City Council - Regular Meeting

things up. Call us to order for March 30th, 2026. First thing we're going to do is silence our cell phones. Second, we're going to remind ourselves that as we gather today, the land on which the city of Hood River sits is the ancestral home of indigenous peoples. This includes the Nespers, Umatillaa, Warm Springs, Yakama, and other tribes who stewarded this land for generations. We recognize the lasting impact of colonialism and commit to working together for a more just and sustainable future. I'm going to point out that Councelor Rivera is with us online. Hey, Glattus. Thanks for being here. Now, let's stand and uh say the pledge pledge of allegiance.

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. City Manager Abigail is in Sitka, Alaska at a conference. I'm so pleased she's up there broadening her expertise to serve us all even better. Dustin Nielson is serving as city manager tonight. Dustin, do we have any agenda additions or corrections?

No additions or corrections. The main substance of the meeting tonight was going to be the appeal of the planning commission's decision about the large hotel by the Hood River News building. There has been a number of legal developments which exceed my legal expertise, which is not a not saying much. Um, so I'm going to rely heavily on our staff to explain what's going to happen. I do have a script. So, at the at the moment, I will call call the uh call the hearing to order. Is that right, Dan? I call to order the March 30, 2026 hearing of the Hood River City Council to hear an appeal in file number 2220 2025-15 by the applicant line 29 architecture challenging the planning commission's denial of a site plan for a hotel at 419 State Street. Let me start with some necessary disclosures by members of the city council. In considering this appeal, the council is required to render an impartial decision. This means we cannot have a personal financial stake in the outcome or a bias that would prevent us from making an impartial decision and we must base our decision solely on facts in the record and criteria in the code. Before we begin, I will call for the disclosure of potential bias, exparte contacts, and conflicts of interest from each counselor. Anyone in the audience will then have the opportunity to question any of any of us about those disclosures for no particular reason. I'll start to my right. Anna, do you have anything to declare at this time?

Oh, excuse me. Thank you.

Preface this because there's a an ex party contact I think everyone has been exposed to. Um it is I'll call the plan B uh project uh alternative for this hotel is a scaleown hotel and some housing units I think at least 75% housing um that has gone through a preapp there's a a website and there's been a neighborhood meeting and uh it's now crystallized in your record because we received two procedural objections and one of them from uh Mike Connors goes into some detail about this plan B. So that's in the record and it's not materialized as an application yet. So I think all of you have been exposed to it. I think what's in the record describes the substance of it. And so on the assumption that some of you have are aware of this, go ahead. I don't you don't need to go into a whole lot of detail because it's in the record already. So that's I just No, I know that's coming. So go ahead. Thank Thank you, J.

Anna, you're brave to go first, Y.

Okay. I have no bias and no conflicts of interest as far as exparte communications uh go. This application has or the neighborhood meeting was held on March 19th, more than a year ago, uh March 19th of 2025. And I've had multiple conversations with neighbors and community members in the past year on this topic. um conversations were about you know general feelings others people's general feelings and concerns and I listened um I didn't learn anything factual or new but um I did in the last three days receive 24 emails and I think maybe you all did too in support or I'm sorry 23 in opposition and one in support and I read all of those um but then yeah just what Dan mentioned that's in the record that's all the ex like that's not really exparte but um information that I have on uh on this particular matter.

Yes, sir.

Yes, I also received and read the same emails. I read the packet which has the information about the alternative proposal. I drive by the site daily on my way to work and to council. Um I'm also uh so the property owner Eagle Newspapers is my former employer. I was an employee at the Hood News for several years. I left Hood Renews in 2017 and have no financial stake in the property. Um, however, as a former employee, I am very familiar with both the property and the current building. Um, and I over the past several months have received, you know, numerous personal interactions with individuals who had interest in this. And I told them the same thing every time. I can't discuss it. And that was the end of the conversations. much the same as my colleagues. I uh have no financial conflict of interest in this matter. Doesn't I don't stand to profit one way or the other. Um I I believe I will make a judgment based on the the facts of the case presented in the record. I don't think I am biased and I don't think I have had any exparte contacts that would uh that would add additional facts to the to the matter like like I here described plenty of opinions in the coffee shop and whatnot but uh haven't haven't told people which way I'm leaning or that's that's for this session not for that so nothing to declare there uh no bias no financial uh conflicts of interest no potential conflicts of interest uh exparte a drive by it every single day. Uh aware of the building, the property, um like others, aware that there is a plan B that's been introduced. Uh have not participated or read any materials related to that. Uh also received uh numerous emails. Did not read the emails uh for uh you know to keep away from exparte contacts. Um

so yeah, nothing to disclose for me,

right? Um, like others, no bias, no direct financial um, uh, connection to this. Uh, full disclosure, I own the Westcliff Lodge, another hotel that operates here. It's longest local operating hotel in Hood River. Yay. Um, drive by or walk by or am in the area uh, every day of this property. Take my daughter to um, uh, story time at the library on Thursdays. So I'm I'm by the property regularly. Um the only exparte contact of factual reference is uh constituent by Joe O'Neal got into a conversation with me about this property and argued that a number of folks that go to the library on a very regular basis use the parking lot for public purpose. and I corrected him and said that it is a is private property and so it is not open for just public uh parking even though a number of folks historically have have been able to use it. Um I have received a number of emails as other counselors have in support or opposition and no other exparte contacts or conflicts from my end.

Thank you counselor Amanda pretty much the same. no bias, no conflicts of interest. Um, I'm by the site a lot and have heard of the plan B, but I don't know much many details about it. Um, and have had conversations with people and read emails. So, that's Thank you, counselor. Does anyone in the audience or the C Oh, excuse me, Glattus. Thank you. Online. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Uh, no bias, no conflict. I'm not It doesn't look like you're muted, but I don't hear you. Can you hear me? Nope. Not. I'll let you know. Not yet.

It's turning green, says Doug. So, it looks like it's talking to us, but Jen, can you hear me now? Off perhaps. Oh, hang on. Can you hear me now? Now we got it. We got it. We got We solved it. Great. Great. Thank you. Uh, no bias, no conflict of interest. Similar to you all, I've received emails that that we all have access to the packets. Uh I too drive by the site, walk by this site, but besides that, nothing else to report. Thank you.

Thank you, counselor. Does anyone in the audience or on the council have any questions on any disclosure, expart contact, bias, or conflict of interest, or otherwise challenge the participation of any member of the council?

Yes, Grant. Uh just before we get going, just wanted to do one thing really quick just to help everybody out and um take care of something really quick. Um wrote I even wrote down um before we proceed um I wanted to be because this is such a fun issue. I want to be transparent with the public. Um I am ch I am choosing to recuse myself from this discussion uh and this application. This is not required by law. I uh may be recalled to council should I need be. Um but I believe this community um uh the the community's confidence in this council's decision matters more than my participation in a single vote. um when there's any reason uh even some significant perception um given given my industrial involvement and whatnot in this industry uh that uh my involvement could in any way cast doubt on the outcome um stepping aside is the right thing to do. Uh I want to the public to uh and the applicant to know that this decision will be made on its merits by people with no reason to be questioned and uh this is what Hood River deserves. So

thank you counselor a self challenge. I didn't actually. Yes Jan go ahead. Um normally uh Grant would have to like step down from the dis before we launch into the hearing but um as you know we have procedural matters to deal with first. So I think there it would be appropriate if he wants to participate as the procedural objections are resolved and and then step down for the reasons he stated unless any of you have an objection to that or the members of the public out there they have they can weigh in on these disclosures as well right now. Thank you. What's what's your preference green? I'll let you do what you feel comfortable.

I'll just head out right now. That's fine. Great. Thank you. Seeing seeing seeing no others the notice for tonight's hearing excuse me thank you uh anyone online like Mike Connors or uh applicants uh attorneys for council or not attorneys for council nobody's online

so I don't think is for the Yes. Don't feel shy. I mean, this is how this works, sir. Anybody would anybody like to say any Great. I'll I'll carry on in that case. Thank you. The notice for tonight's hearing reflected the process described in our city code, which doesn't exactly fit the dynamic we have here, where the applicant appeals a planning commission denial that was based on a single criterion. The notice anticipated a closed record with summary oral argument only by the applicant who has appealed after the notice was issued. However, we received two procedural objections. And if you're saying what am I talking about? I'm also quot saying what am I talking about? This is like a legal thing that's happening now that feel free to our our lawyers here to revise. Two procedural objections from opponents to the project who also wish to provide argument in the matter. These parties ask for the opportunity to present argument to us in this appeal. Let me turn this over to the city attorney and city planner for their recommendation on the proper process. Thank you, John.

