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, Chuck Woolsey and Donna Moeller.  News media present were Neill Woelk and Luke Hegdal of the Hermiston Herald.  The pledge of allegiance was given.

Minutes

Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Harn seconded that minutes of the April 11 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Minutes & Report

Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Myers seconded that the March manager’s monthly report and minutes of the March 2 airport advisory committee meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Report/Revised Standard Plans and Specifications for Streets and Sewers

City Planner Spencer stated the City currently has standard plans and specifications for public improvements which have been in place since the 1990s.  However, there have been changes to rules and regulations at the state, federal and local levels since the last time the standards were reviewed.  To evaluate where the standard plans have fallen behind existing regulations, the City contracted with Tetra Tech Engineering to review the existing plans and suggest updates.  The City then took these recommendations and changed the plans accordingly.  The City’s contract engineers at Kennedy Jenks and development staff reviewed the final changes which are presented with the following Resolution 1889.

Res. No. 1889/Adopt Standard Plans and Specifications for Streets and Sewers

Resolution No. 1889 - Adopt Standard Plans and Specifications for Streets and Sewers - was read and discussed.  Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Davis seconded that the resolution be approved and laid upon the record.  Motion carried unanimously.

Report/Recommended Speed Zone Changes on Highway 207 - W. 11th Street - Elm Avenue

City Manager Brookshier reported the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), after conducting a speed zone investigation, is recommending a constant 30 mph (excepting school zones) from about the southern end of the old “Red Apple” plaza area northward on 11th Street and east on Elm Avenue to a point 200 feet west of US Highway 395.  Mr. Brookshier recommended the Council endorse the proposed changes, with the possible addition of one minor change, that being to extend the beginning of the 30 mph zone farther south to where  it would begin just south of Highland Avenue.

Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Harn seconded to endorse ODOT’s recommended speed zone changes on Highway 207 - W. 11th Street and Elm Avenue with the possible addition of the minor change to extend the beginning of the 30 mph zone to just south of Highland Avenue.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Councilor Hardin introduced John Jefferies, the new Minister for the Hermiston Christian Center... Councilor Davis commented on the nice article about Hermiston in the Oregonian... Councilor Harn announced a meeting of the committee to review and revise the City Manager Performance Appraisal Criteria this Thursday, April 27 at 4:00 pm in the City Hall Conference Room.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier reported the finance department has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) “Excellence in Financing Reporting” certificate for the 20th year in a row.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.

SIGNED:

/s/ Bob Severson

MAYOR

ATTEST:

/s/ Robert D. Irby

CITY RECORDER