City Council

City Council Workshop Minutes ___________________________________________________________________________________________ FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026 – 4:00 PM COLUMBIA CITY, CITY HALL – 1840 SECOND STREET CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: CONVENED: Mayor Alex Reed called the Workshop Meeting to order at 4:00 pm. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Alex Reed Council President Rob Forman Councilor Gordon Thistle Councilor Connie Quick COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Lyle Bluhm ALSO PRESENT: Kim Karber, City Administrator/Recorder ATTORNEY PRESENT: None AGENDA ITEM 2 NEW BUSINESS: 2.1 D.A.R.: Martha Burrell, D.A.R. State Regent, discussed that at last year’s State Conference they voted to investigate divesting the Caples House property, which would divert back to the City if they decided to divest. D.A.R. has up to three years to research different options and make a recommendation. They wanted to consult with Council and see if they are open to the different options they are exploring. 2.2 Firehouse: Council revisited the possibility of a firehouse in Columbia City. The consensus was to invite the Fire Chief to a meeting to discuss the many questions that were brought up. 2.3 Salary Steps: Kim reviewed the City’s salary steps, COLA, and longevity pay. 2.4 Columbia Business Alliance: Kim briefed the Council on the Columbia Business Alliance and what they have taken over from the dissolved CET group. 2.5 Library: Council discussed with the three members from the Columbia City Community Library that were present about their funding request, what it would look like and other options. In order to be recognized as a public library and be eligible for more funding opportunities, twenty-five percent of their operational funds need to come from public funds. Twenty-five percent of their guesstimated expenditures will be added to the City’s budget to see how it affects it, but it is not a guaranteed disbursement. AGENDA ITEM 3 OTHER BUSINESS: None 2 Council Workshop Meeting April 17, 2026 AGENDA ITEM 4 ADJOURNMENT: 4.1 There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.