City Council

Regular Council Meeting of November 19, 2024 Present were: Mayor Naillon, Councilmembers Shaw, Marthaller, Werner, Hart and Moser. Absent: None. Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Naillon. Pledge of Allegiance given. Copies of the November 5th council meeting minutes were read and approved. Copies of the November 12th budget workshop minutes were read and approved. Howard Zosel was present to discuss the Zosel Lumber Company water usage excess charge for September 2024. Zosel Lumber had a water break and the City water meter did not read for 14 months, creating an excess water charge of $3,936.50; Zosel stated that he shares the blame, however, is requesting that the Council consider an adjustment to his account due to City equipment failure and the fact that the error was not caught by City Staff. Review of historical data for the Zosel Lumber account. Discussed the failure of the meter to be electronically read; Superintendent Thompson stated that the meter will be manually read until it can be replaced. Mayor Naillon questioned how the City has handled this situation in the past; Clerk Denney stated that the City has not experienced a situation to this degree. Further discussion on the failure of City equipment and the City’s responsibility to monitor account usage. Mayor Naillon wanted to thank the Zosel Lumber Company for their contributions to the community. Further discussion on considering sharing the excess charge equally, as both parties share the blame. Motion by Werner, second by Shaw that an adjustment of 50% of the excess charge be taken off of the Zosel Lumber Company billing due to the extenuating circumstances; motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing continuation on the updated Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Planner Danison stated that the public hearing was opened during the October 15th meeting and continued to the November 19th meeting to allow for minor changes to be made to the plan; those changes have been made. Danison discussed the letters received in regard to the proposed Riverfront Trail. Danison stated that if the Council chooses to adopt the plan, they will need to do so by resolution and a self-certification form will need to be submitted to RCO with the resolution and adopted plan. Danison stated that the CIP Improvements Table has been updated to include improvements, year and estimated cost, however those improvements are dependent upon funding. Danison further explained that the project timeframes are not set in stone, as the plan is a guiding document. Discussion on local funding and grant cycles; Danison stated that the next grant cycle will be in 2026, which would mean a project in 2028, if funding was available. Danison stated that the Riverfront Trail is listed in the plan as a project potentially for 2030; discussion on permitting that would be required. Mayor Naillon questioned if the comment letters can be included in the appendix of the plan; Danison said that they could. Danison stated that he will get an editable version of the plan to give the City the opportunity to make corrections to the plan in the future. Mayor Naillon asked if there were any additional comments. Keven Haney expressed her concerns for the proposed Riverfront Trail. Mayor Naillon stated that the PROS Plan update includes a broad plan for trails in town and that there are no specific plans for trails at this time. Mayor Naillon discussed the background for the creation of this updated plan and further stressed that the plan does not commit the City to create specific projects as listed in the plan. Rocky DeVon stated that when he was on the Oroville Planning Commission several years ago, trail systems within the City limits were discussed. No further public comments. Mayor Naillon closed the hearing. Motion by Moser, second by Werner that Resolution #594 be approved adopting the updated Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Plan; motion carried unanimously. Councilman Werner thanked Planner Danison for his contributions to the creation of the plan. Louis Williamson and Keven Haney had requested to be scheduled appearances to further discuss their concerns regarding the proposed Riverfront Trail and the impact on their property. Mayor Naillon discussed that no concrete plans are in place for this proposed trail and as adjacent property owners, they will be provided an opportunity to comment if this trail were to be developed. Haney discussed the confusion on documents relating to the updated PROS Plan vs. the Riverfront Trail. Planner Danison explained the comments received from outside agencies, which were for the updated PROS Plan, not specific projects. Further explanation given on actual projects vs. the updated PROS Plan. Haney expressed her concerns about child safety in regard to the pond behind the Dollar General Store, stating that she witnessed children playing on the trail and felt that a child could fall into the pond and drown. Superintendent Thompson stated that the pond was engineered to handle the stormwater drainage; the responsibility