MINUTES OF THE
NOTE: Where stated “Motion Carried” is considered unanimous, unless otherwise stated.
ATTENDEES:
Mayor, Les Paustian
Kay Robinson
JoAnn Burleson
Steve Bogart, City
Manager
Brian Harmon, Public
Works Director
Ken Matlack,
Judy Eckman, City
Treasurer
ABSENT
Ann Spicer, City
Attorney
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
IN ATTENDANCE:
Rod Estes, Lifeways/Eastern
Tim Mahoney,
Lifeways/Eastern
Roberta Lutcher
Larry Clucas,
Ann Murray
John Murray
Kyle Robinson
Daye Stone
1. GENERAL BUSINESS.
A.
Call to Order. The
B. Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Paustian led the Council members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
C. Announcements – Agenda additions and deletions.
Mr. Paustian announced that Larry Clucas, Umatilla City Manager, and Sheriff Matlack were in attendance.
D. Correspondence.
Mr. Bogart identified two pieces of correspondence.
1. Notice from the IRS that they have identified that 61 Economic Stimulus Package returns have not been filed for individuals in Heppner. These are typically people who are not usually required to file tax returns. A press release for the newspaper and Channel 3 have been prepared. LeAnn Rea, AARP tax preparation representative, has stated that she is available to assist these individuals.
2. Meeting notice—Public meeting scheduled for
E. Public Comment. None.
2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
Mr. Bogart identified a request from
Wendy Appleton for use of the
Action: Motion by Mrs. Buschke to grant the request. Seconded by Mrs. Burleson. Motion Carried.
Mr. Bogart commented that this request will take precedence over any other people using the park.
3. CONSENT AGENDA.
A.
Minutes of the
B. Resolution No. 715-08, A Resolution Approving Accounts Payable for Payment.
C. Monthly Financial Statement.
Discussion: With regard to the financial statement, Mr.
Bogart stated that the bill from Ferguson Engineering was for the preliminary
work on
Action: Motion by Mrs. Buschke to approve the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Robinson. Motion Carried.
4. REPORTS.
A. Fire Chief.
Chief Estes reported the following actions for June. This was a very busy month.
Response to several large fire calls. Mutual Aid to Boardman 3 times; 1 Mutual Aid to Ione.
4
Wildland Fires in Heppner District which required Mutual Aid from Boardman,
Ione,
1 MVA
2 Motorcycle wrecks
1 Car fire
There is a red flag warning until
July 15 at
Mayor Paustian commented that the fire department is doing an excellent job.
B.
Mayor Paustian announced that the new format reports are included in the packets. Mr. Bogart noted that the Sheriff’s department has revised the reports to show the deputies times specifically and activities in the Heppner area.
C. Planning Commission. No issues.
D. Heppner Housing Authority.
Mrs. Buschke reported that things are going well. If everything is done, it may be the second week in August when actions can start. There are 3 vacancies; 1 should be rented this month. All the tenants have been interviewed on their preferences for living arrangements during the renovation. This is necessary in order to inform the contractors. Mr. Bogart stated that the Housing Authority may have a special meeting next week to decide the process for handling the tenant moving.
E. Public Works.
Mr. Harmon reported the following:
1. Water. The telemetry system which runs all the wells, reservoir depths, and booster pumps is having problems. During the first lightning storm in June the lightning took out the reservoir depth gauge. This was replaced, but at the same time, the whole system was not operating properly. Troubleshooting was done to determine the problem. The problem ended up fixing itself. On July 12, the same thing happened again and a Stage 1 water alert was issued. Mr. Harmon suspects that the problem was due to the hot weather. All the wells were manually restarted and the system is again operating. Troubleshooting the system is difficult since the equipment is old and out-dated.
There was a problem with the
pressure vault on
2. Sewer.
With regard to the bill from Roger
Britt, Mr. Harmon explained that the storage tank was plugged with a hair
ball. Mr. Britt was called to use his
vacuum truck which costs $350.00 per day.
It took two days to solve the problem.
These plugs occur periodically.
The opportunity for the City to purchase Boardman’s old truck came up;
however, the truck was sold to the
3. Streets.
Mr. Harmon reported that the
4. Golf Course Water. Mrs. Doherty brought up the condition of the golf course. According to Mr. Harmon, the golf course has plenty of water. He had recommended that the golf course test the system; however, communications are a problem. Mr. Harmon ordered new sprinklers. Getting the sprinklers going is up to the golf course. The dry spots are not the City’s problem. Mr. Paustian stated that there are of lot of questions on this. A meeting is scheduled to discuss this further.
