AGENDA the Meeting Will Be Available for Viewing Via the City’S Scheduled Charter Communications Channel 180 That Will Begin at 6:00 P.M

CITY of LA GRANDE City Council Regular Session Wednesday, August 4, 2021 6:00 p.m.

AGENDA The meeting will be available for viewing via the City’s scheduled Charter Communications channel 180 that will begin at 6:00 p.m. on August 4, 2021, on the La Grande Alive website at https://eoalive.tv/city-events/ or on the Eastern Oregon Alive.TV Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EOAliveTV.

Any person may submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting. Written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. The written comments will be read during the public comment section of the respective Agenda Item. Please email Public Comments to [email protected].

1. WELCOME to this REGULAR SESSION of the LA GRANDE CITY COUNCIL a. Call to Order b. Pledge of Allegiance c. Roll Call 2. AGENDA APPROVAL 3. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda includes routine items of business which may be approved by one Motion of the Council. Any Councilor so desiring may by request remove one or more items from the Consent Agenda for Individual consideration under the Unfinished or New Business portion of the Agenda.

a. Consider: Approval of Regular Session Minutes; July 7, 2021 b. Consider: Approving Taxi Business License Application by Alpha Taxi [Bell]

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Those individuals who wish to address the Council in connection with any item which is printed on tonight’s Agenda may do so during the time that item is under discussion by the Council. Individuals wishing to speak to the Council about non-Agenda items may do so during this Public Comments portion of the Agenda. Please print your name and address on the Public Comments Sign-in Sheet, located on the podium. When addressing the Council, speak loudly and clearly into the Podium microphone, and state your name. In the event the Mayor does not announce a time limit for comments, each speaker is asked to confine their comments to three (3) minutes in length. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. UNION COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S UPDATE 9. STAFF COMMENTS 10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 11. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS 12. ADJOURN

______Sandra Patterson, City Recorder This meeting is available for viewing live via Charter Communications channel 180 beginning at 6:00 p.m. on August 4, 2021, on the La Grande Alive website at https://eoalive.tv/city-events/ or on the Eastern Oregon Alive.TV Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EOAliveTV.

The City Council is currently scheduled to meet again in a Regular Session on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. The City Council of the City of La Grande reserves the right to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized under ORS 192.660. Persons requiring special accommodations who wish to attend or participate in the City Council Meeting are encouraged to make arrangements prior to the meeting by calling 541-962-1309. The City of La Grande does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Agenda Item. 3. a.-3. b. Office Use Only CITY of LA GRANDE

COUNCIL ACTION FORM

Council Meeting Date: August 4, 2021

PRESENTER: Robert A. Strope, City Manager

COUNCIL ACTION: CONSIDER CONSENT AGENDA

1. MAYOR: Request Staff Report

2. MAYOR: Entertain Motion

Suggested Motion: I move we accept the Consent Agenda as presented.

Suggested Motion: I move we accept the Consent Agenda as amended.

3. MAYOR: Ask for the Vote

********************************************************************************************************************************* EXPLANATION: A Consent Agenda includes routine items of business with limited public interest, which may be approved by one Motion of the Council. Any Councilor may, by request, remove any item of business from the Consent Agenda.

a. Consider: Approval of Regular Session Minutes; July 7, 2021 b. Consider: Approving Taxi Business License Application by Alpha Taxi [BELL]

The City Manager recommends approval as presented by Staff.

