Article PHILOMATH COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES January 8, 2001
The common council of the City of Philomath met on Monday, January 8, 2001, at 7:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Van Hunsaker presiding.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Van Hunsaker, Councilors Richard Matson, Jeannie Gay, Dan McCabe, Marilyn Slizeski, Toni Hoyman, and Nita Ross
Staff: Randy Kugler, City Manager; Scott Fewel, City Attorney; Joan Swanson, Finance Director; Russ Hunt, Chief of Police; Tern Phillips, City Recorder; and Beau Vencill, Public Works Director
CONSENT AGENDA - MOTION: Ms. Slizeski moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
Mr. McCabe stated he wished to retract his statement made at the December 11th meeting regarding a bus patron selling her car in favor of riding the bus because riding the bus was less expensive. His comment was made from a conversation taken out of context and was in error.
VISITORS/PETITIONS - None
REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS – Ms. Slizeski asked if special bus fares for school children are being considered. Ms. Hoyman responded that the Transportation/Traffic Safety Committee is still working on a solution to help children ride the Philomath Connection Bus as a means to get to school because they live outside the school bus pickup area.
STAFF REPORTS City Manager — Mr. Kugler reported that Larry Blake, new Municipal Court Judge (July 2001) had met this day with school officials to discuss how the Court can help meet middle and high school needs. He also met with other City officials.
Gene Tools appears to be back on track since the Division of State Lands and Corps of Engineers have approved development. The company is hoping to be able to meet its summer production deadlines it has contracted for.
Mr. Kugler announced there are still positions available on the Transportation/ Traffic Safety Commission in need of bodies.
Public Works Director – Mr. Vencill reported the Department of Environmental Quality issued the City a five year discharge permit. Included is a mutual agreement and schedule for the new outfall.
The permit for the Newton Creek Bridge is on schedule and should be a relatively simple procedure, according to the City’s wetland consultant.
Storm water outfall protection on the Marys River has been revisited. Basically, riprap will be removed and trees planted.
City Recorder — No report.
Police Chief - Chief Hunt reminded Police Committee members of its meeting Wednesday, January 10th, at 6 PM.
City Attorney – No report.
NEW BUSINESS 3. Planning Commission and Transportation/Traffic Safety Committee Appointments – Mayor Hunsaker suggested the Council not confirm the appointment of J. T. Barrie to the Transportation Committee at this time because he has not yet had a chance to talk with him.
MOTION: Ms. Hoyman moved the City Council appoint Jay Sexton and Mark Vandehey to 4-year terms on the Planning Commission, and confirm appointment of May Dasch, Ray Hickman, and Chuck Jackson to 2-year terms on the Transportation/Traffic Safety Commission. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
4. Review Justice Building Engineering Report – Mr. Kugler reviewed information provided in Council packets. The conclusion reflects that the building is structurally deficient and not ADA compliant. The building has limited lateral load strength and may not survive a moderate to strong earthquake. Construction in the 1930’s is not up to today’s building code both in technique and materials and would be quite expensive to retrofit. The engineers suggest it may be better to build elsewhere.
Staff suggests the Council conduct detailed discussions regarding options during 2001, making the project a priority.
Chief Hunt added that storm water seepage is still a problem despite several attempts to repair the problem. The floor space functions well for police department needs, however, personnel safety is a very real concern.
The Philomath Fire District and OSHA have also expressed concerns about the viability of the building.
Mr. Vencill added that at the time the current City Hall was built, drawings included an addition of the Police Department at a later time.
MOTION: Mr. McCabe moved the City Council no longer consider the current Police Department as a viable option to house police services. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. McCabe moved the City Council refer the matter of a new police station to the Police Committee to develop parameters for a new facility to the City Council. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
5. Council Goal Setting – Mayor Hunsaker reviewed his memo and proposal for a Council goal setting meeting.
MOTION: Mr. McCabe moved the City Council set a goal setting session on January 29, 2001, at 7 PM and use a process recommended or modified by the Mayor. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
6. SDC Inflationary Adjustments – Mr. Kugler reviewed the information provided in packets.
MOTION: Ms. Hoyman moved the City Council approve inflationary adjustments to SDCs as proposed on the attached Schedule A. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES 7. Ordinance to Amend Ordinance #690 - Mr. Fewel reminded the Council that it had adopted Ordinance #690 at its December 5th meeting which provided an application review process for compensation under Ballot Measure 7, and retained the Council’s right to waive specific regulations in lieu of paying compensation. The Council’s decision has been appealed to LUBA by the 1000 Friends of Oregon. The enforcement of this ordinance, as well as others statewide, has been enjoined and consequently the City does not have to worry about paying any Ballot Measure 7 claims.
Mr. Fewel said he has been concerned with how to keep the costs to the City at a bare minimum, and as result is presenting the amendment to the ordinance. He said the City does have the option to authorize him to enter into a stay, wherein both parties agree to take no further action.
Councilors discussed the matter. Ms. Slizeski and Hoyman felt it would be better to adopt the ordinance amendment as it would accomplish the same thing as a stay, and seemed to be a “cleaner” way meet the concerns of the 1000 Friends of Oregon.
MOTION: Mr. McCabe moved the City Council authorize the City Attorney to enter into a stay on behalf of the City. Motion seconded and passed 5-2 (Slizeski and Hoyman, no).
INFORMATION / CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Gay asked the purpose of the Historic Context Statement. Mr. Kugler said the contractor would be hired to develop a statement reflecting a specific unique element of the City’s history. Specific structures relating to that statement would be identified at a later date.
Mayor Hunsaker said the 1999 Benton County Waste Shed Recycling Report was available for review; reminded Councilors of the Rural Futures Forum, saying no interest had been expressed to date; and invited comments from the Council on meeting procedures.
Ms. Slizeski said the Philomath Community Foundation is providing funding for 100 tree to be planted on Applegate Street.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
_________________________ Van 0. Hunsaker, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ Tern J. Phillips, City Recorder