Dunes City Council M I N U T E S Regular
Meeting – COUNCILORS
PRESENT: Peter
Howison, Council President; David Bellemore, Richard Koehler, Susie
Navetta, Bob Petersdorf, John Scott COUNCILORS
ABSENT: Mayor Sheldon
Meyer STAFF
PRESENT: Joanne Hickey, 1. CALL TO ORDER Council President Peter
Howison called the meeting of the Dunes City City Council to order at City Recorder Joanne Hickey called the roll, noted the absence of Mayor Sheldon
Meyer, and stated that a quorum was present. Councilors joined in the
Pledge of Allegiance. 2. CONSENT AGENDA President Howison noted
that the Consent Agenda included routine matters, as follows: A.
Approval
of Minutes of B.
Approval
of Bills of the Session for March 9 to C.
Approval
of Resolution D.
Approval of Resolution E.
Approval
of Resolution F.
Approval
of Resolution G.
Appointments
to Stormwater Pollution Reduction Ordinance Committee – Susie Navetta,
John Stead, Debbie Pasternak, Mark Chandler, Greg Barnes, Ralph
Farnsworth, Christine May and David Bellemore. President Howison requested
that Items A and G be removed for separate consideration.
He reviewed Bills to be approved totaling more than $1,000. City Attorney Gary
Darnielle suggested that the Resolutions included in the Consent Agenda be
reviewed for substance to determine if they warrant separated
consideration. President Howison led a
discussion of the actions included in the Resolutions. Councilor
David Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Susie Navetta, to approve the
Consent Agenda, excluding Items A and G.
The motion was adopted unanimously, 5:0.
President
Howison invited discussion of Consent Agenda Item A. President Howison requested
that Sentence 1 of Paragraph 2 on Page 4 of Minutes of the March 8 meeting
be changed, as follows:
Councilor Howison said he had been confused by the
participation of Planning Commission President George Burke at the most
recent meeting of the Road Commission.
President Howison
determined that there was no objection to his request and the minutes were
amended. Councilor Bellemore
requested that Paragraph 4 on Page 10 of the Minutes be changed, as
follows:
Councilor Bellemore reported that he had visited the property on
one occasion, but had never had conversation regarding the application
with the parties involved. President Howison
determined that there was no objection to the request and the minutes were
amended. Mr. Darnielle suggested
that Paragraph 1 on Page 14 of the Minutes be changed, as follows:
Mayor Meyer ruled that the matter would be continued to the May
Regular Meeting of the Council. President Howison
determined that there was no objection to the suggestion and the minutes
were amended. Councilor Navetta requested
that the Minutes be corrected on Page 12 to change the name of the citizen
who testified regarding Ordinance #190 from “Mark Hammer” to “Mark
Chandler.” President Howison
determined that there was no objection to the request and the minutes were
amended. Councilor
Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Navetta, to accept the Minutes of
the
President Howison invited discussion of
Consent Agenda Item G. President Howison noted
that Greg Barnes, Ralph Farnsworth, and Christine May had indicated that
they would not be able to serve on a Stormwater Pollution Reduction
Ordinance Committee, as suggested in Consent Agenda Item G.
He said questions had also been raised about the need for three
City Councilors to serve on the Committee. Councilors and members of
the public discussed membership on the Committee. Councilor
Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Navetta, to appoint David Bellemore,
Mark Chandler, Debbie Pasternak, and John Stead to a Stormwater Pollution
Reduction Ordinance Committee. The
motion was adopted unanimously, 5:0. President Howison reported
that there was a request to approve payment of a $250.00 permit fee to the
Oregon Water Resource Department for municipal water use and stream
augmentation. He said it had
not been included in the Bills of the Session approved with the Consent
Calendar. Councilor
Scott moved, seconded by Councilor Bellemore, to authorize payment of $250
permit fee to the Oregon Water Resource Department.
