Council President Myers called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 pm and declared a quorum present.  Present were Councilors Hardin, Misner, Davis, Harn, Myers, Calame and Harkenrider.  Mayor Severson and Councilor Springer were excused.  Staff members in attendance were City Manager Brookshier, City Attorney Luisi, Ray Jones, Clint Spencer, Jason Edmiston, Judge Creasing, Roy Bicknell, Russ Dorran, Bill Schmittle, Karen Primmer and Donna Moeller.  News media present were Neill Woelk and Holly Dillemuth of the Hermiston Herald and Anna Willard of the East Oregonian.  The pledge of allegiance was given.

Minutes

Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Harn seconded that minutes of the November 28 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Unscheduled Communications From the Audience

John Kirwan, 664 E. Oregon Avenue, complimented the Hermiston Police Department on the improvements to their web-site.  He then made reference to the "Council Corner" on the City's web-site stating he felt postings should focus on positive attributes to promote the City not criticizing citizen comments.

Manual Gutierrez, 750 E. Quince, passed out a copy of the 2004 letter from James Littlefield that he received while serving as a city councilor.

November Expenditures

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Misner seconded to approve payment of the following November expenditures:  $137,526.31 Bonded Debt; $531,187.33 General; $43,298.77 State Tax Street; $1,557.61 Transient Room Tax; $142,800.18 Utilities; $54,287.54 911 Communications; $579,418.88 Energy Services; $22,528.55 Regional Water; $6,136.35 WWTP Construction Fund; total $1,518,741.52.  Motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Hardin seconded that minutes of the December 7 airport advisory committee meeting and minutes of the December 7 "Futures" Task Force discussion and work session be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Committee Recommendation/Budget Committee and Recreation Projects Fund Advisory Comm.

The committee recommended making the following appointment for the standing committee vacancies for three year terms ending December 31, 2014:

• Budget Committee, Position #4 - Joanna Hayden
• Budget Committee, Position #5 - Fred Allen, Jr.
• Budget Committee, Position #6 - Doug Primmer
• Recreation Projects Fund Advisory Committee, Position #3 - Mike Botti (Chamber)
• Recreation Projects Fund Advisory Committee, Position #4 - Vijay Narain (Motel Oper.)

In accord with council rules, confirmation will be made at the next meeting on December 19 2011.

Res. No. 1901 - Adopt Compensation Plan for Union and Non-Union Employees per Contract

Resolution No. 1901 - Adoption of employee pay increase for Police Union and non-union employees pursuant to Police Association contract agreement (supersedes Resolution No. 1893) - was read and discussed.  Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Davis seconded that the resolution be approved and laid upon the record.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Intergovernmental Agreement with Umatilla County/EOTEC

Attorney George Anderson outlined the agreement stating it will be between the City and the County and will form an EOTEC Authority to acquire, construct, own, manage and operate real and personal property to be known as the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.

Buss Brazeau added information about the national marketing plan being considered and potential users of the facility.

Doug Primmer asked how the proposed facility compared to other similar facilities, how the RV park would be used and if the Senior Center would be relocated.  Mr. Brazeau stated the RV park use would be limited by statute to short term stays and that the seniors have formed a committee to look at options for re-locating the Senior Center.  He stated the steering committee had looked at and patterned the EOTEC facility in part from other facilities in Texas, Deschutes County, Moses Lake, Washington and Winnemucca, Nevada.

John Kirwan asked how much it will cost the City to install the water/sewer lines to this project and if those costs would be paid from the grant funding.  City Manager Brookshier stated the estimated cost is $1.5 to $2 million to install water and sewer services to the west edge of the property and will be paid from the utility fund.  The committee will pay to install water and sewer services beyond that point.

City Manager Brookshier stated it was his belief that it is important for the City to proceed with officially acknowledging its commitment to the prospective partnership, given the importance of the EOTEC project to significant future economic diversification in the community and area, commercial and industrial expansion in the City's southern area, cost-effective school facilities development and definition and development of the central city area.

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Davis seconded to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Umatilla County pertaining to ownership of Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center property and operation of the EOTEC Authority.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Hermiston Energy Service Management and Operation Agreement/Umatilla Electric Coop.

Steve Eldrige and Gerri Beauchamp, Umatilla Electric Cooperative, recapped the revised Management, Operation and Maintenance Services Agreement between the City of Hermiston and Umatilla Electric Cooperative for operational services for Hermiston Energy Services.  The effective date of this agreement is July 1, 2012 and continues for a term ending June 30, 2032.  Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Hardin seconded to approve the new Hermiston Energy Service Management and Operation Agreement with Umatilla Electric Cooperative.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Councilor Hardin asked Judge Creasing if the thermostat had been repaired at the Municipal Court since it has turned so cold outside.  Judge Creasing reported yes the thermostat was  working and that it was much more comfortable over at the Municipal Court.

Report/Hermiston Police Department Chaplain Program and Christmas Express

Acting Police Chief Edmiston introduced Hector Ramirez and John Jefferies, two new chaplains currently working with the police department.  Regarding Christmas Express, he reported Fiesta Foods presented the low bid for the food, this week will be busy putting the baskets together and volunteers are always needed.  The pickup centers will be open next week.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier reminded the councilors of the Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

SIGNED:
/s/ Bob Severson
MAYOR

ATTEST:
/s/ Robert D. Irby
CITY RECORDER