April 13, 2015

The Enterprise City Council met in regular session on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor Steve Lear; Councilors Jenni Word, Dave Elliott, Laura Miller; Bill Coffin; City Attorney Roland Johnson; Staff Michele Young, Ronnie Neil.

Guests: Linda Warnock, Pam Latta, Sondra Lozier, Wendy McCullouge, Carol Bartlow, Wendy Stewart, Brent Wydrinsky, Ralph Swinehart, Kurt Melville, Gwen Trice

Press: Kathleen Ellyn, Chieftain

Pledge of Allegiance

Introductions

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilor Word made and Councilor Miller seconded the motion to add Brent Wydrinski to the agenda to present his outdoor theater at the park event.

Councilor Coffin made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to approve the March 9, 2015 minutes.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Lear stated we received a letter from Fernando Alvarez in opposition to the 1:30 music extension. Mayor Lear stated that he went to the neighbors over the weekend and asked folks if there were any opposition. No one he talked to had any problems with the extensions.

Mayor Lear read a letter from Fishtrap thanking the city for their support for the Big Read. The $1,000 grant received helped make The Big Read possible.

Pam Latta presented a proposed Proclamation to the City for signature. The purpose is to advertise and raise awareness for something coming in May. May is Older Americans Month with the theme Get Into the Act. Pam read the proposed Proclamation.

May 29 from 1-5 and Community Connections and it is a social event. Information tables will be there on the Community Connection programs, elder abuse, etc.

Councilor Coffin made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to approve proclamation as presented and for the Mayor to sign it. Motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Lear read the Council Action Request form submitted from Ronnie Neil regarding the Kurt Melville water line. The request is for the City Council to approve the water line improvement project proposed by Kurt Melville and approved by the Public Works Supt. Ronnie Neil and City Engineer. To direct the City Attorney to draw up an agreement between the City and Mr. Melville meeting city specification, inspection requirement and easement agreement which will include a new easement in the proposed right of way and then once the job is complete the old easement will be vacated.

City Attorney Roland Johnson stated that as long as Mr. Melville and his engineer Ralph Swinehart are here he had a few questions. Roland asked Kurt when he was planning on installing the line. Kurt stated he would work with the city on that but it would either be this summer or early next summer, it has to be done prior to our water project at the reservoir.   If we do the vault and don't do the reservoir. Kurt stated this summer or early next summer before our water project begins in his area.   Ronnie stated that we will have to drain the reservoir for replacement of the vault and that is when Kurt would make the connection. Roland stated that we would have to have a professional inspection and asked if that would be any problem, Kurt stated he figures it would take about 2 weeks to complete. Ralph stated that once the new lines are put in, the old water line easement area would be vacated. Roland asked if the draining would be done after the new reservoir is installed. Ronnie stated this will probably be done in 2016. Councilor Miller made a motion to directly the City Attorney to draw up the agreement as described. Councilor Coffin seconded the motion which passed unanimously

Railroad update:

Ralph Swinehart stated that there is a feasibility study being done, but not in the design stage yet. WURA has only agreed to this as long as the trail is in conjunction with the railroad operations. Ralph stated that a representative from Weiser came to talk about how their trail worked out. Ralph stated that the study will be completed by December of this year. Councilor Miller made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to submit a letter of support to the Wallowa-Union Railroad, motion passed unanimously.

Farmers Market proposal to additional parking spaces on Main Street.   Carol Bartlow made a presentation to the City Council asking permission to close the parking area of the block of Main Street on the North side of the Courthouse.

Councilor Miller felt strongly that they get business support, Councilor Coffin stated the same. Michele was concerned about Court on Thursdays. Councilor Miller stated that Court is not often held on Thursdays.

Mayor Lear stated that he is very supportive of this, it is only one weekday a month Councilor Miller was not concerned about the after 5pm and but is concerned about the 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Roland recommended that we hold a hearing. Councilor Miller felt that was a good idea as well, when they went through this last year there were some issues with a few of the business's. Roland stated that he is very concerned about how the signage is going to be done.

Councilor Miller made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to hold a public hearing at the next council meeting.

