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Home My WebLink About04/09/26 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 26, 2026 6:00 PM 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, Ward II Kelley Johnson, Ward I Neil Olsen, Ward IV Brian Whitaker, At Large Michael Quilty, and Ward III Sarah Roberts The following staff were also present: City Manager Chris Clayton, City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer, Police Chief Scott Logue, Parks and Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Matt Samitore, Community Planner III Justin Gindlesperger, Planning Director Stephanie Powers and City Recorder/Assistant Finance Director Rachel Neuenschwander 4 Presentation A. Jackson County Fire District 3 The Fire Chief presented the annual report for Fire District 3, highlighting the district's commitment to serving the community through fire, EMS, and life safety services. The district responded to 9,156 calls in 2025, representing a moderate 2.33% increase over the previous year. Key achievements included hiring four new firefighters through a 10-week academy, adding finance and IT staff, and completing succession planning as several veteran firefighters retired. The Chief discussed the district's ongoing management agreement with Fire District 5, providing executive services while maintaining Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 2 of 7 separate budgets. A regional study is underway to evaluate consolidation opportunities among area fire districts. The district continues community care programs and wildfire mitigation efforts, including fuel reduction work in East Antelope and Agate Lake areas. Looking ahead, the district plans to promote captains and engineers, begin a new recruit academy, and continue serving each community's unique needs while maintaining adequate staffing for fire season. 5 Public Comments 6 Public Agency Comments 7 Consent Agenda A. Approval of March 12, 2026, Meeting Minutes B. OLCC Application - Tandoori Flames Motion: Approve consent agenda with the following amendment: spelling error of Neil Olsen's name and correct a portion of the Mayor's Report Moved By: Neil Olsen Seconded by: Rob Hernandez Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts voted yes. 8 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 9 Public Hearing A. Ordinance Amending Environmental Management Element of the Comprehensive Plan Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 3 of 7 Community Planner III Justin Gindlesperger presented the updated Environmental Management Element, explaining that the original 1980/1983 element reflected Central Point's rural character, while the updated version addresses the city's current urban development needs. The update includes better data on wetlands inventory and riparian corridors, incorporates community input from a steering committee, and provides science-based protections necessary for future annexation within the UGB. The update is required to meet Goal 5 resource requirements for annexing lands in the newly mapped Urban Growth Boundary. The new element includes nine goals and 44 policies focused on stewardship of natural resources. Mayor Browning opened the public hearing, no one came for ward and the public hearing was closed. Motion: Approve Moved By: Brian Whitaker Seconded by: Rob Hernandez Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts voted yes. Brian Whitaker moved to forward the ordinance to repeal and replace the Central Point Comprehensive Plan Environmental Management Element text and to amend in part the Environmental Overlay map in the Land Use Element to a second reading. B. Ordinance Amending the Central Point Municipal Code to Establish Environmental Overlay Chapter Community Planner III Justin Gindlesperger presented to the council an ordinance establishing new environmental overlay standards codifying wetland and stream corridor protections, limit ing new lot creation in riparian corridors and wetlands, updating stream setback requirements with science-based standards, and providing a process for correcting mapping errors. Discussion focused on fencing standards, with council questioning whether different standards were necessary for existing versus new lots. Staff explained that state regulatio ns require stricter protections Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 4 of 7 for new development while allowing existing nonconforming uses to continue. The City Attorney clarified that the safe harbor provision under state law limits the city's flexibility in these requirements. Council also expressed concern about protecting wildlife and ecosystems, seeking assurance that appropriate materials and monitoring would be required for any development near sensitive areas. Mayor Browning opened the public hearing, no one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion: Approve Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Michael Quilty Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts voted yes. Rob Hernandez moved to forward the ordinance amending Central Point Municipal Code Chapter 17.66 to establish Environmental Overlay Standards, Chapter 16.10 to limit new lots in riparian corridors and wetlands, Chapter 17.60 to repeal stream setback requirements, Chapter 17.05 to establish a process to correct Overlay Map errors and various sections of Chapter 8.24 to reference the updated Stream Corridor Overlay to a second reading. 