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

Micah Olson, Public Works Superintendent

Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder

ATTORNEY PRESENT:

None

A quorum was present and due notice had been published.

AGENDA ITEM 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS:

None.

AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT:

None.

4.1 Parks Committee: Chair Calnon said the signs for Datis, Harvard and Bundy Parks have been ordered. She provided the Council with drawings of the signs, which are being made by Weird Harolds. She said the Riverside Clean-Up Event is scheduled for Friday, May 16th in Datis Park, and she said azaleas have been planted along the eastside of City Hall.

4.2 Water Source and Development Committee: Leahnette Rivers reported that a pre-construction meeting was held with the reservoir project contractors yesterday. She said the notice to proceed will be issued tomorrow, and construction should begin during the week of May 12th. She said removal of the old concrete reservoir is scheduled to occur first.

4.3 Streets Committee: The Council reviewed a proposal from Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants regarding the construction route for the St. Helens Treatment Plant project. The Council discussed this matter at length with staff. It was the consensus of the Council that our concerns be brought to the attention of St. Helens, and that they be asked to propose to us how they intend to address the concerns.

4.4 Sewer Committee: Chair Schmor asked about the status of the hydrogen sulfide monitoring. Micah Olson said a lab will be conducting tests to monitor the hydrogen sulfide levels now that the weather is warming up again.

4.5 Other Reports: Mayor Young asked if staff had obtained information from the Health Department about putting on a dinner in the Community Hall. Leahnette Rivers said Dee Loyd had recently looked into that, and she would have Dee share the details with the Mayor.

Mayor Young asked that item 5.4 be removed from the Consent Agenda and acted upon separately. No objections were heard from the Council.

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

Mayor Young questioned the purpose of the RV permit request. She said she thought she recalled problems with someone living in an RV without a permit at this address on several occasions.

Leahnette Rivers explained that last year the City received a report that someone was living in a travel trailer at this address without a temporary RV permit. She said the police responded to investigate the matter and confirmed that someone was, in fact, living in the RV. To correct the violation, the Marsh's applied for and received a temporary RV permit for 30 days, and they applied for and received a 30-day extension. Leahnette said that once the 60 days under the permit had passed, the police stopped by the residence to insure that the RV was no longer being lived in.

Leahnette said that the City recently received a report that someone was living in a travel trailer at this address without a permit, and the police again responded to investigate. She said the Marsh's have applied for this permit to correct a violation again. Leahnette noted that according to the application, the applicant must comply with all City ordinances, rules and regulations. She said this applicant has a history of violating the ordinance and then applying for an RV permit to correct the violation.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO REFUSE THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY RV OCCUPANCY PERMIT AS APPLIED FOR BY ARLEN G. MARSH OF 2350 SIXTH STREET.

The Council reviewed a memo dated April 29, 2003, from Leahnette Rivers regarding the proposed water rate increase. Council discussed the proposal at length with staff. It was the consensus of the Council that the rate structure proposed was acceptable and that this matter go to a public hearing on May 15, 2003, for public comment.

Leahnette Rivers recommended the City Council accept the Pacific Terrace II Subdivision improvements upon receipt of the required maintenance and performance bonds. She said Matt Hickey, City Engineer, has recommended the City accept the improvements.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE IMPROVEMENTS UPON RECEIPT OF THE REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE BONDS.

Leahnette Rivers noted that Harold Olsen has not yet had an opportunity to review this agreement.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE SIGNATURE TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ECONOMIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. FOR WATER RATE CONSULTING SERVICES, PENDING REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY.

Leahnette Rivers explained that ODOT selected OBEC as an on-call contractor through a selection process. She asked the Council whether or not they were comfortable hiring OBEC for the bridge design work based upon their qualifications, or if they would prefer to go through a formal RFQ (request for qualifications) process to hire a bridge engineering firm for this work.

MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO HIRE OBEC AS ODOT'S ON-CALL CONTRACTOR PENDING POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM REFERENCES.

