ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2001 - 7:00 PM

                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

A.                CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING OFFICER                 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.  Mayor Austin led in the pledge of allegiance.

 

Present:  Cr. Akins, Cr. Troeh, Cr. Gavic, Cr. Hartwig, Mayor Austin, CM Ealy, DCR Hovda.

 

Absent:  Cr. Butcher, Cr. Atkinson and CA Cole.

 

B.        CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS FOR AGENDA     AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS           

 

None.

 

C.        CONSENT AGENDA                                                                                                                      

1.       Approve May 3, 2001 Council Workshop and May 3, 2001 Council minutes

2.     Accounts payable

3.     Liquor License Application – Change of Ownership – Get & Go Store

 

Cr. Troeh moved to approve the consent agenda.  Cr. Akins seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Hartwig - yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 0 no.

 

D.        DEPARTMENT AND COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                                          

Diana Turk, Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission, explained that the Commission didn’t receive the Plant Society grant that they applied for but they will continue to work on others.  The Commission would like Council approval to circulate a survey through the schools to see what the young people want in a park.  The survey will be distributed to all schools to get responses from a wide range of ages.  They are having a workshop this Sunday at 1:00 pm at City Hall and will be looking at the two master plans to see if there are any changes they would like to suggest to the Council. 

 

E.        CITY MANAGER REPORT                                                                                     

CM stated that Tuesday night the City finished the budget at the Budget Committee level and he thanked staff for their hard work in presenting a conservative but thorough budget.  He also thanked the Budget Committee for their dedication in reviewing the budget.  He briefly reviewed the major changes in the budget. 

 

Next Wednesday the Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 pm at the School District offices regarding the Atkinson rezone application.  Mayor Austin explained that in the past public hearings are very lengthy and when combined with a normal meeting makes the night go too late.  Cr. Gavic stated that it creates a problem for him because he didn’t know anything about it. 

 

CM stated that he is still working with the school district regarding their options during the construction phase.  He is also continuing to work with the library regarding their possible expansion.   He is looking into the option of our library joining with the school.  He is also talking about getting 3 professional appraisals of City Hall and then selling it to the library for the middle or low bid.  The City would retain the ownership of the land.  City Hall employees could be temporarily relocated to the City Shops.  The library would be offered a contract to buy City Hall out of this location over a 2-year period, and then the City could look for a new home for City Hall.  CM will continue working with the library board and Librarian on these issues. 

 

CM discussed some issues of the School District including building permits, watering issues and placement of the skateboard ramp. 

 

The road into the Timber Park will be paved during the next few weeks along with the completion of the portal project. 

 

CM stated that we are starting to receive funds from the outstanding municipal code citations that staff has been sending letters to.  Staff is keeping track of the progress.  Since the Judge has leeway to reduce tickets, staff has been looking at administrative fees to regulate the fees that the City receives. 

 

Mayor Austin asked how long until the Main Street project in front of the Jr. High is completed.  CM stated he is not sure, but will check into it. 

 

Cr. Gavic asked about the progress at 300 Main.  CM stated that one idea PWS Strawn suggested was intensive striping, caution bumps and additional signage.  Staff is also looking at using our $25,000 annual SCA grant to install traffic bump-outs. 

 

F.         COUNCIL BUSINESS                                                                                                                     

LFRAG Intergovernmental Agreement – CM discussed the options.  He feels that it would be a worthwhile investment of the City to join the group.  It will allow us to ensure that we are getting the correct revenue from our franchise fees.  Staff will have a resolution ready at the next meeting. 

 

Stage Fee Waiver – Estacada High School Senior Class - Jessica Copher, Sr. Class President, explained the limited funds available for the Senior class and requested a waiver for the use of the stage.  Cr. Treoh moved to approve the waiver of the fee for the Senior Class.  Cr. Gavic seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Hartwig - yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 0 no.

 

Ordinance Series of 2001, No. 4 – An Ordinance amending Section 2.04.010 regarding the times and day of regular Council meetings. - Tabled until the June 6th meeting.

 

Resolution 2001 – 8 – A Resolution of the Estacada City Council  - declaring surplus property. - CM reviewed a memo from PWS Strawn asking the Council to declare the street sweeper surplus property.  Cr.  Akins moved to approve Resolution 2001 – 8 – A Resolution of the Estacada City Council declaring surplus property.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Hartwig - yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 0 no.

 

City Manager Compensation Review - Tabled until the June 6th meeting.

 

Clackamas River Water Providers Memo of Understanding – CM reviewed the intergovernmental agreement and the benefits to the City.  PWS actively participates in the Clackamas River Water Users group that is recommending the agreement.  Cr. Gavic moved to approve signing the memo of understanding and intergovernmental agreement with the Clackamas River Basin Council and Clackamas River Water Providers.  Cr. Troeh seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Hartwig - yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 0 no.

 

Award Bid – Espinosa Street Improvements – CM explained that we have received bids for the paving of this project and staff is recommending approval of the low bid.  Cr. Hartwig moved to award the bid to Wystan Brown Excavating for $94,529.  Cr. Gavic seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Hartwig - yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 0 no.

 

G.        CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS FOR                                                                       AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS    

 

Diana Turk, 30095 SE Cemetery Road, asked if the Council would be taking action on the Atkinson application next week.  Mayor Austin stated that if the Council is ready they could make a decision, but they could also table a decision to a future meeting.  He encouraged the Council to review their material, ask questions and be ready for action. 

 

H.        COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS      

 

Cr. Akins thanked staff for the budget; she felt it was very informative. 

 

Cr. Gavic discussed the 18th annual Whitewater Festival that is going on up river this weekend.  He feels that it is important to realize, usually in the past that public hearings have started out at the Council and then went to a special meeting.  He asked why staff is asking to change the date of the Council meetings.  He stated he was not aware of any changes, but that it would be ok to have discussion on it at the next meeting.  Mayor Austin stated it was a few of the councilors that wanted to talk about the change, not staff.  Cr. Gavic remembers some loose talk about it.  He feels there is still a lack of communication between staff and himself and that concerns him.  He stated the next EDA meeting is Monday, June 4th, which is the first Monday of the month.

 

Cr. Troeh stated that we have some applicants for our scholarship.  The High School Counseling office will be handling the selection process. 

 

Cr. Hartwig doesn’t feel the City gained a whole lot in the budget.  He feels the only reason that it was reduced is the ending of the water project finishing up.  He discussed several concerns with the proposed budget, including no projects in the street fund but $80,000 in personal services.  He feels the storm drain fund is a slush fund.  He feels the general fund should be funded through property taxes in full.  He feels that we pushed the budget through without asking questions.  He feels the increase in franchise fees will only cover the payroll raises.  He stated the community deserves the highest level of services.  He feels that we should raise our tax rate to cover our general fund.  The enterprise funds should not pick up the slack in the general funds.  He stated that he is not blaming City staff; he just feels that we need to start making some changes. 

 

CM stated that he would like to form some task forces to look at funding issues.  He stated that we have a few vacancies on the Infrastructure Committee and would also like to see a Councilor be a liaison. 

 

Mayor Austin stated several small cities have a special levy for their sheriff protection, in addition to the regular levy for the general fund.  The Council and staff have to be creative in looking for funding sources.  

                                                                                   

I.          ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.