ESTACADA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2007 - 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. Becky Arnold, Cr. Brent Dodrill, Cr. Norm Ernst, Cr. Richard Hartwig, Cr. Kay Nelson, Mayor Bob Austin, CM Randy Ealy, DCR Traci Hovda.

 

Absent:  Cr. Conditt.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                                          

Gary Darling, DL Design, representing Bill Hilands, Portland, OR, asked the council to consider reviewing the storm water master plan in the area of his client’s subdivision (Darrow Road).  He discussed the basin in this area that could benefit from a public storm drain along Mr. Hilands property.  Mayor Austin stated Mr. Hilands was at the last meeting and council directed him to work with staff. 

 

Bill Hilands received a letter from Curran McLeod as a follow up from the last council meeting.  Mr. Hilands still feels this public storm system is a good idea.  He would still like to have the council review the storm drain plan.  He feels perhaps the city engineer should put a price on the review to determine if it is feasible for the city to do a review of the plan. 

 

CM Ealy stated staff is still reviewing the options and will schedule a workshop for council to consider the options. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA                                                                                                

§         Approve June 11, 2007 Council minutes

§         Estacada Library Board Appointments

§         Estacada Area Arts Commission Appointments

 

Cr. Arnold moved to approve the consent agenda.  Cr. Nelson seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                                            

 

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Report – Lt. Chuck Slaney reviewed the May activity report and answered questions.  The deputies have been out walking the area more and there has been more activity now that school is out and the weather is getting warmer. 

 

City Manager – CM Ealy stated that the TSP would be on the council agenda on July 23rd.  CM will try to get a draft to council to review after the TAC and CAC meet on Thursday.  The paving overlays were completed this week and striping should be done shortly.   

 

Cr. Arnold wanted to know what prompted the letter from the library board regarding personnel issues.  She doesn’t feel the Library Board should be recommending salaries and she also feels that when someone steps into a new position they don’t necessarily go to that same salary level as the last person.  Cr. Arnold stated Katinka is doing a great job, but did agree to step into this position and just had her annual salary review.  She felt the letter didn’t state factual information and was out of line. 

 

Jack Townes stated that the foundation has always discussed and recommended staff salaries.  He feels the council is collecting information from many other facets throughout the community, not working directly with the library.  He would like to see the council take their recommendations seriously because they work and research the issues greatly. 

 

Bruce Whiting, president of the library board, stated that the Estacada library director is the lowest paid of anyone in the county library system.  Cr. Arnold reiterated that discussing the prior persons salary with errors really bothered her – even though she really loves the entire staff up there.

 

Cr. Nelson doesn’t like hearing that just because some other city pays more we should.  We are a small city and we pay what we can.  She feels all staff is worth more than they get, and there isn’t always something we can do about it. 

 

Cr. Arnold asked about the Tourism Committee awards.  CM stated the list in the packet is the list of the recipients of the tourism grant monies.

 

Interim Library Director, Katinka Bryk, reviewed the library statistics that were in the packet.  She also attended the County Commissioners meeting regarding county funding. 

 

Mayor Austin discussed upcoming meetings and events this summer.  He encouraged everyone to donate and participate in the many things Estacada has to offer. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING – State Shared Revenues                                                                        

§         Resolution 2007 – 009 – A Resolution relating to municipal services State Shared Revenues.

 

Mayor Austin opened the public hearing regarding state shared revenues and asked for public input.  There was none.  Mayor Austin closed the public hearing. 

 

Cr. Nelson moved to approve Resolution 2007 – 009 – A Resolution relating to municipal services State Shared Revenues.  Cr. Arnold seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING – 2007-08 City of Estacada Budget          

§         Resolution 2007 – 013 – A Resolution adopting, appropriating, levying and categorizing taxes for the 2007-2008 city budget.

 

Mayor Austin opened the public hearing regarding the 2007-08 City of Estacada Budget.  CM Ealy reviewed his amended budget message and the major projects budgeted for in the upcoming budget. 

 

There was no public input.  Mayor Austin closed the public hearing. 

                  

Cr. Ernst moved to approve Resolution 2007 – 013 – A Resolution adopting, appropriating, levying and categorizing taxes for the 2007-2008 city budget.  Cr. Arnold seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cr. Hartwig-yes, Cr. Ernst-yes, Cr. Nelson-yes, Cr. Dodrill-yes, Cr. Arnold-yes, Mayor Austin-yes.  The motion passed with 6 yes and 0 no. 

 

COUNCIL BUSINESS                                                                                                        

 

Resolution 2007-014 – A Resolution for the purpose of transferring appropriations per ORS 294.450.  CM Ealy reviewed the resolution. 

