CITY of ELGIN
COUNCIL MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 8, 2000
COUNCILORS PRESENT- Glenn Clark
Pat McMullen
John Stover
John McElravy
Joe Estes
John Braughton
Berta Churchill - Mayor
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by Mayor Berta Churchill
Approval of Minutes
The Mayor called for approval of the minutes of the meeting of
January 11, 2000. Councilor Clark 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 reported that he has been in contact with ODF&W
regarding removal of deer from town. They have supplied drop nets
to begin trapping. Chief Sibley and Norm Brown have cleared an area
just north of Columbus at 3rd St. ODF&W will assist in trapping deer
at this location next week. Councilor Stover asked if there were
specific problem deer that could be identified. Chief Sibley said
that there were several in the area of 11th and Detroit.
Chief Sibley also reported that he has contacted ODOT regarding
painting crosswalks in the downtown area. After being passed around
and put off, he was finally able to get a promise from the local
maintenance unit to try out a new product for painting crosswalks.
It is supposed to stand up to severe traffic.
Public works- Kyle Boylen, absent; he submitted a written report
outlining the departmentūs efforts in snow removal and requesting the
Council to set policies regarding plowing, piling and removal of
snow.
Library- Sandra Good, present; she submitted a written report. She
also reported that she has ordered a free standing book drop. She
would like it to be installed in front of the community center
between the ballfield fence and the power pole at the south end of
the parking lot.
Fire- Chief McDonald reported that the new tanker is now parked in
the fire hall.
Ambulance- Carla Hubbard, absent; no report.
Municipal Court- Ralph Howell, absent; monthly court report was
submitted.
Recorder/Administrator- Joe Garlitz no report.
Citizens to Speak
Mary Rose Nichols was present to report on the EDGE activities. She
notified the Council that Bob Leonard of GTE will be at the next 2010
meeting to discuss the needs of Elgin for updated telecom resources.
She also reported that Shirley Peters, president of the Chamber of
Commerce, has prepared a packet of information to be provided to each
local business. She said that EDGE would sponsor a workshop on the
material presented at the Rural Futures Forum alumni training on
April 17 at the City Hall.
Committee Reports
The Mayor then called for the committee reports.
Administration: Councilors McMullen and Estes reported that they had
reviewed the bills.
Public Works: Councilor Braughton noted that there was a need to set
down snow removal policies.
7:15, the time scheduled for a conditional use hearing having
arrived, Mayor Churchill opened the hearing for the conditional use
request by Cheryl Coe. Mrs. Coe has requested a conditional use for
a beauty parlor in the residential zone. The property in question
is located on 14th Ave between Baltimore and Columbus, 265 N. 14th,
tax lot 1N 39 15BD #4300. The lot is approximately 75'x 100'. It
is requested to establish a business for hair cutting and a beauty
salon in the house at this location. Off-street parking will be
provided for customers per the requirements of the zoning ordinance.
Mr Garlitz stated that notice of the hearing had been mailed to
all property owners within 300 feet of the property. No comments
have been received at the City office.
Mayor Churchill asked for comments in support of or opposed to
the application. No one offered any testimony. Mayor Churchill then
closed the hearing and asked the Councilors for their decision.
Councilor McElravy stated a conflict of interest since his house is
immediately behind the property in question. Councilor Estes moved
to approve the conditional use as presented, with Councilor Braughton
as second. The vote was 6 in favor of approval, with Councilor
McElravy abstaining, motion carried.
At this time the Mayor returned to Citizens to Speak
Ron Schmittle was present to address the Council. He stated
that he had witnessed a domestic altercation in mid-day. When a
police officer was called, he was told that no local officers were
available and that it would be 30 minutes before an officer could
respond from La Grande. He told the Council that he had reviewed the
budget and the current ledger and felt that a fourth officer could
be funded from the contingency. He also requested that the City
institute a mandatory drug testing program. He offered to make
himself available to work on any committee toward these ends. He was
thanked for his concern and offer of assistance.
Arley Smith, owner of Timbers was present. He is proposing to
have a Spring festival in the parking lot of Timbers and asked what
he needed to comply with the Cityūs regulations. Councilor Stover
requested that he present his plans for the festival in writing, so
they can be reviewed by the Police Chief for public safety issues,
then he can bring them to the Council for review.
Arnie Krause was present to request approval of his wrecking
licence renewal. Councilor Braughton moved to approve the licence
renewal as requested, with Councilor Estes as second. The vote was
unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Mr. Krause noted that he was going to have a crusher come to
bail his accumulation of wrecked cars. He said that this would
provide a good opportunity to dispose of any junked cars in town. He
will give the Council advanced notice when the crusher will be
available.
Committee Reports continued
Public Safety: Councilors Stover and Clark
Councilor Stover asked about progress in getting the no parking
signs for oversized vehicles installed. Mr. Garlitz reported that
the Councilūs resolution has been received by ODOT and that they have
indicated that it is in process. Councilor Stover requested that the
area around the recycle bins be graveled.
Sharon Stover said she had called the ODF&W office in Portland
and talked to Mr. Buchner regarding the deer problem. After getting
some funny business, they said they would look into the problem. She
also called the local office. After her calls, the City was
contacted for assistance in setting up netting to trap the deer.
This is reported to begin next week.
