1 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:12,840 Good 2 00:00:36,610 --> 00:00:45,050 evening, and welcome to the Monday, October 20, 2025 meeting of the Astoria City Council. Mr. Spence, 3 00:00:45,290 --> 00:00:49,590 if you could lead us in the pledge, please, we would ask that you rise if you are willing 4 00:00:49,590 --> 00:00:50,190 and able. 5 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:01,140 Thank you, 6 00:01:05,410 --> 00:01:07,090 Mr. Spence. 7 00:01:08,610 --> 00:01:10,070 If we can have a roll call, please. 8 00:01:12,110 --> 00:01:15,090 Councillor Davis, we're Councillor Mozzarella. 9 00:01:15,590 --> 00:01:15,750 Here. 10 00:01:16,330 --> 00:01:16,930 Councillor Adams. 11 00:01:17,830 --> 00:01:18,390 Councillor Lone. 12 00:01:18,650 --> 00:01:18,730 Here. 13 00:01:19,110 --> 00:01:19,750 Mayor Fitzpatrick. 14 00:01:20,130 --> 00:01:20,270 Here. 15 00:01:20,950 --> 00:01:26,030 So we'll start with reports of counselors in this evening. We start with counselor lump. 16 00:01:28,450 --> 00:01:28,830 Thank you, Mayor. 17 00:01:29,530 --> 00:01:33,330 Just a quick question. Are we not doing the proclamations that are on the agenda or? 18 00:01:34,370 --> 00:01:35,950 Oh, this is the old agenda. Sorry. 19 00:01:38,950 --> 00:01:47,070 Anyway, so I've talked to a lot of people about my resignation and people who are interested to know what the process will be. 20 00:01:47,070 --> 00:01:50,590 so I'm glad we're going to be talking about it tonight and hopefully sorting that out. 21 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:55,970 And I've been really appreciative of anyone who's expressed 22 00:01:56,550 --> 00:02:02,670 that they have been happy with my service. I know a lot of people have expressed 23 00:02:02,670 --> 00:02:08,450 they haven't, so I guess I appreciate those comments too. And I'm excited for the 24 00:02:09,170 --> 00:02:12,810 library to be reopening on Saturday. I'm really excited to see that 25 00:02:16,710 --> 00:02:23,570 It's been a really kind of a long time coming. It feels like. So happy that's coming up. Yeah, that's all I got. 26 00:02:23,970 --> 00:02:25,510 Great. Thank you, Councilor Adams. 27 00:02:27,730 --> 00:02:30,730 Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. I'll be quick. 28 00:02:32,730 --> 00:02:40,170 Andrea or Councilor Mozzarella and I had an opportunity to host Girl Scouts here at City Council working on their democracy badge. 29 00:02:40,170 --> 00:02:55,590 And that was a really fun opportunity to do something that was fun and carefree and a great experience to share with the Girl Scouts, the things that we do on City Council. I think there was about 15 of them. 30 00:02:55,590 --> 00:03:16,310 I also attended the senior center membership meeting where I held a listening session on these city council work priorities covered the new utility assistance program and the qualifications and then also just listen to a lot of the concerns of the seniors were having there's about 45 46 people at that membership meeting. 31 00:03:16,310 --> 00:03:24,730 Some who've never attended before, so I felt very grateful that they attended just to come and share their concerns with the counselor. 32 00:03:25,670 --> 00:03:31,870 Also met with some local downtown business owners Brian Medford at the Rusty Cup and some other folks. 33 00:03:32,430 --> 00:03:39,230 Lots of emails still coming through about livability and housed situations and concerns. 34 00:03:39,230 --> 00:03:45,670 I know Tom Bronson this morning about the 100th year column anniversary and also just touching 35 00:03:45,670 --> 00:03:49,510 base about the library and his excitement for that. 36 00:03:50,070 --> 00:03:55,870 I met with some local veterans that the mayor had also met with about the veteran suicide 37 00:03:55,870 --> 00:04:01,270 documentary that's going to be coming out on Veterans Day, particularly focusing on rural 38 00:04:01,270 --> 00:04:06,630 veteran suicide and mental health issues at a low act meeting and then housing task force 39 00:04:06,630 --> 00:04:12,170 this Wednesday and I'm going to meet with Representative Javiti taking some talking points 40 00:04:12,710 --> 00:04:16,970 from the city manager to talk with him. That's all I have to report. Thank you. 41 00:04:17,790 --> 00:04:19,330 Great. Thank you, Councillor Adams. 42 00:04:19,870 --> 00:04:25,550 Councillor Rosarillo. Thank you. I will echo what Councillor Adams said that it was really 43 00:04:25,550 --> 00:04:31,610 awesome to host the Girl Scouts. It was a really fun pull some uplifting a couple of hours and the 44 00:04:31,610 --> 00:04:37,310 But staff and Mr. Spence and Mr. Quigley prepared some really cool activities and it was 45 00:04:37,310 --> 00:04:38,990 just absolutely delightful. 46 00:04:39,210 --> 00:04:39,970 I think the kids loved it. 47 00:04:40,070 --> 00:04:42,170 I think the adults loved it, everyone loved it. 48 00:04:45,070 --> 00:04:50,330 And I wanted to say I spent a lot of time the last couple of weeks in person and online 49 00:04:50,330 --> 00:04:57,150 and email and social media corresponding with a lot of residents similarly about the life 50 00:04:57,150 --> 00:04:59,750 and safety issues about the previously proposed. 51 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:29,540 Those exclusion ordinance that had been kind of re-bought back up at the last meeting, I spent a lot of time researching, writing this whole long thing and I'm going to spare you all from having to hear me recite it. But I do want to say something that I feel like was really important in those communications with people was first to clarify my previous comments about constituents feedback was not meant to imply that I or the majority of my constituents don't recognize that there's an urgency in addressing 52 00:05:29,540 --> 00:05:35,180 addressing like safety and criminal activity in our community, the vast majority of constituents 53 00:05:35,180 --> 00:05:40,140 feedback was an opposition of an exclusion ordinance, but the majority, I think actually 54 00:05:40,140 --> 00:05:45,440 I could say 100% of the people are in agreement that the city is facing multiple complex challenges 55 00:05:46,100 --> 00:05:50,420 and they want to see the city take meaningful effective action to address that. 56 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:56,600 So I want to just emphasize that I think we're all coming from a same, we have some shared 57 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:01,700 goals, although how we think we can solve those problems made vastly differ. But I don't want it to 58 00:06:01,700 --> 00:06:06,100 become this us versus them, you versus me. Thing that I feel like it's starting to happen in the 59 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:12,140 community. So I'm kind of hoping we can kind of all reunify a little bit around our shared values 60 00:06:12,140 --> 00:06:18,480 and our goals for safety. So that's my, my two cents about it. My short version. Thank you. 61 00:06:18,620 --> 00:06:21,920 Great. Thank you, Councillor Marcello. Councillor Davis. 62 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:22,860 Thank 63 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:25,980 you, Mayor. 64 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,340 Apologies that I'm not in council chambers tonight. 65 00:06:29,580 --> 00:06:32,020 I'm struggling with the medical issue this last week. 66 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,000 And I'll try to contribute tonight. 67 00:06:35,180 --> 00:06:37,660 But I think if it crops up, 68 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:39,460 I may be on an off camera tonight, too. 69 00:06:42,580 --> 00:06:45,080 Similar constituent outreach to a lot of what other 70 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:46,740 Councillors have already named. 71 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:52,080 I met with and corresponded with some residents of my ward who 72 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:59,520 are interested in what we're doing as a backup or an alternative plan to the 73 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:03,560 exclusion zone ordinance. Talk to them about what alternatives there might be 74 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:11,560 possible for the city. I agree with Councillor Mazarella's statement about I think 75 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:18,060 everyone wants improvement about what we see on the street and the conditions 76 00:07:18,060 --> 00:07:22,860 that some people are facing. And we just have some different approaches to get there. 77 00:07:24,020 --> 00:07:28,660 But I'm looking forward to our work session coming up. We did have a cold pack meeting that 78 00:07:28,660 --> 00:07:37,600 I attended during the last two weeks. No distinct action on the theme of biop. There was a little 79 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:47,140 reporting back on it. And I think that there was, I don't know that the topics of the meeting were 80 00:07:48,060 --> 00:07:50,940 incredibly impactful for City of Astoria. 81 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:58,300 Yeah, I'm happy to get to the beef of tonight's meeting. Thank you, Mayor. 82 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:06,580 Great. Thank you, Councillor Davis. My weeks have been pretty similar to the other 83 00:08:06,580 --> 00:08:12,380 Councillors. I met with the former Councillor Brownson last week, updated me about the Friends 84 00:08:12,380 --> 00:08:15,040 of the history of column plans for the 100th year anniversary. 85 00:08:16,140 --> 00:08:24,560 And then I also had a lighthearted and fun opportunity to read the book, Go Dog Go, to 86 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,780 the Head Start class here in Astoria. 87 00:08:26,980 --> 00:08:28,420 And that was a lot of fun. 88 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:33,120 I also got to meet Grace Robinson, the director of Head Start. 89 00:08:33,260 --> 00:08:35,120 So that was a fun day. 90 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,820 And then I joined the veterans for coffee at the Elks on Thursday. 91 00:08:39,820 --> 00:08:45,560 and then met with Sean Davis and his wife Kelly and gave them a tour of City Hall and 92 00:08:45,560 --> 00:08:53,380 as Councilor Adams indicated Mr. Davis along with his friend Brad Pizek have made a documentary 93 00:08:53,380 --> 00:08:59,600 about the rate of high, the high rate of veteran suicides in Oregon and I appreciate that their 94 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:05,560 story made the front page of the story and on Saturday and as I had already made another commitment 95 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:09,640 And for that day, I appreciate that Counselor's Davis 96 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,700 and Counselor Adams will be able to join them 97 00:09:12,700 --> 00:09:14,840 at the Liberty Theater on Veterans Day 98 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:16,540 when they screen their documentary. 99 00:09:17,500 --> 00:09:19,100 And then I worked the concessions 100 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:21,820 at the Class of Plash football game on Friday 101 00:09:21,820 --> 00:09:23,840 and that was a lot of fun, 102 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,800 along with some other people in the room here. 103 00:09:26,980 --> 00:09:29,940 Counselor Adams, it was fun watching your smiling face 104 00:09:29,940 --> 00:09:31,500 there at the at the counter 105 00:09:32,420 --> 00:09:34,360 and Scott Cook and the Burgers 106 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:37,980 and there are a few other people that are in the room tonight here that were there as well. 107 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:43,640 It's unfortunate that Astoria lost literally in the last two seconds of the game. 108 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,520 There's a real disappointment. They had been leading for most of the game, 109 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:51,720 but they did a good job. We're proud of their efforts, and we'll see how they do it their 110 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:56,980 game this Friday. And then Saturday, I went to the household, hazardous waste event. 111 00:09:56,980 --> 00:09:58,980 and on the... 112 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:08,960 I've been to this several times, and one time I just drove up, dropped off a bunch of CFL bulbs 113 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:16,580 and went on my way. And this time, waited in line. When I pulled up, the lady said it'd 114 00:10:16,580 --> 00:10:21,480 be at least an hour wait. That was an hour and a half to get through there. But got rid 115 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:26,320 of a bunch of fluorescent bulbs and some acetone that had been sitting in my basement forever 116 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,900 and some easy off of and cleaner and anyhow. 