City Council - Regular Meeting

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Welcome everybody. Um Carmen Matthews is uh virtual and we believe that councelor Kribbons will be attending. Uh do we have public comments this evening? Well, I've got a couple. So, anyone that doesn't have green on can't speak tonight.

All right. So, uh All right. So, public comment. So, I need to read uh this uh piece. The public comment period is intended for the public to share ideas and concerns. Is not intended for interactive discussion with the council. There may be opportunities for public comments during specific agenda items and require public hearing. Members of the public are requested to confine remarks to questions or issues under discussion during this time during any designated comment period. Individuals shall not engage in personal attack, shall not impug motives of any speaker and shall at all times while in session conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. No person shall make personal, impertinent, slanderous or unauthorized remarks or become boisterous while addressing the council. So, with that being said, we have a couple uh that are wanting to speak and I I want to preface that u we have a discussion. I see uh I think that there's some people here uh on Front Street and you will have time to make comments if you like during that period of time. So, anyway, the first person tonight is on the agenda, Scott Fraser. Scott, it's good to see you.

Thank you. Where's your green? Go ahead. Sorry, it's the mic. Um, we don't have my screen over here either, so Lucinda can't speak tonight.

Will there Okay. Anyway, uh, good evening, uh, council, mayor, um, city staff, and citizens. Um, I want to start off by saying how proud I am of all the East Side residents who attended the open house at East Side Elementary on March 11th. We had a great turnout and supported each other concerning the housing feasibility on port property. I'm I'm anticipating an even larger cl crowd next week. Um, everyone kept the conversation cordial and a lot of information was discussed. There were many concerns with adding more housing regarding traffic, outdated bridge, and emergency services. And we're looking forward to next week's meeting. All right. Thanks, Scott.

Thank you. I I presume you'll be there, right? I'll be there. All right. Thank you. Uh, next person on the agenda is Patrick Mson. Yeah. Good evening.

Hey, good evening everybody. Um, last time I was before you, I sent an invitation to each one of you to attend a meeting on March 25th at the Dolphin Playhouse. I have not heard back from any of you. So, I'm just I'm here again to make sure that you get that invitation and that you hear our request for you to attend this meeting. It's a very important meeting for the community of Empire to um see first of all the city council folks attend so that they they can firsthand hear how the people of Empire are feeling about the project and getting more information about it. I spoke with the port today. The planning process for this meeting is is moving quite well and uh we look forward to having a very robust conversation with not only the board of commissioners but also all the officials that have been invited including yourselves. So we hope that you uh can make an appearance at that meeting. I know that there's a another meeting scheduled that night um in East Side and uh so I've already had some people say that they're going to try to attend ours and theirs at the same time but I don't know how that's going to work. Um, but it is important for you to understand that the folks of Empire have been looking forward to this meeting and have been contributing a lot of different kind of questions that um, we hope that will be answered. So, we hope that you uh, take the time to join us.

Thanks. Thanks for the invite. Can I respond to that? Uhhuh. Yes. Go ahead. Uh, I just um Sarah, hi Sarah. Nice to meet you. Um I'm not able to attend that night but um my cell phone number and our email addresses are available online. So happy to talk to people individually. Sure. I I I I don't know if you remember this but I emailed you like eight weeks ago about this meeting as well. So it's been on your calendar for quite a long time and I know you know that there are situations where you can't attend. Um, but you'll see that we've been planning this for an awful long time and um, we wish that you were going to be there, but we understand if you can't be there for whatever reason. We'll pass that on to the folks that are there, you know.

All right. Questions? Anyone else? No. Okay. Starts at 6:00 6 p.m.

All right. Is there anyone else would like to make a public comment that has not signed up? Scott. It'll be quick. I'm just here to represent uh Community Coalition of Empire, which I believe Jacob has been attending. Uh we have our elections tomorrow and we just wanted to make our presence known and thank the uh council for its kind donation to the Empire Coalition. Uh and we look forward to putting up the flowers this year and whatever else we can do to beautify Empire. That is it. No controversial stuff here. Sorry. That's good. Thanks, Scott. Anyone else? Okay, hearing that there's none, no other public comments, we'll move on on the agenda. Next item is the consent calendar. Council, how would you like to proceed with the consent calendar?

I move we approve the consent calendar. Second. It's been moved and seconded to present approve the consent calendar as submitted. Is there any comments or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none passes. uh presentation by Kuz Bay School District update. Do we have somebody from the school district? Seeing that none, we'll move on. Uh action items. Okay. We're going to have a public hearing for consideration of a supplemental budget on for 2025 2026 fiscal year. Uh and so, uh Brianna, you want to give us a quick uh update where we're at and then we'll open the public hearing.