********************************************************************************************************************************* Reviewed By: (Initial) COUNCIL ACTION (Office Use Only) City Manager _____ Human Resources Dept _____ City Recorder _____ Library _____ Motion Passed Aquatics Division _____ Parks Department _____ Motion Failed; Building Department _____ Planning Department _____ Action Tabled: ED Department _____ Police Department _____ Vote: Finance _____ Public Works Department _____ Fire Department _____ Resolution Passed #______Effective Date:

Ordinance Adopted #______First Reading: Second Reading: Effective Date: COUNCIL ACTION FORM TEMPLATE REVISED 6-25-2019 Agenda Item 3.a. Office Use Only

CITY of LA GRANDE

City Council Regular Session

July 7, 2021

Council Chambers La Grande City Hall 1000 Adams Avenue

MINUTES

COUNCILORS PRESENT: COUNCILORS ABSENT EXCUSED: Stephen E. Clements, Mayor John Bozarth, Councilor Gary Lillard, Mayor Pro Tem David Glabe, Councilor Mary Ann Miesner, Councilor Nicole Howard, Councilor Justin Rock, Councilor

STAFF PRESENT Robert Strope, City Manager Sandra Patterson, City Recorder Stacey Stockhoff, Assistant to the City Manager Gary Bell, Police Chief Michael Boquist, Community Development Director Emmitt Cornford, Fire Chief Stu Spence, Parks and Recreation Director

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ ROLL CALL/AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor CLEMENTS called to order this Regular Session of the Council at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call was taken and a quorum was determined to be present.

CONSENT AGENDA a. Consider: Approval of Regular and Special Session Minutes; June 2, 2021 and June 14, 2021 b. Consider: Approval of OLCC Liquor License Application; By-Rite Fuel c. Consider: Approval of OLCC Liquor License Application; Island Avenue Fuel d. Consider: Approval of OLCC Liquor License Application; Oak Street Fuel

The following Motion was introduced by LILLARD; ROCK providing the Second:

MOTION MOTION: I move that we accept the Consent Agenda as presented.

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Greg AMMER spoke in regards to Joe FISHER’s answer that he gave AMMER during the Budget Committee Meeting held City of La Grande City Council Minutes Regular Session of July 7, 2021 Page 2

on Monday, May 10, 2021, about the $1M in the reserve account in the approved budget for FY 2021-2022 and the reason AMMER said FISHER stated was because the Building Department needed to have that amount of money in the reserve account, otherwise the State of Oregon would shut them down. AMMER stated that he called the State of Oregon Building Department and asked if this practice was a requirement; State of Oregon Building Department answered no. He felt that the City of La Grande was not justified in having $1.2M in a reserve account with no expenditures budgeted and demanded an explanation. He wants permit fees lowered to offset the difference in the budget.

AMMER was also wondering why the approved budget documents for the City of La Grande only go back as far as year 2015 on the City’s website. He also commented that citizens should have access to the Q&A document from the Budget Hearing, which was a document that was compiled of questions from the Budget Committee Members submitted prior to the Hearing and answered by the City Staff.

STROPE addressed AMMER’s comment in regards to the reserve funds, stating that he recalled FISHER indicating the need to maintain two (2) years of operating cash on hand, but not that it was a requirement. He stated that he would look into the best practices regarding what the State of Oregon required. In regards to adjusting the permit fees, STROPE stated that a further discussion could be held if the Council wanted to pursue a change.

In regards to the Q&A document that pertained to the Budget Hearing this year, STROPE stated this document was uploaded to the City of La Grande’s website and was accessible for public viewing. The past years were not on the website at this time, but were public records and available to the public.

LILLARD asked about adding more detail to the written minutes, specifically noting that at times the minutes refer to a discussion being held without detailed specifics. STROPE stated that though the written minutes are not a transcript of the meeting, Staff tries to capture enough detail to summarize the discussions held. STROPE said in the future, Staff would try and add more detail to group discussions held. STROPE also suggested that if a Councilor would like to change or add detail to the minutes before the Council Meeting, they could be amended if there wasn’t sufficient detail. He also noted that all of the City Council meetings were recorded and could be viewed after the meeting either online or checking out the DVD with the City Manager’s office.

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STROPE also mentioned that he was unsure how many years of Budget documents were loaded on the City’s current website. He added that we were currently transitioning over to a new City website and could take a look to see what was loaded on there. He added that though there was no requirement for how many years of Budget documents were saved to our website, these documents had a permanent retention and were available to interested parties through a public records request.

PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Consider: Ordinance, Second Reading; Vacation of Public Right-of-Way, File Number 01-Vac-21

RULES OF ORDER Mayor CLEMENTS announced that the Public Hearing was still open at 6:12 p.m. for the Ordinance to be read a second time by Title Only and considered for Adoption.

Upon Mayor CLEMENTS’ request, the City Recorder read the Rules of Order in their entirety.

DECLARATIONS or CHALLENGES None

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Michael BOQUIST, Community Development Director

BOQUIST stated that this request was to vacate the west 10 feet of the Walnut Street right-of-way, lying adjacent to 2906 Walnut Street (Tax Lot 1900) and 313 Lane Avenue (Tax Lot 2202. This right-of-way was currently 80 feet wide and this vacation would result in reducing the public right-of-way to 70 feet wide, which would exceed the required City 60-foot right-of-way design standard. This vacation was consistent with a similar 10-foot vacation that was previously approved South of Lane Avenue.

BOQUIST noted that during the April 7, 2021, Regular Session of the City Council, the Council found the proposed right-of-way vacation request to be valid and in conformance with State laws for such request, and accepted the vacation petition for processing. By Resolution of the City Council, the Council referred the vacation petition to the Planning Commission for consideration and a recommendation; and, further scheduled the vacation petition for the City Council’s consideration and a first reading of the Vacation Ordinance during the June 2, 2021, Regular Session.

BOQUIST stated that on May 18, 2021, the Planning Commission considered this request during their Regular Session. Other than from the petitioner (applicant), there was no public testimony submitted regarding this request.

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By unanimous vote, the Planning Commission adopted the Finding of Fact and Conclusions set forth in the Decision Order, attached, and recommended approval by the La Grande City Council.

In response to MIESNER’s question regarding the similar vacation that was done around Walnut Street, BOQUIST confirmed that this vacation was consistent with a similar 10-foot vacation that was previously approved South of Lane Avenue.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

Mayor CLEMENTS closed the Public Hearing at 6:16 p.m.

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by LILLARD; ROCK providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that the proposed Ordinance vacating the west 10 feet of the Walnut Street right-of-way be read for the second time by Title Only, Put to a Vote, and Adopted.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

Upon Mayor CLEMENTS’ request, the City Recorder read the Proposed Ordinance for the Second Time by Title Only.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA GRANDE, UNION COUNTY, OREGON, VACATING THE WEST TEN FEET (10’) OF THE WALNUT STREET PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN BENTON AVENUE AND LANE AVENUE; ALL BEING ADJACENT TO PROPERTIES DESCRIBED AS BEING IN TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 38 EAST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, SECTION 06AB, TAX LOTS 1900 AND 2202, LA GRANDE, UNION COUNTY, OREGON; AND, DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE [3253]

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS None

NEW BUSINESS a. Consider: Resolution to Renew Worker’s Compensation for All Municipal Personnel

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Robert STROPE, City Manager

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STROPE stated that the City of La Grande provides Workers’ Compensation insurance to police reserve officers, appointed and elected officials, and other volunteers and community service workers.

STROPE explained that City Staff would be required to track hours for each volunteer for all events and meetings, which would also include City Council members.

In response to Mayor CLEMENTS’ request for clarification regarding the City’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance, STROPE stated that coverage would now be covered through a third-party who was partnering with CIS.

PUBLIC COMMENTS None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by ROCK; MIESNER providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that the proposed Resolution renewing Workers’ Compensation Coverage for all municipal personnel be read by Title only, Put to a Vote, and Passed.

