City Council - Regular Meeting

Comment period. Individuals shall not engage in personal attacks, shall not impugn the 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 counsel. I've read it a few times. So unfortunately, we have to read this and we didn't used to have to do that But nowadays it's happened. So we have some council. I mean the ones that are on the roster Tracy Pierce It's good to see you and you're with the Star of Hope now and I think that's who you're representing, correct? Yes But you don't have to. You can speak on other things.

No, that's what I'm going to speak on. I'm really short, so we're going to go like this. Okay. Good evening. My name is Tracy Pierce. I live in North Bend, and I work in Coos Bay as the Community Resource Manager for Star of Hope for one week. For more than 50 years, Star of Hope has been providing services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Coos and Curry counties. Today, we operate 12 group homes, including four located in Coos Bay, as well as our day services activities. And with our new building, we'll be adding even more day service activities works. Very excited about. We are growing. We're currently relocating from our Empire location to our new facility on 6th Street in Coos Bay. This new building will not only provide a modern accessible space for our programs, but it will also allow us to increase the number of individuals we serve through our day program, expanding opportunities for community involvement, skill development, and meaningful activities. As one of the larger nonprofit employers, Star of Hope employs approximately 120 to 150 people and operates with an annual budget of more than $10 million. And those are dollars that stay right here in our local communities. As part of our new building project, we have launched our Adopt a Tree program To meet City of Coos Bay landscaping requirements, we must plant trees based on the number of parking spaces at our new location. Community members and businesses can support this effort by sponsoring a tree. We offer five levels of sponsorship, providing a meaningful way to help beautify our campus while supporting our mission and expansion. I would also like to invite you to our upcoming Dancing with the Stars fundraiser on June 20th at the Hales Center for the Performing Arts. Our local stars have been selected and are already working hard to prepare an exciting evening of entertainment. Community members are encouraged to vote for their favorite star and join us at the event to support Star of Hope's programs and services.

Thank you. Thank you. So when's the new facility going to be open?

I would love to say middle of July. We're going to give them some grace because we're kind of pushing them along very quickly. So hoping.

Thank you. Thank you.

Tracy, on the Adopt a Tree program, is that on your website, that information?

It absolutely is. And if anybody would like to reach out to me personally, I have some brochures that they can look at as well.

Great. And then I also had a question. Where, again, is the new campus going to be?

The new campus is located at 1875 North 6th Street. So right next to Northwest Natural.

Okay. Oh, okay. All right. You just started thinking that because that's where you were before. All right. Robert Frost? Trout. Trout. I'm sorry. I apologize. How are you this evening?

Fine.

Okay. This is a... medical report I'm going to read for the people of Coos Bay. Combined ADAMTS10 and ADAMTS117 inactivation exacerbates bone shortening and skin phenotypes. Abstract, Wilmarchi-Sani syndrome is characterized by severe short stature, joint contractures, tight skin, Heart valve and eye anomalies. WMS is caused by biallelic mutations in ADAMTS10, ADAMTS17, or LTBP2, or monoallelic mutations in FBN1. Because bone growth is driven by chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy in the growth plates, the genetics of WMS suggests that the affected extracellular matrix proteins contribute to chondrocyte and growth plate collagen 6. TS10 and ADAMTS17 deficient skin fibroblasts, fibronectin deposition was impaired concomitant with aberrant intracellular accumulation of fibrillogen 1. Oh, that was tough. I have to give that up. It's a little bit too tough for me, surgery and everything.

Great. Thank you. Steve Snyderman.

Thank you, Mayor Benetti, counselors and guests. My name is Steve Schneiderman. I'm a lifetime resident of Coos Bay and I also work in Coos Bay. And this is kind of a repeat of a public comment from a year ago. I served the city of Coos Bay as a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. I served as a president of the Coos Bay Volunteer Firefighters Association. And I served two terms as president of the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association. And so I am still a life member of both organizations. Last year about this time, I talked to you about homeless situation, specifically around the Coos Bay Firefighters Memorial. And last week, there was a couple of gentlemen that spent five days and five nights at that site. And I took pictures just today that I'd like to give you. As you can see in the pictures, the top picture is, of course, from a distance. But the two gentlemen sitting back there and all their stuff on top of the monument, a razor, beer cap, cigarettes, and yes, human waste and toilet paper. And that is just so unacceptable for that sacred ground. When we spoke a year ago, one of the suggestions that you were going to look at was making that private property. Not a lawyer, didn't play one on TV, don't know what it takes to do that, but if possible, I would suggest that the city lease that area to organization maybe the Coos Bay Volunteer Firefighters Association maybe the Coos Bay Downtown Association but somebody so it can become private property and more enforceable for this type of activity. I'm here tonight representing myself, but I'm also a representative of the Carpenter family and the Randy Carpenter Memorial Foundation. They're aware that I'm speaking tonight And I know that your policy is to not engage in conversation on public comment, but that kind of was thrown out the door last month on the Home Depot issue, and I would entertain any comments, feelings, questions about this.

