City Council

^^ an.OTWood Mayor Council President Councilors ?e John C. Miner Jairo Rios-Cam os Mark dark Dara Tan Patricia Smith WOOD VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 22, 2024-6:00 PM PRESENT MayorJohnC. Miner, Councilors Markdark, DaraTanand PatriciaSmith, City ManagerGreg Dirks, PublicWorksOperationsManagerErikaNormine," PublicWorks ProjectsManagerBeckyGallien, Director of Finance Seth Reeser, City Attorney JeffCondit, and interested parties. ABSENT Council President Jairo Rios-Campos CITIZEN COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) Dirksrelayed a phonecomment regardingan overduewaterbill. Dirksmentioned ifa pastduebill is under $20that the property is not put on a shutoff, but a community member, who had a $23 past due bill, expressed frustration over being on the shutoff list and stated the water cost was too high and the quality too poor. Dirksstated the Citydoes not report pastdue balancesto creditagenciesandthatthe City hasbegun utilizing unidirectionalflushingto improve waterqualityin the city, notingWoodVillagehasalwayshadsafe drinking water, MCSODRONEUSEUPDATE DeputyVolkerdiscussedlastyear'sToy Drive,whichserved over885childrenand 263familiesin East Multnomah Countywithgifts, and mentionedthisyearthethree cities, WoodVillage, Fairviewand Troutdale, will compete for a pizza party to collect the most tape and wrapping paper for this year's Toy Drive. DeputyVolkerstated toyswill be collected on November30thand thetoyswill be distributedatthe Wood VillageBaptistChurchon Saturday, December14th, Volkerexplainedthetoydrivedistributionexperience as a volunteer and as a gift recipient. Volkermentioned a fewlocal businesseswere helpingcollect bikesforthetoy drive, aswell. Tan asked about volunteer opportunities. Dirks and Volker mentioned Hinders would provide the Council with the other flyer with volunteer opportunities. CityCouncilMinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 1 Volkernoted the Mayorof Maywoodalso offeredto donatetoysto thisyear'stoydrive, aswell. Minerstated lastyear'stoydrivedistributionexperiencewasa greatthingto bea partof. Lieutenant Ciobanasiu provided an update on MCSO'sdrone purchasing policy and noted MCSO intends to purchasethree drones, one fortrafficcrashes,oneforfinding missing individuals,andonefor navigating small spaces. Ciobanasiustatedthe purposeofpurchasingdrones isto savemoney, reduceimpacttime on communities, and keepdeputiessafein dangerousscenarios. Ciobanasiumentioned all currentaircraftregulations, includingprivacyregulations,will applyto thedrones, as well. Ciobanasiu noted MCSO is currently borrowing drones from Gresham and that all drone operators will be FAA certified drone operators. dark mentioned he is also a licensed drone operator and commented that having a drone would be useful. Tanasked howhigha dronecanfly and iftheywould interferewithotherairtraffic. Ciobanasiuexplaineddronescannotinterferewithairtrafficand mustremain inthe line ofsightofthe operator. dark noted in the Troutdaleairspacedronescannotgo higherthan 200feet butoutsideofa protected airspaceit would bearound400feet. darkmentioned hisdronealerts him whenhe isentering a nearby airshed. Miner commented that it is a great investment. Dirksaskedwherethe droneswill be stored anddeployedfrom. Ciobanasiu stated the dream would be to have a specific drone vehicle, but, for now, the goal is to outfit MCSOtruckswithcasesto store andtransportthe dronesto deploymentareas.The droneswill be stored at the Troutdale MCSO office until the trucks are ready. Miner asked ifthere would be a drone operator on each shift. Ciobanasiustatedthat is the goal but, fornow,therewouldbeoneoperatoreitheron shiftoron call at all times. darkremarkedthatit is unlikely MCSOwould beflyingdronesvery highgiventhe natureofthe useforthe department and the need for capturing quality photos. CONSENTCALENDAR A. City Council Minutes . October8, 2024 Upon motion bySmith, secondedbyTan andpassing4-0,the ConsentCalendarwasapproved. EASTCOUNTYECONOMICENHANCEMENTS City Council MinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 2 DirksintroducedChris Damgenfrom the PortofPortland. Damgenoverviewedthe Portof Portland'spurpose, property holdings, and businessesand presented the Port's economic development strategy for East County. Damgennoted recenteconomicdevelopmentefforts in EastCounty haveyieldedjobs, butthesedo not meetthe "qualityjob"thresholdofa wageat $27 perhour. DamgenexplainedEastCounty, forthe purposeofthe Port'sstrategy, meansWoodVillage, Fairview,Troutdale, and Gresham. DamgenthankedDirksand Minerfortheirassistancein helpingshapea visionfor EastCounty. Damgenreviewedthethree stagesofthe Port's involvementin EastCounty, including