4 Activities Report from the City Administrator. 5.5 Ratify Change Order No. 7 for the City of Columbia City Community Hall Remodel in the amount of $0.00. 5.6 Ratify Change Order No. 8 for the City of Columbia City Community Hall Remodel in the amount of $1,500.00. 3 - Regular City Council Meeting October 6, 2016 MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (THISTLE) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUISNESS: None. AGENDA ITEM 7 NEW BUSINESS (continued): 7.1 Council Bill No. 16-796; Resolution No. 16-1176-R: A Resolution adopting amendments to the Safety Manual for the City of Columbia City, Oregon, dated March 17, 2011. MOVED (THISTLE), SECONDED (FROMM) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 16-796. AGENDA ITEM 8 OTHER BUSINESS: Community Action Team (CAT) Housing Study: Leahnette updated the Council on the commitments that CAT has received from Columbia County and the other cities within the Housing Study area as follows: Columbia County $5,000 St. Helens $5,000 (and up to $10,000 if needed) Scappoose $ 346 Rainier $5,000 She said the Council has not yet responded to CAT's original request for a $5,000 from Columbia City. Mayor Young suggested Columbia City make a contribution of $1,000 if possible. The Council discussed the matter at length with staff. MOVED (MARSON), SECONDED (HARRISON) AND CARRIED TO CONTRIBUTE $1,000 TOWARDS CAT'S HOUSING STUDY PROJECT. Councilor Thistle cast a nay vote. Local Regulation of Marijuana: Leahnette distributed the League of Oregon Cities May 24, 2016 publication about frequently asked questions related to the Local Regulation of Marijuana, and suggested the Council continue to consider its options. She said Columbia City has taken the position that a business license could not be issued to a marijuana establishment because it would not be in compliance with Federal Law. She noted, however, that the Oregon Court of Appeals' upcoming decision about the Cave Junction court case could impact our current position, and so could a shift in the Federal position on the matter. City Administrator evaluation: Councilor Marson distributed evaluation sheets and asked members to please return them directly to her and she will compile the results. AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. APPROVED: _______________________________________ Cheryl A. Young Mayor 4 - Regular City Council Meeting October 6, 2016 ATTEST: ___________________________________ Leahnette Rivers City Administrator/Recorder