117 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:31,760 So good that we have those. 118 00:10:32,180 --> 00:10:34,160 It's obviously there's obviously need for it. 119 00:10:34,180 --> 00:10:35,300 They do it four times a year. 120 00:10:36,460 --> 00:10:39,000 Interesting to see how many people showed up for that. 121 00:10:39,220 --> 00:10:39,800 So that was good. 122 00:10:40,980 --> 00:10:42,080 So we'll move on to the, 123 00:10:43,540 --> 00:10:45,620 well, we'll first see if there are any changes 124 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:47,340 to the agenda and Mr. Spence, 125 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:49,340 were there any changes to the agenda this evening? 126 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:50,500 No, great. 127 00:10:50,740 --> 00:10:52,700 So that'll take us to the consent calendar. 128 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:55,760 And the items on the consent calendar are considered routine 129 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:59,600 and will be adopted by one motion unless a member of the City Council request 130 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,820 have any item considered separately. Members of the community may have an item 131 00:11:03,820 --> 00:11:08,000 removed if they contact the City Manager by 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. 132 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:10,440 So has anyone else to have anything removed? 133 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:11,220 No. 134 00:11:11,700 --> 00:11:14,460 Have the Councillors else to have anything removed? No. 135 00:11:14,860 --> 00:11:20,040 Great. In that case, could we have a motion or would anybody like to comment on the 136 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:21,700 consent calendar before we move forward? 137 00:11:21,700 --> 00:11:27,240 I don't have any comments but I'd make a motion if no one else has a comment please do okay 138 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,500 I would move that we adopt the consent calendar as it is presented 139 00:11:31,060 --> 00:11:36,320 Do we have a second second moved by councilor mozzarella second by councilor Adams 140 00:11:36,820 --> 00:11:38,840 Mr. Spence if we could ever roll call please 141 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:41,040 Councilor Davis aye 142 00:11:41,620 --> 00:11:46,400 Is Mozilla aye councilor Adams councilor Lohm aye mayor Fitzpatrick aye 143 00:11:47,060 --> 00:11:51,680 That brings us to our regular agenda and all items are open for public comment 144 00:11:51,700 --> 00:12:08,180 that following deliberation by the City Council and rather than asking for the public comment after each agenda item, I ask that audience members raise their hands if they want to speak to the item and they will be recognized in an order to respect everyone's time comments will be limited to three minutes. 145 00:12:08,180 --> 00:12:15,780 So, 7A is the consideration of an authorization of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, 146 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:21,780 CWS RF, loan agreement amendment for the sewage lift rehabilitation project. 147 00:12:22,790 --> 00:12:25,680 City Manager Spence, if you could introduce this item, please. 148 00:12:26,460 --> 00:12:27,480 Thank you, Mayor and City Council. 149 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:30,540 You've seen this topic a number of times. 150 00:12:30,540 --> 00:12:35,200 This has been identified as a critical infrastructure project within the City of Astoria. 151 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:44,700 Namely, the three lift stations, they can be any volume of 1 million gallons per day to 18 million gallons per day during heavy storms during the winter time. 152 00:12:45,380 --> 00:12:51,420 These systems are over 50 years old and they are beyond their life or serviceable life. 153 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:59,780 We've identified this as a critical upgrade for these three lift stations, the approximate cost to do this project is around 3.6 million. 154 00:13:00,340 --> 00:13:06,080 We've been discussing various ways on how to fund this project to the Credit of Public 155 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:08,840 Works and namely, Assistant City Engineer, City Moore. 156 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:14,640 We were able to get a loan which is around $3.2 million. 157 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:19,820 Originally, we had some design grants that we don't have to pay back to actually get us 158 00:13:19,820 --> 00:13:21,260 closer to that eventual goal. 159 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:24,680 The last loan that we received was $119 million. 160 00:13:24,680 --> 00:13:31,560 them before you is for an additional 3.2, I'm sorry, $3 million, $84,108 to bring that 161 00:13:31,560 --> 00:13:34,400 total to $3 million, $204,028. 162 00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:41,580 The one thing about unique about this loan is that half of this is forgivable, so essentially 163 00:13:41,580 --> 00:13:47,160 we'll be paying about $1.6 million, so we'll provide some relief to our rate payers, but 164 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:51,180 this is an anticipated project, this is an important point of how we're going to fund this project, 165 00:13:51,180 --> 00:13:54,240 And with that, I'd happy to answer any questions. 166 00:13:54,620 --> 00:13:57,500 I know Cindy was here, Cindy is here. 167 00:13:57,880 --> 00:13:59,120 Our Assistant City Engineer, 168 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:00,460 if there's any technical questions 169 00:14:00,460 --> 00:14:02,780 that she may be able to answer, right? 170 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:03,840 Thank you, Mr. Suspense. 171 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:05,280 Questions for staff? 172 00:14:09,620 --> 00:14:10,400 Council discussion. 173 00:14:14,550 --> 00:14:16,210 Would anyone, oh, Councilor Adams. 174 00:14:16,430 --> 00:14:17,430 Just really excited about this, 175 00:14:17,430 --> 00:14:19,070 and I want to definitely recognize 176 00:14:20,710 --> 00:14:23,090 Assistant Director Moore under her hard work on this. 177 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:24,620 Effort to try and get some state assistance with some of this project, but I'm glad to see that we have some other funding sources available. So thanks for working hard on that. Great. Thank you, Councillor Adams. Would anyone in the audience like to address us on this item this evening? You don't see any hands raised in chambers and they don't see any hands raised online. So is anyone ready to make a motion on this? 178 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,160 I can make a motion. Great. Councillor Adams. 179 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:46,220 I move the S. Various City Council authorize the DEQ, CW, SRF loan agreement amendment for the construction phase in the amount of $3,204,028 for the lift sewage lift stations rehabilitation project. 180 00:15:46,780 --> 00:15:47,980 Do we have a second? 181 00:15:48,260 --> 00:15:48,880 I will second. 182 00:15:49,420 --> 00:15:53,060 Moved by Councillor Adams, second by Councillor Maurella further discussion. 183 00:15:53,660 --> 00:15:55,380 All those in favor say aye. 184 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:57,420 Opposed? 185 00:15:57,740 --> 00:15:58,500 Motion carries. 186 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:09,400 That brings us to 7-B, which is consideration of adoption of the City of Astoria's Housing Initiative Program, HIP, and Community Real Resiliency Program. 187 00:16:09,980 --> 00:16:12,600 Mr. Spence, if you could introduce the item, please. 188 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:19,320 Thank you. As Council knows, housing in general has been a top priority for City Council. 189 00:16:19,380 --> 00:16:22,120 It's been identified in various places within the work plan. 190 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:28,620 One such program that we did discuss was the housing initiative program and community resiliency program. 191 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:37,100 We have a fund, it's called 1140, that does have funds that are basically flexible, these are one time funds. 192 00:16:37,620 --> 00:16:42,080 The idea was to see if these funds can be used to leverage housing within the city of Astoria. 193 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:50,520 The program that was presented to you on September 29th at a work session this year was to essentially we have a half million dollars that we can set aside. 194 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,840 at the grants or loans actually would be for $100,000 195 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:55,320 through to be low interest loans. 196 00:16:55,980 --> 00:16:57,800 Electoral projects could be for mid-housing, 197 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,340 so think of duplexes, triplexes, or four-plexes 198 00:17:01,340 --> 00:17:05,040 in cottage clusters, and also multi-family projects. 199 00:17:05,820 --> 00:17:08,500 The idea would be to leverage these dollars, 200 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,540 so we can entice as a potential incentive 201 00:17:11,540 --> 00:17:13,620 for potential developers wanting to build homes 202 00:17:13,620 --> 00:17:14,880 within the city of Astoria. 203 00:17:16,740 --> 00:17:18,040 The other part of this program 204 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:30,120 is to do a community resiliency program, which we've set aside $100,000 for, and those grants would be for $20,000, and it'd be a one-for-one match, and actually staff time would also be able to. 205 00:17:30,540 --> 00:17:46,020 You may recall this fund was first used to help Kinseo, Hispanic Council to pay off SDC, so this would be another opportunity to work with our community partners, think of the food hub, if they were trying to relocate. 206 00:17:46,020 --> 00:17:50,940 that'd be an opportunity to assist with our critical nonprofits but also have some ability to 207 00:17:50,940 --> 00:17:55,880 provide some economic development generation. Council was clear that they wanted some flexibility, 208 00:17:56,100 --> 00:18:01,620 so even though we're communicating this is a $100,000 low interest program, if applicants can 209 00:18:01,620 --> 00:18:07,400 be desired project characteristics such as building ten or more units, keeping the cost down per unit 210 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:12,320 in terms of what we're investing in such as 10,000 plus meeting workforce housing goals, 211 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:17,240 than a portion of that loan could be forgiven or potentially more than 100,000 could be allocated. 212 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:20,880 So with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions related to this program. 213 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,540 Great. Thank you, City Manager Spence. 214 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:29,660 I appreciate the effort that you and staff have put into providing this for us. 215 00:18:29,700 --> 00:18:35,720 I held it pretty well, summed up what we had discussed at our, in our last discussion. 216 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,420 So do we have questions for staff on this? 217 00:18:42,190 --> 00:18:45,210 Okay, do we have a discussion? 218 00:18:46,650 --> 00:18:47,110 Sure. 219 00:18:47,310 --> 00:18:47,750 Sorry, Mayor. 220 00:18:48,110 --> 00:18:50,270 Sorry, I was slow to that call out there. 221 00:18:51,350 --> 00:18:52,730 For staff, I'm just curious. 222 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,220 If this may seem very rhetorical, and it's not at all. 223 00:18:59,340 --> 00:19:03,740 But like what developers are going to participate in this at that level of. 224 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:06,620 100,000. 225 00:19:06,620 --> 00:19:09,120 I mean, what's what what developers are really looking? 226 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:16,960 Looking, do we actually have developers in mind or do we know who are commonly doing projects that will speak to this? 227 00:19:18,140 --> 00:19:21,200 So the best example I can come up with is Coblin Commons. 