CITY of ELGIN
COUNCIL MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 8, 1998
COUNCILORS PRESENT- Glenn Clark
Pat McMullen
John Stover
Berta Churchill
John McElravy
Rick Smith - Mayor
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Mayor Rick Smith.
Approval of Minutes
The Mayor called for approval of the minutes of the meeting of November 10,
1998. Councilor Churchill moved to approve the minutes as presented, with
Councilor McMullen as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried.
Supervisors Reports
The Mayor called for the supervisors reports.
Police- Chief Sibley; absent, written report submitted. Chief Sibley reported that
a patron ho had a vehicle impounded for failure to have a valid drivers license
is requesting reimbursement for impounding charges. The court ruled that the
DMV was in error in the matter, and that in fact her license was valid. The
City's action was not inappropriate, but in recognition of the facts involved, the
Chief suggests that the patron be reimbursed for her towing costs of $110.
Public works- Kyle Boylen; absent, no report.
Library- Sandra Good reported that she was working with EOU to update the
Pioneer data base for the library's holdings. She also reported that Ralph Howell
had contributed an old computer to replace the card catalogue. The computer
will allow a search of holdings by title, author and subject. The library board
has included children library services as part of their responsibilities. They will
begin to address children's issues as a part of their business at special meeting
so designated.
Fire- Chief McDonald reported that the department has placed two airpacks in
service. He was able to get both packs for less than the cost of the one that
was budgeted. Chief McDonald reported that PGG is willing to provide the land
for a fire hall at 10th and Baltimore, either for sale or on a long term lease. He
will continue to pursue this with PGG.
Ambulance- Emily Shumway reported that there was a severe shortage of EMTs
to staff the ambulance. She requested that the Council make available two
scholarships for qualified students to take to EMT basic course. At this time the
City reimburses the course costs for those who successfully complete the class
and 6 months probationary service. The reimbursement may eliminate a qualified
candidate who does not have the money to pay the cost of the course up-front.
She also reported that a new gurney is on order and that a GPS locator has
been received free of charge for the ambulance. The GPS will allow dispatch to
pinpoint the location of the ambulance when responding to a remote location.
Municipal Court- Ralph Howell; absent, written report submitted.
Recorder/Administrator- Joe Garlitz reported that LOC did not have any specific
information about the federal tax recovery program of the Municipal Tax
Consulting firm. They had received queries about them but had no other
information. After discussion it was agreed that the City would proceed with
their offer since there was no real risk to the City and there was an opportunity
to recover some otherwise lost excise taxes.
Mr. Garlitz also presented inserts to update the City Code prepared by
Book Publishers.
Citizens to Speak
Elgin EDGE; monthly report & request for Rural Futures Forum tuition.
Karen Owen presented Colleen McDonald who is the chairperson of the Elgin
Healthy Community committee. This committee's formation preceded the existence
of the current economic development efforts, but is an integral part of the
development strategies. Mrs. McDonald presented an overview of the work being
done to formulate a program to reduce/eliminate drug and alcohol use by the
community's youth. She informed the Council that the support and participation
of the Police Department is an essential element in making the program successful
and requested the Council's support in this regard. Mayor Smith stated that the
Council recognized their work and the need for the Police Department to be
involved and would pass that on to the Department.
Mrs. Owen reported on the activities of the following committees:
Business Recruitment, survey to poll the viewpoints of the community is being
circulated.
Cleanup, a scheduled project with the youth was rained out;
Incubator, two sites have been identified for possible development of an
incubator building;
Light Industry, contact has been made with Gordy Plastics. They have expressed
interest
in Elgin;
2010, the National Guard has made a site visit to Hunaha Park;
Tourism, plans for a saturday market and mini-museum at the Opera House are
underway;
Publicity, brochures are being updated.
Kathy Gifford requested support from the City to cover tuition for 6
applicants to the Rural Futures Forum training. The tuition is $250 for each
participant. After discussion, Councilor Stover moved to provide $1,000 for
tuition, with Councilor Clark as second. The vote was unanimous for approval,
motion carried.
Harlan Scott asked Councilor Clark for more information on the "Gateway"
city program. Councilor Clark stated that the program was a Washington State
program. He did not have information on a similar program in Oregon.
Art Rhodes; Insurance inspection concerns.
Art Rhodes was present to address the Council regarding a fire safety
inspection of the City's properties. He expressed a specific concern for the
materials stored in the basement of the Opera House and the poor housekeeping
condition of the City shop. He emphasized that the conditions of the shop were
particularly worrisome due to the age of the building and the presence of open
flammables located in several places within the shop. He noted that if a fire
started in the shop, it was very likely that the fire equipment would be
destroyed before it could be moved out of the garage.
Mayor Smith stated he recognized the gravity of the situation and would
take action to correct the problems. Mr. Rhodes stated that he would make
another inspection before the end of the year.
Francis Kunz was present to address the Council. She submitted a letter
as the owner of the City Centre Motel requesting a long term lease on the City's
property adjacent to the rear of the motel. She would like to secure access to
the property for maintenance of the motel and to facilitate occasional parking
behind the motel. After discussion it was agreed that the matter would be
brought to the Council again in January.
Committee Reports
The Mayor then called for the committee reports.
Administration: Councilors Clark and Stover reported that the bills had been
reviewed.
