The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Young at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Young delivered the invocation and led the flag salute.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mayor Cheryl A. Young

Councilor Marian Calnon

Councilor Gary Hudson

Councilor Bob Schmor

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:

Councilor Bill Guy

ALSO PRESENT:

Lisa Smith, City Planner

Erik Coats, City Engineer

Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder

ATTORNEY PRESENT:

None.

A quorum was present and due notice had been published.

Mayor Young opened the Public Hearing and asked Lisa Smith, City Planner, to deliver the staff report.

Lisa Smith thanked the members of the audience for attending another public hearing on this subject. She explained that the proposal is a legislative amendment that was initiated by the Columbia City Council. She said the City Planner's role in the legislative amendment process is largely to insure that the process required by the State of Oregon is followed, and not to influence the local policy makers.

Ms. Smith explained that the City adopted a Parks Master Plan last fall, and shortly thereafter she was asked to look at options for obtaining parks property. She said the easiest method of acquiring property is to purchase it outright, but that is not always an option that is available to communities. She said this draft amendment was developed as another way to acquire park property, and the draft was presented to the City Council who voted to initiate this amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. She said the amendment would allow, under certain circumstances, the Planning Commission to authorize a reduction in lot size in exchange for land dedicated to the City for parks.

Ms. Smith reported that the City provided DLCD with the required 45-day notice of the proposed amendment, and the City provided information about the proposed amendment in the City's December newsletter. She said notice of the amendment was also posted and published in the local newspaper. She said the Planning Commission held a public hearing and heard testimony on the proposed amendment. She said the City Council has received copies of all of the written testimony, and the Council has received a summary of all of the oral testimony heard during that hearing.

Ms. Smith said the Planning Commission made a recommendation that the City Council not adopt the proposed amendment. She said the City Council is now conducting a public hearing on the amendment, and the Council will be able to take action on the amendment following the public hearing.

Mayor Young explained that the members of the City Council have read the documents relating to this matter, including the meeting minutes from the Planning Commission, and written input contained in their packets. She thanked the members of the audience for attending this public hearing, and she asked that they not repeat prior testimony. She said all prior testimony received on this proposal and written testimony contained in the Council packets [letter from James and Virginia Back received January 11, 2002, e-mail from unidentified citizen dated January 9, 2002, letter from Wayne Weigandt dated December 7, 2001, and flyer prepared by unidentified individual dated January 8, 2002] will be entered into the record.

Mayor Young asked for input in favor of this amendment.

No input was heard from the public.

Mayor Young asked for input in opposition to this amendment.

No input was heard from the public.

Mayor Young asked for questions from the audience.

No input was heard from the public.

Public Hearing closed.

AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT:

None.

4.1 Parks Committee: No report.

Remaining Council Reports were postponed to the new business section of the meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA:

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

6.1 Curbside yard debris service: Discussion with Jason Hudson of Hudson Garbage Service, Inc., regarding curbside yard debris service.

This item was postponed to the new business section of the meeting.

Councilor Schmor said it is interesting to note that the people do not want to reduce the minimum lot size. He said he is glad to see that, and he is pleased to see that the Planning Commission is not in favor of the amendment. He said he believes the community has spoken, and the Council should not approve any change in lot size.

Mayor Young said this idea was originally presented as a way to help the community by providing larger pieces of land for parks. She said although she did not like the idea of a reduction in lot size, she did think the idea of receiving land for parks in exchange for a reduction in the lot size, with no increase in the number of homes, was worth looking at. She said she appreciates the fact that we have received so much input from our residents. She said, however, that sometimes the information that gets out to the residents is not completely accurate. Referring to the flyer that was distributed, she stated for the record that it bothers her that an unsigned statement was distributed, and it contained some inaccurate information. She said this proposal would have affected many pieces of land within the City, not just one, and the City did not attempt to push this through as stated in the flyer. She said this matter was well advertised, it was openly discussed, and the City Council values the input of the citizens.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO FOLLOW THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO NOT ADOPT COUNCIL BILL NO. 02-237.

A member of the audience asked if there is a better way for citizens to learn what is happening, because she would not have known about this proposal without the flyer being placed on her door.

