Dunes
City Council
SPECIAL SESSION
M
I N U T E S
October
30, 2008 7:00 P.M.
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Minutes 10-30-08 Special Session
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Eric Hauptman called the Special Session of the Dunes City
Council to order at 7:03 pm. Amy Graham, Dunes City Recorder, look roll
call.
Present. Mayor Eric Hauptman, Councilor Richard Koehler,
Councilor Susie Navetta. Councilor Jerry Curran, Councilor Bob
Petersdorf and Councilor Robert Quandt
Councilor Peter Howison was not present and excused.
Others Present: City Recorder Amy Graham, Planning Secretary Lisa
Ekelund, and 26 members of the community
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Mayor, city councilors, office stall, and citizens present joined
in the pledge of allegiance.
3. Unfinished / Old Business: Ocean Blvd. roundtable discussion
Mayor Hauptman noted that there is a sign up sheet for citizens who
wish to speak.
Dale Middlestad182820 Ocean Blvd.
Mr. Middlestad said he believes he s been blindsided by his neighbors
and City Council. He states he has no place to park. He believes his
property is no longer sellable. He believes everyone on the street
should have an opportunity to park. He's owned the property for 11 years
and no one has ever stated there was a problem until now. He said
there's never been an issue with outsiders pulling up to park for no
reason. He said he doesn't understand why there is an issue and he would
like an answer as to why there are now 'no parking' signs.
Mayor Hauptman asked Mr. Middlestad why he doesn’t use his garage
to park and Mr. Middlestad said his pickup truck is too large to fit in
it.
Councilor Quandt asked what has changed since he's purchased the
properly to make the property worthless and Mr. Mlddlestadt said the
parking changed. Councilor Quandt referenced Mr. Middlestad’s garage
and Mr. Middlestad said that is how he purchased the property.
Councilor Quandt asked if the garage could be turned back into a
garage for parking and Mr. Middlestad said it would only be good for one
car.
Mr. Middlestad wanted to clear up the record
regarding his parents motor home. He said they've parked there for over
25 years sporadically while visiting. He said it has never been an issue
until now.
Councilor Navetta asked if Mr. Middlestad‘s property was wide
enough to put in a driveway and Mr. Middlestad said no.
Councilor Navatta said while viewing a photograph, it appeared a
driveway could be placed on a strip of grass between homes.
Mr. Middlestad said that property is split between the property
owners.
Councilor Koehler asked what Mr. Middlestadt would do to come up with
a solution.
Mr. Middlestad said he would allow parking across the street.
Councilor Koehler asked what Mr. Middlestad would do regarding the
grassy area across the street and Mr Middlestad said he would replant
grass seed.
Councilor Navetta asked if the riparian area belongs to the State or
to the City.
Mayor Hauptman said it should belong to the State because the lake is
a State owned body of water.
Councilor Koehler mentioned the need for amicable resolution between
everyone.
Sue Dietz 82804 Ocean Blvd.
Ms, Dietz said she is in full agreement with Mr.
Mlddlestadt. She
said a lot of visitors are short term they probably have more visitors
because of their desirable location. She said the home next to them is
a full time vacation place other than the month of August. This
particular home handles 10 people yet only allows for two vehicles. She
said there has always been amicable discussion between the neighbors
regarding the parking. She said she is appalled at what has happened
because there has never been an issue in the past. She said she sees no
problem with returning the area to what it was. She suggested if it were
necessary, a sign stating 'residents and guests only' could be posted.
Fred Hilden 4776 Laurel Ave
Mr. Hilden said he didn't get an invitation and mentioned another
person who didn’t get an invitation though he owns property along
Ocean Blvd. He believes everything should be returned to how it used a
be. He said he believes this is more or a political issue than anything.
He reiterated that he would like things returned to the way it was.
Councilor Koehler asked what Mr. Hilden believed the key issue was.
He asked if it was about the road or about procedure.
Mr. Hilden said many people have been involved and
mistakes have been made as neighbors and as a city. He said it's
understood there is an issue with motor homes being parked for 4 weeks
at a time and he believes it will never happen again
Councilor Koehler asked if he asked Mr. Middlestad if the motor home
was no longer going to be parked
Mr. Hilden turned and asked Mr. Middlestad during the meeting and Mr.