Yes. So, good evening. What you have before you is a supplemental budget for the fiscal year 202526. And this is to true up appropriation authorities the council gave us at the beginning of the fiscal year and to also make sure that we are complying with local budget law. We want to bring these appropriations to actual. At the beginning of the year, we budget based on what we estimate carryover to be. So if there is additional or less carryover, we need to adjust to actual. We are also adjusting for additional interest received, transfers between funds, additional loan proceeds, additional funds from permits, licenses, services, and additional resources from other agencies. Also, additional grant dollars. Adopting resolution 2606 would amend the 202526 budget to include this supplemental budget.

Uh, any questions or for Brianna before we open it up? I I had one. Uh is it common that we appropriate additional carryover uh and and need it for operational costs? Um yes, this is common. Every year we do this. Okay. uh on and is it just during certain times or is this is is this something I just don't remember having a discussion about that in the past. Are we are we having some difficulties meeting the operational costs?

Sure. So this is a process that we do every year after we finish the budget. they give us a, you know, kind of a sign off on where we ended the year and that helps us walk into this next year. So again, we we estimate what our carryover is going to be. If it's more or less, we make adjustments and there are sometimes some things that get uh outside of our original budget line item amounts. So we do appropriate uh when we think there is a potential for those line items to be over by the end of the year. We're going to give some more operating ability there if it's justified. uh if we don't feel like we're going to need to use that, we would put that in an appropriate or reserve carrying that for future years. So, traditionally there is an operational need. Historically, if you were to look back for a budget since I've been here, we have always appropriated that additional carryover as well as reduced it. You know, we've had to go through and find reduction areas if the carryover was less than what we expected.

Okay, great. I I appreciate that uh explanation. I just wanted to make sure we weren't reducing reserves, which are necessary at the end of the year before we get the money that comes in from tax bills. So, yeah. All right. Any other questions, council? Okay. Hearing end, we'll open up the public hearing. So, this is the time that uh you'd come forth, ask a question or if you do have one or inquire about anything that's been on this supplemental budget, and uh hopefully we can answer it. Anyone? No public comments. Okay, I'll close the public hearing and council, how would you like to proceed? I move to adopt resolution 26-06 to appropriate funds through a supplemental budget for fiscal year 2025 2026.

I'll second. It's been moved and second to approve the supplemental budget for 2025 26 fiscal year. Are there any other comments or discussions? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none passes. Next item on the agenda is consideration to approve a miscellaneous transportation engineering services contract. Jennifer, you want to explain this to us?

Sure. Thank you. Um, the city's miscellaneous transportation services contract has expired. A, as a result, a request for qualifications was prepared to obtain the services of qualified engineering firms to provide a design and support on transportation projects on an asneeded basis for a duration of three years. This will provide city staff with a pre-approved list for the engineering support for projects less than $150,000. For projects projects greater than $150,000, a project specific RFQ will be utilized. So in total, five firms submitted a statement of qualifications. Um they were uh AKS, Engineering and Forestry, David Evans Associates, DKS, the Dire Partnership, and Southern Oregon Transportation Engineering. So staff review the SOQs with the goal of selecting qualified firms that have demonstrated that they can effectively communicate with city personnel, work in a team-like manner, and provide engineering services that will satisfy the city of Kuspay needs. Due to the varied experience expertise of each firm and the anticipated volume of future work, it is recommended that all five SOQs be accepted. So with respect to budget implications um if approved the duration of the contract which with each of the firms is three years and will be utilized on an as needed basis to provide engineering support and design services for capital improvement projects, emergency projects, master plans, review of transportation impact analysis for private projects. Each contract is a zerocost contract. When a transportation project is identified in the future, a consultant will be selected for this pre-approved list and a task order will be prepared under their respective contract. The task order, if greater than 75,000, will then be brought to council for consideration of approval prior to moving forward with any design work.

So, is this something you do every three years? We do. And uh how do you determine who you pick out of these five? Well, um what we do is we have a scoring sheet and we have different categories and we actually present that up front in the um request for qualifications and we grade them on each of the categories. They all they all were qualified and so that's why we're recommending approval of all of them. So you just I mean but you just pick A or B or just do you go through each one or

Oh, I'm so sorry. We base it on their expertise. Transportation is a wide field. Um and so some people are more well versed at master plans. Some people are aware full-blown civil plans like final design. So, we just base it on what their area of expertise is based on the information they provided in the SOQ. Right. Great. Uh, questions, council, Jacob? Yeah, I'm curious. Um, can more firms be added to the list within those three years or does a firm have to wait another three-year cycle before potentially getting on that list? They have to wait until we readvertise. So, another threeear cycle. Okay. Thank you. Under the expiring contract, did we lose anyone? No, actually we gained two.