Leahnette Rivers explained that the City did place an article about this proposed amendment and this public hearing in the December 2001 newsletter. She said in addition to the legal notices in the local newspaper, public hearing information is posted to the City's web site and on public bulletin boards. She said the City will e-mail meeting agendas and meeting minutes to interested citizens upon request. She noted that even if this amendment had been approved, affected property owners would have received individual notices about a request for a reduction in lot size if a development application had been received that contained a request for a lot size reduction.

Wayne Weigandt of St. Helens asked what the basis for denial of a reduction in lot size would have been if this amendment had been passed.

Lisa Smith said the Planning Commission would have had the ability to allow an exception to lot size if certain criteria had been met, but they were not required to allow the exception. She said approval would have been solely at the Planning Commission's discretion. She said the Planning Commission would have made their decision after considering issues such as parking, traffic, access, and the topography of the land.

Roger Barbour of Columbia City said he did not recall reading about this amendment in the newsletter, and he questioned how the article had been worded.

Lisa Smith said the article, which was on the front page of the December 2001 newsletter, read as follows: "A City initiated amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will be considered by the Planning Commission during a public hearing on January 8, 2002. The amendment is being proposed as a tool to enable the acquisition of future public parklands that are identified in the City's Parks Master Plan. The proposal is to allow a reduction in lot size with no change in density in exchange for the dedication of land identified in the Parks Master Plan for public park purposes."

Mayor Young said the City makes every attempt to keep citizens informed through the City's newsletter. She said she hopes that citizens take the time to read the newsletter before they recycle it. Mayor Young noted that the local papers also cover current City issues, and interested persons may obtain meeting agendas and newsletters by mail if they provide the City with a supply of self-addressed envelopes.

Mr. Barbour said the newsletter article was very clear, and he thanked the City for trying to keep the public informed.

Arjil Shrock of Columbia City thanked the City Council for taking action to reject the proposed amendment.

Councilor Hudson suggested interested citizens attend the City Council meetings on the first and third Thursday of each month to stay informed about City issues. He said the City provides an opportunity for public comment when master plans are developed, and we make every effort to obtain input from citizens during the development of master plans. He said once a master plan is adopted, the City proceeds with implementation, and the plans do significantly impact the decisions that are made about future projects. He suggested interested citizens review the adopted master plans for water, sewer, parks and transportation. He said these plans identify planned future projects that will have an impact on the citizens of Columbia City.

6.1 Curbside yard debris service: Discussion with Jason Hudson of Hudson Garbage Service, Inc., regarding curbside yard debris service.

Mayor Young explained that the City Council has asked Hudson Garbage Service to provide a proposal for curbside yard debris service for Columbia City residents. She said several City residents have expressed an interest in this service, and this service is currently provided to St. Helens' residents. Mayor Young explained that this service would be too expensive to offer as a subscription service, so the proposal is to add the service as part of the trash service.

Jason Hudson of Hudson Garbage Service said they can provide curbside yard debris service for Columbia City residents for an additional $3.70 per month, provided these revenues are exempt from the City's franchise fee. He said if the franchise fee will apply, the service would cost $3.89 per month. He said the City of St. Helens has exempted the yard debris service revenues from their franchise fees.

Mayor Young noted that this service would hopefully reduce the amount of outdoor burning in Columbia City.

Jason Hudson said the service would be included with weekly and every-other-week garbage service. He said each customer would receive a 95-gallon container that would be serviced every other week. He said customers can put yard clippings, fruits and vegetables, wood, leaves and similar items in the container.

Councilor Schmor said the City is facing another increase in water rates as a result of the construction of the new water reservoir, and we are also facing some major overhauling of our main lift station, which will also require a sewer rate increase. He said these projects are mandatory, not optional. He said the yard debris service is optional, and he believes the water and sewer projects are more important at this time. He said we have citizens living in town who are unemployed, and he cannot support this service at this time because it will increase garbage service rates, and other utility rates will also be increasing.

Mayor Young said our next City newsletter will describe the proposed curbside yard debris service, and invite interested citizens to attend a public hearing and comment on the proposal. She noted that everyone in the City will be either directly or indirectly affected by this service because it will impact our environment through reduced smoke and less trash going to our landfills.

Mayor Young said she is in favor of exempting this service revenue from the franchise fee if the Council moves forward with this service. It was the consensus of the Council that the yard debris service revenues be exempted from the franchise fee if the Council elects to provide the service.