Upon Mayor CLEMENTS’ request, the City Recorder read the Proposed Resolution by Title Only.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA GRANDE, UNION COUNTY, OREGON, EXTENDING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE TO ALL MUNICIPAL VOLUNTEER PERSONNEL; ESTABLISHING ASSUMED WAGES FOR VOLUNTEERS; AND REPEALING RESOLUTION 4780, SERIES 2019, AND ALL OTHER RESOLUTIONS OR PARTS OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH [4811]

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused. b. Consider: Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Agreement with Tactical Business Group to Perform Ambulance Billing Services

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Emmitt CORNFORD, Fire Chief

CORFORD stated that since 2002 when the Fire Department acquired the ambulance service, the City had been using Springfield Ambulance Account Services to do the

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ambulance billing. In recent years there had been a dramatic decrease in customer service as well as a large increase in per patient billing cost. In April of 2021, a request for proposal to provide the ambulance billing services was sent out and three responses were received. After reviewing the proposals and contacting references, our recommendation was to allow Tactical Business Group to provide these services for the City in the future. They are reasonably priced at $30.00 per patient billed compared to $52.00 that the Fire Department was currently paying.

MIESNER asked if he had seen a report showing better service with Tactical Business Group versus Springfield Ambulance Account Services, to which CORNFORD answered that after contacting references, some of whom were employees and formal contractors, Tactical Business Group was the best choice.

In response to LILLARD’s comment regarding the difference in patient billing between the two companies, CORNFORD stated they receive about fifteen hundred (1,500) billable calls a year, which averages out to approximately $78,000. With the new billing, the cost would be reduced to approximately $45,000.

Mayor CLEMENTS asked if the savings could be passed along to our customers, to which CORNFORD stated that with the reduction in the pricing, it gave the Fire Department flexibility to lower the budget for that service. He added they charge a base rate for ambulance calls.

In response to MIESNER’s question regarding a contract period, CORNFORD answered that they would sign a one- year contract with Tactical Business Group and each year the contract would renew.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Roxie OGILIVIE asked what the connection was between Life Flight and/or Air Ambulance services and the Fire Department, to which CORNFORD stated that the Fire Department has a partnership with Life Flight. They manage the ambulance subscription service only, which has no connection with the ambulance billing.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by LILLARD; MIESNER providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that the City Manager be granted the authority to award and sign an agreement with Tactical Business Group to perform ambulance billing services.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

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VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

c. Consider: Approving Reclassification Parks and Recreation Director

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Robert STROPE, City Manager

STROPE stated that in 2014 the Parks and Recreation Director Position was changed from a Level 600 Classification to a Level 400 Classification in conjunction with the departure of the previous Director. At that time the City Manager updated the job description and determined the scope of the position was more closely aligned with the other 400 Level Positions. Given this change to reduce the classification level did not have any increased budgetary implications, it did not require City Council action. Since that time, the duties and responsibilities have expanded with added recreational programming, more successful grant funded projects, and increased staffing levels.

The Current positions for each level were as follows: • LEVEL 400 – City Planner, Communications Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, and Senior Accountant • LEVEL 500 – Building Official, Library Director, and Police Lieutenant

STROPE noted that the City Policy 96-406 “Reclassification Procedure” required Council approval if the change resulted in an increase and the change was not made as part of the annual budget process. Therefore, the City Manager was seeking City Council approval for the change in Classification Level from 400 to 500. The increase in salary would be met within the adopted budget and the change would be effective July 21, 2021 to coincide with the payroll cycle.

Mayor CLEMENTS asked if this change was already in the budget for this year, to which STROPE said the department’s budget would be able to absorb the increase.

PUBLIC COMMENTS None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by ROCK; MIESNER providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that we approve the proposed reclassification for the Parks and Recreation Director Position from Level 400 to a Level 500 as presented.

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COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

d. Consider: MOU between City and La Grande Employees Association Union for Interim Library Director

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Robert STROPE, City Manager

STROPE stated that the City of La Grande was assigning Carrie BUSHMAN, as Interim Library Director effective June 21, 2021. The previous Library Director resigned and BUSHMAN had the requirements and qualifications required for this position; therefore, she would be working out of class as the Library Director on an interim basis for up to one year. BUSHMAN was currently a member of the Employees Association Collective Bargaining Group; therefore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of La Grande and the Employees Association must be approved by the City Council and Union to address impacts to the employee. The Employees Association had reviewed and approved the MOU. This action would not require any changes to the Adopted Budget.

