ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 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. Hartwig, Cr. Butcher, Cr. Akins, Cr. Atkinson, Cr. Gavic, Cr. Troeh, Mayor Austin, CM Ealy, CA Cole, CP McCallister, CR Carey.

 

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

 

            None.

 

C.        CONSENT AGENDA

1.         Approve May 17, 2001 and May 23, 2001 Council minutes

2.         Accounts payable

3.         City Manager Compensation Review

4.         Employee of the Quarter

5.         Urban Renewal Contract

6.         Resolution 2001 – No. 9 – A Resolution of the Estacada City Council proclaiming annexation of .69 acres owned by Heath Stalcup.

7.         Resolution 2001 – No. 11– A Resolution requesting a Special Cities   Allotment grant from the State of Oregon.

 

CM reviewed the items on the consent agenda.  He explained that we are trying to recognize staff for exemplary service.  He has received numerous feedback from other librarians about the outstanding work that our librarian does – particularly with the collection that she has developed in our library.  Therefore, he recognizes Beth McKinnon as the employee of the quarter for the 2nd quarter of 2001. 

 

CM discussed the process of urban renewal and the proposal for the City to contributed $500 along with the Fire Dept.’s contribution of $500 that will go with a grant from OEDD for the balance of this project.  He is looking for the council to support this scope of work. 

 

CM will be discussing the use of the SCA grant for improvements to the 300 Main property/issue.  The proposal from Public Works for improving the situation adds up to approximately $132,000. 

 

Cr. Butcher moved to approve the consent agenda.  Cr. Akins seconded the motion. 

 

Cr. Butcher feels that employee recognition is long overdue and is happy to see the City following through with this type of recognition. 

 

Cr. Hartwig asked if the fire department is willing to go along with this urban renewal project.  CM stated that they are willing and he will keep them informed. 

 

The Council discussed the City Manager’s compensation request.  The request is for a monthly salary of $4,170.  Cr. Butcher researched City Manager salaries in the LGPI personnel information book and found that for cities of this size, this request is well within the range.

 

Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Hartwig-no, Cr. Gavic-no, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 2 no.

 

D.        DEPARTMENT AND COMMITTEE REPORTS  

 

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Report  - Deputy Kraus reported on some issues happening in the city over the last few months. 

 

City Recorder – May 15, 2001 Election results – CR Carey read the following results:  There are 1218 registered voters in Estacada with a total of 283 placing votes in the May election.  There were 213 yes votes, 68 no votes and 2 blank votes for Measure 3 – 34, the annexation of 0.69 acres. 

 

E.        PUBLIC HEARING – STATE SHARED REVENUE FUNDS

 

Mayor Austin opened the public hearing for public comments.  There was none.  Mayor Austin closed the public hearing.

 

Cr. Butcher moved to adopt Resolution 2001 – No. 10 – A Resolution relating to municipal services state shared revenues.  Cr. Troeh seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 7 yes and 0 no.

 

CR Carey read the Ordinance declaring the City’s election to receive state revenues. 

 

Cr. Hartwig moved to dispense the second reading of the ordinance and read by title only.  Cr. Atkinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

CR Carey read the Ordinance by title only. 

 

Cr. Troeh moved to adopt an Ordinance declaring the City’s election to receive state revenues.  Cr. Gavic seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

F.         PUBLIC HEARING – 2001-02 CITY OF ESTACADA BUDGET

 

Mayor Austin opened the public hearing for public comments.

 

CM Ealy reviewed his updated budget officer report.  He stated that there is an employee leaving public works and this position will not be filled reducing full time staff to 12.  PERS was not picked up for 5 employees as originally proposed.  This is a very conservative budget without cutting the level of service.  He also reviewed some comments from the budget committee regarding the budget.  The areas we will be working on for the next budget would be regarding the expenditure of franchise fees, increasing funds for project work in the street fund, keep an eye on the LIDs within the city at this time, look at keeping the costs of insurance down possibly with an insurance cap, work on the park and planning department fees to be able for them to sustain themselves, negotiate with the Sheriff’s department on their contract rate and look at levy options to help pay for police coverage. 