The motion was adopted unanimously, 5:0. 3. RECEIPTS OF SESSION Mayor Howison reviewed
recent Receipts – Liquor Tax, State Highway Tax, County and Road
Partnership, Telephone Franchise Tax, PUD Franchise Tax, Permit Fees, Land
Use Fees, and Grants. 4.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
INFORMATION ITEM President Howison reviewed
announcements identified in the Agenda: -
The Budget Committee will meet April 19. -
The Site Review Committee has a vacancy. -
The April Art Exhibit in City hall has been provided by Francine Derus. -
The first-ever Dunes City Pot Luck is scheduled for April 1. -
Fire fighters and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers
are needed. -
Annual Festival of the Lakes celebration is scheduled for August 18. 5. GUEST SPEAKER/CITIZEN INPUT ON UNSCHEDULED ITEMS
Darlene Beckman,
Norb Wondra, no address
provided, stated that he represented International Paper.
He confirmed that the company held water rights in
President Howison said he was
certain that the City and lake area residents would have an interest in
discussing the water rights and expressed appreciation for the heads-up
being provided by International Paper.
Councilor Richard Koehler
said he wanted to know more about water rights to
Councilor John Scott said it was his understanding that municipal
use of the water right had been eliminated in the development of the
original water right purchase.
Councilor Koehler asked if International Paper had discussed sale
of the water right with others beside
President Howison said
Mr. Wondra suggested that the Council designate representatives to
discuss issues related to water rights with International Paper to
determine how the interests of
In response to questions from Councilors Scott and Bob Petersdorf, Mr. Wondra said it was difficult to estimate the
value of the International Paper water right in
In response to a suggestion from Mr. Darnielle, President Howison
determined there was agreement that the Council request the City Attorney
to prepare a background report that would include options for the City to
become involved in discussions with International Paper regarding its
water rights to
Councilor
Petersdorf moved, seconded by Councilor Scott, that the Council instruct
the City Attorney to inform the Oregon Water Resources Department of the
Councilor Navetta said she had not been impressed with Mr. Mohr, a
Councilor Bellemore suggested that an exploratory committee be
formed to make a study of
The
motion was adopted unanimously, 6:0.
Bob Chuzas, no address
provided, said he had learned that it was possible for the dam which
creates Siltcoos Lake to be acquired by environmental activists with an
interest in having it breached, returning the area to its pre-construction
condition and draining the lake.
David Jackson,
President Howison stated it was
important that an orderly and effective process be developed to deal with
the issues involved. He said
he believed all
Councilor Navetta said she had not been previously aware of the
intention of International Paper to sell its water rights to
Darlene Beckman,
Councilor Koehler asked that the Council be informed of the process
by which water rights are sold. He
said he believed it would be inappropriate for the Council to proceed
regarding the matter with undue haste without full understanding of all
possibilities.
David Dahlberg,
Norman Martin,
Mr. Martin asked if the
appointment of a Stormwater
Pollution Reduction Ordinance Committee had been properly advertised.
Chairperson Howison determined that the appointment of the
committee had been given proper public notice. Mr. Martin stated that he
was concerned that appointing a Councilor as a member of the Stormwater
Pollution Ordinance Committee was contrary to advice given in a letter
from a representative of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and
Development he had previously submitted to the Council. Councilor Bellemore asked
if it was accurate that councilors were not allowed to be appointed to
subcommittees. Chairperson
Howison asked Mr. Darnielle to research the issue. Councilor Bellemore stated
that he had been informed earlier in the day that a representative of
International Paper would be present at the meeting to discuss selling
water rights. He said he was
concerned that advocates for protecting Councilor Bellemore said he
was also concerned that members of the Council had been aware of the
intention of International Paper to sell its President Howison observed
that it was important that the Council not fractionate on a matter as
potentially important as Councilor Petersdorf said
he was concerned that International Paper had not complied with an earlier
statement of its intention to give Councilor Petersdorf said
he was also concerned that he had not been informed of the potential that
issues related to 6. UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS
A. Council LCOG Representative
Councilor Petersdorf
moved, seconded by Councilor Bellemore, to appoint Mayor Sheldon Meyer as
the
B.
Little Woahink Planned United Development
Shane Hughes,
President
Howison asked if it was possible to guarantee that no landslides would
occur because of construction of the PUD.
