Minutes March 9, 2015
March 9, 2015
The Enterprise City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor Steven Lear; Councilors Jenni Word, Laura Miller, Dave Elliott, Larry Christman, Stacey Karvoski, Bill Coffin; Staff Ronnie Neil, Denine Rautenstrauch, Michele Young, Michelle Bloker
Guests: Chuck Anderson, Brandon Mahon, Bruce Bliven, Sondra Lozier, Lee Daggett, Mike Berry, Gwen Trice, Wendy Stuart, Julia Lakes
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Lear stated we had an agenda item addition request from Bruce Bliven who wanted to discuss city owned properties. Councilor Elliott made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to add Bruce Bliven to the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Coffin made and Councilor Christman seconded the motion to approve the January 22, 2015 & February 9, 2015 minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Miller made a motion to untable the sewer connection discussion on the city lot that is for sale on the North Highway. Councilor Christman seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
ANDERSON PERRY UPDATES COUNCIL ON WATER PROJECT
Troy Baker presented the council with the Water Project. We are approaching 90% design and finalized the construction contract documents. Roland has gone through all of the contracts and they are being finalized at this time. Troy stated our available construction costs are at about $4.5 m. Troy reviewed the Estimated Base Bid Cost and schedule.
MOTEL TAX GRANT PRESENTATIONS
Mountain High Broncs – Lee Daggett, Director. Lee stated that Jack Connolly was not available tonight so he has stepped in. They are in their 12th year, they have grown into the premier ranch event in the nation. This Western State Premier Ranch Assoc. This year they have worked with in marketing. Their crowd count exceeds over 1200 in one day. Their liquor sales also went through the roof. The same schedule will occur as lost year. Joey Hashbrown Hackett will be their professional act this year. They have been very lucky and have not had any incidents to date. Lee stated in the beginning no one knew where Enterprise was, now they call 6 months in advance, we are a flagstaff city.
GEMS – Wendy Stuart, Vice Chair handed out a description of what GEMS is. They are asking for funding for the flower baskets throughout the city. She felt that the flower baskets added community pride. Bowlby Bash is an artisans event which brings a variety of vendors and people to the event. Wendy submitted an application of $2000 for the downtown flowers and $2000 for Bowlby Bash.
Gwen Trice is the Executive Director of the Maxville Project. They have expanded to a bigger location, at 103 N. Main Street in Joseph. This is a youth to elder program, she handed a letter of support from the Wallowa Valley Senior Living Center, they will be a pilot project. They want to give youth an opportunity to do a business practicum, this will provide workplace skills. August 22nd will be the Maxville gathering. They will have a lumberjack show this year. There will be a national singer. They are asking for $400,
Wallowa Valley Music Alliance – Janis Carper was asking for funding on three projects this year. She appreciates the city support for the Courthouse Concert, it will extend 3 weeks in to Sept. at the request of the Farmer’s Market. Juniper Jam is almost completely booked. They will be doing more radio and social media advertising. New to their festival roster is the Joseph Mountain Jubilee. This is their 4th year, Tami Kruger directs this one. They will have a stage at the lake for the July 4th event. They are asking $2000 for each Enterprise event and $400 for the Joseph Event.
Wallowa Land Trust – Julia Lakes stated they are based in Enterprise. This is for their summer outings and education event. They have brought in over 1300 people during the last several years and thanked the city for their support. They have free outings on Saturday mornings and evening lectures located in Enterprise. 8 outings and 3 lectures. Their budget is about $6,800 and they are asking for $800. The program gives visitors a deeper look into our community.
Alpenfest – Chuck Anderson and Gwen Trice did a dance for the council. They are trying to do more activities. They invited Kate Brown before she became Governor. They are pressing her staff that she keep her promise to be here. They calculate they pump $100,000 in the Wallowa County Economy in their off season event. They are again asking for $2000.
Wallowa County Farmers Market – Carol Bartlow is the new market manager. She thanked the city for their support to continue to help them advertise. They are working much harder in getting marketing out to the public. They are trying to invite young people to bring their crafts and baking to join them to understand what it is like to have a business at the market. They are asking for $1500.