Mayor CLEMENTS asked if the City would be backfilling that position, keeping the Library at full staff, to which STROPE stated yes.

MIESNER asked if the new employee hired for BUSHMAN’s prior position would have a one-year contract, STROPE answered that they are filling this position as a temporary position with no contract.

PUBLIC COMMENTS None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by MIESNER; LILLARD providing the Second:

MOTION: I move the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the La Grande Employees Association Union pertaining to the Interim Library Director be approved and authorize the City Manager to sign the MOU as presented.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

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VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

e. Consider: Resolution Adopting Housing Production Strategy

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Michael BOQUIST, Community Development Director

BOQUIST stated that pursuant to Oregon House Bill 2003, and with funding provided by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), the City of La Grande Planning Division has been working with Cascadia Partners (consultants) to develop a Housing Production Strategy (HPS) for the City of La Grande, which was completed in June, 2021.

BOQUIST noted that in December, 2021, the City Council adopted a Housing Needs Analysis (HNA) which was also required pursuant to House Bill 2003. Within one-year of adopting the HNA, the City is required to prepare and adopt an HPS that promotes the development of the needed housing types identified in the HNA, such as the development of new housing in both ownership and rentals for low, middle and upper income households. According to the HNA and HPS, “La Grande expects to add around 1,400 new residents over the next 20 years. To accommodate these new residents, the city will require the addition of 795 new dwelling units, consisting roughly of: 42% single family (336 units), 25% multifamily (200 units), 14% townhomes/plexes (115 units), 13% manufactured housing (100 units), and 6% group quarters (44 units).”

BOQUIST stated that the development of the HPS included the establishment of a nine (9) member advisory committee to advise the consultants and review recommendations, holding a public open house in February, 2021, and holding a joint work session of the City Council and Planning Commission in April, 2021. The proposed HPS was reflective of the input and direction received during these meetings.

BOQUIST noted that upon adopting the proposed HPS, the City has eight (8) years to work towards implementing each strategy, many of which would require additional public meetings and considerations before the Planning Commission and City Council before they are actively implemented, such as with proposed land use code amendments.

BOQUIST added that the proposed HPS has been reviewed by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and has been found to meet the

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requirements provided in House Bill 2003, implemented through OAR 660, Division 8.

MIESNER asked if the City was going to follow the timeline recommendations within the report, to which BOQUIST stated that some elements could be implemented before the recommended timeframe. Between City Staff and Council, a future discussion can be held to decide on the timeline of importance on each strategy since we have that flexibility. The City has up to eight (8) years to work towards implementing each strategy. If a strategy gets modified or it does not get implemented, the City has to document the reason why. The City has an obligation to make an effort to satisfy these stated goals. BOQUIST added that some of the strategies were prioritized in a certain way within the timeframe because they would require extra research and time to implement.

Mayor CLEMENTS stated that within the report were four basic areas for implementation: Land Use and Zoning Changes; Development Incentives; Public Projects and Resources; and Partnerships. Within each action in all four areas, there were four targets of criteria listed: Affordability; Housing Type; Tenure; and Demographic. He added that some of the recommendations can have big impacts to some of the targets listed in the report and he asked if the Council should prioritize the strategies to address them according to needs first, to which MIESNER stated that the project that Northeast Oregon Housing was currently working on should take some of the burden off of the City by addressing some of these strategies.

Mayor CLEMENTS suggested that a list be gathered of current and future housing projects in La Grande to help aid in prioritizing the strategies.

BOQUIST suggested that a work session be set up to talk about the different incentives available and options to consider for each and all strategies. Each year, as projects are finalized and certain strategies are satisfied, the priority list for the targets on each strategy could be adjusted.