F. City Manager’s Report.
Mr. Bogart reported the following:
1. Delinquent Accounts. Headway is being made on this. Mrs. Eckman has been working on this; letters and a payment agreement form is being mailed out shortly. A letter to those customers who have services shut off, offering a payment schedule and advising them that their accounts will be turned over for collection if they do not respond is also being prepared. The outstanding balance has dropped considerably this month.
2. Septage Disposal Charges/Bulk Water Charges. Resolutions on these charges have been prepared for Council action.
3. Weed and Grass Control. Deputy Bowles has been working on this. The fire department has also provided assistance.
4. Thank You Mayor. Mayor Paustian has been working on cleaning up the gravel yard. He has made considerable progress. The berms on the back side of the yard will not block flood waters.
5. ODOT Meeting – July 16. This will be held at
6. Secure Mental Health Facility. This will be discussed later in the meeting.
7. Water Project. According to Mr. Harmon, they are close to closing the project. The drawdown funds have been received and they are working on replacing the meters. Mr. Bogart stated that there are three items that need to be provided to the state to close the project. According to Mr. Bogart, Public Works is very productive.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
6. COUNCIL ACTION.
A. Old Business.
1. ATV Ordinance Repeal.
According to Mr. Paustian, no action can be taken on this since the City Attorney is not present. Mr. Bogart noted that there was no formal action taken by the Council on this issue. The City ordinance that is currently on record allows ATV’s on City Streets. Mr. Paustian remarked that the State statutes prohibit this unless there are signs on the streets where they are allowed. Council members did not think this should be continued because of liabilities. Mr. Paustian stated that in all probability, an ordinance repealing this would be considered.
Mr. Wolff voiced his personal
opinion that it irritates him that when he was on the
Sheriff Matlack stated that the statute is clear that the City can do this; it just has to be signed. Each street that allow ATVs has to be signed and this can become a financial issue. There are things that can be done for snow removal such as closing streets during the work. This would allow work to be done for snow removal etc. Mr. Bogart stated that every intersection would have to be signed and signs are expensive.
B. New Business.
1.
Resolution No. 716-08, A Resolution
Setting a Fee for the Disposal of Septage at the
Discussion: Mr. Harmon stated that every year a renewal letter is issued to every septage hauler. Due to price increases, the City’s cost is going up. Mr. Harmon has checked with other cities for their prices. This resolution raises the cost for Heppner from $.07 to $.09 per gallon with a minimum charge of $50.00..
Action: Motion by Mrs. Burleson to accept resolution 716-08. Seconded by Mrs. Burleson. Motion Carried.
2. Resolution No. 717-08, A Resolution
Establishing a Bulk Water
Discussion: Mr. Bogart explained that although a City has a permit, a charge has never been established. The rate is a fairly standard rate. This includes the time and manpower. The charge of $1.25 per gallon with a minimum charge of $25.00 is a standard rate for this. The standpipe at the museum is metered.
Action: Motion by Mrs. Doherty to approve Resolution 717-08. Seconded by Mrs. Robinson. Motion Carried.
3. Elks Lodge: Two requests: 1. To Extend Their Liquor License to the Parking Lot , 2. Request for Excess Noise Permit for Rodeo Weekend.
Discussion: Both requests are for activities during the
weekend of the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, Friday, August 15 and
Mr. Wolff advised the Council that
the liquor license will be for soft liquor only, beer and hard lemonade. The area will be fenced and the alley will be
kept open at all times for fire codes. The
music will be from
Action:
Motion by Mrs. Buschke to approve
the request by the Heppner Elks Lodge #358, for a variance permit for the City
noise ordinance for the weekend of the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, August 15 and
Motion by Mrs. Doherty to approve the
request by the Heppner Elks Lodge #358, to extend their liquor license to the
parking lot for the weekend of the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, Friday August 15,
and
4. Request from Heppner Masonic Lodge #69 to use
Action: Motion by Mrs. Burleson to approve the
request from Heppner Masonic Lodge #69 for use of the
5.
City Sponsor of Grant Applications for
Discussion: Mr. Bogart announced that Mr. Koffler is working on these. For these grants, a sponsor is needed. The Beautification/Parks & Lands Commission is recommending that the City serve as a sponsor. No one at City Hall will be writing the grants. The City parks department will spend funds for landscaping and some in-kind contributions. The City will track the project funds, make payments, etc.
Action: Motion by Mrs. Buschke that the City serve as
sponsor for the grant applications for
6. Secure Mental Health Facility Discussion.
Discussion: Mr. Rod Estes, Lifeways/EOCSC, is in attendance to answer questions and provide information to the Council. A meeting was previously held to present the concept. All Council members and members of the Willow Creek Valley Economic Development committee attended this meeting. Mayor Paustian asked the Council members to give their opinion of the previous presentation.