He referred to a geological constraint map submitted with the
application that showed Little Woahink Lake shore to be an area with
potential for landslides.
Mr. Hughes replied that the geotechnical professional working on
the project was giving assurance that a high level of protection against
landslide land movements would be included in the design and construction
of the PUD. He asked that he
be given permission to invite the professional to answer specific
questions about geotechnical eventualities.
Councilor Petersdorf suggested that Council should be concerned
about a landslide caused by the construction of the PUD, not those that
could occur through a natural phenomena such as an earthquake.
President Howison asked if development above homes built closer to
the lake would increase the danger of landslides.
He asked if lot development would result in root damage that would
increase the potential of landslides.
Councilor Navetta said her experience in seaside areas of southern
President Howison referred to the stormwater control plan for the
PUD and noted that surface infiltration trenches identified as receptacles
for driveway runoff were not shown. Mr.
Hughes replied that lot specific elements were not normally included in
subdivision development plans. He
said requiring that they be included could be made a condition for
approval of the application. He
explained that changes recently made to regulations governing underground
ejection of stormwater prohibited the use of drywells to control driveway
runoff. He said his experience
was that low-lying ditches filled with vegetation provided successful
stormwater control.
President Howison asked for additional information regarding
terminology used in the stormwater control plan.
Daniel Olmstead,
President Howison asked how nutrient runoff from lawns and gardens
of homesites would be handled by the proposed system.
Mr. Olmstead replied that a significant portion of runoff from
pervious surfaces would be treated by the vegetation in the buffer areas
surrounding the individual properties.
Councilor Bellemore noted that the bio-retention cells would
effectively handle normal street runoff because most would result from
early season, less intense storms.
Councilor Scott asked for an explanation of the difference between
a ten-year storm event and a hundred-year storm event.
Mr. Olmstead replied that the difference would be approximately
twenty-five percent.
President Howison asked for an explanation of how the planned
system would deal with subsurface conditions generally described as
unsuitable for septic systems. Mr.
Hughes replied that individual lots would be required to be tested to be
suitable before approval for building permits were given by the
President Howison pointed out that the Dunes City Comprehensive
Plan described the property proposed for the Little Woahink PUD as
possibly requiring homesites of more than one-acre.
President Howison asked who would be responsible if it would be
necessary to dredge sedimentation from Little Woahink Lake at some time in
the future. Mr. Hughes replied
that the potential of such a need was beyond his ken.
Councilor Bellemore said he believed it would be helpful to include
topographic map relief lines on lots #1-11 on the site plan.
Councilor Bellemore said he believed requirements for vegetation to
be maintained in the lakeshore setback common areas should be included in
homeowner covenants and restrictions agreements to prevent slumping and
landslides. C.
Comprehensive Plan Binding in Subdivision Applications
Mr.
Darnielle stated that the Council needed to identify policies of the
Comprehensive Plan that it wished to have included in the Subdivision
Ordinance and he would seek to write amendment proposals for them to be
incorporated. He suggested
that Councilors form a subcommittee to begin the process.
Councilor Navetta volunteered to serve on such a subcommittee.
Councilor Bellemore suggested that the membership be kept small,
but include representatives of the community.
Councilor Petersdorf recommended that the subcommittee be composed
of two Councilors and three citizens, chosen from persons who apply for
appointment. President Howison
determined there was agreement to accept the recommendation. D.
Planning Commission Action Regarding Vegetation Removal
President Howison described a situation involving the removal of a
tree in a shore land area without a permit.
He said the Conservation Committee had determined that the tree was
not an immediate threat to life, property, or structure and could not be
removed without a permit. He
explained that, after the determination by the Committee, removal of the
tree had been presented to the Planning Commission before a permit
application had been submitted. He
said its removal had been approved without considering the criteria for
approving such an application. He
said an appeal of the Planning Commission ruling had been filed, but
became pointless when the property owner removed the tree, apparently
unaware of the need to await the result of the appeal.
He invited discussion of the situation.
Councilor Koehler stated that the Moratorium Support Committee had
prepared a pictorial survey of all shoreline property on
President Howison said he raised the issue to clarify the procedure
for future similar situations. He
asked the City Attorney and Planning Commission President for their
reactions.
