Mayor Severson 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. Staff members in attendance were City Manager Brookshier, City Attorney Luisi, Ray Jones, Clint Spencer, Judge Creasing, Ron Sivey, Jason Edmiston, Roy Bicknell, Karen Primmer, Bill Schmittle and Donna Moeller.  News media present were Neill Woelk and Holly Dillemuth of the Hermiston Herald, Anna Willard of the East Oregonian and Eric Olson of KOHU-KQFM.  Mayor Severson introduced Boy Scout Troop 630, he asked the boys to lead the council and audience in giving the pledge of allegiance.

Minutes

Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Misner seconded that minutes of the December 19 regular meeting be approved for filing.  Motion carried unanimously.

Report/Homicide at the Gotta Stop Mini Mart/Acting Police Chief Edmiston

Acting Police Chief Edmiston reported the Major Crime Team had been assembled to investigate multiple gunshots resulting in one person deceased and others involved at the Gotta Stop Mini Mart located at 1580 W. Highland Avenue at approximately 3:40 pm.  He could neither confirm nor deny the shooting as being gang related.

Unscheduled Communications From the Audience

John Kirwan, 664 E. Oregon Avenue, asked if a detailed accounting of the monthly expenditures, which are being considered tonight, could either be posted on the web-site or included on the agendas in the future. He also asked if there could be time allowed at the completion of each meeting for additional questions from the audience.  Mr. Kirwan thinks there needs to be more discussion and changes needed to help solve the issues of crime developing in Hermiston. 

Anne Emmons, 845 E. Kennedy, reported the newly formed neighborhood association committee, which consists of Councilors Myers, Misner and herself at this point, have mailed a letter inviting other citizens to get involved. The next committee meeting will be held January 19th at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

Joe Thompson, 582 E. Main, spoke to the current crimes recently in Hermiston that have involved the use of firearms.  He would like to encourage the council and staff to make public safety and crime prevention a priority when considering the next budget.

December Expenditures

Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Harkenrider seconded to approve payment of the following December expenditures:  $638,941.97 General; $67,177.29 State Tax Street; $1,417.61 Transient Room Tax; $294,586.95 Utilities; $61,216.32 911 Communications; $534,846.22 Energy Services; $86,324.56 Regional Water; $128,631.92 WWTP Construction Fund; total $1,813,142.84.  Motion carried unanimously.

Creation of Advisory Committees

Councilor Myers stated there have been recent discussions with citizens about the possibility of expanding our advisory committee structure. This seems like a good way to expand communications and seems timely with the work of the Futures Task Force. She reported the council had already created the neighborhood association committee which would advise the council on neighborhood issues such as land use, infrastructure, public safety and nuisance and appearance issues.  Other committees being considered are a Hispanic, business, agriculture, senior leaders and civic groups advisory committees.  City Manager Brookshier asked for a motion to establish the committees and then the council could seek individuals to be involved. Councilor Myers moved and Councilor Hardin seconded to establish a Hispanic Advisory Committee, a Business Advisory Committee, an Agriculture Advisory Committee, a Senior Leaders Advisory Committee, a Civic Groups Advisory Committee and the Neighborhood Association Advisory Committee.  Motion carried unanimously.

Establish a Council Public Works Committee

City Manager Brookshier stated there have also been some discussion regarding establishing a Council Public Works Committee which would include the street, water and sewer departments.  Presumably the committee would include three Councilors and the Mayor as ex‑officio as is done with most of the other Council committees. Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Myers seconded to establish a Council Public Works Committee.  Motion carried unanimously.   City Manager Brookshier reported the Mayor will appoint three Councilors to serve on this committee at the next council meeting on January 23, 2012.

Report/Hermiston Futures Community Forum

City Manager Brookshier reported the Hermiston Futures Task Force is holding a community forum at the Hermiston Community Center on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 pm.  There will be round table discussion groups and everyone is invited to attend and participate.

