Pay Your Utility Bill Online!MINUTES
Irrigon City Council Meeting
Pot Luck Dinner and Meeting
December 20, 2011
6:00 PM
Irrigon City Hall
500 NE Main Avenue
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor David Burns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Council members present: Ken Matlack, Joe Theisen, Kathy Simonis, Michelle Hagen, and Elleanor Partridge.
Staff present: City Manager Gerald Breazeale, Public Works Director Keith White, City Clerk Penny Moore, Finance Officer Amanda Slawson, Public Works Lead Darrell Gale, Public Works Utility 1 Kyle Wright, Public Works Utility 1/ Landscaper Jason Whitbeck, and Park Custodians Earl and Susana Howard. There was also in the audience Deputy Ryan Jundt.
Citizens present: John Garlitz, Yvette and Lexi Whitbeck, Aaron Madison, Richard Partridge, Michelle Gale, Karlee Gale, Parker Gale, Jennifer Matlack, Steele Matlack, Donna Matlack, Marsha Richmond, Rod Osgood and Wendy Osgood.
2. Pot Luck Dinner
The Mayor welcomed family and guest to the pot luck get together and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Mayor Burns stated that the staff was appreciated. The Mayor asked everyone to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3./4. Approval of Minutes – November 15, 2011 Council Meeting* – Approval of Minutes – November 22, 2011 Special Council Meeting*
Mayor Burns asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes.
It was moved by Councilor Simonis and seconded by Councilor Partridge to approve the minutes for November 15, 2011 Council Meeting and November 22, 2011 Special Council Meeting. Vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Burns announced that he attended the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) meeting as a board member.
The mayor stated that some of the discussions were on a possible change in liquor sales in Oregon, along with discussion on measure 50 (permanent rates) and measure 5 (tax limits and compression), which is the property tax system in Oregon, and he also stated that all 252Oregoncities belong to the LOC. There was an increase of 25,000 jobs in Oregon this year.
Mayor Burns attended the Leadership Summit in Portland. The Governor, two US senators and local legislators were present.
Mayor Burns stated that the death penalty in Oregon was enacted in 1864, and then repealed in 1914, restored in 1920, repealed in 1964 and reinstated in 1984; there are 37 people on death row at this time.
At the Irrigon Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner December 10, 2011 the mayor stepped in to be the Master of Ceremony at the last minutes substituting for Elleanor Partridge who was ill. John Wenholz was citizen of the year. Steve Myron was named public safety person of the year. Vickie Volk agreed to serve as president another year.
The mayor attended the Morrow County Court meeting last week and there is still $225,000 left in this year’s county budget that has to do with road funds, there is still a chance that Irrigon could get some of the money for roads.
Irrigon will host the Region 7 LOC meeting January 11, 2012 at 11 a.m.
Change in agenda
6. Sustainable Farming Practices
A PowerPoint presentation was shown by Aaron Madison on their farming practices and nitrate management. Madison Farms is located south of Hermiston, established in 1914; Aaron and his brothers are members of the 4th generation of Madison’s to farm the current 17,500 acres. He talked about production agriculture and what it does, the techniques that are used and how the Madison Farms help control groundwater contamination and provide good crop yields. The presentation also showed their practices for conservation and renewable energy.
Amanda Slawson left at 7:00 p.m. The Howard’s left at 7:15 p.m. The Matlacks and Marsha Richmond left at 7:35 p.m.
7. CHIP – Biggest Winner Program
Rod Osgood talked about the launch of the Biggest Winner program for the Irrigon community residents. Community Health Improvement Partnership of Morrow County is having a weight loss competition which begins January 10, 2012 and January 17, 2012 from 6-7 p.m. at the Irrigon Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria, registration is required to compete for prize money. Rod Osgood talked about getting the restaurants in town to participate by making healthy choices available.
Aaron Madison and the Whitbeck’s left at 7:45 p.m.
8. Correspondence
The first correspondence was from Portland State University notifying Irrigon that as of July 2011 the population was 1830.
The second correspondence was an invitation to save the date of March 15, 2012 to attend the Umatilla Chemical Weapons Stockpile End of Operations Ceremony.
