JULY, 2007 COUNCIL MINUTES

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Welch called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Mayor Welch and Councilors Kelly, Hanes, Woodruff, Campbell and Cutter answered the roll. A quorum was present.
    Mayor Welch noted the first item of business would be the joint meeting with the County Commissioners. Commissioners Hall, Lindly, and Thompson engaged in discussion with the City Council on the following subjects: the role of the Lincoln County Alliance and its funding; joint efforts in dealing with the effect of growth; the feasibility of a law enforcement district to serve South County; and the facilitation of tsunami preparedness and management. Chris Chandler di Torrice provided a power-point presentation regarding the work of the Lincoln County Alliance, and it was explained that the source of funding was mainly from a share of County room tax revenues and a portion of lottery dollars. A discussion ensued regarding affordable housing, and Commissioner Hall suggested the Council review the County’s plan available online at www.lincolntenyearplan.org. The issue of a law enforcement district was being considered in the future. Discussion ensued regarding the funding set aside by the County for individual entities such as municipalities and fire districts to obtain matching funds for emergency supplies, up to $2500 per entity. There will be some criteria and requirements to ensure security of the supplies, and materials regarding the program will be distributed shortly. Jim Hawley, Emergency Services Manager, noted one area that may need attention was prevention of wildfire in the City’s watershed. Rich Glasgow, LinCom Director, noted that they were also working on a reverse 911 system.
    The discussion concluded at 3:08 p.m., and the Council took a 10-minute break and then recessed to take up the Waldport Urban Renewal Agency agenda. The Council meeting was reconvened at 3:45 p.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Councilor Cutter commented that the necessity for locating additional monies to complete the Downtown Revitalization project might be considered as reason for looking at charitable contributions at the end of the fiscal year rather than at the beginning.
4. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from the June 14, 2007 meeting. Councilor Woodruff moved to approve the minutes as presented. Councilor Cutter seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5. STAFF REPORTS:
    A. Sheriff: No report.
    B. City Manager: Ms. Leonard noted that Sandra Guntrum and Connie Williams have volunteered to repaint the City’s welcoming signs at no cost to the City. Ms. Leonard addressed the issue of additional monies for the Downtown Revitalization project, which had also been the topic of the Urban Renewal Agency meeting. Councilor Campbell moved to utilize $100,000 from the General Fund contingency toward the project. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. Ms. Leonard reported that five employees have chosen the new "preferred provider" option for insurance, which had resulted in a cost savings of almost $10,000 for the City. This had the effect of almost completely offsetting the increases resulting from the recent union contract renewal. A brief discussion ensued regarding the Mercantile building. Consensus of the Council was to direct the City Manager and the City Attorney to continue the abatement process.
    C. Public Works: Ms. Leonard gave a brief report on the activities of the Public Works department, noting that there had been some changes in the watertank painting contract because lead had been detected, but the overall costs were still under budget. She noted that the drilling project under Lint Slough was almost complete, and the paving of the walking path on Range Drive should be done shortly. Mayor Welch asked about the purchase of the new generators, and Ms. Leonard explained that the City has 9 sewer pump stations, only one of which had a permanent generator. There had been sufficient monies remaining from the USDA grant for the South Sewer project to purchase several new permanent generators. Two have been installed, one at Range Drive and one at the Golf Course, and another one will be ordered for Yaquina John Point. That will leave only five pump stations that need to be operated with a portable generator in the case of a power outage. Mayor Welch asked Ms. Leonard to clarify the necessity for the recent sewer increase, as there had been some misinformation circulated regarding the reasons for the increase. Ms. Leonard stated that the rumor that the monies would pay for infrastructure for new development was completely incorrect, as those costs are borne completely by the developer. The rate increase of 4% was due to the fact that, other than the $0.69 per unit increase required for the South Sewer project, the City hadn’t increased rates for several years, and general operational expenses were exceeding revenues. Ms. Leonard also clarified that reclaimed water line had been funded by the owners of the golf course, who had obtained a grant for a portion of the project, and a loan for the remainder. No City funds were used for that project. Councilor Kelly asked about the status of the new Utility Worker position and Ms. Leonard stated that Tom Arden had been hired and would begin work on July 23. He had worked for Seal Rock and will be a welcome addition to the crew.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Welch noted that there had not been a CIF meeting. He had attended the recent South County Emergency Supply meeting and noted that the entities are coming to a consensus that each will have to make, at least short-term, their own plan for their particular area and locate a high-ground area for storage of food and medical supplies.
9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The Council considered the Planning Commission minutes from April, 2007. No action was necessary.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR: No items.
11. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
    A. Joint Session with County Commissioners: Previously addressed.
    B. Review of Traffic Safety Committee Composition: Councilor Hanes noted that the 7-member structure may have been feasible in 1994 as a requirement for the grant. However, as an ongoing committee, she suggested the Council consider a 5-member committee, with at least two councilors and two at-large members, with the fifth position open to either. Following a brief discussion, Mayor Welch moved to approve the proposed committee structure. Councilor Hanes seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. Councilor Woodruff suggested a topic of discussion for the committee would be a review of the laws that govern how fast police cars can respond to an accident, as there appeared to be recent instances of excessive speed.
    C. Library Board Appointment: Ms. Leonard indicated that Norm Hooker volunteered his services at the library, and felt that he would be an asset to the Board. Councilor Cutter moved to appoint Mr. Hooker to the Library Board. Councilor Hanes seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    D. Other Issues: None.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
13. ACTIONS, IF ANY, FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
14. ADJOURNMENT: At 4:12 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.