Thank you. Um, when figuring out the process to follow on these local appeals, you follow your code, which is supposed to reflect state law and the statutory procedures for public participation. And I I think it does sort of, but your code anticipates um something other than an applicant who is denied at the planning commission level and appeals. And so the process that the code provides is what is in the notice. Um but the procedural objections we received uh were from people who want to uh the objection I think is based partly on the fact that the applicant can provide summary legal argument that they would like to re rebut anything that the applicant might say to you in a summary legal argument and number two uh urge you to adopt the planning commission's decision. Um because in theory and your code doesn't really reflect this but in theory you could come up with a whole different decision that no one anticipates and it everyone in the audience their head would explode if you did that but it's happened. it's happened and then you can get all kinds of procedural objections depending upon whether and to what degree people were allowed to participate at this second level because understand at the planning commission there were how many hearings? Several hearing nights with oral arguments and public comments written and and zoomed in and presented personally um largely in opposition to the project. Um and so this this proceeding uh anticipates that it'll be based on all the evidence that's already in the record. So no new evidence should be part of what's going on. Um that's why that plan B episode was was sort of important to get that out there. It's not evidence that's

material to this application. Uh it's just it's just out there as a preapp pre-application conference. Um but also uh the the applicant has appealed this the single issue upon which the planning commission denied this and if you were to conjure up a whole different decision people would say hey I didn't appeal this decision the planning commission's decision because basically I won and now I'm kind of not happy that you've come up with a different grounds for for this uh that was not anticipated. below. So, all that makes sense to me. And in order to provide that opportunity, I don't think you can hold this hearing tonight because what we're going to recommend is that you provide people uh an opportunity to uh present argument to you. We're not necessarily recommending oral argument, but written comments. Um, and because people didn't know that coming into tonight's hearing, they're here tonight because of the notice of appeal. So, they read the notice. they may have an opinion that it they're it kind of cuts them out of the process and it it did it does um and so they may not be prepared to present their argument to you anyway tonight. So we are recommending that you continue tonight's hearing. Don't don't take any public testimony tonight. continue the hearing until the next meeting which is April 13th at which time um we we still think it's important for the the applicant has the burden of proof did at the very beginning did the planning commission and even on appeal uh even if you know the applicant had won below and the neighbors appealed the applicant still has the burden of proof at the end of the day at the end of your decision. So the applicant should be allowed to, you know, explain their case to you, not present new evidence, but explain their

case to you. U because they have that burden and if had the neighbors appealed, they really don't have a burden of proof under Oregon law. They may have the burden of persuasion before you, but not the burden of proof at the end of the day. So we're going to re we recommend that you continue this until April 13th. uh at that public hearing, take summary oral argument from the applicant so you can understand what the basis of their appeal is based on evidence in the record already. And then um our recommendation is to to not let any further oral argument happen, but rather leave a record except written comments for a week for seven days after that. And for for people in the audience, um my experience as a hearings examiner is that people think that it's very important to make oral testimony, but in this case, this is a crossey judicial case. And this is going to come back. Our recommendation is it comes back for you to make a decision on the 27th. You'll have that weekend before the 27th to digest the record and all the arguments. And if you have people's written comments, written arguments rather than what did that person say or I've got these bad notes from the hearing, but written comments. And that's why I I always put more stock in written comments. And our recommendation is leave the record open for written comments for a week after ne the 13th until that it' be till the 20

um do I have the dates right? The 13th and then the April 20th. the 20th

um for people to submit written comments until 5:00 on the 20th. Uh and then after that the applicant gets not the full seven days but opportunity to present written final rebuttal after it's all in. They get the last word because they have burden proof. So you can reconvene on the 27th have the whole record. You've got everything coming to you from the planning commission. You've got the appeal. You've got you have heard summary oral argument from the applicant on the 13th and then written rebuttal from everybody who cares for a week after that. So you have it all before you can digest it that weekend before the meeting on the 27th. So that's our recommendation.

Thank you counselors. Do you have any questions for our attorney? So to my neighbors in the audience is okay. Yep. I do. Thank you. This information is really helpful and I'm not sure if this is the appropriate time to ask but as we think about the code update. Um, how are we using the example of what is happening here either to loosen the language of of code moving forward, tighten the language? Um, just curious how well certainly change.

Yeah, I I think it helps inform it. how I think that you you have a long way to determine how it informs it, but uh certainly we don't want to miss an opportunity to inform use our experience to inform the legislative part of what you're going to look at

because you get these appeals like once every five years or so. You don't get it's more the experience for for you people because you don't see it very often and you're left with the code that's a little antiquated and doesn't anticipate. You know, there are like 13 different ways these appeals can come to you in different pro postures. Um, and it doesn't anticipate that like this one. And Mike Connors correctly pointed out that, you know, hey, it's the under your code, the the appellent applicant gets to argue twice. Like, what's with that? So,

yeah, I've I've never had this happen in my seven years of of being on council. And so, as we think about updating our code moving forward, just what can we learn from this experience to update that language there? Thank you. A lot hopefully. So to my neighbors in the audience, what I'm hearing our lawyer recommend is that we're not going to take spoken testimony tonight or on the 13th, but please write to us and let us know what you would like us to know. We're going to hear from the applicant on the 13th. We're going to leave the record open for written input and then on the 27th of April, a week a month from tonight, we're going to decide.

Is that right?

Right. And the what's before you is an appeal. So the applicant appealed as kind of a single issue. It's the compatibility issue. That was the basis for the planning commission's denial. So that should be the focus of people's testimony or testimony. No new evidence. There's lots of evidence in the record already about what's compatible, what's not compatible. Um and so the you might also hear people advocate and it's appropriate that supports the planning commission's decision just in the off chance you come up with a whole different reason for say you were to approve it for all grounds that you know they people say well that wasn't even on the on the on the table. So the um people should be able to advocate in favor of what the planning commission did as a just a general matter but the focus is the one appeal issue that the applicant raised.

Okay. Uh comments should be received in the normal public testimony manner writing to the city recorder or Dustin is the keeper of the record. So, how do you want people to if they are to if if the city council uh accepts public comment in written form, how do they do that? Yeah, they can submit it to the city recorder or uh to planning at city of hoodriver.gov, but not to us individual. It should be it should be directed to the staff,

right? By 5:00. And what we're recommending is 5:00 on the 13th. No, five five o'clock on the 20th 20th of April is how how it will play out. Um if you and continue and I can walk through it in sequence too, mayor, once you once you get to a point after you discuss we've got some comments out in the

Yes. I thank you. Um any other questions from counselors? What we are ultimately going to have is a motion to to accept or or or not accept that the the staff's recommendation of the process. That's that's the end that's the end goal of of this moment in the process. Uh we have decided not to take more oral testimony tonight. I know some folks have have signed up for that. What we're asking for is written testimony if you would like for China.

Right. And so it's important for for all of you to understand the procedural sequence that we're recommending and if you have any problems with that and then ultimately the public if they understand the procedural sequence and if they have any objections to that as well. Should I ask that about that in this moment? Is is this is this procedural sequence well enough crystallized in your minds? Okay. Yes. So see what people think about like but here's a person right so so I want to I'm sorry people have showed up and I appreciate you. We're inviting folks to give us their opinion about this process the lawyer is recommending. Please come on up.

Hi. Um, good evening. I'm Mary Ellen Barlotti. I'm one of the persons that wrote the procedural concerns. I'm not here to argue for or against the merits of anything, but I would just wanted the commission uh the council to understand that an issue for me that's very important is uh public participation and it sort of borders on like due process. People with standing at the planning commission spend a lot of time, effort and money to present their point of view. And usually in my experience anyway, I am a retired public county attorney uh at the appellet level on both levels as a give and take. Here you have the appellant be able to speak then the uh applicant then the appellant then the applicant. Now those are all the same person. So the developers get three bites at the apple and the public gets none. So, I'm glad to see that you've recognized some unfairness there in this process. I I still believe that uh people should be able to give oral testimony and you can determine people withstanding based on their participation in the um and in the hearing below. But I think it's I it seems cumbersome to have one hearing and then another hearing and then a rebuttal hearing and then your decision. It seems like it could all be done more efficiently. But in any event, if that's your decision, the other thing is how will you notify the people who who are on your mailing list as quickly as possible, I hope, as to what your procedure will be. And um I would assume the mailing list would be pretty long since there were a lot of people that participated in the in the planning. So I'd like clarification on notice as well. I know a lot of people didn't get

uh the 43page uh decision. So all they read was um the developer did not prevail. And so I don't know that they would have even looked more for to see what was an appellet issue. We I recognize and I will share that with people that I know that it's on the record. It's not denovo. In other words, you can't bring anything in. people didn't appeal for example your parking the parking decision of the planning commission they didn't appeal any of the other findings so they theoretically because your code says it's um it's on the record review most jurisdictions that I'm aware of have denovo review in other words the planning commission is sort of like an advisory body but the council hears new evidence I understand that your code and I'm not arguing about that code I understand your code is is record review and it should be very clear I would think so people don't waste their time arguing about parking or something like that. U they could be telling you what the the finding was it wasn't compatible and the elements that go into what compatibility is and those were the arguments that the people who are still opposed to the project should be focused on and I'll try to share that as much as I can. I'm not rep I don't I'm not a part of any organization that's that's being being represented. I'm uh as I say to people I'm uh not licensed in Oregon but doesn't mean that I have to keep my mouth shut. So I appreciate Mr. Nelson's responses to the communications we've had. Thank you.

Thank you Marian. Would anyone else like to give comment about the process being suggested? Please come on up. So, I'm Susan Folic and I love what Mary had to say. I agree with everything she and mine's going to be really simple. When you all have busy lives and you get a lot of information printed and letters and hopefully you have time to read all of them, but you know, sometimes you don't. Life happens, right? when people are allowed to speak, you hear that and you also hear the emotion behind what people and I know it's a one issue but you know if the uh applicant has the ability to speak I think people opposing that should be able to speak to.

Thank you. Anyone else like to speak to this? Come on up, sir. Yeah, my name is Warren. Uh I'm a neighbor up the street. Tell us your last name, please. Warren Johnson. Thank you.

Um, so I've been at pretty much every hearing and uh written a couple uh responses to the inquiry. Um, a lot like what you said. I think that um having the opportunity for the applicant to speak and not the public um concerns me. Um, if you had been at all of these hearings, you would heard would have heard a lot of different opinions and I think to your point, it comes out when people get a chance to talk about it. So my my concern is that they're going to speak and the public will not have that opportunity to speak to you directly. Secondly, um I I'm a little concerned that I I've heard these guys uh the applicant speak uh a number of times and uh are we having them focus just on the one issue that uh around compatibility? Are they going to be allowed to go through all of these other elements as well? Um, and if they're going to be limited to that, um, who's going to take responsibility for keeping them on on track, right? So, um, compatibility came up a lot in in the whole discussion. So, um, uh, those are my main points. So, thank you for hearing me. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else like to weigh in on the process that's being proposed? So, Jen, is Mike Connor's online? There's a mic on I don't know if that's doesn't ring a bell. I mean, he um and uh how about the applicant's lawyer? They may be the council may benefit from knowing how Mr. Connor, he raised one of the procedural objections and also the applicant's lawyer. She's out there. Please come on, officer.