228 00:19:21,740 --> 00:19:24,740 So they specifically came to us and they wanted $200,000. 229 00:19:25,220 --> 00:19:30,740 Based on this program, this wouldn't fit within their will house in the sense that they could apply for $100,000. 230 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:33,020 But the fact that they're doing workforce housing, 231 00:19:33,460 --> 00:19:38,120 council of final authority, if they want to increase that amount, that was helping them provide basically 232 00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:43,840 the gap financing or what their total project is going to be, I don't think you know until 233 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,280 we start to market the program for potential developers. 234 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,320 So when some comes to the Community Development Department and is talking to John about 235 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:54,860 potential property development and maybe they're trying to get over hurdle, it could be SDCs, 236 00:19:54,860 --> 00:19:59,120 it could be infrastructure, this could be a potential way to make that project pencil out. 237 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:29,660 We, her how staff handled some of the feedback about the desired project characteristics. I thought that was nice where it, it shows, you know, if you go above and beyond, trying to meet some of the goals that we said, then, you know, we will possibly go above and beyond. I know we talked a lot about that at the last meeting about how do you communicate that there's flexibility if you meet us really where we want to be. So I was just really pleased with that. So thank you to staff for working on that. Great. Thank you, Councillor Lump. 238 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:31,620 Councillor Davis. 239 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:33,980 Thank you, Mayor. 240 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:40,600 I just wanted to echo some of Councillor Lump's appreciation to staff for pulling this together 241 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:41,120 in general. 242 00:20:41,380 --> 00:20:46,500 I think, you know, this is a novel program for us, so it's great that we've been able to go 243 00:20:46,500 --> 00:20:50,580 from sort of conception to something that we're able to bring to the public now. 244 00:20:51,620 --> 00:20:53,040 And I feel good about it. 245 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:59,200 I am hopeful as far as Councillor Adams questioned that, you know, maybe this makes 246 00:20:59,980 --> 00:21:21,040 some developers interested because we are making a sort of a difference on the margins for people that might get something get a project over the edge that they're interested in doing in in town and and that we can we can incentivize some new housing projects that we're not even thinking about right now. 247 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:28,480 So yeah, thank you to staff and thank you to the rest of council for the discussion we've had on this over the last few months. 248 00:21:29,980 --> 00:21:30,400 Great. 249 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:35,660 Thank you, Councillor Davis. Councillor Adams, it looked like you wanted to say something as well. 250 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:38,560 Thank you. Sorry, I'm going to go on out of turn here. 251 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:48,160 I'm curious if the council is open to a timeline in which we're going to look at this again and see what the effective. 252 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:57,980 If this is effective, if we actually solicit the type of projects or the type of attention 253 00:21:57,980 --> 00:22:04,920 that we hope to bring to this program, I'd like to see us think about what would be a good 254 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:09,680 amount of time to feel like we could evaluate whether or not we're getting the bites that we 255 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:10,480 want off of this. 256 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:19,920 Yeah, I personally would think a year is reasonable. I mean, you know, I don't think anyone's 257 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:24,760 going to put something together in three to six months. But I think a year would be 258 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:32,160 a reasonable amount of time. We can always review it. I mean, if we get a bunch of applications 259 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:37,880 in the next three months, we can look into that. If we don't hear from anyone in a year, 260 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:42,320 We can try to figure out why and if it's somewhere in between. 261 00:22:45,130 --> 00:22:51,750 Yeah, I would like us to just think about that, you know, find out where this can kind of come back around where we can kind of evaluate. 262 00:22:52,610 --> 00:23:00,210 Especially if we have somebody who decides to take advantage of this program, whereas where it really may potentially need some changes or maybe not. 263 00:23:00,550 --> 00:23:03,850 So I'd like us to really keep that evaluation process kind of open. 264 00:23:04,510 --> 00:23:10,590 And we're trying a few different things here, and it'll be interesting to see, I don't 265 00:23:10,590 --> 00:23:15,270 know that they're all necessarily pilot programs, but kind of they are, it'll be interesting 266 00:23:15,270 --> 00:23:20,030 to see what kind of response we get from the community and other developers on the different 267 00:23:20,030 --> 00:23:22,590 programs that we've put together in the last few months. 268 00:23:25,070 --> 00:23:26,550 Further discussion from Council? 269 00:23:27,910 --> 00:23:29,390 All right, opening it up to the audience. 270 00:23:29,650 --> 00:23:32,350 Is there anyone in chambers that would like to address us on this this evening? 271 00:23:32,350 --> 00:23:33,830 Thank you. 272 00:23:33,830 --> 00:23:34,450 Lisa Morley. 273 00:23:45,700 --> 00:23:46,660 Lisa Morley. 274 00:23:46,860 --> 00:23:47,620 Alderbrick neighborhood. 275 00:23:48,020 --> 00:23:48,380 A story. 276 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:56,060 So, regarding worker workforce housing, it's very hard to find details. 277 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:57,580 I've done a lot of research. 278 00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:00,360 It's very hard to find details on the project behind Safeway. 279 00:24:01,300 --> 00:24:04,040 From what I understand that was supposed to be designed for workforce housing. 280 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,500 That's why they were allowed to build and develop that property. 281 00:24:08,980 --> 00:24:14,200 And there were restrictions on what their rents were supposed to be, and then supposedly 282 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:18,480 the developer ran out of money, sold it to another developer, and now the places are 283 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:21,740 going for $2,600 a month, clearly not worth $1,000. 284 00:24:22,300 --> 00:24:24,440 So who's falling up on these restrictions? 285 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:31,740 If you have it and they sell it to somebody else, did they move, the restrictions move because 286 00:24:31,740 --> 00:24:33,020 clearly that didn't happen there. 287 00:25:01,300 --> 00:25:29,980 Announcements are not accessible. What are you going to do on this one? You're talking about developing properties, more properties in tsunami zones. I was refused to be able to buy one lot to put up a pole barn because it was in the tsunami zone where other houses are in my neighborhood. And I was turned down because the tsunami the other thing is there are current properties just in ward four alone that people cannot afford to fix up because the permitting process is not a 288 00:25:29,980 --> 00:25:36,080 so difficult. I have two I know that wanted to fix up two existing properties that they 289 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:42,500 have and they would have been multiple multiple dwelling properties and they've been they 290 00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:47,060 can't fight they can't fight their way through the permitting processes because they're old 291 00:25:47,060 --> 00:25:51,700 properties they've got to meet all these historical requirements which I don't know why because 292 00:25:51,700 --> 00:25:57,580 word for is not a historical property zone but they just gave up and I talked to a lot of people 293 00:25:57,580 --> 00:26:01,700 and board board that have just given up and trying to fix up their properties for themselves 294 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:07,300 or for future ADU properties and to add those. 295 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:11,260 So I think we have a lot on the table right now that we're not addressing. 296 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:16,400 So I feel like just throwing more money at it, instead of addressing the problems that 297 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:19,520 have solutions right now and not addressing those first. 298 00:26:20,120 --> 00:26:25,840 And then talking about adding something once we get all of our existing problems fixed and 299 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:28,100 And then seeing what our real gap is. 300 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:36,120 And then having toured the two public works projects that are working right now, I ask 301 00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:42,020 in both of those, what population have you targeted in these upgrades and all these millions 302 00:26:42,020 --> 00:26:44,780 of dollars for spending, and they both said 10,000. 303 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:46,220 That's what our story has always been. 304 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:52,880 So if we're, again, trying to push ourselves over that limit, those properties, those projects 305 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:58,740 to working on right now or have not even been designed to go over 10,000 so those are my 306 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:04,880 hesitations. It's not that I don't want to be able to help but I think we have a lot of 307 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,980 stuff there already that we're not working on. Thank you, Ms. Morley. 308 00:27:09,220 --> 00:27:11,720 Anybody else that would like to address the council? 309 00:27:18,180 --> 00:27:23,320 Any minute rest for the record? Oh, um, Merrill and Dita 37th Street, Ward 4. 310 00:27:25,020 --> 00:27:31,000 I'm not prepared, but I just want to echo exactly what Lisa said in that we have many, 311 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:39,500 many beautiful old properties sitting on cool lots, not obstructing anybody's view that 312 00:27:39,500 --> 00:27:47,260 could be refurbished back into some kind of studio or one bedroom places for the workforces 313 00:27:47,260 --> 00:27:52,440 and perhaps low income that we could actually designate 314 00:27:53,340 --> 00:27:58,640 specifically limits and who can qualify to live there. 315 00:27:59,380 --> 00:28:01,220 Rather than build something new 316 00:28:01,220 --> 00:28:04,420 for a brand new developer to throw up in the middle 317 00:28:04,420 --> 00:28:08,280 of beautiful scenic downtown Astoria, 318 00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:12,920 obstructing some river view that should be remaining flat 319 00:28:13,180 --> 00:28:14,000 and open. 320 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:28,380 So I think we should look a lot harder at a lot of old properties sitting for sale on the corners of all sorts of streets right here that could be turned into something useful and remain useful and affordable. 321 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:30,000 Thank you. 322 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:54,100 Great. Thank you Ms. Dita. I will point out since I don't remember seeing you here before I have to read the captioning so while you're speaking I'm looking at this screen rather than you to try to understand you so and for anyone else who is not familiar with that anybody else in the audience that want to address us on item seven be this evening. 323 00:28:55,340 --> 00:28:58,960 Do we have any hands raised online? I don't change any. 324 00:29:00,100 --> 00:29:02,500 For the discussion, or is somebody ready to make a motion? 