Middlestad said it wouldn't be an issue.
Councilor Koehler said he sees a strong possibility that everything
could be revegetated and returned to a riparian area. He questioned
how to rectify the electrical and the digging.
Mr. Hilden said many of the citizens have electrical power on the
lake in their boathouses. He said the city needs to solve the general
overflow parking.
Councilor Qundt asked what Mr. Hilden would see the solution would
be, to repair and protect the riparian area.
Mr. Hilden said there were more fish to fry on the Lane County boat
ramp. He said he is not concerned with the small amount of oil drippings
that may happen in that small area. He said everyone who has owned
property along Ocean Blvd. has treated that property across the street
as their own and has taken pride in it.
Councilor Quandt said the only reason this has been brought forward
is because it turned into a paving project and that is why it's before
the council. He asked Mr. Hilden what he believed would be a good
timeframe for parking.
Mr. Middlestad said 4 - 5 days but said it's the council’s
decision.
Darlene Beckman 82150 Booth Island
Mrs. Beckman sad they have a boat moored in the marina. She said
there are a number of people who have their boats at the marina and need
a place to park. She said the council needs to take others as well as
property owners into consideration. She said they should replant the
grass and bring the parking back to the way it was.
Councilor Koehler asked if Mrs. Beckman knew there were parking
spaces along the county boat launch and Mrs. Beckman said it’s not 24
hrs and the county is not willing to change it.
Mayor Hauptman clarified that Mrs. Beckman wanted to return the
parking to the way is was
Councilor Koehler asked what Mrs. Beckman felt everyone has learned.
Mrs. Beckman said there were procedures that weren't followed but the
citizens need to get the benefit of the doubt.
Councilor Koehler made an example to help those who are present,
understand the philosophy of where to draw the line in the ordinances.
Jean Stroud 82836 Ocean Blvd.
Mr. Stroud said he's owned his properly for 18 years and he believes
a problem has been made out of something that was not a problem He has a
fundamental disagreement with a newspaper article in the Siuslaw News
and he read a portion of it. He gave examples of past parking
situations. He said everyone has tried to get along and they live in a
quiet little neighborhood. He brought up several examples of different
situations that have arisen over the years. He believes the state is the
jurisdiction over the parking area. He believes there is a prescriptive
easement for use. He said there is a place for regulation and a place
for common sense. He said he is in favor for grass.
Mayor Hauptman said a lot of staff time is involved in reminding
neighbors to be neighborly while giving examples. He said it's a shame
the city has to legislate manners and neighborly behavior. He said it
appeared; there was mutual neighborly respect in the past on Ocean Blvd.
He said his one concern is if someone sells the property and this all
starts all over again if a neighbor forgets to be neighborly.
Mr. Fred Hilden said he believes this is a good exercise in
understanding exactly what the Mayor is talking about. He believes it's
just a matter of hoping and praying everyone doesn't vacate at the same
time.
Councilor Navetta said this land belongs to the
State. She said she doesn't know how the city could sell parking spaces
and neighborly behavior to the state. She said she believes they've
overstepped their bounds
Mr. Johnson said his complaint has never been the parking. His
complaint was publicly owned land being used as a campground for months
at a time. He said no one ever came to him and asked if it was ok to
park in front of his home. He said the city has a parking ordinance that
everyone has chosen to disobey. He said the problem is the camping and
not the parking. He's against camping and fires.
Myrtle Stroud said she has taken care of and mowed pad of the
riparian area.
Judy Bedsole 40-40
Summit Ave.
Mrs. Bedsole said as a business owner of a campground, she feels she
would be in competition with the city regarding free parking and her
business would lose. She said it's the states responsibility to regulate
the land. She said she doesn't believe this is a political issue but
rather it's a problem of people over using the property as a campground.
She gave names of campgrounds that can be used.
Mayor Hauptman said the active camping is what appears to be the
problem and addressed the council to look at this issue.