Hi, my name is Kirk Lawler and I'm curious about the meeting on the 13th. Will it be in this room? Yes. And it's open to the public. Yeah. Six o'clock. Same. It's It's an ordinary council meeting. Same as Thank you very much. Thank you for asking. at at at this time. I think the the question is do we wish to uh proceed with the the process recommended by by staff?

Maybe if I can respond to some of the comments. Um, Miss Burlotti is is I mean people asked you to to hear argument from the opponents and you're not required to under state law as long as they have an opportunity a written opportunity is satisfy state law. So it's up to you. You're not required to but you're not prohibited from it. Our concern is that there were multiple hearings at the planning commission and if you know it all what they said before is already in the record. Um and um we would like to not have this as a just a doover. Um that could be very very timeconuming. That was a big concern as well. And we um yeah and so we we uh when we got the procedural objections and we decided that we were going to recommend that this be continued, the applicants said they had no problem with that as just a general matter.

And I haven't heard any feedback from Mr. Connors, he he knew that our recommendations was going to be a continuence and allow more public participation. Adam,

I uh don't object to the continuence. I think that that and I really appreciate Dana's recommendation about written comment but I also think it's a nice opportunity because a lot of people come and speak to us and even though their previous comments may have been on the record from the planning commission the record that we're receiving we thought is is a summarized shorter like don't we don't I'd like I'd like us to consider the opportunity of allowing would provide oral comment at the hearings like

um Councelor Cavaleri, I had a hard time hearing you, so maybe you could just chat more directly into your mic. Apologies, but what I what I did catch you say is that I I think you said that you'd be open to hearing verbal comment from folks. And I think that's what you said. I I too would not I too would would welcome uh verbal input even though I know it will mean that we have a longer meeting. So not opposed to that. My question to staff is, how are we notifying the community that they have until the 20th at 5:00 to submit their comments uh to the planning the planning email and to the city recorder? Will we have a video something along those lines that goes up that is very clear about ways that individuals can give their input? Yeah, we'll we'll work on something for that. Uh probably a public outward notice of some not a written notice, but maybe an online part of the the idea of opening up this hearing as it is is to allow those who are participating to see what's next. This generally what we do is we start a hearing and if we're going to continue u those who want to participate in the hearing or view the hearing we will state the date certain time certain and circumstances in this hearing to help set that record. So uh everyone who participated from this point is provide has been provided notice of this hearing. They've provided links to all the information in the record no different than the link uh that you receive. So in terms of access to all the documents uh mentioned before everyone has had that access and we've updated and maintain that. So the idea is getting participating in this hearing weighing in should allow you and you should be viewing the next one and we

are obligated to set that time and process right now. So hopefully by by continuing to be interested in this hearing, you're going to you're going to view that your next opportunity and we can walk through what that process is again specific time once you guys land it. State law assumes that if people are interested, they'll read the notice for this meeting. They'll show up and they'll hear how it's continued to a time certain on the 13th. So, I heard two two of us interested in accepting further uh oral oral testimony. I'd like to know we could we could find out by taking a vote or go ahead, Doug.

Yeah, I'm not opposed to oral um in addition to written testimony. I I just question for Dan and Dustin. uh if people start speaking in their comments about something unrelated to what they should be speaking about in terms of the appeal how are we how are we to handle that and will we provide clear direction about what

we'll provide you earplugs you immediately deploy the earplugs now this happens a lot um that the there's a single appeal issue that's before you raised by the applicant no one else appealed but also um because there's the opportunity for a a totally unpredictable decision out of you. Um people should be entitled to advocate for what the planning commission did which was basically a denial uh based on this one issue. So that still kind of keeps it focused on that on that one issue. Um, and people are not supposed to present new evidence, but sometimes, you know, new facts come out in oral testimony. And I don't like to like jump up as with in a black and white striped shirt with a whistle and and shout people down, but you'll just have to be familiar enough with the record to know that, wait a second, that's that's like, you know, space aliens were never mentioned in the record below. And so new factual evidence that space aliens are involved in this, that's the new fact and I need to exclude that from my consideration of this matter. So that's that's how that sifting happens. It's very awkward because when people get up and speak, it just like all comes in. And you've seen those movies where the jury will disregard that uh what was just said. It's a little hard to unring the bell as we say, but that's what you kind of have to do. Thank you.

I would entertain a motion. I move that we uh take staff's recommendation and uh continue the hearing and uh with an addition of oral arguments being allowed in addition to written by by all people at the on the 13th by by uh by all people on April 13th at the next hearing. Moved by subpoena second second by Cavaleri. further discussion. So we will accept written testimony as as outlined and oral testimony at our next meeting on the 13th.

Right. Starting with the applicants because also the focus of people's comments should be to rebut what the applicant says. So and then um leave the record open for seven days afterward for after the 13th after the 13th for written comment and then the applicant's final rebuttal after that. I've asked the applicant uh can she get it in by the the Friday the 24th and she said yes so that we we council can receive it several days before our meeting on the 27th. You have the weekend. Yep. Yep.

So for the mathematically it's April 13th uh hearing from the applicant and oral testimony on matters on the record. April 20th 5:00 p.m. will be the last time and date that you can sub up until then you'll be able to submit written arguments on the matter. must be the public consult must be received by the city by 5:00 pm on the 20th and then 4 days after April 24th 5:00 p.m. the applicant will be able to provide its final written rebuttal again applicant having the burden of proof uh which will then be provided to you all

for your meeting then reconvene on April 27th 6 p.m. And on the 27th, the applicant will come talk to us. We don't at the meeting, the applicant will That starts the whole problem over again. No, they will speak on you. You will then deliberate on on the matters that you have before you and and neither the applicant nor the public will speak to us on the 27th. Correct. Okay. Right. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? I I

Yes. Any opposed? Chair votes eye. Motion passes. I'm sorry to the folks who showed up tonight planning to address this in a different way. I found out on like Thursday that this was how this was not going to go and was going to go. So, you know, here we are. Uh, anything else on this matter? Anything else on this matter? No, we have nothing further. You've continued. Great. Uh, so I have continued or I should now. you've you've taken a motion and you got an adopted motion to to continue the matter based on the schedule you've set forward.

So I I thereby have we I and we have continued this hearing in the in the manner described. Thank you.

If folks have questions they can talk to staff after. I mean there's just there's always the balance here. Thank you. Uh the next uh we we we always have visits from the audience as a as a an agenda item. I haven't checked the list yet. Uh it may be that folks are here to talk to us about another matter. Okay. Okay. Okay. Mary Soul, did you wish to speak? No. Uh Nicole Basset wants to speak. We're going to hold out just for a minute, Nicole. Um we next have the next topic is the moderate income revolving loan program from Will and then we will have public test.

Let me I do. Thanks you guys for coming. This is the time scheduled for a public hearing regarding ordinance 2095, an ordinance enacting a Sorry, there's a little bit of talking. It's hard. So, hey Dale. Hey Dale. It's a little bit hard when you're talking in this room. So, please talk, but not in here. So,

we have a we have one person left. Uh, Jen, is there anybody online waiting to do can you tell public come. Okay, good. So, that that'll be in the same category as as as uh Nicole. This is the time scheduled for a public hear. We can't close that door. I'm sorry. This is the time scheduled for a public hearing regarding ordinance 2095, an ordinance enacting a local moderate income revolving loan program. We will first hear a staff report from Will Thank you. Will double duty.

Thank you. Will I just called you up for 2095?

Sounds good. Yeah. Um thank you, mayor, members of city council. Um so we've talked about the moderate income revolving loan fund a few times now. Um, on January 12th, you had a draft ordinance to look over. Um, and now you have a a final ordinance for your consideration and adoption. This final ordinance is essentially what you looked at on the 12th, but actually just even stripped down further. Um, so the basic framework here is this is the the bare minimum. We're just saying we're going to have a moral program. It's going to meet state law. uh we're going to do the things that state law requires us to do as a locality operating uh moderate income uh loan program is this will uh establish it and then I will be bringing back um via resolution the next meeting uh program uh uh like program rules administrative rules so to speak and uh it's better to do that via resolution because we can update it more easily and regularly uh tweak this as we go. So, um, what we have, uh, for you right now is, um, essentially just the the, uh, the skeletal, uh, legislative required, uh, ordinance to get moving with this program. And I know we've talked about it in previous meetings. I'm happy to, uh, recap what a moderate income revolving fund is, or I'm also just happy to support you with any questions and keep things moving if you'd like.

Thanks, Will. Any questions for Will? First of all, thanks for coming back, R. Sorry. Uh so we will now ordinarily take public testimony. Is there anyone who wishes to speak on this matter in this room? Jen is or folks online. Can you indicate to Jen if you would like to speak on this matter of the moderate income revolving loan program? No one's online.

Seeing that there is no public testimony, we will jump down and close the public hearing on ordinance 2095. and the council will deliberate on the adoption of the ordinance including of course any questions or or or comments to fulfill. Um, I just want to disclose that uh that one of the initial anticipated users of this is a client of my firms and so I should probably abstain from participating in this, but because it's just a general program that would be available to anybody. I'm not sure if I should abstain or just say that I um, you know, I'm not sure. Um, that's a a Dan question. Would you like me to call Dan back? I would. Okay, one second.

Thank you, Ann. While while we're anybody anybody else I guess there we'll we'll deliberate once once have all the I can just abstain to be on the safe side and you guys can continue.

Okay, Dan, we'll pause on that. Dan's on his way back. That's all right. I'll I'll go ahead and abstain to be on the safe side and you guys can deliberate, right? Anna Anna has a client again.

