NOVEMBER 8, 2007

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 and Cutter answered the roll. Councilor Campbell arrived at 2:04 p.m. A quorum was present.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Councilor Kelly commented on the beautiful addition to Meridian Park, and thanked City Manager Leonard and Councilor Woodruff for their work on the park. Ms. Leonard reminded the Council that the adjoining property owner, Terry Remmers, had put money toward park improvements in exchange for a portion of the property. Councilor Woodruff also noted that WiFi would be available at the park, courtesy of Mr. Remmers. Councilor Cutter complimented the Sheriff’s Department on their vigilance during the Halloween trick or treating.
4. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from the October 11, 2007 meeting. Councilor Kelly moved to approve the minutes as presented. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    Deputy Bruster addressed the Council and gave an update of the activities in the Sheriff’s Department. He noted that the complaints about the dump trucks hauling fill from the Community College South Beach project are being addressed. He also stated that, according to the printouts from the speed monitors, the average speed in the downtown school zone is 24 mph, and the average offender speed is 28. Discussion ensued regarding the activities at the skatepark. He recommended continued improvements to the facility, such as restrooms and trash receptacles, and noted that it appeared the kids were doing a better job of maintaining it.
5. CORRESPONDENCE: None.
6. PUBLIC HEARING(S): None.
7. STAFF REPORTS:
    A. City Manager: Ms. Leonard indicated that she had met with the ODOT crew on the Downtown Project, and gave a brief update. They were going to be stopping at the vacant lot next to the Flounder Inn in order to bore, trench, and then put in sidewalks and curbs. There had been an unexpected setback when they found 3 underground tanks at the vacant lot. There will be a change order for the City, and a probable cost for the property owner. In regard to the proposed ordinances in the packet, Ms. Leonard explained that staff was performing an ongoing review of the City’s ordinances. The grant for $2500 in matching funds for disaster preparedness has been submitted, and the monies should be forthcoming soon. Ms. Leonard had met with school representatives Tom Rinearson and Rich Belloni regarding the new construction excise tax for school funding, recently passed by the Oregon Legislature. The revenues from this tax are anticipated to be about 1 million dollars per year, and the monies will be used for projects such as relocation of the high school and new ball fields. A letter of interest has been received from Charles Havens in regard to the vacant Council position. Mr. Havens addressed the Council, and gave a brief history of his background and reasons for wishing to serve. Following a brief discussion, the Council determined to take this up at the December meeting.
    B. Public Works: Ms. Leonard reviewed the activities in the Public Works Department, noting that the waterline has now been completed under Lint Slough, and the vault is in place. The next project was to secure a grant to fund replacement of the waterline at the south end of the slough. The small reservoir has finally been completed to the City’s satisfaction, and a chain link fence was being installed for security. The 2M gallon tank has been inspected and the engineers are currently drafting a report to address maintenance. The Public Works crew was preparing Cedar Street for the continuation of the sidewalk down to Starr Street. There will be a budget resolution in December to address the costs of the project. The PUD was working with the City on installing the lights on Range Drive, with the total cost of the project around $8000. Ms. Leonard confirmed that there was one light which was currently being personally paid for that would be taken over by the City, though with a lower wattage bulb installed. The final item in the report was that the engineers have begun work on the LID report for extending sewer to the southwest part of the City. Ms. Leonard noted that the City will probably need to look at some ordinance language to allow owners of new septic systems to not hook into the sewer until their current system fails, or for a period of time like 10 years, whichever comes first.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS - CIF: Mayor Welch indicated that he had heard that they are taking on the issue of affordable housing, and will be working in conjunction with the County.
9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The Council considered the Planner’s report and the Library minutes and circulation report. No action was necessary.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR: The Council considered the surplus property resolution (Resolution No. 1115). Councilor Campbell moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
11. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
    A. Pam Gardner, Central Coast District Ranger: Ms. Gardner addressed the Council and gave a review of the programs administered by the Forestry Department, and the proposed co-occupancy of a facility with the Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue District. She indicated that these talks are ongoing as new department members, herself included, are trying to catch up on what’s been done to-date.
    B. Consideration of Ordinance Amending Development Code: Ms. Leonard reminded the Council that this Ordinance would put into place the Development Code amendments that had been the subject of the October public hearing, and included the changes proposed by the Council at that time. Following a brief discussion, and hearing no objection, Mayor Welch read the Ordinance by title only for the first and second times. Councilor Woodruff moved to adopt Ordinance No. 716 as read. Councilor Kelly seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    C. Consideration of Ordinance Naming a Portion of Hemlock Street: Ms. Leonard explained that the street had been historically called Hemlock Street, but not officially named. This Ordinance would correct that. Following a brief discussion, and hearing no objection, Mayor Welch read the Ordinance by title only for the first and second times. Councilor Cutter moved to adopt Ordinance No. 717 as read. Councilor Hanes seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    D. Consideration of Ordinance Amending Code Pertaining to Planning Commission: Following a brief discussion, consensus of the Council was to remove language pertaining to meeting on a specific day at a specific time. Hearing no objection, Mayor Welch read the Ordinance by title only for the first and second times. Councilor Cutter moved to adopt Ordinance No. 718 as amended. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    E. Consideration of Ordinance Amending Code Pertaining to Assessments for Public Improvements: Following a brief discussion, and hearing no objection, Mayor Welch read the Ordinance by title only for the first and second times. Councilor Hanes moved to adopt Ordinance No. 719 as read. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    F. Consideration of Ordinance Amending Code Pertaining to Loan Payments on SDC’s: Following a brief discussion, and hearing no objection, Mayor Welch read the Ordinance by title only for the first and second times. Councilor Kelly moved to adopt Ordinance No. 720 as read. Councilor Cutter seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
    G. Other Issues: None.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION(S): At 3:45 p.m. the Council recessed into Executive Session, pursuant to both ORS 192.660(2)(e) - Real Property Transactions, and 192.660(2)(h) - Litigation. At 4:14 p.m. the Council reconvened into Open Session.
13. ACTIONS, IF ANY, FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION(S): None.
14. ADJOURNMENT: At 4:15 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.