Okay. So, everyone that was on that previous contract is still there. They resubmitted and yes, they've been they've been recommended for approval. Historically, Jennifer, have we done business with all of these firms? Um, yes, we have. And in fact, um, AKS is the firm that's currently doing the Eastside feasibility analysis. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? Hearing no other comments. Uh, council, would you like to proceed?

I'll make a motion that we approve and award the miscellaneous transportation services contracts to all five of the engineering firms, AKS Engineering and Forestry, David Evans and Associates, DKS Associates, the Dire Partnership, and Southern Oregon Transportation Engineering. Second. have been moved and seconded to approve the transportation engineering services contract for the five that have submitted their uh submitted to be in this uh engineering contract. Is there any other discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Hearing none, it passes. Uh, next idea, uh, agenda items, uh, consideration to approve collective bargaining agreement with ACU, uh, chapter International Association of Firefighters Local, number 2935. Nicole, you and Jeff, both or just you or

um, well, I might start us. I'm sure Jeff will have some uh, things to help round out the conversation, so he's welcome to step in. But um, just as a little bit of background, so we all kind of start at the same place. Uh the city uh interacts with three different represented groups to perform the services across the city. Um one of those is our fire department uh folks. We also have a represented group in our police department and then all the rest of the departments kind of fall under a more general service kind of um represented group the American Association of uh no gosh ask me. American Association of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Employees. Really long name. That's kind of the catchall for everybody else. We because we have three, we usually try to get three-year contracts so that we are negotiating a contract a year um as they revolve around. So this year we uh have the opportunity to work with the um International Association of Firefighters. They are of course, as it speaks to, an international organization. So, um this year we did a little different than we've done in the past. We typically each team brings their um their attorneys to the table and um while we've had success with that, uh we didn't do that this year. And what we had was a little bit more back and forth conversation between the folks who are here doing that work um and oversee that work. And it it was much smoother though we did have to get some uh feedback from our attorneys both sides throughout the process but we were able just as an example we typically try to start these uh negotiations in October November if we're lucky often we don't get our first meeting scheduled until January and if you'll remember the last two years we've been into the fiscal year that the contract starts

before we get uh agreement. So we are months in advance uh kind of using this model. We're hopeful this works well as we move forward with the uh other unions. So much like um every time before you know the the teams come with an ask of the city the things that they'd like to see uh us modify in the agreement. And I mean, I don't know if you've done negotiations, but you always start at your your biggest hope, right? And then we work we work to a a middle ground. Um, our approach is really like the contract works for us as it stands. So, we don't really necessarily have modifications unless a law has changed or something that we want to make sure is corrected in the agreement. So, the the initial start was a little bit stiffer than we could accept uh budget-wise. And um I'll also uh give a shout out to the team. I missed uh a session or two just with some uh situations that were going on and they did a really amazing job continuing the process keeping me informed. Um so the whole thing was a lot different than how we used to do it but it worked out really well where we landed in in your packet. So you can kind of see that. Um we landed with an initial uh you know the biggest thing is usually comes down to salaries right that's our salaries and benefits. So we landed with a 3% increase as of July 1. Um we use those increase markers moving forward based on the consumer price index for our kind of region the west uh coast area. And we try to in future years get a range. um we historically really try to stay in a 1 and a half to 4% range of CPI. So we kind of know as we move forward through the next two years that we have some control over what those

costs might look like. So thankfully we landed with that same similar range. Um the group really uh interesting brought forth a alternative insurance option. Um in our last negotiation uh time with them, we uh they brought forth the opportunity to meet in a committee to kind of review some insurance uh options they might find, we might find. It just never happened. Three years amazingly goes pretty fast. Um so they came with one this time and uh we ran the numbers and it's a better benefit to them with really minimal costs to us when we look at those. So what you're presented with is their ask for their insurance. We we talked through we talked with that um group not just in costs but in the administration of a new pro plan, right? We have more tasks, more forms, more things that are a little different than what so we wanted to know what that administration might look like. It's actually relatively simple and not a not a big impact for our payroll team. So it seemed like a no-brainer, right? we can pick up something they're asking for at a minimal cost and it's just a part of that package that makes it the reason why you work for the city of Kuspay. So you have and sorry my computer timed out but in your uh packet the costs for the year um it's a really quick kind of down and dirty breakdown but it talks about the first year um which we'll see in this next fiscal year. We'll use this for budget purposes which you'll see coming for you in the coming weeks. Uh overall costs are uh related to cola and the insurance of about $62,000 increase in this next current year. And then the next two columns in that uh spreadsheet speak to

