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City Council Meeting

Highlights

  • šŸ—£ļø Public commenters urged more transparency around the new council rules, remote testimony requirements, and the recent mayoral censureā€”asking council to post the adopted rules online and better explain meeting logistics.
  • šŸ“š Reappointed Allison Pollock (inside-city seat) and Tim Scholik (outside-city seat) to new terms on the Library Board via Resolution 2303; staff outlined the process for filling the third vacancy in July.
  • šŸ˜ļø Councilor Pen requested a future work session on ā€œeco-villagesā€/agrihood models so council and planning commission can learn how such communities might fit North Plains.
  • šŸ“‹ Councilor McCall Wallace cataloged pending policy topicsā€”parks district exploration, URA focus amendments, emergency-plan updates, tree management, and boards/commissions appointment policiesā€”so they arenā€™t lost amid budget season.

Notes

  • Public Comment Themes

    • Speakers questioned why staff now ask commenters to state their city of residence when the new rules only require a name.
    • Multiple residents asked the city to post the updated council rules/censure procedures online so the public can easily reference them.
    • Others argued the censure process lacked due process and asked council to revisit how remote testimony requests are handled.

  • Library Board Reappointments (Resolution 2303)

    • Library Director Robin Dodie reviewed the staggered-term process:
      • Three seats expire Juneā€Æ30; two incumbents (Pollock, Scholik) sought reappointment, and one seat will go through an open application/interview process.
      • Pollock emphasized her focus on early-literacy outreach and long history volunteering with the library.
      • Scholik highlighted his previous board experience and desire to expand early-childhood programs.
    • Council unanimously reappointed both members; new applicants for the third seat will be interviewed by the Library Board on Juneā€Æ18 with council action slated for Julyā€Æ7.

  • Future Work Sessions & Policy Tracking

    • Councilor Pen suggested a joint council/planning work session to learn about eco-villages/agrihoodsā€”inviting practitioners and residents from existing communities to present.
    • Councilors agreed to schedule the session and to keep planning commission involved early.
    • Councilor McCall Wallace flagged other pending items for upcoming agendas/work sessions:
      • Park district feasibility and potential funding structures.
      • Urban Renewal Agency focus area adjustments (and ensuring URA momentum continues post-budget).
      • Emergency operations plan updates (at minimum, updating contacts/responsibilities).
      • City tree management/replacement policy.
      • A fall review (after the annual board/commission work sessions) of appointment processes, term limits, and code clarifications so every board is treated consistently.

  • Administrative Notes

    • Due to a late Zoom link change, staff shared the new URL via the city calendar, agenda page, and social media; council requested staff continue improving communication when tech issues occur.
    • The mayor requested the unfinished-business item related to her censure be postponed until she can participate; council agreed by consensus.

Follow-Ups

  • Clerk/Staff

    • Publish the newly adopted council rules (Decā€Æ2024 update) on the city website and clarify remote-testimony procedures so the public can reference them.
    • Prepare Resolution 2303ā€™s paperwork, notify the incumbents, and continue the open application/timeline for the remaining Library Board seat (interviews Juneā€Æ18, council action Julyā€Æ7).
    • Coordinate a joint work session (council + planning commission) focused on eco-villages/agrihood concepts, inviting practitioners/residents to present.

  • Council

    • Track the list of pending policy discussions (parks district, URA scope, emergency plan, tree policy, boards/commissions appointments) and schedule work sessions or agenda items post-budget.