City of Joseph Regular Council Meeting September 06, 2012 Joseph City Hall 201 North Main Joseph, OR 97846

Council Present: George Ballard, Liza Butts, Pearl Sturm, Mayor Dennis Sands and Councilor Teresa Sajonia Council Absent: Candi Staigle and Troy Berglund Staff Present: City Recorder Donna Warnock, Public Works Ryan Hook, Librarian Genene Kingsford, Attorney Brent Smith and Fire Chief Tom Clevenger. Guests Present: Peter Barry, Terry DeSpain, Elane Dickenson, Katy Nesbitt and Claresse O’Conner and Chris Borgerding. Mayor Sands called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and roll call was taken. REPORTS Mayor Sands read the August Sheriff’s report. The Sheriff’s office provided 303 hours of contracted patrol time and other law enforcement services for the month of August. August was a busy moth with events etc… The sheriff’s office received over 35 calls for service for just Wallowa Lake and that includes the south end of the lake. The sheriff’s department is seeing an increase in gas theft and would like the council to pass the word on to other citizens. Mayor Sands would like Councilor Sturm to check with the Sheriff’s Office about setting up the speed board or using radar on East Wallowa Ave and the highway coming from the lake. Public Works Hook gave the following report: • Starting to maintenance equipment • Flower baskets will probably be taken down end of September • Regular routine work • Had a couple of sewer plugs Librarian Kingsford gave the following library report. • Checkouts: Local System 942 • Interlibrary Loans from other systems: 1002 • Interlibrary Loans sent to other libraries: 53 • Patrons: 716 • Computer Users: 135 Page 1 of 4 Joseph City Council Meeting Minutes – September 06, 2012

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Ready to Read Grant has been applied for next year. Received a donation of a desk and credenza for the library Fire Chief Clevenger gave the following report. • The fire department had a call about a vehicle on fire early Sunday morning September 2 and the same day later in the afternoon the fire department helped with mutual aid on a grass fire on Alder Slope. • The new fire truck is here and is parked at the lake fire station until a few odds-n-ends are completed. Fire Chief Clevenger is hoping the truck will be in service by the first week of October. • The department has a new fire fighter, Vince Radford. Mayor Sands asked Fire Chief Clevenger if the fire department is having problems with the radios like the Sheriff’s Office has been experiencing. Fire Chief Clevenger stated that at this time they are not experiencing any problems.

PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment

NEW BUSINESS Mayor Sands opened the discussion of the sewer treatment plant. Ms. Claresse O’Connor of 84204 Alpine Lane stated that the sewer ponds have had an odor for several weeks. Ms. O’Connor stated that she understands that the councilors are volunteers and it is a thankless job; but she does have some questions she would like to have answered. • Does the city have an emergency plan for the sewer treatment plant • How many aerators are running • Mr. Birkmairer has been flood irrigating for the past 30 years and has not had this bad of an odor problem • When the solar panels where installed at the sewer plant, did they undermine the dike letting water into the sewer ponds. Ms. O’Connor stated that this odor problem has happened in the past; but it usually took about a week for it to dissipate. Mayor Sands stated that it is his understanding that once the ponds turn you just can’t throw a chemical in it to fix the problem it is a natural process that has to occur. After speaking with Public Works Hook; it is the goal to try and get ahead of the process before something like that happens again. One item that they are looking at is getting an oxygen tester. Public Works Hook stated that the ponds now have the maximum of eight aerators. He is waiting for Enterprise Electric to finish some of the wiring. Public Works Hook continued to state that the ponds have now gotten better with the cooler weather. Public Works Hook explained that he deepened the ditch to help with the flood irrigation flow.

Public Works Hook stated that the flood irrigation water that ran through his meter made his flow about 3 million gallons and that is not counting the flood irrigation that went directly into the ponds without being metered. Public Works Hook stated the problem that occurred is called a hydraulic overload and the ponds cannot handle that influx. He stated that with the influx of the flood irrigation water and the extremely hot weather creates a bad combination. He continued to state that the ponds will “flip” again this fall and more than likely in the spring. The “flip” of the ponds is a natural biological process. Mayor Sands stated that Public Works Hook has contacted Anderson Perry & Associates to take a look at the sewer ponds and see if there is something else that can be done. Mayor Sands opened the discussion of the 2012 Bronze Bike Motorcycle Rendezvous & 2013 Event Request. Mr. DeSpain stated that the 2012 Bronze Bike Motorcycle Rendezvous was a successful event, but there is a need for more accommodations. The Friday night dance was at an all time high. He is thinking of the possibility of moving the hospitality tent. There were about 300 people that attended the BBQ and music at the park. Mr. DeSpain requested to reserve the park for August 17, 2013 and to close Main Street from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm on August 18 2013 and August 16, 2013 street closure for the street dance. Council requested City Recorder Warnock to check on last year’s request for the Main Street closure hours.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mayor Sands reopened the discussion of Mr. Peter Barry purchasing an additional water service for 0407 East Fourth (outside city limits in the Urban Growth Area.) It was the consensus of the council that the actual property owner should be the one proposing the additional service. Attorney Smith stated that the prospective purchaser can request the additional service, but he would need something from the land owner stating that they concur with the request; but it is ultimately up to the council. A motion was made by Councilor Ballard to deny extending another water service outside the city limits, seconded by Councilor Sajonia. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Sands opened the discussion on the progress of 106 South East. The council concurred to have Attorney Smith write a letter of due process to Mr. Newhouse on the abatement of the feral cats. Page 3 of 4 Joseph City Council Meeting Minutes – September 06, 2012

Mayor Sands opened the discussion on the progress of 101 North Lake. Councilor Sturm stated that she had spoken with Mrs. Wicklander and that they have the go ahead from their insurance to start removing the trailer. Public Works Hook stated that there has been some activity of removing the trailer.

CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Councilor Ballard to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilor Sturm. Motion carried 5-0.

STAFF ITEMS No staff items to report.

COUNCILOR ITEMS Councilor Butts has concerns about all the deer that are in town. Council would like a letter written to ODF&W about trapping again. Councilor Ballard asked about the no parking signs by the R&R restaurant. Public Works stated he has a phone call into Russ McMartin with the county. Mayor Sands stated that the city received a letter stating that the city did not advance to Stage Two in the solicitation for the Bicycle/Pedestrian improvement system that the city applied for; but the ODOT Region 5 Notice of Intent application has been accepted. That is the Bike/Pedestrian path from the City of Joseph to Wallowa Lake and they can move forward with a Stage 2 application.

CORRESPONDENCE Mayor Sands read a thank you letter from Mandy Allen, Small Cities Support Network Coordinator, thanking the city for hosting their meeting in July. Mayor Sands read a letter from Martin Brown of Wilsonville Oregon wanting to thank the city staff for their excellent customer service while they were visiting the city park.

PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment

ADJOURN A motion was made by Councilor Sturm to adjourn the Council meeting, seconded by Councilor Ballard. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. _____________________________ Dennis Sands, Mayor

________________________________ Donna Warnock, City Recorder