|
City of Columbia City 1840 Second Street, PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018 (503) 397-4010 |
||
| About Columbia City | Agendas | City Charter & Ordinances |
| City Departments | City Government | Employment Opportunities |
| Meeting Calendar | Meeting Minutes | Newsletters |
City Council Meeting Minutes
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON
AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
CONVENED:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Cheryl A. Young at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Young delivered the invocation and led the flag salute.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Cheryl A. Young
Councilor Marian Calnon
Councilor Bill Guy
Councilor Gary Hudson
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilor Bob Schmor
ALSO PRESENT:
Micah Olson, Public Works Superintendent
Leahnette Rivers, City Administrator/Recorder
ATTORNEY PRESENT:
Harold Olsen, City Attorney (arrived 7:33 p.m.)
A quorum was present and due notice had been published.
AGENDA ITEM 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
AGENDA ITEM 3 CITIZEN INPUT: None.
Steven Barnes of Cater Road in Warren asked the Mayor and Council which political party they are each affiliated with. Mayor Young explained that the Mayor and Council Members serve in non-partisan positions. Mayor Young said she is a registered Democrat, but frequently votes for candidates of other political parties.
AGENDA ITEM 4 COUNCIL REPORTS:
4.1 Parks Committee: Chair Calnon said she is anxiously awaiting February 2 to find out if the groundhog sees his shadow.
4.2 Water Source and Development Committee: Chair Guy said the Committee will meet on January 29, 2004. Micah Olson reported that the contractors are working to complete punch list items for the reservoir project.
4.3 Streets Committee: Leahnette Rivers said she is still waiting to receive the final draft of the Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT for the "L" Street Bridge Project.
4.4 Sewer Committee: No report.
4.5 Library Report: Liaison Hudson said the Friends of the Library will meet on January 20, 2004. Mayor Young noted that the Library's hours were expanded beginning in December.
4.6 Other Reports: Mayor Young said everyone is doing a great job with their respective Committee assignments, and unless she hears an objection she will not make any changes. No objections were heard from the Council.
AGENDA ITEM 5 CONSENT AGENDA:
5.1 Approval of the bills paid during the month of December 2003.
5.2 Approval of the financial reports for the period ending December 31, 2003.
5.3 Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 4, 2003.
5.4 Written report from the Public Works Superintendent.
5.5 Written report from the Chief
of Police.
5.6 Written report from the City Administrator/Recorder.
5.7 Appointment of City Administrator/Recorder as Budget Officer.
5.8 Reappointment of Karen Ladd to the Budget Committee.
It was the consensus of the Council that the consent agenda be amended to include the reappointment of Karen Ladd to the Budget Committee, and that the written report from the Chief of Police be removed from the consent agenda because it was not available.
MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
AGENDA ITEM 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
AGENDA ITEM 7 NEW BUSINESS:
7.1 Agreement: Authorization to sign the Grant Award Conditions and Certifications for the FY 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.
MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE SIGNATURE TO THE AGREEMENT.
7.2 Contract Amendment: Ratification of the authorization to sign the Amendment to Contract between the City of Columbia City and the State of Oregon for the Columbia City Water System Improvements project (Safe Drinking Water Loan).
MOVED (CALNON), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RATIFY THE AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
7.3 Change Orders: Ratification of the approval of Change Order No. 30 and Change Order No. 4 for Skaar Construction, Inc.
MOVED (GUY), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO RATIFY THE APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDERS 3 AND 4.
7.4 Annual Financial Report: Review of the City of Columbia City Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2003.
The Council reviewed the Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2003. Harold Olsen said it is worthy to note that the auditor had no criticisms of the City. Leahnette said the auditor issued an unqualified opinion. Mayor Young extended thanks and praise to Leahnette and her staff for providing the City with a very well constructed budget, and getting us through the audit process.
MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (CALNON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2003.
7.5 Engineering Schedule of Charges: Murray, Smith and Associates, Inc., request for approval of current standard schedule of charges.
Leahnette Rivers said the 2002 rate schedule will continue to apply to the reservoir project work.
MOVED (CALNON), SECONDED (HUDSON) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR THE CURRENT STANDARD SCHEDULE OF CHARGES.
7.6 Water Rates: Discussion of water rates and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Payment requirements.
The Council reviewed a memorandum dated January 9, 2004, from Leahnette Rivers regarding the City's water rates and Safe Drinking Water Loan requirements.
Leahnette explained that the first debt payment on the Safe Drinking Water Loan will be due in December 2004 and is estimated to be $116,480.00. She said with 726 water customers, this equates to approximately $13.37 per month for each customer.
Leahnette explained that in order to qualify for the 1% interest rate, the City must implement a rate of at least $53.68 for 7,500 gallons within two years of the completion date of the City's reservoir and well project. She said the estimated completion date is February 2005, so this rate must be implemented by February 2007.
Leahnette said the City's water system development charges can be used to help pay for the City's water reservoir and well projects, including debt payments for these projects. She said the City currently has more than $200,000.00 in the Water Development Fund.
Leahnette suggested the Council consider adopting a series of annual rate increases by February 2005 of equal amounts or equal percentage increases, that ultimately result in an average bill of at least $53.68 per 7,500 gallons by February 2007. She said a rate increase equal to $5.00 per month for the next four years, or an increase of approximately 12% per year for the next four years, will result in the required rate.
Leahnette said neither of these proposed rate schedules will generate enough revenue in the first few years to make the entire debt payment, but water system development charges could be used to supplement the water usage revenues.
The Council discussed this matter at length with staff. It was the consensus of the Council that the City move forward with a $5.00 increase in the base rate this year, and hold a public hearing in February to accept comments about the proposal. It was the consensus of the Council that the structure of subsequent increases be determined at a later date.
AGENDA ITEM 8 OTHER BUSINESS:
Proposed changes to the Columbia City Building Department Operating Plan: Leahnette Rivers asked the Council to approve minor changes to the Columbia City Building Department Operating Plan consisting of updating the name of the City's Building Inspector/Official and appointing the Columbia City Appeals Board.
MOVED (HUDSON), SECONDED (GUY) AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT OPERATING PLAN.
Hewitt vs. Columbia City: Harold Olsen said representatives of the City's Insurance Company have decided that the judge was in error and will ask the judge to reconsider the latest ruling related to the Hewitt vs. Columbia City litigation.
Public Works Commendation: Leahnette Rivers commended the City's Public Works Crew for their outstanding efforts in maintaining the City's streets during the recent snow and ice event. The Mayor and Council Members agreed that they did a great job with the streets.
AGENDA ITEM 9 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council,
the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.