ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

 

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. Pam Butcher, Cr. Marli Stauffacher, Cr. Jane Troeh, Cr. Cliff Atkinson, Cr. Cliff Gavic, Mayor Robert Austin, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey, CA Andrew Cole.

 

Absent:  Cr. Hartwig

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                    

 

Mayor Austin presented the October Citizen of the Month to Marcy Marvel, Estacada Disc Golf Association and the October Golden Rake Award to Kevin & Pam Butcher.

 

Mayor Austin also recognized that the job corps students worked Saturday on cleaning up the town by raking leaves and other tasks. 

 

Nina Hamilton, 27724 S. Hwy 211 – Mrs. Hamilton really likes the stop sign at Main and 4th.  She would like to see the sandwich board sign issue resolved before the new council comes in. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Cr. Troeh moved to approve the October 14, 2002 Council meeting minutes.  Cr. Stauffacher seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS        

 

Water loss report – CM reviewed the water loss report included in the packet.

 

Public Works activity report – CM reviewed the public works activity report included in the packet.

 

Estacada Area Arts Commission report – Jane Reid reviewed the activities of the Arts Commission over the last year.  They have adopted a mission statement; held a winter arts exhibit; sponsored the Spring Arts and Lecture series including a Tygres Heart Shakespeare Theater performance, an Artist Repertory Theatre’s Actors to Go performance, and Oregon Council Chautauqua civil war event, and readings by writers and poets published in the Clackamas Community College’s Clackamas Review; collaborated with Artist Repertory Theatre to produce and act in an original production; coordinated the Estacada Summer Celebration; and grant writing.  This year planning has begun for the next Summer Celebration and some grants have already been obtained.  They are also working with the Auditorium Renovation Committee for fund raising, designing this year’s Spring Arts and Lecture series, working with Kate Hawks on a community theater project, working on gateway signage and banners, researching a “Writing our Stories” project with the Oregon Council for the Humanities Chautauqua program and looking into other ways that the arts can support the growth and changes going on in Estacada today.   

 

City Manager report – CM reviewed his written manager’s report included in the packet.  CM stated that the city has been receiving a number of negative comments regarding the 4th and Main stop sign.  Cr. Troeh stated that she received a call where the caller pointed out that this is the truck route for all the large trucks coming through town and it backs up traffic for some businesses and maybe isn’t the greatest place for a stop sign.  CM stated that traffic volume would be counted.  Cr. Gavic stated that there are safety concerns at this intersection but he has talked to the people at Jackpot and they do not like the stop there.  Staff recommendation at this point is to recommend removal of the signs after the 90-day period.  CM asked the council if they would like to address the topic of sandwich boards at a workshop before the holidays or wait until after the first of the year.   Council was divided so Mayor Austin left it up to staff to see if there was time or not.

 

COUNCIL BUSINESS         

 

Library siting survey results – The results of the unofficial survey show that the majority of people want to keep the library in the downtown core area.  Cr. Troeh asked for direction regarding the next step for the task force.  It was council consensus to have the task force conduct appraisals on the two downtown sites.  She also stated that the request for qualifications has been advertised for in the Daily Journal of Commerce with a November 12th deadline. 

 

2003-05 CDBG project list – CM reviewed the list included in the packet.  He asked council to review the list and let him know if they have any additional projects they would like to see on the list.

 

Outside city limit water services – CM stated that we are getting requests from persons living outside the city limits for water service and staff would like council input policy regarding this.  CA Cole stated that the city has done this in the past and has required the individual property owners to sign a non-remonstrance agreement agreeing to annex at such time the city is ready for the annexation of the property.  CA stated that it is particularly beneficial to allow the outside hook up when there is a health issue.  Hellen Norton stated that she is one of the property owners needing the water and she will agree with signing the non-remonstrance agreement.  It was council consensus to allow these outside users to hook-up as long as they sign the non-remonstrance agreement.

 

Loitering ordinance – CA reviewed some loitering ordinances presented to the council and stated problems with each of these codes.  The problem in Estacada is a specific problem relating to the front lawn of city hall.  He stated that the city could prohibit anyone on the grass area.  He stated that the best thing he has seen is a park exclusion ordinance.  This allows for the exclusion of a person for a certain period of time for breaking a certain law in the designated area.  There would also have to be an appeal process available.  He does not feel a loitering ordinance would solve the problem.  The council discussed the options.  Cr. Atkinson would like to see the bus stop moved.  It was council consensus to add a loitering ordinance to the code and an exclusion clause for violators.  Council directed CA to develop an ordinance addressing this problem.

 

Percent for Arts concept – CM reviewed the information included in the packet.  Jane Reid clarified that the reason to do this is to enhance art in Estacada.  Estacada is becoming recognized in the state as being an arts friendly community and this helps with grant writing for certain types of grants.  She explained some of the details of the program.  The council would like the final decision on the art to be made by the council with a recommendation from the Arts Commission.  Jane thought this was included but stated she would have this put into the policies and guidelines.  The council discussed the concept.  Some of the council felt art could be included as part of a project without having the policy in place.  Jane stated that the policies and ordinance would give teeth to the process of including art in a project.  Katinka Bryk asked the council to at least adopt the policies and procedures even if the 1% for arts ordinance is not adopted.  This would give the city a process to evaluate and choose art for public areas.  Council asked Jane and Katinka to work on the language of the policy and present it to the council at their next meeting. 

 

Resolution 2002 – 23 – A Resolution in support of the Clackamas County three-year law enforcement levy – Cr. Troeh moved to adopt Resolution 2002 – 23 – A Resolution in support of the Clackamas County three-year law enforcement levy.  Cr. Atkinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed with 5 yes and 1 no (Butcher).

 

Resolution 2002 – 24 – A Resolution in support of the Estacada Rural Fire District $3,500,000 General Obligation Bond – Cr. Butcher stated that she works for the fire department.  CA stated there would be no conflict of interest because of this and this should not disqualify her from voting.  Cr. Troeh moved to adopt Resolution 2002 – 24 – A Resolution in support of the Estacada Rural Fire District $3,500,000 General Obligation Bond.  Cr. Atkinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                                                

 

Nina Hamilton – Mrs. Hamilton commented on the loitering problem in Estacada.  She feels we need to have somewhere for the kids to go but cannot offer any suggestions. 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS      

 

Cr. Troeh thanked the job corps for their efforts in the community. 

 

Cr. Gavic stated that the city hall renovation looks good and the job corps work looks good. 

 

Cr. Atkinson thanked everyone for coming.

 

Cr. Stauffacher commented on the problem with loitering in front of city hall.  She stated that most of them are over 18 and she would like to see something done. 

 

Cr. Butcher also commented that the people on the front lawn are intimidating and threatening.  She would also like to see something done to take care of this issue.  Cr. Butcher stated she is very supportive of the Arts Commission and the work they have done and will do in and for the community.  She just doesn’t support the 1% for arts ordinance at this time and she believes art can happen without the ordinance.  She also thanked the job corps for their work around the city. 

 

Mayor Austin stated that city hall needed to be safe for everyone to visit.    

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION – ORS 192.660(1)(a)

 

Mayor Austin stated the purpose of the executive session is to consider the employment of a public officer as per ORS 192.660(1)(a).  He also stated that representatives of the news media shall be allowed to attend and all other members of the audience were asked to leave the room.  He stated that representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session, except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced.  No press was in attendance.  All councilors and staff listed above were in attendance with the exception of CM Ealy.

 

The council came back into open session.  It was council consensus to create a subcommittee consisting of Mayor Austin, Cr. Butcher, and Cr. Atkinson to develop an employee contract for the City Manager.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING    

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.