Mr. Middlestadt said he's the only person on the street who has
violated the camping situation. He said there will be no more camping
and he understands the issue.
Ellen Trailer 82842 Ocean Blvd.
Ms. Trailer said once the state is involved, there is no going back.
She believes common sense should be used in the use of the land.
Councilor Curran sold the City shouldn't be in competition with the
RV parks. He believes if the parking were limited to 24 hours it would
solve the problem.
Mrs. Judy Johnson said she would like the council to make a decision
on timed parking, She said Councilor Petersdorf told her there was only
a 2-hour parking limit. She said she cares a great deal about her
neighbors. She said she became involved in this was when she tried to
clarify Ute law.
Councilor Koehler said what has occurred is two scars that were
created by the form of parking plats. He sad this is not about the
parking but rather the taking of the land.
Mr. Middlestadt and Mr. Stroud said they didn’t want the parking
pads. The no parking signs came up first and they put the pads to
comply.
Councilor Curran said he believes people assume that because the
property is across from their homes that they have some sort of
ownership. He asked what would stop just anyone from setting up camp.
Mr. Hilden said they would do the neighborly thing and they would
tell the person to leave.
Councilor Curran said what would be Mr. Hilden’s right to kick this
person off.
Mrs. Bedsole asked if there was a city ordinance stating people can't
camp overnight on the public right of way.
Councilor Quandt said there is an ordinance. He said the city either
ignores the ordinance, or put something along with it that accommodates
it.
Councilor Koehler brought the issue of returning that land back to
it's natural state. He said the unpacking of the dirt is important but
also informing local contractors of what is allowed. He made this point
of the need for business licenses in the City. He said this situation
wouldn't have arisen if the contractors would have chocked into the
ordinances. He said if a sign is placed, it should be placed in the
entry of the street as there is not a need to litter the area with
signs.
Amy Graham, the City Recorder suggested the council
discuss the process of beginning the claim with the insurance company to
reimburse the citizens who began their parking plats.
Councilor Quandt asked Mr. Middlestadt to explain his invoice and why
there is such a large discrepancy between his and Mr. Stroud's.
Mr. Middlestadt said they would need to ask the contractor,
Councilor Curran said both bills need to be specific as to what was
done and it needs to be itemized.
Amy Graham said the insurance agent would make sure they are
itemized.
Councilor Quandt asked if anyone from the audience objected to a sign
at the end of the street saying no RV parking.
Councilor Petersdorf asked Councilor Quandt to clarity the term
recreational vehicle.
Mr. Middlestadt suggested the city just let the issue lie and if
there is a problem, they should address it at a later date.
Councilor Navetta said she would be happy to write a resolution that
could be read at the next council meeting. She said she would have Mr.
John Stead help.
Councilor Curran said the resolution should be
specific to Ocean Blvd. directing no camping and no motor homes
permitted to park in this area. He said it should not mention small
vehicles.
Councilor Koehler said he was in contact with the County regarding
overnight parking stickers at the boat launch for local citizens.
It was suggested from the audience to make sure Ocean Blvd is exempt
to the 2 hour parking limit along with no motor homes or camping.
Councilor Quandt made a motion to take down the no parking signs on
Ocean Blvd. and it was seconded by Councilor Petersdorf. After unanimous
vote, the motion carried
Councilor Quandt made the motion to charge Councilor Navetta with
producing the resolution that includes the solutions the council came up
with tonight and have it ready for council vote at the next meeting on
November 13, 2008. Councilor Curran seconded the motion and after
unanimous vote, the motion carried.
Councilor Koehler discussed the need a make sure the area Is brought
to its original state. He said the conservation committee should observe
the progress.
Amy Graham said Mr. Wags h clear on permitted work in the riparian
area.
The city Insurance agent suggested requiring pro-work with the
contractors before projects are completed.
Councilor Quandt made the motion to get approval to start the claim
with the insurance company. Councilor Navetta seconded and after
unanimous vote, the motion carried
6. Adjounment
Councilor Navetta made the motion to adjourn and Councilor Quandt
seconded. After unanimous vote, the motion carried and the meeting
adjourned 8:49 pm.