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City Council Meeting

Highlights

  • 🪑 With the mayor’s seat and council presidency both vacant for the evening, members unanimously nominated Councilor James Page to preside so the meeting could proceed.
  • 🗣️ Residents shared praise and concerns: from late-night rentals at Jessie Mays and errant party balloons to kudos for the recently adopted budget and a plea to tone down online rhetoric.
  • 🏛️ County Commissioner Jerry Willey briefed council on Washington County’s adopted budget, urged support for upcoming library and public-safety levies, and outlined efforts to stabilize the CPO system so neighborhood voices remain constructive and transparent.
  • 🪧 Council adopted Ordinance 500 (as an emergency) to fix wording errors in the Institutional & Public Use (IPU) sign code so city projects—like the new Kindle Public Services signage—and local schools/churches have clear standards.

Notes

  • Meeting Logistics

    • Council President Dumbrell was away and the mayoral vacancy persists, so members needed to pick a chair for the night. Councilor Penn nominated James Page; the motion carried unanimously and Page ran the meeting.

  • Public Comment

    • Resident Lynn Warren objected to rentals running past dusk at the Jessie Mays Community Hall and described party balloons hitting power lines—asking staff to enforce closing times and discourage litter.
    • Former Mayor David Hatcher applauded the 2025–27 budget process, noting the balanced outcome and transparency. He pushed back on claims that the budget is “in shambles” and thanked staff for clear documentation.
    • Additional speakers (e.g., Lisa Furrow) continued to urge civility and responsiveness as the city navigates growth debates.

  • County Update

    • Commissioner Willey summarized Washington County’s budget priorities (public safety, housing, mental health) and the push to reinvigorate Community Participation Organizations (CPOs). Legal staff are coaching each CPO on public-meeting rules so feedback channels stay open but orderly.
    • He previewed forthcoming countywide levies (library + public safety) and asked North Plains to help educate voters.

  • Ordinance 500 – Sign Code Cleanup

    • Staff discovered Ordinance 496 (adopted earlier in the year) accidentally left legacy language in place, creating conflicting definitions for pole vs. free-standing signs and monument sign standards for IPU zones.
    • Ordinance 500 simply strikes the obsolete lines so the new standards stand on their own. Because the ambiguity is already delaying a city project (Kindle Public Services Building signage) and could impact churches/schools, staff requested the change take effect immediately.
    • Council debated whether “emergency” status was warranted; ultimately they agreed removing the conflicting language now protects applicants from unclear rules and voted to adopt the ordinance with the emergency clause.

Follow-Ups

  • Parks & Recreation staff to revisit rental policies at Jessie Mays (hours, balloon guidance) and report back on enforcement or signage options.
  • Communications to share the county’s library/public-safety levy timeline so residents understand the local impact.
  • Planning staff to update the online IPU sign guidelines and notify applicants (city facilities, schools, congregations) that the corrected standards are in effect.

Video Recording