those cola ranges. Right? So at the lowest range, which is one a.5%, we would expect about $139,000 increase over the life of the contract. So the three-year at the lowest range. And then that last column looks at the same kind of thing, but at the highest range. So those are taking into account what we know today. So there are some things that might change over those three-year periods. Um, many of you might know like paid leave Oregon came up, sprung up right out of the blue for all of us. We have some employer costs there. So that could happen for sure. But this is where we stand today when we look at apples versus apples. Uh, so what we are asking, we believe we we landed in a really good package that both sides are happy with. We're asking that you consider uh acceptance of this uh three-year agreement. So will this will the insurance cost or insurance company also be for three years? I mean it's not going to be they can't it's not going to be a change up in a year or so.

Yeah. So we talked to them about that as far as uh rates you know concerned not knowing is this like a buy in and you know like it's going to go up and to the best of their knowledge their rates remain flat be flat because of their large pool right they're pulling an international association. um anyone who works in insurance knows those are driven by you know claims. So over time there's a possibility that can change. Um but as it stands their experience does not have those high fluctuations that we even see in our CIS policy because the pool is smaller. There's not as many folks contributing to where this larger one. So it it did also address that if the cost were say to double or triple or quadruple the city has an option does it not

at that point if that was to happen obviously we're going to have a financial concern to be able to maintain that we would have to open up the agreement and and e either that or make some tough decisions about the folks who you know we'd have staffing. So, yeah. Uh, any other questions, council? Chief, that was a question I was going to ask. I don't have anything to add. I think it was a great process and I think both sides walked away very happy with how everything worked and um I know the firefighters are really excited by getting the medical because it's uh geared for and made for firefighters. So, it concentrates on cancer uh reduction and also mental health, which are two big areas of focus for firefighters.

That's great. Well, I'm always glad to see these come forth. I know it's a process that staff and uh all both the firefighters and the staff work together with. So, it's it's great to see this here and I'm glad it's three years, right? Back in the day, we used to have one for every year. It was crazy. So, uh that has passed. Thank goodness. Just I just had a comment, mayor. Yes. Um I I've been in multiple uh union negotiations usually on the admin side. How many days it take you guys to do this? So technically three but the second one was a few hours and then we just left. So

three was you know two full sessions usually it's three weeks or three months a lot of arguing a lot of fighting which is all costly to both sides. Uh, and the truth is what we want is to take care of our servicemen and we want our servicemen to understand the strains that we're under to give them the best package and you guys whatever your policy the way you did that chief was amazing and so thank you for you know looking at it differently getting in and just getting it done. So thanks. Anyone else? Okay. How would you like to proceed? I move to approve the collective bargaining agreement with CUS chapter AFF local 2935 for 2023 through 2026.

Second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the KUS Chapter International Association of Firefighters Local 2935. Is there any other comments or discussion? I'm sorry. It says 2023 to 2026. Is that an error? There's a second one. It is. Yeah. Yes. So it should be 2026 to 2029. Yes. Okay. And councelor Stevens will amend her. I will amend that motion for from 2023 to 2026 to 2026 to 2029. Second. Okay. You seconded the first time. I seconded just now.

All right. All right. It's been amended to uh to approve the collective bargaining agreement with Kuzbay Chapter International Association of Firefighters Local 2935 for years 2026 to 2029. Is there any other comments or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none, it passes. Next item on the agenda is discussion regarding the front street improvement project.

Okay. Thank you. And thank you Christine for bringing up the exhibit. Um so tonight we're going to talk about um the parking along Front Street. So just to give a little background um we started off with the Front Street blueprint. Um that effort was completed in 2022. Um the study limits were all along Front Street from Market all the way to just north of Fur Avenue. Um so that was a highle planning document. um it was utilized um with like Google Earth um um aerial mapping so no topography and I'll explain later why that's important. Um so this blueprint concept um it analyzed wayfinding multimodal transportation and safety improvements for the whole front street corridor. So throughout the blueprint process the community voiced concerns about loss of parking. So as a result um the city committed to constructing a public parking lot. So this parking lot was completed in 2024. It's along Front Street and it's between Cedar and Date which is right there. So, as a result, that created 33 additional public parking spots. So, last year, council approved moving forward with final design. Um, but due to um, you know, budget constraints, we had to kind of split the study area into a north and a south half. So, the north half is what we concentrated on. And that north half is from Cedar all the way to I'm just going to say fur, but it's a little bit north of fur as you can see. So that up there is the northern study limits. Um so on this um final design concept here is what staff is proposing. So on the north is I guess to your right. So sorry about that. But on the west side of the street, we're going to propose just a standard 5-ft sidewalk. Um, and then what we're going to do to accommodate bicycles is we're going to have sherrows on the southbound lane.

