Mayor Young called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Young delivered the invocation and led the flag salute.

Mayor Cheryl A. Young

Councilor Gary Hudson

Councilor Tyra Schroeder

Councilor Bob Schmor

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:

Councilor Bill Guy

ALSO PRESENT:

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:

Citizen Inquiry about the vacation of a portion of "K" Street right-of-way: Leahnette Rivers noted that the City has a sewer main running along the south side and a septic tank on the north side of the "K" Street right-of-way. She said the Water Master Plan also identifies a future water main extending from Fourth Street to Third Street along the "K" Street right-of-way. She said the City would need to retain utility easements if the property is vacated. She said she is unsure of whether or not any other utilities are in the area.

The Council discussed this matter at length with staff.

Councilor Schmor said he visited the site and doesn't see any problem with vacating.

Councilor Hudson said the slope is steep and not a good candidate for a street.

Leahnette Rivers suggested the City may want to retain the section of "K" Street between Third Place and Third Street in case the alley is used when the properties along Third Street are developed.

Micah Olson said we may want to retain a blanket easement on the property due to the existing utilities and the planned water main.

It was the consensus of the Council that they were receptive to the idea of vacating the property.

Councilor Hudson suggested the City Planner be asked to comment on the proposed street vacation.

The Council reviewed a letter dated May 26, 2006, from Bill and Judy Dickson requesting the Council consider initiating the vacation of the right-of-ways located within the three acres they own, which is located between Calvin and Franklin Streets, west of Seventh Street. The letter explained that the property is platted into 31 lots of approximately 5,000 square feet each, and they would like to reduce the lots to a total of three building sites due to the adverse topography and McBride Creek.

Leahnette Rivers explained that staff had considered proposing the removal of this property from the City and the Urban Growth Boundary several years ago because of its steep slopes and McBride Creek, which runs through it.

Councilor Schmor said they will need to extend sewer service to the site, and pumping will be necessary. He asked if the developer will be responsible for the extension of the sewer system and the installation, including pumps.

Micah Olson said the water meters and sewer connections will likely be located in Seventh Street, and the developer will be required to extend private water lines and sewer lines to the site, including any pumps.

Councilor Schmor said they have proposed a driveway along the north side of Penn Street. He asked what will happen with the remaining right-of-way in Penn Street.

Leahnette Rivers said the section of Penn Street outside of their property will likely remain street right-of-way.

Micah Olson said staff has asked them to locate their private drive in the center of Penn Street, rather than along the north side. He said the property owners abutting that section of right-of-way would continue to use the undeveloped area of right-of-way outside of the private drive.

Leahnette Rivers explained that the City's Development Code does not allow for private drives, and they will need to apply to the Planning Commission for a Variance. She said they may qualify for a variance due to the unusual topography of this property.

Councilor Schmor asked if they have investigated the possibility of putting a bridge across the creek, and what kinds of problems they might run into.

Micah Olson said the applicants are working on it.

Bill Dickson of Columbia City said they have talked with the Division of State Lands and Department of Fish and Wildlife and both agencies will need to sign off on the bridge installation and design. He said the bridge will need to be located above the high water mark and they cannot work in wetland areas without a permit. He said they have designed a highway-engineered bridge so there won't be any problems with fire truck access, and they need to provide a turnaround area at the end of the private drive for the fire department. He said when they originally moved to Columbia City he and his wife admired the property and thought it would be a nice building site. He said when the property went up for sale they investigated it, and met with City staff who also walked the site. He said he is not sure how much it will cost to develop the site, but it will be expensive. He said there are a lot of costs associated with the bridge, re-platting, surveying, and permit requirements through several agencies. He said they would like to end up with three home sites with nice views of the Columbia River and mountains, and retain the park-like setting along McBride Creek.

Mayor Young expressed concern at the thought of the property developing and recalled childhood memories of the forested area.

Councilor Schroeder asked how this will affect the future planned trail system along McBride Creek.

Leahnette Rivers said staff has talked with the applicants about the planned trail system, and explained that the City will want to retain public access rights along the creek. She said there is also a 50-foot protected riparian area along the creek above the 100-year floodplain, which cannot be built in.

Leahnette Rivers explained if the applicant initiates the vacation process, they will need to obtain signed consent forms from the owners of 2/3 of all of the property located within 400 feet of their property. She said because there really is no question that it makes sense to vacate these street right-of-ways due to the steep slopes and the proximity of the creek, the City Council may want to initiate the vacation at the applicants expense. She said the process is easier for the City to initiate than it is for the applicant to initiate. She said there will still be a public hearing process and an opportunity for property owners to object.

Mayor Young asked if they plan to gate the private drive.

