July 13, 2015

The Enterprise City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor Steve Lear; Councilors Jennie Word, Larry Christman, Laura Miller, Stacey Karvoski, Dave Elliott, Bill Coffin; City Attorney Roland Johnson; Staff Michele Young, Ronnie Neil, Denine Rautenstrauch.

Guests: Joseph Volpe, Lisa Hayes of ODOT and Pete Caldwell of ODOT.

Pledge of Allegiance

Introductions

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilor Christman made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to approve the May 21, June 8 and 24, 2015 minutes. Motion passed with 6 in favor and Councilor Miller abstaining.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Troy and Dana Nave did not appear to appeal their tall grass and weed letter.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Public Works: Councilor Karvoski inquired on the process used for tall grass and weed violations. Ronnie stated that they drive around and create a list. We then write                         a letter giving them 10 days. If there are people that haven't complied we write them another letter giving them another 10 days before action is taken. We have never had to take action. The council was provided a copy of the ordinance in their packets and they reviewed the violation penalties. Councilor Karvoski asked when the water project was to begin. Roland is reviewing the insurance now, the Contract is delayed until the insurance review is complete.

Ronnie stated the hydrant specs held the project up as well because the contractors supplier do not carry the brand of hydrant we requested, it has since been worked out.

Library:  Denine stated all funding is in place for the Library project. Denine stated they collected 100% of the four grants applied for on this last phase so they are ready to move

 forward.

Admin.:  Michele reported that the Planning Commission has 3 public hearings coming up and that the EM&M was awarded a $6,000 grant from the Facade Grant    Program  through the Landmarks Commission. Michele's report stated 11 applicants applied for the Chief's position and that her office is now proceeding with their                                accounting software conversion. Michele also reported that the Municipal Code has been updated and the city netted $523 on the sale of the property after the loan payoff.

Police: Councilor Word reported that Officer Kohlhepp is at a Field Training Class this week and when he returns he will be able to provide Officer Miller with the                                 training he needs before going to academy and be signed. off. She also complimented the two officers on duty, they have done an excellent job under the pressures they have had to deal with.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Police Committee: Mayor Lear asked at what point would the council like to discuss the hiring of a new Chief. We have at least 9 chiefs that have passed the first review process. Do we want to move forward to the hiring process of a new Police Chief. Councilor Coffin asked about the process. Both Councilor Elliott and Coffin feel they do not have enough information to be able to vote to proceed with hiring or contracting. Michele stated that the City Council is going to have to have the conversation about whether to have a conversation with the County about contracting services or moving forward to hiring a new Police Chief. After further discussion it was felt that a special meeting should be held in a few weeks to give councilors enough time to get more information in order to make a decision regarding the Police Dept.

Joe Volpe stated that when he moved here he felt it was a good thing that we had our own Police Department. As a citizen he feels the only reason that we would consider not having one is because we were pushed into it financially. If there is any way to keep our Police Dept, that should the your goal. Councilor Karvoski stated that she feels it sends a message to people wanting to move here that we are invested in our city enough to have our own department, have controls over what happens in our town.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Stacey asked about the status of the personnel manual. Michele stated that Steven Schuback is reviewing it.

NEW BUSINESS

Award of Library Architect Contract:

Roland stated that contracts under $100,000 are exempted from the competitive proposal process and we can simply award the contract. Pinnacle Architect have been working on this project without billing the city and they have quoted a price of $20,000 at a flat fee. Roland is unsure how to gauge the flat fee for competitiveness but we do not have a proposal process. The council can decide to award it to Pinnacle or go out for a competitive proposal. He has talked with Peter Baird of Pinnacle and Roland has problems with a waiver clause which they have worked out and the arbitration which they have also agreed to modify.  

Denine stated she did reach out to Wallowa Mountain Engineering and Anderson Perry, both declined the project. She then talked to the Museum in Joseph, they used Pinnacle and so that is who we contacted. Denine stated they did the preliminary plans and sent them out and helped with the design and grant work. Councilor Christman made and Councilor Coffin seconded the motion to award the Architect Contract to Pinnacle at a cost of $20,000.00.

Councilor Elliott asked if the museum is satisfied, Denine stated yes.   Motion passed unanimously giving the authority of the Mayor and City Recorder to sign contracts,

Main Street Show and Shine:

The City Council review the Street Closure request from Main Street Show and Shine. Councilor Karvoski made and Councilor Miller seconded the motion to approve as presented, street dance on August 14th in the evening and all day on August 15 for the Car show. Motion passed unanimously.

Maxville Motel Tax Grant

Michele stated that she was unsure what the $200 grant for Maxville was based on how the conversation went. She received a request for reimbursement for signs at their Joseph Location but Michele thought the actual application was for an event at the Wallowa County Care Center. After discussion it was felt it had to be tied to the Care Center proposal.

City Attorney resignation –

The City Attorney, Roland Johnson submitted a letter of resignation. Councilor Christman asked if Roland would continue to work on projects that are ongoing, Roland stated he would. Councilor Christman felt that we should have a continuation with Roland on the James case. The Public Work project is now in a phase that does not require that. The Executive Committee will review the RFP and move forward.

Tall Grass and Weed Complaint

Ryan and Ranzie Barney submitted a letter regarding concerns about the fire hazard at 508 NW Park and 305 Robert Street, they have tall grass. After discussion Ronnie will see that letters are mailed and the property owners are contacted.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourn.

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                                                                                    Steven D. Lear, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Michele R. Young, City Admin./Recorder