of fencing the pond falls on the property owner. Superintendent Thompson will mention the concern to Building Official Forbus. Shelly Roberts presented the Christmas Tree Lighting Park Use Application and letter explaining their plan for fireworks; Roberts also requested that Appleway be closed during the event from Ironwood to Main and Main to Golden. Tree Lighting Ceremony to take place on the front lawn of the Library on December 7th. Discussed that City barricades are available for use. Motion by Werner, second by Marthaller that the Tree Lighting event be approved as requested; motion carried unanimously. Roberts reported that the PUD put the lights on the tree today. Traci Neal was present to discuss possible outdoor electrical updates at the Library. Neal stated that Chamber members approached Oroville Reman and Reload and Reman has offered to pay for the materials needed to install the electrical infrastructure. Chamber is requesting that the City partner with Chamber for the labor portion of the improvements. Neal stated that Midway Building Supply has offered to donate equipment needed and Rob Lawrence has offered to help with the labor. Discussed that an electrical permit will be needed, which does not allow time for the improvements to happen before this year’s lighting event. Chamber to work with the City with the intent that the project can be completed for next year’s event. Further discussion on events in conjunction with the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Councilmember Shaw updated the Mayor and Council on the work she has completed on the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Program; review of packet prepared by Shaw and discussion on timeline. Discussed application created by Shaw and the application provided by AWC; all agreed that the AWC Application should be used. Mayor and Council agreed that Shaw should proceed with the project. Varela Professional Services Agreement for the General Sewer Plan explained by Superintendent Thompson; agreement total for services is $228,600. Motion by Werner, second by Moser that Mayor Naillon be authorized to sign the agreement; motion carried unanimously. Councilman Moser reported that after Desiree Miller attended the previous meeting, he has been watching the 4-way stop at Central and Ironwood and has witnessed vehicles running the stop signs; Moser requested additional patrols in that area and that additional signage be looked into. Public Hearing on the Preliminary 2025 Budget. Preliminary 2025 budget amount is $10,375,750; 2024 budget amount is $11,170,450. Clerk Denney stated that another public hearing will be held during the December 3rd City Council meeting and then the 2025 budget will be adopted during the December 17th meeting. No public comments. Prince Heritage Park Lease Extension Agreement received from the Prince Family. Initial lease was a 5 year term beginning in 2015 with the option to extend it one time, which was extended for a 2nd term from January 01, 2020 to December 31, 2024. The Prince Family would like to extend the agreement again from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029 with one option to extend the lease for an additional 5 years. All other terms and conditions shall remain the same; base rent of the property is $1.00 per year. Motion by Werner, second by Marthaller that Mayor Naillon be authorized to sign the lease extension agreement; motion carried unanimously. WSLCB Renewal Application Notice received for Salted and Quick Stop; no comments. Chamber of Commerce 2024 Hotel/Motel Tax Funds Amendment request received for an additional $10,000 for 2024. Mayor Naillon stated that the request had been discussed during the previous budget workshop. Motion by Shaw, second by Moser that the Chamber’s request for $10,000 additional funds from the 2024 Hotel/Motel Tax Fund be approved; motion carried unanimously. Department Head Updates Superintendent Thompson stated that the snowplows are ready to go to work. Sergeant Hirst reported that Officer Wessale has advanced to the second phase of the FTO. Hirst also updated the Council on the outfitting of the new patrol vehicle; protection of the back window needs to be put in place and he is working on getting that accomplished. 5-Minute Executive Session, 42.30.110 (1) (g), called by Mayor Naillon at 8:30 pm. Meeting reconvened at 8:35 pm. Mayor Naillon announced the appointment of Gary Hirst to the position of Police Chief, effective 11/19/24. Mayor, Council, Staff and Public congratulated Hirst on the appointment. Mayor Naillon also wanted to thank Hirst for his dedication to Oroville and the coverage he has provided during this transitioning period. Motion by Werner and second by Moser the vouchers $40,882.87, #34427-34456, DOR-EFT1, be paid, the November 15, 2024 payroll of $59,727.93, #34408-34421, Direct Deposit Run, EFT #202444-202445, be approved and the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 pm. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes approved ____________________ ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ Clerk