Carol asked if it has to be unanimous, she was told no. Michele recommended that they visit all of the affected business's to gain their support.

Movies in the Park:

Brent Wydrinski stated he had 3 movies last summer and it worked great.  

Councilor Elliott made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to approve movies in the park and that it has to be shut down at 11:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

MOTEL TAX AWARDS

Councilor Miller presented the recommendations to the City Council from the Motel Tax Committee, the following motel tax awards were made:

Mountain High Broncs $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to award $500. Motion passed unanimously.

GEMS-Flower Baskets $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to award $1,000. Motion passed unanimously.

GEMS: Bowlby Bash $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to award $1,000. Motion passed unanimously.

Juniper Jam $,2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to award $500. Motion passed unanimously.

Courthouse Concert $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to award $1,000. Motion passed unanimously.

Wallowa Land Trust $800: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to award $200. Motion passed with 4 in favor and Councilor Coffin opposing.

Wallowa County. Farmers Market $1500-: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to award $750. Motion passed unanimously.

Hells Canyon Mule Days $2000   Councilor Miller made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to award $1,000. Motion passed unanimously.

Wallowa Resources $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to award $250. Motion passed unanimously.

Maxville Heritage $400: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to not award this grant. Mayor Lear stated that if we do not give them the money two people have stated they would fund them who were unanimous. Councilor Elliott stated that his question is that they are not a component of Enterprise. Councilor Word stated that she is torn as she feels their proposal will be very beneficial at the care center. Mayor Lear read the grant priorities. Gwen Trice talked about her other events that they hold in Wallowa and Joseph. They also help at one event at the OK Theater. Councilor Coffin made and Councilor Miller seconded the motion to award $200 to Maxville. Motion passed unanimous.

Joseph Mountain Jubilee $400: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to deny. Motion passed unanimously.

Alpenfest $2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to deny. Motion passed unanimously.

Elks Lodge - Main Street Show & Shine: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Elliott seconded the motion to deny since they did not present their application.   Motion passed unanimously.

Wallowa Valley Golf Course $$2000: Councilor Miller made and Councilor Word seconded the motion to deny since they did not present their application. Motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Coffin stated that he supports to Mtn. High Broncs and would like to see us not fund Wallowa Land Trust and Wallowa Resources but take that $450 and give the funds to Broncs & Bulls. Councilor Miller stated that the reason they reduced them as much as they did is because it is a one day event.   The other two events actually happen during the week which the committee felt was good for the community.   The other grants denied are not located in Enterprise.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Ronnie stated that we had a budget worksession and discussed park improvement. After the meeting Ronnie got an estimate for the turf stone that previously discussed and the price was $5989, not including shipping.

The well is back up and running. The guys have been building fence at the springs. Chips are in at the city park which was paid from grants received from Wildhorse and Pacific Power. They have started cleaning streets.

Denine reported that on April 25 from 10am to 2pm Saturday they are having a read a thon at the Library. Oregon Community Foundation is still open and Ford Family Foundation stated they are coming out April 30 for a site visit so they are pretty sincere. Denine feels it looks good for the grants applied. The Oregon state Library has purchased a program for legal forms, you can download these forms now and Denine will have the link for the public.

Michele reported on the Landmarks Commission activities. They are about to award Facade Grants and they are assisting the owners of the old Wallowa County Chieftain building in hiring a consultant.

COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Police: Councilor Word reported that the Agency Review will be completed at the end of this month.   She stated that they (Steve, Larry and Jennie) met with Stuart Roberts.   He has made himself as an available resource for us.

WATER PROJECT CONTRACT:

Roland wants to schedule a special meeting for the contract review and approval.

After discussion a Special meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30pm here at City Hall.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Lear called for an Executive Session as allowed by ORS 192.660(2)(h) for the purposes of consultation regarding litigation. The Chieftain was asked to not report anything heard during the executive session.

Mayor Lear re-opened the public session.

Meeting adjourn at 9:51pm

                                                                                    ____________________________________

                                                                                    Steve Lear, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________________

Michele R. Young, City Admin./Recorder