So it sounds like unless you're biased and I don't it un unless you tell me you're biased in favor or of this just because of this uh your practice area. Do you stand to uh benefit financially in a personal way? I do not. Okay. Then I think you don't have a personal pecuniary interest in the outcome of this decision. I just wanted to make sure that yeah that it that it doesn't um it is in the best interest of my client but it's also a program that would be available to others and would be beneficial to the community at large. So I wasn't sure if this is something I

yeah I don't I mean I'm struggling to see that it might even be an appearance of conflict like like Grant had earlier uh which since he was into business you could see it but I'm struggling to see it in this situation. event. I'll go ahead and kick off our deliberations by saying I think this is a really great opportunity for um the support of development in our community and I'm for it. Thanks. Great.

Quick um procedural question since councelor Cavaleri has her question answered. Um we can also do a second reading tonight as well since all seven of us are here present or do we want to just stick with the first? I I thought we'd just do a second reading anyway um because I'm bringing back the program rules uh via resolution at the next meeting, right? But I think we could if you would like to. Good idea, Grant. Thank you. U so in in the motion, any of us could say first and second by title only if if we choose and see if that flies, but at some point we're we're we're heading towards a motion if anyone is ready for that.

Well, I might as well just go for it. Uh, I move that the city council provide first and second reading of ordinance 2095 enacting the local moderate income revolving loan program under the city recorded portion of tonight's meeting. I second. Moved by uh moved by councelor Pollson, second by Rivera. Uh I think you said by title only. First and second. Yeah, by total only. Uh discussion. All in favor? Yes. Opposed? Chair votes I motion passes. So uh I can bang the thing. It'll take has passed its first and second reading by title only and will become law in 30 days.

Right. Read it. You'll read it later. So we move it to regular session or whatever. Great. Thank you. Great. Thank you, Jen. Uh all right. Now, business from the audience. Nicole, thank you for waiting patiently. Come on up. Tell us what you'd like us to hear. Touch the touch the white microphone on the edge. Yes, now you're on.

Okay. Hi everyone. Um I just came here today to introduce myself. My name is Nicole Basset and I'm running for Senate District 26. Um I have um I'm a Hood River resident and I've um a business builder. Um so some of you may know me from my work in the gorge. I had a company called the Renewal Workshop in Cascade Locks uh in 2015. Um, we grew the company to about 40 employees and we pioneered circular economy practices here um, for the apparel industry and proved that innovative businesses can come from small communities. Um, I spent 20 years in the outdoor and the apparel industry doing systems change work, finding problems and building something better. So, I'm running at a time when Oregon is facing some serious funding challenges um, and having to make some hard financial decisions. Um, I've made a lot of hard financial decisions with my own company, with real consequences, with real people. I know you can balance a budget and still hold values and hold people and this planet in line. Um, so that's the experience that I think this state needs and that's what I'm one of the reasons why I'm running. We also need an economy that works for all. We need rural voices heard and represented and we need immediate and long-term responses to the climate crisis. So, I'm introducing myself here today because I'd love to reach out to all of you. Um, and if you're open to it, um, meet with you individually and hear from where you sit in our community what are the things that someone who's running for state senate to represent this community needs to hear. Um, I think it would make um, me a much better senator by doing that. So, thank you.

Thanks for coming by. Uh, that takes us to the consent agenda, I believe. Uh, no, sorry. There's a there's an indication that perhaps there's someone on Zoom who would like to speak. Jen, do we No one is online. Okay, great. Um, consent agenda. We do have a an OLCC permit, so I will pull that off. I would entertain a motion to approve the remainder. So, moved. Um, I I have a Sorry. Okay. No, no. Uh, moved by Stpina. Go ahead, Anna. I have a question about the intergovernmental agreement number four. So I'd like to discuss that a little further before we move forward.

Okay. So number two and four are both off. Uh Doug has moved to approve the remainder still. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Gakei. Uh discussion on the the minutes and the sewer contract. All in favor? I. Yes. I opposed. Chair votes eye. Motion passes. Uh OLCC permanent application as is our custom. One of our counselors abstain. So let's uh have a motion and a second. First motion to approve item number two. So moved. Moved by Stpina. Second.

Second by Mitchell. Uh abstensions. I abstain. You can you read the little

Yeah, I'm about to uh I will abstain from LLCC permit applications. This is not a reflection of these establishments, businesses or their owners. Rather, I object to the fact that we do not have enough transportation options for people who visit these establishments. As a result, they may end up getting behind the wheel and putting themselves and others at risk. I'd like to highlight the broader public health responsibility that this council holds. We recently adopted a code allowing for transportation networks and that is a step forward but access remains limited especially during late hours and in our upper valley. Recently I saw a report that DUIs account to over 25% of all the cases prosecuted by our local district attorney. If we and our countywide partners are able to provide adequate transportation during late evenings and weekends, I will start approving OLCC applications. Thank you.

Thank you, Glattus. Any other discussion on item number two? All in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. Abstain. Votes. I motion passes. Item number four. Let's go ahead and move and second if we can and then we'll discuss. So moved. Moved by Pollson. Second. Second by Stina. Discussion.

Okay. Well, I have some questions. Um the there's three particular projects listed in the memo to us um that would be covered by this intergovernmental agreement between um the city and the urban renewal agency. And um one of them says that we authorized it on today um March 30th, but I think we actually talked about this back in like maybe March 9th. Is that right? Um that kind of my contract nerd issue with this uh IGA is that um it seems kind of open-ended that it says the city may authorize the agency to perform any program or project that the city has the authority to perform by adopted motion of the Hood River City Council. And I'd kind of feel better if there were some parameters around that like um integration of a schedule that has the specific um projects where urban renewal agency would be entitled to reimbursement for their costs and um 10% for admin fees. So instead of it just being kind of a big blanket, although I kind of get that that was probably the intent is we can just always say, "Oh, this will be covered under the IGA that was adopted by council and the urban renewal agency." But I I feel like we it seems like we'd want to have kind of a housekeeping record of exactly which one of our projects are covered under this. So I don't know if that's something that you all have any feelings about. I just I think it's a detail that I think is important that if if this is being proposed to us for these particular projects or maybe other projects in the future, um is there a way to actually document that?

I'll just comment that you're exactly right. um that's how it's constructed and that was intentional, but if that's not what pleases the council, um we could uh every time a project comes up kind of re um readopt this um like maybe with an exhibit or something like that. Um the intent here was just to allow you know motion second yep do this project uh 10% to admin and it's a it's a known process and um rather than bring up uh uh amendments uh you know getting into like amendment two amendment three amendment four amendment five to the um but both are just as workable. I think we could just update the schedule maybe, but like I just I'm wondering like from our perspective of like how like and from an oper I guess like how how will you know which projects are covered under this and and that continues to be brought up to us. Chris.

Yeah, go ahead. Um so we actually had discussed something similar and a proposal as possible is to have a schedule a to the agreement. Um the schedule A would have a list of the projects that are approved along with an approved budget. Um and then it would just be a very simple sort of motion from council to update schedule A to the agreement with whatever project is proposed. And so that way sort of schedule A would be a sort of living document or but you wouldn't have to go through and adopt a new IG every time. It would just be sort of amending the the schedule to the IG.

Yeah. And what that is is that table. So we'll incre will this table will be updated and you can ask for uh anytime you want to know what what's the full list of projects we'll we'll have it. So will the IGA be revised to incorporate that table? Um because I I don't I I like the idea of the efficiency but I just think that it's important that I mean council be kept you know in the loop of like what what are the projects what the budget piece is important too? what are we spending on and what's covered under this particular IGA.

Yeah, my uh advice from uh agency council um putting this together um was that if it's part of a specific called out um referenced exhibit then updating the exhibit would then be amending the um the contract. So um but that's fine. uh you know I don't want to spend too much time um because it's uh six six one way half dozen the other really what words would need to change in the document that we're considering approving to reflect the counselor's concerns I'll I'll need to revise and bring a new one back to you with that references in exhibit A is is that the wish

I don't know how everybody else feels about that that's one counselor's input

I I under I mean forgive me if I'm under misunderstanding. It seems to me there's a question of sort of broadness and efficiency versus appropriate fiduciary and and programmatic oversight and you know more work. So I I get the arguments. Uh so was Glattus I don't Yes, Glattus. Yeah, I just said that uh or sorry, I am open. I appreciate councelor Cavaleri's comments and would welcome a schedule a um and it sounds like if other folks agree that this item would be brought to a future meeting and agree with some of the points she's made.

That's two voices. Anybody others want to chime in on that? Grant, I appreciate the transparency of a schedule A. I don't know if it's required in this IGA uh in order for us to have transparency. It could be just included as an appendix or an addendum to this IGA. I don't know if the IGA needs to be reformatted or recreated with an additional uh condition in this in order to deliver the transparency that we're looking for. So just to frame the question in my opinion at this moment the if you want the schedule A included you're voting no on this motion. If you think it's close enough without it, that would be a a yes. Right.

That level of detail can still be included without modifying this IGA. Other comments, just to say that I I have the same understanding as councelor Pollson. So, hold on. Will then would we have to give you time to add schedule A to this? we could just amend it at a future time like we can still vote yes today and you can still get us that information. That's not what I heard.

No. Well, we can amend the IG uh at any at any time certainly. Um functionally I uh staff will be um operating functionally identically in either case. So we will be keeping a table. We will be updating the table. um with tonight's motion uh it just yeah um and we will have the table for inspection at any time. So I think like the the resolution I would or the kind of how I would approach this probably is under that agreement terms paragraph 2 where it says city may authorize the agency to perform any program or project that the city has the authority to perform by adopted motion of the Hood River City Council. um as reflected on attachment A which can be updated you know from time to time without amending this IGA like I mean you could put some language in there something like to to that effect and I would be happy and we could move on.

Yeah, if we're going to Wordsmith IG I'd say set it aside for a future meeting. I say we vote this down and set it aside if that's what we want. So if you want to if you want to set it aside and bring it back with a slight modification, we should vote no now. Can we call for a vote? All in favor? Opposed? Should I should you want me to make a motion? I thought we had a motion. Then there was discussion. So one uh one practical consideration is this includes for bond campaign. So, if this is without this, I guess the agency is not authorized to be doing the bond campaign work until it's brought back to you.

