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

Minutes

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Hardin seconded that minutes of the December 12 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Unscheduled Communications From the Audience

Georgia Laramore, 1215 SW 11th Street - Space #94, asked why the City would pay extra money for a bed in the Umatilla County Jail since the citizens of Hermiston already pay taxes to support the jail.

City Attorney Luisi explained the City=s dedicated jail bed can be filled without that person having to meet the matrix scoring system which is used by Umatilla County for filling the other jail beds.  It will give Judge Creasing at the Municipal Court a way to incarcerate repeat offenders.

Presentation:
Opening the Columbia River for a Healthy Economy & a Healthy Environment/Ziari

Fred Ziari, IRZ Consulting, gave an informative Power Point presentation which proposes opening up the Columbia River for more agricultural irrigation in Oregon, stimulating the Columbia Basin economy while protecting environmental needs.  This initiative could create 7,000 jobs and $1 billion per year to our local economy.

Resignation: Councilor Springer

Mayor Severson read a letter of resignation from Councilor Springer, stating he has recently  experienced some health problems.  Councilor Davis moved and Councilor Misner seconded to accept the resignation of Harmon Springer as Councilor from Ward 2 for the term ending December 31, 2014 and to advertise the position vacancy.  Deadline for submitting applications will be January 25, 2012.  Motion carried unanimously.

Minutes & Report

Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Davis seconded that the November manager=s monthly report, minutes of the December 13 public safety committee meeting and minutes of the December 14 planning commission meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Confirm Appointments:
Budget Committee and Recreation Projects Fund Advisory Committee

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Davis seconded to confirm the following appointments 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.)

Motion carried unanimously.

Approve Rental of Dedicated Jail Space
Umatilla County Jail

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Misner seconded to approve the rental of dedicated jail space at the Umatilla County Jail for the period of December 20, 2011 through December 31, 2012 at the rate of $60.00 per day through June 30, 2012; for the period from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, the daily rate will be negotiated.  Motion carried unanimously.

Final Replat - Maxwell

City Planner Spencer reported Dick Maxwell submitted an application for a replat of property located at 854 and 655 W. Hartley Avenue.  The property consists of two 12,000 square foot lots which are presently vacant.  The applicant proposes to combine the existing lots into one 24,000 square foot lot.  The property is zoned Single Family Residential (R-1) and is described as 4N 28 10BD Tax Lots 4600 and 4700.  The planning commission approved the replat at their regular meeting on December 14, 2011.  The property owner is Dick Maxwell.

Staff has reviewed the proposed partition plat and found that it is prepared in accordance with all requirements of the Code of Ordinances and therefore recommends the city council approve the final partition plat.

Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Calame seconded to approve the final replat for Dick Maxwell.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Councilor Hardin expressed regret over losing Councilor Springer, stating he always did an excellent job with anything he was involved with... Also, wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Councilor Harkenrider reported Hermiston=s population has grown by another 70 people.  Mayor Severson stated he would also miss having Harmon Springer serve on the city council.

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