SEPTEMBER, 2004 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
SEPTEMBER 2, 2004
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: In the absence of the Mayor, Council President
Welch called the meeting to order. Council President Welch and Councilors
Abbott, Woodruff, Campbell and Church answered the roll. Mayor Beckstead was
excused. Councilor Peterson was absent. A quorum was present.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: The following citizens addressed the Council
in regard to Waldport Heights Drive: Don Chin, Ruth Gildersleeve, Cory Comstock,
Dick Hollister, Patricia Parker, Kimberly Bennett, Katherine Benfield, and Sandy
Chin. They expressed concerns regarding visibility, speed, road condition, the
narrowness of the street, and the hazards of entering Highway 34 at the
intersection.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Councilor Church congratulated the kids of
Oregon on the results of the SAT tests, which had been reported in the news.
There were no other comments.
4. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from the August 5, 2004 meeting.
Councilor Abbott moved to approve the minutes as presented. Councilor Campbell
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5. PUBLIC HEARING: None.
6. STAFF REPORTS:
Public Works Director: Mr. McClintock responded to the
concerns expressed regarding Waldport Heights Drive. He indicated that he could
deal with ODOT regarding signage, and the right-of-way and area around the first
curve can be cleared to assist in visibility. Additionally, Public Works could
look at parking the decoy car a little further out on Highway 34 to help slow
traffic. Widening the road presents difficulties, as the west side drops off
precipitately, and the east side is a slope that could present sloughing
problems if it is cut into. Discussion ensued regarding the status of the
roadway and to what extent Road District funds can be used for major
improvements, other than paving, signage and general maintenance and upkeep. The
issue will be placed on the next agenda for an update of options. Mr. McClintock
reviewed his recent meeting with DEQ regarding the South Sewer project and the
Lagoon project. Both projects will not go out to bid until after the first of
the year. The waterline improvement on Eckman Creek Road will probably start in
a couple weeks. The paving around town is almost completed, and sidewalks are
underway. The High School sidewalk is done, and Highway 34 sidewalk is next on
the list, followed by Cedar Street hill and the bulb-outs on Cedar and John
Street. Mr. McClintock reported that a youth working with the Community Services
Consortium had contacted him about any small project around town that they could
take care of and he suggested cleaning up Crestline Park. They gathered six bags
full of trash from the skatepark and the trails. New trash cans with locking
lids and bolted to a cement pad have been installed up there, which may help to
alleviate the problem.
City Administrator: Ms. Leonard noted that the Keady Wayside
paving project came in at $8,200.00, which was less than anticipated. The
auditors were here for two and one-half days, and were once again highly
impressed with Ms. Lawson’s accounting abilities. Ms. Leonard reported on a
recent article in the paper regarding the fact that Waldport has now been given
an “Important Birding Area (IBA)” designation, which could prove to be an
economic boost to the area. The materials for the Keady Wayside gazebo arrived
the previous day and the project will be underway shortly. Pioneer Telephone
Cooperative has volunteered to bore the holes for the supports. Ms. Leonard
noted that in the process of updating the County’s GIS system for the Waldport
area, corrections will need to be made to “clean up” property descriptions. The
first such correction will come before the Council at their October meeting.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CIF: Councilor Abbott reported that the group had a forum on
earthquakes the previous month, and it had been a very good presentation and
well-attended. Next month’s meeting will include a youth activities discussion.
Councilor Welch asked Ms. Leonard to speak with the Central Oregon Coast Fire
and Rescue District regarding coordination of efforts for earthquake
preparedness, and she agreed to do so.
Youth Report: None.
Parks Committee: Councilor Woodruff spoke regarding the
meeting held on August 31, indicating that the Parks Master Plan was moving
right along and should be completed in one or two more meetings, following which
there will be a public hearing scheduled. The previous month the Committee had
recommended locating some play equipment on Kendall Field, but when the
delegation went there to review the placement the required footprint was too
large for the area to accommodate. They subsequently discussed putting it on
City-owned property at the end of Keady Street and Broadway. Mr. McClintock has
reviewed the site and estimated the minimal cost to fill and culvert the
property at $8,000. A nice park with landscaping and irrigation would probably
cost around $12,000. Discussion ensued regarding whether Urban Renewal funds
could be used to pay for all or at least a portion of the park, as the plan does
allow for that type of development. Consensus of the Council was to leave it to
the City Administrator to further review and advise them whether it would be a
Council or Urban Renewal issue.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR: The Council considered the following items: the Library
District contract renewal and the proclamation for “Cruzin’ for Crab” festival.
Librarian Jill Tierce was present to address any questions regarding the
contract. She explained that this document was in the making for a year and a
half, and the result was to put the City in a better position with the District
and available funding. The City’s circulation represents about 19% of the total
for the county, which included much bigger cities such as Newport and Toledo.
Councilor Abbott moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilor Campbell
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
9. CORRESPONDENCE: None.
10. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The Council considered the following items: Senior
Board minutes, Library Board minutes, Municipal Court report and Planning
report. No action was required, but Councilor Welch noted a concern regarding
the fact that only one speeding cite had been included in the Municipal Court
report. He felt that the City needed to continue reinforcing the need to control
speed in town.
11. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: There were no additional items to discuss.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Not needed.
13. ACTIONS, IF ANY, FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
14. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Nothing further.
15. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:29 p.m., there being no further business to come before
the Council, Councilor Abbott moved to adjourn. Councilor Campbell seconded, and
the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan
City Clerk
APPROVED by the Waldport City Council this 7th day of October, 2004.
SIGNED by the Mayor this 7th day of October, 2004.
Scott Beckstead, Mayor