City Council

Regular Council Meeting of September 7, 2021 Present were: Mayor Neal, Councilmembers Naillon, Marthaller, McElheran, Hart and Moser. Absent: None. Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Neal. Pledge of Allegiance given. Copies of the August 17th council meeting minutes were read and approved. Jeff Bunnell, The Oroville Initiative, was present to further discuss the bench placement at Henry Kniss Riverfront Park. Bunnell presented revised pictures of the two benches with changes made to address the Council’s concerns from the previous presentation; discussion on revisions made. Bunnell requested that Superintendent Thompson place flags where the City would like the benches located. Motion by McElheran, second by Hart that the request to place the two donated benches at Henry Kniss Riverfront Park be approved; motion carried. Daniel Pratt, Okanogan Highlands Fire Watch (OHFW), was present to discuss his proposal for possibly renting the empty City owned building at 1728 Main Street. Discussion on proposal and intended use of the building; Pratt further explained the OHFW activities. Councilman Marthaller discussed the required rent; Pratt stated that he wishes to negotiate the rental rate. Pratt explained improvements that will be made to the facility by his group with the help of Home Depot. Councilman Naillon stated that it is common for renters to make improvements to facilities that they rent prior to moving in. Further discussion on rental rate that has been established for the building, as a reduction is not allowed because it would be considered a gift of public funds. Mayor Neal suggested that Pratt look at the inside of the building prior to moving forward with the proposal; Pratt to meet with Superintendent Thompson. Russel Jensen, 921 Fir Street, discussed ordinance #915 adopted by the City Council on July 20th regarding the overlay zone for residential use in the Commercial Two zoning district. Jensen gave a history on the property he purchased. Jensen submitted a petition signed by 7 of the 8 property owners within his block to amend the overlay map to include their block. Mayor Neal stated that the petition will be forwarded to the Planning Commission. Planner Danison stated that an application and the associated fee will need to be submitted; Danison explained the application process. Draft Conditional Offer of Employment with Hiring Bonus proposal submitted by Chief Langford. Langford stated that the draft was taken from Brewster, revised to fit Oroville and submitted to City Attorney Howe for approval; Attorney Howe approved the document. Councilman Naillon questioned how the City is protected against the officer leaving after the first installment is made; Langford stated that it will be covered in the employee handbook. Naillon felt that language is needed to make the compliance with the terms firmer; Mayor Neal agreed. Naillon felt that it should be in ordinance form for the sake of recovery. Langford felt that there should be an employment contract that spells out the terms. Naillon requested that Langford discuss further with Attorney Howe. Langford further discussed the steps for sign-on bonus payments. Mayor Neal questioned postponing the first installment. Councilman Marthaller would like to see language added to strengthen reimbursement requirements. Langford questioned what he needs to do to move the process forward. Naillon asked if Langford has worked on the language for an employment contract; Langford has not started that process. Council felt that more information is needed from Attorney Howe regarding whether or not an ordinance was needed and direction for an employment contract that could be enforced. Discussion on academy costs vs. hiring a lateral officer and offering a sign-on bonus. Highlands Associates Addendum #2 submitted to provide for the additional hours for services needed; further explanation given on the scope of work submitted by Danison. Motion by Hart, second by Naillon that Mayor Neal be authorized to sign the agreement between the City of Oroville and Highlands Associates Addendum #2; motion carried. Superintendent Thompson stated that the Central Avenue Project will be going out to bid for a second time in the next few weeks. WSLCB Renewal Application Notice for the American Legion Hodges Post 84 received; no comments. Karen Frisbie reported that the food distribution will take place Thursday, September 9 th and the City Wide Yard Sale will occur on Saturday, September 18th. Karen Frisbie reminded the Council about the Downtown Development meeting to be held in October and would like to set up a time to talk to the finance committee about the City being involved in the process. Karen Frisbie stated that she owes an apology to Superintendent Thompson regarding the condition of Deep Bay Park following the 4th of July celebration; she was under the impression that it had been cleaned up and it had not been cleaned up. Request submitted by Cindy Kosonen to rent storage space in the empty Industrial Park Building from September 25th to the end of May; looking for space for a pontoon boat, Ford Expedition and possibly a Nissan Rogue. Clerk Denney stated that using the lease rate paid by Veranda Beach for the facility for the square footage requested, the monthly rate would possibly be about $100, plus leasehold tax, per month. Discussed that they would need to be aware that the City is looking to rent out the entire facility and if it were to be approved, it would be contingent upon them moving out if the facility were to be rented prior to May. Discussion on the proposal and intended use of the facility. Motion by Naillon, second by McElheran that the request be denied. Those in favor of denying the request: Naillon, McElheran and Hart; those in favor of approving the request: Marthaller and Moser. Request denied. Clerk Denney to notify Kosonen. Adopt-A-Park Application submitted by Streetscape/TOI for the Veteran’s Memorial Garden. Councilman Hart stated that the actual name for the area they would like to adopt is Liberty Tree. Motion by Hart, second by McElheran that the application be approved; motion carried. Motion by McElheran and second by Naillon the vouchers $39,689.43, #29416-29450, be paid, the August 31, 2021 payroll of $84,294.01, #29374-29415, Direct Deposit Run, EFT #202133-202134, be approved and the meeting be adjourned at 7:51 pm. Motion carried. Minutes approved ____________________ ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ Clerk