PhaseOne, investing in growth, PhaseTwo, reimaginingthe Port'srole, and PhaseThree, investingforshared prosperity. Damgenstatedthe purposeofthe EastCountystrategy is to establisha road mapforequitableeconomic development in the area that prioritizes BIPOC communities and community, intergovernmental and local stakeholders. Damgennotedthe EastCountystrategy hasthree phases:discovery,engagement(thecurrent phase), and alignment. Damgenreviewed learningsfromthefirstand second phases, Damgenreviewedcollected datafrom thefirsttwo phases, including25%of populationspeaksanotherlanguage than English,transportation and warehousingis thelargest industryin the area, East Multnomahcountyhasa 1.2% annual population growth and MHCC is the largest community asset. Damgen presented the vision of East Multnomah County as a global economic district. Damgennotedfuturecoalition project prioritizationconsidersSteering Committee interest, equitabledevelopment criteria, and project/program criteria. Damgen reviewed locations/properties that had priority interest and noted MHCC rose to the top asdid Gresham VistaBusinessParkLot 11. Programsthat had priorityinterest includedworkforcetrainingand industrialsite readiness. Damgenmentioned, basedon the scoring matrix, thepriorityprojectsforthefuture coalitionincludedMHCC, GVBP Lot 11, Vance Park, transit improvements, and a workforce development hub. Damgenoverviewedthe positive impactsthese priorityprojectswould haveon WoodVillageand notedthe hopeis that Wood Village would continue to have representation on the future coalition. Damgenstatedthe Portand Committee arefeelingoptimisticaboutthe momentum in EastCounty. Minerthanked Damgenforthe amountofworkthat hasbeenaccomplishedin the lastyear. dark mentionedthe GVBPLot 11 developmentconcept has been aroundfora long time withthe hopefora grand development at the site, noting a workforce development hub would be great there. Damgenstatedthe Port is looking atGVBPLot 11 asa blankslate, notingthe zoningallowsfora varietyof usesor even mixed use. Smith asked how the Port would invest in Wood Village. CityCouncil MinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 3 Damgen. meptioned the industrial site readiness component of the plan would be beneficialin creating a toolkit for the city and property managers, noting there is no available land within the city for expanded development. Damgennotedthefutureofthe Grand Rondeproperty is ofhighinterestto the Port, butit wasnotchosenas a priority project nowbecauseofthe lackofknowledgearoundwhenthesite may be developed. Damgenexplained the Portevaluated optionsbasedon whatcould bedone nowor in the nextfewyears, Dirks credited Damgen and the Port for acknowledging many of the priority projects fell outside of Wood Village but also stated the Port had done a good job of selecting projects that can be done now. Dirks also mentioned that the future coalition would already be in place when the time was right for a project in Wood Village, DamgennotedWoodVillageis well positionedforfederal grantopportunitiesfrom a censustractstandpointifor whena project becomesa priority, explainingthatthe Port'scoalitioncould be a future partneron grantapplications too. Miner stated the Grand Ronde property would be a great potential partner project for the Port. Minerreiterated Damgen'sstatementregardingthe powerand importanceof EastCountyhavinga collective, cohesivevoice in partnershipwiththe Port. Miner commented that the main industries of transportation and warehousing in the area are moving fast towards automation and that a focus on other industries, such as manufacturing, will be critical in the future. Miner stated he is pleased with the Port's work and thanked Dirks for having a part on the Committee. Dirksstated he hasbeenvocal aboutthe Committee not being performative and expressingnot wanting EastCounty to become stuffed with warehouses. Dirks mentioned the partnership with MHCC has been critical. Minernoted helping MHCCpasstheirbondwouldbe beneficialforfuturedevelopmentatthecollege. DISCUSSION:PGEFRANCHISERENEWALUPDATE Dirks provided an update on the PGE franchise renewal and mentioned the last update was at the July 23rd meeting. Dirks reviewed the City's previous issues with the proposed renewal agreement and stated PGE had responded with new language. The new language did not resolve the City's issues regarding vegetation and undergrounding of electric lines. Dirksreviewedthe City's proposed languageregardingvegetation: PGEwould be ableto do pruning/removal within the easement with appropriate notice and replanting considerations; outside the easementis up to the propertyowner'sdiscretionandterms. dark asked Dirks to clarify. Dirks stated PGE