Roger Barbour of Columbia City noted that many residents rely upon Social Security benefits, and they receive a small cost of living adjustment annually. He said many residents would use the twice a year clean up facility, which is offered at no cost, to dispose of yard debris.

Mayor Young said this is the kind of input that the City is interested in obtaining during the upcoming public hearing.

Jason Hudson noted that the yard debris service will not be included with monthly or on-call garbage service. He said many St. Helens residents are actually saving money with the added yard debris service.

Councilor Calnon said she knows some residents in St. Helens that have reduced their garbage service bill because of the additional recycling and yard debris service, and she said they are no longer burning.

4.2 Water Source and Development Committee: Leahnette Rivers asked Council to review the Water Committee Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2002. She also provided them with an updated worksheet showing water quality test results for the well.

Councilor Schmor asked Erik Coats, City Engineer, why the well water tastes so bad. Mr. Coats explained that chlorides, sodium, magnesium, iron and manganese, and calcium levels make the water taste bad. He said these inorganics are present in the rock, and as the water moves through the rock they are picked up.

Erik Coats reviewed the water test results with the City Council. He explained that samples were tested throughout the drilling period and following the drawdown testing. He said the well was placed on line on November 28th, 2001. He said the City began to receive complaints on December 10th, and the well was shut down on December 21st. He reviewed in detail the changes in the water quality test results during this period of time. He noted that on June 26, 2001, the total dissolved solids measured 342, and on December 20th they had reached a level in excess of 1300. He said water with levels this high is considered brackish, and is not potable. For comparison purposes, Mr. Coats also reviewed the water quality test results for the St. Helens water source from the Ranney collectors.

Councilor Schmor said some people had complained that the water tasted a lot like the St. Helens Bay Port well water.

Erik Coats said the Water Committee recently discussed the need for a more detailed cost analysis. He said we should take a better look at the cost of acquiring additional water from St. Helens compared to potential treatment costs for the well water. He said we should also look at the costs associated with drilling another groundwater well.

Erik Coats said if the total dissolved solids were at a level of 600 or less, a water softening system could be added to the well site at a minimal cost. However, he said higher levels would require a reverse osmosis treatment system, which could be very costly. He said he has contacted some vendors for pricing.

Erik Coats suggested that the Council could consider further sealing of the well, but noted that once you are into basalt, all of the water-producing fractures are ultimately interconnected. He said isolating a fracture may provide improvements, but they could be short term. He said the Council could consider drilling another well in basalt rock, or they could consider selecting a well site located in sands and gravels, which may require the construction of a more conventional treatment system that would be less costly than reverse osmosis. He said the City could also pursue the purchase of additional water from St. Helens.

Leahnette Rivers noted that the Water Committee has recommended we pump the well to waste for a period of 30 days before any decisions are made. She said they are interested in seeing if the water quality continues to change. Erik Coats said it would be a fairly inexpensive exercise, and it would provide the City Council with an opportunity to explore other options.

Erik Coats and Leahnette Rivers continued to discuss this matter at length with the Council. It was the consensus of the Council that the well be pumped to waste for a period of 30 days, and the water quality be monitored. It was the consensus of the Council that the waste water be distributed down the west side of Ninth Street and that the water quality tests be conducted on site.

4.3 Streets Committee: Leahnette Rivers explained that the Columbia River PUD would like to remove some trees from the City's right-of-way on the north side of "G" Street near Highway 30 and near 1755 Fourth Street near "K" Street. She said the trees have no significant value. She said they are mostly maples that were once cut down and have grown back, and some are dead and leaning. It was the consensus of the Council that the PUD be authorized to remove the trees.

4.4 Other Reports: The Council reviewed a memo dated January 11, 2002, from Erik Coats regarding the proposed facility upgrade and project cost estimate of $401,650 for the River Club Estates (RCE) lift station. The Council also reviewed an estimate of the impact the project would have on monthly sewer rates ($3.79 monthly per connection) if the project were fully funded under the Water/Wastewater Loan Program. Leahnette Rivers noted that one option for the Council to consider is an interim project consisting of the installation of a hydrogen sulfide control system and the purchase of a backup pump.

Erik Coats explained that the RCE lift station was originally constructed in 1991 to serve the River Club Estates subdivision. He said when the City constructed the sewer system, the RCE lift station was incorporated into the sewer collection system, and it collects approximately 90 percent of the City's wastewater flows. He said the RCE lift station was not upgraded to increase the capacity during the City-wide sewer project.