Mr. Darnielle, President Howison, and Councilor Bellemore discussed
the situation.
Planning Commission Chairperson George Burke stated that the action
of the Planning Commission had been based on a report made by Councilor
Petersdorf that the tree in question was an immediate threat to the life
and a structure of the property owner.
He said Councilor Petersdorf had been the traditional City designee
to determine the health of trees for many years.
He said no written report had been filed with the Planning
Commission and that it had acted properly.
He said the approval had also been influenced by the fact that the
tree had already been prepared for felling.
He said the approval of the Commission had included a requirement
that the tree be replaced by two trees of similar nature.
President Howison said the responsibility of the Planning
Commission was to act on an application for a permit to remove vegetation
and that the Conservation Committee had the responsibility of determining
if a tree was a threat.
Acrimonious discussion followed.
Councilor
Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Navetta, to request the City
Attorney to prepare a proposal for a written procedure to be followed in
the investigation of danger trees. The
motion was adopted unanimously, 5:0.
E. Measure 37
Claim and Fence Posts in Riparian Area
President Howison stated that the Council was asked to decide if it
should revisit its decision allowing metal fence posts in a riparian area
of property owned by George
Reedal at
Mr. Burke stated that it was his recollection that the
recommendation had been made because it was judged that removing the fence
posts would do more harm than allowing them to remain.
Councilors discussed the issue.
Councilor Navetta moved,
seconded by Councilor Bellemore, to require that fence posts in the
riparian area of property at 7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Applications for
Appointment to Road Commission
President Howison reported that Eric Hauptman and Bob Chuzas had
applied to be appointed to the Road Commission.
Councilor Petersdorf reported that, in his absence, the Road
Commission had tabled action on a recommendation to appointment Bob Chuzas
because of questions raised about whether it was appropriate since he was
married to the City Recorder.
Councilor Petersdorf read from the minutes of the most recent
meeting of the Road Commission which reported that it had been decided to
not recommend Eric Hauptman for appointment.
He said the Commission had suggested that the announcement of the
vacancy and request for applicants be reposted.
Councilor Navetta said she had worked closely with Mr. Hauptman on
City business for more than a year and that she believed he would make
valuable contributions to the Road Commission.
Councilor Koehler said he was impressed with the resume of Mr.
Hauptman and that his experience in working with him on City matters had
been highly positive. He said
he was well informed regarding Code and budget matters.
Councilor Petersdorf said he believed the Road Commission would
recommend appointment of Mr. Chuzas, if the question about the
appropriateness of such an appointment was resolved.
Councilor
Susie Navetta moved, seconded by Councilor Koehler, to appoint Eric
Hauptman to the vacant position on the
Councilor Bellemore stated
that he was familiar with Mr. Hauptman and had been impressed with his
resume and commitment to City affairs, despite his occasional loudly
voiced opinions.
Councilor Scott said he preferred to make no appointment to the
vacancy on the Road Commission until additional applicants were solicited.
Councilor Koehler said he believed it would be an asset to add
alternative viewpoints to
Councilor Petersdorf said he believed the Road Commission already
had a wide spectrum of viewpoints among its membership.
The
motion was adopted, 3:2, with Councilors Petersdorf and Scott voting no.
8. REPORTS
A. City Attorney
Mr. Darnielle reported that the representative from International Paper,
Norb Wondra, had indicated earlier that it would be positive if the
Council authorized a letter indicating its interest in
Councilor Koehler said he was concerned that such an interest
should not be expressed until it was possible for the commercial usage
rights owned by International Paper could be transferred into municipal
and residential usage.
President asked what advantage there was to expressing such an
interest. Mr. Darnielle
replied that doing so would encourage the company and State regulatory
agencies to postpone quick action on any pending sale while the City
considered its options.
Mr. Burke pointed out that the
Councilor Bellemore suggested that it would be positive to express
interest in the International Paper water rights because the City could
have special entrée with the State in its awarding of such rights.