Well, I think it's at the discretion of the council We've been a little lax in but we have a policy tonight that allows us to have interaction and discussion So that being the case, I don't know if anyone wants to go first But is this something that we can do in the coal or look into how about the memorial foundation? taking it on also instead of you know, I don't know how we can get there and take care of it, but Even if so, anyway, I don't know if it's possible.

I

So we can certainly ask Nate, which is probably where we were last year, and we don't have a resolution to that. I guess the other question, and I think we probably talked about this in the meeting, but does, in fact, private ownership impact our ability to police that area, regulate it differently? And the other thing I would say, if we are to lease it, we would want to be mindful about who that ownership goes to because it could create a tax situation. If we lease public property to a private individual or corporation who is taxable, they'd have to pay property taxes on that.

So my question is to Staff is is there some reason that we're allowing? I mean, I understand it's public property but we have control of our park areas in That it says you cannot be in there after hours Which would might alleviate some of the excrement problems that we're having because there's nothing available but You can't access the cemetery by the high school without going through a gate. And we certainly wouldn't want this gated. I mean, there are options that we have in other parks, so why does that not apply here? I'm not sure that this is designated as a park.

Maybe we should designate it a memorial park. Could be that. I guess the other thing, I mean, if we knew five days, five nights, like, we have a number to call. Like, the fact that it went more than that is concerning, both on our part and anyone who saw that. I think we'd want to know that day one, right? Yeah, but I wanted to monitor I was hoping that you know on night one I was just hoping it was a one-off and but then and then I decided to see how long it did last Yeah, and not to say that that's your obligation But if we do have concerns and we want to address them when right, you know timely when it's happening So and I don't know at the time like what was happening that I mean because we can kind of see that space from any of our offices here.

I know that our police department is busy with more pressing matters, but on my way to work quite often, I do see foot patrols around the library property.

Well, yeah, but that's security that they hire themselves, right?

Yeah, the library has their own security.

And I know our- No, I see Coos Bay police officers.

Well, they drive around there, but they have their own security, Steve.

Okay, I understand. All right. But I see Coos Bay police officers walking around there too. Okay.

Well, yeah, I just, you know, it's, it's probably on there. Uh, I mean, if you would have called them, I believe the captain can respond to this, that if you would have called them and said, Hey, there's a problem there, they probably would have kept an eye on it. Uh, I know our resource officer, uh, if there's an issue with a problem, like we had on the waterfront, um, some people are drinking homeless. He was there and took care of it. And then he banned him for a certain amount of time. We just, I think they need to know about it, but I don't want to speak for you. Go ahead.

Yes, I would agree absolutely if you call us like we will absolutely come down there I can see actually the memorial from my window in my office So I frequently on daytime hours like if I hear noise or people yelling I'm instantly down there It's my understanding based on the code that the fireman's memorial does fall within the parks plan So it gives us a lot of kind of authority from the police department standpoint to be able to take action if people are smoking drinking or camping in there they can instantly be excluded from that property for 30 days on the first occurrence and And so I have really been directing our patrol staff to make that, along with other public places around the city, a priority for our enforcement. And I know our guys have been down there a lot, but we're limited. So any time a citizen wants to call and help us out, we appreciate the force multiplier when it comes to that. And obviously, I haven't seen the pictures, so I don't know exactly who you're talking about, though I probably am familiar. We're really making an intentional effort to be around the downtown area and be in contact with folks and really address and curb this type of behavior. Because I couldn't agree with you more about what this memorial stands for and how it should be treated amongst the people that reside in our community and visit our community. So it is certainly a priority for the police department. And though I understand the private property, there's a lot of enforcement authority that the city has right now being under public property and the way it's kind of set up through our code. So...

Yeah, and I'm extra passionate about this because we were a four-person Indian company that responded, and I'm the only one of that company that's alive, and it just is extra special to me.

Sure. So would it matter if it's public or private? I mean, if this is a park or public, would it change the oversight on this or anything?

Just in my opinion, I think the way we have it set up right now under public property gives the police department a lot of authority to take action just on behalf of the city of Coos Bay. If it transfers ownership and becomes private property, now I have to have the private property owner involved in the criminal justice enforcement process where I couldn't just arbitrarily take action on my own, right? Similar if it was your business, I need you, the business owner, involved. It would kind of fall under that same thing. There's also some state laws that prevent, like, abuse of a venerated object, and so it's actually a C misdemeanor, I think, through state law, and we have, I personally have, arrested people for literally desecrating this memorial, and so it gives us some authority under state law, just under its current context, to take, like, criminal action against folks doing this type of activity.

So if it were private property, then that would have to be processed through the criminal justice system. The property owner would have to...

Correct. Essentially be the victim of whatever criminal activity may have occurred there. Correct.

And it sounds like from the explanation we just got, there's more latitude or availability for the police to take care of this under the scenario that it's at. So with that being said, I think, unless you disagree, that we should leave it the way it is, inform the police when you see a problem, and obviously this will come to their attention now, and I'm sure they'll be on top of it. That's my thought.

I have a question. So what I thought I heard you say is with the policy, if we see defecation, smoking, or drinking, that can be an instant 30-day ban. Is that correct?

Correct. Really, it's any sort of criminal law violation. So if they're, say, using drugs or doing other activities there, if they're camping there, because it's a park, they're not allowed to camp there, similar to the Boardwalk, John Toppins Park, Mingus Park. It all falls kind of within the park plan. And so there's never any camping allowed in any city park. And so anytime that activity is going on, it's easy for us to take enforcement action if there's a blatant city code violation. During the daytime, yes, they can sit on the bench. Yes, they can sit there. So long as they're following the rules set forth by the municipal code. Even after hours, I'd have to read if this one has hours restricting access. I think all of our parks do at 10 p.m. They all restrict them unless they're designated otherwise, dust till dawn. And so if our officers aren't familiar with that, I can help train them up on that. I truly think we've been making a lot of enforcement efforts around a lot of our public spaces, and I'll just remind them that this one needs to be on them. It's close to home, so it's easy for us to get to.

Just for patrol's sake, like on a drive-by, they position themselves between the Maltese cross and the wall, so you can't see them unless you get out of your vehicle.

Frankly speaking, there's electrical outlets back there, which is why they're there.

Yeah. Thank you.

All right, thanks. So on the electrical outlets, should we not have them there? Is there a reason to have the electrical outlets there? Do we need them? Yeah. We do?

We have had events there where you wanted sound, but whether or not they're locked, if we can lock them, you know, put some devices on there to lock them.

It was, the electrical was put in, you know, when it was built.

You have to come back up, Steve.

Like now we have battery-operated leaf blowers and stuff. But before, you know, you plugged in with an extension cord to blow the leaves off the area and stuff. And, yeah, for special events, we've had speakers set up. Yeah.

All right. Chief, did you want to add anything? Atkins?

And I want to say, you know if people if people see that activity after hours, you know We have a pretty easy non emergent line I know

that it feels like you're calling a lot because I know you have called a lot. But equally as much, our law enforcement are there a lot as well. And so it's just do our part, make a phone call. I know it feels like we shouldn't have to or like it's too much and you don't want to be a bother, but do it. And it's not just you, Steve. Community members should as well.

All right. Are there any other public comments? Even if you didn't sign up, you're more than welcome to come up and make a comment if you'd like. Anyone? All right. I'll close the public comments, and we'll go to the consent calendar. And, Council, how would you like to proceed on the consent calendar?

I move we approve the consent calendar. Second.

Have a question. So if I've read this correctly this grant we're applying for has a 40% match by the city So how much are we applying for and so what would our grant percentage be or do we have that information? And the grant you're referring to Calendar is for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department local government grant program for the Mingus Park inclusive playground revitalization project. I

And I know we are applying to grants for that match piece, so we would not have to cover that full.

Potentially we'd have to, but hopefully not.

And generally on that, can we use any staff time that's involved with that? Yes, in kind. Never fails, huh?

I know. Dang password.

Oh, don't talk to me about passwords. I'm three times a charmer.

Yeah, that might have been my story, too.

Nicole, while you're bringing that up, I'll just say that the South Coast Regional Early Learning Hub that is under the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board does have some grants open and available. So I'll send you that information so that we can make sure to meet that match requirement.

Yeah, great. Thank you. So this is... Yeah, it doesn't say that. So that is a great question. We'll certainly have to ask.

Yeah, it wasn't in the report. I did look, so that's why I was asking. Okay, so you'll let us know. We'll have to ask. Okay, all right. With that being the case, any other questions on the consent calendar, anyone? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Any opposed? Hearing none, it passes. Thank you. Consideration to approve Pride Month proclamation. Nicole, you want to give the...

Yes, thank you. I'm prepared for this one. Okay. June is recognized as Pride Month, providing an opportunity to acknowledge and support members of the LGBTQIA2S plus community while reaffirming the City of Coos-based commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful community for all residents and visitors. This Pride Month has long origins, back to events that occurred originally in June of 1969. And the city of Coos Bay has been recognizing Pride Month for several years, again, just to make sure that we're recognizing the folks that live here with us as part of community and their support of our activities. I mean, all the things they add to the richness of our community. So I don't know if...

So does one of the counselors want to read the proclamation? Or do you want Nicole to read it? It's open.

I'm happy to, if there's not a... Okay, so the proclamation. Whereas the month of June was designated Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Inn incident, which occurred in June 1969, and is generally recognized as the catalyst of the LG... BTQ plus rights movement. And whereas the strength of our community lies in our shared values of respect, compassion, and neighborliness. And whereas residents of all backgrounds, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, contribute to the social, cultural, economic life of our town and community. Whereas, our community strives to be a place where families feel supported, young people are encouraged to be themselves, and all citizens are respected for who they are. And whereas, acknowledging Pride Month affirms our commitment to the civility, mutual understanding, and the well-being of all members of our community.

Now, therefore, I, Joe Bonetti, Mayor of the City of Coos Bay, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of Coos Bay and encourage all residents to uphold the value of kindness, inclusion, and community spirit throughout the month and beyond. With that being the case, I need a motion and a second, please, to adopt this.

I'll move to approve the proclamation designating June 2026 as Pride Month. Second.

It's been moved and seconded to approve the Pride Month proclamation. Is there any other comments or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Hearing none, it passes. Oh, and Carmen Matthews, Councilor Matthews, and Councilor Krimis are both with us now. Sorry I didn't recognize you earlier.

Let's see.

Consideration to adopt Resolution 26-14, authorizing participation in the medical expenses reimbursement plan for certain nonrepresented fire employees. Chief Atkins.

Good evening. A couple months ago, you approved the successor collective bargaining agreement between the CFQ-SPAY and IFF 2935. With that agreement, we included a MERP, a medical expense reimbursement program, that allows for firefighters, once they retire, to use those funds to help pay for eligible retirement expenses, whether it's insurance premiums or other medical expenses. With that MERP, the way it was set up, it was only for current IAFF members. So for any members who promoted out, such as our battalion chiefs promoting out of the union, they would not be eligible. So the resolution allows us to continue to make those contributions after they've promoted out, before they retire into the program.

So would this also go in effect for the ones that have already retired or not, just the ones that are in and then going out and retiring?

Yeah, just for current IFF members. So anyone that's already promoted out, myself or the three battalion chiefs we currently have, are ineligible for the MERC program. So it would just be anyone that is currently an IFF member that later on would promote out.

Well, I'm glad we're doing this. I think it's something that's important, so thanks. Well, I hope we do it. So with that being the case, do you have any questions for the chief? Hearing none, I need a question.

I do have a question. I just want to make sure. This was part of the collective bargaining agreement, right? So that is why we're moving forward as part of that agreement? Yeah. Thank you.

OK. If there's no more questions, if you agree, I need a motion to adopt this resolution.

I move we approve the resolution authorizing employee and city contributions to the IAFF medical expense reimbursement plan for eligible fire department employees. Second.

It's been moved and seconded to adopt resolution 26-14. Any other discussion, comments? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, it passes. Next item on the agenda is consideration to adopt a public comment policy. Nicole?

Yes, thank you. We have, staff has prepared this draft public comment policy for your review and adoption here tonight. The goal with this was to establish some written procedures around things we are already actively using in the meeting regarding how we both receive and manage public comment. This gives some procedures for particular situations, such as in person, written, and virtual comment, as well as expectations for the speakers providing that comment, and then how we manage those written, you know, those comments afterwards. We did present this at the work session and had some discussion around that. From that discussion, we've made some modifications both to our website and what's included in the packet to hopefully make it a little bit easier for folks to interact with public comments, not just here in person. We are asking to potentially review and discuss and hopefully adopt this policy, which will give us some tools to work with.

Yes, we never have had a policy before. We just have had council rules that we have been following. Correct. But the council rules will still be in place, and then we'll have an actual policy also.

Yes.

Is there any other comments or discussion on this, anyone? No questions? Would someone like to make a motion to adopt, please?

I'll make a motion to adopt the public comment policy. Second. Second.

It's been moved and seconded to adopt the public comment policy. Any other comments? Silent group tonight, quiet group. With that being the case, I'll call for the question. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Hearing none, it passes. All right, city manager's report.

Okay, so the first thing unplanned I'm going to start with is I remembered we have a grant tracking form that's saved on our network. So the local government grant program, we are asking for a $343,000. making the 40% match $228,977. So we will still be working towards meeting that $228,000 match goal. And then the last, I didn't prepare many items here tonight. I've been wearing a couple hats, having just recently bought a house, and Kusbe was doing some remodeling to it, so kind of trying to split time a little bit. But I did want to, I'm sure most everyone here knows, but more of a public kind of thing, that elections will open up for many communities and ours opens tomorrow. There's a process by which if you have interest in getting on the ballot, you can stop in City Hall and there's a process either to collect signatures or complete a form and pay a fee to be a part of that process. So that's what I have for tonight. Okay.

Nicole, I had a few questions. Our last I think council meeting there was a conversation about railing and we agreed on the boardwalk and we agreed going forward we were going to have a plan that would be presented with And we all agreed to that and then I don't think the public knows that what we learned we had railing purchased and what we learned was that there is a federal requirement that we have to have some sort of railing placed there. And so I just wanted to make sure that the public knew that the reason, even though we had an engaged conversation about things that we would do moving forward, in the interim that railing had to go up as a federal requirement because we're next to a railroad. Is that correct?

That's correct. So not just the federal requirement, but we actually leased that because of the adjacency to the rail. That's a leased area that the city leases from. historically Southern Pacific, but now currently the International Port of Cuspe is the owner of that. So it's both in our lease agreement, but it's enforceable by the Federal Rail Agency, I think.

Yeah, but if I understand. You checked with the port director, the executive director, and she made sure. Yes, she confirmed. So it's a federal regulation. It's not that the port is asking us to do that. Agreed. Okay. Agreed.

But we'd want to acknowledge that relationship between the two entities. But yes, the enforcement would come from a higher level. And because we already had that railing, that's the choice that was made in the interim.

so perfect i just wanted to make sure that the public knew that the second question i have in regards to the boardwalk is we had talked about moving forward with a contract to manage the grounds there and so given that it is june 2nd today i wondered when we would expect to see the flowers and the weed whacking and all those things done by that contract contracted um

Yeah, so we are right now working on a scope of work because we want to be really thoughtful around when we want that work to be done. For example, we don't want it to be done on a Monday, weekly, because by the weekend that could be a different situation. And then a few other details that we want to be really specific about, stuff's working on that as we speak right now. And in the interim, we'll be performing as much of that as they can and or getting someone out to do some power washing that doesn't require a contractual obligation. Great.

So with that said, the question I would have for you is, I'm usually the one who is all about fullness of time, but it is June 2nd and the tourists are here. And I know that the staff does everything they can to try to keep that boardwalk looking tidy. Unfortunately, as we talked about at the last council meeting, we just don't have enough team members. So when would we expect to see that complete and that contract in place so we're not burdening our employees and having it contracted as this council requested it to be?

Yeah, and I can appreciate that request. We have public procurement rules, so we have timelines associated with that. I'm just asking the question. Yep, absolutely. I'm not sure exactly where we are with our scope creation and...

Yes, the scope should be completed sometime this week or very early next week. We'll have to advertise that, get that out for a minimum of two weeks. We can also do some phone calls and try to let them know that that's out there and that opportunity's out there for them to submit a quote on. But again, in the interim, we are trying to hire some pressure washers, some minor landscaping, just to facilitate our staff in the interim and keep it at a price point that doesn't require public procurement where we can direct a point. Okay.

And also, wasn't that something that was budgeted in the next fiscal year? So, I mean, I understand.

Well, that's July 1. It's June 2. And it's good to be real close.

I'm just saying that it sounds like they're on course to have that done, but that was financially allocated for the next fiscal year. So we're having to...

I'm just trying to make sure we stay on point, Stephanie. So that's the reason I'm asking, and I don't want to burden the staff further with having to do that, and I don't want us to get to a place where we're looking at, you know, the season has already passed, and we haven't gotten to that project.

Yeah, just to follow up, I mean, we have tourist dollars that we can use in the interim if necessary to clean this up. And I know the staff did it, but here's an example. I don't know when you did it, two weeks ago? If you go back down there today, because of the pigeons, unless we have a way to control that, it's already a mess. I mean, so it's unfortunate that that's really creating the problem, the majority of it. And I don't know what to do about it.

And that's one of the reasons why we do want to make sure we are looking at the scope thoughtfully and making sure that we put conditions in the scope of work that say you shall perform this maintenance on Thursday or Friday, not on a Monday or Tuesday because we all know what happens.

Okay, good. Well, at least we're on it. That's good.

And then just to add a little bit, we are doing a little bit of research around what to do with pigeons.

I hope so. You know, I don't understand. I don't know why. Look at Rob. If I'm down there, for instance, around the Cokewell Casino Resort, there's some pigeons, but it's nothing compared to what we have. I mean, we've got hundreds down there. So I don't know what the deal is.

They think it's their home.

They've had decades, right, to claim the space. We've got to figure out how we encourage them to find a new space to go.

I'm still going to look into those falconeers.

That's on the list. We're making some.

I know Portland did that. When we're up there for this weekend with the parade with the mayor, we can ask. How's that? Okay.

I'm wondering if there isn't some sound also that they don't like that we might be able to just play something.

We've tried lights. Yeah. I mean, we've had sound down there. Maybe it's not the sound that's offensive. Maybe a decibel that they don't know. Sean might know.

All right.

Maybe we put an ask out to the community. Help us to. Yes, that would be fine. Be nice. We're aware of many ways in which we probably should not address the pigeons.

Anything else, Nicole? All right, council comments. Sarah, let's start with you since you're on vacation and we're so kind to come in.

Thanks, Tim. Nothing from me tonight.

Okay, thank you. Troy. No comments from me tonight either.

All right.

Carmen?

Boy, we got a quiet council this week. You know, I really don't have much either. I'm just excited to see that boardwalk get cleaned up as well. And if there is a way that someone could volunteer to do a little bit of weed whacking or, you know, if we had a punch list that a private citizen would be able to do and help in some way, I would be happy to, you know, spend a few hours down there myself. Yeah. I know it's going to take a lot more than that, but, you know, if there's something I can do in the meantime, I've got my work pants on. I can go and weed whack or do something, plan a few things. So, staff, if there's a way that you could find volunteer hours for that, I'd be interested. And that's my comments.

Thanks, Carmen. Appreciate that. Ms. Senda?

No comments.

Stephanie?

Wow. Look at all that time I have. No, I'm just kidding. Just wanted to give an update from the Coos Bay Downtown Association. They are going strong with the farmer's market, and we've been hearing good things about that on Wednesdays. That is in full swing. Also, I understand that the July 4th press release has or is going out so they're already I cannot believe that it's summertime already Which then of course triggers all the activity around moving forward with the summer festival season and There's a lot of work that's being done by the committee the promotions committee for the downtown Association to get prepared for that They are way ahead of schedule That it's ever been so I'm glad to see that and then I wanted to give the council an update on the process for Filling the position for the manager that is moving forward a subcommittee is finalizing the job description, and for some reason I cannot remember the actual title that that will be, but it should be going out and done and filled by the end of July.

Was that a Main Street manager, Stephanie? Was that the title?

I believe it's a Main Street director is how they're going to title that. It's actually the Coos Bay... no it's coos bay downtown director okay thank you so they felt that that they felt that that uh encompassed more than just the main street but the front street as well could you send that to us when it's available absolutely

Okay, anything else?

Nope, that's it.

All right, so I only have one item. So I got a voice message and an email about a home peace run that's on June 18th. They bring the torch in, and last time they did this, I was here to meet them. I'm not able to on the 18th, so if there's anyone in the council who would like to do it, please let me know, and I'll give them the information. Those are the end of my comments. And so I want to thank everyone for...

Does it require running? It doesn't require running?

No. No. They bring the torch. No, you don't have to run. If you want to, I can... If you want, I guess we could get that involved.

But anyway... Because the only thing that gets me running is if somebody is chasing me.

Anyway, that's the end of my comments, and that's the end of the council meeting. I will adjourn the council meeting, but we do have an urban renewal meeting, and Stephanie runs those, and so I will adjourn our meeting, and she will open the urban renewal meeting.

And we need to take just a minute or two. Okay, we'll go ahead and keep going, except I need to log back into my computer, which takes me three times. Hang on just a second. So I will, ah, there we go. Look at that, first try. So I will go ahead and convene the meeting of the Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency, and our first item on the agenda is public comments. Do we have any public comments? All right, we have no one signed up, and it doesn't look like anybody has any comments, so we'll continue to the consent calendar. Do you have a motion?

I'll make a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the consent calendar. Any discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. And then our next item is the consideration to approve an improvement grant request for 190 Central Avenue, which is the building which houses So It Goes Coffee House.

Yeah, so I will get us started, and the folks that are making this request are here tonight, so they can definitely fill in my gaps that I leave. So they have submitted a improvement grant request. That kind of goes through a process here in-house where folks look at it. It goes out to the design assistance team. They give some feedback. And that's kind of like in a pre-app. And then if all of that looks great, then they do this formal application, which is what brings them here tonight. So they're asking to do some modifications to the site there, which would open up. some additional space adjacent to their current seating area there. They'll open up through an archway and add some air conditioning, some electrical upgrades, and they've done some architectural and engineering work. and some hot materials testing, which I think is substances that we need to be aware of in the facility, and some structural determinations to make sure that modifying the walls doesn't impact the building itself. They are estimating the cost of the project a little over $32,000. And I think that gives a round picture if you guys wanted to step up, if you guys had any questions.

John or Danielle?

Thanks very much. I'm John. This is Daniil, and we own So It Goes Coffeehouse. Thanks so much for having us here today, and thanks for all the information and help on the process. Anything that you need to know from me, I'm happy to talk about. As far as what we were looking at, It's the first time for us doing this kind of thing, so thanks again for all of the information and time that you guys have put in on this. We've got a range with a couple of the quotes. The main thrust of the change to the building would be cutting an archway through our main wall into the adjoining unit, which used to be the yoga studio next door at 180 Central. that requires just a little bit of special stuff for the way that the building is working and so we had to ahead of time have some people come in and look architectural engineer make their recommendation we had to do a little bit of demo upstairs to make sure what was inside the walls that we would be taking out whether parts of it are load bearing or not and they did a great job coming up with the plans for that and so those the architectural engineer and then the Construction group that did that work have already been paid. I think that's a little over $2,000 already and this 32,000 plus permits number that we have is is the maximum amount but it's there's Variations and the two the two main things so one is the the main thrust of the archway we've got quotes in at Let me see here. And I think you guys have copies of this, but we're at roughly right around 8 and right around 12. And then there's also the quotes for the air conditioning. And there's one for just one side and then one for if we wanted to do both sides at once. And I'll tell you, the main thing for me is the kitchen. Those girls are just, you know, so anything else is gravy. But oh my gosh, we need a back door in that thing next time. But, yeah, so those are the two main things, a little bit of electrical work that the electrical guys wanted to do to get some of the outlets updated and that kind of thing. So this is the first step in what we'll be doing, you know, with the place in there, so some more things to behold later, I'm sure, but that's the initial idea.

Well, definitely is a bright spot on that block in downtown Coos Bay.

Well, thank you.

Yeah, no, I think it's great that you're looking to do this. Again, I always have an issue with this 50-50 grant thing, and we need to change this as far as I'm concerned. I think if this agency decides to move forward on it, we should look at doing the full amount. And we've done this in the past, and so I don't see why we would make an exception and not allow that to be the case here. The only thing I want to make sure now, so is this building in good standing? I mean, don't we usually make sure that everything's up to snuff with the building so there's not going to be a problem that we have to deal with down the road?

Yeah, so it's not under any current issues with the city of Cuspe, but one of the things that we do look at is are they current with taxes? And they are the property owner, which is not the business owner. It's owned by a separate individual, is a couple of years behind in property taxes. So there is... maybe $6,000 or so balance on that.

I think it was like $4,000 in fees or something.

Yeah, with some interest on there. So traditionally, we would say that needs to be resolved before we would move forward with this. And again, that is an agency decision to move past practice. We know we've had some challenges with that property owner issue, And we know this is a well-used business on a regular basis. So, you know, finding that balance, I guess, is the challenge that you guys are kind of faced with tonight.

I just want to make sure, I mean, so in the past, if this has been an issue, what have we done? I mean, what's the criteria that we've stuck to in the past?

We would notify them that that needs to be rectified. They need to go clear those taxes.

I believe it's almost, I think I looked and it was somewhere around $6,800 in back taxes.

Have you contacted the owner by any chance about the property taxes?

The property taxes was the last thing that we found out. It was right as we were turning in the information. I'm not yet. Yeah, he's back in the country, I think, soon. And we haven't begun that discussion with him yet. I kind of wanted to get a sense of what the requirements were for you guys in – Go on from there.

Yeah, I'm not sure. The amount itself is not. I mean, my feeling is, I'm not sure how the rest of the agency members feel. I think we should go ahead and support this with the caveat that if the taxes are brought up to current, then that meets the criteria. Right. Then we go ahead and allocate the fund or the grant. That would be my recommendation.

So this is the American, what's known as the American building. Right. And I did go back and forth on it because we have had hard time communicating with the property owner.

Completely understand.

But I'm not investing in the building per se as much as I'm saying we're investing in the business and what that does for the community. Yep. I don't know if anybody else has.

It couldn't be more well said. We know we all have strong opinions about the American building and the owner of the American building and the lack of communication. But we're not supporting that. We're supporting the business owners. So it goes. And so I agree with Mayor Bonetti that as long as the owner pays for the back taxes, I think we should support this project.

i fully agree and i support the mayor's recommendation to make an accommodation to support this project at 100 percent good do other agency members have any comments uh yeah i'll chime in uh i do support uh fully funding this request uh but i i do

have hesitation with just the fact that we are investing in a building that is um maybe not the most well kept and is behind on taxes as we all are so uh um i don't know how to do it in a way that makes it so those taxes are brought up to current um Because I feel like is that actually part of our process and requirements that the buildings are at a certain level or up to like fully paid in taxes? Or does this have to happen before we invest in this project?

I believe they're two different things. The taxes are part of the process. It has to be current.

It has to be current.

So can we make a motion to go ahead and fund this up to $32,000, 100%, covered by this grant? once the Taxes are brought currently then they can be awarded the grant Can we do that or do we have to have get to them? I mean because I'm just trying to see I mean there's time frame in this so I understand where they're at if they can get all the owner they pay the taxes they show that they're paid then they can go ahead with the improvement yeah, you can absolutely do that my concern would be that this

property owner decides to not do that right they've got another essentially year and a half before they'll be to the delinquent point before the county will start to take action and I wouldn't be surprised if it takes the time there I think I also understand while they're intending to move into that space they're paying for it already so I would just be, this is a tough spot to be in, right? To help fund something that we have been frustrated with. But the longer we make it...

I completely understand the exact position. I completely get it.

It makes it hard to appreciate where they're at, you know, renting that additional space without really getting...

Well, I hear what you're saying. What I don't want to do is set a precedent because we've been down that road before with other properties where we get ourselves in trouble. So I guess the motion that I would want to propose is I'm totally fine funding to 100%. as long as the owner of the building pays the back taxes before the project starts, before the funds are distributed.

Here's something completely off the wall. We do have some other vacant properties available in downtown. And I believe that urban renewal can be used to help move and move in. And there are properties that are very closely located to where you are. Have you ever considered something like that?

Yeah, we have. Yeah, so we recently investigated a couple of properties. Would you like me to tell you about them?

We just want to make sure that you're staying local in downtown.

It's sort of a three little pigs thing, or not three little pigs, three little bears. One's too big, one's just, you know what I mean? One's just right. Yeah, so the lovely palace building. It's a wonderful opportunity, and it's just sort of an immense undertaking. We also are very lucky in the space that we're in. We've managed to kind of just capture a momentum there, and it has definitely had its challenges with the building. But we're inclined to, if we can, maintain that and expand. We're definitely the busting point as far as capacity. there's uh some other opportunities uh down the street uh closer than 101 where uh businesses have moved out and those are we're in the loop to find out once they know what they're doing with that a little more about that but um just after really going through the lay of the land in terms of our end of things um this looks this seemed to be the the way that we would love to go. But it's certainly not the only thing that can happen. And it's definitely got the circumstances that you guys have been discussing to deal with. And we're right there with you on those.

So let me see if I can make a motion that'll work for everyone.

OK. Councillor Matthews has a question. Oh, I'm sorry. OK, go ahead, Councillor Matthews.

Yeah, I guess just before we go to motions, you know, I'm sensing that we are all kind of feeling a hesitation to invest. in this building, not necessarily investing in your business. So I think Councilor Kilmer said this, or President Kilmer said this absolutely correctly. That's where we wanna help you. But when you were going to turn in this application and then found out how delinquent the taxes are on this building, does that not call to question your investment in this building? And I think- It 100% does. So I'm just, I really appreciate the, like, going out and, you know, Councilor Kimler asking the question. I just, you know, the hesitation that I have is pretty substantial just because I do not appreciate the way the building ownership participates in this community. And that is a struggle that I have with wanting to invest taxpaying dollars into it. I do want to do this, especially if it's for things like architectural facade and air conditioning, all of those things sound great. But I just would hate for this to be a short-term thing where it becomes an issue that the county then has to take action on the property owner later down the line, or if you are just struggling because this relationship is stressed already. I want to support you guys. I'm just I'm struggling to really be behind doing that particular thing. So hopefully Mayor Benetti has a good option.