325 00:29:03,660 --> 00:29:08,760 Can we address at least some of the relevant concerns that were brought up? 326 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:11,400 Because I think it's important. 327 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:18,360 So, as far as I understand, when we talked about this program before, 328 00:29:18,620 --> 00:29:22,260 it's not limited only to large developers and new yourself. 329 00:29:22,260 --> 00:29:25,080 of a moment ago, Scott mentioned duplexes and things. 330 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:33,560 So as far as fixing up current properties, you know, if there's a good plan, then apply. 331 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:35,620 It's not just for big developers from out of town. 332 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:40,240 If somebody who's here who has the know how and wants to apply for something that meets 333 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:41,660 the program, then they can get it. 334 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,840 Local family homes for just a single living unit. So, whether it's possibly converting a single family home into a duplex, I suppose that could work. So, we're not just trying to do Copeland Commons only. And then, I just lost my train of thought. There's a second one that I wanted us to try to clear up because there was a misconception. So just to verify, correct. This is not just new. It's also any renovation projects. It could be existing structure. 335 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:35,600 There's actually specifics in here to talk about even helping ADA accessible requirements 336 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,180 or even sprinkler if you're in the downtown area. 337 00:30:38,900 --> 00:30:42,960 One of the restrictions is if it's in the Astoria Development Commission properties either 338 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:46,980 Astor West, this would not be eligible because there's other funds for those projects. 339 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:52,300 If we were going to enter into a development agreement with the property owner or developer 340 00:30:52,300 --> 00:30:57,520 and the council, we would have to have strict guidelines on the title like deed restrictions 341 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:06,500 If it were going to be for workforce housing, so that would be one of the elements of met the sort of preferred characteristics, and you wanted to be more flexible and $100,000. 342 00:31:06,940 --> 00:31:11,360 Then that would be one of those provisions you would put in a contract and there'd be a deed restriction on that. 343 00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:17,300 In terms of the story of waterfront properties, that was a private development and didn't have city dollars. 344 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:22,200 So they were, they may have communicated it was workforce housing, but they weren't required to. 345 00:31:22,420 --> 00:31:24,140 So they just made market rate housing. 346 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:30,160 Thank you, Manager, it spends that mostly address what I was wanting to say and I remembered 347 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:34,460 what I was going to ask, which was, how do we ensure that it will be work for us and 348 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:41,880 you basically set it but just for the benefit of clarity, a deed restriction is something 349 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:47,160 that can, we can take the terms of that for a certain amount of years if we want or it's 350 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:50,460 forever, I mean, it's basically, we get to decide that, right? 351 00:31:50,460 --> 00:31:57,240 Right, from just a legal standpoint, if Council wants to provide public funds and there's a public or community benefit, 352 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:04,780 you would have the right if they would like this terms or this loan or grant forgiveness to be able to put additional restrictions on the property. 353 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:14,420 So it's very common if you think of $1 or community development block grants to have a 20 or even 40 years that that has to maintain as sort of affordable housing. 354 00:32:14,420 --> 00:32:19,600 We've defined workforce housing as 60 to 100 percent of AMI for this area. 355 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:23,000 So again, those were the details that would have to be worked out once you received an 356 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:28,260 application and how comfortable council was basically extending this program to that project. 357 00:32:29,360 --> 00:32:37,260 Right, and perhaps Mr. Mayor, since you're more familiar with owning property, then if there's 358 00:32:37,260 --> 00:32:41,260 a deed restriction on something that follows that property, right? If it was sold, 359 00:32:41,260 --> 00:32:46,020 Yes, the new owner would be having to abide by whatever deed restriction. 360 00:32:46,020 --> 00:32:50,380 If it's either forever or however many years are left on it, right? Right. Right. 361 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:55,240 So then on waterfront, if there had been deed restrictions there, it would have been, 362 00:32:55,520 --> 00:32:58,240 it would have followed to the new owners as well. Right. 363 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:00,820 Yeah, which was another thing I was going to mention as if, you know, 364 00:33:01,380 --> 00:33:05,240 hypothetical alternate universe, if the city was involved in the waterfront apartments, 365 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:07,860 which we weren't in any way as far as funding, 366 00:33:09,160 --> 00:33:14,700 then it doesn't matter if they lost money or switched hands 20 times that 367 00:33:14,700 --> 00:33:19,600 the restriction would still be there so yeah I just I think there's a misconception on what that 368 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:27,980 project was and it's unfortunate but it was fully just a private project and they just changed 369 00:33:27,980 --> 00:33:36,960 their mind so that's just how it went unfortunately right I would point out and certainly not to defend 370 00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:45,960 any one but in 2017 cost a build were a little different than when they broke ground and we all 371 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:52,500 anyone doing any work found that they were way over budget. So I had a 372 00:33:54,060 --> 00:33:58,800 $140,000 project that turned into a $400,000 project and I 373 00:34:00,340 --> 00:34:04,460 understand that that was supposed to be somewhere around six or seven million and they were 374 00:34:04,460 --> 00:34:10,000 well over that when they were done. So 13 or 14 million, I believe, when they were done. 375 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:15,760 So, um, yeah, and I'm not necessarily trying to, yeah, again, I'm not defending that. 376 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:20,400 I'm just, yeah, um, in all fairness, a lot of things changed between the time that they 377 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:26,200 started and the time that they ended. So, yeah, I would also, um, as far as I understand, 378 00:34:26,760 --> 00:34:30,220 uh, that property, anyway, this is never right. I'm gonna stop. 379 00:34:30,580 --> 00:34:33,100 Oh, yeah. This is not relevant to what we're trying to talk about. Sorry. 380 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:39,800 I have a question, and I'm not exactly sure who to ask. 381 00:34:40,900 --> 00:34:46,420 But for something like a deed restriction, if we want to be, like, reserve the rights 382 00:34:46,420 --> 00:34:53,780 to negotiate or impose that, do we need, should we have any verbiage on the application in 383 00:34:53,780 --> 00:34:58,400 regards like that this could be subject to, will there be any sort of, like, do we need a 384 00:34:58,640 --> 00:34:59,960 disclaimer, could someone, I mean, I guess... 385 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:26,900 Again, if it doesn't need to be preferred, say, characteristics that you're looking for, development characteristics, then it could be simply just a low interest long, which is a little bit different. Okay. But you'd still, we'd still put provisions there in terms of, you know, collateral, make sure we could pay back and it worked similar to what estuary development commission does when they do low interest loans. Awesome. Thank you so much for a little discussion. Who'd like to make a motion? 386 00:35:29,980 --> 00:35:33,280 I would love to make a motion if possible. Sure. Councillor on. 387 00:35:36,140 --> 00:35:48,080 I move that the Astoria City Council adopt the housing initiative program and community resiliency program and direct staff to bring forward to council a resolution to change the name of fund number 140. 388 00:35:48,940 --> 00:35:50,020 Do we have a second? 389 00:35:50,420 --> 00:35:50,900 I'll second. 390 00:35:51,340 --> 00:35:52,420 Move by council alone. 391 00:35:52,740 --> 00:35:54,140 Second by councilor Moussaurella. 392 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:56,100 All those in favor say aye. 393 00:35:57,700 --> 00:35:58,340 Opposed? 394 00:35:59,000 --> 00:35:59,700 Motion carries. 395 00:35:59,700 --> 00:36:05,840 And that brings us to 7-C, which is a resolution to update fees to the Astoria Public Library 396 00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:08,560 Schedule E. Mr. Spence. 397 00:36:11,590 --> 00:36:12,330 Thank you, Mayor and City Council. 398 00:36:12,750 --> 00:36:18,010 So you recall on our September 2 meeting we reviewed amendments to Schedule E, which primarily 399 00:36:18,010 --> 00:36:20,510 deals with any fees associated with our library. 400 00:36:21,190 --> 00:36:27,650 There was concern brought forth of charging for the library's flag rooms since there was 401 00:36:27,650 --> 00:36:31,810 a side of need for room within the public that would be low cost. 402 00:36:32,630 --> 00:36:38,430 So that issue was taken back to the Library Advisory Board and they reflected on the comments 403 00:36:38,430 --> 00:36:43,330 and also direction by City Council and they are now recommending for any Astoria-based 404 00:36:43,330 --> 00:36:48,550 organization or non-profit that they would actually have not receive a cost, but if you 405 00:36:48,550 --> 00:36:51,530 are commercial entity it would be a $50 cost, an hour. 406 00:36:51,530 --> 00:36:56,290 So, that is one change that was brought forth as a recommendation. 407 00:36:57,090 --> 00:37:01,330 All other things remain the same, which, as you may recall, we are eliminating overdue 408 00:37:01,330 --> 00:37:07,510 materials as a best practice, non-resident fee, there's some minor changes, printed pages 409 00:37:07,510 --> 00:37:11,610 for the public are actually run through the Astoria Library Friends Association, so there's 410 00:37:11,610 --> 00:37:14,390 not a need to have a fee in our schedule since we don't charge that. 411 00:37:15,170 --> 00:37:20,570 The Barles card replacement is going from $6 to $3 to actually reflect the true cost. 412 00:37:20,570 --> 00:37:28,750 Damage fees are in alignment with seaside warrants and libraries so you'd pay for the actual cost of that damage material as I mentioned the flag room rental 413 00:37:29,330 --> 00:37:35,930 We're amending that from last September meeting to actually have free access to the room for nonprofits and community based organizations 414 00:37:35,930 --> 00:37:42,310 So with that, I'd be happy to answer questions. Obviously Suzanne Harold's here our librarian can provide more insight also 415 00:37:42,310 --> 00:37:44,510 Great. Thank you mr. Spence 416 00:37:45,290 --> 00:37:47,410 questions for staff not 417 00:37:49,970 --> 00:37:50,450 seeing any 418 00:37:51,830 --> 00:38:17,090 comments from counselors. Counselor Adams. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say thank you for taking us back and having the advisory group. Take a look at that and make those changes. I know sometimes we can seem a little nitpicky up here about these issues, but really having that that third space be important for the community. Thank you for taking the back and taking the time to adjust that. I appreciate it. 419 00:38:18,530 --> 00:38:21,550 Great. Thank you, Council Adams. 420 00:38:22,530 --> 00:38:23,330 Further discussion? 421 00:38:24,910 --> 00:38:25,810 Not seeing any. 422 00:38:26,490 --> 00:38:29,930 Is there anyone in the audience this evening that would like to address the Council on this? 423 00:38:33,640 --> 00:38:42,570 On regarding 7C, the updated public library fees, wait, wait, wait, if you want to talk on 424 00:38:42,570 --> 00:38:46,130 7C, please come up to the lectern, station name and address for the record. 