Bill Dickson said they have not thought that far ahead. He said they are asking the City to initiate this vacation because much of the property is located on the other side of the creek, and it's the only land within the City located on the other side of the creek.

Mayor Young asked if this property was looked at as a possible reservoir site.

Micah Olson said the elevation is too low for our reservoir system. He said we looked at a potential site located to the west of this property.

Councilor Schroeder asked what we normally do in a situation like this.

Leahnette Rivers said the City has initiated a few street vacations in recent years. She said one was related to the Hal Hewitt alley vacation, and a majority of the property owners located within the affected territory objected to the vacation of the alley so it wasn't vacated. She said more recently the City initiated the vacation of a pie shaped piece of Second Street adjacent to Ron Schlumpberger's property. She said in both cases the City was reimbursed for all costs.

Leahnette Rivers said she will need to check with the City Planner about the timing of the street vacation process, because she may want it to run hand and hand with the plat vacation and variance applications.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (SCHROEDER) AND CARRIED THAT THE CITY INITIATE THE STREET AND ALLEY VACATION PROCESS AT THE DEVELOPER'S EXPENSE. Mayor Young abstained from voting.

Student attendance: Mayor Young welcomed three St. Helens High School students who were attending the meeting as part of a class assignment.

4.1 Parks Committee: No report.

4.2 Water Source and Development Committee: Micah Olson said the well driller mobilized today and is preparing to start drilling.

4.3 Streets Committee: Mayor Young said she would like Councilor Hudson to help plan the "L" Street bridge dedication ceremony, which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on June 30, 2006. Mayor Young she would like to open the bridge at the time of the dedication ceremony.

4.4 Sewer Committee: No report.

4.5 Library Committee: No report.

4.6 Other reports: Mayor Young said it is time again for us to begin preparing for the Columbia City Celebration. She said she'd like to continue with the strawberry pancake breakfast, and she's thinking about a Mt. Hood package for the raffle. She asked Council Members to let her know if they have any other ideas.

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

AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The Council completed the second reading of Council Bill No. 06-402.

Leahnette Rivers said she has proposed a minor amendment to the ordinance, and referred the Council to a new Section 11. She said this amendment will require subdivision developers to provide the City with a 2-year maintenance bond. She said our right-of-way ordinance also requires developers of infrastructure within the City's existing right-of-ways to provide the City with a 2-year maintenance bond. She said the Development Code currently requires a 1-year maintenance bond, or a 2-year maintenance bond if the Council has concerns about the quality of the workmanship, from the developers of new subdivisions.

MOVED (SCHROEDER), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-402 WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

The Council completed the second reading of Council Bill No. 06-403.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-403.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (SCHROEDER) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-404.

Leahnette Rivers explained each of the proposed changes with the Council in detail. She said the policies define the employee anniversary date as the first day of the month if they are hired on or before the 15th, and as the first day of the following month if they are hired after the 15th. She said the change will apply the defined anniversary date to vacation and sick leave accruals, step increases and longevity pay rather than to vacation and merit increases.

She said as a result of the Council's action during the last meeting, the monthly contribution for a full-time employee into a Health Reimbursement Account will be changed from $125 to $140.

Finally, she said holiday leave will be clarified with respect to 1) emergency call-outs for management personnel on holidays, and 2) when holiday pay is applicable for eligible police officers who work on a holiday.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 06-405.

Leahnette Rivers explained that this amendment will require developers to provide the City with as-built drawings in a digital format, which is in keeping with the new amendments to the City's Development Code.

The Council completed the first reading of Council Bill No. 06-406.

Morse Bros. Inc. Waterview Site: Leahnette Rivers said Columbia County Land Development Services has asked if we have any comments about a request to change the hours of operation of the Waterview site to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, excluding rail loading. No comments or concerns were heard from the Council.

City logo: The Council reviewed four options of the first draft of the City logo. Comments included deleting the name of Pixie Park from the design and reducing the size of the pilings. The lettering outlining the diamond shape of the logo was preferred, without repeating Columbia City. Adding the moto, "City of beauty and livability" was discussed.

Public Works update: Micah Olson said the Public Works crew has been assisting the Fire Department with flow testing the City's fire hydrants.

Water rate consultant: Harold Olsen said we have a meeting scheduled for next Thursday with the water rate consultant.

Street development charges (SDC's): Councilor Hudson asked if the use of SDC's for the extension of Fifth Street would be an eligible expense. He also asked what other projects the SDC's are intended for.

Leahnette Rivers said the SDC's can be used to fund the growth related portions of the projects identified in the City's capital plan, and we would need to amend the capital plan in order to use SDC revenues towards the Fifth Street extension.

Councilor Hudson asked how much it would cost to amend the capital plan.

Staff will contact the consultant for a cost estimate.

AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

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