Mayor Young called the regular meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Harold Olsen delivered the invocation and Mayor Young led the flag salute.

Mayor Cheryl A. Young

Councilor Bill Guy

Councilor Gary Hudson

Councilor Bob Schmor

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:

Councilor Tyra A. Schroeder

ALSO PRESENT:

Michael Reedy, Chief of Police

Micah Olson, Public Works Superintendent

Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder

ATTORNEY PRESENT:

Harold Olsen, City Attorney

A quorum was present and due notice had been published.

None.

AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT:

Dwayne Zadow of Columbia City expressed an interest in requesting the vacation of a portion of Garfield Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets. He asked the Council if they had any plans to develop that section of street. He explained that Seventh Street is being extended south towards "A" Street by one of his neighbors. He said he has talked with his neighbors and they are interested in pursuing the street vacation. Mr. Zadow discussed his request at length with the Council and staff.

Micah Olson said the sewer main will be extended in the alleyway across Garfield Street. Harold Olsen said the City could retain the alley and vacate the street.

Mayor Young said there don't appear to be any objections or problems with the idea, but the request would need to go through a public hearing process.

The Council reviewed applications to serve on the Columbia City Planning Commission as submitted by John O. Sachs, residing in Columbia City, and Janet Schmeltzer, residing within the Columbia City Urban Growth Boundary.

Mr. Sachs spoke to the Council about his interest in serving on the Planning Commission. He said he would like to ultimately see more uniformity in the City's streets, sidewalks and streetlights, and he is interested in getting involved in his community.

David Liebrandt, P.E., Senior Vice President of MSA, spoke to the Council about MSA's request for the City's approval of their current 2006 Schedule of Charges, as detailed in his letter dated January 19, 2006.

Mr. Liebrandt said local and regional market forces have driven engineering labor costs up in recent years at a rate that has exceeded local inflationary indices. He said they lost several engineers last year in this market, where engineers are in short demand, which created quite a hardship for their firm. He said they needed to respond to this, and they offered ownership interest to several of their key managers in their firm, including Matt Hickey, who has been with their firm for 12 years.

Mr. Liebrandt said he understands that the City may be requesting proposals of engineering services, and MSA would be pleased to participate in that process. He said MSA has 22 flexible service arrangements similar to the one they have with Columbia City. He said they serve as City Engineer in four other cities, they have several agreements with ODOT, they are district engineers for several water districts, and they have several ongoing services arrangements with transportation districts and counties. He said they are routinely asked to provide verification of fair pricing, and they would be happy to provide Columbia City with that information.

Mr. Liebrandt said the type of work that they do for Columbia City is challenging work, and their firm offers a large pool of knowledge that is available at any time.

Mayor Young thanked MSA for supporting the Columbia City Celebration each year. She said the City has discussed going through the RFP process as quite a few years have passed now, but we have been very pleased with MSA's service. She thanked Mr. Liebrandt for his attendance and explanation.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE MSA'S 2006 RATE SCHEDULE.

The Council reviewed the engineering services proposal for the design and construction of a proposed public works well and relating piping improvements, for an amount not to exceed $111,000. They discussed the proposal at length with Matt Hickey, Senior Engineer/Associate for MSA, and David Liebrandt.

Mr. Hickey explained that it is basically two separate projects - one for the design and drilling of the well, and another for the design and development of the well (pumps, electrical work, chlorination equipment, transmission piping, etc.) if it is a good well. He said there is also some work included for the expansion of the City shop building, geotechnical work, and surveying. He said the hydrogeology consulting services will be completed under a separate contract with Groundwater Solutions, Inc.

Mayor Young thank Mr. Liebrandt and Mr. Hickey for taking the time to come here this evening.

4.1 Parks Committee: In the absence of the Chair Schroeder, Leahnette Rivers said the Parks Committee will meet next Tuesday.

4.2 Water Source and Development Committee: The Council reviewed a proposal for Hydrogeology Consulting Services from Eric Collins of Groundwater Solutions, Inc. (GSI), for an estimated amount of $9,150. They also reviewed a Pumping Test Assessment for the Public Works Well from Jeff Barry and Eric Collins of GSI.

Micah Olson said they expect us to be able to pump between 400 and 500 gpm from the new well. He said GSI will develop a hydro geologic conceptual model of the area between the well and McBride Creek that will include a geologic cross section to use during discussions with the Oregon Water Resources Department.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FOR HYDROGEOLOGY CONSULTING SERVICES FROM GSI IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,150, AND APPROVE A PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH GSI CONTINGENT UPON THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MICAH OLSON AND LEAHNETTE RIVERS.

