City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, being that it is six o'clock, we will call the Kuzbay City Council meeting to order. Uh would you all rise? And Mo, would you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I would love to. Thank you. I pledge algiance 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.

Thank you, Mo. Uh we do have um uh Mayor Benetti online this evening and uh councelor Kribbons is unable to attend and I'm not sure about uh councelor Kilmer so she might be joining us shortly. Uh the first item on the agenda this evening is public comment. Uh we have a number of people who wish to speak this evening. I would like to remind everyone that a public comment period is intended for the public to share ideas and concerns. It is not intended for an interactive discussion with council. There may be opportunities for public comments during specific agenda items that require a public hearing. Members of the public are requested to confine the remarks to questions or issues under discussion during this time. During any designated comment period, individuals shall not engage in personal attacks, shall not impugn the motives of any speaker, and shall at all times while in session conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. No person shall make personal, impertinent, slanderous or unauthorized remarks or become boisterous while addressing the council. And the first person on the list this evening is Dean Lundy. Uh Dean, if you'll join us up at the podium, uh as you remember, you have three minutes and if you could list first and last name and where you're from, that would be great.

Uh Dean Lundy uh Kuzbay. now of of Mayor Benetti and and then council members um about a year ago, I don't know if you remember, but I I suggested tearing up the railroad tracks and making a walking path along the uh the the bayshore there. And I've been here talking about the u the old program of connecting the boardwalks with a walking path. Well, I was at hospice and something drew me to the baseball cap wall there and I found a baseball cap that was when when they actually did it. It says connect the connect the boardwalks. Okay, so that's what got you know so it's got to be written in the stars but it's better than that. North the city of Northbend they actually did that plan. I've I've showed you this plan a hundred times is to to you know that that uh their their public works department actually drew it. We don't need this anymore because now we're talking great American rails to trails. This is a win-win for the all our communities. Um the Kous Bay Rail uh uh line um uh uh corporation is I believe is planning to vacate the entire gradual rail corridor from the North Bend swing bridge all the way along the waterfront through the city and all the way up the river at a gradual grade to Coke. And

I think I know who's going to pay for it. I think ODOT's going to pay for it. The whole thing to take up the rails, the sleepers, and and get the Knife River to do it. It will be so beautiful. Even people in a motorized wheelchair can use it. Pedestrians can use it. It solves all the it it gets the public and walkers, equestrian, horses, bicycles, people on wheelchairs and stuff away from the cars and the trucks and it's a safe corridor. It's and there's no breaks in it. No, no public property. They haven't broken it up yet. Anyway, so so anyway, I just wanted to to uh to say I think if we just asked to do it, uh ODOT has gazillions of money to to to help the public and their roads are not helping the public. If you guys have gone from Kous Bay to Cook between mile 3 and mile 7, there is no place for a person to walk. It's they just did it too for trucks. So it'll be a win-win for everybody. Anyway, thank you very much. Thank you, Dean. Appreciate your comments and your passion on the topic. Uh the next uh person uh is Mo Akre.

I think you're all excited about this. Thank you, Carmen. I keep on

My name is Moac Akre. I live in Kuspay. I'm here to thank you. I really appreciate number one all of the information. Where is Mayor Benedi? He's tiny up there somewhere. Oh, hi. Okay, great. Um, anyway, I really appreciate all the information that you provide the community. I read every single PSA. Um, but I'm especially want to thank you today for the PSA that went out March 2nd about the concern regarding the development of the ICE detention facility in Kous County and indicated there is no current uh intention of locating there. And in workforce, which I have been in for 43 years, I understand that to become a police officer, and we have a couple over here, and a firefighter or any of those, you don't want a pedal to the metal type of person. