City Council

City Council Meeting Minutes ___________________________________________________________________________________________ THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026 – 6:00 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 Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Alex Reed Council President Rob Forman Councilor Gordon Thistle Councilor Connie Quick Councilor Lyle Bluhm COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Kim Karber, City Administrator/Recorder Jerry Bartolomucci, Chief of Police ATTORNEY PRESENT: None A quorum was present, and due notice had been published. AGENDA ITEM 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: None AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT: None AGENDA ITEM 4 COUNCIL REPORTS: 4.1 Audit Committee: No report. 4.2 Hazard Committee: Chief Bartolomucci reported that the emergency operations are being moved to Public Health and Corey Padron, director/emergency manager, is being let go at the end of June. Corey has been a contributor to the Hazard Committee and helped cities with their emergency plans. Losing someone with his experience and knowledge is losing a huge resource, not only for us but for Columbia County. It is required that the County has emergency operations, but who will oversee it is yet to be determined. 4.3 Parks Committee: Chair Bluhm reported we did not hold our meeting, and it was moved to June. Kim reported public works are working hard getting Veteran’s Park ready for the Memorial Day event. 2 Regular City Council Meeting May 21, 2026 4.4 Streets Committee: No report. 4.5 Water & Sewer Committee: No report. AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA: 5.1 Bills paid with check numbers 35947 through 35989 during the month of March 2026. 5.2 Bills paid with check numbers 35990 through 36031 during the month of April 2026. 5.3 Expense vs Budget Report for the month ending April 30, 2026. 5.4 Combined balance sheet for the month ending April 30, 2026. 5.5 Minutes of the April 16, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting. 5.6 Activity Report from the City Administrator for the month of April 2026. 5.7 Activity Report from the Public Works Superintendent for the month of April 2026. 5.8 Activity Report from the Chief of Police for the month of April 2026. 5.9 Minutes of the January 27, 2026, Hazard Committee Meeting. 5.10 Minutes of the April 14, 2026, Parks Committee Meeting. 5.11 Minutes of the April 17, 2026, City Council Workshop Meeting. THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE. AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 6.1 Second Reading of Council Bill No. 26-1018: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 504, Authorizing the Operation of Class IV All-Terrain Vehicles on Streets Located Within the City of Columbia City, Oregon, and Providing Penalties for the Violation Thereof. The Council completed the second reading of Council Bill No. 26-1018. MOTION: MOVED (BLUHM), SECONDED (THISTLE), TO APPROVE COUNCIL BILL NO. 26-1018. MOTION PASSED (5-0). AYE (QUICK, BLUHM, REED, THISTLE, FORMAN) 6.2 Second Reading of Council Bill No. 26-1019: An Ordinance Granting to Forged Fiber 37, LLC the Right to Construct, Operate, and Maintain Telecommunication Services in the City of Columbia City, Oregon. The Council completed the second reading of Council Bill No. 26-1019. MOTION: MOVED (QUICK), SECONDED (FORMAN), TO APPROVE COUNCIL BILL NO. 26-1019. MOTION PASSED (5-0). AYE (QUICK, BLUHM, REED, THISTLE, FORMAN) AGENDA ITEM 7 NEW BUSINESS: 7.1 Memorandum of Understanding By and Between the St. Helens School District #502 and City of Columbia City for the Emergency Use of City Property and/or Buildings. MOTION: MOVED (FORMAN), SECONDED (BLUHM), TO RATIFY THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE ST HELENS SCHOOL DISTRICT #502 AND CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY FOR THE EMERGENCY USE OF CITY PROPERTY AND/OR BUILDINGS. MOTION PASSED (5-0). AYE (QUICK, BLUHM, REED, THISTLE, FORMAN) 3 Regular City Council Meeting May 21, 2026 AGENDA ITEM 8 OTHER BUSINESS: 8.1 Radio Grant Chief Bartolomucci reported that Tyler Miller with the Scappoose City Council has put in a lot of effort to apply for a grant for radios for the Scappoose, Columbia City, & Rainier police departments and the grant application had the highest score compared to others submitted. The last step is for it to be approved by the grant committee. 8.2 911 Levy Kim reported that since the 911 levy failed, the 911 Communications center would be going to the users to pay into the system. The estimated bill for Columbia City would be $55,000. Kim is trying to get ahold of them to see what fiscal year it would start in. Chief Bartolomucci added this is Columbia City’s portion based on call volume and data entry for LEDS, warrants, etc. Other users of the system will also be billed. 8.2 Columbia City Centennial Kim reminded everyone that the Centennial celebration is coming up on June 6 from 4 - 7 pm. She will be reaching out to get Council scheduled for the City booth. There will be lots of historical information, games, photo booth, Caples House tours, food, historical bus tours, a slide show with old photos, a band, a guessing game at the Library, and more. Besides new t-shirts and challenge coins, everything is free. AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT: 9.1 There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:37 pm. APPROVED: ________________________ Alexander Reed Mayor ATTEST: _________________________ Kim Karber City Administrator/Recorder