4.3 Streets Committee: Chair Hudson said the "L" Street bridge project is progressing and the bridge has been removed.

4.4 Sewer Committee: Micah Olson said both of the larger pumps for River Club Estates have been installed, and all of the other sewer pumps that were out for repair are installed and working again.

4.5 Library Committee: Liaison Hudson said the Friends of the Library will meet in two weeks.

4.6 Other reports: Mayor Young said there will be a Mardi Gras party later this month, and she has been asked to participate in the parade. She invited the Council Members to join her.

Item 5.1 was removed from the Consent Agenda.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE REVISED CONSENT AGENDA.

AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-393.

MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHN SACHS TO THE COLUMBIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION.

MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS WELL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $111,000.

It was the consensus of the Council that this matter be postponed indefinitely, and that we ask MSA to provide us with their fair pricing information.

Leahnette Rivers recommended the Council consider requiring developers to enter into a Maintenance Agreement when they develop public improvements. Harold Olsen said the Agreement will bind the developer to completing the improvements and maintaining them for a specified period of time following completion. The Council reviewed the draft agreement and agreed it should be required.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-390.

The Council completed the first reading of Council Bill No. 06-394.

The Council reviewed a request from Ellinwood Construction, Inc., dated January 30, 2006, requesting the City deed over the 22' x 90' piece of property located at the corner of Sixth and "K" Streets in exchange for their development of storm water improvements valued at $4,380 on Sixth Street adjacent to the property. They also asked that the City certify the decommissioning of the septic tanks that are located on the property.

The Council discussed this request at length with staff, and reviewed a Statutory Bargain and Sale Deed prepared by Harold Olsen, City Attorney.

Leahnette Rivers and Micah Olson spoke in favor of approving the request, as it would relieve the City of maintenance responsibilities for the site, which is difficult to mow because of the open bar ditch.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE REQUEST AND AUTHORIZE SIGNATURE OF THE BARGAIN AND SALE DEED.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO EXTEND THE MEETING TIME BEYOND 9:00 P.M.

Pacific Terrace II Sidewalk Improvements: The Council reviewed a letter from Chad Davis dated January 31, 2006, asking the City to accept the sidewalk improvements in Pacific Terrace II subdivision and release the letter of credit and the requirement for a maintenance bond because the sidewalks were completed March 3, 2004.

Leahnette Rivers said the sidewalk improvements were completed in a manner acceptable to the City and expressed support of waiving the maintenance bond requirement because they were completed nearly two years ago.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS IN PACIFIC TERRACE II SUBDIVISION, RELEASE THE LETTER OF CREDIT, AND WAIVE THE MAINTENANCE BOND REQUIREMENT.

Use of Community Hall by Mayor and Council: Leahnette Rivers said she recently learned that Columbia City elected officials may use of the Community Hall rent free. However, she said she's been unable to find any formal action establishing this policy.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED THAT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY USE THE COMMUNITY HALL IN THE SAME MANNER AS EMPLOYEES AS ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY PERSONNEL POLICY.

Councilor Hudson abstained from voting.

Community Hall Rental Request: The Council reviewed a letter from Colleen Calkins, Parents' Association Secretary, requesting a waiver of rental fees for the Community Hall for a BINGO night fundraising event on Saturday, March 4, 2006. In her letter, she said the proceeds will go towards the 2006 Safe & Sober Party.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE HALL BY THE PARENTS' ASSOCIATION ON MARCH 4, 2006, AT NO CHARGE.

Public Works retaining wall: Micah Olson said they would like to build a retaining wall behind the City shop in the Third Street right-of-way. He said this would allow them to increase the usable space around the shop yard and provide for a more level location for the well site. He said the blocks for the wall are expected to cost between $31,000 and $37,000. He said they would build the wall themselves, and fencing and/or plantings could be used with the wall.

Leahnette Rivers said it would also provide space for a shop expansion. She said the property owners that live across Third Street from the shop have complained in the past about the shop yard. She said an attractive terraced wall with landscaping and fencing would improve their view.

Micah Olson said because they are doing the work themselves, they would like to start as soon as possible.

It was the consensus of the Council that the public works crew proceed with developing the retaining wall.

House relocation: Micah Olson said Chris Iverson had a house moved from at site in St. Helens to the west end of "A" Street today.

The Council convened in Executive Session at 9:56 p.m.

The Council reconvened in Open Session at 10:23 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

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