Councilor Koehler said he agreed that it would be positive to
express City interest in the matter because it would slow down anxieties
that were unnecessarily growing in citizens regarding the water rights.
President
Howison determined there was consensus to authorize the City Attorney to
write to International Paper expressing interest in its sale of water
rights in
Mr. Darnielle reported on his investigation into terminating
diversion water rights for
Mr. Darnielle reported that a situation discussed at the March
meeting of the Council related to a retaining wall and portion of a
residence being constructed within the protected lake front riparian area
would come before the Council in the near future as an enforcement issue.
He recommended that caution be used in dealing with the homeowners,
as they had sought to comply with all regulations, but had likely been
misled by developers and construction contractors who should have been
aware of restrictions.
B. Road Commission
Councilor Petersdorf referred to a written report from the Road
Commission. C.
Conservation Committee Councilor
Bellemore stated that there had been no Conservation Committee activity in
the last month. He reviewed
matters pending Committee consideration. In
response to a request from President Howison, Mr. Darnielle recommended
that appropriate public notice be given and the property owner be informed
of a need for representation at an Evidentiary Hearing to be held before
the Council regarding a vegetation removal infraction on the George Reedal
property. He agreed that it
would be appropriate to schedule the hearing within one to two months, as
time on the Council meeting Agenda permitted.
D.
Site Review Committee/Grants/Police
Councilor Navetta reported on infraction investigations conducted
by the Site Review Committee.
Councilors and members of the public discussed various situations.
E.
Parks and Recreation/Fire/Franchises
Councilor Scott reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee
was scheduled to meet within the following week.
F.
Community Center/Committee for Citizen Involvement
President Howison reported that
offices were being constructed in the Community Center and would create
functional workspaces for the City Recorder and Planning Commission
Secretary.
President Howison reported that a meeting of the Committee for
Citizen Involvement had discussed the Erosion Control Ordinance under
development. He said it would
be presented to the Planning Commission for a Public Hearing on April 24.
G.
Water Quality/Communication and Education
Councilor Koehler read a report on activities of the Water Quality
Committee. He said
Councilor Koehler referred to letter requesting development of a
process for equitably paying Septic Inspection permit fees to the City and
to firms contracted to conduct the inspections.
Councilor Koehler described activities of the Communication and
Education Committee. He said
the City website was being actively maintained.
He described its contents. He
encouraged participation in the first Dunes City Potluck Celebration.
Councilor Navetta distributed copies of a report that identified
hazardous vehicle speeds on the nearby State Highway 101.
She said she and Councilor Koehler supported a recommendation in
the report to change the speed limit posted on it to 45 miles per hour.
President Howison read a draft letter from the Council to State
highway officials recommending the change.
President
Howison determined there was consensus to authorize sending the letter.
Councilor Koehler requested consideration of his request for
developing a process for payment of permit and inspection fees related to
septic system inspections.
Ms. Hickey suggested that the Septic Ordinance gave septic
inspection and service companies a previously untapped source of business
and that expenses they incurred by fronting permit fees for customers
should be considered an expected consequence of doing the work.
Councilor Scott said he agreed that establishing that the City was
responsible for collecting permit fees from property owners, rather than
relying on their being paid by contractors and then collected from the
owners, would create an unwarranted level of complexity.
He suggested that contractors establish that compliance reports
would not be sent to the City until the permit fees were paid by the
customer.
Councilor Koehler suggested that contractors establishing a
practice of postponing septic inspection and repair work until City fees
were paid, in effect, would establish the contractors as collection agents
for the City.
Mr. Burke said the alternative of having the City collect the fees
could result in the City becoming a collection agent for the contractors.
Councilors discussed the issue.
President
Howison determined there was consensus to continue with the current fee
collection practice, but permitting contractors to withhold septic
inspection reports until the fees were paid.
Councilor Navetta stated that
she had received a report from
Mr. Burke stated that a procedure was in place for such situations
that involved declaration of a nuisance by the Mayor and a Public Hearing
held by the City Council.
Mr. Darnielle stated that the fact of a nuisance did not require
any declaration by elected officials.