So I don't have a good option. So the question is, I guess, John, do you want to move forward on this and if that's the case under the scenario that's been discussed?

If. if it's uh feasible for you and um it i'll put it this way i would completely understand if it is not you know i i i'm this no problem i understand it's i i think the benefit is you're you're going to move forward with this plan regardless is what what no no no i don't believe we would

Well, I think so it goes, as we've all talked about. I think it's a wonderful business. I'm going to call it an anchor in our downtown area that everyone likes. I definitely understand you busting at the seams. I'm there many times. And I see that, and it's wonderful to have. So I think that we need to give him an option, and this is me. I'm Mr. Ramblin' with Seals. So I think I'll make a motion to approve the improvement grant to 100%, not to exceed $32,256, with the condition that the property taxes be brought up to current statement, or currently, so that they have to be paid in full before we allocate any funds towards this project. That would be my motion.

Second.

There you can have the discussion. OK, thank you.

So I'll now open it up for discussion. And I'll just, because I'm devil's advocate and I do this, you want full funding on something that we're uncertain on when we could go back and actually have an application possibly come forward for the other 50%. So fund 50%, and then Do the other 50% through another application?

Well, I don't know.

Because we're in two fiscal. We could be in two fiscal years.

I know, but just the end of June, we have to start a new fiscal year July 1. But the thing is, is we've in the past have funded 100%. No, I understand.

But we're saying we're hesitant. And we're going full 100% with not understanding if they can't even communicate with them.

Well, then the grant's not granted, because the property taxes have been brought current. If they're not brought current, then the funds can't be expedited or given.

I just wonder, it gives no leverage to the property owner to say, hey, you have to take care of this.

Yeah, it does. Well, they're not going to have this happen unless the property is given. OK. That's my take. But anyway, I don't know how anyone else feels.

Well, I guess, Stephanie, to comment on your point, what we've heard is the property owner is out of the country. We've heard that the property owner is going to come back into the country soon, we think. We've heard that... I mean, the new budget year is, I mean, by the time I think all of this happens, it would be in the next budget, I'm assuming, Nicole?

uh yes but if you make a decision today we will um start it this fiscal year yeah it would be in this fiscal year and then whatever carryover we have that's tied to this not spent would become part of next year's will come to you you know like we usually do with carryover differences with supplemental budget to make sure we're bringing those funds in the next year these funds are available right Correct, yes.

100%.

But just to be clear, they can't be spent until the taxes are paid.

Correct. So just today, we have 100% funding ability for this today in this fiscal year. Let's say nothing happens, and we aren't asked to reimburse costs until August 2nd. We're going to bring these $32,000 whatever dollars into next year as part of carryover. You approved it, and this year it becomes kind of a payable.

Yeah.

Yeah. OK. All right.

My understanding of the motion is that, if I'm understanding you correctly, Mayor Benetti, was that it's contingent on the back taxes being paid. Is that correct?

Yes. Yes.

And I just want to make sure, and it's maybe none of my business, that we're going to have the owner pay the back taxes, not you two.

Yeah, we've... yeah it's it's i i okay yeah i just wouldn't yeah makes me feel better so you wouldn't pay those we're requiring the owner to do it yes my my first instinct is always to move you know but um i i just yeah she's pretty adamant okay thank you that helps okay is there any further discussion on the motion

All right, then I will go ahead and ask, how does the agent, oh, we already have a motion. So all those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed? Aye.

I don't think we have a second. Joe, did we get a second?

Yeah, I made the motion.

Yes, and Sarah, no, Sarah seconded it. I was going to say, we wouldn't have a discussion if, yeah. It's all good. We're on the right track. Okay, so that was clear as mud, and I'm sorry.

What happened? What happened is the motion carried. Well, you know. Right, you heard something.

And the grant was approved at 100%. contingent on the taxes, the back taxes being paid up to current.

Thanks very much, you guys. I really appreciate it. I'm very sorry for putting you guys through this.

And again, I want to say, again, from at least me, and I am assuming from the rest of the agency, that this is an investment in your business. You've been a great merchant in downtown. Thank you. And I appreciate it. all the things that you're doing and the support that you give to this community through your business.

Well, it's an honor to be here. Thank you for having us.

I just was going to also add to their, you know, to acknowledge when we found out about the property taxes, they did consider pulling back because they knew the rules and we Administration said no, this is a great topic to bring forth not because we thought there would be a different outcome But it continues to create a story as to why this is a problematic Space for us and we are gonna maybe approach it from a different angle because of that. So Thanks for giving us okay. Thank you.

Thank you guys for and you never know this babe or We may run out of road on this particular thing, and maybe you'll see us again another time.

Well, know that there's other options as well. And again, appreciate all that you do. And it is important that people know that we're being good stewards of the money that we use.

100%, yeah. Thank you. It's very responsible. I appreciate it. Thanks.

All right. Well, congratulations. Thank you all. With that, we are adjourned.