Erik Coats said the RCE lift station is a duplex (two pump) submersible pump station. He said the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requirements for a duplex station require that each individual pump have sufficient capacity to discharge the peak flows, leaving the second pump available as a backup. He said the existing pumps are capable of pumping 150 to 200 gallons per minute (gpm). He said City Public Works staff have reported conditions where both pumps were required to control the flows, and they have also noted that instances when one of the pumps was out of service and the remaining pump could not keep up with flows. He said current peak flows to the pump station are estimated to range from 200 to 300 gpm. Mr. Coats said a 4-inch sewer force main carries the wastewater to another force main that pumps to St. Helens.

Erik Coats noted that in recent years the City has begun to routinely experience pump failures with the pump station. He said there are multiple potential causes, including poor inlet hydraulics that can cause air entrainment in the pumps, and inadequate pump capacity that ultimately requires the pumps to operate too frequently. He said these failures have ultimately led to occasional overflows of raw sewage in the adjacent street.

Erik Coats explained that the proposed project includes the installation of two new pumps, providing an estimated capacity of 600 to 700 gpm, and minor wetwell upgrades. He said the project would also include a new valve and flow meter vault, a backup generator, autodialer and telemetry upgrades, electrical upgrades, and the installation of a hydrogen sulfide control system. He said the 4-inch force main would be replaced with a 6-inch force main, and the contractor would need to install a temporary pumping system during the construction of the project. He said certain telemetry improvements would also be required for the "K" Street pump station so that the two pump stations would communicate with one another.

The Council discussed at length with staff the substantial increase in sewer flows during calendar year 2001 over the calendar year 2000. Staff will compare sewer pump run time records with sewer flow records and water purchase and sale records in an effort to identify the cause of the increase in sewer flows. Staff will also inspect manhole covers for potential infiltration problems and will check into calibrating the flow meter.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO EXTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING TIME TO 9:55 P.M.

It was the consensus of the Council that the City submit a letter of interest to the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department as the first step in obtaining funding assistance for this project.

This matter was postponed until the next City Council Meeting.

The Council recessed at 9:25 p.m.

The Council reconvened at 9:28 p.m.

The Council convened in Executive Session at 9:28 p.m.

The Council reconvened in Open Session at 9:55 p.m.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED TO DIRECT HAROLD OLSEN TO STATE THAT THE COUNCIL EXPECTS COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. Councilor Calnon abstained from voting.

Feral Cat Clinic:  The Council reviewed a request from the Columbia Humane

Society and St. Helens Animal Control for free use of the Community Hall for a low cost spay and neuter clinic for abandoned/feral cats on February 10, 2002.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO PROVIDE FREE USE OF THE COMMUNITY HALL FOR THE FERAL CAT CLINIC.

Girl Scout Cookie Distribution:  The Council reviewed a request from the Girl Scouts to use the Community Hall as a cookie distribution point free of charge. Leahnette Rivers noted that they will not use the heater.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO PROVIDE FREE USE OF THE COMMUNITY HALL TO THE GIRL SCOUTS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF COOKIES.

Bullet-proof vest purchase:  Leahnette Rivers explained that Officer Greisen, Officer Carlson and Reserve Officer Mansheim would like to purchase vests under the City's bullet-proof vest agreement. Leahnette Rivers noted that the City has a policy in place that authorizes the purchase of equipment for reserve officers hired before 1998. She said grant funds would be used to cover half of the purchase price. It was the consensus of the Council to authorize the purchase of the vests as requested.

Promotion of Byron Havens:  The Council reviewed a recommendation from Leahnette Rivers that Byron Havens be promoted to Utility Worker II in recognition of his recently attained certifications in the area of water distribution, sewer collection, and backflow testing, effective January 1, 2002.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO PROMOTE BYRON HAVENS FROM UTILITY WORKER I TO UTILITY WORKER II EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2002, AND THAT HIS FLAGGING AND FIRST AID CERTIFICATES BE VERIFIED OR OBTAINED WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Public Works Superintendent: It was the consensus of the Council that the City begin the process of advertising for the position of Public Works Superintendent. Leahnette Rivers commended Byron Havens, Jeff Anderson, and Richard Ziglinski for their outstanding efforts during Jim Bundy's absence.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.

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