425 00:38:46,130 --> 00:38:53,830 My name is Rick Newton. I live at 765 South West 8 in Warrington. I just wanted people 426 00:38:53,830 --> 00:38:57,890 to know that when I go to Alaska, the one thing I noticed about Alaska is the library 427 00:38:57,890 --> 00:39:04,050 is the community hub of everything. And so the more you do with your library to promote 428 00:39:04,050 --> 00:39:08,610 that and get the people embedded in it, the better off you are. Because I face stiff opposition 429 00:39:08,610 --> 00:39:12,890 in Warrington because some people said, well, we could hire a police officer with that bond. 430 00:39:12,890 --> 00:39:16,010 on one, it's illegal to do that, two, we need a library. 431 00:39:16,250 --> 00:39:18,030 So I hope you do the best. 432 00:39:18,170 --> 00:39:20,710 If you want ideas, I go steal ideas from the libraries 433 00:39:20,710 --> 00:39:21,310 that'll ask it. 434 00:39:21,350 --> 00:39:22,590 That's what I do is steal ideas. 435 00:39:23,250 --> 00:39:25,270 So anyway, the best you can, thank you. 436 00:39:27,010 --> 00:39:27,910 Thank you, Mr. Newton. 437 00:39:29,870 --> 00:39:31,950 Anyone else that want to address us this evening? 438 00:39:34,750 --> 00:39:36,470 I don't see any hands raised online. 439 00:39:36,750 --> 00:39:38,470 Okay, would anyone like to make a motion? 440 00:39:41,360 --> 00:39:41,900 Councilor Adams. 441 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:42,860 Thank you, Mayor. 442 00:39:43,500 --> 00:39:46,260 I move that the Australia City Council approved the attached 443 00:39:46,260 --> 00:39:51,360 The resolution which updates the Astoria Public Library V. Schedule E. 444 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:53,240 Do we have a second? 445 00:39:54,100 --> 00:39:54,680 I'll second. 446 00:39:55,180 --> 00:39:55,360 Great. 447 00:39:55,600 --> 00:39:58,520 Motion by Councillor Adam, second by Councillor Lambe. 448 00:39:59,560 --> 00:39:59,980 All those in 449 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:01,940 Anyone else that want to address this this evening? 450 00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:08,440 I don't see any hands raised online. Okay. Would anyone like to make a motion? 451 00:40:11,330 --> 00:40:33,710 Councillor Adams. Thank you, Mayor. I move that the Astoria City Council approved the attached fee resolution, which updates the Astoria Public Library of the Schedule E. Do we have a second? All second? Great. Motion by Councillor Adams, second by Councillor Lump. All those, oh, we're going to have a roll call here. Mr. Spence, if we could have a roll call, please. 452 00:40:44,270 --> 00:40:44,790 Mr. 453 00:40:47,910 --> 00:40:50,770 Spence, if you could introduce the item, please. 454 00:40:51,730 --> 00:40:56,890 The Commeran City Council, as you know, councilman has announced his resignation from this 455 00:40:56,890 --> 00:41:02,830 body will be effective November 1st, 2025. As per the city charter within 60 days by the 456 00:41:02,830 --> 00:41:07,310 employment or the city council has the ability to fill either through an employment within 457 00:41:07,310 --> 00:41:12,390 60 days of the announcement of the vacation of that seed or the alternative, the majority 458 00:41:12,390 --> 00:41:16,910 of council can pass a resolution and declare that they can be filled at the next available 459 00:41:16,910 --> 00:41:22,630 election at a special or at a special election. Council employment process is obviously a public 460 00:41:22,630 --> 00:41:27,270 process. It would typically involve some kind of application, a timeline to fill the vacancies, 461 00:41:27,270 --> 00:41:32,210 so we meet the 60 days, can it interviews and questions, and then a voting process to 462 00:41:32,210 --> 00:41:38,090 appoint a finalist. Election process is a little bit more straightforward. There would be a 463 00:41:38,090 --> 00:41:44,130 passing of a resolution. We would follow the schedule outlined by Class of County for election calendar. 464 00:41:46,050 --> 00:41:50,750 Typically, in this case, the next special election, because there's not a regular election, 465 00:41:50,750 --> 00:41:53,810 and it will be March 10th, 2026. 466 00:41:54,570 --> 00:41:57,550 We do have some preliminary numbers on what an election cost would be. 467 00:41:57,650 --> 00:41:59,450 It's roughly about $68,000. 468 00:41:59,450 --> 00:42:02,550 That's a very preliminary estimate from the Clause of County clerk's office. 469 00:42:03,090 --> 00:42:07,350 That also depends if that's the singular or single item on that ballot. 470 00:42:07,630 --> 00:42:09,830 If there's more that cost actually could go down. 471 00:42:10,310 --> 00:42:12,130 If council chose to do the election process, 472 00:42:12,330 --> 00:42:16,330 then a resolution would have to be passed by November 16th to make that schedule. 473 00:42:16,330 --> 00:42:25,990 So with that, those are the two options before council and staff that's here to support whatever city council direction that you choose. 474 00:42:26,670 --> 00:42:32,450 I'm sure myself for the city attorney to answer any other questions related to that process. Great. 475 00:42:33,090 --> 00:42:38,890 Thank you, Mr. Spence. Before we go into discussion, questions for staff or the city attorney. 476 00:42:40,410 --> 00:42:41,190 Councilor Lemme. 477 00:42:43,170 --> 00:42:59,990 So are there any specific rules that establish the timeline for an application process or anything like that beyond the 60 days total, I guess, but is there anything any more specific than that? 478 00:43:00,130 --> 00:43:00,750 That would be up to council. 479 00:43:01,310 --> 00:43:01,490 Okay. 480 00:43:02,550 --> 00:43:13,830 and then it says, as one of our options to vote on, if we want to do the appointment thing, 481 00:43:13,830 --> 00:43:18,790 then it says, and hold a special meeting to establish a timeline and process, would we not be 482 00:43:18,790 --> 00:43:24,830 doing that today? So again, not anticipating in what council's direction going to be. The thought would 483 00:43:24,830 --> 00:43:30,290 be if you chose option one, then let's do a special meeting so we can work out the details. So again, 484 00:43:30,290 --> 00:43:31,610 and what would be on application, 485 00:43:31,830 --> 00:43:33,030 there are some minimum requirements. 486 00:43:33,850 --> 00:43:38,690 Council could simply adopt what is done with the SEL 101 form 487 00:43:38,690 --> 00:43:40,190 as a guidance document. 488 00:43:41,130 --> 00:43:42,750 Typically, you need to be obviously a residence 489 00:43:42,750 --> 00:43:43,950 of this case, Ward 4. 490 00:43:44,530 --> 00:43:47,110 You have to be the meat of restored voter requirement 491 00:43:47,110 --> 00:43:49,230 and also a six-month residency requirement. 492 00:43:50,470 --> 00:43:51,550 So you'd want to make sure 493 00:43:51,550 --> 00:43:52,650 that any prospective candidate 494 00:43:52,650 --> 00:43:53,910 wouldn't be considered for a appointment, 495 00:43:53,950 --> 00:43:55,130 at least meant those qualifications. 496 00:43:56,070 --> 00:43:57,650 Council could decide to put additional information 497 00:43:57,650 --> 00:43:59,110 if they thought that would help them 498 00:43:59,110 --> 00:44:04,410 make their decision. Then again we want to be clear and deliberate in the process to make sure 499 00:44:04,410 --> 00:44:08,870 those prospective candidates know what the timelines are, what's expected of them. So the special 500 00:44:08,870 --> 00:44:14,030 meeting would go through some of those elements and provide direction in detail. So it'd be clarity 501 00:44:14,030 --> 00:44:21,750 for anyone wanting to be selected for that position if that makes sense. So again not presuming that 502 00:44:21,750 --> 00:44:26,290 we do it tonight, we just need direction from council when we need to have that special meeting. 503 00:44:28,130 --> 00:44:31,790 Okay. That's why that language was in there. Okay. 504 00:44:34,410 --> 00:44:37,790 All right. Yeah. I'm just going to. 505 00:44:38,010 --> 00:44:38,490 I think. 506 00:44:39,430 --> 00:44:45,850 Personally, it'd be kind of unfortunate that our meetings not that long and we have to hold a second meeting to move it along. 507 00:44:46,050 --> 00:44:48,450 It seems like not an efficient way to do it. 508 00:44:48,690 --> 00:44:48,970 But. 509 00:44:49,810 --> 00:44:53,410 If we have to, I suppose. I mean, that's up to whatever council wants to do. 510 00:44:53,410 --> 00:44:59,190 But it seems like we have time to work out the details at a current meeting, right? 511 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:05,520 The efficiency of moving the process along. I told a number of people that we were hopefully 512 00:45:05,520 --> 00:45:09,780 going to be working out the details tonight, so I was possibly misinformed before I saw 513 00:45:09,780 --> 00:45:14,780 the agenda. So again, not knowing what council and the option one or two, the thought was 514 00:45:14,780 --> 00:45:20,420 if you chose option one, then within, we could then announce a special meeting, any of the 515 00:45:20,420 --> 00:45:25,060 mean Wednesday or Thursday, and then work out those details and just concentrate on what 516 00:45:25,060 --> 00:45:36,140 that would be. Okay, other questions for staff or for Mr. Spence or the city attorney? 517 00:45:37,180 --> 00:45:43,780 Oh, Councillor Davis. Thank you, Mayor. Just a couple of questions to clarify about 518 00:45:43,780 --> 00:45:52,480 timeline things. So the November 16 deadline associated with county elections, that's a county 519 00:45:52,480 --> 00:45:55,420 elections deadline, that's not to do with our charter or anything like that, right? 520 00:45:57,340 --> 00:46:04,100 And then the language seems to be about declaration of vacancy, right? 521 00:46:05,900 --> 00:46:08,020 Decoration by Council of the vacancy. 522 00:46:08,960 --> 00:46:20,420 So does that 60-day timeline, does it start after Councilor Lump has resigned from Council 523 00:46:20,420 --> 00:46:27,940 and then the current City Council at that point declares a vacancy as opposed to starting 524 00:46:27,940 --> 00:46:31,840 from the time when Councilor Lump, let us know that he was going to be vacating. 525 00:46:33,020 --> 00:46:38,720 So I'll look at our City Attorney, but I think there's two ways to review that language. 526 00:46:39,020 --> 00:46:44,280 One, you have 60 days to fill an appointment based on when the resignation day. 527 00:46:44,300 --> 00:46:46,520 So I'd say that's 60 days from them of her first. 528 00:46:47,260 --> 00:46:52,660 The alternative method which is the election, when you declare a vacancy, you're now subject 529 00:46:52,660 --> 00:46:55,820 to the calendar that's established by the elections officer at the county. 530 00:46:56,860 --> 00:47:03,000 So there's no 60 days, this is basically the quickest election, either be a regular election 531 00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:04,340 or a special election. 532 00:47:05,700 --> 00:47:11,600 I guess bottom line, either way, we're not in the window now where our 60 days is counting 533 00:47:11,600 --> 00:47:19,700 off, right? That window will not start until the vacancy is actual. That's my interpretation. 534 00:47:20,540 --> 00:47:28,700 Okay. Blair, you want to add? Yes, I think that's the most reasonable reading of our chart. 535 00:47:29,500 --> 00:47:30,340 Okay. Thank you. 536 00:47:34,470 --> 00:47:41,230 Further questions? Okay. So again, to clarify, what we're doing tonight is 537 00:47:41,230 --> 00:47:48,430 is determining whether we want to have the council appoint or go to a special election. 538 00:47:49,620 --> 00:47:54,850 I would be fine with some level of discussion tonight, but we can't make a decision because 539 00:47:54,850 --> 00:47:56,310 we haven't posted that. 540 00:47:57,550 --> 00:48:06,190 We can't make a decision tonight other than whether we're going to do an appointment or 541 00:48:06,190 --> 00:48:09,370 do we go to the special election. 542 00:48:09,370 --> 00:48:12,290 So I 543 00:48:14,950 --> 00:48:27,270 guess we could start with council's feelings about it first or we could go to public comment and then come back and discuss after we hear from the public. 544 00:48:27,270 --> 00:48:29,410 What would council like to do here? 545 00:48:33,060 --> 00:48:40,840 I'd be happy to hear public comment on this before we discuss unless someone else on council has something they want to share before we go there. 546 00:48:42,580 --> 00:48:44,340 It looks like we're all in agreement. 547 00:48:44,620 --> 00:48:44,700 Okay. 548 00:48:45,140 --> 00:48:46,720 So we'll go to public comment here. 549 00:48:47,220 --> 00:48:51,780 Is there anyone that would like to, in Chambers tonight, that would like to address 550 00:48:51,780 --> 00:48:59,900 us on whether they would like us to have the council appoint a person to fill the seat 551 00:48:59,900 --> 00:49:03,020 or go to a special election? 