HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/26 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
May 28, 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 Garrett West, Parks and Public Works Director/Assistant City
Manager Matt Samitore, Police Chief Scott Logue, Planning Director
Stephanie Powers, Finance Director Tessa DeLine, and City
Recorder/Assistant Finance Director Rachel Neuenschwander.
4 Public Comments
Hannah Treadway addressed the council regarding her pet pig, Mabel
Jean, a mini-pot-bellied pig. She requested that the council review and
update Central Point municipal code 6.06.01 regarding pigs within city
limits. She explained that the current ordinance prohibits all pigs but
argued there should be a distinction between livestock raised for
commercial purposes and domesticated pot -bellied pigs kept strictly as
household pets. She noted that many cities have updated their
ordinances to recognize pot-bellied pigs as companion animals rather
than farm animals. The City Manager r esponded that staff could research
the matter and bring back recommendations to the council.
Tamara Maher, along with friends and neighbors, expressed concerns
about recent herbicide spraying at parks, particularly around the newly
established pollinator garden at Flanagan Park. She requested that
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Central Point join other Rogue Valley communities (Talent, Ashland,
Phoenix, and Medford) in becoming a "bee city." She explained that this
designation would involve making a commitment to conserve native
pollinators through various actions, including reducing pesticide use and
implementing integrated pest management systems. The Parks and
Public Works Director responded that the matter would be presented to
the Parks Commission for review and recommendation.
5 Public Agency Comments
6 Consent Agenda
A. Approval of April 23, 2026, Meeting Minutes
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Kelley Johnson
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
7 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
8 Public Hearing
9 Ordinances and Resolutions
A. Resolution Ratifying the Police Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
Human Resources Director Elizabeth Simas presented details of the
police contract negotiations that began in March and concluded in
May 2026. She outlined the police staff composition of 29 employees
plus one vacancy, including 4 police support specialists, 2 community
service officers, 19 police officers, and 4 corporals. Key changes
included switching from Roman numerals to Arabic numbering, using
gender-neutral terms, and removing obsolete language.
Significant provisions included allowing detectives to change from
semimonthly to weekly on-call duty with pay increased from $185 to
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$250 per week. The city agreed to contribute to a deferred
compensation program starting at $50/month in 2027, increasing to
$100/month in 2028. Field Training Officer pay of 5% was extended to
corporals beginning in 2027. Evidence technician pay increased from
5% to 8% for the police support specialist handling evidence duties.
Additional benefits included a $750 reimbursement for recruits
traveling to the police academy, holiday pay at time and a half, and a
sick leave sell-back program beginning in 2028 allowing employees
with over 520 hours to sell back half the value to an HRA Veba
account. Salary increases were set at 3.75% for 2026 and 2027, with
2% plus a new 5% top step in 2028.
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Sarah Roberts Seconded by: Neil Olsen
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
Sarah Roberts moved to approve Resolution No. 1865, A
Resolution Ratifying the Police Collective Bargaining Agreement
and authorizing the Mayor and the City Manager to sign the
Agreement.
B. Crest-Vista Waterline Bid
Matt Samitore Parks and Public Works Director, presented the bid
opening results for the Crest-Vista Waterline project. He explained
that the asbestos concrete pipe was discovered to be unsecured
during routine maintenance, held only by water meter connections.
Nine bids were received, with Express Excavation LLC submitting the
lowest qualified bid. The project came in $150,000 under the
engineer's estimate and would begin within 10 days if approved.
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Rob Hernandez Seconded by: Brian Whitaker
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
Rob Hernandez moved to approve Resolution No. 1866, a
Resolution approving the lowest qualified bid for the
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construction of the Crest-Vista Waterline Replacement Project to
Express Excavation, LLC and authorizing the City Manager to
sign the contract.
C. A Resolution to Annex 4258 Hamrick Road
Stephanie Powers Planning Director presented three separate
voluntary annexation applications for properties that are county
islands within the city limits. All three properties met the required
criteria: contiguity to city limits, location within the urban growth
boundary, pre-designated zoning, and full consent of property owners.
The first property at 4258 Hamrick Road consists of 1.78 acres zoned
C4 (tourist and office professional), currently developed with one
single family residence with the remainder vacant. The second
property at 1955 Scenic Avenue is 2.53 acres owned by School
District 6, pre-designated as open space in the Griffin Creek corridor.
The third property at 4632 North Pacific Highway is 1.14 acres zoned
LMR (Low Mix Residential) with a single-family residence.
