CITY OF MORO

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

COUNCIL MEETING

The Moro City Council met for a Council Meeting, Tuesday, September 3, 2013 7:00 PM at the Steve Burnet Extension Building.The following were present Mayor Andy Anderson; Councilors David Lane, Bert Perisho, Jim Payne, Evan Christiansen(absent); Rene’ Moore-City Administrator (CA), John English-Director of Public Works (DPW). Visitors Jaclyn & Beth McCurdy, Carol Anderson, Mikel Lyon, Edythe Moreau, Nell Melzer, W.P. Thurston, Dan Talley, Don Muzechenko, Laura Perisho, Mark Corey, Shawn Payne, Jennifer & Ken Berry, Debbie & Tony Arsanis.

CONSENT AGENDA-MINUTES-BILLS-FINANCIAL REPORT - There was a motion (Lane/Payne) to approve the August 6th, 2013 Council Meeting minutes. Motion Carried.

There was a motion (Lane/Perisho) to approve August’s bills totaling $20,446.11, check numbers 10569-10593. Motion Carried.

PAST DUE WATER/SEWER ACCOUNTS – There were 5 disconnect notices delivered. Two disconnected and the other’s paid a portion due.

The Mayor announced the agenda would be changed a bit to accommodate a visitor in attendance.

PROPOSAL TO “PARTITION PLAT” TAX PARCEL 4800 – The Mayor turned the conversation over to Dan Meader – Contract Planner for the City and Don Muzchenko – property owner. Mr. Meader shared a map of the property prepared by Stuart Chisholm Surveying LLC. The Ordinance doesn’t require a public hearing; just a review and that is what we are doing this evening. There was some discussion regarding road widths and fire hydrant placement. Mr. Meader noted that water and sewer needs to be added to the map and approved by the appropriate municipalities. Mr. Meader stated he would guide the Council to approve the tentative plan contingent on the design work once the streets, water and sewer are added. There was no other discussion from the Council. A motion (Payne/Lane) to approve the tentative plot plan presented by Don Muzechenko with the understanding design work showing street widths, water and sewer placement will be presented to the Council for final approval. Motion Carried. Mr. Meader will send a follow-up list to the City with a to-do list for Mr. Muzechenko. The Mayor did state there have been rumors the City will be taking over the streets to this subdivision and he isn’t sure the City is interested in doing that.

The Council resumed its regular schedule of the agenda.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS – Mark Corey stated he was on the agenda later but needs to leave and shared with the Council he is interested in purchasing some property on 4th/Court Street. This property is a double lot with one house and a garage. Mr. Corey is interested in placing a second home on the back lot but the garage is situated on both. Before Mr. Corey purchases the double lot he wanted to know what the Council thought if he was to apply for variance permit to allow the garage in its current location. The Council questioned what would happen if he was to sell the property; does the variance go with the sale or end? Mr. Corey stated if he sold the property he would sell it as a combined double lot or tear down the garage. It was also suggested that Mr. Corey could do a lot line adjustment which would require only a minor survey of the property.

WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – The Mayor asked for John English (DPW) to give an update on the Wastewater Improvement Project. Mr. English shared we are right on target to find the right bio-solids property; now we just need to get DEQ here for a site review of the added properties. Mr. English also shared he received a set of 60% completed plans, but hasn’t had the opportunity to look them over yet. Mr. English told the Council that 90% completed plans went to the Kennedy/Jenks Engineering internal review committee and he should be seeing those plans soon. The Mayor reported that the process of the bio-solids isn’t holding up the project going out for bid this fall, as planned.

TREES TRIMMED AND SIGNS TO BE MOVED – Rene’ Moore (CA) indicated 23 trees were trimmed by R&C Trees in and around town but mainly the trees planted on the Highway. The trees were also sprayed for aphids. Ms. Moore noted ODOT came out and marked where they will move the signs on the Highway that are currently placed in the trees. We are on ODOT’s calendar to get that done in October. The Mayor would like for the City to have the trees by the post office trimmed and wondered whether our maintenance crew could do that. Limbs are hanging really low and in the way of people parking and going to the post office.