 

Diana Turk, 30095 SE Cemetery Road – Ms. Turk asked why the resolution amount for police services was different than the contract.  CM stated that the difference was  budgeted in non-departmental E911 funds. 

 

Cr. Butcher moved to close the public hearing.  Cr. Atkinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Cr. Troeh moved to adopt Resolution 2001 – No. 12 – A Resolution adopting, appropriating, levying and categorizing taxes for the 2001-2002 City budget.  Cr. Akins seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Gavic-no, Cr. Hartwig-no, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 2 no.

 

G.        CITY MANAGER REPORT

 

CM reviewed his written manager’s report.  CM discussed some whitewater rafting events that will be happening throughout the summer, his dealings with Goodwill and the possibility they will be moving into the establishment on 6th and Main, and the progress from the SOLV meetings with the next meeting on June 19th at 6:30pm at the Community Center.

 

H.        COUNCIL BUSINESS

 

Sound Variance Request – Monqui Presents – CM reviewed the request for a sound variance.  Monqui does not expect to exceed the sound limit but would like the variance if by chance they do.  The concert begins at noon and ends at 10:00 pm.  The Council discussed the request. 

 

Cr. Butcher moved to approve the sound variance request with Council authority to have them turn it down if it is too excessive.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Waiver for stage fee – Estacada Area Chamber of Commerce – Cr. Troeh stated it makes sense that if someone is having an event in the park, the stage fee should be waived.  She would like to see a minimal charge set for the maintenance of the stage for non-profit uses. 

 

Cr. Troeh moved to waive the stage fee for the Chamber of Commerce Family 4th event.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 7 yes and 0 no.

 

Cr. Butcher would like staff to give the council information regarding the actual cost to setup and take down the stage.  It was council consensus to have staff pursue this. 

 

Comprehensive plan amendment #2000-2 & zone change application #2000-2 – Bernard Atkinson – Cr. Atkinson declared a conflict of interest and will be removing himself from the deliberations.  Cr. Hartwig, Cr. Gavic and Cr. Troeh have had some exparte contacts but nothing regarding additional information regarding the application.

 

CP McCallister instructed the council that they have latitude to revise the request to any amount of acreage in the subdivision.  Their decision needs to be  based on the criteria outlined in the staff report. 

 

Cr. Butcher asked what the impact of the zone change would be on the availability of light industrial land.  CP McCallister stated there is approximately 60 acres of light industrial land within the city limits and that 20 acres could be considered significant but it is not as clear when the acreage is reduced.

 

Cr. Hartwig moved to deny the application as per the criteria outlined in the staff report.  Cr. Gavic seconded the motion.

 

Mayor Austin commented that he would be comfortable with the car lot getting a conditional use but not as comfortable with the other part.  He would like to look at this during the comp plan review if there is other lands that could be zoned light industrial.  Cr. Troeh stated that the council has put a lot of thought and time into this issue and they have many personal feelings about this but they also have the tools handed them by staff on what to use to base their decisions on. 

 

Cr. Butcher thanked everyone that came forward and gave testimony both for and against the issue.  She supports the application personally.  She feels there needs to be change in order for Estacada to grow and it is her opinion that commercial business along the highway is already here and she does not feel that rezoning 10 acres to commercial will kill the downtown area.  What will kill the area is apathy by some of the property owners in the downtown area.  She commented that jobs are needed whether commercial or industrial – any new jobs would be welcome.  As a councilor she cannot vote for the zone change because the criteria is not met for the change.  She gave her regrets to the Atkinson family and recognizes their contributions to this community.  She would like the Council to get started on updating the comprehensive plan to plan for the future. 

 

Cr. Gavic stated that this request has been interesting and challenging and knows that Family Ford has done a lot for the community.  He has considered a number of things when coming to his decision.   