And so what that means is the vehicles and bikes will be sharing the road. And then on the east side of Front Street, which is over here, we're going to have a minimum 12T multimotal path. Um, that 12T multimotal path will accommodate bikes and pedestrians. So, the new final design does not alter the existing parking um um patterns, but overall as a result, excuse me, the new final design does alter the existing parking patterns. Um but overall um and with the parking lot, the parking in the study area is increased. So, the new design will take in account the railroad tracks. Um today, the city has to assume that the railroad tracks are active. And for clarification, this is not um a a international port um of Kuzbay requirement. This is an ODOT rail requirement. Um but someday those tracks may not be there. Um we want this final design concept to take that into account. So we're going to incorporate kind of a two-phase design approach that will do that. So that means that today we can construct this multi-use trail. And if when those tracks are removed, we won't have reconstruction of the trail. In fact, it will only increase the public parking. So, when staff last brought this issue to council on January 6, concerns were raised about public parking um specifically in the southern um study limits. So, this is the area that's south of Cedar and it's off this map. So, the city only has topographic information for the northern study limits and so because that's the area where we're doing final design. So at this time we cannot give detailed information on how the parking will be affected but when final design commences which you know at this time it has not been approved um staff will coordinate with local businesses with the goal of minimizing impacts to public parking similar to what we're doing now in the northern study area. So the staff recommendate recommendation if it

pleases council directs staff to commence forward with the final design based on the design concepts presented in this staff report for the front street improvement project from Cedar to Fur Avenue. I can answer any questions. Yes. So uh when did we start this final design or the when we the blueprint plan was when? So it got completed in 22 and it probably started a year and a half before that.

Yeah. So I uh I have been advocating to move this thing forward and the city cannot do all of Front Street. We just financially cannot do it. So the intent was to start somewhere and we believe through discussions that starting on the north spot north end and moving to just where the parking lot is is the best. This increases the parking by we also increase the parking on the parallel parking in front of S brothers property which wasn't parallel parking prior to that. And because of the generosity of the sauce brothers, the sauces I should say on that property, we were able to the uh I think was it six feet that we got? Correct.

So that six feet allowed us to have parallel parking instead of uh just the regular kind of parking. So that increased the parking in that facility. I also understand that it was uh important for the sauces to have two access points to that property which we've accommodated. Correct. Also on the west side for those businesses like Trace and Wayne's color center, we also are making sure that they have access to those back parking rates like they have now. Well, I see that, you know, when you look at I got semi trucks to pull them there. We have parking all the way across this front is all parked. It looks like there's parking spot. Parking spot. Parking spot. Parking spot. That's all open areas for semi trucks to back in there.

Yeah. just come up here, you know. Well, who I mean, so uh you're talking about a semi talking about you hear way better if I just talk loud and this thing is just muffled so bad. Can you repeat your comment? Anyways, the when you look at the parking up there, you see there's multiple gray parking areas that block our actual entrance to get to our our parking cuz we have like there's three, four, five, six parking spots that you park into the front of the store. Those are going to be available. So, if I can speak to that. Yeah, we are we are aware of that but final design has been stalled and so what we're trying to do is we're trying to get approval to move forward based on these concepts and then we want to work with you. I Oh yeah. Yeah. It's just hard to see when you look in the drawing.

Absolutely. And this is a cartoon drawing and so here Trey get up here. No one can hear you over there. Here's mine. I'll take my And I will admit right now that that pretty picture that you see in front of you doesn't really show that, but that's why we're here at Final Design, right? Those loading zones. I've had the conversation. Um just just just recently that we cannot block that. Right. So, we are I appreciate you coming tonight and Oh, yeah. I'm just making sure cuz I'm like I see these parking spots. I'm like, you know. Yeah. No, understood. The access to yours will be the same as it is. Okay. again, there'll be a driveway to allow you access in.

So, we're not going to impede or cause a problem with anything that's there. And, you know, I think it's important to realize, I mean, we've had multiple meetings and I've been, I think, at most all of them. And I think it's great that we've had them. And I think that we've explained our our intent is to make sure that we do not impact any business except in a positive way. So, we've increased the parking by 40 spots, which is important. Now, the south end, I know there was some concern, but you know, that's down the road and I'm not even sure we're going to get there. The other thing, the rail will go away to the port and we know it's going to take at least two years to have the rail go away. And so, we will leave it as it is and we're not going to do anything until we get final approval from the port when they get done going through that process to eliminate the rail.

I think it's going to be a great a great thing. Trust me, I just was only seeing those parking spots. I'm thinking, wait a second. Yeah, that's the only thing. and and clear up. And yeah, as this moves forward, if for some reason something's not right, you have Jennifer to talk to or you got the council and you and you know my phone number. Oh, I do. I got I got So, Jennifer, um, we we added 33 spots with the parking lot. How many are we losing? We're not losing any. We're not los We're not losing any We're not losing any parking. We've increased the parking by 33 and another 7. That's that's not what I'm asking. How many are we losing on that side right now?

So, we're looking at the whole study area. So, that's all of Front Street. That's the side streets. It's the parking lot. So, we are increasing parking. We don't have a definitive we do not have a definitive number for you, but it's somewhere between 30 and 40. But until we finish final design, we're not going to be able to. I just wanted to make sure

because there's seven seven spots that have been generated on the parallel parking that was by because of S property. In the original design, it wasn't going to be that. It was just going to be street parking. But because that we got the six feet, it allowed us to have parallel parking, which was important for 999, which we it's used all the time and is being used that way now. From the main the main parking area, every day you drive by, I drive by every day. There's seven to nine cars a day in that parking spot. That's it. I count every day when I go by. Y it's the same cars. They're all from the food cart guys that work there. Sure.

No. And it's good. I mean, it's important that that that parking is there and so and once it gets all designed and finalized, it'll be a lot cleaner and it'll be a lot it'll be marked and it'll be a lot better for everybody. So, can you explain just a little bit more? This is uh you're today asking for us to give you approval to continue to modify this plan. Yes, I'm asking to move forward with this concept that you see before you. So we did 30% design if I understand correctly and now we're moving to 100% finished completion design. That's correct. That's the next step or is that 100% tonight?

So we are we are actually under contract for final design. So to complete that 100% design today. We've just been on hold to have this discussion. So this is the 30%. No just we we are asking to move forward with this concept to final design and complete this project so we can prepare construction documents. Sorry if I'm not explaining myself correctly. So this is going to be 100% design final design for this portion. Just this portion, but not as currently shown. This is a 30% design, correct? That we're looking we're all looking at guys. It's a pretty picture. There's lots of work.

Well, but it shouldn't. We seriously we have we have we have detailed topography. We have done 30% design. We really do feel like we have a good handle on this if if council agrees with the approach with the 5-ft sidewalks on the west side and the 12oot multi-use path on the on the east side on the 12T path. Was that over the easement that the additional easement or do you want to go up to

on the So the um the widened path um on uh along along two and three is that does that go over east onto the new easement that you got? Yes. So, you're building a permanent thing on an easement property? Yes. Okay. And um down at three across from the parking lot, you have to eliminate all the parallel parking. There was maybe three spots there. That's correct. To get the widen path. That's correct.

Okay. That's uh I think I understand that. So, uh, for clarification, we we gained on the side of the street that 925, 999, and 1,000 are on because we went with the 5- foot sidewalk and a sher instead of uh something that would have taken those parking spaces away. Is that am I understanding that? So, you're saying we gained in parking? Is that what you're asking? We we didn't lose anything.

So, in the whole study area, we did not lose anything. No. So, I mean, there might be not I think what needs to be clarified. There might be not a parking spot in a couple areas, but overall, we're going to gain between 30 and 40 parking places that have never been there before. And so, I think everyone needs to keep that in mind. And which will enhance and benefit that area, which it already has. And so, what's going to happen, we'll get that if we approve this 100% design, you'll come back, right, with 100% design complete for everyone to look at. And then, is am I am I correct? Um I mean preferably staff would like to move forward with this just like we normally do. Typically we don't take design back to council once we get approval to move forward. Now if the concepts change I think that would be fair. Um for instance but um if if we can't get that 30 to 40 extra spots which I do not anticipate. I'm just giving you an example. But typically when we give an um when we give approval get approval from council to move forward we continue forward with that design. We bid it and construct it. Where are the five Where are the five I think Joey you mentioned three, four or five extras that we're gaining?

No, I say between all the parking we will gain between 30 and 40 parking spots in this section or the whole No, just this section. Where are they? In the parking lot and along parallel in front of your property right there. Okay. Parallel parking and then the others will be determined depending on the side streets and where else. So, okay. So again, by by going with the sherrow, we didn't have to take away any of the street parallel parking that would have been on that side. There will be some that will be taken away that you don't see up there just because of loading zones. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to direct staff to commence forward. Sorry, I think we have other people that wanted to talk. Don't we did you want to talk about this?

Okay. Sorry. I apologize. I can make the motion. Yeah. Make motion. All right. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to commence forward with final design based on the design concepts presented in the staff report for the front street improvement project from Cedar Avenue to Fur Avenue.

Second, council. Any other discussion? All right. It's been moved and seconded to move forward with the 100% final design on the front street and Cedar Avenue. Cedar Avenue of Fur Avenue. Wait a minute. Final design on Front Street improvement project. I'll make it simple. All right. Any other comments or discussion? I just have to say, you know, this has taken a long period of time and for me, I wish this would have been done two years ago, but unfortunately, we can't get there that quickly. Uh things just take time, but I think this will be a great addition. Uh and I think everyone will be pleased when it's done and so I look forward to finalizing it and uh moving forward. So anyway, with that, I'll call for the question.

All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none passes. Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to consider the comments from the public and also uh from the council and giving I I know it's been a long time, a long process. Um but I appreciate you giving us that time.

Well, it's been a good process. Heidi, you initiated it. I don't know how many meetings we've had. Two or three down there. I think it's great that we're interacting and we're able to talk to them. I've enjoyed interacting with them and I think it's important and because of it I think we have a good project. So, thank you everyone. All right. City manager report. Nicole.

Okay. Yes. Thank you. Uh so I just wanted to start first thanking um you know Heidi and Dale for really being a an important part of this process. Right. Without you, we would not have found a way to add in some pedestrian spaces in this. We have a beautiful waterfront and to have folks out and experiencing that is really important. And while we have a working waterfront, to have folks out experiencing that. So, you've been uh significant to us being able to achieve this and really appreciate the opportunity to have worked with both of you. So, start with that. Uh second, I wanted to just acknowledge uh several of us attended the east side meeting last week. I think we were all um overwhelmed with the number of folks who really came to show uh uh interest in that project because it is impactful for that part of our community. Um I think we had over 70 people in attendance and uh it's a testament to that section of Kuspay, right? they they come together they uh all know each other they look out for each other and that is the type of community you want to have right so I'm thankful for them um there were some uh good conversations that came out of that some learnings you know will further uh help us along in that path so uh the housing summit which southern coast regional housing puts on every year is coming up uh if anyone is interested in attending that it brings folks from all over the state of Oregon kind of different speakers in relation to housing. That's April 1st and 2nd. If you're interested, let me know. We'll get you tickets to attend. We do sponsor that. So, we do have a couple of tickets, I believe, uh just for uh anyone who might want to attend. Uh update on uh the moderate income revolving loan uh program, which you guys implemented quite a while ago.

There was some changes in the short session which impacted this. This is um something that the Timber Cove project is maybe looking at. Um we have partnered uh with CCD when we consider what it would take to administer this program to make sure that these homes stay within that over the life. Uh it's going to take some regular annual review and reporting. We don't have a housing team here. It takes a certain kind of expertise to review financial documents and make those determinations. and the team at CCD has uh offered to stand up and take that role on that will then extend this program. You guys are first uh to bring this in to this area, but it'll bring it into Kuz Curry and Douglas for other communities who want to do it. So, thank you for that opening up the door for us to maybe help others see how this could work across the state. And then the last piece, the Englewood project is moving. Uh we had a little bit of a slowness there for a bit, but they're back uh fast and furious. There is some discussion about potentially doing a groundbreaking uh with you folks on um the week of April 6th. So as we know a little bit more, we'll share that with you. I think we want to have uh as many of you who can attend, folks from the county, you know, this has been a really collaborative process. So we want to recognize the folks who've participated in that. So, more to follow up on that. That's what I have for today.

So, did uh you mentioned uh Englewood and I know they're trying to get platted. Am I correct? On the lots. Did Timber Cove get theirs platted? They did. Good. Yes. All right. Thank you.

