City Council - Regular Meeting

Sorry, everyone.

Is that it?

Good evening, citizens and staff. I'm Mayor Kara Westfall, hereby call to order this council meeting on Monday, July 20th, 2026. The time is 703. Roll call, please.

Here.

Here.

So moved.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I 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.

The City of Klamath Falls has some certificates of service I'd like to award. Tyler West? Not here? Okay, we'll make sure he gets that. He has actually been in Public Works Department, Wastewater Division, for 10 years of service, so we'll make sure he gets that. Ryan Badker? Not here. And Ryan has been on the Public Works Wastewater Division for the completion of 20 years of service. Police Sergeant Joseph Edward Foreman. Okay, he has been in service for 20 years, so we're very proud of that. We are so happy, Chief, that you are here.

able to receive this award.

The City of Klamath Falls has a certificate of service to award Police Chief Robert Dittinger, Klamath Falls Police Department for the completion of 30 years of service on July 1st, 2026. Thank you so much for your service, Chief. And Jonathan has something to say.

Chief, congratulations on 30 years. I just wanna let that sink in for a second. Three decades of cold meals, missed meals, early morning phone calls due to your service, your dedication to this community. We're a lot stronger and better community because of you and your dedication. I call him Chief, he calls me boss. Inside, he's a friend and I appreciate you. Congratulations.

Thank you.

So what happens, you show up, you get all the love.

Lucky guy.

And Mayor, I'll say something really quick. Very good, please do. I just would like to add that beyond just serving as the chief of police, you see Chief Dentinger out in the community serving on boards, doing community service work, standing on corners at Third Thursday, keeping vendors and citizens safe. So it's beyond the eight to

4 a.m. to p.m. work so just appreciate it in our communities lucky to have you very good thank you go ahead I just want to say thank you sir every time I have a question anytime I want to pick your brain about anything you always communicate with me really well and educate me on things and I just really appreciate that effort that you put in to ensure that I know what I need to know and can learn with you and represent the best I can. So thank you very much for that.

Councillor Angeli.

30 years with a badge on your shirt is a long time. Five years with a badge on your shirt is a long time. So it's impressive you've made it this far. I can't say you've kept your hair just like myself, but that's one of the things that happens. But it's impressive that you've made it this far and you're still stepping forward and doing what you need to do, and we appreciate that. Thank you, Chief.

Thank you. Very good. Thank you. Now we have an update for the Balsinger Property Project. Doug Keens, come on up. And I know you've written a letter, but the rest of the public hasn't seen it. So do you want to re-read it? I'll just make a few comments.

It'll probably cover most of the stuff. And then if anyone wants to add, you can certainly do that. Thank you for letting me talk here this evening. As I mentioned at our last meeting, we're working hard on getting our investors lined up for this project. And we are making good progress, on one hand, on getting the investors. On the other hand, I know there's frustrations out there, not only from you guys, but us, that we haven't broken ground yet. So one of the things we're going to do, because we have to get 100% of our investors lined up before we can really show any real meaningful progress by digging dirt and those kinds of things. Michael and Jonathan and I had a good meeting this afternoon, and we're going to start talking every two weeks just to make sure that we're able to communicate the update and how close we're getting to getting all of our investors lined up. The second thing we're doing is I think one of you guys made a recommendation that we put up a sign. I can't remember which one. We are engaging a company, and they're working on a sign. Jonathan's going to let me know if there's any sign rules that we need to follow. But we have engaged the company, and hopefully that will be up in the next week or two weeks at most. So that's really all I have to report. I can certainly answer any questions or provide any other good information. I would say that Jonathan and Michael are excellent to work with, and I think we had a productive meeting this afternoon.

Very good. Any questions or comments? Go ahead.

I was very excited to see that you were willing to put out some signage. And that helps me feel better about this moving forward. And it also gives the public a chance to see that there is activity going on with this particular spot that's been a little inactive. And so that's really important. And I appreciate that effort.

Thank you.

I'm very frustrated with it. So it's been six and a half years have gone by and I'm deeply disappointed with the developer's failed attempt to build on the city's property. Despite years of delay, there's been no meaningful progress, only excuses after excuses. and empty promises. Our community deserves accountability, transparency, and action, not endless postponements. And basically, if you're still looking for investors at this point, we've got problems.