552 00:49:04,060 --> 00:49:09,740 Do we have any, I see a hand raised online, I'm sorry, a hand raised in the back of the 553 00:49:09,740 --> 00:49:09,920 room. 554 00:49:09,920 --> 00:49:16,900 Oh, sorry, Ms. Dito, the name and address for the record? 555 00:49:17,300 --> 00:49:17,640 Wait a minute. 556 00:49:19,620 --> 00:49:21,240 3137 Street, still award for. 557 00:49:21,760 --> 00:49:28,260 Anyway, I do think it's nice to have these options of appointing someone with from within 558 00:49:28,260 --> 00:49:28,860 the council. 559 00:49:29,580 --> 00:49:32,360 Cool, but there are that very many of you to do that. 560 00:49:32,440 --> 00:49:35,920 I think it should be put into an election of some sort. 561 00:49:36,060 --> 00:49:41,180 I know it's not a cheap endeavor, but I do think it should go to the people to make 562 00:49:41,180 --> 00:49:50,040 another selection. That's all I have to say. Great. Okay. Thank you. Would anybody 563 00:49:50,040 --> 00:49:52,060 else like to address us on this this evening? 564 00:49:58,410 --> 00:49:59,850 Call in coming 3625. 565 00:50:04,620 --> 00:50:33,700 Call in coming, 3625, Dwayne Street, ward 4. I guess I have some questions. This discussion goes forward. One is I mourn for it should council choose to go this special election route. I assume ward 4 would not have any representation during that period. You'd have four member council. I also wonder how that might impact the selection process since there's no tie breaking boat. Those are my biggest questions. Thank you. 566 00:50:33,700 --> 00:50:35,860 Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cummings. 567 00:50:43,180 --> 00:50:49,330 To answer your question, Councillor Maasarella sent an email that pretty well outlined how 568 00:50:49,720 --> 00:50:58,670 I felt it would work, and basically if we come to a tie, we eliminate the low vote getters 569 00:50:58,670 --> 00:51:01,490 and move forward. So I'm, I'll, 570 00:51:04,190 --> 00:51:04,690 yeah. 571 00:51:06,450 --> 00:51:11,210 I think I found that because it was based on what another city had done in a similar situation 572 00:51:11,210 --> 00:51:17,630 and I was just researching like what what do we do and if it was if we chose to select or turn 573 00:51:17,630 --> 00:51:23,850 we wouldn't be nominating but if we council was voting on who was appointed that there was a process 574 00:51:23,850 --> 00:51:28,690 sort of laid out where you do like if there if there was a tie you eliminate whoever's the lowest 575 00:51:28,690 --> 00:51:35,950 and then kind of reconfigure reconsider the two tied people and then vote again basically and try 576 00:51:35,950 --> 00:51:39,990 to get to a majority. It's not a not a perfect system. It's a good question. 577 00:51:41,310 --> 00:51:48,970 Yeah, thank you. What you wrote was virtually how I anticipated it would go if we go to an 578 00:51:48,970 --> 00:51:56,450 appointment rather than a special election. So and again, we can't vote on that tonight. We can 579 00:51:56,450 --> 00:52:02,110 vote on whether we did which option we're going to choose, but we can't vote on how it's going to 580 00:52:02,110 --> 00:52:06,130 happened tonight. We can't vote tonight on now. It's going to happen. 581 00:52:09,020 --> 00:52:10,000 Anybody, at least 582 00:52:10,000 --> 00:52:10,360 so morally? 583 00:52:13,560 --> 00:52:15,800 Well, she's coming up. Do we have any hands raised online at this point? 584 00:52:16,060 --> 00:52:18,780 Okay. I didn't see any either. It's morally. 585 00:52:18,940 --> 00:52:22,620 49-08. Cedar, the way I heard the question, and maybe I'm wrong, so I don't want to speak 586 00:52:22,620 --> 00:52:27,440 for you. The way I heard the question, there's a link of me four of you voting. So what if there's 587 00:52:27,440 --> 00:52:34,180 a tie between the four of you? Not a tie on that. So I'll say there's two candidates. 588 00:52:37,780 --> 00:52:43,200 So that's what you're saying at the, okay, so that would be your solution at the four of you. 589 00:52:44,020 --> 00:52:48,880 Okay, right. We don't know how many people may, may apply. 590 00:52:51,640 --> 00:52:54,840 So again, we're trying not to be presumptuous. 591 00:52:55,440 --> 00:52:58,960 Getting the information up front and then Councillor Mauserella. 592 00:52:59,160 --> 00:52:59,880 I want to clarify. 593 00:52:59,880 --> 00:53:16,340 We can't say that that is what we would do. That is just one idea of what a different city did and one thing that we've read about, but we can't, we're not, we're not deciding that procedure at this meeting if we do decide to do appointment we'll have another meeting about procedure, which we would have public comment add also, I imagine. 594 00:53:16,940 --> 00:53:22,080 So to clarify, we're not, we can't. Yeah, we haven't made those decisions yet, but thank you. 595 00:53:26,510 --> 00:53:31,230 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for there are anybody else in chambers tonight that want to address us. 596 00:53:32,590 --> 00:53:39,410 Okay, further discussion among the council. Why don't we start with council or Davis on this one? 597 00:53:41,010 --> 00:53:42,230 Sure, Mayor. Thanks. 598 00:53:44,570 --> 00:53:53,410 So I guess my initial thought about it is that I, I don't know that I know 599 00:53:53,410 --> 00:53:58,970 noted in my head, the date that the election would actually place someone in office, I assume 600 00:53:58,970 --> 00:54:04,890 it's pretty soon after the election itself we could seat the new counselor. 601 00:54:06,670 --> 00:54:13,310 But I do have some concern about their essentially being a vacancy in the office for five months. 602 00:54:14,670 --> 00:54:21,510 That's a pretty significant period of time in a what's now a three year term. 603 00:54:23,810 --> 00:54:30,810 So, you know, for that reason, for maybe the cost reason, I think I tend to lean toward 604 00:54:30,810 --> 00:54:31,410 appointment. 605 00:54:33,630 --> 00:54:37,970 You know, I've been here for at least a couple of appointments for City Council. 606 00:54:38,410 --> 00:54:43,010 I know that that process changes a little bit every time it seems like. 607 00:54:43,310 --> 00:54:48,630 And, you know, I think we can come up with some reasonable ways to move forward on it. 608 00:54:50,750 --> 00:54:59,630 But that's my instinct to go ahead and try to get an appointment done and maybe to you know in my head to do it rather quickly like to try it. 609 00:55:04,320 --> 00:55:28,300 If we choose the right way, we can get into the details then. So, Councillor Davis, you would appear to be voting in favor of appointment this evening at this point. Yeah, you know, I will say I'm not like an absoluteist on that. It's probably like a 64, he's 730 kind of situation, but, but yeah, I think I would lean toward appointment. Great. I 610 00:55:28,300 --> 00:55:32,960 I felt that that's what you were trying to convey, so I wanted to clarify that. 611 00:55:33,380 --> 00:55:34,000 So thank you. 612 00:55:34,400 --> 00:55:35,760 We'll go to Councillor Mozzarella. 613 00:55:42,130 --> 00:55:46,230 Ms. Morley, I can't hear what you're saying when you're at the back of the room, and 614 00:55:46,230 --> 00:55:48,070 we have closed public comment. 615 00:55:53,750 --> 00:55:58,350 How do the Councillors feel about Ms. Morley approaching and asking her a question? 616 00:55:58,610 --> 00:56:01,870 We're in discussion right now, so we've passed public comment. 617 00:56:01,870 --> 00:56:02,690 that we're in discussion. 618 00:56:03,450 --> 00:56:05,150 Are we gonna reopen public comment? 619 00:56:05,570 --> 00:56:06,610 That was my question. 620 00:56:07,350 --> 00:56:08,970 Are we gonna reopen public comment? 621 00:56:09,230 --> 00:56:11,190 I'm asking the council if they would be willing to. 622 00:56:13,980 --> 00:56:15,520 Maybe after council discussion, 623 00:56:15,720 --> 00:56:17,200 I guess maybe that was my bad for saying 624 00:56:17,200 --> 00:56:19,560 we should do public comment first 625 00:56:19,560 --> 00:56:21,620 because of course then questions come up in discussion, 626 00:56:21,800 --> 00:56:23,320 but that's why I like public comment first 627 00:56:23,320 --> 00:56:24,920 because then I have questions that are brought up. 628 00:56:25,320 --> 00:56:27,480 It's hard when we don't get to have a conversation. 629 00:56:28,100 --> 00:56:30,800 So let's go through without taking an actual vote. 630 00:56:30,960 --> 00:56:31,120 Okay. 631 00:56:31,120 --> 00:56:37,660 Let's go through here the comments of the Councillors and then we will reopen public comment. Great. Let's do that. 632 00:56:43,230 --> 00:56:43,650 Yeah. 633 00:56:45,810 --> 00:56:58,850 This is a this is a tough one for me. I very much appreciate the comment about wanting wanting to let all of the residents in the ward vote on on that and feel that makes sense and I totally understand why you would feel that way. 634 00:56:59,630 --> 00:57:07,870 And then I also appreciate Andy's comments about not wanting this seat to be vacant for five or six months. 635 00:57:11,610 --> 00:57:25,910 And this is it's yeah, and elections it would be I mean, I think before this conversation so far, I was very much leaning towards an appointment because it just seemed like the same amount of candidates could could show up, could present themselves. 636 00:57:27,170 --> 00:57:32,650 And that would be a faster way for us to get through the process, but I'm curious to hear from what the other councillors think. 637 00:57:34,810 --> 00:57:37,730 I don't have a fully formed opinion, I guess, at the moment. 638 00:57:38,510 --> 00:57:40,690 Fair enough. Councillor Adams. 639 00:57:41,590 --> 00:57:42,190 Thank you, Mayor. 640 00:57:43,290 --> 00:57:45,990 I would say that I'm in favor of an appointment process. 641 00:57:46,630 --> 00:57:49,490 The charter dictates two options. 642 00:57:50,430 --> 00:57:55,610 without a lot of description about how that procedure 643 00:57:55,610 --> 00:57:56,670 actually happens. 644 00:57:59,660 --> 00:58:01,880 So, we do have a long appointment. 645 00:58:02,500 --> 00:58:06,240 Unfortunately, that are a long term to a point, 646 00:58:06,520 --> 00:58:07,760 too, if we decide to do that. 647 00:58:08,560 --> 00:58:11,200 We did have an election very recently. 648 00:58:11,800 --> 00:58:13,040 Councilor Lump was elected, 649 00:58:14,020 --> 00:58:17,240 and it is by charter the duty of the council 650 00:58:17,940 --> 00:58:20,100 when there becomes a vacancy to decide 651 00:58:20,100 --> 00:58:37,710 whether we appoint or or do another election. And I feel at this time that I would vote for an appointment process with of course us coming together and having adopted clear standards of how we wouldn't go through that. 652 00:58:38,810 --> 00:58:40,470 Great. Thank you, Councilor Adams. 653 00:58:43,010 --> 00:58:50,190 Mr. Spence, we have a copy of that, a copy of the wording 654 00:58:50,190 --> 00:58:54,690 in the charter. The charter actually says we will appoint, and in the absence of that, we can 655 00:58:54,690 --> 00:58:55,830 have a special election. 656 00:58:59,450 --> 00:59:05,770 Thank you, Mayor. It's really not, it's or not option. It really does say or. 657 00:59:08,910 --> 00:59:14,890 I was going to say it would be good to have it pulled up real quick just so we can get the exact wording. 658 00:59:15,470 --> 00:59:25,350 I think also I want to add that while this has been something that has occurred in the past that does not dictate through the charter that is a precedence that we follow each time. 659 00:59:25,650 --> 00:59:34,750 And this is really up to the elected officials that are here to decide this unfortunately becomes one of the things that the charter dictates that is our job 660 00:59:34,750 --> 00:59:36,450 to do is to make this decision. 661 00:59:38,530 --> 00:59:43,270 So, yeah, I would like to look at that language but my inclination 662 01:00:00,680 --> 01:00:25,660 Section 4.9, vacancies, filling, if vacancy in the council shall be filled, one within 60 days by appointment by a majority of the council, or two in the alternative, a majority of council by resolution may declare that vacancy will be filled at the next available election, or any special election. Those are the principal parts that goes on about the election, but that's essentially it. 663 01:00:28,500 --> 01:00:32,000 Okay, great. I just want to make sure that we are following 664 01:00:32,000 --> 01:00:38,390 the charter perfectly without any concerns. 665 01:00:39,830 --> 01:00:40,630 Councillor Lump. 666 01:00:41,910 --> 01:00:42,630 Thank you. 667 01:00:43,310 --> 01:00:45,610 Yeah, I really appreciated the comment, 668 01:00:45,970 --> 01:00:48,050 the public comment about ward four, 669 01:00:48,230 --> 01:00:51,310 not having representation for a number of months. 670 01:00:52,190 --> 01:00:54,230 You know, that would be a concern for me, 671 01:00:54,470 --> 01:00:56,350 or I still going to be a ward four resident. 