10 Ordinances and Resolutions A. Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.04 of the Central Point Municipal Code to Add Section 8.04.045 Unlawful Graffiti on Private Property as a Public Nuisance and Providing for Abatement City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer presented the second reading of the graffiti ordinance, which establishes graffiti on private property as a public nuisance. The city will implement a policy providing supplies and funds to assist property owners with voluntary graffiti removal, with the nuisance enforcement as a last resort. Motion: Approve Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 5 of 7 Moved By: Sarah Roberts Seconded by: Michael Quilty Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts voted yes. Sarah Roberts moved to approve Ordinance No. 2140 an Ordinance amending Chapter 8.04 of the Central Point Municipal Code to add Section 8.04.045 unlawful graffiti on private property as a public nuisance and providing for abatement. B. Ordinance Amending in part Chapter 13.16.010 Water and Utility Rate Discounts for Extreme Hardship City Manager Chris Clayton presented proposed changes to the eligibility for the utility discount program from 150% to 200% of federal poverty guidelines in order to expand eligibility for the utility discount program. The program currently serves 38 participants, down from 140 in 2008. The increase would allow approximately 6 -10 additional applicants per year to qualify for the 50% discount on all city utilities. Council members supported the change, noting the modest fiscal impact and the program's success in preventing homelessness by helping residents maintain utility services. Motion: Approve Moved By: Neil Olsen Seconded by: Kelley Johnson Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts voted yes. Neil Olsen moved to forward an Ordinance Amending in part Chapter 13.16.010 Water and Utility Rate Discounts for Extreme Hardship to a second reading. 11 Business 12 Mayor’s Report The Mayor attended the regional mayors meeting with participation from Medford, Ashland, Gold Hill, and Rogue River to discuss regional Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 6 of 7 resources and opportunities. She also attended an urban forest public meeting, the Oregon Sustainability Board meeting, the employee breakfast, study session, and will judge at Quiltopia at Alderwood on Saturday. 13 City Manager’s Report City Manager Chris Clayton reported that the April and May agendas will address franchise renewals for Avista, Charter, and Hunter Communications. Urban renewal budget meetings will occur in May, and the city will implement supplemental budgets in June to correct line items within the fiscal year rather than waiting until the end of the biennial budget. The Cheese Festival will be April 25–26 at the Expo, United Strategies will present the legislative session report at the next meeting, and the Southern Oregon Physicians Association will present on primary care physician recruitment efforts. 14 Council Reports Council members attended various meetings including study sessions, employee recognition breakfast, community engagement training, Jackson County Public Safety Coordinating Council, RVCOG meetings, MPO meetings, LOC events, and Airport Advisory Committee meetings. One member noted questions from constituents about signage and drone concerns. Another highlighted the impressive progress on the new community center construction. 15 Department Reports Planning Director Stephanie Powers reported that the Planning Commission and Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a joint meeting April 9th on residential code amendments. The Cartiva car sales lot is close to receiving building permits, and the Pine Street event center decision was signed with an appeal period ending April 6th. Parks and Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Matt Samitore provided extensive updates on the new community center, including tours scheduled for April and May, the selection of Kemper Sports Management to operate the facility, and their goal of booking 40+ weekends annually. The county facility will be managed jointly with the city's programming. Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA Central Point City Council March 26, 2026 Meeting Page 7 of 7 Police Chief Scott Logue reported on recent incidents including a Goodwill craft fire and a shooting in Grants Pass with a suspect apprehended in Central Point. He noted that Grocery Outlet has deployed security robots on their property that will patrol and contact dispatch if needed. 16 Adjournment Neil Olsen moved to adjourn, all said aye, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 PM. The foregoing minutes of the March 26, 2026, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of _________________, 202 5. Dated: _________________________ Mayor Taneea W. Browning ATTEST: __________________________ City Recorder Docusign Envelope ID: F38EB49B-E1FA-8B0B-8012-15640BECE3AA April 9, 2026