CITY of ELGIN. COUNCIL MINUTES FOR JUNE 13, 2000
COUNCILORS PRESENT- Glenn Clark
John Stover
John McElravy
Joe Estes
John Braughton
Berta Churchill - Mayor
ABSENT- Pat McMullen
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 May 6, 2000. Councilor
Braughton moved to approve the minutes as presented, with Councilor Clark as second.
The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Supervisors Reports
The Mayor called for the supervisors reports.
Police- Chief Sibley; absent, submitted a written report.
Public works- Kyle Boylen; absent, submitted a written report
Library- Sandra Good submitted a written report, commenting that this would be her last
report to the Council due to her impending retirement. She noted that there had been may
changes in the library over the past eight years. Of the many changes made the
installation of computers for internet use by patrons and the computerized cataloging of
the library's holdings and linking catalogues with the other libraries in the region are the
most notable.
Fire- Chief McDonald reported that there has been some problems with violations of the
7:00 PM burning restriction. He also noted that the Riverfest firemen's breakfast would be
on Saturday starting at 7:00 am.
Ambulance- No report.
Municipal Court- Ralph Howell presented the May court report, stating that May had been
a busy month.
Recorder/Administrator- Joe Garlitz reported the City Council is scheduled to have a
special meeting on June 27, at 7:00 PM. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to
pass a resolution appropriating funds and levying taxes for the 2000/2001 fiscal year. The
Council will also select a new librarian, hold a hearing for the proposed Enterprise Zone
and approve a bid for the construction of N.13th Ave.
Citizens to Speak
Elgin Edge report; Mary Rose Nichols reported that several EDGE members had attended
conferences on tourism and marketing rural communities. She also reported that the Witty
Park has been fertilized and has been cleaned up for Riverfest. The Friday morning
breakfast is well attended and a good place to find out what is going on with the many
EDGE activities.
Theater Company, designating/signing for diagonal parking at City Hall & Opera House;
Jerry Peters was present to ask that the parking area in front of the City Hall and
the Opera House be either lined or signed for diagonal parking. There has been a
problem with people parallel parking and interfering with the normal parking arrangement.
On behalf of the Lions Club, Mr. Peters also asked for permission to reserve all the
parking area in front of the City Hall, including the police parking, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM
on Saturday for the Riverfest motorcycle show.
Councilor Stover moved to allow the use of the parking area from 7:00 AM to 2:00
PM on saturday, with Councilor Clark as second. The vote was unanimous for approval,
motion carried. Regarding the diagonal parking issue, Councilor Braughton said he would
talk to the Public Works Department to take care of that.
The time being 7:10, Mayor Churchill opened the scheduled Conditional Use hearing.
Michael Reagan was present to request a Conditional Use for a Home Occupation
at 830 N. 15th Ave. He is placing a small (12'x16") shed on his lot to do sign painting. He
will not be doing general retailing from his home. His request meets the requirements of
the zoning ordinance for a home occupation conditional use.
Notice of the hearing time and place has been mailed to all residents within 300
feet of the property in question. No comments have been received. Mayor Churchill asked
for any comments from the public. Mr. Jim Lucas, an adjacent property owner, was
present. He stated that he had no objection to the proposed use. No there were no others
to speak.
The hearing was closed. After discussion, Councilor Clark moved to approve the
conditional use as requested, with Councilor Estes as second. The vote was unanimous
for approval, motion carried.
7:15
Ruth Medhaug was present to request a Conditional Use permit to keep four
miniature horses in the R-1 Zone. The zoning ordinance allows the keeping of horses in
the R-1 zone upon approval of a conditional use, provided that the property has a minimum
area of 20,000 sq. ft. and there is a minimum of 10,000 sq. ft. available for the use of each
horse. The Medhaug property meets these requirements for the 4 horses requested.
Notice of the hearing time and place has been mailed to all residents within 300
feet of the property in question. No comments have been received. Mayor Churchill
asked for any comments from the public. Jim Halgarth, a neighboring property owner was
present. He stated that he had no objections to the proposal.
After discussion, Councilor Braughton moved to approve the conditional use as
requested, with Councilor Estes as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion
carried.
7:15 Budget Hearing,
Mayor Churchill opened the budget hearing for the 2000/2001fiscal year budget.
Ron Brand was present with a request to budget $9,500 to $10,000 for construction of
restrooms at Witty Park. Mr. Brand also stated the Parks and Recreation District would
provide labor to maintain the restrooms for a cost of $1,000 per year from the City. After
discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the magnitude of this request was
more than the Council was willing to provide without discussion with the budget committee.
It is too late in the process now to involve the budget committee. It was suggested that this
project be brought back to the City during the budgeting process next year.
Sharon Stover was present to request the Council reconsider the grant of $20,000
to the Stampeders. She suggested that the City grant them $10,000 and reserve the
remaining $10,000 for a future use such as policing or other required City service.
Bob Wiles was present to encourage the Council to approve the $20,000 grant to
the Stampeders as approved by the Budget Committee. The grant would allow the
construction of a cover over the new grandstands this year. There was a discussion
regarding the pros and cons of the City providing a grant of this magnitude to the
Stampeders.
The hearing was closed by Mayor Churchill. After a general discussion, Councilor
Clark moved to adopt the budget as approved by the budget committee without changes,
with Councilor Braughton as second. The vote was four in favor of approval, with
Councilors McElravy and Stover voting in opposition. The motion carried.
