AUGUST 13, 2009
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 was excused. A quorum was
present.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: None.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Councilor Kelly reminded the Council that
Thursday, September 3 at 3:00 there will be the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the
South County campus of Oregon Coast Community College. The following Friday,
September 11 at 2:00 the ribbon-cutting for the central campus will be held. He
also noted that the Community College Foundation is raising money by selling
personalized bricks. Mayor Welch reported on the Mayor’s Conference, noting that
he had spoken with ODOT Director Mike Garrett regarding the removal of the Lint
Slough Bridge replacement from the project list. Mayor Welch noted that the
theme of the conference was "Creative Partnership", how cities can partner with
private and public entities in order to accomplish projects, and gave several
examples of what other cities are doing.
4. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from July 9, 2009. Councilor
Kelly moved to approve the minutes as presented. Councilor Cutter
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
A. Consideration of Telecommunications Franchise for CoastCom,
Inc.: Greg Palser, representing CoastCom, was present to address the Council. He
explained that they provided "large pipe" connections for businesses,
government, education, healthcare and the like. They currently have existing
connections to the Oregon Coast Bank, the Waldport Clinic, and the Community
College. Following a brief discussion, and hearing no objection, Mayor Welch
read Ordinance No. 727 for the first and second times by title only. Discussion
ensued regarding the proposed franchise fee, whether services could be provided
in lieu of the fee, and whether certain entities could be exempted from paying
the franchise fee. It was explained that the franchise fee was in place to
ensure that franchisees were paying for the use of public rights of way and
sharing in the cost for City services such as locates. Councilor Hanes moved
to approve Ordinance 727. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion
carried unanimously.
B. Request From Planning Commission to Develop Regulations
for Tower Facilities and Energy Conversion Systems: Ms. Leonard explained that
the Planning Commission was asking the City Council for authorization to proceed
with developing regulations in regard to these issues. Following a brief
discussion, Councilor Cutter moved to authorize the Planning Commission
to proceed, and suggested they look at code language recently adopted by Lincoln
City. Councilor Hanes seconded, and the motion carried unanimously
on a voice vote.
C. Consideration of Resolution Amending Section 5.1 of the
Council Rules: Councilor Cutter noted that it would seem practical to move
adoption of the minutes to the second position on the agenda.
Consensus of the Council was favorable. Councilor Hanes then moved
to approve Resolution 1140 as amended. Councilor Woodruff seconded, and
the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
D. Review of Water and Sewer Operating Funds: Ms. Leonard
explained that this was a review of current status, and no action would be
required. She noted that operating expenses in both the water and sewer fund are
close to exceeding or are exceeding revenues. A lengthy discussion ensued
regarding the current methodology and ways to ensure that revenues cover
expenses. Councilor Cutter suggested including a projection of how alternate
methodology would have affected the historical consumption and rates in the
materials for the next Council packet. Ms. Leonard indicated that a revision in
the way rates are being assessed may not necessarily result in an increase for
all customers.
6. STAFF REPORTS:
A. City Manager: Ms. Leonard reported that she was currently
questioning a recent invoice sent to the City by the State Government Ethics
Commission, and would not authorize payment until she receives a satisfactory
response. The Norwood/Starr realignment project is scheduled to begin
on August 17, and it is estimated to take about a month. In regard to the
waterline core drilling project for Lint Slough, Ms. Leonard noted that the bid
deadline is August 25th. She asked for authority to award to bid with
a maximum amount of $150,000.00. Councilor Cutter moved to authorize Ms.
Leonard to award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder. Councilor Woodruff
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. The
temporary worker at Public Works has been busy clearing weeds from the curbs,
cleaning City signs, painting hydrants, and identifying street signs to be
replaced. Councilor Woodruff suggested that the City look at getting the streets
swept again, as the gutters are starting to fill with debris. Councilor Cutter
asked about gateway signs, and Ms. Leonard responded that this was included in
the Urban Renewal District #2 projects, once money starts coming into the fund.
She reviewed a recent meeting she and the Mayor had attended on herbicide
spraying and its effects, and noted she felt it had been a productive meeting
with some very practical suggestions for minimizing environmental impacts.
B. City Librarian: The circulation report was included in the
packet materials. Ms. Leonard noted the request for reappointment of Charles
Lediard to the Library Board. Councilor Hanes noted that she was familiar with
Mr. Lediard and felt that he contributed greatly to the Board. She moved
to approve the reappointment. Councilor Cutter seconded, and the motion
carried unanimously on a voice vote.
7. GOOD OF THE ORDER: A brief discussion ensued regarding
relocating City services out of the tsunami zone, and whether grant monies and
assistance from agencies such as the National Guard would help in such a
project. Ms. Leonard noted that the Council would be adopting a resolution in
the near future to be part of the County’s Disaster Mitigation Plan, which may
result in some grant opportunities, though the competition for those grants will
be on a national level. Further discussion on the issue may take place at the
next Council meeting, and Ms. Leonard will try to find some information on
costs.
8. ADJOURNMENT: At 4:10 p.m., there being no further business
to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda A. Quinlan, City Recorder
APPROVED by the Waldport City Council this 10th day of
September, 2009.
SIGNED by the Mayor this 10th day of September, 2009.
Herman Welch, Mayor