Yeah, let's let's not do that. Let's not hold that up. Yes. Well, but I I I thought I heard counselor Cavaleri just mention some language that we could all still move forward on what we have today and add language that she just mentioned in the in a suggested motion. Yeah. I I just don't want to um I want to take any proposed language back to council. Yeah. Uh and make sure run past them. Uh, I'd say maybe one option is to approve this today and I will commit to bringing back um revised language uh as an amendment to this after talking with agency council um at your next meeting.

How does that strike folks like that a lot better? So now if you want that I and correct me I'm just trying to you know vote yes and then he'll bring it back and we'll make the adjustments that are finding favor. Yeah. Uh ready for the question? All in favor? I I Yes. I opposed. Chair was I motion passes and we'll hear about it again real soon. And bond bond bond. Thank you. Um takes us to action items. We have some city budget committee appointments.

Thank you. Uh the budget committee is comprised of the mayor, city council, and then an equal number of electors appointed by the government body. Um there are currently three vacancies uh in that um uh the elector body. Uh the city advertised in the Hood River news and on the city website and used word of mouth uh to inform the public about the need to fill the vacancies. Uh the established deadline for the uh applications expired on Wednesday, March 18th. Um at this time, the city's looking to reappoint uh two of the existing budget committee members that had expiring uh that had uh expiring seats. That's Rudy Kelner and Gary Reid. Um and then additionally, the city looks to a newly appoint former city council member Megan Saunders to fill the third budget committee elector vacancy. Um these appointed members of the budget committee are designated three-year terms which would expire June 30th, 2028. Um is our recommendation that uh that council um appoint these three electors.

It seems like it should be 2029. So 26 27 27 28 28 29 the 2829 council would be uh would be done by June 30th 2028. Three years from today is March 2029. Well, uh, sorry, I was not following.

The last one expired 2020. So, the existing the existing seats expired 2025. They expired a year ago. Correct. They expire after there's the math I was looking for. Great. Thank you. So, it's 26 27 28. Great. Thank you. All right. Uh, I was I was supposed to be a math guy. I was I was like supposed to you see me treading lightly there Ben. Uh I just want to make a small comment that mentions the Hover News in there and that does not exist anymore. Columbia Gorge News. Columbia Gorge. Thank you. Or went out for my old employee. Yeah. Together make the city. I would entertain a motion.

I'll move to appoint Megan Saunders, Rudy Kelner, and Gary Reid as members of the city's budget committee. Moved by Cavaleri. Second. Second by Mitchell. discussions. I just want to say real quick that I really greatly appreciate Megan, Rudy, and Gary. Rudy and Gary doing it again. Megan, keep it on. Amen. Bring that city key with you. Thanks a lot. It means a lot that you're all willing to do it. Yes. Yes. Agreed. Me, too. All in favor? I opposed. I opposed. Chair uh chair votes eye motion passes. Okay. Landmarks review board Dustin.

Similar talk. Similar talk. Mayor, uh this is a request to reappoint two sitting members that were appointed last year. Um both Chris Doner and Colin Nelson um serve on landmarks review and much like the rotating schedule um they both served a single year as an interim piece. We're now requesting they be reappointed for a full assignment. No, we have a standing um advertisement and no additional people have expressed interest in serving. Discussion or a motion. I move to reappoint Chris Donner and Colin Nelson to the landmarks review board. Move by Gakei. Second.

Second by Cavaleri. Discussion. Again, as like Doug said, thanks you guys. This is important work, part of why our city's so awesome. Thanks for doing it. Uh further discussion. All in favor? I I opposed. I chair votes I. Motion passes. City recorder roll call votes. Thank you, Grant. Uh your honor, I'd like to entertain a motion for the first and second reading of ordinance 2095 by title only. So moved. Moved by Pulson. Second. Second by Stina. Okay. Uh, councelor Pollson. Hi.

Councelor Rivera. Yes. Councelor Stina. Yes. Councelor Caleri. Hi. Councelor Mitchell. Hi. Councelor Gakei. I. Your honor. I. Ordinance 2095, an ordinance and implementing a moderate income revolving loan program and authorizing the city of Hood River to enter into agreements with uh Oregon Housing and Community Service Services. Ordinance 2095 has had his first and second readings by title only and will become law in 30 days. Dustin, city manager comments. No additional comments, Mayor. Committee reports. Glattus,

I will owe you all an update for our MCAC meeting that took place this last week. I wasn't able to attend and have coffee with Lesie scheduled to bring you all an update. Um, and I will also send you all the link for the point in time survey that was conducted. I realized I have not sent that to you all. So, I do owe you all. Uh the other piece that I definitely wanted to discuss and just bring to your awareness is some items are being discussed at the county meeting. One of them being the Amazon warehouse. And so I invite you all to uh connect directly with a couple of the commissioners so that you can hear directly or tune into those meetings and hear some of the discussions. I I personally have been receiving a lot of questions around that. Um, so just wanted to flag that for you all as those discussions continue.

Thank you, Glattus. Trying to think of Hold on the other committees. Um, there will be a letter that is going to be disseminated to all local state officials uh within Oregon around upholding rule of law. And so that will most likely start um being distributed here soon working with the League of Oregon Cities. So it will reach your inboxes. I'm more than happy to chat with you any with any of you offline if you have any questions about that. I believe those are all my updates for now. Thanks.

Thank you, counselor Amanda. I'm trying to find my Mckette information. Can I come Can you come back to me? We'll take a pass. We'll come back. Right. Region one act meeting is next week on Monday. So nothing until after that.

I think since the last time we met, we had the the Seruda sister city visit. So um just wanted to thank everybody that came out uh for the sister city event. Uh thanks to all the people that visited from uh our sister city of Seruda. Um you know, thanks to all the volunteers that came out. uh all the all the vendors, everybody that participated in the taste of Seruda and uh we're moving towards a pretty big milestone with 50 years coming up on 2027. So um looking forward to continuing that and yeah, just uh it's a bit of a quiet period now. We won't hear a ton from that committee, but um it'll start reconvening and lots to plan for in this big next milestone. So thanks all. Ben,

uh, I attended the CAT meeting remotely on March 18th. Um, wasn't a ton that came out of it, but, uh, most notable was their approval of an application for a grant to pay for two new bus stops in Cass Locks would be part of the Columbia Gorge Express Route. Um, they're both on the east side of town. Uh, one stop would be on Wanapa, one on Forest Lane. Um the funds would be through the experience Mount Hood and the Gorge Gorge's strategic investment fund grant program. Um and the bus stops uh will include seating, shelter, and bike racks. So hopefully they get that grant.

It's a little off, but not much. I work for Cricut County uh transportation and they are starting uh on Wednesday, April 1st, a bus route through Lyall for the first time, I think, ever. So that's really cool. Ly's been really hoping for that for a long time and now you can ride from White Salmon Ly to Dallasport Dallas and back and that's it's big that's big service for that community like cat other side. Yep. Anna nothing for me. Uh sorry did you find it? Thank you.

Sorry it's a very long a lot of packet lot of pages. Okay. Um I think that I went to a Mcked board meeting uh week or two ago and the biggest thing that uh we talked about was the comprehensive economic development strategy update. Um and I didn't really know what this was. So my understanding is Mcked puts a list of projects that are high priority together and being on this list helps you get federal funding more. I don't know. So anyway, um Grant, you seem to know more than I do. Um I did have to ask during the meeting because it's new to me. Um but so Hood River, so this is over six counties and they can only well they have like 10 or 11 projects. So but we did make the list. Um the bridges were a huge one. I think that's the first high priority one. So we kind of a part of that. And then oh jeez, where did it go? Okay. Um our project that got on the list is the elevated sewer line. So, um, so hopefully being on this list, we can get some, you know, funding coming up. Uh, and lots of other interesting stuff from people. The county has the courthouse, um, building replacement on there and the port has a terminal building at the airport. Um, I guess those are the most Hood River centric ones.

Great. Thanks for your work on that, Glattus. I have a question about that. Thank you so much. Uh, councelor Giggy, in the past, Jessica Meta has joined us at a council meeting to discuss this. Will she do that this year or is that something that won't happen until next year, maybe? Good question. We didn't really talk about it and I feel like that would be a good question for Abigail. Yeah, it' be great to have her. We could absolutely send a message to uh director Meta and see when she's gonna or have time to visit.

You follow up with Abigail on that, Dustin. Thank you. I already did. Yeah. Right. Uh okay. So, that's committee reports. I I've talked to a couple of you about some interesting sort of longer term questions. I guess I don't know if you're going to bring them up, so I'll just wait. No comments at this time. Council comments starting with Glades.

Yeah, thank you. I had a chance to join the National League of Cities conference that took place in Washington DC um the 13th through the 18th. And uh last year when I attended there, there were some speakers that were really divisive. And so it was um this year the the speakers were really focused on nonpartisan or bipartisan issues which we all really appreciated. So it's a couple days to connect with local elected officials across the US and then one day is spent in Capitol Hill connecting with senators, Congress folks and whatnot around a variety of issues. We have the League of Oregon cities that help support the local coordination, but it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with elected officials across the US that are having similar challenges to what the city is having uh on a variety of of topics. So, it was uh great to connect with folks. Uh there is another conference that will take place in Nashville in November and would welcome anyone from this council to attend. There's a lot of great information that that I feel like I gleaned from there, whether it's um how is AI being used in planning and Dustin and I have had some of those conversations uh to just like I mentioned a variety of topics. So, if any of you have a chance to join in November in Nashville, it's always a great turnout and incredible conversations as well as incredible panelists. And it just reminds me how with all the uncertainty at a state or even a federal level, how local government truly delivers time and time again. So, I just want to thank you all

for stepping up to be in this role. I know that it's a lot of hours, a lot uh time commitment packets, whatnot that we do take time away from our families and everything else that we have going on. So, I appreciate that. I'm here with all of you and that we don't have to agree on everything and that's okay. It's okay to not agree on on all the items, but that we do have to move forward. So, I thank you all for your time and your commitment and for loving Hood River. Thank you.

