OCTOBER 8, 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,
Woodruff, Campbell and Cutter answered the roll. Councilor Hanes was excused. A
quorum was present.
2. MINUTES: The Council considered the minutes from the September 10, 2009
meeting. Councilor Kelly moved to approve the minutes as presented.
Councilor Woodruff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on
a voice vote.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Phyllis Hanna addressed the Council in regard
to bringing Charter Communications back to the Waldport area. City Manager
Leonard noted that Charter had discontinued service to this area several years
ago, as necessary infrastructure improvements were not supported by the customer
base. The City would like them to return, and if there is a petition signed by
interested individuals the City could certainly forward it to them and ask them
to reconsider. Cindy Karp spoke on the Charter issue, potential increases in
sewer rates, public availability of Council packet materials, and extension of
sewer east along Highway 34 to help preserve the Alsea watershed.
4. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
A. Sewer Rate Review: Ms. Leonard explained that a thorough
review of the sewer rates had disclosed some inequities in charges for
commercial and multi-family residential services, and also brought to light the
fact that System Development Charges (SDCs) could be utilized for payment of
debt incurred as a result of capital improvements. The analysis also realigned
sewer base charges with fixed operating costs, and usage charges with variable
operating costs. The end result was that for most residential customers the
monthly sewer bill would not increase but would, in fact, potentially show a
decrease. Additionally, the City is looking at restructuring its SDCs to allow
for even greater flexibility in the use of those funds. The City’s engineering
firm will be presenting the SDC restructuring at a later date. A lengthy
discussion ensued. Ms. Leonard noted that next month’s packet would include a
comparison with the newly proposed water and sewer rate options and the overall
impact on the customer base.
B. Consideration of Resolution Approving the Waldport Section
of the Lincoln County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan: Ms.
Leonard noted that Lincoln County has been working on this plan for over a year,
and the adoption of the resolution would enable the City to be eligible for
federal mitigation project grants. Following a brief discussion, Councilor Kelly
moved to approve Resolution No. 1142. Councilor Campbell seconded,
and the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
5. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONCERNS: Ms. Leonard noted that, as requested by
Councilor Kelly, she had distributed a memo which provided an update on the
Community Center activities and revenues. Councilor Kelly stated that the
Wednesday Market has been a great success, and praised Mr. Piette’s continuing
efforts on behalf of the Center.
Councilor Woodruff mentioned a recent article in the League
of Oregon Cities monthly publication regarding public meetings law, and
suggested posting the agendas for upcoming meetings on the City’s website. Mayor
Welch congratulated the City Manager and City Accountant for another excellent
audit. Councilor Cutter mentioned that he had attended the last CWACT meeting
and it was obvious that the Highway 20 project was going to continue to be the
main focus.
6. STAFF REPORTS:
A. City Manager: Ms. Leonard distributed some before and
after photos from code enforcement, and noted that Mr. Kittel’s report was
available in the Council Room for review. The waterline project is on schedule,
with the core-drilling under the slough completed and the piping to be fused and
pulled through shortly. The City is still not sure of the exact date that the
water would need to be shut off to tie in the new line, but would do its best to
notify customers prior to the interruption in service. The only area that will
be without water will be along Crestline, as the Golf Course and Range Drive
areas can be fed from the tie-in with Southwest Lincoln Water District for that
period of time. Councilor Woodruff mentioned that the Alsea Bay Bridge project
wasn’t showing much progress, and Ms. Leonard responded that the work that was
being done was actually underneath the structure. ODOT was hopeful that the
project would be completed this month, depending on the weather.
B. City Librarian: The minutes from the August Board meeting
and the annual Oregon Public Library Statistical Report were provided in the
packet materials.
C. City Planner: The Planner’s written report and the minutes
from the August Planning Commission meeting were provided in the packet
materials.
7. ADJOURNMENT: At 3:45 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 12th day of November, 2009.
SIGNED by the Mayor this 12th day of November, 2009.
Herman Welch, Mayor