672 01:00:57,350 --> 01:00:59,790 We're talking about if we do an employment, 673 01:01:00,230 --> 01:01:02,410 probably maybe a two month gap, 674 01:01:02,410 --> 01:01:08,330 but if there's an election five or six months and so it just seems like a long amount of time 675 01:01:08,330 --> 01:01:16,930 to be without a counselor and so I would prefer an appointment from my view. Also, you know, 676 01:01:16,970 --> 01:01:24,450 the idea of an election, I understand the philosophy behind letting the people choose but it's also 677 01:01:24,450 --> 01:01:30,650 an election in March and we have a hard enough time getting people to come out to vote in really 678 01:01:30,650 --> 01:01:38,990 The big election, so an election in March, you know, people, I don't know if it could be necessarily as representative as it could be. 679 01:01:39,290 --> 01:01:43,370 And so I think that's an imperfect process as well. 680 01:01:44,270 --> 01:01:45,650 So I prefer employment. 681 01:01:46,650 --> 01:01:46,910 Okay. 682 01:01:49,270 --> 01:01:55,330 Thank you, Councillor. Further discussion from the council before we go to to reopen public comment. 683 01:01:59,500 --> 01:02:00,160 Thank you. 684 01:02:00,160 --> 01:02:05,020 I called on Councillor Davis, so I wouldn't forget to call on him. 685 01:02:08,360 --> 01:02:10,880 I am torn, obviously. 686 01:02:11,500 --> 01:02:19,000 I don't like the idea of the position being unfilled for a period of time. 687 01:02:21,240 --> 01:02:27,800 But at the same time, we need to make it clear that this is not about the council, but 688 01:02:27,800 --> 01:02:32,820 about Ward 4 and what the council wants, but what Ward 4 wants. 689 01:02:35,640 --> 01:02:45,700 The cost of the special election is of concern, but it shouldn't be our deciding factor. 690 01:02:46,020 --> 01:02:50,440 The time is more concerning to me overall. 691 01:02:50,980 --> 01:02:58,620 But again, regardless of which option we choose, it does have to be about Ward 4. 692 01:02:58,620 --> 01:03:02,600 not just about us. So just 693 01:03:04,940 --> 01:03:09,520 going through my head here at this point, three of us are somewhat open, 694 01:03:10,100 --> 01:03:20,740 and two of us are leaning towards the appointment. So I would, unless anyone else has anyone on the 695 01:03:20,740 --> 01:03:26,420 council has further discussion, I'd like to go back to public comment. Okay, so we are reopening 696 01:03:26,420 --> 01:03:30,280 public comment. And I see a hand raised in the back, Lisa Morley. 697 01:03:37,840 --> 01:03:43,920 I really was trying to stay out of this conversation. I also have done a lot of research on this. 698 01:03:44,480 --> 01:03:49,560 What I found today seemed different than what I was able to find last week when I was looking at that. 699 01:03:50,200 --> 01:03:59,200 And what I found today, and so this is Mr. Spensen and our lawyer, is that appointment, no matter what, 700 01:03:59,200 --> 01:04:05,000 But I guess unless you change it or unless this law is wrong in Oregon is that the appointment 701 01:04:05,000 --> 01:04:08,620 would only be valid until the next general election. 702 01:04:09,740 --> 01:04:14,620 And then the next general election, then the remainder of the vacancy of that seat would 703 01:04:14,620 --> 01:04:17,040 be voted on in the general election. 704 01:04:17,520 --> 01:04:20,880 So that's why I wanted to ask this is the legal question. 705 01:04:21,820 --> 01:04:27,760 Is it an appointment from when you guys make that appointment only to the general election 706 01:04:27,760 --> 01:04:35,240 which is in November of 2026. So it would only be to the end of 2027. And then the general election in November, 707 01:04:36,020 --> 01:04:39,740 they would, more and more would vote on who they wanted to fill the rest of that. 708 01:04:40,680 --> 01:04:44,700 That, that was the information I found today looking up the ordinance. So 709 01:04:45,700 --> 01:04:51,540 it's great. Thank you, Ms. Morley. I, um, I have a thought on that, but I'm going to allow our 710 01:04:51,540 --> 01:04:59,840 City manager and our city attorney to weigh in on that so per the charter says whether the vacancies filled by the appointment or election 711 01:05:02,580 --> 01:05:32,440 Name and address for the record, please. You'd have three minutes. Still at 317, 317, 318, I'm sorry, 317 street. Maryland, it occurred to me that the two processes via appointment by you or election by the people. It just seemed to be that it would be stacking the deck, I'm sorry to say, if the council's picked their own person as opposed to the people who 712 01:05:32,440 --> 01:05:41,860 the ward counselor would be serving or helping to serve. Does that sound right to you? Am I off my game? 713 01:05:43,580 --> 01:05:50,420 Anyway, so the election for the remainder of the term and the appointment for the remainder of 714 01:05:50,420 --> 01:05:56,900 the term, I think it should go to election, a vacancy of a few months is not going to hurt ward four. 715 01:05:56,900 --> 01:05:57,840 We 716 01:06:00,910 --> 01:06:06,810 have our issues. They're not going to change in a few months without a council member. 717 01:06:08,070 --> 01:06:08,850 Thank you. 718 01:06:10,450 --> 01:06:11,270 Thank you, Ms. Dito. 719 01:06:13,890 --> 01:06:16,930 Anybody else in chambers that would like to address us regarding this evening? 720 01:06:18,590 --> 01:06:20,390 Do we have any hands raised online? 721 01:06:21,890 --> 01:06:24,130 Okay. Well, back to the council. 722 01:06:24,130 --> 01:06:33,550 Council. We have two options. We can vote on option one or option two. 723 01:06:35,590 --> 01:06:36,470 Who would like 724 01:06:36,470 --> 01:06:42,470 to, well, further discussion and then who would like to make a motion? Or are we ready 725 01:06:43,010 --> 01:06:43,890 to make a motion? 726 01:06:46,470 --> 01:06:48,730 Councillor Adams. Thank you, Mayor. I would 727 01:06:48,730 --> 01:06:58,040 just like to state that this is an unfortunate and difficult decision to make and we have 728 01:06:58,040 --> 01:07:01,160 to do what's best, not just for our own individual award. 729 01:07:01,420 --> 01:07:04,480 When we are up here talking about our awards, 730 01:07:04,480 --> 01:07:07,440 we're also representing the entire city as a team. 731 01:07:08,400 --> 01:07:10,940 I worked hard to help ward for, get money 732 01:07:10,940 --> 01:07:12,560 for the Upper Town Business Association, 733 01:07:12,900 --> 01:07:13,780 10 of their meetings. 734 01:07:14,340 --> 01:07:16,360 We cross ward quite often. 735 01:07:16,800 --> 01:07:19,080 We are all here for the betterment 736 01:07:19,080 --> 01:07:20,800 and good of the entire city. 737 01:07:22,020 --> 01:07:24,580 So I think it's important to remember 738 01:07:24,580 --> 01:07:25,980 that we're all working together 739 01:07:25,980 --> 01:07:28,540 or while we have our individual award representation, 740 01:07:28,540 --> 01:07:30,660 we are also all working together. 741 01:07:31,280 --> 01:07:33,780 And I'm happy to make a motion after discussion. 742 01:07:37,410 --> 01:07:37,530 Great. 743 01:07:38,450 --> 01:07:39,810 Further discussion from council? 744 01:07:41,470 --> 01:07:42,770 Okay, so do we have anybody 745 01:07:42,770 --> 01:07:43,930 that would like to make a motion? 746 01:07:44,730 --> 01:07:45,430 Councilor Adams. 747 01:07:46,670 --> 01:07:48,670 I move that the Astorias to the council 748 01:07:50,450 --> 01:07:53,050 fill the ward for vacancy by appointment 749 01:07:53,050 --> 01:07:54,290 of the majority of council 750 01:07:54,290 --> 01:07:56,490 and hold a special meeting to establish a timeline 751 01:07:56,490 --> 01:07:58,430 and process to fill the vacancy. 752 01:07:59,850 --> 01:08:01,490 We have a motion. Do we have a second? 753 01:08:03,470 --> 01:08:03,950 No second. 754 01:08:05,090 --> 01:08:08,370 Moved by Councillor Adams, second by Councillor Long. 755 01:08:09,090 --> 01:08:15,170 Mr. Spence doesn't say there's a roll call here, but I wouldn't mind having a roll call. 756 01:08:18,020 --> 01:08:19,520 Councillor Davis, aye. 757 01:08:20,400 --> 01:08:21,060 Mr. Mozzarella. 758 01:08:23,290 --> 01:08:24,550 Having a hard time deciding. 759 01:08:24,550 --> 01:08:24,850 Thank you. 760 01:08:27,180 --> 01:08:28,140 Can you? 761 01:08:33,790 --> 01:08:34,270 I. 762 01:08:35,890 --> 01:08:36,650 Councilor Adams. 763 01:08:37,010 --> 01:08:37,110 I. 764 01:08:37,570 --> 01:08:38,110 Councilor Long. 765 01:08:38,410 --> 01:08:38,510 Hi. 766 01:08:38,810 --> 01:08:39,550 Mayor Fitzpatrick. 767 01:08:40,630 --> 01:08:40,770 I. 768 01:08:41,090 --> 01:08:43,530 I would say that I have a hard time deciding too. 769 01:08:43,930 --> 01:08:47,670 And I would say that at our work session, if we determine that. 770 01:08:49,410 --> 01:08:51,130 We're not comfortable with that process. 771 01:08:51,130 --> 01:08:53,850 We can certainly go back to to the other. 772 01:08:54,170 --> 01:08:55,430 We do have to do it quickly. 773 01:08:57,150 --> 01:09:00,170 I missed something over there, but I'll find out during the break. 774 01:09:00,170 --> 01:09:10,650 So, okay, the second part here, so the motion carries to have to go to appointment. 775 01:09:12,740 --> 01:09:19,000 The second portion here is, will it work for everyone to do this on Wednesday evening? 776 01:09:21,150 --> 01:09:26,610 Which gives us enough time to notify for the work session. 777 01:09:27,950 --> 01:09:30,230 Again, is this a work session or a special meeting? 778 01:09:30,230 --> 01:09:35,570 Yeah, special meeting. Okay, so we will have public input at that point as well. 779 01:09:36,050 --> 01:09:37,550 It's how we decide to run the meeting. 780 01:09:38,230 --> 01:09:43,510 But the primary business would be decide the elements of the council appointment process. 781 01:09:44,470 --> 01:09:51,630 Great. Thank you, Mr. Spins. Okay, so Wednesday works for me. 782 01:09:52,870 --> 01:09:55,550 Councillor Davis. Yes, that's fine. 783 01:09:58,180 --> 01:09:59,740 I have an appointment. 784 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:11,740 7 p.m., which I can probably push back. But is it possible to start at 530 instead of 6 p.m. Or is that crazy? It would be. Except for you, except we have court in here. 785 01:10:13,900 --> 01:10:16,520 On Wednesday. Okay. That's okay. 786 01:10:21,760 --> 01:10:23,680 I will be gone Thursday, but I could zoom. 787 01:10:24,680 --> 01:10:25,520 Oh, we're looking down here. 788 01:10:27,060 --> 01:10:28,660 I could do Wednesday. I'll be remote. 789 01:10:28,880 --> 01:10:30,440 But I could attend via zoom. 790 01:10:32,660 --> 01:10:36,260 And Councillor Adams still work for you. 791 01:10:38,000 --> 01:10:39,540 Yeah, okay. Yeah, we'll make it work. 792 01:10:40,300 --> 01:10:40,600 So. 793 01:10:42,520 --> 01:10:43,880 So we have a motion on this. 794 01:10:44,860 --> 01:10:46,100 Who would like to make a motion? 795 01:10:47,540 --> 01:10:48,380 I can try. 796 01:10:48,800 --> 01:10:51,420 We can I move that we have a special meeting. 797 01:10:51,420 --> 01:11:03,640 on Wednesday, the 22nd. Thank you. At 6 p.m. to discuss the procedures for appointment of vacancy on council. 798 01:11:04,620 --> 01:11:10,940 Do we have a second? Second. Moved by Councilor Masarella. Seconded by Councilor Adams. 799 01:11:11,660 --> 01:11:17,440 Is there something we can do? Does this require a roll call? All those in favor say aye. 800 01:11:17,440 --> 01:11:24,340 Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. So we will have a special meeting on October 22nd, here in 801 01:11:24,340 --> 01:11:33,340 Chambers at 6 p.m. The current time is 7.10 p.m. We are going to take a 5 minute break after which 802 01:11:33,340 --> 01:11:39,140 we will come back for new business, miscellaneous public comments, burn on agenda items. 803 01:13:15,040 --> 01:13:21,660 Okay. Welcome back for the record. The time is 717 PM and we are on to new business, 804 01:13:21,920 --> 01:13:27,560 Michelinius public comments for non agenda items and non agenda items will soon be open 805 01:13:27,560 --> 01:13:32,040 for public comment. The Zoom audience may use the raise hand feature on your screen if you 806 01:13:32,040 --> 01:13:36,700 want to speak. You will be asked to unmute to speak and in order to respect everyone's time, 807 01:13:36,880 --> 01:13:41,420 comments will be limited to three minutes. If you're inside the chambers, please raise your hand 808 01:13:41,420 --> 01:13:47,480 When called upon please approach the lectern and state's renaming address and you will have three minutes to make your comments 809 01:13:47,480 --> 01:13:54,540 So we're going to go for a new business first mr. Spence. Do you have anything to bring in front of the council for new businesses? 