ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2002 - 7:30 PM

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING OFFICER     

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm.  Mayor Austin led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Present:  Cr. Butcher, Cr. Hartwig, Cr. Troeh, Cr. Atkinson, Cr. Akins, Cr. Gavic, Mayor Austin, CM Ealy, CR Carey. 

 

B.        CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                    

1.       August Golden Rake – Virginia Worden & Carl Lopez

2.     August Citizen of the Month – Jane Reid

 

Mayor Austin presented the August Gold Rake award to Virginia Worden & Carl Lopez (not in attendance) and the August Citizen of the Month to Jane Reid for her work on the Arts Commission and the summer celebration.  Ms. Reid also thanked everyone else that helped with the summer celebration to make it such a successful event. 

 

Nina Hamilton, Business Owner – Ms. Hamilton has concerns about the increase in fees for the business signs and the demand to take away the sandwich boards.  She is concerned this will force businesses out of town.  She asked the councilors to walk the downtown area and hear the concerns and asked them not to pass the resolution raising the sign fees. 

 

C.        CONSENT AGENDA          

1.       Approve August 12, 2002 Council minutes.

 

Cr. Hartwig moved to approve the August 12, 2002 Council minutes.  Cr. Atkinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

D.        DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS        

 

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Report – Dep. Steinhauer is on vacation but the June activity report is in the packet.

 

Public Works Activity Report and Water Loss Report – The activity report is being revised and is not ready.  CM reviewed the water loss report in the packet.

 

City Manager Report – CM reviewed a municipal court report and stated that we are following through with collecting the old fines. 

 

CM stated that he has began emailing the council every Friday to keep them updated on what is going on and highlighting meetings that the City Manager has attended.  He reviewed the last email that was included in the packet. 

 

CM talked about the county going out for a library levy in November, 2004.  The current library funding will end soon and the money from the new levy would not come available until January, 2006.  There has been a committee formed including librarians to review the impact of this and what could be done. 

 

CM thanked Lisa Homan, Chamber of Commerce, for contacting Senator Metzger to get the ball rolling for signage along Hwy 224.  CM and Ms. Homan met with ODOT regarding the signage and it was a very positive meeting.  Details have not been worked out but ODOT will give the city some options. 

 

CM stated that the county gave an overview of the transportation utility fee currently being considered to the Infrastructure Committee at their last meeting.  Cr. Troeh asked how much input the cities have regarding this fee.  Mayor Austin stated that the cities want to keep control of their own money by collecting it with their own utility bills. 

 

The council asked questions regarding the signs along the highway.  The council directed staff to ask the Arts Commission to come up with a design for a welcome sign. 

 

E.        COUNCIL BUSINESS                     

 

Library Board Appointment – Mayor Austin appointed Florence Tallmon to the Estacada Library Board with consensus of the council.

 

Liquor License Application – Change of Ownership – Trails Inn Cafι & Timber Room – Cr. Troeh moved to approve the change of ownership license for the Trails Inn Cafι & Timber Room.  Cr. Stauffacher seconded the motion.  The motion passed with 6 yes and 1 abstention (Atkinson).

 

Sign Ordinance and Permit – Discussion – CM reviewed the information regarding this issue in the packet including a letter to the merchants sent August 15th alerting them of this meeting.  CM wants the council to discuss the issue and direct staff to either enforce the law to the letter or allow staff to meet with the business owners to discuss solutions to the problem.  There have been numerous sandwich boards placed around the city this year bringing this issue to the attention of staff.  Cr. Gavic asked if the sandwich board signs are going to be allowed until a solution has been reached.  CM Ealy stated this is not something he can do but the council can allow this if they desire.  Cr. Butcher would like more input before making a decision on the issue and the resolution for the sign fees.  Cr. Gavic says it is hard for some business owners to make meetings to discuss this.  CM Ealy stated that there are numerous businesses in the city that are doing quite well and not all businesses are struggling.  Cr. Troeh feels signage is very important for occasional events but the important thing about signage is that it can add a classic look to the community or look like clutter.  She would like to see a town hall meeting to discuss this with the business community.  The council directed staff to hold a workshop to discuss this issue with the business community. 

 

OECDD Technical Assistance Grant – Library Task Force – CM reviewed information regarding some funding that has been applied for to assist in the hiring of appraisers to look at different options for a new library.  CM updated the council on the progress of the task force. 

 

Resolution 2002 – 19 – A Resolution of the City of Estacada, Oregon calling a measure election to submit to the electors of the City the question of annexation of 20.34 acres into the City limits – Cr. Troeh moved to adopt Resolution 2002-19 – A Resolution of the City of Estacada, Oregon calling a measure election to submit to the electors of the City the question of annexation of 20.34 acres into the City limits.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  Cr. Stauffacher-yes, Cr. Atkinson-no, Cr. Butcher-yes, Cr. Gavic-yes, Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Troeh-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 6 yes and 1 no.

 

Resolution 2002 – 20 – A Resolution of the City Council of Estacada establishing sign permit fees – Postponed until a workshop regarding signage has been held.

 

Ordinance Series of 2002, No. 5 – An Ordinance establishing procedures for the creation of an Economic Improvement District – CM Ealy reviewed the progress of the creation of the local EID.  CM Ealy read Ordinance Series of 2002, No. 5 for the first time. 

 

Cr. Butcher moved to dispense with the second reading and read by title only.  Cr. Stauffacher seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

CM Ealy read the ordinance by title.

 

Cr. Butcher moved to adopt Ordinance Series of 2002, No. 5 – An Ordinance establishing procedures for the creation of an Economic Improvement District.  Cr. Stauffacher seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

F.         CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                    

 

Lisa Homan, Chamber of Commerce – Ms. Homan informed the council the chamber will help the city in any way they can for placing signage along the highway.

 

Tanya Phillips, Subway owner – Ms. Phillips stated that she has been informed that someone has claimed that her sign blocks the view of people pulling out of the driveway.  She stated this is a one way driveway going in and that no one should be pulling out at that entrance.  She also stated that she has never used a sandwich board for advertisement but feels they could be important to smaller businesses. 

 

Nina Hamilton - Ms. Hamilton commented on the fees for signs and feels there needs to be a different charge for different sizes or types of signs. 

 

G.        COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS      

 

Cr. Troeh appreciates everyone that attends the meetings and expresses their thoughts on a matter.

 

Cr. Gavic asked about some payments on the bills list.  He also expressed his sympathy to the families in Oregon City for their loss. 

 

Cr. Atkinson stated that one of the issues with the industrial park is the proximity of Estacada to the freeways.  Cr. Atkinson stated that he feels the city should enforce all their ordinances equally and consistently.  He feels problems are administrative because of the lack of consistency of enforcement.  He also feels the city seems to be in the habit of creating different organizations again and feels the Chamber of Commerce is the organization for the businesses. 

 

Cr. Hartwig commented on some areas in town that need weeds removed and visited by the street sweeper. 

 

Cr. Butcher acknowledged the staff and Beverly for promoting the city for organizing a raft trip for local and county wide dignitaries to show them what Estacada has to offer.  She thanks Randy for promoting Estacada.  She also appreciates the people who voice their opinions at the meeting.

 

Mayor Austin commented on different community groups and the purpose they serve in our community. 

 

H.        ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.