ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL       MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2004 - 7:00 PM

 

 

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. Cliff Atkinson, Cr. Marli Stauffacher, Cr. Michele Cheshier, Cr. Becky Arnold, Cr. Ben Erickson, Mayor Bob Austin, CM Randy Ealy, CA Andrew Cole.

 

Absent:  Cr. Cliff Gavic.                                        

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                  

March Citizen of the Month – Irene Adams, Estacada Centennial Committee

March Golden Rake Award – Barbara Mattson, 355 S. Broadway

 

Mayor Austin presented the Citizen of the Month to Irene Adams for her work on the Estacada Centennial Committee and the Golden Rake Award to Barbara Mattson for her new business on Broadway.

 

Pam Butcher, 408 NE Pierce Street – Ms. Butcher voiced her objection to the percent for art ordinance even though she enjoys art and supports the local artists.  She feels strongly against making it the responsibility of 2400 citizens to pay for art in public buildings when many others when enjoy it.  She stated that this ordinance was taken from Lake Oswego where the tax base is much larger with many more people participating in paying the tax.  She suggested to build art into the budget of each project or to let artists display their art for sale in public buildings.  She does not feel this is economical for the citizens of Estacada. 

 

Nina Bradford, 3303 SE Bryant Road – Ms. Bradford read a statement regarding art and how art increases intelligence and creates a capacity for learning innovation.  She feels that public art would make our city a more beautiful place to live in and adds a positive element to our community.

 

Mimi Near, 34126 SE Moss Hill Road – She is in support for the percent for arts.

 

Irene Adams, 30333 SE Cemetery Road – Ms. Adams is in favor of the percent for arts ordinance.

 

CONSENT AGENDA                                                                                                    

Approve March 8, 2004 Workshop and Council minutes

 

Cr. Atkinson moved to approve the consent agenda.  Cr. Cheshier seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                             

 

Clackamas County Sheriff – Lt. Slaney – no report

 

Estacada Fire Department – Chief Hull informed the council on the activity of the fire department and the types of calls they respond to each month.  He also stated that they offer classes for training firefighters and EMTs, both volunteers and paid staff. 

 

Library Report – Beth McKinnon – No report

 

Public Works Department – Chris Randall updated the council on projects being done in public works including cold patching, installing new water and sewer services, building permits, code enforcement and paving projects.  The council discussed an LID for curbs and sidewalks along Main Street at the same time as the paving project.  Staff will look into this.  PGE will be building a restroom in the timber park in May. 

 

 

City Manager – Randy Ealy reviewed his written report in the packet.  He reviewed the scope of the Main Street paving project including the CDBG grant money, SCA grant money and city money.  He proposed two town hall meetings in April for all property owners along Main Street to discuss the project and how to include the cost of curbs and sidewalks. 

 

Cr. Atkinson updated the council on the progress of the Comprehensive Plan Review and that there next meeting is April 15th. 

 

COUNCIL BUSINESS                                                                                          

 

Cascade Cable Rate Information – Bob Milliken distributed a handout with information about the local cable service and monthly rates.  He stated that one of the requirements of the franchise agreement between Cascade Cable and the city is to notify the city and the customers of any channel changes or rate increases.  He explained how rates are calculated and the rate increase history over the last 5 years. 

 

Estacada News Recreational Guide Insert – CM stated this guide will showcase the city and feels the city would benefit to support this insert. 

 

Dave Fisher, editor, stated this would be a 24-page advertisement for the City of Estacada and the Clackamas River.  He would like to make this an annual thing listing all the festivities and events for the summer.  There would be paid advertising in the guide to help pay for the insert. 

 

Mayor Austin asked if there was money in the budget somewhere to cover this.  CM stated that there is money in contingency.  Cr. Atkinson would like to see what it would look like before committing funds for the guide.  The council asked for a little more detail and exactly where the funds would come from before approving an amount.  This will be placed on the next agenda.

 

Second Reading - Ordinance Series of 2003, No. 11 – An Ordinance amending section 16.124 – Annexations of the Estacada Municipal Code.

 

CM Ealy read Ordinance Series of 2003, No. 11 for the second time.

 

Cr. Cheshier moved to adopt Ordinance Series of 2003, No. 11 – An Ordinance amending section 16.124 – Annexations of the Estacada Municipal Code.  Cr. Erickson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

First Reading - Ordinance Series of 2004, No. 1 – An Ordinance creating a Percent for Art Program in the City of Estacada.

 

Cr. Atkinson stated that he is not comfortable in making this a requirement in Estacada even though he is in favor of the arts.   He feels the economy is down and feels art can be included in a different way. 

 

Cr. Stauffacher agrees with Cr. Atkinson and cannot support the ordinance at this time. 

 

Cr. Cheshier stated that for the library alone it would require $35,000 in the project for art and she feels this is a lot to ask.  She also cannot support any more murals at this time and this is included in the type of art.  She could not support the ordinance at this time.

 

Cr. Arnold feels the timing for this isn’t right and does not feel this financial burden should be imposed on public parks and buildings at this time. She is very proud of the arts in Estacada but cannot support the ordinance at this time.

 

Cr. Erickson does support the ordinance and feels this is such a small amount to ask for and would not be that big of burden.  This money would be great seed money for grant applications and to show that the city supports the arts in the community. 

 

Mayor Austin thinks this is a great idea but agrees that there could be other ways to include art in projects.  He would like to look at other ideas or different alternatives that can accomplish the same thing. Although everyone is favorable to the arts, this might not be the right thing for Estacada. 

 

It was council consensus to hold off on this and to review options.  Cr. Arnold loves the idea to display artist’s works in public buildings for sale.  This could be a discussion item at the next meeting and wants the council to think about alternatives.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                 

 

Nina Hamilton, 27726 S. Hwy 211 – Ms. Hamilton feels the percent for art would not be that much out of pocket from citizens.  She feels it is not an extra expense but would be incorporated into the project.  This is how it was presented at the arts meeting.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS                                                                    

 

CA Cole stated that the judge in the Misely case has asked that the two parties resolve this and proposed that the city give Misely some time to comply with city code and convert the apartments into a hotel or other commercial business.  The judge proposed three years for compliance so CA Cole is asking the council for their recommendation.  After discussion the council agreed to allow Misely two years to bring his property into compliance.  CA Cole will inform the court of the council’s decision. 

 

Cr. Cheshier thanked everyone for coming and encouraged public comments.

 

Cr. Atkinson would like the Main Street project to be a success and for people to step up and take pride in their neighborhoods.

 

Cr. Erickson feels the percent for arts is a great thing and would like to see it go through.

 

Cr. Arnold stated that the skate park group is moving right along and they have voted on a site but it has not been finalized.  She also stated that she loves what the artists do in our community.

 

Mayor Austin felt there was good discussion on percent for art but is in favor of looking at other alternatives. 

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.