August 18, 2005
City Council Regular Session
Oakridge City Hall Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bond called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council Present:
Sue Bond, Mayor
Rayetta Clark
Carina Schorer
Leah Chapman
Dawn Shields
Glenn Fortune
Staff Present:
City Administrator Gordon Zimmerman
Community Services Director Kevin Urban
City Recorder Chantell Hayson
Police Chief Louis Gomez
Fire Chief Jerry Shorey
Mayor Bond asked citizens, Council, and staff to consider in their thoughts and prayers for
Shana Vibbert, Communications Sergeant for the recent loss of her mother and father-in-law
as well as Cheryl Dumont, Willamette Activity Center Building Manager, for a most tragic lifethreatening accident involving her son.
CITIZEN INPUT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Dean Phillips, 47699 W. 2nd, Oakridge: He first asked why the Council meeting was cancelled
on August 4th. Mayor Bond responded that she was in the hospital and out of consideration of
the candidate selection process, they cancelled the meeting.
He then asked for clarification on the progress of the water project. Mayor Bond responded
that it is progressing; Gordon Zimmerman included that we are waiting for the state to sign the
contract and start the bidding process in the next month or so for the first portion. He asked if
the Council knows about some animal that he heard was part of the reason for the project not
getting under way sooner. Gordon responded that there were some issues around a specific
type of bird and that they are working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to move
forward.
He then asked if the Council knew what the revised preferred design is for the Highway 58
Project that he read about. Mayor Bond was unaware of what that was; however, Kevin Urban
responded that it has not been released because several members of the pack committee that
are reviewing the proposals have not finished their work. Dean asked if there would be
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 1 of 8
hearing that citizens could have input on before a final decision is made. Kevin responded that
there would be public meetings for input both with the Planning Commission and the City
Council.
In closing, Dean wanted to remind the Council about the article in the Dead Mountain Echo
that had 28 citizens nominating for the appointment of former Mayor Don Hampton for the
vacant City Council position.
Larry Phipps, 47477 Portal Drive, Oakridge: Larry reminded the Council of the situation of our
4th of July fireworks event this last year and the deficit that the committee suffered from lack of
funds. He is greatly concerned that the event will not continue in years to follow if enough
donations to the event are not secured. He asked that the Council and City Administrator
attempt to find funding in the next year’s budget to help fund this outstanding community event.
He will continue to keep the Council aware of the financial situation. Mayor Bond strongly
encouraged the committee to apply for some of the funds that are dispersed each year through
the Chamber of Commerce for community events.
CONSENT AGENDA
1.1
1.2
1.3
Minutes of Regular Session of July 21, 2005
Resolution 27-2005 Library Cards for Kids
Extension of Charter Communications Franchise Agreement
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by R. Clark to approve the consent agenda. C. Schorer
(Aye), Mayor Bond (Aye), D. Shields (Aye), G. Fortune (Aye), R. Clark (Aye), and L. Chapman
(Aye). Motion carried 6-0.
ADMINISTRATION
2.1
City Council Candidate Interviews/Selection
Mayor Bond explained the procedure of the interview process that would follow. She informed
the Council that a decision is not required tonight, however, if they would like to motion to
nominate after the interviews they could. The Council chose to have each candidate in the
room individually to be asked the questions fairly without prejudice.
Applicant Robert Baker:
1. Describe your vision for Oakridge and what your service on the Council can do to reach that
vision. Robert clarified that he has no set agenda for wanting to be on the Council; he
explained how his family has been here since the early 1900’s and now that he is retired he
feels that this is a good time for him to explore sharing his thoughts and contribute to the
community.
2. Describe the strengths that you would bring to the Council. He has a lot of experience in
organization and performing operations, which he did for more than 30 years of service in the
Army as a Special Forces Operations Sergeant, including logistic support and transportation.
He is a former police officer and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice from
Portland State University; he was a schoolteacher in Nevada for five years, an investigator for
State Accident Insurance Fraud, as well as a small business owner in Oakridge. He prides
himself on never discussing a problem without offering a solution.
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 2 of 8
3. Describe any previous public or civic service you have given. He has helped with the
reading program and the smart program here in Oakridge, a teaching program in Nevada,
taught at a prison, and was a boy scout. He is a member of the Oakridge Budget Committee,
sits on the Board of Directors for the Circle Bar Golf Course in Oakridge, and is a reading tutor
at Oakridge elementary.
