Council Meeting June 6, 2017 7:00 PM A. Called to Order Having a quorum, the Regular Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Carnes at 7:00 PM. Council members present were Bob Deno, Jackie Carey, Raymond Doherty, Andy Sells and Jim Hinkle. Administrative Team present were Teri Porter, Steve Draper and Chief Caldera. Citizens and visitors: Mrs. Slabik, Misty Fortner, Patty Lambert, Sonia Smith, JP Gilley, Michelle?, Cindy Spress, Angela Anderson, Joann Grone, Daniel?, Diana Powers, Ray Slabik, Ver and Paula Sandy and Pastor Harley Jeffers. Mayor Carnes explained that a cord is missing from the speaker system so would not be able to use the microphones tonight. B. INVOCATION Pastor Jeffers gave the invocation. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. APPEARANCE OF INTERESTED CITIZENS Citizen, Diana Powers addressed Council regarding cat problem. She introduced Cindy Spress of PAWS and Cat Utopia to present their concerns and solutions that have worked in other towns. The following was discussed: Consider passing a city ordinance that requires any owned outdoor cats be spayed or neutered. Cindy brought a copy of the ordinance #3848, that was passed in Pendleton. The ordinance is a tool when PAWS is called in to round up cats that need to be fixed. Police are not expected to look for violators and chase after cats. PAWS would explain about the ordinance and aid in helping the owner to comply, by offering to transport and fix their cat at a very low rate. Animals that are dumped or left behind become feral, because they are not handled by humans. If they can round up mama cats and their kittens, PAWS will adopt out the kittens fix the mama and return her to the community. Occasionally PAWS will offer to spay mama cats for $10 or even free if they are brought in with their kittens. Cindy offered to help the City of Pilot Rock with a grant to pay for the cost of fixing stray cats which could also include a discounted price for owned pets. PAWS would round up the strays and take them to a facility to be fixed, then return them to the community. Cindy suggests that there be designated feeders for these stray cats. It will then be easier to find the cats to round them up. Prior to rounding up the cats, PAWS will post a notice stating that if you have a cat that is already fixed, please keep it in on the dates they will be rounding up the cats. Once the cats are fixed they are ear tipped, to indicate that the cat has been fixed. There is concern that some folks may poison or shoot cats. It is against the law to kill cats. Ear tipping cats may help them from being shot if folks can see that they have already been fixed. There are some citizens in the community trying to deal with it on their own. They have trapped the strays and taken them into their vet to have them spayed at their own expense. Male cats fight, because they see each other as a threat. They also roam the neighborhood looking for a female. Having them fixed will calm them down. The cost is relatively cheap. $25 for the procedure and ear tip, and $5 transport fee. June 6, 2017 Page 1
CITY OF PILOT ROCK Populations decrease rapidly over the course of 2 or 3 years, after they are fixed, because of natural things that may happen (hit by a car, other animals get them). The cat population control needs to be maintained over the years. Need people locally that would report to PAWS if there they see a new colony of cats, so that they too can be fixed. Cindy suggested that we not wait too long because it only gets worse. She has grant money right now that she would be willing to extend to Pilot Rock to get things started. Form a group in Pilot Rock, that will coordinate the efforts of feeding and rounding up and trapping. Then call PAWS who will transport and have them fixed. Designate a point person for the police to relay information they receive about stray cats. Mayor Carnes offered the Council Chamber if the group needs a place to get organized. People who have cats should have a collar. If they have them for breeding then they should be kept in, you would not want then breeding with the wrong cat. On a motion by Councilor Hinkle and seconded by Councilor Carey, Council directed staff to put Pendleton s ordinance #3848 on the agenda. All present voted yes. None E. PRESENTATIONS F. ACTION ITEMS F-1 Consider Cancelling July 4 th Council Meeting. On a motion by Councilor Carey and seconded by Councilor Deno, Council agreed to cancel the Council meeting on July 4 th. F-2 Bike Pit Board Request Permission to Install a Start Gate and Dry Camping during the Eclipse. In Jeff Mills absence, Steve Draper explained that the board has purchased a 48 man start gate for the bike pit. The gate is an improvement needed to attract pro races and get on a race circuit. Councilor Doherty asked if there would be any cost at all to the City for the start gate such as insurance? Draper stated there would not be a cost