November 18^th, 2019- Enterprise City Council Meeting

The Enterprise City Council held a work session beginning at 6:00PM for the purposes of discussing items between Staff and Council.

Mayor Karvoski opened the public meeting for the Enterprise City Council at 6:30PM. Those present were; Mayor Stacey Karvoski, Councilor Chris Pritchard, Councilor Micah Agnew, Councilor David Elliott, Councilor Larry Christman, Councilor Bruce Bliven, Public Works Director Ronnie Neil, and City Administrator Lacey McQuead.

Press present: Bill Bradshaw, Wallowa County Chieftain.

AGENDA ADDITIONS:

None

CONSENT ITEMS:

Councilor Christman made a motion to approve the October 14^th City Council minutes, the October 2019 Accounts Payable Register, and the summary of the town-hall meeting held November 6^th, 2019.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

None

STAFF REPORTS:

City Administrator Lacey McQuead read her report submitted prior to the meeting. No questions or comments.

Fire Chief Paul Karvoski gave his report and stated that there are some warranty items currently being handled by Wellens Farwell. No questions or comments.

Librarian Denine Rautenstrauch was not present, but submitted her report prior to the meeting.

Police Chief Joel Fish was not present, but submitted his report prior to the meeting.

Public Works Director Ronnie Neil did not submit a report prior to the meeting, but informed the Council that the crew has been preparing for winter to arrive. He further explained that the crew has spent that past couple weeks working on getting the Christmas decorations finished up down town.

ATV ORDINANCE

Lacey informed the Council that we had a few recommendations made by the public during the town hall meeting at the beginning of the month. She asked the council how they felt about reducing the age of the driver to 16. Councilor Elliott stated that he felt reducing the age to 16 was acceptable. Mayor Karvoski agreed. Council asked Lacey to reduce the age in the resolution.

Next, Councilor Pritchard asked if it was necessary to have a new ordinance put into place, stating that this has never been a concern, so it’s important to make sure we are not trying to fix something that isn’t broke. Mayor Karvoski stated that this makes the rules legal.

Councilor Christman stated that one of the points brought up was reducing the speed limit for people traveling on an ATV. He stated that he does not agree with the idea of posting a reduced limit for ATV riders. Councilor Elliott agreed. Decision was made to keep the speed limit at 25mph.

Councilor Bliven shared his concern with Section 1.06, stating that he wants to make sure the City will not be liable, should an accident occur. Lacey explained that Section 1.06 defined who is responsible should something happen. Councilor Bliven stated that he believes this paragraph leaves the City of Enterprise open to liability. Decision was made to have City Attorney Wyatt Baum review the liability section of the ordinance. 

During the town-hall meeting, concern was shared regarding the requirement of helmets. Lacey asked for comments from the City Council regarding the requirement for everyone to wear a helmet. Councilor Christman stated that it should not be required for anyone 18 or over. It should be a choice once the driver/rider reaches the age of 18. Mayor Karvoski agreed, recommending we change the ordinance to require only drivers under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Councilor Agnew stated that we need to make it clear that this pertains to riders as well, not just drivers.

Mayor Karvoski asked that we add golf carts to the ordinance. Lacey will discuss that with legal counsel and get it added accordingly.

CETRA GRANT

Lacey explained to the Council that GEMS has stepped back from Winterfest and therefore decided to withdraw their CETRA Grant application.

INA LANE VACATION

Ronnie explained to the Council the reason for his request to vacate Ina Lane. He stated that it would be too difficult to develop a road to meet the standards as described in the Enterprise Municipal Code. One person has now purchase the property and intends to combine two of the tax lots, leaving the third for future development. When the time comes to develop the back lot, the new property owners will put a driveway in, instead of depending on the City of Enterprise to develop the road. Ronnie explained that there is a waterline that could be damaged if the road is developed according to City standards. Councilor Agnew made a motion to initiate the process necessary to vacate Ina Lane. Councilor Pritchard seconded the motion. Councilor Bliven opposed. Motion passed.

PLAN OF ACTION

Lacey explained that the Plan of Action letter is the same letter put before the Council every year. The Executive Committee approved the Plan of Action immediately following the annual audit. She wanted to inform the Council of the decision made. Fire Chief Paul Karvoski complimented Lacey on her efforts.

WINTERFEST

Lacey explained to the Council that she has been working to come up with ideas to support economic growth for the merchants of Enterprise. She asked the council to approve a drawing, funded by the City of Enterprise Motel Tax Fund, promoting business downtown during the Winterfest Celebration. She stated that she would work with the businesses that are currently signed up with the Chamber of Commerce Buckskin Bucks program, selecting one business every half hour during Winterfest where drawings would take place. Lacey explained that she had not discussed this with the merchants, hoping to get approval from the council first. Councilor Agnew made a motion to approve up to $100.00 gift certificates for the businesses involved, with the understanding that buckskin bucks will be used in order to keep the shopping local. Councilor Pritchard seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

BUSINESSES

Mayor Karvoski stated that she has been trying to think of ways we can use the motel tax money to help promote businesses downtown. She would like to put together a committee to work with the merchant’s downtown, in hopes of formulating a way the City of Enterprise can assist the merchants to increase business. Councilor Agnew offered to be on the committee. Lacey recommended starting this after the holidays. Council agreed.

FEE RESOLUTION

Lacey explained that she is not asking for an approval on the rate table submitted to the Council, but rather hoped to open the discussion in order to ask for approval in January. Lacey explained that the chart did not include user fees for water and sewer, but rather, the cost of equipment use, land-use applications, fire contracts, etc. The Council reviewed the potential increases. Lacey stated that she would add the increases to a new resolution for the January meeting.

RESOLUTION UPDATE-SETTING RATES

Lacey submitted a proposed update to the Resolution regarding rates. Lacey explained that after attending the Oregon Association of Water Utilities, she learned that small increases overtime are significantly better than increasing all at once. She was proposing and increase to sewer and water, but staggering those increases so the customer was not having to pay the increases all at once. Council shared their concerns regarding the increases and asked that Lacey provide financial statements to show the increases to the utilities the City is required to pay. Conversation tabled until the December meeting for further review at that time.

FUTURE MEETINGS

Council Meeting- December 9^th, 2019.

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:49.