Res. No. 1902 - Install Stop Signs - Intersection of N.W. Eucalyptus Drive

Resolution No. 1902 - Install stop signs for vehicular traffic at the intersection of N.W. Eucalyptus Drive and W. Prickly Pear Drive and W. Yucca Avenue - was read and discussed.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approval/Permit from Bureau of Reclamation to Discharge Reclaimed Water to WEID

City Manager Brookshier thanked Senator Wyden for his help with this project and then asked Brad Bogus to briefly review the proposed agreement.

Brad Bogus, Tetra Tech, reported the proposed agreement between the City of Hermiston, the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the West Extension Irrigation District (WEID) establishes the right for the City to discharge Class A Recycled Water to the WEID main canal.  The agreement requires that the City comply with Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) discharge permit requirements.  The agreement will be in force for 25 years or five permit cycles. The City is required to perform the following duties:  1) obtain a valid NPDES discharge permit from DEQ; 2) meet the water quality standards for the discharge; 3) relinquish water quality records if requested by USBR or WEID; 4) if for operational or national security needs USBR needs to interrupt the discharge, the City may resume discharge to the canal upon resolution of the event causing the interruption.  The City can terminate the agreement at any time with 90 days= notice.  The City must indemnify USBR and WEID actions of the City.  There are also several conditions that would allow USBR to terminate the agreement, which are:  1) the City does not comply with Federal, State, or local laws; 2) a natural disaster damages the canal; 3) a finding that the City has not used the agreement for its stated use; 4) USBR determination that the discharge is illegal (due to new regulations of law); 5) USBR determines that there are adverse effects from the discharge; 6) USBR provides written proof that there is economic harm to the patrons of the WEID.  The City agrees that it will financially reimburse WEID for any additional operational, maintenance, or administrative costs incurred by WEID as a result of the City=s discharge to the canal.  Mr. Bogas stated the agreement also contains boilerplate federal language regarding expiration of the permit, anti-graft language, a disclosure that no member of Congress can profit from this agreement, and a provision that if any one part of the agreement is judged illegal the remainder of the agreement remains in effect.  This agreement was developed with support of staff from Kennedy Jenks Consultants, Tetra Tech, and the legal firm of Perkins Coie.  He stated the agreement is a necessary step towards providing a long-term solution for the City=s recycled water program and recommends the City enter into this agreement with USBR and WEID.

Councilor Hardin asked why only a 25-year agreement and what maintenance costs the City may have to pay to the WEID?

Brad said the WEID asked for the maintenance clause since no one knows what effect the chlorine in the City=s recycled water will have on the surface of the concrete canal. Also, the 25-year agreement is an excellent term, taking the City through five permit cycles.

Councilor Harkenrider moved and Councilor Myers seconded approval of the Permit from the Bureau of Reclamation to discharge the City=s reclaimed water into the West Extension Main Canal.  Motion carried unanimously.

Council Comments

Councilor Harkenrider stated Hermiston has good schools, a good hospital, a good City Manager, City Council and City staff, but Hermiston is growing and with growth comes some problems...  Councilor Hardin stated public safety is a priority to everyone at the City.  He believes the City of Hermiston is Pro-Active - not - Re-Active... Mayor Severson reported the Black International Awareness Club will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16th at noon.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brookshier reported there will be a reception honoring Harmon Springer at City Hall on Wednesday, January 11th at 4:30 pm... Futures Task Force forum at the Community Center on Tuesday, January 17th at 7:00 pm... Council-Staff Work Session on Saturday, January 21st at 8:30 am.

Council Vacancy Interviews

Councilor Harn moved and Councilor Misner seconded that the council vacancy committee will interview prospective applicants for the vacancy in Ward II at City Hall on Thursday, February 2nd at 6:00 pm.  Motion carried unanimously.

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

SIGNED:
/s/ Bob Severson
Maryor

ATTEST:
/s/ Robert D. Irby
City Recorder