Thanks for making the time to go to that conference. It's such value, I think, to them to hear from from small town council president and for for us to for Yeah. Well done. Uh comments, Amanda, I don't have anything. Grant,

since it's so early in the evening, we have plenty of extra time. How are we feeling? We feeling good. Okay, let's get right into it. Uh I have sent you guys all um the packet that was discussed last time and I followed it up with a subsequent addendum of information. Uh, and Chris provided us with a little bit of commentary and backup, uh, which you guys have had a chance to read through. Um, so thank you Chris for additional information about that. Um, and so I'm, uh, I have a little bit of an intro and a few questions for you guys, uh, that that like to ask, um, before I have a ask of us generally. Um the and this is some of this is holistic and city buildingish. Um the and this is universal of all cities. All cities across Oregon face these same challenges that we face. We're not unique in a number of these issues. A number of if you go to League of Oregon cities, you'll hear about these issues. Um state uh these questions come up all the time, especially right now. Um the current system operating as designed will produce the current trajectory we are experiencing. Um good news is that designing a better system is entirely within Huda's power. Uh challenge we have is willing to do it as city council. So I have three questions. Uh do we accept that the current trajectory produces outcomes that we do not want? That's why I sent the forecast that I sent out is the answer yes or no. Do we accept that the incre incremental optimization of the current system will not produce materially different outcomes? And are we willing to commit to the

discomfort of redesigning this system in which we live, accepting short-term friction, political challenge, and the pain of acknowledging what hasn't worked in exchange for fundament fundamentally different long-term outcome. If the answers are to those who questions are yes, then we should reassess those fundamental structures uh in within our city. We should we should have deeper more meaningful discussions and reassess fundamental things and and structures in how our city works. The city cities have been built at a time to address different conditions, different systems. And those legacy structures and systems were meant to address different different challenges in different conditions. And over time, those legacy systems simply just break down and no longer work to address future needs. That that's that's my fundamental thesis for us. So

Grant and I had a chance to talk a little bit more about this last week and uh I I think it's a very important question as as he frames it uh for for us to decide. I I have been uh I was told and I believe that the the the scarcest resource in in a city is the scant time of the electeds. Um and so figuring out what we're going to spend time talking about is a very important question. His thesis is that uh changes need to be made. The way I think of this question is shall we dedicate a half day or something in the next quarter, six months, year to a a much deeper, more holistic big picture revenue forecasting pondering, existential pondering about what is is incremental change going to help us lead our city to survive and flourish or do we really need to make some changes? And it's it's it's a it's a fair question. I think

Anna,

um I want to thank Grant for putting that stuff together and sharing it with all of us. And I agree. I think, you know, it's kind of a bummer that we weren't able to figure out a time to get together for goal setting this year. The last time we did that was before um Amanda and I actually started on council in December of 2024. Um is when we all met to do the goal setting thing. And I I know that we all have crazy schedules and it's challenging, but I think this is worth a work session or something if we can. And I I I think the sooner the better. So, um I'm in support of if if we can try to find a time, even if it's like I mean, if if four hours is too much, maybe we can do two hours a couple times or something. But I think it's worth us trying to figure out some time to get together and um look at our current goals and figure out how, you know, what what Grant is proposing um how that that maybe overlaps. And um Chris, I I didn't get the response. I didn't see the feedback that you got, but it was part of I'll have to look at it again. Yeah, thank you. I didn't see that, but thank you. others.

Doug, um well, you know, I've heard a couple times about the, you know, the the retreat and sort of going over the goals. I I just I do want to point out that we are currently under a byianual, you know, work session plan. So, if

if we want to Yeah. So, two-year if if we want to change that, then I'm fine with discussing that, but I think that's it's by design currently. So, I'm I'm fine with discussing do we go back to a year? Uh, we had a lot of discussions about this when uh I came on to council, when Grant came out of council about is once a year too much. Um, so I think there's a lot of discussions to be had about about that. Um, so that's one thing. Um, again, not opposed to discussing that. Uh, in regards to what Grant's talking about, you know, I I I I'd be much more comfortable if we had, um, staff present to us, uh, based on your assessment. I thank you very much for doing everything that you've done. But, um, I'd like to hear, you know, from Chris, from Abigail, from, you know, from from staff, uh, before I decide if this is something we should commit time to at this point. Um, if it's something that they would recommend go on the next work plan, you know, that sort of thing. But I I I would feel much more comfortable with um and I'm fine with putting my my thumb up for a staff presentation to discuss what you've presented

others. Sorry, Glattus.

Yeah, thank you. Um I I would welcome an opportunity to discuss councelor Pollson's recommendations uh in addition to to staff as well giving their feedback. I personally haven't connected with Chris on the items that that councelor Pollson did send. So I I would love to an opportunity to just hear some of the some of the items that were brought up and agree that we have to think about what is in the city's best interest and then specifically to the retreats. uh we are on a two-year plan, but I don't think that means that we shouldn't have a yearly retreat where we are planning out maybe a a more work sessions throughout the year and that we can fill those work sessions with opportunities that that arise such as this. Um so that we can sit down and discuss in detail and just more discussion overall as we continue to move forward. um knowing some of the financial uncertainties um through state and federal moving forward. So would welcome an opportunity to discuss the feedback from councelor Pollson and have staff join in addition to having a a conversation about an annual retreat where we can look at some time to schedule work planning meetings in advance so that we can all align on calendars. Thanks.

Want to get everyone's Amanda, any or or don't have to, but if you got anything to Well, I will just say I have not had the opportunity to actually dive into what Grant sent, so I don't really have much input at this. Thank you. And anything to add? I have also not read, as I like to call it, the Grantifesto yet. Um, but I will at some point.

Great. Grant, go ahead. Just to clarify, I was not advocating on jettisoning the current work plan. Um, as proposed, um, this work is in preparation. We have the the the current schedule was to, uh, have a new work plan or have another uh, retreat or some such thing at the end of this year. and we were allegedly going to have a retreat or something around the start of this year which didn't end up happening. Um, so this work and what I'm working on is somewhat in preparation of this next work plan and all the rest of the work that is going on because a lot of what is happening there we we have the strategic work plan that is ever happens every two years. uh that that those that set of meetings is a fairly truncated short time that we have to as council have to condense a whole lot of information, a whole lot of strategic thinking into a very short time. And so it is I think it is very beneficial for us to talk about some of these issues over a longer period of time than a very truncated set of time over say three meetings or so in December um to figure out the next work schedule for the next two years. So if we just as a group could or any any council just as a group can have more rigorous or thorough conversations about the work plan be it nine months from now uh in preparation or advance of those meetings uh just to be better informed when those meetings come the better. I was reviewing this the calendar last year. We skipped a meeting in July and in August. We had one meeting in July in the middle and then we skip the one that was near the end of August. It occurs

that we could like have one of the summer meetings be this if just just an idea. Chris,

um I just will also point out in so in our budget schedule, uh the first budget the first budget meeting is an informal meeting. It's usually very processoriented which is uh scheduled for April 22nd. Um we don't have any new members or sort of first-time budget members on the council. Um it would be a session with the full budget committee. Um so it wouldn't necessarily be a sort of a policy conversation. Uh but what I could do is in that first meeting is sort of focus on a five-year forecast. Um it'll be a more in-depth discussion of the revenues than we normally do in our budget. Um it would be general fund I would say sorry it would be mainly general fund focused. Um you know sort of because that's that's sort of where a lot of the the discussion is during the committee. Um but it would be an opportunity to understand a little bit better the revenues that the city has uh as far as what the general fund are, the expenses that sort of roll to the general fund. Then obviously this this this sort of trend forecast that Grant's talking about, like I said, it wouldn't be policy oriented. Uh it wouldn't be sort of in-depth policy discussions, but it would be a little bit more of an education as far as what, you know, what the city's operations look like uh sort of as as part of the budget than we normally do.

That would be valuable to me. The way I sort of am imagining that is what keeps Chris up at night? Like what are the what are the the when you look out with your so much more educated radar like what what what are the trends that are really going really going in a curly way that seems like that would be quite substantially what that question what that briefing would be on the 22nd.

Yeah that's and I'll try to I'll I'll try to work with you guys to to give you like an outline what that would be if there's things that you want to see. When I started on council in ' 04, the budget process was like, here's the crisis. How do we plug the hole few and then next year come back and kind of do that again? We argued for a three-year, you know, projection. So, at least there was some predicting happening, and that's a much better spot where we are now. And this to my mind is really let's run the radar out a little further and see what how the trends are going and and and I I celebrate that that context. I'm not going 50 years.

So uh budget committee um I know that like my summer has items on it. My daughter's getting married, etc., etc. Like are you guys looking at like, oh, am I here for the second meeting in July? Like is is this is this on your radar? Is this premature for scheduling and imagining and wondering? I'm not saying you should. For me personally, summer is like the best time pretty much like that's when my life opens up more. So I'm available to put in time to uh work on this. Yeah, Doug, I I gave tons of availability for the work session. Um, I gave always gave tons of availability in the summer.