Councilor Clark reported that he and Councilor Stover have made
themselves available 1 hour before the Council meetings for the past
three months to meet with anyone from the police, and fire
departments or anyone concerned about any other issue in the City.
They have not had anyone respond; so from now on they will be
available only by request.
Councilor Stover said he will get with the fire, police and
public works departments to work out a snow removal policy to present
to the Council.
Old Business
Ordinance prohibiting feeding wild animals: Ordinance 133,
prohibiting feeding wild animals in the city was presented for
Council review. The ordinance was read in full. Councilor Stover
moved to declare an emergency, with Councilor Estes as second. The
vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
The ordinance was read by title and presented to the Council for
adoption. Councilor Estes moved to adopt Ordinance 133 as an
emergency ordinance becoming effective upon adoption, with Councilor
Clark as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried.
Selection of provider for banking services: Community Bank has
presented a proposal to provide banking services to the City. US
Bank has responded with a ūletterū proposal. After review of both
options the Council has found that the proposal of Community Bank is
advantageous to the City. Mr. Garlitz has indicated that the
conditions attached to the Community Bankūs proposal are suitable to
the Cityūs needs. Councilor McMullen moved to accept the proposal
from Community Bank and to establish banking services with them, with
Councilor Estes as second. The vote was unanimous for approval,
motion carried.
Report on fire department consolidation: Fire Chief McDonald
said that Ralph Howell has suggested that the governing bodies of
both districts get together to discuss the various issue regarding
the consolidation. After discussion, Mayor Churchill asked Chief
McDonald to arrange a meeting between the City Council and the Rural
Board as soon as possible.
Report on railroad acquisition by State Parks: Mr. Garlitz
reported that State Parks is making a request for funding from ODOT
for some special projects grant funds. The ODOT will be meeting on
Wednesday this week to award grant funds. John Howard will be taking
3 or 4 people from the County down to the meeting. It is the general
consensus of both Union and Wallow County representatives that the
right-of-way should be preserved. There is a wide variety of opinion
as to how and what development/use should be made of the right-of-way
once it is acquired.
Report on Downtown Association grant: A letter and the
application form for presenting a grant application for funding has
been forwarded to ODDA. The needed match monies have been pledged
and most has been collected. There is no information yet as to
whether Wallowa and North Powder will participate.
New Business
Audit services proposal, Snyder, Sydel, et al. Snyder, Sydel,
Lewis has presented a proposal to perform the Cityūs annual audit for
$4,865. This is in line with previous audit costs. The firm has
performed the audit for the City for a number of years and has done
so satisfactorily. No other proposals have been submitted and the
City has not solicited any competing proposals.
After discussion, Councilor Stover moved to accept the proposal
from Snyder, Sydel, Lewis et al, with Councilor Clark as second. The
vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Gravel parking area for Ambulance shed. Councilor McMullen
requested that parking area at the ambulance shed be properly shaped
and graveled to provide a substantial parking area to the side of the
ambulance shed. The Councilors also discussed graveling the parking
spot for the senior bus and the recycle bin area. After discussion,
it was the consensus of the Council that these areas be graveled as
soon as the weather would permit.
City sponsorship of Riverfest, June 17. The City Council has
annually sponsored the Riverfest as a special City event. This
provides for liability insurance for the City in the event of a
problem associated with the event involving the Cityūs facilities,
streets, etc. Councilor Clark moved to sponsor the Elgin Riverfest
on June 17 as a special City event, with Councilor McMullen as
second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Appointments to budget committee: There are three vacancies on
the City budget committee this year. Mayor Churchill said that she
has asked Sharon Glasson to serve another term and she has agreed.
Judy Rabourn was present at the meeting and volunteered to be on the
committee. None of the Councilors had any other candidates. After
discussion, Councilor Estes moved to appoint Sharon Glasson and Judy
Rabourn to the budget committee, with Councilor Braughton as second.
The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Cleanup Day: The EDGE committee has requested that the City
sponsor a cleanup day. After a discussion that indicated the
Councilūs interest in doing so, the Mayor tabled the issue until a
later date to allow setting an appropriate time for the cleanup day.
Correspondence
Elgin Clinic committee notes were presented.
Commissioner John Howard sent a letter requesting a letter of
support for the Craig/Wyden bill, SB 1608. After discussion, the
Councilors needed further information before making a decsision.
Councilor Braughton said he would contact Representative Simmons to
get more information and pass it along to the other Councilors.
Women Service Club is requesting nominations for woman of the
year and the Chamber of Commerce is requesting nominations for man
of the year.
Good of the Order
Mayor Churchill noted that the Union County Chamber of Commerce
banquet will be on February 22. Elgin has not been well represented
in the past. Mayor Churchill requested that the councilors attend
if at all possible. After discussion of the importance of being
visible, it was suggested that some of the Councilūs discretionary
money be used to host the Council and their spouses at the banquet.
Councilor Estes moved to have the City purchase banquet tickets for
the Councilors, the Administrator and their spouses, with Councilor
Braughton as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried. After asking who was able to attend, it was determined that
11 tickets would be needed.
Councilor Estes moved to approve the bills as presented, with
Councilor McMullen as second. The vote was unanimous for approval,
motion carried.
Councilor Stover moved to adjourn, with Councilor Clark as
second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted;
Joe Garlitz,
Recorder/Administrator