Citizens to Speak, continued.
Jennifer Smith was present to request that the mid-block parking reserved for the
police be moved to a location that is more convenient to the public and a location that does
not provide such a traffic hazard. The mid-block location of the parking causes confusion
and a traffic hazard especially at night, when there is a crowded meeting or a program.
Mrs. Smith presented a petition of over 50 signatures supporting this request.
After a discussion of the matter, Councilor Stover moved to have the reserved
parking removed from the front of the City Hall, and if desired by the police department,
relocated to the north side of the building, with Councilor Braughton as second. The vote
was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Betty Jean Church was present to address the Council. Mrs. Church requested that
the 2" water main serving the residences along Palmer Junction Rd be replaced from the
supply point to the City limits with a 6" line. (This is a project that has been under
consideration for some time.) She said she is willing to pay the City $1,000 if this could
be done this summer. The line is inadequate for the number of connections it is now
serving. Mrs. Church has a lot she would like to sell, but without increasing the line size,
water is not available to the lot.
It was noted that the Public Works Department would not be able to do this work
this year. After discussion, Councilor Estes moved to have this job and the replacement
of the line supplying the hydrant on south Birch, advertized for bids, with Councilor
McElravy as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Dave Nobel was present to ask about the progress on getting the Osterlogh
property cleaned up. Councilor Braughton said that the police department has been
pursuing the matter. Some progress has been made, but he is having a problem getting
some one to mow it. The police will keep track the matter.
Risa and Jim Hallgarth were present to see if any progress has been made
regarding replacing their driveway culvert. Councilor Braughton stated that replacing
the culvert was not a necessity prior having the street chip sealed. He said that he
did not get a cost for the culvert. Mr. Hallgarth stated that he had current prices
from PGG of $13.10/ft for 24" pipe and $16.68/ft for 30" culvert.
Councilor Stover stated that he had a concern in putting in a culvert on a private
driveway. He noted that if the City put in the culvert for one they would logically be
obliged to put one in for everyone else. This would not be financially possible. After
discussion, the matter was tabled until the July meeting to allow the Councilors time to
research the matter further regarding the relative benefit to the public vs. the benefit
to only the Hallgarths. Councilor Braughton said he would contact the Halgarth's prior
to the next meeting.
Committee Reports
The Mayor then called for the committee reports.
Administration: Councilor Estes said that the bills had been reviewed.
Public Works: Councilors Braughton and McElravy, nothing further to report.
Public Safety: Councilors Stover and Clark, no report.
Old Business
Elgin TV Association Franchise renewal.
The TV Association has reviewed the amended franchise agreement. The draft is
ready for consideration of the Council. Councilor Clark moved to approve the franchise
agreement as presented, with Councilor Estes as second. The vote was five in favor, with
Mayor Churchill abstaining as a member of the TV Association board. The motion carried.
Resolution 1078, proposing annexation of the City into the Rural Fire District.
Approval of a resolution proposing annexation of the City into the Rural Fire District
is the first step toward combining the two departments. After discussion, Councilor Estes
moved to approve Resolution 1078 as presented, with Councilor Clark as second. The
vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
New Business
OHSU clinic building lease renewal - 2 years.
The Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing has leased the clinic
building from the City for two years. The current lease expires at the end of the month.
The School of Nursing is requesting a two year extension of the current lease. Councilor
Stover moved to extend the lease without changes for a period of two years, with Councilor
Estes as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Resolution 1079, electing to receive State Revenue Sharing
Each year the City must elect to receive State Revenue Sharing monies.
Resolution1079 makes that election. Councilor Stover moved to approve Resolution 1079,
with Councilor Clark as second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Notice of and scheduling hearing for Enterprise Zone.
The City of Elgin has the opportunity to have properties within the City included in
an enterprise zone. A hearing has been tentatively scheduled for June 27. The Council's
approval for proceeding is need. After discussion it was the consensus of the Council to
proceed with the hearing.
Accept resignation of librarian.
Librarian Sandy Good has notified the Administrator that she intends to resign and
requests that her resignation be effective on June 30. Councilor Clark moved to reluctantly
accept Mrs. Good's resignation, with Councilor Estes as second. The vote was unanimous
for approval, motion carried.
Water and Sewer Tap Fees.
The tap fees for water and sewer to make a connection to the main, within 50 feet
of the meter location are $375 each. The Public Works Director, Kyle Boylen has
expressed concern that this charge does not come close to meeting the cost of making
these taps. He has requested that the Council consider increasing the fees to meet the
cost. After discussion and noting the information submitted by Mr. Boylen, Councilor
Stover moved to increase the tap fees to $750 each for up to 50 feet from main to the
service location effective July 1, 2000, with Councilor Braughton as second. The vote was
unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Correspondence
OEDD, loan award for water tank construction has been received. The loan will be
secured by bonds sold by the State of Oregon. The rates are not known at this time.
Good of the Order
Councilor Estes moved to approve the bills as presented, with Councilor Clark as
second. The vote was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Mayor Churchill noted that Mallard Heights is having a ribbon cutting ceremony at
2:00 PM on the 19th and invited the Councilors to participate.
Councilor Stover moved to adjourn, with Councilor Braughton as second. The vote
was unanimous for approval, motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted;
Joe Garlitz,
Recorder/Administrator