GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
March 11, 2013
Glendale City Hall
124 Third Street

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Fred Jensen. Councilor Boal led the pledge of allegiance.

ROLL CALL:
Present: Audina Jephson, Bill Boal, Fred Jensen, Jim Standard, Karen Mehl, Connie Stevens, Polly Eells
Staff: Don Arnpriester, Ned Dausel, Betty Stanfill

CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilor Standard moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and was seconded by Councilor Stevens. The favorable vote was unanimous.

AGENDA REQUEST:
Misty Morningstar, 753 Albert, stated that she did not believe she should be required to get a City business license for her adult foster care home, Aging in Place, because it did not fit the City’s definition of a business. The City code defines “business” as “any activity carried on with the intent that a profit be realized therefrom, and that the profit, if any, inure to the benefit of the owner of the activity”. Ms. Morningstar advised the Council to change their definition of a business to be more accurate. She also objected to a newspaper article which referred to her establishment as an “assisted living facility”, which was not accurate. She stated that she had invested thousands of dollars in the foster care home, but had not realized any profit from it. She added that it was operated as a non-profit entity and that she could legally draw a salary from the operation, but had not done so. Upon questioning by Councilor Eells, she stated that she did not yet have a non-profit designation from the IRS. Recorder Stanfill stated that other non-profit organizations in Glendale are issued business licenses for their activities. Councilors agreed to investigate the applicable rules and notify Ms. Morningstar of their findings.

AGENDA REQUEST:
Ron Loggins, 224 Marshall, inquired about the status of the project to relocate the Community Care Food Pantry to a property on Marshall Street. Mayor Jensen replied that the City had received no application to date, but a relocation to Marshall Street would require a conditional use permit, with a public hearing, prior to any approval. Mr. Loggins had submitted a petition from thirteen residents of Marshall Street opposing the Food Pantry’s move to that location.
Mr. Loggins also inquired about the width of Marshall Street right-of-way, and was informed that the width was 36 feet, according to the Douglas County assessor’s map. He stated that his basketball hoop, which the City had required him to remove from the right-of-way years earlier, should have been “grandfathered in, like Randy Shepard’s chickens”. Council disagreed with his logic.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Mayor Jensen stated that the discussion about restarting the Planning Commission was a topic for a workshop session, and should have been addressed at the last Council Workshop. Recorder Stanfill read from the minutes of the February 11th Council meeting where the Council had postponed the proposal to the March 11th regular Council meeting. Caroline Lydon, the proponent of the idea, agreed to return to a workshop meeting on March 25th to continue the discussion.

On the subject of accepting utility payments by credit or debit cards, Recorder Stanfill summarized her findings relating to the costs. She stated that there was no way to insure that the fees assessed per transaction would cover the City’s costs, since the number of persons using credit/debit cards is unknown. She added that the only fair way to offer the service would be to increase all utility bills by roughly 10 cents per month, making the credit/debit option available to all. After a brief discussion, Councilor Stevens moved to retain the current policy of accepting only cash, checks or money orders in payment of utility bills. Councilor Eells seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.

SHERIFF’S REPORT:
Officer Marty Case reported that he had no statistics for the previous month, and that the County was having a few difficulties with its new communications system. He related a few recent local incidents, stating that the final outcome is still unknown in some cases. Councilor Boal thanked the Sheriff’s Department for their response to problems in Glendale. Officer Case added that crime victims need to follow through with prosecution, even after their stolen items are recovered.

NEW BUSINESS:
Councilors noted that there had been two applications for the City Budget Committee and inquired how many vacancies remained. Recorder Stanfill replied that there are presently four vacancies, but three more citizens had requested application forms and had not yet returned them. Councilor Eells moved to appoint the two applicants, Ron Loggins and Carol Crumlish to the 2013-14 Budget Committee and was seconded by Councilor Stevens. The vote was Boal – no, all other – yes. The motion carried by a 6 to 1 margin.

Virginia Elandt, representing NeighborWorks Umpqua, gave a presentation about the various programs available through her employer, including housing rehabilitation and small business assistance. She explained the Dreamsaver’s Program which encourages savings for housing improvements, education or small business start-ups. Ms. Elandt stated that the program grants $3 for each $1 saved, up to a maximum of $2,000 matched savings, or $8,000 total. She provided hand-outs to the audience and invited inquiries for more information. She also provided additional printed information for City Hall. Councilor Eells stated she would like to further explore the help available for entrepreneurs.


Councilors reviewed an application for a business license from Randy and Nicole Gallego to operate a T-shirt silk screening business from their home at 333 Sol Abraham Avenue. Councilor Stevens moved to approve the license and was seconded by Councilor Mehl. Councilor Eells inquired whether any dangerous chemicals would be used in the process, and Ms. Gallego answered that they used only environmentally friendly products, and all actual production would occur at a remote location outside the City. Only the business office would operate from their home, and most business would be conducted by internet or telephone. No traffic impact is expected. The vote to approve the license was unanimous.

Mayor Jensen announced that the City had hired Sina Streeter as the new City Recorder and is coordinating a start date with her. Recorder Stanfill will retire on June 30, 2013.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:
Mr. Dausel reported that he has reviewed the Amended Facility Plan for the Wastewater Plant improvements, and would explain the details if the Council wished to hear them. Mayor Jensen stated that the details could wait until after a meeting with the City engineer and DEQ in April, because no changes could be made unless DEQ approved. He added that the costs provided by the engineer would require a base sewer rate of $55 per month to fund the project, but he was hopeful that the costs could be further reduced.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Jensen stated that the Council workshop meetings had evolved into full-fledged Council meetings, and he would like to limit the agenda for workshops. He stated that the City would no longer accept agenda requests for workshop meetings, but would continue to consider requests for business licenses and building permits. The focus of workshop meetings will be those matters continued from regular meetings which need more in-depth discussion or additional information.

The subject of the annual City-Wide CleanUp was discussed, and the Council selected May 31, June 1 & 2 as the dates for the event. Mr. Arnpriester pointed out that the City needs to resolve the issue of disposal for tires, mattresses and electronics prior to the event. Douglas County Solid Waste Disposal objected to the contents of dumpsters last year, and could decline to participate if illegal dumping recurs. The cost of transporting items to Roseburg is another issue to consider. Councilors agreed to revisit the issue at the March 25th workshop meeting.

COUNCILOR’S COMMENTS:
Councilor Stevens moved to approve an application for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt from Cow Creek Valley Community Association, which was handed out at the beginning of the meeting. The event will be held in Glendale City Park on March 30, 2013. Councilor Mehl seconded and the favorable vote was unanimous.

Councilor Eells noted that there was a large accumulation of trash along Glendale Valley Road, and the Council needed to schedule another roadside clean-up. No date was selected.

Councilor Boal announced that today was Recorder Stanfill’s birthday, and the Council and audience sang “Happy Birthday” and followed with a round of applause.

The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:20 PM.

Submitted by:
Betty Stanfill
City Recorder