4. Once a decision is made after careful and reasoned debate, describe your ability to support
the majority opinion, even though you may not agree. Jokingly he stated that this is where he
has over 30 years experience in dealing with military decisions. On a positive note he has
dealt with this well and has no problems with enforcing rules that he may or may not agree
with.
5. Describe your understanding of the role of the Council versus the role of Staff in a local
government. His understanding is that the staff is a support element, such as the President
depending on his staff and Council to help support all aspects of the duties that he would
ultimately be responsible for; the staff in turn is responsible to the Council and performing as
well as enforcing their decisions.
6. The public process can seem to be slow and tedious. Describe your ability to deal with the
frustration this may cause. He is a people person and likes to be thorough and receptive to
new ideas. He is very respectful of others opinions and listens to what they have to say.
7. Describe your ability to dedicate the sometimes-large amounts of time required to be of
service to your community, including the opportunities to serve on local, county, regional, and
state committees. This is what he is looking to do, he feels like he wants to put something
back into society and since he is retired and has time, he really does want to be more involved
with our community.
Applicant Don Hampton:
1. Describe your vision for Oakridge and what your service on the Council can do to reach that
vision. The primary vision is economic revitalization. He feels that with his newest
experiences and contacts that he has made as County Commissioner he will be extremely
helpful to the City of Oakridge in securing future funding and projects.
2. Describe the strengths that you would bring to the Council. His strengths include 15 years
on the Oakridge Council, some as the former Mayor, and 15 months as the County
Commissioner. He is and always has been highly involved in this community and has lived
here for 38 years. He feels that with this time spent he has a good sense of what the people
want.
3. Describe any previous public or civic service you have given. He will be chairperson of the
Air Health Center for Education that helped get the $300,000 grant for medical service that
helped underinsured citizens in our town get the services they needed. He is currently
working with the trail committee to increase the trail systems in the town and his involvement
in the community continues even without official capacity.
4. Once a decision is made after careful and reasoned debate, describe your ability to support
the majority opinion, even though you may not agree. He feels that this is why you have a
Council; once a Council decides on an issue it is important that you support it whether you
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 3 of 8
agree or not. As Mayor he never attempted to reverse or bring back an issue when he did not
agree with their decision.
5. Describe your understanding of the role of the Council versus the role of Staff in a local
government. The Council is the policy maker and the staff carries out the tasks so you don’t
have to micro manage.
6. The public process can seem to be slow and tedious. Describe your ability to deal with the
frustration this may cause. He used to think that the City process was slow until he was
County Commissioner. He learned that at that high of a level there are many things that will
take years to catch up with City decisions.
7. Describe your ability to dedicate the sometimes-large amounts of time required to be of
service to your community, including the opportunities to serve on local, county, regional, and
state committees. He responded that he has done all of this before and it would not be
anything new for him to do again.
Applicant Tracie Pugh:
1. Describe your vision for Oakridge and what your service on the Council can do to reach that
vision. My vision for the town is to see it continue to prosper, and continue to raise her kids in
a safe community. She looks forward to raising and staying in Oakridge with her family.
2. Describe the strengths that you would bring to the Council. She is easy going has good
leadership skills, is a people person, communicates well, and has good family ties.
3. Describe any previous public or civic service you have given. She has no previous
experience and this is the first Council meeting she has attended. She is here today because
of things that she has heard around town and would like to become involved to help make a
difference. She feels that it does not good to just complain, but rather to stand up and get
involved.
4. Once a decision is made after careful and reasoned debate, describe your ability to support
the majority opinion, even though you may not agree. She feels she can have an open mind
to see both sides of the coin and would be able to agree with the Council when it is needed.
She feels that if the majority goes one way then you should support each other as a team.
5. Describe your understanding of the role of the Council versus the role of Staff in a local
government. She believes the Council has to take in the community opinions and make
decisions while the staff carries out the duties.
6. The public process can seem to be slow and tedious. Describe your ability to deal with the
frustration this may cause. She feels there are a lot of things in life that are slow and tedious
but you have to understand that and you need to take the time to put in the effort and come up
with the correct decision.
7. Describe your ability to dedicate the sometimes-large amounts of time required to be of
service to your community, including the opportunities to serve on local, county, regional, and
state committees. She has a very supportive family of her time as well as a somewhat flexible
job that is only part time. She is available mostly on evenings and weekends. Councilor L.
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8
Chapman asked how long she has been a resident. She has lived off and on in Oakridge
since 1987.
Mayor Bond individually consulted each Council member to verify if they wanted to wait or if
they were ready to appoint a member now. All Councilors verified that they were ready to
appoint now.
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by C. Schorer to appoint Donald Hampton for the vacant
Council position. G. Fortune (Aye), R. Clark (Aye), Mayor Bond (Aye), D. Shields (Aye), L.
Chapman (Aye), and C. Schorer (Aye). Motion carried 6-0.
Councilor G. Fortune thanked all of the candidates for applying. It is his opinion that one did
stand out for his prior history with the Council. Mayor Bond also informed the other applicants
that there will be an election coming in the following year and she looks forward to seeing them
on the ballot for candidacy. The other Councilors thanked the participants as well.
City Recorder Chantell Hayson swore in Donald Hampton to join the Council for the remainder
of the meeting.
2.2
Ordinance 882 Codification of City Code – First Reading
Gordon explained to the Council that every few years we need to update the Code of
Ordinance book with any new ordinances that the Council has passed.
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by R. Clark to approve the first reading of Ordinance 882
codifying the recently passed City Ordinances. Mayor Bond (Aye), G. Fortune (Aye), D.
Hampton (Aye), D. Shields (Aye), R. Clark (Aye), L. Chapman (Aye), and C. Schorer (Aye).
Motion carried 7-0.
2.3
Ordinance 880 Fuel Seller’s Amendment – First Reading
Gordon explained that the staff has come back with a way to charge the fuel dealers license
fee to the card lock location. We have worked out to charge them at least 5% of the total sales
at the card lock; state wide average is 10% on cars; staff felt that there would be heavy truck
traffic and therefore we chose 5%, unless the dealer can bring detailed sheets showing how
much they actually did in car vs. truck sales. Staff felt that the statewide was a bit high
because we do not feel that we have a lot of commercial and personal use that could happen
based on the size of our city vs. the amount of trucks that will be passing through.
Larry Phipps asked if this applies only to the card lock. Gordon responded that the previous
ordinance already in effect covers the 3% for the gas stations. Larry asked that if a PUC were
added to the other stores, would they be charged this 5% of sales. Gordon responded for
them that it is all sales because they fall under the prior ordinance, while this new ordinance
amendment is only for the card lock.
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by D. Shields to approve the first reading of Ordinance
880 amending Ordinance 876 imposing an exemption of weight-mile tax license holders
without the emergency clause. G. Fortune (Aye), D. Shields (Aye), Mayor Bond (Aye), R.
Clark (Aye), L. Chapman (Aye), C. Schorer (Aye), and D. Hampton (Aye). Motion carried 7-0.
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8
COMMUNITY SERVICES
3.1
Ordinance 883 Willamette Way Rezone – First Reading
Gordon reminded the Council of the discussion at a prior meeting for the vacant lot East of the
current car wash located on Highway 58. This will complete the ordinance for the rezone
request.
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by R. Clark to approve the first reading of Ord.883
amending the zoning map for the parcel on Willamette Way. G. Fortune (Aye), D. Shields
(Aye), Mayor Bond (Aye), R. Clark (Aye), L. Chapman (Aye), C. Schorer (Aye), and D.
Hampton (Aye). Motion carried 7-0.
3.2
Fish Hatchery Road Cooperative Agreement
Gordon explained that this is not a final contract but in order for him to proceed with
negotiations he needs to have the Council’s consent thus far. As you recall we are replacing
the bridge on Hwy 58 next to the Bink’s market. We are working with ODOT to redesign and
make the intersection safer. The plan is to move the road further down Hwy 58 approximately
950 feet so that it gives more room to see before the corner. With oil prices going up the
original estimate of $320,000 will not be enough. Currently there is only $240,000 available.
The City will need to come up with at least $60,000 to move forward with the current design.
Gordon believes the City can afford this by using $30,000 from the Oakridge Industrial Park
and $30,000 from the Street Fund. The State has agreed to pay for the additional $20,000 if
we pay our portion. They are also willing to cover any overages if we are willing to use our
own crews to help with final costs if we go over the $320,000.
Councilor D. Hampton asked if the road will still be there and Gordon responded that it will be
moved and blocked from Hwy 58 but will still be maintained as Roberts Ranch Road for the
three homes that are there. Councilor C. Schorer asked if the residents up there are happy
with this and Gordon responded that they are looking forward to the new design, as it is very
dangerous to come out onto Hwy 58. There have been several accidents in the last few years
because of the current design.