Okay. Well, I wish I could address it in a way that would make you happy. It would make me happy as well. But there was a previous developer that hasn't been involved for the last two years. And so at the end of that period, there was very little investment dollars that had. So when I came on, it was a little less than two years ago. There was no money raised. So we started basically from scratch. the way I looked at it roughly two years ago. Yeah.

It's time.

No one's more frustrated than me because I have other things I want to do in my life. So I want to get this thing going. Very good. Thank you so much for the update.

Thank you. Thank you. Public comment. Do we have any forms? Okay, we don't have any forms for public comments, so we will go into, close that out, and go into the consent agenda, number five. 5.1, the approval of meeting minutes from June 15th, 2026, provided under separate cover, and items 5.2. 5.2 is the authorization to purchase three Ford inceptors all-wheel drive vehicles from Butler Ford and in the amount not to exceed one hundred and fifty three thousand five hundred and eighty and twenty six cents entertain a motion move to approve the consent agenda second all in favor say aye aye any opposed Number eight, land use public hearing, quasi-judicial, none. Number seven, land use public hearing, legislative, none. So number eight, general public hearing, 8.1. Authorization of a liquor license recommendation to the OLCC for the 99 tie located at 1737 Avalon Street. And planning manager, Joe Wall, reporting.

Good evening, Mayor, Council. This may sound familiar. I admittedly have to ask my staff if this was a new business. So what we're looking at here has been a location of nine tie, but it does have a new owner and a new business altogether, new entity. So with that, I kind of looked back through our code and what our requirements are for bringing back in front of City Council, and that's considered what we call a major license, being a new owner, new entity. So with that, much of it I think will largely remain the same as far as license type, proposed operating hours, and the like, but limited on premises, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, not to be age-restricted at any time, and we'll continue with Thai cuisine. So with that, as we always do, we send out notice, see if we get any comments, and have not received anything in this instance.

Question or comment? I'd like to open it up for a public hearing. If anybody would like to speak on this agenda item, they can do so at this point.

And seeing nobody, we'll close that.

I'll move to make a positive recommendation for a limited on-premises liquor license to the OLCC for Nine Tie, located, oh, they changed. The new owner changed their name to 99 Tie. That was the clarification. Okay, thank you for that and I will start over. I thought I was live correcting your typo. I apologize.

They had to change it somehow.

I will move to make a positive recommendation for a limited on-premises liquor license to the OLCC for 99 Thai located at 1737 Avalon Street.

Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Very good. Number nine, legislative actions, 9.1. Authorization of property sale of 500 Klymouth Avenue. Under review still. City Manager Jonathan Teichert.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. Council, so we have all the documentation ready, I believe, to go ahead and proceed with this sale. We anticipate tomorrow the wiring and the signing of the MOU for us to go ahead and proceed with that. So what we are asking for is authorization to continue with the paperwork, the authorization to sign that. on behalf of the city and proceed with the sale.

Councillor McClung?

Yeah, I just would like to make a comment on this agenda item before we vote. When we discussed the buyer, I stepped down, not because there was a true or legal conflict of interest, but because I wanted to avoid any perception of favoritism, because I do have a relative who works for the organization that purchased tonight with a counselor missing. And in order to proceed with a lawful vote, I am going to vote. But I just wanted to be clear that I stepped out of the conversation and the decision, but will be voting on the formalization of it so that the city can move forward. Is there anything, Mike, you would add to that? I consulted with Mike on this topic.

Very good.

Very good. Noted. Thank you.

Motion? Move to authorize the city manager to execute all necessary documents to sell the property located at 500 Klamath Avenue.

Second.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Thank you. 9.2, authorization of an agreement for chip sealing services with Klamath County in the amount of 176,000, which include a contingency allowance of 10%. City Engineer Andrew Lakey.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. part of our normal asphalt maintenance we partner with County to perform chip sale services on several of the local city streets the county provides the services for the rest of the county on the rural streets and then after they're done they come inside the UGB and and work with us This is a IGA with the county in the amount of $176,000 for the streets department to use the equipment with Klamath County to apply the chip seal. And then after the chip seal, they come back through and partner to stripe the roadway surfaces as well, try to get that down before the snow flies. Signing this agreement will allow staff to work with county staff and equipment to perform the work and We hope to continue to keep the relationship going and do this every year as long as we can Very good questions or comments I'm sorry.