wants the ability to prune/remove trees and vegetation whether in the right-of-way or not, doingso in compliancewiththe City'stree removal process. TheCitydoesnothavea tree removal process, so Dirks would like to propose with different language that would notify property owners, with replanting considerations, ifwithintheeasementorthatwould provide propertyownersthe discretionfor pruning/removal if outside the easement, dark asked if this information was under Section 5. Dirks confirmed but mentioned Section 5 did not previously exist in the PGE franchise agreements, explainingit had probablybeenaddednowbecauseofwinterstorm damageoverthe lastfewyears. CityCouncilMinutesOctober22, 20241 Page 4 Clarkasked iftherewereanyotherutilitycompaniesthatthiscoutd'impact. . Dirks explained this would only impact overhead transmission lines. It might possibly impact telecom companies, but Dirks is unaware of any proactive vegetation work being done by utility companies other than PGE. Smithstated as long as it only impactstrees andvegetationthat pose a riskto theoverhead linesthen she isfinewiththe language. Tan agreed, Miner stated the property owner notice is a common courtesy. DirksreviewedPGE'sproposed languageandthe City'scounter-proposed languageregarding overheading lines in an underground area: specific terms and conditions would be negotiated on a case-by- case basis between the City and PGE. Councilagreedonthe City'sproposed language, Dirksstated hewill send the updated languageto PGEtomorrowwiththe hopeto havethe newfranchise agreementreadyforsigningin Novemberor December Miner asked aboutthe 3.5% franchise fee. Reeser mentioned there is also a separate 1. 5% Miner asked what the 3.5% is applied to. Reeserexplainedit's 3.5%of PGE'sgross revenue withinWoodVillage. Dirks remarked that this percentage could change in the future and that the franchise agreement did not lock them into that number. DISCUSSION:COUNCILRETREATFACILITATION Dirksreviewedthe purposeofthe annual retreatand stated the needfordiscussionaroundthe upcoming retreat's location, agenda, facilitation, and date. The Councilagreedto hostthe retreatat CityHall againwith nooptionfor live streaming. Dirkspresented likelytopicsforthe agenda, dark mentioned the Council used to write down topics on post-it notes. Dirks stated that exercise hasn't been done in a while, but the Council should feel free to bring up other topics now. Miner noted the Council will be busy with fire and emergency medical service conversation and potential IGA extension with Gresham at the retreat. Dirks asked about retreat facilitators and reviewed previous options, noting that bringing in someone from AP Triton would be beneficial for the fire and EMS discussion. SmithandTan agreedthatsomeoneforthefire discussionwould be beneficial,buta generalfacilitatorisn't needed. dark agreed but noted it put more on Dirks and staff to lead and direct the retreat. Tan asked if Dirks would have to provide a facilitator with instructions anyways. CityCouncilMinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 5 Dirksstated yes .but since this year's retreat has a targeted agendathat a specialized facilitator would be... helpful. The Council agreed that a facilitator from AP Triton would bethe only facilitator needed. Dirks asked about a potential date for the retreat, noting a later February orearly March date may be more beneficial this year. Tanasked aboutthe January25th date included inthe staffreport. Dirksmentionedafterwritingthe staffreportthata laterdatewasdeterminedto be better. Tan remarked sheis outoftownon February15thbutis availableon February22ndand March 1st. Miner stated he is available March 1st or February 22nd. Smith stated she is available March 1st. dark stated all the dates work for him. Dirks remarked the preferred date seems to be March 1st. Minerasked if March 1stis too late to havethe conversation with AP Triton and to continue discussions between the three cities. Dirks stated it should be early enough to do so. Minercommentedthata three-citymeeting would be neededafterthe retreat. The Council agreed on March 1st as the retreat date, DIRECTOROFPUBLICWORKSREPORT Normine presented the Public Works monthly report: Robbie Betthauser completed his probationary period; staff completed the OHA water system survey and the lead inventory. Normine stated the City's watersystem is free from any lead pipes and components, but older homes may have some intheir private systems. This information will be in the upcoming November newsletter. Miner asked about the potential funds for homeowners mentioned in the report and ifthere is an at-home lead test kit that homeowners could purchase. Normine stated lead sampling kits can be