Public Works: Councilors McMullen and Churchill, no report.
Public Safety: Councilor McElravy, no report.
Old Business
Zone map change, re. Shepherd property: Ordinance 130, 2nd reading.
Ordinance 130, making a zone map change was read by title for the 2nd
reading and placed before the Council for adoption. Councilor Churchill moved
to adopt Ordinance 130 129 as read, with Councilor Clark as second. The vote
was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Franchise Ordinance, Ordinance 129; 2nd reading.
Ordinance 129, an ordinance providing for franchise and other agreements
for commercial use of public rights-of-way was read by title for the 2nd reading
and placed before the Council for adoption. Councilor Churchill moved to adopt
Ordinance 130 as read, with Councilor McMullen as second. The vote was
unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Franchise agreement, GTE Northwest
A draft franchise agreement for GTE Northwest, Inc. was presented for
review. The draft has been submitted to GTE for review. No comments have yet
been received from GTE. After discussion it was agreed that the Council would
review the matter again after GTE has responded.
Council vacancy, Short resignation.
The vacancy on the Council created by the resignation of Leroy Short has
not been filled. Joe Estes has expressed interest in filling the vacancy and has
agreed to serve out this term. Councilor Churchill moved to appoint Joe Estes
as City Councilor, to serve out the term vacated by Leroy Short, with Councilor
Stover as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Mayor Smith then called Mr. Estes forward and administered the oath of
office. Mr. Estes was then seated on the Council.
New Business
Election Abstract, acceptance.
The election abstract for the November 3rd election has been presented by
the County Clerk. After review, Councilor Clark moved to accept the election
results reported by the County Clerk, with Councilor McMullen as second. The
vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
The vote count is as follows:
Mayor, vote for one: 93-blank, 66-write in, 405-Berta Churchill;
City Councilor, vote for three: 24-Write in, 400-John Stover, 392-Glenn
Clark,
387-John L. McElravy;
Recorder/Administrator: 95-blank, 17-write in, 452-Joe Garlitz.
Thus the election results are:
Mayor: Berta Churchill, two year term,
Councilors: John Stover, four year term,
Glenn Clark, four year term,
John McElravy, four year term,
Recorder/Administrator:Joe Garlitz, two year term.
Mayor Smith re-opened the discussion brought by Emily Shumway regarding
fronting the cost of EMT training. After discussion, Councilor Stover moved to,
upon application and screening, pay in advance the training cost for basic EMT
training, provided a signed agreement to repay the City for its costs if the
applicant fails to complete the training or probationary service. Councilor
Churchill was second to the motion. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried.
Industrial park proposal to Union County Commissioners.
A draft letter to the Union County Commissioners was presented for the
Council's approval. The letter asks the Commission to extend its industrial park
development to include sites in the smaller communities of the County, as opposed
to continued development at the airport. Mayor Smith signed the letter with the
unanimous consent of the Council.
Pending Council vacancy; Churchill resignation.
It was noted that prior to assuming the office of Mayor, Councilor Churchill
will resign her position as Councilor. This will create a vacancy for the Council
to fill by appointment. No action was taken. It was noted that Kathy Gifford has
offered to serve on the Council.
Hearing 8:14
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), re. transportation plan.
Mayor Smith opened the hearing, noting that a number of people were in
attendance with a particular interest in the issue of truck traffic at the
intersection of highways 204 and 82. Hanley Jenkins of the Union County
Planning Department, is under contract to assist the City in developing an overall
transportation plan. Mr. Jenkins recognized the special concern regarding truck
traffic and proceeded to explain the purpose of the meeting and the process to
be followed in developing the transportation plan.
Dara Decker of the UnCo Planning Department was present to explain the
ground work that has been completed thus far, including an inventory of the
transportation facilities and traffic counts at seven intersections in town. Han
Lee, a traffic consultant under contract with Union County, explained the
modeling he has done and the data he has accumulated.
The discussion again came back to the truck traffic problem. Several retail
merchants expressed a concern that diverting truck traffic from the downtown
would have a negative impact on their businesses. One person suggested that
the Masonic Lodge be removed to allow for the trucks.
It was noted that there have been no reported accidents at the intersection
in the past 3 years. Mr. Lee stated that in spite of the lack of accidents, it was
evident that the intersection, as now configured, is inadequate to handle semi-
trucks with extra long and/or double trailers.
Mayor Smith asked that those who have a particular interest in this issue,
sign up to be on a special subcommittee to deal with this matter. A meeting for
the sub-committee was set for 7:00 pm January 14th. Two people signed the list,
Chuck Koch for the Elgin Edge planning committee and Bill Johnson of Corner
Market.
Correspondence
Northeast Oregon Alliance wrote to inform the City that its grant request was not
funded.
Boise Cascade wrote stating that the proposed plant closure has been cancelled.
Good of the Order
Councilor Stover moved to approve the bills as presented, with Councilor
McMullen as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Mayor Smith recessed the meeting for an executive session Per, ORS 192.660 for
personnel matters. The meeting was reconvened. Mayor Smith scheduled an
executive discussion for 6:45 prior to the next regular meeting on January 12.
Councilor Stover moved to adjourn, with Councilor Churchill as second. The vote
was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted;
Joe Garlitz,
Recorder/Administrator