 

Cr. Hartwig would like to say yes to the application but it just doesn’t fit at this time and he hopes they can make it work in the future. 

 

Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Mayor Austin-yes (Cr. Atkinson did not vote because of conflict of interest).  The motion passed with 6 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  -

 

Cr. Butcher stated that she would like it moved to Monday or Tuesday for many reasons.  She recommended changing meeting dates to the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.  The council discussed the issue and the possibility of Tuesdays.  It was council consensus to move the meeting to the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.

 

CM Ealy read Ordinance Series of 2001, No. 4 – An Ordinance amending Section 2.04.010 regarding the times and day of regular Council meetings. 

 

 

I.          COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS

 

Sandy Pense, 464 SW Grove Road – Mrs. Pense commended the council on how they handled themselves this evening.  She is glad to hear there is whitewater rafting events promoting the use of the area’s natural resources.  She has worked with the kids in the community regarding skateboarding and stated that the ramp will be a great asset for the city.  She commented on the stage waiver fees and feels that the costs to setup and take down the stage needs to be charged. 

 

Pete Toscano – Mr. Toscano commented on the council’s decision regarding the Atkinson rezone.  He feels the council is making decisions that are making it difficult for businesses to stay in business.  He also said that there has to be something here to keep the city alive and the city is not allowing for that.  He does not feel light industrial will develop for years and feels commercial would.  He approves of a skateboard area and would like to see it happen soon. 

 

Tom Sager, 420 SW Grove – Mr. Sager stated that Diana will be leaving for 3 months and Tuesdays would be a problem for him to film the meetings.  He would like to see the table set up differently to accommodate filming.

 

CA Cole informed the council that there has been a claim filed regarding excavating for the water project.  The contractor ran into hard rock that they say was not identified in the geologic report and the engineer has denied the claim.  CA asked for council approval for him to work on this claim.  It was council consensus to have CA Cole work on this issue. 

 

Cr. Butcher moved to make CM Ealy’s pay increase retroactive to May.  Cr. Troeh seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Akins-yes, Cr. Hartwig-no, Cr. Atkinson-yes, Cr. Gavic-no, Cr. Troeh-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 2 no.

 

Cr. Butcher also publicly stated that CM Ealy has done a very professional and commendable job his first seven months and is excited about the positive activities and projects he has brought to the city.

 

Cr. Akins thanked everyone for coming and hopes that people do not get the impression that the council is against development because they are not. 

 

Cr. Hartwig stated that the decision tonight was a hard one and hopes that when the comp plan is addressed, changes can be made because there is land available for businesses to come to Estacada. 

 

Cr. Gavic commented that the downtown is dying and that ECAT could be an answer to stopping this decaying.  He commented that he has worked with Destination Wilderness and would like to see a satellite office established in Estacada.  Cr. Gavic would like to see someone working with ODOT regarding signage for Estacada.

 

Cr. Troeh commended CM Ealy for the selection of Librarian McKinnon for employee of the quarter.  She is delighted with the budget and said it was the first time that there was only one no vote at the budget committee level and she is pleased with that.  She hopes the Atkinson family does not give up on Estacada and hopes that Family Ford will stay here and would look to a resolution regarding this.

 

Cr. Troeh went to some Arts Commission brainstorming meetings where they looked at their goals stated in the code and to develop a mission statement.  Artback weekend is July 21-22 and it will include performers and activities.

 

Mayor Austin thanked the budget committee for their deliberations on the budget and thanked staff with CM’s leadership for bringing an excellent budget for review.  He is glad to see the urban renewal contract and is anxious to use this as a tool for revitalization.  He is hoping the Atkinson’s realize what a difficult decision it was tonight.

 

CM Ealy commented on the city’s project work and will be committed to getting some projects regarding the downtown off the ground and give the council results instead of just ideas and concepts.    

 

J.         ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.