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Sarah Roberts Seconded by: Neil Olsen
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
Sarah Roberts moved to approve Resolution No. 1867 a
Resolution to annex 1.78 acres located at 4258 Hamrick Road
and identified on the Jackson County Assessor’s Map as 37 2W
01CB, Tax Lot 800.
D. Resolution to Annex 1955 Scenic Ave
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Kelley Johnson Seconded by: Michael Quilty
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
Kelley Johnson moved to approve Resolution No. 1868 a
Resolution to annex 2.53 acres located at 1955 Scenic Avenue
and identified on the Jackson County Assessor’s Map as37 2W
03BA, Tax Lot 100.
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E. Resolution to Annex 4632 North Pacific Highway
Motion: Approve
Moved By: Kelley Johnson Seconded by: Sarah Roberts
Roll Call: Members Taneea Browning, Rob Hernandez, Kelley
Johnson, Neil Olsen, Brian Whitaker, Michael Quilty, Sarah Roberts
voted yes. None voted no.
Kelley Johnson moved to approve Resolution No. 1869 a
Resolution to annex 1.14 acres located at 4632 North Pacific
Highway and identified on the Jackson County Assessor’s Map
as 37 2W 03BD, Tax Lot 400.
F. 2026 City Standard and Specifications
Matt Samitore Parks and Public Works Director presented the
updated 2026 standard specifications document, which had not been
updated in several years while waiting for ODOT to finish their
standard drawings. Key changes included updated phone numbers,
new ADA compliance requirements from ODOT, and changing from
class 54 to class 52 ductile iron pipe to align with manufacturer
availability and Medford Water Commission standards.
10 Business
A. Discussion on Special Events
Matt Samitore Parks and Public Works Director led an interactive
discussion about issues with current special event regulations,
seeking council feedback before bringing back formal ordinance
changes. Key topics included:
Food Trucks in Downtown: Current code prohibits food trucks in
downtown, yet every special event includes them. Council members
generally supported allowing food trucks during special events but not
as permanent fixtures, with concerns about fairness to taxpaying
downtown businesses.
Events Within Events: Problems occurred at Made in Southern
Oregon with unauthorized special events happening within the main
event, creating enforcement issues and liability concerns. Council
supported establishing proximity boundaries to prevent overlapping
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events.
Number of Special Events per Business: Discussion about limiting
frequency of private business special events, with suggestions
ranging from monthly to quarterly limits. Council requested staff
research and recommendations.
Mobile Alcohol Service: Council expressed mixed views on allowing
mobile alcohol vendors, with concerns about competition with existing
downtown bars and enforcement challenges. Initial consensus leaned
toward restrictions or prohibition.
Alley Use: Businesses want to use public alleys for special events,
raising concerns about emergency access, ADA compliance, and fair
compensation for public property use. Council emphasized safety
requirements and proper permitting.
Business License Requirements: Staff recommended requiring all
food trucks and vendors to obtain city business licenses before
participating in special events.
11 Mayor’s Report
The Mayor reported on recent activities including speaking with second
graders about civic engagement and careers in municipal government,
attending high school presentations about government opportunities,
participating in DARE graduations at local elementary schools, and
attending various community events including a medical center grand
opening and rodeo activities.
12 City Manager’s Report
The City Manager reported on insurance renewal proposals showing a
9% increase for the upcoming year, upcoming discussions about feral cat
issues and animal control, meetings with the city's lobbyist for the
upcoming legislative session, progress on RVCOG's food and friends
program relocation, and HVAC replacement needs for city hall estimated
at $250,000.
13 Council Reports
Council members provided brief reports on their recent activities,
including attendance at various board meetings (RVMPO, RVAC,
RVCOG, Jackson County Fire District 3, Fair Board, School District 6),
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budget meetings, and community events. One member noted constituent
concerns about noise complaints and drone activity in residential areas.
14 Department Reports
Department heads provided brief updates including finance department
preparations for fiscal year-end close and budget transitions, legal
department reporting no emergency issues, and public works updates on
water smart program costs and downtown business recruitment efforts.
The Police Chief reported on a recruit's graduation from the academy with
honors and upcoming training activities.
15 Adjournment
Neil moved to adjourn, all said aye, and the meeting was adjourned
at 7:38 PM
The foregoing minutes of the May 28, 2026, Council meeting were approved by the City
Council at its meeting of June 11, 2025.
Dated: _________________________
Mayor Taneea W. Browning
ATTEST:
__________________________
City Recorder
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6/12/2026