purchased atdifferent labs but the City uses Columbia Labsfor its test kits. Miner asked if it could be picked up at a store like Home Depot. Normine stated no, it is a more specialized test, but commented the City would be sending out letters with information on howto test, Dirks remarked it looked like there were lead at-hometest kits online but could not comment on their accuracy. Norminestatedthe EPAmayhavefundsforhomeownersto test and replace lead pipes butit is unclear how those funds would be distributed. dark remarked home lead test kits could be purchased on Amazon for $16.99. CityCouncil MinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 6 Normine stated 27 permits issued, 31 inspections, 22 code compliance costs; water loss has dropped to 6. 61%, noting some water meters have been swapped out, which could be the potential reason for the continuing drop in water loss over the last few months. Dirks mentioned the City could not pinpoint what had caused the previous increase in water loss but also cannot pinpoint what has caused the current decrease in water loss. DIRECTOROFFINANCEREPORT Reeser mentioned the Finance team has been hard at work wrapping up the audit over the last two weeks. The hope is to have the audit wrapped up by the end of the month. CITYMANAGERREPORT Dirks stated the three cities met with Gresham yesterday to restart IGA renewal options for fire service, noting Reeser represented Fairview at the meeting. Dirks commented that the meeting was helpful to clear the air after a GreshamOutlookarticlestated individualsin Greshamwere upsetovercharacterizationsand statementscoming from Troutdale. Dirksnoted Greshamwantsto beginwith IGAdiscussionsratherthanthe largerfireand EMSsolution. Dirks mentioned he and Reeser have been discussing costs and options. Reeser and Dirks will meet with the other cities soon to continue discussing. The first bargaining session is scheduled for November 7th. Minerasked aboutthestatusofthe FairviewCity Managerposition. Dirks explained the interim City Manager has been extended through the first of the year but no other hiring news. Miner asked if Reeser was representing Fairview. Dirks confirmed, noting Fairview staff don't mind following the other two cities' leads in discussion as long as they are kept in the loop. Dirks mentioned beginning discussions around the Easter egg hunt for next year, asking if the Council is interested in something neworthesamestructure. Dirksproposed ideascould be broughtbackbeforethe Council in Decemberif there is interest. dark asked what changes are being considered. Dirks explained the Easter egg hunt doesn't serve a service or enrichment purpose and tends to bring out the worst in some people. Staffthoughts have included shifting to a similar style of event like the annual Pumpkin Fest. Minerand Tan statedtheywould liketo seeoptionsfordiscussion. Dirks stated it would be brought back in December for further discussion. Dirks mentioned Pumpkin Fest is this Saturday and noted Cultivate Initiatives and Betthauser completed pumpkin washingtoday. Dirks noted there will be a Parks Commission meeting next Monday and potential for a meeting with the Grand Ronde on November 21st. Tan and Miner asked about the Grand Ronde meeting, Dirks stated it is usually an all-day event, including a tour and discussion with the Grand Ronde Council, CityCouncil MinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 7 Tan asked ifthe. planwastocarpool. . -.., ;.... .. , Dirks stated yes but considerations could be made for howmany Councilors can ridetogether to avoid a quorum. Condit explained as long as no City business was discussed at least two could ride together without concern. Miner explained he believes the Council could ride together without discussing City business. Dirksstated hewouldworkto confirmthe meeting dateagain. Dirksmentionedthe City receivedthe resultsfrom the ODOTspeedstudy results on WoodVillage Blvd today, and ODOTproposedreducingto 30MPHon WoodVillageBvldbuttheCitywouldlikeit reducedfurtherto 25MPH. Tan asked how the speed is determined. Dirks explained it's based on traffic movements, average traffic speeds, and the number of intersections. The study found that 22% of vehicle movements exceeded the speed limit. The Council agreed that the City should push backto try and reduce it to 25 MPH. Dirks stated he would counter with 25 MPH again. CITf ATTORNEY REPORT None. MAYORANDCOUNCILCOMMENTS Minerthanked the Council for sitting through a longer than usual Port of Portland presentation and stated he hopedtheyfound it helpful. ADJOURNMENT Withno furtherbusiness,the Counciladjourned at7:50pm. n C. Miner MAYOR ATTEST- CITYRECORDE CityCouncil MinutesOctober22, 2024 | Page 8