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, Clint Spencer, Judge Creasing, Jason Edmiston, Karen Primmer, Linda Cain and Donna Moeller.  News media present were Neill Woelk of the Hermiston Herald, Anna Willard of the East Oregonian and Eric Olson of KOHU-KQFM.  The pledge of allegiance was given.

Minutes

Councilor Misner moved and Councilor Myers seconded that minutes of the October 24 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Unscheduled Communications From the Audience

Anne Emmons, Chairman North Port Neighborhood Association, read the City of Hermiston Vision Statement and asked the council members and City staff to consider the formation of a neighborhood association where city government and citizens could work together to improve the livability of our city.  Ms. Emmons ask for a written response from the council before the next council meeting on November 28 regarding the implementation of a neighborhood association.

John Kirwan, 664 E. Oregon Avenue, stated from the Hermiston Crime Statistics Report, which he obtained from the internet, there is an overall upward trend in crime based on data from 11 years with violent and property crimes both increasing.  Based on this trend, the crime rate in Hermiston for 2011 is expected to be higher than in 2009.  Mr. Kirwan also researched the Oregon Department of Education website and found that for the year 2010-11, 63.5 percent of the students in Umatilla County are eligible for free/reduced lunches.  Mr. Kirwan stated that even though Hermiston has experienced a 30 percent growth trend, not all growth is good for the citizens of Hermiston.  Mr. Kirwan stated in his opinion, Hermiston needs to increase the police force, needs a full time prosecutor and should examine procedures at the Municipal Court.

Georgia Laramore, 1215 SW 11th Street - Space #94, expressed concern regarding the pending water/sewer rate increases, specifically with regards to large water users.

Proclamation/Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Mayor Severson read a proclamation declaring the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Hermiston.

October Expenditures

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Myers seconded to approve payment of the following October expenditures:  $482,045.19 General; $49,268.11 State Tax Street; $1,409.61 Transient Room Tax; $226,246.98 Utilities; $48,400.15 911 Communications; $494,875.92 Energy Services; $30,355.62 Regional Water; $432,880.32 WWTP Construction Fund; total $1,765,481.90.  Motion carried unanimously.

Proposed Purchase of Land - Southeast Slope of the Butte

Councilor Myers reported she had spoken with 22 citizens regarding the purchase of this property; 22 were in favor, 4 were undecided and 1 was against the purchase.  Councilors Davis and Misner also reported they had spoken with numerous citizens and all were in favor of the land purchase.  Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Springer seconded the purchase of 1.5 acres of land on the Southeast slope of the Butte from Norm Schroth for one half of the market value or $44,130.  Motion carried unanimously.

Final Replat - Greene

City Planner Spencer stated Russ Greene submitted an application for a replat of property located at 1036 SW Banker Drive.  The property consists of one 42,000 square foot lot which is presently vacant.  The applicant proposes to divide the existing lot into two 21,000 square foot lots.  The property is zoned Single Family Residential (R-1) and is described as 4N 28 14AB Tax Lot 2700. 

Staff has reviewed the proposed replat and found that it is prepared in accordance with all requirements of the Code of Ordinances.  Notably, there are no code provisions or comprehensive plan policies which require the provision of oversized lots and the lots meet all of the minimum dimensional requirements in the R-1 zone.  Staff recommends the city council approve the final replat subject to the following condition:

1. The applicant shall work with and receive certification from the Hermiston Irrigation District prior to obtaining final signatures from the city.

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Misner seconded that the final replat for Russell Greene be approved.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approve/Extension of Existing Franchise/Charter Communications

Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Calame seconded to approve an extension through January 31, 2012 of the existing franchise with Charter Communications.  Councilors Misner, Davis, Harn, Springer, Calame and Harkenrider voted yes; Councilor Myers voted no.  Motion carried.

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 the Hermiston Police Department the event created no problems of any kind.  Councilor Springer moved and Councilor Myers seconded to grant a variance to Section 130.31 of the Code to allow the discharge of firearms within the city.  Motion carried unanimously.

Report/Hermiston Police Department Statistics

Acting Chief Edmiston reported he just returned from a Rural Law Enforcement training in Nashville and that the common theme across the nation is an increase in crime yet an overall decrease in accountability.  He thanked District Attorney Dan Primus for his active involvement during the full weekend long homicide investigation, stated within 32 hours of the crime happening, a suspect was in custody.  Nothing points to the incident being gang related; however, the suspect has been involved in several serious incidents over the course of the last several years.  Mr. Edmiston stated he believes when the total crime figures are compiled at the end of the year, that Hermistons crime figures will be up slightly.  He said the Hermiston Police Department will continue to work on improving inter-agency cooperation, will be assigning a patrol officer to property detection as of December 1st, discussing options specific to chronic offenders, revamping the City's tow policy to hold people accountable and continue to promote Neighborhood Watch groups.  

Council Comments

Councilor Harkenrider asked if anything could be done about the radius curb on the corner of Highway 395 by the Bliss Building.  City Manager Brookshier stated he would contact ODOT again to see if they were planning any changes to that corner... Councilor Davis thanked Acting Chief Edmiston for the weekend up-dates on the homicide.  Also, liked the new "Council Corner" on the City website.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier stated there will be a Public Safety Committee meeting at City Hall on Monday, November 21 at 6:30 pm.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.

SIGNED:
/s/ Bob Severson, Mayor

ATTEST:
/s/ Robert D. Irby, City Recorder