9. Septic Conversion Project 2011
John Garlitz City Engineer of Record from JUB Engineer’s gave an update of the septic conversion project after meeting today with Manager Breazeale and Public Works Director Keith White. Topics discussed were the lift station location and sewer needs and improvements on Division Street. Additional surveying is needed for the plans
10. Code Enforcement
Deputy Ryan Jundt gave an update of the progress of the Woodlands Mobile Home Park. The owner, Derek Jaros that lives in Southern Oregon had been absent from visiting the park for an extended time. The park is in the care of a property management firm. Deputy Jundt and Mr. Jaros went through the park thoroughly. Mr. Jaros is starting a list of rules for the park residents and has steps planned to clean up the park.
Deputy Jundt stated that the fines in the code book that are below $250 need to be reassessed. As of January 1, 2012 the fines will go through the court system and the State of Oregon will get the first $60 of the fine. Deputy Jundt asked the council to consider raising the fines to keep some of the money in the area. Councilor Theisen asked why the State would have the right to take city money, and stated that our city attorney should look into this matter. Councilor Matlack had talked to Terry Tallman and the understanding was that the State would like to take all of the monies that come in from the courts and reimburse the money back to the counties or the cities, the discussion was that when the money comes back from the State it will be less money or all the money will stay with the county.
There was a discussion on pet licensing and Councilor Matlack suggested that the council might possibly increase the fees and also to have a good system in place as to not harangue the citizens unnecessary to start the process however, for citizens that do not get the vaccinations and license have some kind of consequences.
It was the consensus of the council to have Sherriff Matlack look into fines related to ordinances and how they are distributed.
11. Five City Marketing Plan
Manager Breazeale gave an update of the progress of the Artifx (AMI) marketing plan. Artifx requested each of the communities to send in photos that can be used for marketing promotion, not all of the information has been received.
12. Report from the Morrow County Sheriff
Sheriff Matlack clarified the patrol hours’ being up because of Colleen Neubert is in training.
Sheriff Matlack talked about a lost three year old that ended happy, the child was in his room under blankets sleeping. The Sheriff also shared some stories about a dog in Ione and dog packs.
It was moved by Councilor Partridge and seconded by Councilor Simonis to accept the Sheriff’s report. Vote was taken (Councilor Theisen was absent temporary for the vote). Motion carried.
13. Comments from Citizens not on the Agenda – Max. 5 Minutes/person
There were no comments from the audience.
14. Staff Reports
Public Works Director Keith White asked the council for clarification and acceptance of the clarification on a statement concerning the clothing allotment for public works employees. The wording only exists in the old union agreement that council used as part of the development of the employee package. The verbiage never got to the current employee handbook. The word “coveralls” was meant to imply insulated covering whether it is a coat or coveralls.
There was a discussion on the city employees’ having embossed shirts and jacket with the City of Irrigon logo and employee’s name; this identifies the employee during service calls and for general information. Councilor Theisen stated that he recommends and approves of city name’s on the employees’ clothing. Councilor Hagen agreed, it is more professional and Councilor Matlack stated that is was an excellent plan, a uniform.
John Garlitz left at 8:40 p.m.
It was moved by Councilor Theisen and seconded by Councilor Simonis to approve the city manager and the public works director to determine the types and cost of protective clothing for the employees’ and to make the purchases as necessary. Vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously.
15. Accounts Payable*
It was moved by Councilor Simonis and seconded by Councilor Partridge to approve and pay the accounts payable of $66,493.48. Vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously.
16. Additional Discussion
City Manager Breazeale stated that his address is now in Irrigon.
Councilor Theisen stated that he had volunteered earlier this year to prepare city council meeting rules, which is one of the requirements that was built into the city’s new charter. As soon as Manager Breazeale can prepare the ordinance it can be presented to the council.
The mayor stated that it is time to set a date to reevaluate the city manager.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. It was moved by Councilor Hagen and seconded by Councilor Partridge to adjourn the meeting.
SIGNED: ATTEST:
David Burns, Mayor Gerald W. Breazeale, City Manager