Happy to continue that. So, if we had ordinary schedule for July and had both meetings, maybe there would be space using no less ordinary work time than we did last summer, there would be perhaps we could have this be a topic in in July. I mean, that sort of general idea. Nobody's freaking out about that, Doug. Yeah. I I I I just think I think it's it bears if we're gonna if we're going to do this, you know, have staff respond, report on what Grant has presented and yeah,

we go from there. Um and if if there's if it's a critical project that needs to be prior to the next work plan and we'll decide that, then we'll decide that. I think that's we don't have to say sorry and we'd have to wait till for two years or something like that. And that's not what I'm saying. Um, but I'd like to hear from staff. Doug has said staff several times. I haven't had other people say staff quite so much. How what direction are you guys kind of envisioning more kind of like staff briefing like Chris clearly was saying or or the the sort of big picture council discussion is I'm kind of hearing Grant Grant say

um well what Grant presented is policy stuff and I while it's always very very helpful to get staff input on things and I appreciate that and I'd love to hear Chris's presentation on the budget piece and I think that that stuff is really helpful. this is kind of like bigger scale policy stuff, but like I'm I welcome their participation and their insight because they're the ones that are in the foods on the ground a lot of the stuff. So, I think that's helpful. Um, but I yeah, I think a conversation in July would be great and a work session would be great. I've heard from Doug and Grant and Anna, I think, on this topic.

What are you looking to hear about exactly? more staff briefingish or less council big talkish. I don't that's the way I I think both are equally valuable. Great. Helpful. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh likewise we we co-create together, right? We write policy, they do operations, they being staff, and it's important to understand both perspectives so that we as council can be able to develop stronger policies. Thank you, Glattus. Grant

just to clarify what councelor Cpian would like to hear from Chris staff is the consequences of these policies kind of the nuts and bolts of what would come of these proposals. Yeah. Yeah. uh you know exactly you know to to be able to understand staff's pers perspective on if these policy changes were to be enacted you know the consequence consequence consequences uh insight into that short of you know like like everybody's been saying we're not expecting staff to make policy decisions but expect to be informed by staff to so that I can make policy decisions so that we can make polic policy decisions

that's actually a really important point because boots on the found, but also in my mind, Chris is a subject matter expert to a much greater extent than I am. He has more experience and and and focus in in certain areas. He's going to I I'm going to ask him questions before I decide to uh weigh in on a policy. So, that the boots on the ground and subject matter expert are kind of different things. So, all right, good discussion. Thanks so much, Grant. Thanks for kickstarting. Any anything else on this on this topic which it came up as Grant's council comment. Anything else Grant on council comment? There will probably be more revolving around this going forward.

More wedding around more around this topic, I'm sure. Okay. Is that this is this is this is a big thing. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. Uh Doug,

um yeah, a couple things. Um, number one, just wanted to say that I was at the No Kings protest on Saturday. Just wanted to thank all of the organizers. Uh, it seemed to be extremely well managed. You know, lots of people in in in yellow vests making sure people weren't tying up traffic. Um, they had routes for people to go to different areas uh around the main intersection by the by the fountain. Um, and it didn't seem to impede anybody. So, I just I just thought it was a it was a really good um management uh effort. Um and yeah, just want to thank everybody that showed up to exercise their free speech. Um in addition to that, I I you alluded to a couple people speaking to you earlier. Was that one of the things that I spoke to you about? Okay. Um, so, uh, if you've been following along in the dowels with the data center issues, uh, so on and so forth, uh, there are several areas I could see possibly a data center going in Hood River. I think we should probably discuss a moratorum on data centers, uh, a ban of data centers, something of that nature, so that we're not sort of faced with a quick decision. um and uh something we could debate whether it not has the merit of uh being in the city, but uh there's a lot of communities throughout the United States right now that are small communities that are near water that are dealing with this sort of thing and a lot of the uh adverse effects of data centers and communities such as ours. So, I think it bears us uh a little bit of attention, a little bit of uh preemptiveness uh so that we're not caught uh in this situation that a lot of these other small communities are in. So, um more or less looking for sort of uh can we can we get some staff attention on this to to discuss it.

So, this is this sort of process I think works well. the someone brings it up and the question is is there interest to have this be on uh a near near future agenda? Folks going to like that or folks know this is not an important topic for us to address any anytime soon.

I'd certainly like to learn more about it. Um not sure exactly what that would look like or what entail, but I agree with Doug's um concern. Obviously, we're seeing lots of stuff in the news about the Dallas right now. So, And I guess I guess to that point, Ben, my my bringing this up would be for staff to to give us a little bit of a well, this is what this looks like. Um what impact this would have on our time. Do we have time for this now? Uh the kinds of things we could do, the kinds of things we could, you know, uh take into consideration versus bring us a resolution or something like that. That would be a next step. Yeah, that's that's what I figured.

Yeah, Glattus. Yeah, I I appreciate the the discussion and think that we should have that conversation given that it also ties into, you know, some of the finance um discussion that we were just having earlier and I understand why some cities welcome some data centers because it does have some dollars that go back to the city, but there are some ripple effects to those and I think it's important for us to discuss. So, as we talk about a potential July meeting, if uh if others agree as well that we have some dedicated time to talk about some policy decisions that we as a city could and would most likely face in the future.

Seems like there's enough interest. I'll follow up with Abigail. Thanks, Doug. Any other comments? No. Thank you,

Ben. Um, I attended the youth listening session with the next door uh on March 19th. Um, and I thought it was uh incredibly valuable. I attended it with counelor Cavalary. I'm sure you have Yeah. Um, stuff to talk about as well. Um, you know, it was really well attended by local students who were very candid about how um, you know, this ice incursion in our community has affected them and their friends and their families. And I was really kind of struck by, you know, um it wasn't particularly emotional testimony. It was very matterof fact. Um they were just stating

plainly what their lives are like now and what their family's lives are like now. Um and I was,

you know, and I told them this, I was really struck by their maturity. And what I mean by that is is that um you know they're having to bear bear the burdens of adults uh in terms of the things that concern them or certain responsibilities that they've now had to take on. Um and honestly it's you know much more than bearing the burdens that adults bear because a lot of adults don't have to bear the kind of things that they have to do and the context of which they're bearing them. um and that no child should have to think about. Uh and you know I without any you know like identifying information I kind of wrote down some of the things that were were talked about and I think you know a decent amount of us like hear about these things and it wasn't necessarily like like new information but to hear them talk about it uh was um kind of devastating. Um, you know, they talked about parents being afraid to go outside. Um, always having to be aware of their surroundings, particularly being scared, uh, about going into Portland because of the larger ice presence there. Um, you know, targeting based on skin color. They brought up that, you know, that's fair game now, even more than it was before. Um, you know, scared for family members who don't speak English. What would happen to them if they get questioned? Um, uh, talked about being referred to as aliens and how that made them feel. Um, going days without food, um, because they're scared of going grocery shopping. Um, afraid of family being taken and having to be a parent to their younger siblings and hurting their plans for their future. Um, staying inside um, because they had heard that ice was outside and excuse me, staying inside

because they had heard that ice was outside. um having ice parked near their house. Same thing. Um children getting groceries uh for others who didn't feel comfortable going outside. Um scared they're going to get a call from their family members um that they've been sent to another country that they've never been to. Um thinking about ICE during school and being distracted from their studies, scared of how they would finish school if they were sent to another country. um uh um coming home to an empty empty house and not knowing where their parents went. Um, you know, uh, they also talked about, um, you know, really kind of struck me as this kind of role reversal where, um, you know, they would be texting their parents to make sure they got to work, okay? Or looking at their checking up on their parents' locations on their phones, which I said to them like, "That's not what you should be doing. That's what parents should be doing for their kids, not what kids should be doing for their parents." um being aware of uh certain vehicles, you know, parents not letting them go to school. Um very anxious because they can't do a lot about it. Um you know, affects their social life because they're afraid to go out. Um they talked about noticing others not showing up at school um very much. Uh sometimes some of them talked about taking parents to work them themselves. Um, so yeah, uh, that was, you know, I just want to thank those individuals for taking the time to do that and sharing some, uh, just really raw stuff. Um, I do want to share a couple of bright spots. Um, I will say a number of the students, um, they spoke very highly of the school and their teachers. They said they felt very, um, supported by them.

So that was, um, nice to hear. Um they were also they also uh a number of them expressed uh an interest in participating in government more. Um there was a question about you know did you know how to get in touch with council? Um and so both of us provided both councelor Cavaler and I provided information about um you know how to how to contact us and get more involved. So um again just want to thank you know staff and next door inc for putting that together. I think it was uh uh tremendously valuable. Thanks, Jeff.

Um thank you for your comments, councelor Mitchell. Um I just uh this is probably a question for Abigail, Dustin. Um so you know, Amanda and I uh attended one. I think all of all of us have attended other sessions. Uh when is the right time for like not that this is the wrong time, but is is there going to be a more formalized output that we will have a chance to comment? in addition to next door after the conclusion of the uh the town hall, you know, kind of are we missing an opportunity to to provide feedback right now since we didn't provide feedback like councelor Mitchell just did, you know? Um yeah, so maybe if Dustin, I'm not sure if that you got it for Abigail. Yeah. Um

yeah, just just so you know, uh I'm taking notes of to-do list and dispatching. So, uh, she'll probably likely discuss it with you all in your, uh, meetings and sessions with her all the way from, uh, grant proposal, uh, budget meeting prospective dates that she'll have to schedule all the way down to this. So, takes I'm taking notes and dispatching right now to to Alaska. I apologize if I jumped the gun on that.

I don't I don't know if you did. I just it's just uh yeah, it's just more or less like um uh just unsure of what will be forthcoming and in this uh this over overall effort. So I think just just some insight from uh Abigail and Next Door about about that would be helpful. And if we did miss an opportunity today to speak and give feedback with our experiences, we'll give it next time. That kind of thing. No, that's it. Good job, Ben. You covered it. What Ben said and what Grant said, and I think that that covers it. Great.

So, we've we're doing it a little differently now. We're putting urban renewal at the end, which puts a little burden on the administrator, but we're here anyway. So, this is how we're doing it now. So, I will now uh uh suspend the city council meeting and hand the gavl over to chair stina for the urban renewal agenda. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll now call to call the order to the ber renewal agency uh board meeting. Uh and any agenda additions or corrections? I'm assuming not. Well, they're not.