 

Cr. Nelson moved to approve 2007 – 014 – A Resolution for the purpose of transferring appropriations per ORS 294.450.  Cr. Hartwig seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Code Compliance Contract – CM Ealy reviewed his staff report and asked council for approval to move forward with the proposed contract. 

 

Cr. Nelson feels we are going to need more than a 2-day a week officer as our community grows.  She asked if we could get this company to train our current employee that has worked in this area in order to provide us with a long-term solution.  CM feels that we should contract with this company as a short-term high impact solution and then work hand in hand with training someone for a long-term solution. 

 

Cr. Dodrill asked how the job responsibilities of the current code enforcement employee would change with the new contract.  PWS Randall stated the plant is in need of additional help and so he will spend 2-3 days working in the plants, as well as additional maintenance work.  PWS stated our employee has attended every seminar we could send him to and feels this was his personal project since he started it for the city.  The city just hasn’t seen the level of expertise in the area and the outcome we need. 

 

The council discussed the issues and feels that results without heavy fines are important. 

 

Cr. Arnold moved to authorize CM Ealy to negotiate a contract and bring back for a final review.  Cr. Nelson seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Library Signage Consideration – CM reviewed the proposed contract in the packets. 

 

Jack Townes, Library Foundation, stated this is just a conceptual drawing at this point.  He discussed the materials being proposed.  He discussed the kind of things they would welcome the cities help in such as trenching for the power and the installation of the sign. 

 

Cr. Arnold asked if they are asking the city to pay for this.  Mr. Townes stated the foundation is paying for a large portion and they are looking for the cities assistance.  He stated they are looking for $5,000 of general fund money for the project.  CM Ealy clarified that staff is just looking for council willingness to work on this project, not disperse funds.  Mr. Townes stated they are trying to get this done and installed before the September gala event and the final landscape work that needs to be done. 

 

Cr. Arnold asked about the exclamation point on the sign and stated she doesn’t like it.  Mr. Townes stated there was history with this exclamation point on the previous sign at the library. 

 

Mr. Ernst asked if we are looking for other bids or if they want to single source it out.  Mr. Townes has researched commercial signs, but feels this is a good project for an artist and feels they are in the right ballpark with this artist. 

 

The council discussed the proposal and the options.  Cr. Dodrill is uncomfortable committing to something without seeing the final plan.  He asked who has final say over the final layout.  CM feels we should see the final drawing and final contract in order to keep it from going over budget.  Mr. Townes stated the artist isn’t going to do any additional work without a commitment.  He recommended the council view her website with her other work.  He stated the foundation and library board will keep tight reign on this project and will keep it from running over budget.  Mr. Townes also agreed to let council have final approval over the design. 

 

Cr. Nelson isn’t comfortable making a decision tonight.  Mayor Austin suggested tabling this until the next meeting to solidify the final figures and allow time to view the artists website. 

 

Cr. Arnold feels the city needs to be very frugal with their monies – especially with the upcoming city park.  She doesn’t feel the sign is necessary for the operation of the library and we need to be wise with our money.  She doesn’t feel she can support this project at this time, maybe down the road. 

 

Cr. Hartwig feels we should move forward with the truss and electrical part of the sign and allow the final landscaping to be done.  Then the final sign portion can be done down the road. 

 

CM stated he would attend the next foundation meeting and discuss it with the board.  Consensus was to defer this to the July meeting. 

 

Katinka said she worked on the project out front and said it went over budget because of the decisions the council made.  This price is set and isn’t going to change. 

 

Mayor Austin feels if he asked for a motion tonight it wouldn’t pass.  He’d rather see it wait until July and perhaps pass with more information.

 

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS                                                                          

          There was none.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS & COMMENTS                                                                          

 

Cr. Hartwig asked about future paving projects.  He would like to see this library sign project move forward.  He wished Lillian Johnson a happy 100th birthday, as well as Salia Garcia a happy 93rd birthday.

 

Cr. Nelson asked the Mayor to do a proclamation for Lillian’s birthday.  Mayor Austin suggested inviting her to participate in the 4th of July parade. 

 

Cr. Ernst discussed the Relay for Life event this Friday night at the High School to support the American Cancer Society.  He thanked the visitors tonight.

 

Cr. Nelson stated her team is actively collecting cans for the Relay for Life fundraiser.  She also discussed a 4th of July fundraiser she is working on.  She asked CM what kind of loss the city is seeing in sewer because of the mill closing.  PWS will report back with the difference in volume.  She hopes to see everyone over at the track Friday night. 

 

Cr. Arnold thanked everyone for participating in the golf tournament.  It was a large success in raising funds for the 4th of July event. 

 

Mayor Austin thanked everyone for coming.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.