I didn't cut you off today. No, okay If there are no questions or comments, I'll entertain a motion. I

I'll move to authorize the city manager to execute a chip ceiling services agreement with Klamath County in the amount of $176,000. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

9.3 Authorization of goods and service contract with Day Wireless to upfit three Ford Police and Scepter SUV all-wheel drive vehicles, $91,701.87, Chief Dettinger reporting.

Good evening, Council and Mayor. I'm here to seek the authorization to outfit and equip the three vehicles we just approved on the consent agenda with a contract through Day Wireless in the amount of $91,701.87. Can I answer any questions about that if you have any?

No.

Did you get all the bells and whistles you want?

Most of them. Most of them.

We don't want you to be short.

Okay, if there are no questions, I'll entertain a motion.

I'll move to authorize the city manager to execute a goods and services contract with Day Wireless to uplift three Ford Police Interceptor SUV AWD vehicles in an amount not to exceed $91,701.87. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

9.4 a construction service contract with Bob's excavating Inc for the North 2nd Street sanitary sewer line replacement project in the not to exceed amount of one hundred and eighty one thousand five hundred and twenty plus a contingency amount of thirty six thousand three hundred and four if needed since city engineer Andrew likey As part of our continued

maintenance for the wastewater infrastructure sometimes we have to replace these 70 plus year old brick manholes and clay pipes they've held up incredibly well as they were constructed they basically were laid in a ring stacked up and into a cone and as long as you don't touch them they last a very long time we have two of them that are failing along north second street and then there's some clay pipe in between that needs to be replaced put this out for bid, I'm sorry, we consulted with RH2 Engineering, put the plans out to bid, had our typical pre-bid meeting. We had two contractors come back, Bob's Escavating and Elite. Both of them were, had all the paperwork in place, and the price from Bob's Escavating was acceptable. Funds for the project were in the wastewater capital outlay identified for the 7th Street in Washington sewer mainline replacement project. And are there any questions?

Questions or comments? Thank you for doing that. I'll entertain a motion.

Move to authorize the city manager to execute a construction services contract with Bob's Excavating Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $181,250 plus authorize an additional contingency allowance of $36,304 to be used if needed.

Second.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

9.5 Authorization of a construction service contract with North Coe USA to construct the Homedale Road water main line replacement in the not to exceed amount of $1,004,106.82 plus an additional contingency allowance of 200 821.36 and water manager robbie west reporting all right thank you mayor city manager and council so this one uh if you guys will recall we came back

or came to you guys about three years ago to get this project moving forward. Had to shelve it for a little while, but now we're ready to move forward with it. It's just a short mainline replacement, about 1,200 linear feet. There's a small bottleneck on Holmdale, and now's an opportune time to do that because the county is doing a grind and inlay, and once they do that, there'll be a 10-year no-cut on that road. We did get three bids on this one. We had our standard non-mandatory pre-bid, got three bids. We did, as you will see in the agenda report, have one of those come back as a bid protest, but it was a non-responsive bid, so we went ahead and went with the next cheapest option. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions if you guys had it.

Questions or comments?

Just a question due to my life. I do remember three years ago talking about this. Can you summarize for me again and maybe anyone else who doesn't understand water main lines? Sure. Just because this is such a significant item. Sure.

Yeah, this is one. So honestly, this is one that The previous water management that we had, the supervisor and manager discussed with me when I first took over, we looked at doing. So we have a 12-inch main that comes down from the south to the north on Holmdale that's fed by a new 16-inch main that was put in on Brentway. Just because of water hydraulics, With the 12 inch and then the 212 inches each side with that 8 inch main, it creates a bottleneck. It restricts it. You lose head and you get friction loss and you lose essentially velocities through that pipe. So in order to do this, it's just going to help with the longevity of that area. Help feed water. know we're moving forward with the south 6th street booster station but this is the way that water comes from our bowen tank which is above walmart and comes down that line so it's an alternative to get that way it's working as it is but it's just one way to improve our system and make it continue to for growth and development on that east side of town thank you for restating that language for me i appreciate it okay very good any other question or comment if not i will entertain a motion

I'll move to authorize the city manager to execute a construction services contract with North Core USA to construct the Homedale Road water main line in the not to exceed amount of $1,400,106.82 plus an additional contingency allowance of $200,821.36.