There's nobody here from the audience signed up. I'm assuming there's nobody still online to speak to renewal agency, right? Uh okay. So, uh item number four is the cons consent agenda, which is the approval of the meeting minutes. Um, any discussion or any input to the meeting minutes prior to a motion? Then I'd entertain a motion. Move to approve the minutes. Moved by Pollson. Second. Second by Mayor Blackburn. Anything further? Hearing nothing. All those in favor? I opposed. Chair votes I. Consent agenda passes. Regular business items. Uh, Will.

Yeah. Thank you. Um, Chair Stina, uh, members of the agency board, first up is an amended resolution, uh, 2026 URA-1, which is a amended supplemental budget, uh, has already been adopted at your, uh, prior meeting. It had a, uh, typographical error, uh, in uh, column that listed what the existing adopted budget was. So, it was of no uh, consequence to the substance or material of what was uh, being uh, decided at the meeting. it was just a um a formula in an Excel spreadsheet. So, the remedy for that is to uh have um this stated in your packet and to have me testify in front of you right now. And so, um we have the amended uh supplemental budget that is doing exactly um what the agency approved at your prior meeting.

Any questions about this for Will? None on mine. Okay. Uh so there is a motion. I move to or the urban renewal agency board adopt the amended resolution 2026-01 a supplemental budget for fiscal year 2526. Motion by GI second. Second by Blackburn. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I Yes. opposed. Chair votes I passes. Next item. Yeah, please.

Uh next up is intergovernmental agreement for URA administration of citywide projects. Um as discussed at the uh city council meeting today, we'll be u bringing back uh adjustments to the language. Um but generally um this is meant to um allow the agency to perform work for the a uh for the city where the agency staff its consultants um have a unique capability or um or skill set to to help the city out. Us 190 provides broad leeway for essentially any unit of local government contract with any other unit of local government for any activity that either of one of them can do. So this is an opportunity to share resources um share uh skill sets, knowledge um and be more efficient. So um the proposed um contract is for those uh essentially oneoff or ad hoc quick projects or I guess in the bond situation not uh so small um but where a 10% admin overhead is a reasonable approximation for the um overhead and management effort um that is being placed on the urban renewal agency. Um so this will be a quick efficient way um to delegate projects. there still may be need for uh other IGAS where a project may be more involved or this 10% overhead is not roughly you know proportionate to the amount of work on the agency uh we do have an existing IGA for instance for administration of the moderate income revolving loan fund that we also discussed earlier today so um and that has a different um type of compensation so um this is meant to be kind of a uh an offtheshelf uh method to assign workout but um does not preclude uh other methods through separate IGAs. So um with that if you want to approve tonight that will allow us to keep moving for the um bond campaign and uh I

uh committed to the city council commit again to bringing back some revised language about a um continually updated exhibit A. Okay. So we discussed this earlier is any new thoughts that we've had since then. Anna, I promise not to beat a dead horse. Noted. Thank you, Will. Anything further for questions for Will before a motion? Okay, that would entertain a motion. I move the urban renewal agency board authorize the agency administrator to sign the provided intergovernmental agreement for urban renewal a administration of citywide projects and programs. Move by Pollson.

Second. Second by Blackburn. Any further discussion? Although uh this will be as um revised, right? Uh well uh no just tonighting as is back. No discussion. Thank you. All those in favor? I I Yes. Sorry I can't take myself up any faster. All good. Any opposed? Chair votes eye. Motion passes.

What's up? And then lastly, we have uh two contract awards related to the bond information and engagement campaign. So, we had a a big discussion about this at a prior meeting about um the approach and the vendors we would choose and the activities um and the budget. Um so now we're executing um that strategy and um I'm I'm signing uh engagement letters um uh for uh those items which are underneath uh my signing author u my level of signing authority. Uh but two of the contracts in the uh preferred approach uh exceed 25,000 that's with uh practices and also the media buy with by coastal media. Um so bringing those uh to the uh agency board acting as um the contract board for the agency to approve these contracts.

Uh all then I don't feel super strongly about this but this one rose to the level of I wanted to say something. This is like a city function and you're handling it for us, but it's a gray area and it's fantastic to have the resource and to be uh be able to target in the use of it, but it just seems like gosh, this one should have been on the city agenda. So I just it's a gray area but as it goes back and forth that one sort of rose to the point of that in my opinion

and that's um what I the uh the prior uh IG was uh completely about is uh under OS 190 any we could conceivably contract out to the library district to run the spawn program for us. Um, so we uh are contracting with or the city is contracting with the agency to operate on its behalf of uh an activity that it is otherwise authorized to. Okay, fair enough. So like here's the project the administrator is doing for its client, the city. Okay, that makes sense. Exactly. Right,

Ben? Uh in the suggested motion it says the amount uh not to exceed $41,950 and in the recital or excuse me under compensation excuse me under agreement compensation three uh subsection A it says $41,000 590. Um oh thank you for that catch.

And also I will admit I am not the best math person. I wasn't sure where that number came from because I I added up the stuff in exhibit A and I didn't get that, but I could have very well made a mathematical error. So, just between those three things, I I wasn't quite sure what the um actual amount was.

Yeah, it comes from this table of uh we didn't we didn't approve uh there was sort of levels of effort within the practice scope of work. So, it goes with that. um the the approach that we uh decided upon on um uh at the last meeting. So it's the sum of the tape I think it's page 25 of everything that's associated with practice. Gotcha. Okay. Thank you. Um and I think the correct number should be what's in the um professional services agreement. So, uh, 40 41,590.

Thank you, Mattis.

Thank you. Um, so I appreciate my my peers comments. My question comment that I have is in reviewing both of these contracts which I appreciate you will putting them together is that you know sometimes we make assumptions right and as I look through this I don't explicitly see anything talking about the language that this content whether that's digital content creation printing direct mail all of that I mean I know I speak Spanish right so I'll definitely uh have some talking points prepared for the bond in Spanish, but I would just like for us to think about uh the Spanish-sp speakaking property owners that will be voting in in this election. And you know, I think of my parents, they are citizens. They own they own a home here in town within the city limits. And uh I know that they would benefit from hearing some of this information as well. So I think my only suggestion is that we explicitly add that there will be creation of English and Spanish materials.

Yeah, thank you for that um clarification. And um so this is just the for the practice portion. Uh the next door is who we're contracting with to for the translation services uh focus uh Latino focus group uh Latino or uh Spanish radio uh public service announcement. All that is uh happening. it's just happening through the next door and it's a contract that didn't exceed um 25,000. So, uh I'm able to just with the um direction I have deal with that. Um

thank you. And I hear that. I think it's just important to understand that what is said in English doesn't always translate in Spanish. And I know that you're all thinking about that. Um but as as you all are creating this material moving forward that it's really important that we think about how this is messaged in multiple languages just given that whatever is in English might take you know 20 words in Spanish it might be 30 40 words for example yes thank you very much and top of mind as we've uh had scoping meetings with the next door any additional questions

I don't know if this Maybe this was like should have been asked last time or whatever, but it just seems like a lot of money to spend on radio advertising. Like is there a specific reason why we're do we like I'm assuming they've done the research and like radio ads really get people to vote a certain way, but I I don't know. Like to me I'm just like oh my gosh. Like why is that so much more? Are we do we not have to pay for you know like the mailers pretty cheap the f like are we paying for Facebook things or whatever like I don't know that's just something that jumped out at me. So, and I'm not even saying it's like debatable, but I'm just

Yeah. No, I think it's it's worth noting, but yeah, I think to your point, it might it's like the the last discussion we had is probably when we should have discussed that. Um, unless you wanted to take that up as a as a point now. Well, I guess it's just coming up more maybe like in my face because we are specifically setting aside that money for by coastal media right now. I guess maybe that's why I'm noticing it more.

Well, I I I hear you. Thanks for asking and wondering. I don't have any expertise in this area. I'm like trusting that they know what they're talking about that this is a smart way to spend our, you know, scarce advertising dollars. I just I I trust that they know and that's kind of where I was assuming, but it's Yeah, just wanted to say something. I don't know. W.

Yeah, I think that's a great call out um that we should question everything that's presented in front of us and you know looking while I trust that they are experts and have done this before if there's an opportunity for any sort of cost savings and you know knowing that the power of social media is far greater than some of the radio ads in the past for example. So I appreciate you bringing that point up. uh councelor gay key as as we have this discussion. Thanks.

Any additional questions for Will? And so I'd like to make a motion at this time. Keep in mind that the the figure has to be corrected from 950 to I move the urban renewal agency board authorize the agency administrator to execute contracts for 2026 general obligation bond information and engagement with practis in the amount not to exceed $41,590 and by coastal media in the amount not to exceed $36,000. Motion by Pollson. Second. Second by Blackburn. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I. Yes. Yes.

Opposed? Chair votes I. Motion passes. Thanks. Well, uh, any administrator updates today? Yes, there are. Thank you. Um, April 17th, just wanted to uh remind everyone they have bond speaker training and most people have uh RSVP for an option uh there. Uh but then also on April 17th is the uh Taylor Avenue 30% design openhouse at Working H at Working Hands Brewery um from 4:00 to 7:00. So for those of folks who um pick the second option for speaker training uh if you want to head up to um Working uh Working Hands Brewery and come look at designs and meet people. Um just want to have a reminder of that event.

Quick uh quick procedural, not procedural, just administrative thing. I tried to to RSVP to the second one. It wouldn't let me. I don't know why. Okay. Because that's the only one you want. Merk me down for the second one. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. I'm assuming nothing from any agency members. I will just say that this morning on the radio uh Mark Bailey was interested in the the joint EUR meeting and we had a nice discussion about that. So, you know what our our work is noticed and matters and uh I emphasize the the the positive work again of the volunteers. It's come up a lot of times tonight and appreciate the committee for their hard work.

Thank you. Anything else from anyone else? Okay, with that I will adjourn the Hood River Urban Renewal Agency board meeting and pass the GL back to Mayor Black for city council to be great and I will reopen our city council meeting about 5 past 8:00. Any uh thing else for the