The City Council met in regular session on July 20, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Georgia DeHaas
Councilmembers absent:
Linda Aiken
City employees present were Chief Sedam, Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the July 6th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to allow the Christian Church to close South 1st Street from Idaho Avenue to South A Street on September 13, 2009 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for their fall bazaar. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Tara King with Northwest Management was present to discuss the Fire Mitigation Assessment of the Watershed property. Northwest Management has been managing City property since 1988. They will start a full timber cruise of the property on August 10th to update their records. Instead of looking at actual timber value, the focus will be fire risk on the City’s property with danger coming from the City’s property or the neighbor’s property. There will be a recommendation of the risk and impact of fire submitted to the Council when it’s completed.
Ms. King also mentioned the CTE grant program, Community Transportation Enhancement Grant that can be used for tree planting, landscaping and the like as long as it enhances a corridor. If the City is interested in applying, the grant is a maximum of $30,000 with a 10% cash match from the City.
On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Library Board Meeting Minutes from July 9, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $315,865.90 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WWTP DISCHARGE PERMIT: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize J-U-B to proceed with preparing the variance application for EPA on the WWTP discharge permit. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Public Works Director Gortsema talked with Steve James with J-U-B who explained that it would take 4-6 months to get a reply back. DEQ drives the timeline by how much information they feel they need before submitting to EPA. The budget amount for J-U-B could be around $20,000.00. He agrees with Gary Allen’s advice to apply for both variances at the same time. J-U-B figures 2-3 weeks to get their information completed.
SEWER PROJECT PAY REQUEST #1: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to approve Pay Request #1 to Eastern Oregon Construction for $87,552.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