All in favor? That's all right. All in favor? Oh, sorry. I need a second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

thank you 9.6 a resolution adopting a supplemental budget for the 2025-2027 biennial budget period within the general fund capital projects fund and escrow reserve fund finance director jessica lindsay reporting

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I have a supplemental budget for you. The largest item is some funding for the remodel of the new building. This will be funded through a transfer from the Capital Project Fund and the Escrow Reserve Fund. Other than that, there's a new roller trailer for streets that's funded with auction proceeds and $4,900 for a five-year fire system testing and repair at the South Portal Building that we didn't anticipate at the time of the budget.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?

OK. ENTERTAINING MOTION. MOVE TO INTRODUCE THE RESOLUTION AND READ BY TITLE ONLY.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? CITY MANAGER, PLEASE READ THE RESOLUTION BY TITLE.

a resolution adopting a supplemental budget for the 2025 through 2027 by annual budget period within the general fund capital projects fund and escrow reserve fund move to approve the resolution second roll call please aye aye yes

Very good. 9.7, a special ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to Cal or Communication Inc. to operate a telecommunications business within the city of Klamath Falls, second and final reading. And any questions? Mike, if there are any questions? Any questions? I'll entertain a motion then.

Move to pass ordinance for second and final reading by title only.

Second.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Go ahead. Not yet, not yet. Okay, city manager, please read the title.

Special ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to catalog communications incorporated to operate a telecommunications business within the city of Klamath Falls Move to adopt the ordinance second roll call, please Yes 9.8

9.8, an ordinance adding section 9.030 to the Klamath Falls City Code section and final reading. Agenda report. Any questions, city attorney? No. Any questions, comments? OK, entertain a motion.

I'll move to pass the ordinance for second and final reading by the title only.

Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? City Manager Jonathan Teichert, please read the ordinance by title.

An ordinance adopting section 9.030 to the Klamath Falls City Code.

Move to adopt the ordinance.

Second. Roll call, please.

Aye. Aye. Yes.

Under number 10, other matters, 10.1. Notice of waste management fee increase effective September 1st, 2026. City Manager Jonathan Teichert reporting.

Thank you, Mayor, Council. So this is a notice that we received from Waste Management of a rate increase. This is a pass-through based upon the county's increase of landfill tipping rates, 4%. It doesn't require an action by us, but it's a notification that we're given. OK. Do we need to have a motion on that? No. No action.

I'll give the notice to him, to the council. Okay. Number 11, adjournment. So move to adjourn the meeting. Oh, anybody for other matters? I thought our Friday, what was that? Freedom Friday worked out really well. Any reports on that?

Councillor Angeli may want to add, but I would just say thanks to the Klamath Falls Downtown Association. It was a well-attended event, like it always is, and lots of fun, and great job in communicating the change, because it's been Third Thursday, so it requires extra communication when it's being moved to a Friday. But, yeah, there was a big crowd, and it was a great event.

Good. Councillor Angeli?

Well, I might say that I wasn't there at this one, and I wasn't at it last year, same time. So I apologize for that. But other matters prevailed for that. But they did do a fantastic job and look forward to the next one coming up in Thursday at the end of or in the middle of August. And something I might say on that, kind of segueing into it, I wasn't at the last one last year because of a little – involvement with cancer. And so I like to say that this is actually my one year anniversary, um, being at this meeting, um, from being clean and clear from cancer and cancer awareness is super important. And unfortunately what I've seen in our community especially is a huge uptick of all different types of cancers. So cancer awareness and screening is so important. The only reason I'm sitting here right now is because I was screened inadvertently and found that I had it. Otherwise I probably wouldn't be here right now. And I suggest that everybody else take that opportunity and do that. And it's, it's so important because there are so many important people in our community that are struggling or have passed in this last month that it's, it's disconcerting. So please take that extra time and go have yourself checked.

Well, thank you for that information and congratulations. Thank you. If there are no further matters, adjournment. So move to adjourn the meeting into executive session under ORS 192.6602H. Do I second her? No, she doesn't need to move.

Okay. Move to adjourn the meeting into executive session under ORS 192.660.

Second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Meeting is adjourned.

So moved. So moved.