Mayor Severson called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 pm and declared a quorum present.  Present were Councilors Misner, Davis, Harn, Springer, Myers, Calame and Harkenrider.  Councilor Hardin was excused.  Staff members in attendance were City Manager Brookshier, City Attorney Luisi, Bob Irby, Ray Jones, Clint Spencer, Dan Coulombe, Judge Creasing, Ron Sivey, and Donna Moeller.  News media present was Jennifer Colton of the Hermiston Herald.  The pledge of allegiance was given.

Minutes

Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Misner seconded that minutes of the October 25 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

October Expenditures

Councilor Springer moved and Councilor Davis seconded to approve payment of the following October expenditures:  $465,368.36 General; $52,458.93 State Tax Street; $15,000.00 Transient Room Tax; $236,465.91 Utilities; $45,137.00 911 Communications; $590,430.32 Energy Services; $80,916.22 Regional Water; $45,274.36 WWTP Construction Fund; total $1,531,051.10.  Motion carried unanimously.

Res. No. 1882 - Authorize the Establishment of a HRA VEBA Plan

Resolution No. 1882 - Authorize the establishment of a Health Reimbursement Arrangement - Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (“HRA VEBA”) Plan - was read and discussed.  Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Harn seconded that the resolution be approved and laid upon the record.  Motion carried unanimously.

Res. No. 1883 - Authorize Loan Agreement/DEQ/Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund

Resolution No. 1883 - Authorizing the City to enter into a loan agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality through its Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund - was read and discussed.  Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Harn seconded that the resolution be approved and laid upon the record.  Motion carried unanimously.

2009-2010 Annual Audit

Richard Stoddard, of Barnett & Moro, was present to answer any questions regarding the 2009-2010 annual audit.  Hearing none, Councilor Davis moved and Councilor Myers seconded to accept the audit report.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Columbia Basin Mounted Shooters Competition/Umatilla County Rodeo Grounds

City Manager Brookshier reported the Columbia Basin Mounted Shooters Competition has been held at the fairgrounds the past few years and according to Police Chief Coulombe the event created no problems of any kind.  Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Harn seconded to grant a variance to Section 130.31 of the Code to allow the discharge of firearms within the city.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Non-Binding Memorandum/Establishment of Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center

City Manager Brookshier stated this non-binding memorandum sets out the framework and broad responsibilities among the County, Fair Board, School District and City whereby the Fair and Rodeo would be moved to city-owned land south of the Airport as “anchors” pursuant to the ultimate development of an Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.  Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Davis seconded to allow the City to enter into this non-binding memorandum for the development of an Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Mayor Severson announced there will be a free breakfast for all veterans at the Hermiston Conference Center on Thursday, November 11th.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier announced there will be a public forum to discuss the proposed Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center on Tuesday at noon at the Hermiston Conference Center, cost of the lunch is $10.00.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.

SIGNED:

/s/ Bob Severson

MAYOR
ATTEST:

/s/ Robert D. Irby

CITY RECORDER