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City Council Meeting

Council opened the evening with a joint work session alongside the Planning Commission to settle on FEMA’s new floodplain “pre-implementation compliance measure” before the December 1 deadline, then moved into the regular agenda covering volunteer updates, infrastructure projects, and the steps to fill the Position 3 seat that will open at year-end.

FEMA Work Session

  • Rowan Schmidt (Assistant Planner) and Brian Frueh (3J Consulting) recapped FEMA Region 10’s Endangered Species Act integration order: Every jurisdiction in Western Oregon must pick one of three interim compliance paths (permit-by-permit, hybrid, or model ordinance) until the federal rulemaking finishes in 2027.
  • After comparing options—and noting Lake Oswego’s pain in adopting the now-revised model code—the commission and council unanimously chose the model ordinance path because it is the most expedient, is eligible for DLCD grants, and keeps FEMA from auditing every permit.
  • Staff will email FEMA Region 10 before the December 1 deadline confirming the city’s selection; a code update will follow in 2025 (type IV process, no “do-nothing” option).

Meeting Highlights

  • ✅ Consent Agenda: Approved the Nov 4 minutes (with a date correction) and Resolution 2286 reappointing Eric Lawson & Lisa Fry to the EDC through Dec 31 2028.
  • 📣 Public Comment: Joyce Meek-Reynolds thanked staff for waiving the Jesse Mays rental for Kenny Fields’ celebration of life and relayed Melvin VanDyne’s request for updates on the Jackson Cemetery access road.
  • 🏗️ EDC Quarterly Report: Chair Eric Lawson described 2024 milestones—two new members, Kent’s Corner volunteer day, a business survey with the Chamber, new subcommittees (Glencoe, Downtown, UGB ReLook), and the URA TI grant issued to Blackwater Coffee.
  • 📚 Library: Director Robin Dodie announced the December board service project (Dec 18 at the new food bank), ongoing record circulation, and positive feedback on the new Latinx services specialist.
  • 🚓 Police: Chief James Shumway previewed January traffic missions funded by the ODOT grant, noted a data hiccup in the call-type report, and answered holiday-staffing questions (coverage runs to 9 p.m.; future holidays may use reserve overtime).
  • 🛠️ Public Works & Development:
    • Dustin Lillie reported a leaf-vacuum breakdown (starter on order), recruitment for a seasonal utility worker, and temporary occupancy pending at the new Public Works building.
    • Planner Rowan & Engineer Brian briefed council on the Greenlight multifamily hearing: Planning Commission continued the decision to Dec 11 while the applicant studies moving the Terrel Ave access to Main St, provides more traffic data, and revises parking. Staff confirmed park-space ratios already exceed code.
    • Brian also flagged continuing North Avenue delays: Lumen still must relocate utilities on the east segment; Lenar is escalating inside Lumen and is motivated because delay costs cash.
  • 💵 Finance: Bill Reed previewed Dec 2 supplemental budgets to (1) record ARPA-funded radar signs, (2) cover IT/cybersecurity expenses now that a professional firm is under contract, and (3) use the Vehicle & Equipment Reserve to furnish the Kindle Public Service Building. He stressed council has been saving for this moment, so sufficient reserves exist.
  • 👥 Vacancy Resolution: Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2283 acknowledging Councilor Ricky Smith’s resignation effective Dec 31, 2024 and authorizing staff to publish the vacancy notice. Applications will open once the newspaper notice runs (target Nov 28) and stay open at least through Dec 12; council plans to interview/vote on Dec 16.
  • 📝 Council Rules Update: Chris Crean recapped the draft council-meeting rules (destined to live outside the code via resolution once adopted). Council discussed adding an attendance trigger (missing >25 % of scheduled meetings in a 12‑month period) and a requirement to find ex-officio replacements; staff will redline those additions and return with a repeal/replace package in December.
  • 🔒 Executive Session: Council recessed into executive session (ORS 192.660) before adjourning the regular meeting.

Follow-Ups

  • Staff
    • Email FEMA Region 10 confirming the city selected the model ordinance PICI path; begin drafting the legislative amendments and seek DLCD/TGM funding assistance.
    • Publish the council vacancy notice by Nov 28, accept applications through at least Dec 12, and prepare interview packets for the Dec 16 meeting.
    • Push Lumen for firm relocation dates on east North Ave; keep Lenar’s contractor ready so paving finishes as soon as utilities move.
    • Repair the leaf vacuum starter and post a short update reminding residents they can bag leaves for green-cart pickup while the unit is down.
    • Finalize Public Works furniture specs so the Dec 2 supplemental budget reflects actual quotes; include radar signs, IT/cybersecurity, and audit prep in the same package.
    • Bring back the council-rules rewrite: draft the attendance/ex‑officio language, an ordinance repealing the old code section, and the companion adopting resolution.
  • Council & Commissions
    • Expect the Planning Commission’s continued Greenlight multifamily hearing on Dec 11 (with traffic, access, and parking data).
    • Attend the Library Board’s Dec 18 service project at the new food bank (instead of a business meeting).
    • Prepare for supplemental-budget deliberations on Dec 2 and the vacancy interviews on Dec 16.