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

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mayor Cheryl A. Young

Councilor Bob Schmor

Councilor Marian Calnon

Councilor Bill Guy

Councilor Gary Hudson

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:

None

ALSO PRESENT:

Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder

Jim Bundy, Public Works Superintendent

ATTORNEY PRESENT:

Harold Olsen, City Attorney

A quorum was present and due notice had been published.

2.1 Public Hearing: None.

AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT:

Robert Elder of Columbia City explained that he has children on the Sea Lion's Swim Team, and he is looking for the City Council's support of the bond issue for the new Indoor Aquatic Center. He said the community is in dire need of facilities that support children and seniors. He said without this facility, our children may be swimming in the river. Mr. Elder described the proposed facility, and said it will cost tax payers approximately $0.19 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation. He said a user fee would also be charged, but they hope to be able to waive user fees for those who are unable to pay. He said they are currently looking at a family user fee of approximately $200 per year. He said Scappoose residents would pay a user fee higher than the user fee charged to residents within the Greater St. Helens Park and Recreation District. Mr. Elder discussed the proposal with the City Council at length.

It was the consensus of the Council that as individuals they could promote and support the bond measure, but no action would be taken by the Council.

Steven Springer, address unknown, said he was formerly employed by the Greater St. Helens Park and Recreation Area as a lifeguard. He said under current and previous management, he would caution against the support of any bond measure. He questioned the integrity of their past and present management and said he does not trust anyone there.

4.1 Parks Committee: No report.

4.2 Water Source and Development Committee:. Chair Guy said the Committee recently met to review bids received for drawdown testing of the Ninth Street well. He said three bids were received, and the lowest two bids tied at $14,320.00 each. He said the City Engineer is currently investigating if we can temporarily connect our well into the system to supplement our water supply this summer. He said this is even more important to us now, because the City of St. Helens will be increasing water rates in June. Chair Guy said the reservoir siting work is currently in progress, and four sites are currently under consideration. He said the water rate study is also underway. Finally, he said the Water Committee has completed their review of the cross-connection ordinance and program, and they are recommending to the City Council that the City take over inspection, installation, testing, and maintenance responsibilities related to backflow devices. The Council discussed these items at length.

4.3 Streets Committee: Chair Hudson said the Street Committee met recently to review bids received for the Fifth and "J" Street Improvements Project. He said eight bids were received, ranging from $27,877.25 to $49,649,50. He said the Street Committee recommends the Council award the bid to the lowest bidder, NW Pipe & Grading.

4.4 Other Reports: None.

AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA:

5.5 Written Report from the Public Work Superintendent.

5.6 Written Report from the City Administrator/Recorder.

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

It was the consensus of the Council that this item be postponed until the next Council Meeting.

The Council convened as Contract Review Board to review the bids received for the Ninth Street Groundwater Well Drawdown Testing as follows:

• Schneider Equipment             $24,462.00

• McMullen Water Systems         14,320.00

• Crow Water                           14,320.00

The Council convened as Contract Review Board to review the bids received for the Fifth and "J" Street Improvements Project as follows:

• NW Pipe & Grading             $27,877.25

• TFT Construction                  32,409.50

• Renne Construction              38,300.00

• Kessi Construction               39,726.00

• J-Mac, Inc.                          39,920.00

• Portland Excavating              45,950.00

• Kynsi Construction                47,514.59

• Semling Construction            49,649.50

The Council reviewed a recommendation from Erik Coats of Murray, Smith & Associates, Inc., dated April 16, 2001, that the contract be awarded to Crow Water because they have working experience with Crow Water and Crow Water also presented a more defined work program.

Leahnette Rivers explained that two Water Committee Members are recommending the Council select Crow Water and one Water Committee Member is recommending the Council select McMullen Water Systems.

MOVED (GUY) AND SECONDED (HUDSON) TO AWARD THE BID TO CROW WATER.

Harold Olsen expressed concern about Mr. Coats' recommendation. He said the law, which he had discussed with the Engineer, clearly states that in the event of a tie, lots shall be drawn to decide the winner.

Leahnette Rivers said Erik Coats had understood the law to state that in the case of "all things being equal" lots would be drawn. She said Mr. Coats had concluded, after conducting reference checks and reviewing the work programs, that all things were no longer equal, and he had therefore made a recommendation.

Mr. Olsen said the model rules prepared by the Attorney General state that in the case of a tie, straws shall be drawn or a coin shall be flipped. He said the bid is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, and if both bidders are found to be responsible, the tie shall be broken by drawing lots.

Leahnette Rivers said the engineer was relying heavily upon "all things being equal." She said if both bidders are found to be responsible, then maybe the law would view this as all things being equal. She recommended the Council move forward with drawing lots to break the tie.

COUNCILOR GUY WITHDREW HIS MOTION.

MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY THAT THE CONTRACTOR BE SELECTED BY DRAWING LOTS, WHETHER THAT BE BY A COIN TOSS, DRAWING STRAWS, DRAWING A NAME OUT OF A HAT, ETC., AND THAT THE MAYOR PRESIDE OVER THAT PROCEDURE, AND THAT THE CONTRACT BE AWARDED TO THE WINNER.

The Council reviewed a recommendation from Erik Coats dated April 18, 2001, to award the contract to the lowest bidder, Northwest Pipe & Grading, Inc.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID FROM NORTHWEST PIPE & GRADING, INC. FOR THE FIFTH STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AWARD THE CONTRACT TO NORTHWEST PIPE & GRADING, INC.

Leahnette Rivers said the Parks Committee is very interested in developing a sports park in the northwest area of the City. She explained that the City is required to provide a 40 percent match, and system development charges would be used for the match. She said the grant application covers the purchase of approximately 1.8 acres of land. She said when the remainder of the St. Helens property is subdivided, the developer may be required to dedicate approximately 0.7 acres, which would bring the park total to approximately 2.5 acres for development as an active sports park.

MOVED (CALNON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 01-201.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 01-202.

The Council discussed the pros and cons related to the pool at length.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 01-203.

7.7 Census 2000: Review and discussion of Census 2000 results.

Leahnette Rivers explained that the Census 2000 count provided Columbia City with an April 1, 2000 population estimate of 1,571. She said this number is approximately 9 percent less than Portland State University's population projection of 1,735 for July 1, 2000. Leahnette explained that the City's state shared revenues will be based on the new Census 2000 numbers. She said the City will lose an estimated $9,800 in state shared revenues due to the reduction in population. Leahnette said there will be a process for challenging the Census 2000 counts, and she will be reviewing the final Census 2000 information carefully to insure that they are correct.

Councilor Schmor noted that during the Census 2000 count, there were four homes on Second Street between his home and the City Hall that were empty. Leahnette agreed that there were also several homes on Sixth Street that were empty during that time period.

Leahnette Rivers explained that Gary Biggs submitted 30 days notice of contract cancellation to the City on April 11, 2001.

She asked for Council direction in filling the position. She noted that she had been approached by Don Sallee, Building Official for the City of Scappoose, who had indicated that Scappoose would be interested in providing these services to Columbia City under an intergovernmental agreement. She said Scappoose would provide these services for the same fees charged by Gary Biggs. Leahnette explained that Don has filled in occasionally for Gary Biggs and Ron Church during the past years. She said City staff has been pleased with his work, and it seems as though the contractors work well with him also.

She said if the Council would like to pursue this avenue of replacement, we would not need to request other proposals.

It was the consensus of the Council that an intergovernmental agreement be pursued for building official and inspection services from the City of Scappoose.

Open House: Harold Olsen announced that he will be having an open house at his new offices tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

Colco Public Transportation: The Council reviewed a letter dated April 5, 2001, from Robert R. Peterson, Transportation Manager, asking for financial support for Colco. In his letter, Mr. Peterson requested $3,500 from Columbia City for fiscal year 2001-02 to assist in keeping Colco a community-wide transportation system. In his letter, Mr. Peterson said approximately 1,085 rides were provided to the citizens of Columbia City during the period of July 1, 2000 through January 31, 2001. It was the consensus of the Council that Columbia City would not be able to provide the requested funding in the coming year due to financial constraints.

The Council reviewed a letter dated March 26, 2001, from John K. Knight, County Counsel, requesting Columbia City's support of the County's order initiating the formation of the Columbia County Public Transportation Service District. In the letter Mr. Knight explained that, while the County hopes that Colco is able to overcome their current financial difficulties, the County believes it is necessary to have transportation services, so the County is moving forward with the formation of a public transportation district that could take over the program if Colco is no longer able to provide it.

It was the consensus of the Council to support the County's efforts in providing a transportation service district for transportation services in the event that Colco is no longer able to provide these services.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING ADOPTION OF ORDER BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, INITIATING THE FORMATION OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE DISTRICT.

Addendum No. 1 to CRPUD Franchise Agreement: The Council reviewed Addendum No. 1 to the Columbia River PUD Franchise Agreement which was developed by Harold Olsen in response to the Council's recent discussions. Harold explained that the CRPUD is currently reviewing the Addendum.

Girl Scouts: The Council reviewed a letter dated April 2, 2001 from Mary Dorry, Cookie Program Chair for the St. Helens Girl Scouts, thanking the Council for providing them use of the Community Hall as the distribution center for their annual cookie sale.

CIS Trust update: Leahnette Rivers explained that Chuck Ramsdell of Pieper-Ramsdell Insurance Agency, Inc., recently attended the annual CIS Trust meeting. She said Chuck has expressed concern about the current financial condition of CIS Trust because they have reported losses during four of the last five years. She said their reserves are much lower than what is considered to be standard for insurance companies. She said Chuck will be watching this closely, but is not recommending we change carriers at this time.

The Council convened in Executive Session.

The Council reconvened in Open Session.

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

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