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MINUTES
Irrigon City Council Meeting
May 15, 2012
6:00 PM
Irrigon City Hall
500 NE Main Avenue
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Council members present: Ken Matlack, Joe Theisen, David Burns, Kathy Simonis, Michelle Hagen, and Elleanor Partridge.
Staff present: City Manager Gerald Breazeale, Finance Officer Amanda Slawson, and Public Works Director Keith White. Code Enforcement Officer Ryan Jundt and City Attorney Bill Kuhn were was also present.
Citizens present: James Anderson
2. Executive Session Under ORS 192.660(2)(f) (to consider information exempt from public inspection i.e. info from city’s attorney) and 192.600(2)(h) (consultation with legal counsel)
Mayor Burns excused the public and council entered executive session at 6:05 pm.
Executive session was ended at 6:50 and the meeting was opened to the public.
3. Approval of Minutes – April 17, 2012 Council Meeting*
Councilor Simonis moved to approve the minutes from the April 17, 2012 city council meeting as written. Councilor Partridge seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
4. Mayor’s Comments
The City of Irrigon celebrated a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Day on May 9, 2012. The mayor felt this was a success.
Mayor Burns attended the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) board meeting on April 27, 2012. The LOC Board is offering a financial tool kit to cities that provides a variety of resources and examples to assist in communicating about city finances with residents, the media and legislators. LOC is holding regional meetings that focus on finance and land use efforts. A regional meeting is scheduled on May 17, 2012 in Island City at 12:00 Noon and on May 17, 2012 in Pendleton at 5:00 pm.
Mayor Burns also announced the Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) Summer Conference was scheduled July 26-28 in Florence. The conference is not just for mayors but for anyone involved in city government.
Another newsletter is in the works and will hopefully be completed before kids get out of school for the summer.
He also reminded everyone of the bridge closure in Umatilla on May 17, 2012. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 8:00 pm on May 17, 2012 until 5:00 am on May 18, 2012
5. Correspondence
Dick Pederson from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sent a thank you to the city manager stating, “Thank you for taking time to meet with me to discuss challenges you and your city are facing addressing water and sewer. I really appreciate your approach and am glad we are working together in partnership.”
The architect that drew up the plans for an inside pool facility, Mark Seder, stopped by the city for a visit. He informed the city that the tribes are increasing their bus services. It would be beneficial to the City of Irrigon if the bus services were extended to Irrigon.
6. UGB Removal of 1992 Research Results
Mayor Burns restated what was learned during the executive session. The conclusion of the investigation into the legalities of the action that removed the Irrigon Urban Growth (UGB) boundary in 1992 determined that the removal of the UGB was a land use decision that can only be appealed within the 30 days after the decision was made. The county’s land use decision became valid 30 days after it was made, and consequently the amendment to the UGB is legally valid even though the process may have been flawed.
7. Septic Conversion Project 2011
John Garlitz of JUB Engineering reported that construction plans were submitted to DEQ for approval approximately 2 weeks ago. There were a few small changes requested and some explanations needed. The advertisements requesting bids are expected to go out by the end of the month.
8. Council Goals 2012- 2013*
Another goal setting session is scheduled for Tuesday June 26, 2012 at 6:00 pm at the Irrigon City Hall. It is hoped that notice of the goal setting session will be included in a newsletter going out prior to the session. Comments from residents not able to attend will be requested prior to the event. If no public comment is received it will be assumed that the public approves of the decisions and direction taken by the city council.
9. Code Enforcement
Deputy Jundt has received numerous complaints regarding semi trucks on city streets. He is working with the city’s planning commission on the issue. One possible solution would be to impose weight restrictions for semi trucks on city streets which would protect the streets from degradation. Other issues being addressed by the planning commission are the noise disturbances and dust control. For the Morrow County Sheriff Department to be able to enforce any of the potential restrictions, signs informing drivers of the restrictions must be posted first.