Putting "Service" Back In Public Service: Councilor Hudson announced that Chief Jeff Johnson of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue will be conducting a seminar about public service in St. Helens on May 15, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Councilor Hudson said Boise Paper Solutions, C.E.P.A., the City of St. Helens, and Columbia River Fire & Rescue are sponsoring this event. Leahnette said she has reserved 10 seats at the event for Columbia City participants.

Work Experience Program: Micah Olson reported that a local resident will be working for the Public Works Department three days per week under a work experience program. Councilor Calnon said he did an excellent job of planting the azaleas behind City Hall.

Water Leaks: Councilor Calnon asked how the water leak detection work went, and Councilor Schmor asked if the leaks will be repaired soon. Micah Olson said most of the City was covered, and the leak detection company will be back on the 16th of May to complete the rest of the system. He said according to the estimates, the leaks total approximately 15 gpm, which would be equivalent to 775,000 gallons per month. Micah said the rest of the known leaks should be repaired by the end of next week.

Computer: Micah Olson said he is obtaining quotes for the purchase of a new computer for the Public Works office that will be capable of running Auto Cad. He said his current computer will be brought over to the City Hall to replace an older computer system.

Water Line Oversizing Reimbursement: The Council reviewed a memo dated April 29, 2003, from Leahnette Rivers recommending the City Council approve a reimbursement in the amount of $7,012.30 for upsizing costs related to the waterline in Penn Street. Council discussed this matter at length with staff.

MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (SCHMOR) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO REIMBURSE THE DEVELOPER OF PACIFIC TERRACE II FOR THE OVERSIZING COSTS OF THE PENN STREET WATERLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,012.30 AS REQUESTED.

Radar Units: The Council considered a request from Chief Reedy to purchase two new radar units in the amount of $1,450.00 each, from MPH Industries, Inc. Leahnette explained that quotes were received from MPH Industries, Vehicle Equipment, and Kustom Signals, Inc., and the lowest quote was received from MPH Industries. The Council discussed the request briefly with staff.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO RADAR UNITS FOR $1,450.00 EACH FROM MPH INDUSTRIES, INC.

Economic Development and City/County Dinner: Leahnette Rivers said she met recently with Columbia County City Managers to discuss an economic development proposal. She said the City representatives would like to submit a proposal to the Columbia County Commissioners for an effective and immediate Economic Development Plan. She said the plan would include the County employing a Community Development Coordinator. She said the City representatives are interested in insuring that our elected officials support the plan before it is presented to the County Commissioners. She said they would like an elected official from each jurisdiction to attend the next meeting to discuss the proposal. Ultimately, she said the proposal will be presented to the County Commissioners during the City/County Dinner scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2003. Leahnette noted that this meeting date conflicts with an important joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting in Columbia City. Staff discussed the plan at length with the Council. It was the consensus of the Council that the Mayor attend the next meeting as the City's elected official's representative.

Weed Complaint: The Council reviewed a complaint dated April 28, 2003, from Joseph L. Flynn, Sr. of Columbia City. In the letter, Mr. Flynn expressed frustration about the impact his neighbor's weeds, which go to seed before May 15th, have on his property each year. He suggested the Council change the nuisance ordinance to regulate weeds beginning on April 15 instead of May 15.

The Council discussed this matter at length with staff.

MOVED (SCHMOR), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO CHANGE THE WEED ABATEMENT DATE FROM MAY 15 TO APRIL 15.

Leahnette noted that an ordinance amendment reflecting the change will be drafted for the Council to consider.

Columbia City School and Community Library: The Council reviewed a letter dated April 24, 2003, from Shirley Mann, Head Librarian of the Columbia City School and Community Library. In the letter, Ms. Mann thanked the Council for their past support, and requested continued funding for the library in the coming year. It was the consensus of the Council that action related to this request be postponed until the School District has finalized their plans for the library in the coming year.

Friesen Lumber Co.: The Council reviewed and discussed a letter dated April 30, 2003, and a press release dated April 29, 2003, from Friesen Lumber Co., regarding the sale of their St. Helens' facility to Stimson Lumber Company.

Absence: Council Guy noted that he will not be able to attend the May 15, 2003, City Council Meeting.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

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