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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/12/25 CC Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 410 June 12, 2025 CENTRAL 6:00 PM POINT Central Point City Hall, Council Chambers 140 S 3rd St, Central Point, OR www.centralpointoregon.gov 1 Meeting Called to Order 2 Pledge of Allegiance 3 Roll Call The following members were present: Mayor Taneea Browning, At Large Rob Hernandez, At Large Michael Parsons, Ward II Kelley Johnson, Ward I Neil Olsen, Ward IV Brian Whitaker The following members were absent: Ward III Grey Zimmerman The following staff were also present: City Manager Chris Clayton, City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer, Parks and Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Matt Samitore, Police Chief Scott Logue, Planning Director Stephanie Powers, Community Planner III Justin Gindlesperger, and City Recorder Rachel Neuenschwander 4 Public Comments Central Point Resident Debbie Burrows addressed the council regarding her concerns about illegal fireworks in the community. In response, Chris Clayton, the City Manager, clarified that he had sent Ms. Burrows an email addressing her concerns, which was copied to the entire city council. He explained that the was in the process of amending the fireworks ordinance in July to stiffen penalties for illegal fireworks use and limit the time period for legal fireworks use. Central Point resident Rhonda Klug presented a petition for a dog park at Forest Glen Park. Central Point resident Don Chandler also provided information on the Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 2 of 10 construction costs for the dog park. Matt Samitore, Parks and Public Works Director, responded that the council had previously referred the dog park issue to the Parks _ Commission for a comprehensive review of options throughout Central Point. He invited the presenters to attend the August Parks Commission meeting where all potential locations will be discussed. 5 Public Agency Comment 6 Consent Agenda A. Approval of May 15, 2025, Meeting Minutes Motion: Approve Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Michael Parsons Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker voted yes. None voted no. 7 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda LI- 8 Public Hearing A. Resolution Increasing Parks Maintenance Fee Mayor Taneea Browning read the public hearing statement and none of the council declared any conflicts of interest. Chris Clayton, City Manager, presented a joint proposal for increasing both the parks maintenance fee and the public safety fee. He explained that these increases were necessary to address budget challenges, including personnel cost increases of 10-15% and materials/services cost increases of 7-8% annually. Mr. Clayton provided an overview of the city's financial status, projecting an ending fund balance between $5.25 and $5.5 million for the current fiscal year. He noted that the proposed 2025-27 budget included a deficit of approximately $325,000 in the general fund. 6-4 Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 3 of 10 — The City Manager compared Central Point's tax and fee rates with other nearby cities, highlighting that Central Point ranked second in combined property taxes and fees. He emphasized that the proposed fee increases were intended to close the budget deficit and maintain service levels. Mr. Clayton recommended implementing at least a phased approach to the fee increases, though he personally suggested implementing the full increase immediately to address the deficit more quickly. Mayor Browning, opened the public hearing, no one came forward and the hearing was closed. Neil Olsen moved to amend Resolution No. 1824 to adopt a Property Tax increase from the current tax rate of 4.47% to 4.6% in year one and 4.7% in year two. The motion did not pass with two votes of yes and 4 votes of no. Neil Olsen made a second motion to amend Resolution No. 1824 with a reduced fee increase for Multi-Family Residential of $0.25 for year one and year two and a reduced single family fee increase of $.50 for year one and $.50 for year two. The motion failed with a tie vote of three votes of yes and three votes of no. Michael Parsons moved to approve Resolution No. 1824 a Resolution adopting incremental increases to Parks Maintenance Fee effective July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026 as originally presented. Motion: Approve Moved By: Michael Parsons Seconded by: Rob Hernandez Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson voted yes. Neil Olsen and Brian Whitaker voted no. B. Resolution Increasing Public Safety Fee Chris Clayton, City Manager gave another brief overview of his presentation regarding the Public Safety Fee. Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 4 of 10 Mayor Browning opened the public hearing. No one came forward, and the public hearing was closed. Rob Hernandez moved to approve Resolution No. 1825 a Resolution adopting incremental increases to the Public Safety Fee effective July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. Motion: Approve Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Kelley Johnson Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson voted yes. Neil Olsen and Brian Whitaker voted no. C. Resolution Adopting Amended Official Compensation Package City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer presented a resolution to amend the official compensation package for public officials. This amendment was necessitated by a recent Oregon Government Ethics Commission opinion regarding the provision of meals and refreshments to employees and volunteers during meetings and events. Ms. Dreyer explained that the proposed changes would explicitly allow for the provision of meals, snacks, and beverages of de minimis value during council meetings, planning commission meetings, training sessions, and special events. She noted that many other cities and counties in Oregon were taking similar actions to ensure compliance with the ethics commission's interpretation. Mayor Browning opened the public hearing. No one came forward, and the public hearing was closed. Neil Olsen moved to approve Resolution No. 1826 a Resolution adopting the 2025 Revised Official Compensation Package for Public Officials - Effective June 1, 2025. Motion: Approve Moved By: Neil Olsen Seconded by: Kelley Johnson Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker voted yes. None voted no. Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 5 of 10 9 Ordinances and Resolutions A. Ordinance Amending Chapter 3.20 Liquor Licenses City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer presented the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 3.20 of the municipal code regarding liquor licenses. She explained that the purpose of the amendment was to bring the city's code into compliance with state law and clean up inconsistencies in the processing of liquor license applications. Ms. Dreyer emphasized that the council would still have the opportunity to make recommendations to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) regarding license approvals or denials. The main change was in the process for applicants to address the council if a denial was recommended, which would now be part of a public hearing rather than a separate appeal process. During discussion, Council sought clarification on the process for liquor _ license applications and the city's role in making recommendations to the OLCC. City Attorney Dreyer explained that the city recorder would process applications, the council would make recommendations, and the OLCC would make final decisions on license approvals. Michael Parsons moved to approve Ordinance No. 2127 an Ordinance amending in part Central Point Municipal Code Chapter 3.20 - Liquor Licenses to add Sections 3.20.000 Purpose and Scope and 3.20.005 Definitions; amend Sections 3.20.010 Application, 3.20.020 Recommendation for Approval of License, and 3.20.030 Recommendation for Refusal of License, and repeal Section 3.20.055 Appeal. Motion: Approve Moved By: Michael Parsons Seconded by: Rob Hernandez Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker voted yes. None voted no. B. Resolution Authorizing Vacation of Portion of Alder Street Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 6 of 10 Matt Samitore, Parks and Public Works Director, presented a resolution to initiate the vacation of a portion of Alder Street between Front Street (Highway 99) and First Street. He explained that this section of right-of-way was no longer needed by the city and that property owners on both sides had requested the vacation. Mr. Samitore noted that the south side of the street had already been vacated in previous years. He recommended that the council initiate the vacation process, which would then be reviewed by the planning commission before returning to the council for final approval. Rob Hernandez moved to approve Resolution No. 1827, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Central Point authorizing a City-initiated vacation of a portion of Alder Street public right-of-way between Pine Street and First Street. Motion: Approve Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Michael Parsons Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker voted yes. None voted no. — C. Moore Family Fields Phase 3 Construction Matt Samitore presented a bid for the Moore Family Fields Phase 3 construction project. He reported that only one bid was received, from Pilot Rock Excavation, for $462,257. The project involves demolishing and installing the last three fields, as well as infrastructure for stormwater management. Mr. Samitore stated that work was expected to commence within the next two weeks and be completed by November. Rob Hernandez moved to approve Resolution No. 1828 accepting Pilot Rock Excavation, Inc., as contractor, in the amount of $462,257, for the Moore Family Fields Phase 3 Construction project. Motion: Approve Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Kelley Johnson Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 7 of 10 Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Michael Parsons, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker voted yes. None voted no. D. North 10th Street Design Contract Matt Samitore presented a recommendation to approve a professional services agreement for the North 10th Street improvement project. He explained that the city used a qualifications-based selection process and negotiated a contract with RH2 Engineering for $221 ,871 . Mr. Samitore noted that the project was funded by a bike and pedestrian grant through the MPO. He anticipated that engineering would start immediately, with the project going out to bid in December and construction starting in 2026. Neil Olsen moved to approve Resolution No. 1829, a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement for the North 10th Street Engineering contract to RH2, Inc. for $221,871, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract with RH2 Engineering Inc. 10 Business A. Presentation of Draft Local Wetland Inventory Justin Gindlesperger, Community Planner III, presented an update on the city's Local Wetland Inventory (LWI). He explained that the Department of State Lands (DSL) was preparing to start their final review of the inventory. Mr. Gindlesperger outlined that the LWI would be part of the updated Environmental Management Element of the city's comprehensive plan, addressing statewide planning goals 5, 6, and 7. He noted that the city had elected to use the "safe harbor" approach, which set standard protections for significant wetlands. The presentation included maps showing the locations of significant wetlands within the city, most of which were in parks and open space areas. Mr. Gindlesperger explained that the inventory would help inform developers about wetland locations and avoid delays in the development process. Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 8 of 10 Council members asked questions about the protection of wetlands and the process for adopting the inventory. Mr. Gindlesperger clarified — that once the DSL formally adopts the LWI, the city would move forward with updating its Environmental Element, which would include developing local protection programs for the identified wetlands. B. Planning Commission Report Stephanie Powers, Planning Director reported on the June 3rd Planning Commission meeting, where the commission discussed draft amendments to Chapter 2.16 of the municipal code, which governs the planning commission's operations. Key changes included adding a purpose statement, allowing internal election of officers, and updating language on unexcused absences. The Planning Director also mentioned ongoing work on the Environmental Element of the comprehensive plan, the development of an exclusive agricultural holding zone for new UGB areas, and other upcoming land development code amendments. 11 Mayor's Report Mayor Browning reported on various activities, including: • She was interviewed by a SOU journalism student on some of the biggest issues facing communities and messaging around students/ young people wanting to get involved in government. • She spoke to five third grade classes from Jewett on the importance of their involvement in the community and how to connect passion with purpose, and addressed the entire student body of Crater High school and staff with the proclamation we approved at the last meeting. • She was interviewed this week by two juniors at Crater for their civics course. • She attended all three elementary schools' DARE graduation and was honored to be featured in the dunk tank on DARE days at Twin Creeks on Monday. • She attended the Rodeo, and the regional Mayors meeting in May along with the study session. Greeters was hosted at the little league field in May, and we had the dedication of the Moore Family Fields yesterday. Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 9 of 10 • She has been participating in the ongoing development of SOREDI's CED's document that was presented to the SOREDI board this week. We had our last committee meeting on the content in May and approved the draft to be adjusted and opened for public comment this week. The board meeting also covered the ED recruitment for SOREDI. • She attended a housing presentation at the Medford library that incorporated land trust agreements to offer equity building for people that qualified with little down, as low as $500 per month. This model looked promising. • She announced that she would not be present at the June 26th meeting, and Councilor Rob Hernandez would lead the meeting in her absence. 12 City Manager's Report City Manager Chris Clayton provided updates on the following: • The 2023 audit is expected to be completed soon, with the 2024 audit scheduled for July 11th. • The new Finance Director, Tessa, will begin work on June 23rd. • Positive feedback was received about the Little League ceremony and the Moore Family Fields project. • A study session is scheduled for Monday night at the community center. • Changes to the council's agenda format will be proposed at the next meeting. 13 Council Reports Council members provided individual reports on their activities since the last meeting, including attendance at various committee meetings, community events, and engagement with constituents. 14 Department Reports Police Chief Scott Logue reported on personnel updates, including a graduation from the police academy and new recruits starting their training. Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore mentioned potential funding issues with the West Pine Street project and emphasized the Central Point City Council June 12, 2025 Meeting Page 10 of 10 importance of having city council representation on regional transportation policy committees. 15 Agenda Building 16 Adjournment Neil Olsen moved to adjourn, all said aye and the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the June 12, 2025, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of VA C_ , 2025. i/ Dated: LP '_CD C2 S '; Council President Hernandez ATTEST: _LPL_ City ecorder