OCTOBER, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 6, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Beckstead called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Beckstead and Council Members Kelly, Hanes,
Woodruff, Welch, Campbell and Church answered the roll. A quorum was present.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Thomas Cropper addressed the Council regarding
a concern about the geologic stability of the area, citing an article from the
Reader’s Digest in 1971 where a town disappeared because it was built on
unstable ground. He also cited a concern regarding evacuation in case of a
tsunami, noting that the elderly and sick would need vehicular evacuation.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
4. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from the August 29, September 1
and September 22 meetings. Councilor Woodruff moved to accept all sets of
minutes as presented. Councilor Welch seconded. The motion carried
unanimously on a voice vote.
Mayor Beckstead noted that Mr. O’Connor was present to
address the Council regarding an update on the community college/South County
Center. Patrick O’Connor, Guy Faust, Clarice Sullivan and Sandy Roumagoux
addressed the Council regarding the programs offered by the college and its
history. Jim Lewis, Chief Architect, gave a preview of the architectural plans
for the college facility, noting that there were two sets of plans as there were
two potential locations. Councilor Welch asked about the timeline for
construction, wondering if they would meet the three-year deadline. Mr. O’Connor
responded that the one piece of property currently owned by the College would
allow for meeting that deadline even if the Forest Service property continued to
be delayed. Mayor Beckstead added that if the Forest Service property does come
through, the hospital may be interested in the property currently owned by the
college. He also noted that the college was being encouraged to pursue a
fire-training program in conjunction with Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue
District.
Chris Chandler di Torrice addressed the Council regarding the
addition of property in Newport to the Enterprise Zone, noting that all partners
in the Enterprise Zone have to approve any additions to the zone. A resolution
memorializing that addition was included in the packet materials. Following a
brief discussion, Councilor Welch moved to approve Resolution 1077,
Councilor Church seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a
voice vote.
It was brought to the attention of the Council that October
was Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. Following a brief discussion, Councilor
Campbell moved to observe Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in the City of
Waldport. Councilor Welch seconded, and the motion carried
unanimously on a voice vote.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
6. STAFF REPORTS:
Deputy Brewster addressed the Council regarding law
enforcement activities in the previous month. He reported that there had been a
seatbelt "blitz" and noted that most residents do comply with the requirement.
In response to a concern expressed, he indicated he would look into the lighting
requirements for fog lights. Councilor Welch indicated that he had gone on a
ride-along with Deputy Brewster on a Friday night, and noted that speeding
might be an issue of perception rather than reality, as they found few cars
excessively exceeding the posted speed, even when the police car was not readily
visible. A brief discussion ensued regarding the skatepark, with Deputy Brewster
suggesting that it might be wise to clear the brush out between the skatepark
and the cemetery to increase visibility and prevent some illegal activities.
Deputy Brewster also noted that he would be working with the Fire District and
the Planning Department to help remind people to prominently post their house
numbers.
A. City Administrator: Ms. Leonard displayed the plaque for
the gazebo, acknowledging the efforts of the volunteers in its construction. She
also displayed the satellite phone which the City had helped purchase,
indicating that all the emergency numbers have now been programmed into the
phone and it will be kept in the principal’s office up at the elementary school.
The final issue on Ms. Leonard’s report was that the Council would be having
their first workshop of the review of the City’s Master Plans on November 3rd
at 6:00 p.m., prior to the regular Council meeting. Ms. Leonard, Mr. McClung and
Mr. Lewis will be present to give an overview of the various plans.
B. Public Works Superintendent: Mr. McClung reported that the
lagoon project is on hold with the rainy season, and it may be next spring
before work will resume. However, this will give him an opportunity to research
land sites for disposal of the biosolids, which could reduce the overall costs
of the project. The South Sewer project is continuing ahead of schedule, with
the contractor working on the Ocean Hills pump station at the present time.
Councilor Hanes asked about the Revitalization project, Ms.
Leonard responded that ODOT still needs to do some work on the issue before they
present it to the City. It is still anticipated that the project will commend in
the fall of 2006. Councilor Campbell also noted the acquisition of a newer
vactor truck, which Public Works was able to purchase for $68,000.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. CIF: Mayor Beckstead reported on the last meeting, which
was held at the ODOT building near Ona Beach. The subject was affordable housing
in South County, and it was decided that they would speak to the representative
elected bodies to get a general idea of how the community felt about affordable
housing. Following a brief discussion, consensus of the Council was that
they were interested in pursuing the concept of affordable housing.
B. Infrastructure: Councilor Welch noted that the minutes
from the last meeting were in the packet materials. He reported that both the
water and sewer funds are sound, though there has been a decrease in
consumption, possibly due in part to conservation. He encouraged the Council
members to read the Supreme Court ruling on city water rights which he had also
included in the packet materials.
