ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 - 7:00 PM

 

 

CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING OFFICER                                                                

 

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

 

Present:  Cr. Richard Hartwig, Cr. Norm Ernst, Cr. Kay Nelson, Cr. Ben Erickson, Cr. Becky Arnold, Cr. Michele Conditt, Mayor Bob Austin, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                       

*      September Golden Rake Award – Estacada Lumber, 760 Hwy 224

*      September Citizen of the Month – Chamber of Commerce

 

Mayor Austin presented the Golden Rake Award to Estacada Lumber and the Citizen of the Month award to the Chamber of Commerce for the organization of Good Morning Estacada event.

 

Lt. Chuck Slaney reviewed the August sheriff’s report noting a 10% decrease in crime throughout the city. 

 

Carol York, Hood River County Commissioner, is running for the state senate and just wanted to introduce herself and see what issues are before the city.   

 

CONSENT AGENDA                                                                                      

*      Approve September 11, 2006 Council minutes

*      Library Board Appointments – Dennis Weber & Rebeccah Paget-Decker

 

Cr. Conditt moved to approve the consent agenda.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

COUNCIL BUSINESS                                                                                                        

 

Review Draft Urban Renewal Plan – Jeff Tashman – CM Ealy explained the information contained in the packet and how an Urban Renewal District can help Estacada and the downtown core. 

 

Tina Mosca explained that the fire department project has been included in the plan but the text will be changed to reflect this.  Jeff Tashman stated that CM Ealy asked that the urban renewal area be increased and this draft document reflects this increase (Figure 1).  This increases revenue for development and an increase in the financial plan. 

 

Cr. Arnold asked if the money needed was collected faster than participated, would the district go away earlier?   Mr. Tashman stated that the district can be finite and would come to an end. 

 

Cr. Nelson stated that the fire department had said they could not take a $38,000 hit on their taxes.  CM Ealy stated that this is not the case because the blighted areas in the plan do not produce these kinds of taxes for an agency to loose. 

 

Cr. Arnold asked if a future council could repeal the plan.  Mr. Tashman stated that the plan would be for a definite time period, but a future council could make changes to the plan or even disband it if all the money was paid back. 

 

CM Ealy stated that another issue is to decide who will be designated the Urban Renewal Agency Board.  Many cities have the Council act as the board but it could be an appointed board by the council.  Mr. Tashman stated that in Oregon it is typically the City Council or County Commission that becomes the board because they are elected officials.  Most communities that have the Council act as the boards have an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board. 

 

Mr. Tashman explained how it would affect taxpayers in the city.  Taxpayers would not pay any extra taxes; they will just be redistributed differently.  He also explained the Bond process and how they are paid back.  These bonds will not go to a vote of the people because taxes will not be increased to pay them back. 

 

Mr. Tashman explained that by investing in the downtown, development in other areas in the city would increase and increase taxes for all agencies or districts.  Mayor Austin stated this is an investment. 

 

Cr. Nelson asked if all the businesses support this district.  CM Ealy stated that the Chamber of Commerce has not voted officially but there is support.  The businesses will receive all the benefit of the district. 

 

Mr. Tashman stated that the Planning Commission would review the draft plan on October 26, 2006.  There will be a workshop at 5:30 pm and the Commission meeting on 7:00pm.  On November 13, 2006 the Council will hold a formal hearing on the plan.  Every household in the city will get notice.  The Council will have a final meeting on November 27th. 

 

Vac-Truck Purchase – Cr. Nelson asked if all the I/I projects were complete and the money is definitely there.  PWD Randall stated the projects are done and the $6,747 is available.  Cr. Ernst asked what the annual maintenance cost would be on this truck.  PWD stated he was not able to get that information but will look into that.  Cr. Hartwig asked if our own personnel would operate the truck.  PWD stated that it would be our public works crew operating the truck.  Cr. Ernst stated we might want to have our maintenance people take a look at the vehicle before we purchase it.  PWD stated that is going to be done. 

 

It was council consensus to check on its mechanical shape and the cost of maintenance and bring it back for approval.

 

PUBIC HEARING – Annexation Application #2006-03 – Kent Seida                    

 

Mayor Austin opened the public hearing and asked the Council to declare an ex-parte contact or conflicts of interest.  There was none.

 

CP McCallister reviewed the Planning Commission findings and recommendation of approval with conditions to the Council. 

 

Mayor Austin read the statement of evidence and the right to appeal. 

 

Kent Seida, applicant, explained that because the water line from the high level water reservoir will go right by the property, he feels it would be time to annex and develop his property. 

 

Mayor Austin asked if there was any public input.  There was none so he closed the public hearing.

 

Cr. Arnold moved to approve the finding of approval of the Planning Commission with conditions and send the annexation to a vote in May.  Cr. Conditt seconded the motion.  Roll call vote:  Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Ernst-yes, Cr. Nelson-yes, Cr. Erickson-yes, Cr. Arnold-yes, Cr. Conditt-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 7 yes and 0 no. 

 

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                                  

 

Mayor Austin stated he had a family emergency and would not be able to attend the October 9, 2006 council meeting.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                       

 

Bill Hilands commented that there was a problem with storm water runoff in the Darrow Road area. 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS                                                                 

 

Cr. Hartwig asked to keep Winnie Morgan in our prayers after her accident.

 

Cr. Ernst thanked Carol York for stopping by and wished her good luck in her campaign.

 

Cr. Nelson stated that the Goodwill truck is having a problem with people dumping human waste around the truck.  She also attended the good morning Estacada event at the fire department and encouraged people to support the new fire building.  Casual Friday – wear red shirts to support the troops. 

 

Cr. Erickson thanked everyone for coming and encouraged PWD Randall to work with Mr. Hilands to solve his problem.  He also asked everyone to support the area sports programs.

 

Cr. Arnold stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission would review the RFP on Wednesday and bring it to the Council. 

 

Cr. Conditt also asked people to support the high school sports teams.

 

Mayor Austin thanked Dennis Weber and Rebeccah Paget-Decker for serving on the library board.  He also stated that the Best Dam Run was well attended and a fun event. 

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.