CITY of ELGIN
COUNCIL MINUTES FOR MARCH 14, 2000
COUNCILORS PRESENT- Glenn Clark
Pat McMullen
John Stover
John McElravy
John Braughton
Berta Churchill - Mayor
ABSENT- Joe Estes
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
February 8, 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; absent, no report.
Public works- Kyle Boylen reported that they had started doing water
and sewer taps. They have completed building a snow plow for the
backhoe bucket and have done some repair work on the 10 yd dump
truck. Mr. Boylen asked the Council to consider raising the water
and sewer tap fees to more closely reflect the Cityþs costs. He also
reported that they had spent a day and a half repairing the water line
that supplies the meat packing plant. The line ruptured from water
hammer when a fire hydrant was closed too fast. The repair cost
about $1,100.
Library- Sandra Good submitted a written report. She reported that
the library had received $570 in memorial gifts for Betty Estes. She
also reported that the library had received a copy of the book þOh
God, where are youþ from the author. The book memorializes the two
brothers of Harold Sutton who gave their lives in World War II.
Fire- Chief McDonald reported that þbusinessþ has been picking up as
the department has been called to several fires during the last month.
He told the Council that he has gotten a preliminary estimate of the
cost for constructing a new fire hall of $250,000 to $300,000.
Ambulance- Carla Hubbard; absent, no report.
Municipal Court- Ralph Howell submitted his monthly court report
with nothing to add.
Recorder/Administrator- Joe Garlitz reported that the annual Elgin
Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held tomorrow and urged
those who could to attend.
Citizens to Speak
Mary Rose Nichols was present to report on Elgin EDGE activities.
The businesses recruitment committee has been exploring several
opportunities for new business that would use local resources, with
several opportunities but nothing concrete. Tourism will start the
Saturday market in May and they are looking at the possibility or
starting a þLady Elginþ days celebration. The beatification committee
is in the process of building bench/flower boxes to put in the
downtown area. 2010 will host a meeting with Bob Leonard of GTE
regarding getting fiber-optic cable into Elgin.
Ed Botz was present to request a partial refund on a water tap that
the City installed for him. He had requested a 1-1/2 inch water tap
after he installed an underground sprinkling system at his boarding
house. In the process of the installation it was discovered that the
original 3/4" tap to his building was from a tee that fed his property
and the property across the street from a single 3/4" tap. Because the
original tap was not a proper tap, Mr. Botz feels that the City should
help bear the cost of the 1-1/2" tap installation. (It was noted in
discussion that even a proper 3/4" tap would not be adequate for Mr.
Botzþs needs.) After discussion Councilor Stover requested that the
matter be tabled until the April meeting to allow further investigation
of the matter.
Pastor Frank Umber of the Summerville Baptist Church was present
to invite all public personnel and officials to their March 26 Sunday
service. This service is planned to be a time to recognize those who
serve the community in a public capacity.
Jim Barrs, AFLAC representative, described their þflexþ program to
the Council. The program allows the Cityþs employees to purchase
supplemental insurance through a pay roll deduction pre-tax. With the
current program, the premiums paid by the employees are paid with
after tax dollars. After discussion councilor Stover moved to approve
the Cityþs participation in the þflexþ program, with Councilor
McMullen as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried.
Committee Reports
The Mayor then called for the committee reports.
Administration: Councilor McMullen reported that the bills had been
reviewed.
Public Works: Councilors Braughton and McElravy, no report
Public Safety: Councilors Stover and Clark; Councilor Stover reported
that he had met with Chief Sibley to discuss the issue of deer in town
and an increase in traffic speeds.
Old Business
Budget committee appointment
Resolution 1076 was presented making appointments to the City
budget committee. Councilor McMullen moved to approve resolution
1076 appointing Judy Rabourn, Marilyn Lane and Sharon Glasson to
three year terms to the budget committee, with Councilor Clark as
second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
ODF&W wild stock grazing in City
Councilor Stover has been in contact with Representative
Simmons to put some pressure on ODF&W to get some of the deer
out of town. He noted that if at any time a citizen gets injured by a
deer, the City would assume the authority to destroy the animals. At
this point the ODF&W has done nothing (effective) to remove the
deer from town.
Fire Departments, consolidation
Ralph Howell reported that he has worked out the relative costs
to City residents and rural fire district citizens, if the two departments
were to be consolidated. He estimates that by combining the existing
budgets, the City residents would see a decrease of $.06/1,000 property
value, and the rural residents would see an increase of $.02/1,000
property value for a year. For a property assessed at $100,000 this
would be a decrease of $6.00 or increase of $2.00 per year.
A discussion regarding how Boise Cascade would be handled in
the fire district followed. Mr. Garlitz suggested that the mill should
be included in the district as is all the other property being protected
by the City and the Rural District. The funds providing fire protection
come from property taxes that are levied based on property value.
This is an ideal match, since the fire departmentþs work is to protect
the value of a property. Basing the cost of fire protection on property
taxes is not unlike the cost of fire insurance which is based on property
value and risk of fire.
Snow removal policy
Councilor Stover suggested that the Public Works and Public
Safety committees meet with contractors and public works and police
personnel to work out a snow removal policy. The meeting will be
setup by Councilor Stover.
Craig/Wyden bill SB 1608
Councilor Braughton discussed the Craig/Wyden bill with
Representative Simmons. This bill attempts to maintain revenues to
compensate for loss of forest service receipts from national forests.
These revenues have helped support local schools and the county
roads. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to write
a letter supporting the bill.
Oversized vehicle parking signs, 14th & 204
The Council has sent a resolution to ODOT requesting parking
signs on 204 at the intersection with 14th St to restrict truck parking
near the intersection. ODOT is still waiting to review the request.
Cleanup day
At the March meeting, Elgin EDGE requested that the City
sponsor a cleanup day like last year. The Council discussed the
matter, recognizing that it will take some planning to work out the
details and avoid the problems of last year. It was the consensus of
the Council to set a date at the April meeting.
New Business
Resolution 1070, Identifying a newspaper of general circulation
published in Elgin
Resolution 1070 was presented making findings of fact that
recognize þThe Paperþ as a weekly newspaper of general circulation
published within Elgin. Councilor Stover moved to approve
Resolution 1070 as presented, with Councilor McMullen as second.
The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Resolutions 1071-1075, declaring special improvement districts
Resolutions 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074 and 1075 were presented
declaring improvement districts and calling for hearings at the April
Council meeting for improvements on North 16th, North 3rd -4th -5th &
Columbus, North 11th-12th & Galveston, South 11th-12th, and North
13th respectively. After review of the resolutions Councilor Stover
moved to approve Resolutions 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074 and 1075 as
presented, with Councilor Clark as second. The vote was unanimous
for approval, motion carried.
Correspondence The following correspondence was noted.
OE&CDD, (Oregon Economic Development Dept) sent a notice of
assignment as lead agency for Hun-a-ha Park and the Cityþs water
reservoir.
NEO Housing Authority, requested a letter of support for federal
funding of their public housing program. A letter of support was
signed by Mayor Churchill.
Good of the Order
Councilor McMullen moved to approve the bills as presented, with
Councilor Clark as second. The vote was unanimous for approval,
motion carried.
Mr. Garlitz requested and executive session per, ORS 192.660, to
discuss personnel matters. Mayor Churchill recessed the meeting to
an executive session.
The meeting was resumed with no action required.
Councilor McMullen moved to adjourn, with Councilor Braughton as
second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted;
Joe Garlitz, Recorder/Administrator