Government & Economic Affairs Committee Meeting MINUTES

December 1, 2016

Chamber Conference Room

Present: Craig DanielsonMark EllingsonWilliam GiffordJanet MannLynda Orzen Char Shinn Lynn Wallis Vicki Yates

Graham PetersonAnnette MattsonRay StobieEric Underwood

Non-voting members/guests: Tony Konkol (until 3:50 pm)

Non-voting staff: Amber Holveck

A meeting of GEAC was called to order by Chair Char Shinn at 3:31 pm at the OC Complex conference room.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda

Tony Konkol, City Manager, provided a report about election impacts to the city. The major impacts were failure of 3-497 and passage of 3-514.

3-497 [This measure sought the approval from citizens to issue bonds to build the new Public Safety Building (Police Department) but it failed with a margin of about 13%. Post-election feedback indicated that residents believed that if they voted no then the $6.50/mo fee would be removed; others indicated they didn’t like being forced to accept the fee in the first place; and others may have been unhappy about the demolition of the school.]

3-514 [This measure asked the citizens if they wished to limit the use of Urban Renewal funds in Oregon City and this passed with about a 3% margin. Generally, this election communicated a voter sentiment of less government spending, involvement, etc. The City of Oregon City is unclear about the ramifications of this vote; the language of the measure did not provide enough specificity for clear action other than stoppage for current/future spending. The Clackamas County Courts will step in to determine if the measure was legislative or administrative in nature. If the finding is ‘legislative’ then the city will likely create a resolution that reflects their interpretation of the measure’s actions. Additionally, the measure authors are suing the city for legal fees. This item will be seen by Judge Wetzel, Clackamas County Circuit Court, on February 13, 2017. At present Oregon City’s urban renewal district has debt of about $8 M.]

3-508 [A yes vote would have maintained a ban on marijuana businesses in OC, however it failed by almost a 10% margin. This means that marijuana businesses may apply for business licenses in January 2017 but only according to the plan developed – first come, first served.]

Tony also added that Nancy Ide and Renate Mengelberg, each running unopposed, were elected as well as Frank O’Donnell who ran against Paul Espe.

Old Business

Election Results summary. Bolded items are those that the Chamber was involved in.

  1. Measure 3-494: Annexation of Boring Fire Protection District into the Clackamas Fire District #1 - PASSED(The other companion measures also passed.)
  2. Measure 3-497: Citizen approval to issue bonds to build the new Public Safety Building (Police Department) - FAILED (Citizens did not give approval to issue a new bond for a new police department building; however, citizens and businesses alike are already paying into the fund for this building. No 56.5% - Yes 43.5%)
  3. Measure 3-502: Renewal of Sheriff's Levy - PASSED (Yes 77.3% - No 22.7%)
  4. Measure 3-507: Issuance of 3% tax on Marijuana sales in Oregon City - PASSED (Yes 75.49% - No 24.51%)
  5. Measure 3-508: Shall Oregon City prohibit marijuana business licenses? FAILED (Oregon City will be open for business to marijuana businesses. No 54.55% - Yes 45.45%)
  6. Measure 3-509: Temporary county fuel tax of 6 cents/gallon for roads - FAILED (No 63.12% - Yes 36.88%)
  7. Measure 3-514: Limits use of Urban Renewal funds in Oregon City - PASSED(Those involved in economic development, especially related to our Downtown and North End will need to look at alternatives to continue improvements in this section of town. Yes 51.54% - No 48.46%)
  8. State Measure 97: Statewide tax on corporate sales - FAILED(No 64.16% - Yes 35.84%)

Candidate Endorsements: City CommissionerRenate Mengelberg, City Commissioner Nancy Ide, State Representative Bill Kennemer, State Representative-elect Mark Meek

Report on tour of Water Environment Services

Janet Mann provided a summary of a late October tour and presentation at the treatment plant. Several tours were organized as a means of engaging business with the importance of the capacity issues at the WES plant. A handout of Janet’s notes were also provided to GEAC members. She shared that WES staff is proud of the facility but also concerned about the ongoing capacity issues. Essentially, a new digester(s) is needed to keep up with the demand. The original expansion plan developed in 2008 called for two digesters; to mitigate costs the plan was adjusted to one new digester and infrastructure set up to accommodate another digester in the next 10+ years. The new plan provides a significant savings.

This topic was the only item of business on the City of Oregon City’s Work Session agenda on 11/30/16, which included city council members from Gladstone and West Linn. Also attending were County Chair Ludlow and Commissioner Jim Bernard. William Gifford and Amber Holveck offered additional comments from the presentation. The CCSD and TCSD under WES will seek an infrastructure grant in April. The goal is to have the new digester operational in 2020 or 2021. The new plan offers cost savings by purchase of one digester but also by creating a smaller footprint on the property. This session was designed to gather all elected officials from each of the TCSD communities so that they could all hear the same information at the same time and discuss as needed. Chair Ludlow played an important role in recommending this meeting.