The new ordinances regarding abandoned vehicles inside the city limits has been successful in regards to getting rid of some those vehicles. Deputy Jundt has learned that many residents simply do not know of a method to dispose of the abandoned vehicles. Deputy Jundt has been educating residents on proper ways to dispose of vehicles.
On June 15, 2012 Deputy Coleen Neubert will be graduating from the police academy. She will then begin taking over the City of Irrigon’s code enforcement.
Ryan Jundt left the meeting at 7:20 pm.
Mayor Burns has learned of other cities that have ordinances addressing repetitive nuisance code violations. He obtained copies of such ordinances from the City of Hermiston and the City of Pendleton. A person’s property could even be confiscated after repeated nuisance violations. Councilor Matlack recommended that the city look into adopting such an ordinance for the City of Irrigon.
Mayor Burns requested Councilor Matlack to explain the reasoning behind having a citizen sign a citation. Councilor Matlack explained that for some crimes a deputy can not issue a citation without witnessing the crime themselves or having the person that witnessed the crime sign the citation as the witness.
10. Five City Marketing Plan – Progress and Payment
The website www.morrowcountytourism.com is up and viewable. There are some changes to be made to the website. The site should be reviewed and comments on improvements are welcome.
11. Source Water Protection Grant
City Manager Gerald Breazeale reported that there have not been any funds awarded as of yet. Keith White reported that the state, with assistance from city staff, has acquired samples from wells in different areas surrounding the city’s wells. Each area has an estimated time period before contaminants from that area would effect the city’s wells. Five samples were taken from each of the one year, two year, five year and ten year time of travel zones. These samples will be tested for many potential risks and the test results are expected in approximately 2 months.
12. Approval 2012/2013 Contract for Law Enforcement Services
The Budget Committee recommended that the budget reflect a change in the contract with the Morrow County Sheriff Department for police services in regards to the purchase of a police vehicle. Rather then rent or lease a patrol vehicle the city could purchase a vehicle to be used by the Sheriff Department for three years and then after that the vehicle would revert back to the city to either be used by city staff or to sell.
The proposed 2012-2013 Contract for Law Enforcement Services includes the purchase of a Dodge Ram 1500 Crew-Cab 4×4 at the price of $25,000 and a slight increase for operating costs due to inflation.
Councilor Simonis moved to approve the purchase of the Dodge Ram 1500 Crew-Cab 4×4 at the price of $25,000. Councilor Hagen seconded the motion. The motion was passed by unanimous vote.
Councilor Theisen moved to approve the 2012-2013 Contract for Law Enforcement Services with the Morrow County Sheriff Department with a cost of $100,509.91 which includes the purchase of a police vehicle. Councilor Hagen seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
13. Report from the Morrow County Sheriff
Sherriff Matlack described a few recent occurrences that happened with in the City of Irrigon. A residence was experiencing high traffic with visitors only staying a short period of time. The sheriff department requested access to the premises and the request was granted. While on the premises drugs and stolen property were discovered.
In response to a complaint of animal neglect, the sheriff department found a horse that was malnourished and sickly. The owner’s were out of town and unaware the individual left responsible for the animal was neglecting to feed him. The horse is now on the mend and a permanent solution is in the works. Allowing large animals to be kept within the city limits is an increasing cost to the city and is currently under review.
14. Comments from Citizens not on the Agenda – Max. 5 Minutes/person
There were no comments.
15. Staff Reports
Public Works Director Keith White praised Darrell Gale on his efforts and achievements with managing the city’s waste water treatment plant.
Councilor Hagen moved to accept the staff reports and sheriff report. Councilor Partridge seconded the motion. Motion was passed by a unanimous vote.
16. Accounts Payable*
Councilor Hagen moved to approve accounts payables in the amount of $63,883.68 for payment. Councilor Matlack seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
17. Additional Discussion
There being no further discussion, it was moved by Councilor Partridge and seconded by Councilor Hagen to adjourn. Vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55.