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 258 ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM TO CHARGE USER FEES FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT – The Mayor reported this will be the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 258. Councilor Lane read aloud the proposed Ordinance No. 258 to establish a program to charge user fees for the deployment of emergency services by the Fire Department. There was a motion (Perisho/Lane) to approve the adoption of Ordinance No. 258 which will go into effect 30 days from the date of adoption. Motion Carried Unanimously.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION COUNCILOR CHRISTIANSEN– The Council received a letter of resignation from Councilor Evan Christiansen. The Mayor had contacted Mr. Christiansen but his call was never returned. The Mayor invited a motion to accept Mr. Christiansen’s resignation. There was a motion (Perisho/Lane) to accept the resignation of Evan Christiansen from City Council. Motion Carried. The Mayor asked for Rene’ Moore (CA) to explain the procedure on how to fill a vacancy. Ms. Moore stated an ad will be placed in The Condon Times, Sherry’s E-News and Post Office seeking out Moro residents to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term which is less than two years. Letters of interest will be reviewed by the Council and interviews to follow. The Council will appoint someone to fulfill this outgoing Councilor’s term.

QUESTION REGARDING A VARIANCE PERMIT POSSIBITY – 400 4TH STREET – This question was presented in “Comments from Citizens about Agenda Items” by Mark Corey.

QUESTION REGARDING A ZONE CHANGE POSSIBLITY – 106 1ST STREET – Rene’ Moore (CA) shared there is a couple from Union, Oregon interested in purchasing the Old English Building at 106 1st Street. They would like to remodel the building to live in it. Currently the lot is zoned Commercial which states in the Ordinance one can only live on the second floor of the building. Following discussion by the Council, Council came to the consensus that they would not be inclined to re-zone it to residential, however possibly a variance could be granted allowing the building to be utilized as a residence. The Council’s goal is to see an abandoned building cleaned up and utilized. The current property owners were in attendance at the meeting and they, too, would like to live in it if it isn’t sold. The proper paper work, ads placed, letters sent out and a public hearing for either a zone change or variance would have to take place regardless of who buys it or moves in.

COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS CONCERNING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA –

W.P. Thurston stated he brought up at the last meeting security cameras to be installed in City Hall and also expressed concern about the “Welcome to Moro” signs. The Mayor stated the City isn’t interested in security cameras at this time and the signs are being touched up and should be back up by the week’s end.

Shawn Payne also stated, even though we have had some moisture the burn ban still hasn’t lifted and probably won’t until at least October. NO burning within the City limits.

GOOD OF THE ORDER – John English (DPW) shared it was time for a regular cleaning of the wells, so Schneider Equipment, Inc. was called in to inspect the wells. About that time the City Hall well had stopped working and was on overload. The diagnosis is the pump from the City Hall well needs to be pulled. Schneider Equipment provided an estimate to pull the pump at a cost of $20,988. Mr. English shared this same thing happened in 2008 and we could track it down to lightning strikes and insurance paid for it. Mr. English has been in contact with Erling Jacobson to see if there were any lightning strikes around that time and it appears there were. Mr. English is going to work up a report to send to insurance for a possible claim.

Councilor Lane stated he is glad to see the “Welcome to Moro” signs back up. The Mayor also shared he had spoken with Keith Blaylock about him doing something with his metal art for new “Welcome to Moro” signage. This might be something the City wants to pursue in the future to replace the old “Welcome to Moro” signs.

Councilor Payne would like to see the goat-head (puncher-vine) issue cleaned up and not just sprayed. The City is also having a large morning-glory problem as well. Councilor Payne has been in contact with the County Weed Department about possibly spraying the morning-glory.

The Mayor reported that next month’s City Council Meeting will be back down at City Hall.

The Mayor also shared through ODOT’s help the City has spent almost $15,000 prepping Bidwell Street for an overlay. Once the City receives a grant for street improvements Bidwell Street will be ready with a good base.

The Mayor suggested that the City’s Subdivision Ordinance be reviewed at the next Council Meeting. When he was viewing the ordinance it was apparent a lot of blanks still remain and the City needs to get those filled in.

Next regular Council Meeting is scheduled for October 1st, 2013 @ 7:00 pm location Moro City Hall.

______Mayor, City of Moro Attest

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Date

City of Moro

Council Meeting Minutes

September 3, 2013