to the City, the gate is already covered. Councilor Doherty clarified, the city is not buying it, the city is not installing it, there will be not cost at all to the City. Draper confirmed, zero cost to the city. On a motion by Councilor Deno and seconded by Councilor Carey, Council approved installing the start gate. All present voted yes. Draper also asked that the City approve dry camping out at the bike pit during the Eclipse. Many cities are running out of space to accommodate the visitors who want to see the eclipse. Councilor Deno asked if there would be alcohol allowed? Steve stated that alcohol is not allowed. Councilor Doherty asked will there be any cost to the City to allow the dry camping? Draper answered, No. There will be no cost to the city. Mrs. Slabik pointed out that the start gate may cause unexpected expense to the City. She reminded council of the $1,000 added insurance that the city paid to cover the bike pit. Draper explained that the Bike Pit plans to reimburse the city for that added expense. Mrs. Slabik asked if that $1,000 fee for added insurance will be charged every year. Draper and Porter explained that the Recreational Use Immunity law issue is before the legislature right now. The League of Oregon Cities is very optimistic and hopeful that the original interpretation of the law will be reinstated, which will eliminate the need for the additional insurance. Nothing is final yet, we hope to know more by July. Mrs. Slabik, asked why the City was billed and not the bike pit? It was explained that the city owns the property. During a Council meeting council considered the issue and concluded that the bike pit is a viable project that could June 6, 2017 Page 2
encourage economic development and voted to keep the park open to the public and pay the additional fee this year. Mrs. Slabik asked if it is a public park or the OHV Park? Why if it is a public park does the sign say OHV Park? Draper explained that it is a public park. OHV stands for Off Highway Vehicle. It is an off-highway vehicle park. The OHV board put up the sign as the non-profit entity. Councilor Sells asked if Draper has any idea how many dry campers to expect? Draper stated he d love to see a couple hundred but would be happy with 50. The eclipse is on Monday after the Community Days weekend, so would like to do dry camping Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Councilor Deno stated if you put signs on the highway you will get filled up. The City of Ukiah is already fully booked with reservations. In response to Councilor Carey s question, Draper stated they are thinking of charging $25 a night. Several Councilors voiced their opinion that $25 was too low. On a motion by Councilor Hinkle and seconded by Councilor Carey, Council agreed to allow dry camping at the bike pit for the eclipse weekend. All present voted yes. F-3 Resolution #608 Election to Receive State Funds. On a motion by Councilor Deno and seconded by Councilor Doherty, Council approved Resolution #608 election to receive state funds. All present voted yes. G. INFORMATION ITEMS G-1 Department Head Report City Hall: 1. Spoke with George Ficenec of the Budget Committee regarding the question whether he abstained during the vote to approve the budget during the last budget committee meeting. George stated that he did abstain. When I asked why he said because he did not agree with parts of the budget. I explained that he could not abstain unless he had a conflict of interest of some sort, but he could oppose. George stated that for the record he opposed voting for the budget. I have made the change in the minutes of the budget committee meeting. 2. Preparing resolution declaring the property at the foot of the stairs as surplus. 3. Friday evening, placed signs at the pavilion in the park reserving it for the CROC cycling club coming through Sunday May 28 th. Approx. 150-200 riders between 3-4 pm. Sunday morning checked to ensure the bathrooms were open and electricity turned on. 4. Have received a few applications for the Swim Bus Director, Mayor Carnes and I will interview Thursday the 8 th. 5. Contacted School Superintendent, Steve Staniak, regarding the Swim Bus driver, who directed me to Don Fischer. The bus department have recently lost a couple of drivers, but Don is hopeful he will find someone to drive the swim bus this summer. Without a bus and driver, there is no swim bus program. 6. Contacted Steve Haddock regarding approval of the final partition plat for the property being sold to Jimmy Doherty. Hoping to have it ready for Councils approval by the June 6 th meeting. 7. Have sent notice to DLCD regarding rezoning the City shop and Zeigler s back yard. Public hearing to be July 18, 2017. 8. Contacted David Blanc regarding preparing a Quit Claim deed for the property being sold to Jimmy. 9. Working with ESD to improve the speaker/ mic system in the Council Chambers as well as getting the wires off the floor for the speakers, mics and infocus machine. Steve and Tim will run conduit in the next few weeks. 10. Having some issues with Springbrook. Unexplainable glitches. Police Department: June 6, 2017 Page 3