Mayor CLEMENTS stated that he liked the ‘Measuring Progress’ section of the report. He also noted that because of the pandemic this past year, he was not surprised with the low responses received from the survey and the amount of input that was received from different stakeholders. After looking at the recommendations, he was hopeful that there would be an opportunity for people to comment in order to gather additional input to refine the process.

In response to Mayor CLEMENTS’ question, BOQUIST stated that he was not certain that the Housing Production Strategy Report was located on the City’s Planning page in

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the same final form that was in the Councilor packet. He added that when our new website launches, the final version along with a few other coordinating documents would be added for viewing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by LILLARD; MIESNER providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that the proposed Resolution adopting the Housing Production Strategy, dated June, 2021, be Read by Title Only, put to a vote and passed.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

Upon Mayor CLEMENTS’ request, the City Recorder read the Proposed Resolution by Title Only.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA GRANDE, UNION COUNTY, OREGON, ADOPTING A HOUSING PRODUCTION STRATEGY [4810]

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused. f. Consider: Awarding Bid for Pioneer Park Softball/Baseball Artificial Field Project

STAFF REPORT Mayor CLEMENTS requested the Staff Report.

Stu SPENCE, Parks and Recreation Director

SPENCE stated that City Staff, Eastern Oregon University (EOU), and the La Grande School District were looking to complete a project to install artificial turf on the infields of Optimist Field and Trice Community Field at Pioneer Park. The installation of artificial turf would make the fields accessible year-round, and be more resistant to damage with the elevated use due to the addition of EOU baseball. EOU has pledged to contribute $75,000 and the La Grande School District has pledged $150,000 to put towards completion of the project.

SPENCE noted that staff advertised for competitive bids and received three (3) qualified bids and rejected one (1) bid due to incomplete information as required by the contract documents, with the low bid of $209,289.00 from Northwest Sports Turf Solutions, Inc. The bid placed by Shaw’s Sports Turf did not include the installation of perimeter nailer boards in which the turf was connected to; so, while viewed as a qualified bid, it was not chosen due to the modified

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scope of work. To validate the total project costs, the unit prices for the perimeter nailer boards were requested from the other two bidders to compare the bids with a similar scope. The project would consist of supplying all the material, labor, and equipment for the installation of artificial sports turf over the infield of Optimist Baseball field and Trice Community Softball field at Pioneer Park. The amount budgeted for this work was $210,000. Additional cost for the project would include, but were not limited to; site excavation and leveling, drain installation, irrigation modification, fencing, and Trice Community Field outfield repair.

MIESNER asked if Eastern Oregon University (EOU) were building their own baseball field, to which SPENCE stated they were not at this time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS None

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

MOTION The following Motion was introduced by MIESNER; ROCK providing the Second:

MOTION: I move that we award the 2021 Pioneer Park Softball/Baseball Artificial Turf Project to Northwest Sports Turf Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $209,289.00; and, further, that City Manager Strope be authorized to execute the contract documents for the bid for the 2021 Pioneer Park Softball/Baseball Artificial Field Project.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION None

VOTE MSC. FOUR (4) of the Council Members present voted in the affirmative; BOZARTH, GLABE, and HOWARD were absent excused.

STAFF COMMENTS SPENCE stated that with the current chlorine shortage in some United States (US) areas, the city’s pool had plenty of chlorine in stock to continue pool operations.

SPENCE mentioned that two (2) grants were recently awarded to the Parks and Recreation Department for the addition of the vault toilet at Morgan Lake, one from the Oregon State Marine Board and the other from Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife. He also noted that three (3) grants were written for the Greenway Trail Extension Project and only one (1) grant was still pending. If approved, the project would consist of a looped backtrail extension that would continue for another sixteen-hundred (1,600) feet onto the two (2) adjacent properties that the City of La Grande already owns. He stated that they would know the outcome of this project by this coming fall and if approved, construction would start next spring, 2022.

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SPENCE commented that the Parks Masterplan Survey was still in the process of gathering information from our community, with approximately five hundred (500) responses so far. That data would be converted into a new survey and pushed out to new focus groups to figure out the department’s priorities for the upcoming three to five years.