810 01:13:54,600 --> 01:14:01,880 Yeah, they can marry and see council just three items one is I just wanted to preview that we have our we've been working toward getting the October 811 01:14:01,880 --> 01:14:06,140 27th work session we have invited our critical community partners 812 01:14:06,140 --> 01:14:10,140 There's Clots of Behavioral Health, Clots of Community Action, Clots of County, Helping 813 01:14:10,140 --> 01:14:13,480 Hands, Life Boat Services, and the Harbor of All, Committed to Meeting. 814 01:14:14,260 --> 01:14:19,840 We assume that we would give, given the broad participation, 10 minutes for presentation, 815 01:14:20,620 --> 01:14:24,840 5 minutes for questions, that would take about an hour and a half, and then there's additional 816 01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:28,560 We provide to the community in the greater class of area. We want to know if there's any if any of the services of the organizations are facing critical funding cuts. We want to know if they've had any service reductions in the last three years and any other helpful information that they could provide the city council. As you recall, too, this was helpful when we were talking about the rapid rental program or the rapid rehousing program and obviously that was new information. And so we obviously want to keep ahead of that also. So that is the item coming up on the 27th. 817 01:15:28,560 --> 01:15:35,240 The second item I provided copies, we have been invited by our sister city Waldorf 818 01:15:35,240 --> 01:15:41,720 and Germany to come celebrate a 125th anniversary, and this is for next year. 819 01:15:41,880 --> 01:15:44,140 They're looking for feedback by the end of this month. 820 01:15:44,460 --> 01:15:48,460 They're looking to accommodate a delegation of 8 to 10 people, 821 01:15:48,740 --> 01:15:51,440 and we would communicate depending on if there's participation. 822 01:15:51,440 --> 01:15:56,020 I don't have to answer now, but just want to make sure Council is aware of that and then work toward that. 823 01:15:57,560 --> 01:16:03,040 I thank you, Mr. Spence. I would point out for Councillors are already aware in the 824 01:16:03,040 --> 01:16:08,820 people in the audience. The letter came written in German. So, when I was reading it, 825 01:16:08,900 --> 01:16:12,840 I pretended to Mr. Spence that I could actually read it, but I couldn't understand it. 826 01:16:12,920 --> 01:16:19,580 So, he did come up with a translation, and as luck would have it, one of my friends who 827 01:16:19,580 --> 01:16:26,080 is fluent in German is in the chambers this evening and he read the letter from Waldorf 828 01:16:26,080 --> 01:16:35,780 and the translation that Mr. Spence provided and he stated that it's accurate. So looks looks 829 01:16:35,780 --> 01:16:41,120 like our translation works here. Finally, my two years of German and college fan of that. 830 01:16:42,360 --> 01:16:48,400 My sister is fluent or was fluent in German when we were when we were kids. I don't know if she has 831 01:16:48,400 --> 01:16:57,400 kept that or not, but nonetheless, I certainly couldn't vouch for the authenticity of the translation, 832 01:16:57,600 --> 01:17:01,080 but I appreciate that someone with that knowledge was able to do that. 833 01:17:02,680 --> 01:17:06,500 Then the third item has been mentioned before, but obviously we're very excited. We sent out 834 01:17:06,500 --> 01:17:11,260 a press release. We've done obviously other communication, but the grand reopening of the 835 01:17:11,260 --> 01:17:16,480 Astory Public Library, very excited this Saturday, one o'clock. There may be some, 836 01:17:17,100 --> 01:17:20,880 maybe not great weather, but there'll be sunshine inside the building. 837 01:17:21,460 --> 01:17:22,340 That's wonderful. 838 01:17:23,300 --> 01:17:28,200 So once the grand ceremony is over, we will be able to celebrate the library. 839 01:17:28,260 --> 01:17:33,280 People get to interact with the space and also check out a book, get a library card. 840 01:17:33,520 --> 01:17:39,640 So very exciting. So I want to thank Suzanne Harold for being not just a librarian, but a project construction manager. 841 01:17:39,780 --> 01:17:41,300 I know this is a skill set. 842 01:17:41,300 --> 01:17:45,840 skillset. She's probably not willing to do any more, but she did a great job, so I appreciate that. 843 01:17:46,920 --> 01:17:55,340 Great. Thank you, Mr. Spence. I'm looking forward to the library ribbon cutting, and as anyone who has 844 01:17:55,340 --> 01:18:04,120 worked on this type of project has in the past, I love the words on time and within budget, so 845 01:18:04,120 --> 01:18:07,380 So, great job, Director. 846 01:18:10,760 --> 01:18:12,620 So other new business from the Council. 847 01:18:14,300 --> 01:18:17,120 Okay, we'll go to public comment for non-agenda items. 848 01:18:18,540 --> 01:18:24,460 Rick Newton, I saw that you wanted to speak to us if you would like to address the Council, 849 01:18:25,040 --> 01:18:28,460 step to the lectern, state your name and address for the record, and you would have three minutes. 850 01:18:29,000 --> 01:18:33,460 Again, Rick Newton, 775, Southwest 8th, I have a handout for you. 851 01:18:35,440 --> 01:18:37,040 I don't know what I'm talking about. 852 01:18:38,140 --> 01:18:39,800 You want to give me the whole thing on the password? 853 01:18:40,740 --> 01:18:41,080 Thank you. 854 01:18:47,990 --> 01:18:51,510 As I'm sorry, I should wait for you to get those other ways you won't know what I'm talking about. 855 01:18:54,450 --> 01:18:58,670 I would say if it's going to take more than two and a half minutes, I just start now. 856 01:18:59,310 --> 01:19:00,410 Okay. Thanks, Sean. 857 01:19:03,750 --> 01:19:09,630 It really yanks at my heart when I have a female that's over 55. Her husband left her, she's 858 01:19:09,630 --> 01:19:12,990 living out of her cart. And finally, when we get to the end, she says, do you know any where I 859 01:19:12,990 --> 01:19:18,390 can park where I won't be hassled? That just yanks my heart out. So I thought about now this, 860 01:19:18,570 --> 01:19:25,090 this project here, I would do 22 storage container units that are 320 square feet each. 861 01:19:25,650 --> 01:19:30,130 If you look at the picture on the left, they would look like English beach cottages with each 862 01:19:30,130 --> 01:19:35,010 one having color differences and testers up above, but all would have a door with windows 863 01:19:35,010 --> 01:19:41,730 in it and a front window in it. So the seating area would be light. There'd also be an exit window 864 01:19:41,730 --> 01:19:47,510 at the back. Around the perimeter, there would be hearty plank. They would be sprinkled, which is 865 01:19:47,510 --> 01:19:54,110 really easy because they're so teeny. I figured I was going to go to market with these at $600 866 01:19:54,110 --> 01:19:59,090 because I wanted to help the people of Wharton. But I have to tell you, when Patty and I sat down 867 01:19:59,090 --> 01:19:59,530 about it. 868 01:20:01,020 --> 01:20:29,380 So that's a long time. But anyway, if you'd like to ask questions, these units, even if you went to market at $1,000 a piece in two weeks, you would rent everyone because there's so much demand. I don't know if you're aware, but for truly in house, they had 42 units, they had over 400 applications. I'm sorry. As Sean knows, I'm a numbers guy. I work with numbers. And so these, these are not necessarily tending to be permanent housing. 869 01:20:29,380 --> 01:20:36,600 But for some females and males, you may want that to get them out of their car because they deserve more. 870 01:20:37,240 --> 01:20:42,420 And so, yes, the reason I could do $600 a month was because I own both lots. 871 01:20:42,880 --> 01:20:45,840 And they'd be free and clear, which means I get bumped down. 872 01:20:46,680 --> 01:20:51,040 And so, I expect you to have some questions for me. 873 01:20:51,040 --> 01:21:01,780 I don't know exactly this lot that I was going to use has water sewer gas to it, which 874 01:21:01,780 --> 01:21:07,060 was perfect. Plus, because that street at Mornck is 80 feet wide, that gives me an additional 875 01:21:07,060 --> 01:21:12,960 17 feet at the front. Because if you look at that, each unit would have a six foot deck 876 01:21:12,960 --> 01:21:18,220 with a windbreak in front of each unit. If you look closely at the right hand picture, 877 01:21:18,220 --> 01:21:22,560 you can see the little wind breaks there and then the eight-foot deck out past it. 878 01:21:22,900 --> 01:21:29,080 Thank you, Mr. Newton. If you would like to address us at a future meeting as well on this, 879 01:21:29,580 --> 01:21:35,340 we do hold to the three minutes here. That's fine. But I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. 880 01:21:35,560 --> 01:21:38,740 If you want to address us in the future, please do. 881 01:21:39,200 --> 01:21:43,300 Send me a note if you want me to. Or send emails to us as well. 882 01:21:43,680 --> 01:21:45,480 Sure. Great. Thank you. Thanks for your time. 883 01:21:45,480 --> 01:21:49,000 Thank you, Mr. Newton. Anybody else? 884 01:21:52,640 --> 01:21:54,560 Name and address for the record? Three minutes. 885 01:21:58,350 --> 01:22:03,570 Hello, my name is Daniel Hubner. I live at 1846th Street. I'm here because I live in Word 2, 886 01:22:03,710 --> 01:22:07,130 and I understand that at the last council meeting, Mayor Fitzpatrick asked Councillor 887 01:22:07,130 --> 01:22:11,590 Mazarell and the others to have their constituents email him directly with their thoughts on the 888 01:22:11,590 --> 01:22:16,770 exclusion thing that we were talking about earlier, the exclusion zone. So I sent in an email as 889 01:22:16,770 --> 01:22:21,290 requested, but I'm coming and coming again in person today, because I'm again kind of frustrated 890 01:22:21,290 --> 01:22:27,250 by the way that this proposal is being pursued, because we all know that countless people emailed 891 01:22:27,250 --> 01:22:34,190 all of you, including the mayor, spoke in excruciating leave-long sessions in this chamber. So, 892 01:22:34,270 --> 01:22:39,970 you know, I can't possibly believe that anyone's unaware of the views opposed to that ordinance. 893 01:22:40,750 --> 01:22:45,190 So, you know, I wrote numerous times over the months when that was in their consideration, 894 01:22:45,190 --> 01:22:49,570 and I haven't emailed again since then because it was my impression that the council was moving 895 01:22:49,570 --> 01:22:54,230 forward on work sessions, which I support. So I really don't think it makes any sense to be like 896 01:22:54,230 --> 01:23:00,070 how many emails have you gotten since we voted on that? I haven't been saying anything because 897 01:23:00,070 --> 01:23:05,670 I thought you all were doing what I wanted you to. More to the point, and as I kind of implied there, 898 01:23:06,150 --> 01:23:11,730 I hope you'd all agree that the council does not and should not govern by the volume of emails received. 899 01:23:11,730 --> 01:23:32,370 So this entire forwarder emails to me how many did you get like it's besides the point to me and it's kind of perplexing and, you know, unfortunately this also sits in the context of repeated false claims both off and even on the council that, you know, partisanship and about conflicts of interest. 900 01:23:32,370 --> 01:23:36,830 I've seen those claims leveled at both Councilor Maseral and Councilor Lump on this issue. 901 01:23:37,350 --> 01:23:41,530 And, you know, I expect it may come up again as the Council's getting comments on appointments 902 01:23:41,530 --> 01:23:46,970 or place Councilor Lump. So I just want to get publicly all on the same page that what our city 903 01:23:46,970 --> 01:23:52,190 charter actually says about nonpartisanship is that no candidate for office can advertise membership 904 01:23:52,190 --> 01:23:56,510 in or preference for a political party. That's all it says. We don't have people running as 905 01:23:56,510 --> 01:24:01,530 Democrats, Republicans, Greens, libertarians. It does not mean that Councillors are somehow 906 01:24:01,530 --> 01:24:12,350 barred from having strongly held values or priorities or that anyone else in the city government or on the council is entitled to police the partisanship of their colleagues opinions. 907 01:24:13,190 --> 01:24:17,910 So I just wanted to say that as well as we move forward with this topic and with the appointment issue. 908 01:24:18,470 --> 01:24:24,890 So in brief, I was going to urge you all to, you know, get back to work on the work session thing. I see you're doing that. So I don't need to urge that. 909 01:24:24,890 --> 01:24:31,710 but honestly it felt a little disrespectful to constituent time to me to be expected to email 910 01:24:31,710 --> 01:24:38,430 you again to persuade you that my councillors articulations on this issue are accurate with 911 01:24:38,430 --> 01:24:45,810 respect to our constituents. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hubner. But anybody else like to 912 01:24:45,810 --> 01:24:47,110 to address the council this evening. 913 01:24:49,320 --> 01:24:50,960 Do we have any hands raised online?