C. Traffic and Public Safety: Councilor Welch noted the
minutes from the last meeting were in the packet materials. He reported on the
presentation from Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue District (COCFRD)
regarding the new protocols for tsunami events. A firm decision has been made
that if a warning is received from Alaska, the sirens will be sounded and the
area will be evacuated. Discussion ensued regarding responsibility and
evacuation procedures. Ms. Leonard will talk with COCFRD regarding duplicate
keys for the school busses and whether the District would be interested in
having them and using the busses to help assist in evacuation efforts. Mayor
Beckstead cited ongoing concerns about the stability of roads and the evacuation
plan for the three elderly facilities. Councilor Welch indicated any suggestions
would be appreciated regarding the draft protocol included in the packet
materials. Discussion ensued. Councilor Wlech reported that the School District
is planning on a tsunami drill on October 20 or 21, and wondered if the City
would be interested in participating, at least in the notification efforts.
Consensus of the Council was to participate. Councilor Welch will work with
Ms. Leonard and Fire Chief Stafford. Councilor Woodruff noted that the Fire
District has also discussed the timing for sirens, and asked the Council to
consider urging them to sound the sirens as soon as possible after an event to
allow for the greatest amount of time to evacuate. It was determined that this
would be communicated as the consensus of the Council. Councilor Kelly asked
about scheduling a discussion with the Sheriff regarding the City’s contract for
law enforcement services. Following discussion, it was determined that Ms.
Leonard would ask Sheriff Dotson to attend the Council meeting in January.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR: The only item on the Consent Calendar
was a surplus property resolution (Resolution 1078). Councilor Welch moved
to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the
motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The Council considered the Library
Board minutes and circulation report, Municipal Court report, Planner report,
and Planning Commission minutes from August 23, 2005. There were no comments.
10. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
A. Community College Update: Previously addressed.
B. Addition of Newport Property to Enterprise Zone:
Previously addressed.
C. Crestline Skatepark Hours of Use: Councilor Welch noted
that several people have expressed concern that some people are congregating at
the skatepark for purposes other than skating and the Sheriff’s department noted
posted hours would help in enforcement. Following a brief discussion,
consensus of the Council was to forward the issue to the Finance and
Administration Committee for discussion regarding setting the rules and
penalties for violation.
D. City Administrator/Manager Compensation and Title
Designation: Mayor Beckstead explained that there were two issues to be
addressed: the title of the position and fair compensation. He noted that the
Charter calls for a City Manager, but as a result of some unfortunate history
with past managers, the Council was inclined to designate the position as City
Administrator. As a practical matter Ms. Leonard was acting as the City Manager,
as there was no distinction in the duties. He consulted the League of Oregon
Cities, who conferred with their legal staff and concluded that it was better to
call the position City Manager as that is what the Charter calls for. Councilor
Welch noted he had gone on record a couple of years previous stating that she
should be moved to that responsibility because she was performing the duties of
the position. Councilor Campbell noted that the Charter specifically states that
the power of the City lies with the City Council, he could not find anything
that would change in the manner that the City was being run by changing the
title of the position. Councilor Church disagreed with the interpretation that
the Charter called for a City Manager, noting that the language stated the
Council "may" hire a City Manager. Discussion ensued. Councilor Kelly moved
to give Ms. Leonard the title of City Manager. Councilor Woodruff seconded.
Councilor Church moved to table the discussion. The motion to table
died for lack of a second. Following further discussion, the original motion
carried, with Councilor Church casting a dissenting vote. Councilor Kelly
noted he had reviewed the labor contract, the personnel policy, and looked at
how the City in general treats its employees. He had reviewed Ms. Leonard’s
contract to determine what would have happened to her salary schedule if the
same rules had applied to her. He then moved that, in recognition of Ms.
Leonard’s superior performance, an increase of 6% be applied to her salary as of
December 1, 2005, with a final increase of an additional 3% in December of 2006.
Councilor Woodruff seconded. Following discussion, Councilor Hanes
moved to amend the increase to 3% rather than 6%, Councilor Campbell
seconded. The motion to amend failed, with Councilors Hanes, Campbell
and Church voting "Aye", Mayor Beckstead and Councilors Kelly, Woodruff and
Welch voting "Nay". The main motion then carried, with Mayor Beckstead
and Councilors Kelly, Woodruff and Welch voting "Aye", Councilors Hanes,
Campbell and Church voting "Nay".
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Not needed.
13. ACTIONS, IF ANY, FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
14. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Nothing further.
15. ADJOURNMENT: At 9:27 p.m., there being no further
business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan, City Clerk
APPROVED by the Waldport City Council this 3rd day of
November, 2005.
SIGNED by the Mayor this 3rd day of December,
2005.
Scott Beckstead, Mayor