Motion by G. Fortune and seconded by R. Clark to approve the tentative Fish Hatchery Road
Co-op agreement. D. Shields (Aye), R. Clark (Aye). G. Fortune (Aye), L. Chapman (Aye), C.
Schorer (Aye), D. Hampton (Aye), and Mayor Bond (Aye). Motion carried 7-0.
3.3 Painting for crosswalks, stop bars, and a new intersection at 2nd and Rose.
Kevin explained that this next week the public works crews would be working on painting and
he needs to know what type of intersection they will want for 2 nd and Rose Street. An in-depth
discussion followed on whether there should be multiple stop signs, yield signs, or no signs. A
final consensus leaned towards having three stop signs, one at each street based on the fact
that the intersection is completely surrounded by the schools and the school district office.
Councilor R. Clark reminded the staff of needing to extend a particular parking space as no
parking to help unblock the view of traffic. Chief Gomez will connect with the crews about this
particular location.
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 6 of 8
Motion by R. Clark and seconded by C. Schorer to have 3 stop signs at Rose and 2 nd Street.
R. Clark (Aye), L. Chapman (Nay), D. Shields (Aye), C. Schorer (Aye), D. Hampton (Aye),
Mayor Bond (Aye) and G. Fortune (Nay). Motion carried 5-2.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Chief Gomez stated that he was at a training this evening, but other than that all is
going well.
Fire Chief Jerry Shorey reported that the grant from the Department of Human Services (DHS)
has been received for the rescue rig. The Fire Department staff is also revising the call signs
to be consistent with Lane County requirements. He continued to thank everyone for the
cards, flowers, and donations for Mark’s Memorial. He reported that the ambulance has been
purchased and is currently in route to Portland for lettering and should be arriving soon.
REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Councilor G. Fortune attended the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) meeting which was a
review of the past year’s goals and accomplishments. They then proceeded to compile ten
pages of goals for the next year. He also attended the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority
(LRAPA) meeting where they elected another member of the board, who is an environmental
attorney. LRAPA is working on forming a co-op group on how to weatherize homes and get
more woodstove replacements. He mentioned some of the ideas that he learned about during
the interviews for the efficiency of using Bio Fuels and how we have that resource already
available, many of which are already a part of our forests. He looks forward to learning more
about this soon. Kevin Urban was appreciative of the assistance that LRAPA gave us by
calling homes with the recent breakdown of our well pump.
Councilor R. Clark attended a Public Safety Task Force meeting where they discussed ways of
financing techniques to support a 34 million dollar project to hire more officers. She reported
at the meeting that she did not feel Oakridge nor other smaller communities would be able to
help fund these revenues through more taxes being that we are already in a depressed state.
She mentioned that others are now asking for accountability of the funds they already have,
although none has yet to be explained. She feels that this is a starting point for the committee
and the discussions will follow with more in depth thought going into where they are at
currently with the money they use. The other cities involved also want to see the budget
proposals not only for this additional money but the current budget. The next meeting will be
Thursday, August 25th in the Carmichael Room at the John Serbu Youth Center in Eugene with
dinner starting at 5:30 and the meeting at 6:00 p.m. September 8th will be the final meeting of
this current committee if anyone wants to attend.
Mayor Bond needs an appointee for the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council
(MFWWC). Councilor D. Hampton volunteered to attend the meetings.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor L. Chapman welcomed Councilor D. Hampton aboard the Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
5.1
ORS 192.660 (2)(f) For the Consideration of Non Public Materials
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 7 of 8
5.2
5.3
ORS 192.660 (2)(a) For the Consideration of Employment of a Public Officer
ORS 192.660 (2)(e) Property Negotiations
The Council convened into executive session at 8:35 p.m.
Executive session ended and Council reconvened at 9:20 p.m.
Mayor Bond entertained a motion by Council for Property Negotiations.
Motion by R. Clark and seconded by C. Schorer to accept the bid offer of $5,000 for a small
parcel of property that was listed as surplus by the Council last year. L. Chapman (Aye), D.
Hampton (Aye), G. Fortune (Aye), C. Schorer (Aye), Mayor Bond (Aye), D. Shields (Aye), and
R. Clark (Aye). Motion carried 7-0.
ADJOURN
Mayor Bond adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted before the City Council September 1, 2005.
Signed: ____________________________________
S. Sue Bond, Mayor
Date
Attest:
____________________________________
Chantell R. Hayson, City Recorder
Date
August 18, 2005, City Council Minutes Page 8 of 8