All right. Uh anyone else comments for Nicole? Uh council comments. Uh Carmen, let's start with you. Uh well, I don't really have much tonight, but uh just want to thank everybody for sticking with us through the whole front street processing plan. And I didn't uh chime in too much cuz I've been definitely involved and wanted to allow other people time to ask questions and such. But uh just a you know a reminder that we're all here to talk about final design of plans and uh you know we're here to run things by and listen and the whole goal is to improve the overall experience for uh not only the people who visit our community but the people who live here and the people who work here in this specific area. and uh uh we're really trying as hard as we can and I appreciate everybody's patience and involvement in in doing so. Uh it's I think it's been a fairly good um work process and of course you know there's there's all these different little things that we have to figure out but uh staff is doing a great job and uh just appreciate everybody's uh input. So that's all I have for tonight. Thank you.

Thanks Troy. I have no comments tonight. Thank you. No comments, Stephanie.

I just have uh have one. Um I'm I'm torn because there's two things on one night that I think are both important to our community and I am also an Empire resident. Uh but you know, uh we are in the the beginning process of East Side and I did attend the first meeting. I would like to attend that again. And just just so you're aware, it's difficult because right now that is a project that is under underway and we have to we have to kind of focus on that. The PCIP project is a longer term process. There is a process for having those environmental and and discussions, things that you want uh brought up to the port and port to answer, but there is a process for that. So, just so you're aware, uh there is a there's probably a lot of us that are torn between which meeting do we attend when they're at the same time.

It's priorities. You have to set your priorities. Well, I it's not a Yeah. Yeah. I it's not this or that, but um I just I just wanted you to be aware that if we're not attending it, it it's not because we just don't want to be there. We'll just let the public know. You know, we'll let that happen. Okay. And that's all I had. Thank you, Sarah.

Yeah. A couple of things. Uh many of you probably know about uh the governor has put forth a prosperity roadmap. Three main goals. accelerate Oregon's economic growth, create more living wage jobs, and retain and grow Oregon business. She's put together a pretty dynamic group of leaders. I was invited next week uh to attend a listening session with the Prosperity Council uh which is why I will not be attending and again that um something in front of us right now. Uh the prosperity council is set to have recommendations by June. Next week we're going to be focusing on business, climate, workforce, and economic development. So feel uh privileged to get to be in the room with those leaders. It'll be great. Uh part of the prosperity roadmap uh something to note for us is a key goal around reducing barriers to investment and growth and I think it's something that we want to pay attention to as a municipality. I think there's going to be a lot of things that we're going to be asked to do and while we might have the will, we may not have the expertise or capacity. And so just being cognizant of that and making sure that we're advocating for what we're going to need to be able to implement these recommendations. Uh additional goal under the road map is to modernize and strengthen Oregon's economic development tools that's been tasked to business Oregon. I was also attend uh invited to be part of that economic develop development strategic advisory committee. It's full of some business leaders, economic development organizations, local government. Um, we're tasked with working through about eight goals in relation to this prosperity roadmap. Again, many things for the city for both hats that I wear both with workforce development and the city that are things that we want to pay attention to that I think are we're going to be asked to do. Also, in relation to that, I was asked to sit on HEC's postsecondary attainment steering committee. again, things that

are going to affect our community college and some of the ways that we develop training and uh workforce programs in our area, all tied to this prosperity roadmap. Um, I also have been asked to sit on the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Board and look forward to that opportunity and we obviously have some great state parks in our area. fill um again the opportunity to bring some of our local needs to that statewide committee. Well, thanks Sarah. That's great. And uh we expect you to really bring it all went down to this area, right? I know you'll do your best. Jacob, I've got no comments and I certainly can't follow that one. So,

can I just make one comment in regards to to Councelor Stevens? um in a small town we wear many hats and now you're representing this community at the state level. I've had the opportunity to do that uh with Travel Oregon and it's a huge commitment of time. Uh you just talked about four boards that you're giving you service to which pay absolutely nothing um in um in regards to the love of this community in this state. So, I just hope everyone recognizes that many of us who sit here uh wear multiple hats uh in celebration of this community. Thank you.

And if I could just add one thing to that, the the pay that we get is the benefit of having a voice at the table, having a seat at the table, and I appreciate that you're doing that. So my comment is going to be that I just enjoy and glad to see the interaction of the public and it's wonderful to see out in East Side looking out at Empire and down Front Street. Uh without that interaction we as uh serving for you, we don't know where to go sometimes and so your comments make a big difference and I hope you always keep that in mind and I'm going to end it on that night. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Thank you everyone. Have a good night. Uh we have Oh, I sorry. We got an urban renewal meeting. So we're going to end this one and we'll start the urban renewal meeting. We need a couple minutes, Christie.