BROWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

March 19, 2007

 

WORK SESSION: None

ROLL CALL: Mayor Ware called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Councilors Brenner, Pinnock, Shepherd, Hoyer, Hoffman and Cole present. Also present were City Administrator Scott McDowell, City Planner Bill Sattler and Public Works Director Karl Frink.

ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS: NONE

MINUTES: The Council reviewed the minutes of the February 20, 2007, City Council meeting. Councilor Cole moved that the minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilor Hoffman and was approved unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARINGS / PRESENTATIONS:

  1. Scott Weld – Sweet Home Sanitation. Mr. Weld told the Council that April 14 had been selected for Cleanup Day. Mr. Weld said that the City receives services from Sweet Home Sanitation, including Cleanup Day and trash service for public facilities in lieu of a franchise fee. Mr. Weld said that his disposal charges had been increased so there would probably be a rate increase towards the end of the year.
  2. Linn Library League – Ray Bubak. Mr. Bubak discussed the Linn Library League proposals with the Council. Mr. Bubak explained that the LLL proposes to create a county-wide library district funded by property taxes and which would be under the control of a board elected by Linn County as a whole. Mr. Bubak said that the Library Board and the City Council have discussed this many times and do not wish to participate in the library district, that Brownsville prefers to operate its own library. Mr. Bubak said that the LLL keeps mentioning Brownsville in their advertising for their proposal and asked the Council to go on record stating that Brownsville does not wish to participate and asking the League to quit using Brownsville’s name in their advertising. Sherri Lemhouse of the Friends of the Library also addressed the Council regarding her opposition to the LLL proposal. Councilor Hoffman moved that the Council go on record stating that the City of Brownsville does not wish to participate in the Linn Library League and requesting the League to stop using Brownsville in their materials. The motion was seconded by Councilor Hoyer and was approved unanimously.
  3. Don Andrews – Brownsville Rural Fire District. Mr. Andrews told the Council that the BRFD is applying for a grant funding to purchase 20 automatic defibrillators to be placed around the community. The Fire District is in need of matching funds for the grant and would like the City to contribute $1,000 towards the matching funds. The application is due April 2, 2007, so they need an immediate commitment if possible. Other companies and organizations in the community will be contributing another $4,000 in matching funds towards the grant. Councilor Pinnock moved that the City commit to contributing $1,000 in matching funds if the grant application is successful. The motion was seconded by Councilor Brenner and was approved unanimously.

 

 

CITIZEN INPUT:

Carol Monroe said that she was concerned about Wade Harden burning trash at his home and would like him to be cited for it. Kevin Rogers, Fire Chief, said it was up to DEQ whether to issue a citation and the fire district had responded to Mr. Harden’s home in the past for illegal burns. Ms. Monroe also complained about the mess at Mr. Harden’s house. Mr. Sattler said that he was working with the property owner and had given them until Cleanup Day to get the old cars and parts removed from the property.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

  1. Administrator Report. Mr. McDowell submitted a written report to the Council and answered questions. Mr. McDowell asked to add a brief discussion to the agenda regarding legal services. Mr. McDowell said that there was an opening on the Budget Committee and was looking for volunteers. Janet Briley was in the audience and volunteered to be on the Budget Committee. Mayor Ware went ahead and appointed her to the Budget Committee. Mr. McDowell said the City has accumulated quite a bit of surplus and will be having a surplus sale, notice will be published in the paper. Mr. McDowell said that the Chamber had requested that they be allowed to hold their Antique Fair event in Pioneer Park this year and discussed the regulations concerning commercial activity in the park. There was some discussion regarding who had actually made the request and whether it was an official Chamber request. The matter was tabled until the next meeting so that the situation could be clarified.
  2. Public Works. Mr. Frink was present and updated the Council on recent activities of the Public Works Department. Mr. Frink said that the Pioneer Park Playground project is nearly completed although the hopes to add some more wood chips which are not available at the moment. Volunteers are needed for cleanup day on April 14 to help collect the refuse.
  3. Planning. Mr. Sattler provided a written report and updated the Council on development activities around the City.
  4. Sheriff's Report. Sgt. Lawler was present and said that things had been quiet recently.
  5. Library Report. Mayor Ware discussed some highlights of the report as Mr. Smith was not able to attend.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION:

  1. Resolution No. 574 – Budget Transfers. Mr. McDowell explained that some line items had been overspent due to price increases and other issues and was recommending some transfers. Councilor Hoyer moved that Resolution No. 574 be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilor Cole and was approved unanimously.
  2. Resolution No. 575 – Labor and Equipment Rates. Mr. McDowell said that this Resolution is intended to set charge rates for work performed by City staff with City equipment and should be updated annually. This would normally come into effect when the City staff is required to fix problems caused by contractors, such as breaking water and sewer lines. Councilor Cole moved that Resolution 575 be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilor Pinnock and was approved unanimously.
  3. Resolution No. 576 – Short-Term Investment Policy. Mr. McDowell told the Council that the City needs to adopt a short-term investment policy to handle the proceeds of the sewer bond sale. The proposed policy is a standard policy provided by the Oregon State Treasury for use by cities. Councilor Hoffman moved that Resolution No 576 be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilor Cole and was approved unanimously.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS:

  1. Rec Center Agreement. Tabled until next meeting.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

  1. Legal Services. Mr. McDowell noted that the Council has discussed looking at alternatives for legal services a number of times in the past and discussed some of his concerns about the current situation. The Council directed him to look into possible alternatives.
  2. OLCC License Renewal. The Council reviewed the notice from OLCC regarding renewal of existing liquor licenses and did not take any action.

CITIZEN INPUT:

HANDOUTS:

  1. Westech Monthly Report.
  2. February Financials.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m..

 

 

___________________________ ____________________________

City Administrator S. Scott McDowell Mayor Don Ware