A. Mrs. Buschke. Thought it was a great meeting and very informative. She personally feels positive about the facility.
B. Mrs. Burleson. Thought the meeting was informative and her question is whether the people will remain in the community after they were no longer in the facility. According to Mr. Estes, most of them return to their home town. She thinks it is a positive move for the community.
C. Mrs. Robinson. Agrees with the previous comments.
D. Mrs. Doherty. Thought the presentation was very interesting and was a bit nervous because the last time a project was presented to the City, the response was very negative. She is in favor of the facility and thinks that it would be good for the community and bring in some good jobs and keep some people in Heppner.
E. Mr. Bowles. Has toured the facility in Umatilla and was favorably impressed. He stated that facility was very nice and a positive note for Heppner.
F. Mayor Paustian. In favor of the facility; it would bring stable employment to Heppner. This would also help the local businesses. If it is done right, the tax situation would benefit the City. The City would also be providing services. This would be a positive situation in Heppner. He feels that getting information to the citizens is important.
Mr. Paustian would like the
Some of the other items that were brought up were that the facility would not house sex offenders. Mrs. Burleson also thinks that some of the employees would have to be hired from out of town and this would bring people to Heppner. Mr. Bowles stated that the building would be secured. He was impressed with the technology.
Fire Chief Estes commented that more
fire police, and
The facility will also have a respite or crisis facility. Sheriff Matlack stated that he was excited to hear about the prospect of having a local facility. He supports the concept of a respite facility. He feels people need to be informed by the Mental Health Department. More people need to be made aware of the type of facility that is being planned. Mr. Paustian feels that getting the right information to the public is vital.
Mr. Clucas, Umatilla City Manager, described the process in Umatilla. He outlined the land use requirements and the construction design of the facility. There is a process for admission to the facility. In most cases, the patients have a criminal past. Sexual predators will not be held in the facility. The staff would be highly educated people. Some of the residents are temporary and many of them are covered by Medicaid. Secure transportation is also used in many cases to transport patients. An out-patient clinic is available. Patients are allowed outside the facility periodically and are supervised by staff. When the patients are allowed to go to stores, etc. in the community, they are escorted at all times. Mrs. Doherty stated that Kimberly Lindsay needs to be at some of the meetings and that the information also needs to be discussed with the hospital, EMTs and ambulance drivers, as well as law enforcement.
Mr. Paustian would like to have the
Council tour the facility next week if possible. Once this has taken place, they may be able
to arrange public meetings. They don’t
want any surprises.
According to Mr. Rod Estes, Heppner would have an 8-bed facility. One and one-half acres is required for the facility. Mrs. Lutcher asked why Heppner is not being considered for a 16-bed facility. According to Mr. Estes, this was decided by the state. The decision was based on certain community criteria, such as the fact that each patient is required to have a primary care person. Pharmacy services are also required and Mr. Estes would encourage using a local facility.
Mr. Bogart discussed land use provisions. They have not started looking for a site at this time. Mr. Estes stated that this is up to the community. Mr. Paustian stated that future expansion could be a consideration, plus there are a lot of questions that would need to be answered.
Other comments:
Fire Chief Estes asked about employees. According to Rod Estes, there will be a management staff plus direct care providers. CNAs will be used in many cases and mandatory training is required. The staff would be composed of 15-16 Direct Care Staff, 1 cook, 1 clinician, 1 Registered nurse, plus other support staff for janitorial, etc. All staff would be trained.
Mrs. Murray stated that they are grateful for the opportunity to offer care. She has heard many positive comments.
Mr. Paustian thinks this is a first step in getting the town back in the growth mode.
Mr. Stone asked about opportunities in the facility for youth in crisis. According to Mr. Estes, patients have to be over 18. Mr. Stone stated that he would like to see this happen and supports this as a community member. He would like to see the schools grow, and would also like to tour the facility.
Mr. Clucas stated that treating the people right is important. Mr. Estes stated that there is minimal risk to the community for this.
Mrs. Doherty feels a public meeting should be set up.
Mrs. Burleson agrees.
A possible date for the public meeting was discussed, and July 30 or 31 was discussed.
Individuals indicating that they would be interested in the July 21 tour:
Joann Burleson
Les Paustian
Daye Stone
John Murray
Kyle Robinson
7. MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETINGS. (provided for information only).
8. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY. None.
9. REPORT FROM MAYOR/CITY COUNCILORS. None.
10. ADJOURNMENT.
Meeting adjourned at