He said established enforcement procedures should be followed by
the Site Review Committee.
H.
Planning Commission
Mr. Burke said recent Planning Commission activities had already
been discussed.
9.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Ordinance #190 – Water
Quality Protection and Phosphorus Reduction
President Howison stated the Council would consider Ordinance #190
that amended Coburg Code by adding Title XIV, Water Quality Protection,
and adding Chapter 140 Phosphorus Reduction to that title.
Councilor
Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Navetta, to conduct the Second
President Howison read Ordinance #190 by title.
President Howison opened the Public Hearing and asked if Councilors
had any conflicts of interest to declare.
Councilor Bellemore stated that he had participated in the work of
the subcommittee that had drafted the Ordinance.
Mark
Chandler,
President
Howison determined that there were no further requests to testify and
closed the Public Hearing.
President Howison reviewed editorial corrections that needed to be
made to Ordinance #190.
Councilors discussed the proposed ordinance and new developments in
the chemical fertilizer business.
Through a roll call vote,
Ordinance #190 was adopted unanimously, 6:0
B. Ordinance #191 –
Chapter 32 Amendment
President Howison read Ordinance #191 by title – An Ordinance
Amending Chapter 32 of the Code of Dunes City to eliminate Planning
Commission term limits, defining its quorum, establishing the voting right
of its Chairperson, and changing the time limit for Commission action.
President Howison determined that no Councilor had a conflict of
interest regarding the proposed Ordinance and opened the Public Hearing.
He determined there was no one present wishing to present testimony
regarding the proposed Ordinance and closed the Public Hearing.
He invited Councilors to deliberate.
Councilor Navetta said she did not fully agree with the removal of
term limits provision of the proposed Ordinance.
Mr. Darnielle stated that the changes proposed in the Ordinance
were based on a desire to have the Planning Commission operate in the same
manner as other City commissions.
Mr. Burke reported that the Planning Commission supported the
elimination of term limits.
President Howison asked for reasoning behind establishing three
members as the quorum for Planning Committee meetings.
Councilors discussed proposed quorum and appeal fees in the
Ordinance.
President Howison determined there was consensus to accept the
First Reading of Ordinance #191 and to hold a Second Reading immediately.
President Howison read Ordinance #191 by title.
Councilor
Bellemore moved, seconded by Councilor Koehler, to adopt Ordinance #191, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32 OF THE CODE OF
DUNES CITY, ELIMINATING PLANNING COMMISSION TERM LIMITS, DEFINING A
QUORUM, ESTABLISHING THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE CHAIRPERSON, AND CHANGING
THE TIME LIMIT FOR COMMISSION ACTION.
The motion was adopted unanimously by roll call vote, 6:0.
C. Ordinance #192 –
Water Permit Penalties and Fees
President Howison read Ordinance #192 by title – Repealing
Ordinance 185 and Providing for Penalties for Failure to Pay Annual
Administrative Water Permit Fees or Report Water Meter Readings in a
Timely Manner.
President Howison determined that no
Councilor had a conflict of interest regarding the proposed Ordinance and
opened the Public Hearing. He
determined there was no one present wishing to present testimony regarding
the proposed Ordinance and closed the Public Hearing.
He invited Councilors to deliberate.
President Howison determined there was consensus to accept the
First Reading of Ordinance #192 and to hold a Second Reading immediately.
President Howison read Ordinance #192 by title.
Councilor
Petersdorf moved, seconded by Councilor Bellemore, to adopt Ordinance #192, AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 185 AND
PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PAY ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE WATER
PERMIT FEES OR REPORT WATER METER READINGS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
The motion was adopted unanimously by roll call vote, 6:0. 10.
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Councilor Navetta said she believed a policy should be established
that the author of all documents placed before the Council be identified
and include official signatures when required.
She suggested that the policy also include a requirement for
recordings and minutes for all official City meetings.
Councilors discussed the topic.
Councilor Koehler asked for a report on the process of hiring City
staff.
Councilor Bellemore expressed a concern that Councilors be informed
of pending issues in a more timely manner.
The
meeting adjourned at (Recorded
by Dan Lindstrom)
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