Mayor CLEMENTS asked if the looped backtrail extension would be paved, to which SPENCE answered yes, it would be paved to match the existing trail.

Chief BELL announced that Sergeant Kris RASMUSSEN would be retiring from the La Grande Police Department at the end of July, 2021. She has worked for the City of La Grande for twenty-five (25) years and would be greatly missed. He added that Senior Police Officer Jared ROGERS was promoted to Sergeant effective Wednesday, July 21, 2021, and they would hire to fill the vacancy in the department.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS STROPE mentioned that the City of La Grande’s new website would be live and available to the public at the end of July, 2021. He also stated that he was glad that Councilors were reading through the City Manager’s Monthly Report and reaching out to him with questions and suggestions.

STROPE noted that the Councilors were welcome to bring in their city issued laptop for all future meetings and go paperless with their councilor packets, if they preferred.

STROPE stated that he was working on his self-assessment for his annual performance review and a copy would be emailed to each of the Councilors within the next week or two, to which Mayor CLEMENTS confirmed that Mayor Pro Tem LILLARD would gather the evaluations from City Staff. Once City Staff and each Councilor turned in their City Manager evaluations, that information would be combined into a report and presented to STROPE in a future meeting.

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS ROCK thanked the La Grande Fire Department, Police Department, and the Public Works Department for the combined effort and quick response they all made this past week in regards to the storm event that occurred in La Grande.

In response to MIESNER’s question regarding what determines the classification level for a Director or Manager within a department, STROPE stated the scope of responsibility and the level of authority that position would have. STROPE added that the City would be doing a compensation study for the Management Group soon to

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analyze current pay practices and job duties which would determine if our employee’s salaries and the classification level for each position were comparable and in compliance. Once the results are analyzed, adjustments could be made as needed.

LILLARD asked if the City had received more feedback from citizens regarding the floodplain mapping, to which BOQUIST stated that he received all positive communication after the meeting. The majority of the communication received has been from property owners that would benefit from either partially coming off the floodplain or completely removed from the floodplain. He stated that some property owners have contacted him to ask questions and learn how to read the map.

Mayor CLEMENTS welcomed everyone back to the Council Chambers.

There being no further business to come before this Regular Session of the Council, Mayor CLEMENTS adjourned the meeting to the Urban Renewal Agency Regular Session at 7:06 p.m. The Council is scheduled to meet again in Regular Session on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1000 Adams Avenue, La Grande, Oregon.

______Stacey M. Stockhoff Stephen E. Clements Assistant to the City Manager Mayor

APPROVED: ______

S:\Manager's Office\MEETINGS\MINUTES\2021\COUNCIL\07-07-2021 CC Minutes.doc

Agenda Item 3. b. Office Use Only CITY of LA GRANDE

COUNCIL ACTION FORM

Council Meeting Date: August 4, 2021

PRESENTER: Gary Bell, Police Chief

COUNCIL ACTION: CONSIDER APPROVING TAXI BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION: ALPHA TAXI

1. MAYOR: Request Staff Report

2. MAYOR: Invite Public Comments

3. MAYOR: Invite Council Discussion

4. MAYOR: Entertain Motion

Suggested Motion: I move that the application for Taxicab Business License, by applicant Alpha Taxi, Robin Fox, be approved and signed by the Mayor.

5. MAYOR: Invite Additional Council Discussion

6. MAYOR: Ask for the Vote

********************************************************************************************************************************* EXPLANATION: Robin Fox, 1502 21st Street, La Grande, Oregon, 97850, has applied for a license to operate a taxicab business, Alpha Taxi. Robin Fox has provided the required vehicle and insurance information to the La Grande Police Department.

The La Grande Police Chief and City Manager recommend approval of this Agenda item.