Chamber Board approves continued involvement in Beavercreek Employment Area
This item was informational and included a copy of the Chamber’s proclamation.

Reports

City of Oregon City – Eric Underwood

Over the course of five months, Eric has met with 32 businesses (a mix of small businesses and developers) who are interested in Oregon City. 1) The city’s property at 1910 Clackamette Drive (between McDonald’s and Clackamette Park) has been taken off the market by the City Commission as the land may be needed for The Cove, etc. 2) 922 Main St is still in escrow. The prospective developer is concerned about land use issues and with the loss of urban renewal funding, a Quiet Zone will not be easily fundable. 3) The City terminated a deal with developer for the property at 12th and Main Streets. There are three others interested, though. 4) There is interest in purchasing the property where the Municipal lot is along Main Street; however if the deal goes through they would have to allow public parking on the location. Several important considerations in this deal. 5) Efforts are underway to find a buyer for Larsen’s Creamery. 6) Phase I of The Cove should be completed in about 18 months; Phase II will probably begin Spring 2018. 7) A lease with Blane Meier is in place for the train depot; First City Central Bistro is not open yet but Blane hopes to soon.

Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition – Annette Mattson

1) Siobhan Taylor has been hired as a ½ time director/consultant for the WFHAC; has a great deal to offer the organization. 2) Their last meeting featured a presentation by PGE’s cultural/archeological representative, Minnie Sharman-Ogle. Minnie will be taking over the role of licensing at the falls. 3) The coalition, led by Alice Norris, is trying hard to get the National Heritage Area feasibility study passed by Congress before the end of this session.

Oregon City Business Alliance – William Gifford

OCBA hosted a record setting luncheon featuring an update on the Willamette Falls Legacy Project from the governmental partners and from the property owner, George Heidgerken. There was significant discussion as to the perceived or real progress being made for the property. Eric Underwood has been working to elicit interest in the administration building with use of the county’s 3D software.

In January, OCBA’s luncheon will feature City Manager, Tony Konkol, to provide a look at the 2016 economic results for the City of Oregon City. The February luncheon will be sponsored by Columbia Bank and will feature former State EconomistTom Potiowsky.

New Business

Support Letter for I-205 Bridge Improvements
Holveck shared that on 11/29, the Chamber was asked to provide a letter of support for expansion of the Abernethy Bridge and an adjacent 6-mile stretch on I-205. The funding would come from a FASTLANE federal grant. The letter was due on 12/1. Holveck crafted the letter and sent it to Executive Committee members to inform and identify any significant concerns.

Election of GEAC Chair
Graham Peterson was nominated by William Gifford. Motion to close nomination made by Vicki Yates and seconded. Motion to close nominations passed unanimously.

Graham Peterson was elected as GEAC Chair with a unanimous voice vote.

Char Shinn of Oregonians Credit Union was thanked for her year of service as GEAC Chair!

2017Legislative/Advocacy Agenda
The following items were offered as a possible list of legislative/advocacy issues during 2017. Chair Shinn recommends developing a platform based on these topics. After discussion, a sub-committee was formed to further craft our list.Sub-committee: Craig Danielson, Graham Peterson, Ray Stobie, Char Shinn and Eric Underwood.

Oregon City

  1. Willamette Falls Legacy Project (Riverwalk Design)
  2. Willamette Falls Heritage Area
  3. Workforce Development (probably under economic development)
  4. Hotel development
  5. Tourism development
  6. Affordable Housing
  7. Public Safety Center (new police department)
  8. Economic development initiatives – with removal of urban renewal
  9. SDC’s – Need to return to concerns about in-fill SDC’s vs new development; expiration of credits; and a specific review of the Transportation SDC’s.
  10. Beavercreek Employment Area
  11. Beavercreek Road Concept Plan
  12. Adaptive Mobility Standards at Beavercreek & Hwy 213 – Oregon City Chamber is represented.

Clackamas County

  1. Water and Sewer infrastructure – Water Environment Services
  2. Urban growth boundary reform
  3. Transportation and road maintenance prioritization
  4. Affordable Housing

Metro
1.Public transportation within Oregon City

State

  1. State Budget
  2. Tax reform
  3. Corporate tax reform - Businesses will need to be at the table and part of the solution.
  4. Revenue package
  5. Waste reduction in essential services
  6. Overhaul of tax credits
  7. Reduction of burdensome business mandates
  8. No predictive scheduling
  9. No employer paid family leave
  10. Right to work?
  11. Education funding
  12. PERS Reform
  13. Carbon limits
  14. Transportation Package
  15. Affordable housing (excluding rent controls)
  16. Utility payment for use of Right of Ways

Good of the Order

Chamber After Hours for Chairman’s Circle Recognition & Holiday Fun – Thu, Dec 8 @ 5:30pm at Oregon City Golf Club

City Walk Results and items recommended for action– to be covered at January 2017 meeting

Meeting adjourned at 5:03 pm.

Next meeting: Thursday, January 5, 2017 @ 3:30 pm

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