Mayor Severson called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 pm and declared a quorum present.  Present were Councilors Hardin, Misner, Davis, Harn, Springer, Myers, Calame and Harkenrider.  Staff members in attendance were City Manager Brookshier, City Attorney Luisi, Ray Jones, Clint Spencer, Dan Coulombe, Judge Creasing, Ron Sivey, Mike Ward, Karen Primmer and Donna Moeller.  News media present were Jennifer Colton of the Hermiston Herald, Erin Mills of the East Oregonian and Erik Olson of KOHU-KQFM.  The pledge of allegiance was given.

Minutes

Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Davis seconded that minutes of the September 13 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Hearing/Oregon Community Development Block Grant, Project HR804/OECDD

At 7:02 pm Mayor Severson opened the hearing to obtain citizen views about the Oregon Community Development Block Grant, Project HR804, and take comments about the local government’s performance.  Building Official Mike Ward introduced Karen Kendall, Economic Development Specialist - GEODC and David VanDerlip, from the Oregon Rural Housing Services.  Mr. VanDerlip reported the total amount of the grant was $400,000 and that 16 home rehabilitation loans were processed to low and moderate income households as a result of this grant.  Mayor Severson and Assistant City Manager Jones both praised the project and the working partnership between city staff and the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC).  There were no comments from the council, and no one in the audience wished to comment.  The hearing was closed at 7:04 pm.

Report/Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center

City Manager Brookshier introduced Dan Dorran and Chet Prior, members of the project Steering Committee for the proposed Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.  Mr. Prior reported members of the Steering Committee were in place and ready to work on this project.  Dan Dorran gave a short power point presentation reviewing what the Umatilla County fairgrounds has today and the events that take place at it’s present location.  Stakeholders in the project were identified as Umatilla County, Umatilla County Fair Board, City of Hermiston, Hermiston School District, private industry and West end hotels and motels.  Mr. Dorran reported the estimated total project cost to be approximately $20 million, with committed cash, land and infrastructure at $9 million.  The committee will be applying for grant funds and looking at State and Federal programs as additional funding sources.  Mr.  Dorran outlined the benefits to the Hermiston School District with their ownership of the present fairgrounds property to both the Hermiston High School and West Park Elementary campuses and the regional benefits with the completion of the new Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.  He outlined the proposed time line and stated the committee would come back before the council with a conceptional design once that is complete.

City Manager Brookshier stated the project has tremendous ramifications for growth and development patterns and stimulation in the southern part of the City over the next ten to twenty years.  It also has the potential to positively affect development and ultimate revitalization of the central core as a consequence of the School District facilities development at the current fairgrounds site.

Minutes & Report

Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Harn seconded that the August manager’s monthly report; minutes of the September 1 airport advisory committee meeting, minutes of the September 1 library board meeting and minutes of the September 8 planning commission meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Close out Oregon Community Development Block Grant, Project HR804/OECDD

Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Myers seconded to close out the Oregon Community Development Block Grant, Project HR804, which is now complete.  Motion carried unanimously.

Liquor License Application/El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

Following a favorable report from Police Chief Coulombe, Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Myers seconded to approve a liquor license application for El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, 1240 North First Street, a new outlet for full on-premise sales.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Councilor Hardin reported the Solid Waste Committee met with Mike Jewett and that currently 31 percent of the City’s waste is being recycled.  Mr. Jewett told the committee that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQA) requires 20 percent recycling.

Report/Hermiston Police Department Update and Crime Trends

Police Chief Coulombe reported after eight months in 2010 the department has seen an 8.3 percent reduction in all index crimes compared to the first eight months of 2009.  There has been a slight increase in the number of rape cases reported as well as aggravated assaults.  Chief Coulombe stated officer initiated activity is up 12.3 percent, which he feels is directly related to the fact that calls for service is down 6.4 percent and reported crime is down 18.9 percent (last year set a 10 year low milestone).  The officers are out looking for crime and doing their jobs well.  Many of the stats the Chief reviewed with the council were in the juvenile crime arena, which indicated juvenile crime is down considerably.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier reminded the council of the Higher Education Center ground breaking ceremony Monday, October 4th at 4:30 pm... the Development Activity Tour on October 23rd beginning at 8:30 am.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm.

SIGNED:

/s/ Bob Severson

MAYOR

ATTEST:

/s/ Robert D. Irby 

CITY RECORDER