Main Street Motors did not show up.
Wallowa Valley Golf Assoc. did not show up.
Sondra Lozier – President of Hells Canyon Mule Days which started in 1981. The City began funding them approx. 2003. They advertise in many national and international magazines.
They are not doing the quilt show this year, they are calling it a vintique show which will be held in the Cloverleaf Hall. They still give scholarships. They are asking for $2000.
Wallowa Resources – Amy Busch who runs the youth programs presented the application. They turn the fairgrounds in a family friendly event. This is held the last Friday of June, Janis Carper puts the music together. She is asking for advertising in the amount of $2000.
Mayor Lear thanked everyone for what they put into the events, it is a project of love and passion.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Gary Bethscheider asked for Opportunity Fund in the amount of $2500. The motel tax committee met on this and reported that they support the project but due to the lack of funds it is the recommendation that we award $500. Councilor Christman made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to award $500, motion passed unanimously.
Jenni Word stated they talked about the time variance request made by Gary. Michelle Bloker asked that the city require they advertise the hours so that the public is aware. Councilor Elliott felt going past the midnight is maybe pushing it. Jenni stated they had no problems at the hospital. Councilor Christman made a motion to approve, Councilor Coffin seconded the motion which passed unanimously to approve 12:00 p.m Thursday and 1:30 am Friday & Saturday.
Councilor Coffin stated he talked with Jerry Hayes about the welcome sign behind city hall and in order to make a good sign we need $2000. After discussion Councilor Elliott made and Councilor Christman seconded the motion to drop the sign at this time. Motion passed unanimously.
Sewer Connection on city lot – Ronnie stated that sewer can be connected from River Street with a pumping station so we do not need to go into the hwy. No action taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution No. 591 – Michele presented Resolution No. 591 to change the category from an expense to a transfer in the Motel Tax Fund. She stated that she would rather transfer the Façade Grant Funds to the Historic Preservation Fund and the expense come directly from there. Councilor Karvoski made and Councilor Miller seconded the motion to Approve Resolution No. 591 as presented. Michele took a Roll Call vote which passed unanimously.
Library Zumwalt Buck hunt draw - Denine reported that the Library has raised $11,102. They have $125,000 in approved grants and she expects two more grants to come in to complete the fundraising for the final Library Improvement project. Sergeant Bloker got the privilege of drawing for the winner of the Buck Tag the Library received from Nature Conservancy. The winner was Joe Jaquith from Newberg Oregon.
Mayor Lear asked Bruce Bliven to present his concerns. Bruce stated we have a lot on the north hwy, lot adjacent to the city hall, we could sell Warde Park. Last year he asked to see if we had a plan for a new firehall and cityhall. He hoped that the council members are doing performance reviews and he will bring his ideas in on that to Michele.
Budget Committee Appointment: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Karvoski seconded the motion to appoint Margie Shaw to the budget committee. Motion passed with 6 in favor and Councilor Coffin opposing.
Ronnie reported the soft start on our well went out. The soft start starts the pump motor at a slower rate, Hillocks looked in to it, he called Anderson Perry electrical engineer. The have chosen one, it will cost $4500.
Ronnie stated that Kurt Melville would like to have the property around our reservoir become a subdivision. He had Ralph Swinehart submit a proposal. Ronnie reviewed the plan with the Council showing the plan for new water line and water pressure line installations. Ronnie stated that it will help the city as well as help Kurt with his plans. Ronnie stated the Kurt plans on coming to the next meeting as he would like to see us remove an existing easement that won’t be needed and then he would give an easement where the proposed road and waterlines would be located. The Council has no opposition and told Ronnie to proceed with Engineering review.
Police – Michelle Bloker submitted the stat report for the previous month
Library – Denine stated Battle of the books was a huge success again this year
Administration: Michele updated the council on happenings with the Landmarks Commission and Planning Commission.
Being no further business the meeting was adjourn.
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Steve Lear, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Michele R. Young, City Admin./Recorder