Ordinance Adopted First Reading: Second Reading: Effective Date: COUNCIL ACTION FORM TEMPLATE REVISED 1-12-18 APPLICATION FOR TAXICAB BUSINESS LICENSE

The undersigned hereby applies to the City Manager, City of La Grande, Oregon, for a license to operate a taxicab business in the City of La Grande, Oregon.

Please complete entire application

1. NAME OF TAXI COMPANY: . NEWX RENEWAL __ Business Name: A.~ Y\Q ~ (/\.,_'i l Business Address: ( 'o·-~ ~ Sfrc~~ A,r:\: S). \ Business Phone Number: };(//) 9/ 0-(p 'J- ]

2. APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Name of Applicant: _K-'--"" .....o~\o ...... "\ +D-t- . -+-b___.,,Q~,x~· ------F-"--c--c,-',--..,,...-- _ ~----~Phoned; l/i}=r f Q ( «J.( l °J Street address: __,c.....e::::.~"""""'""~~--'------"-'.:!.-'---'-=:::::.>.--+--'--+-'~-D=---·_,_\ _\:::___ ., ---.r---+- · _ 1 T Oregon Driver's License number: 7'.t-33 ± ]--]: 3 Expiration Date: 0 ~ ;;LJ Social Security Number: '5 t/ d-. -::;J.,5- 03 '2? 5 Date of Birth: · I 0-:)...?,:- \ ".t '-if J- Height: ? ' 9· ' 1 Weight: / Cf() Hair Color: B

~\I'" t0~ °'-~ ) \ ~.Q_ +- In.JI.. &\-a-.: e_ c. f.-

Have you been convicted of a major traffic violation within the past 36 months? YES __ NO /\ Have you ever been arrested or given a citation for a criminal matter? Have you ever been convicted of any crime? ~:; ~ ~~-- Have you been convicted of any felony within the past 36 months? YES ___ NO X

If the answer to any of the questions is "yes" please explain below. Please include dates and

disposition. r- \\ d <'.J)~e: gom ~ Ar-rest' Th~ y\) 2>D\~~ ~ \ V tJ\\) emeQ.,(1,D< J)e t- ;locf:\ 1 C11fo..±i'~, Thg &±, t.a.&c<.LQcltOR f{\\csde~

1 Information on officers or other persons of authority having the supervision and control of the business and vehicles: Name: Date of Birth: ------Address: ------

Name:------Date of Birth: ______Address: ______

3. VEHICLE INFORMATION: (copies of registration of title for all vehicles used in the taxi service must be provided as well as proof of valid insurance coverage)

Number of Vehicles to be used in the business: ----

Arprr.'4ed. * Year: J. a\ 0 Make: \\Y l C,~OJ'Model: f-\\~~O\.Vin: hJC-1 AL. 2..API At-lLj:~ire~!'#: ---r fl/Year .o:B ~ C~ake: Hori.e\~ Model:-f,, ow\- Vin~,

"'f'/n'e<'VIY 6/1 7-1-Z.I. TRUE AND ACCURATE. I UNDERSTAND THAT FALSIFICATION OR OMISSION OF ANY INFORMATON INCLUDED ON THIS APPLICATION MAY RESULT IN DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE. I HEREBY AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF LA GRANDE TO CONDUCT A CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: -~----t;--t~------Date: U)_ 7!d=J?l:;M 7

4. RECOMMENDATIONS:

S1gnature. of Ch'1e f of p o I'ice: ---~'-----. 'lx.______L/ _ Date: 7- /- .Zo..z.J Approved: / Disapproved: _____

Signature of City Manager: --~-/_...;;;__~-~--?C""------,------Date: 7- 2- 'h-z-1 Approved:_#J~___ Disapproved: ____ _

2 5. APPROVAL:

Signature of Mayor: Date:______.Approved: _____Disapproved: ____ _

6. EXPIRATION DATE OF THE LICENSE: December 31 of each year.

RECEIPT NUMBER: ----- DATE FEES PAID: AMOUNT PAID:

**APPLICATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.