1. Chief assisted the Umatilla County Elections Department for the May 16 th election. 2. Ofc. Badal attended the Law Enforcement Memorial Cemetery in Pendleton. 3. Ofc. Flatau reported that the first and second weeks of the academy have gone well. 4. Chief is working with a company to get updated body cameras. 5. Chief assisted the Umatilla County Sheriff s Department on a report of shots being fired from an airplane on East Birch Creek. 6. Ofc. Badal trained with the Pendleton SWAT team. 7. Over the past two weeks the police department has been working with 10 property owners in regards to cutting down their tall grass and weeds to comply with city ordinance. 8. The police department provided security for the state semi-final softball game after concerns were voiced about potential problems during the game. Public Works: 1. Have turned on all the water at the park and planters. 2. Will be painting the restroom doors at the park next. 3. Metal portion of the stairs will be complete next week. Waiting for the rails for the concrete portion. 4. Will be running conduit and wire for council chambers speakers. 5. Burned the burn pile on Tuesday the 30 th. Last time until burn ban is over. Pilot Rock Public Library 1. Preparing for the Summer Reading Program to start June 16 th. G-2 Zone Change Porter explained that it has come to her attention that the City shop and back yard of Ziegler s is zoned R-1 limited residential, and needs to be changed to M-1, light industrial. She has already notified DLCD and a hearing is planned for July 18, 2017, at a Council meeting. H. CONSENT CALENDAR Bills Total: $46,042.89 On a motion by Carey and seconded by Councilor Deno, Council agreed to approve the Consent Calendar. All present voted yes. J. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Sells asked who owns the Rock Lot next to the old Chevron station? And why are we allowing it look like a rock quarry. Councilor Deno explained that Council has approved Jim Haley s development of an RV Park. Sells asked is there a time limit when it is to be finished? Porter explained that the permit is good for one year. Councilor Hinkle asked how the CROC bicycling event went and if they had use of the pavilion. Porter explained that they used the pavilion in the park and stated that she came down early to be sure it was available and to her knowledge everything went well. Hinkle expressed concerns that we are using the Pavilion by City Hall as a city garage and suggested that the city employee s vehicles as well as city vehicles be moved somewhere else, so that if someone would like to use it they can. Draper stated the covered area along the highway gets a lot of use, but if anyone wanted to use this one they would move the vehicles. It was originally purchased with a grant from Wildhorse and intended to be used by the Farmers Market. Councilor Carey stated she did not have a problem with the city using the pavilion, for their vehicles, it would not get used otherwise. Councilor Carey asked for an update on the change of the speed limit on NW Cedar. Chief Caldera stated that the traffic investigator said the earliest it could be done is July. June 6, 2017 Page 4
Councilor Doherty expressed concern that we allowed a citizen to exceed the 3 minutes as indicated on the agenda for Appearance of Interested Citizens. Porter explained that Diana Powers had come into City Hall last week and asked to address Council regarding the cat issue, but thought she could do so as an Appearance of Interested Citizen, unaware that she had a presentation that would require more time. We should have voted to put it on the agenda as an action item. Councilor Doherty, asked for an update on the stairs and requested a complete accounting of the stairs project. Draper stated the stairs are not open yet, they are putting the hand rails in. He will contact the engineers regarding the full accounting. Councilor Deno asked for an update regarding the crosswalk at Hwy. 395 and Mc Gowan. Draper stated he has a preconstruction meeting June 20 th and they will be doing the work this summer after school is out. K. EXUTIVE SESSION At 7:55, Council went into executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Property Transaction to discuss the purchase of property needed for the lift station. Council returned to an open meeting at 8:19. On a motion by Councilor Doherty and seconded by Councilor Hinkle, Council agreed to direct Steve to move forward with negotiations for the property for the sewer project. All present voted yes. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 L. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED Mayor Virginia Carnes ATTEST Teri Porter, City Recorder June 6, 2017 Page 5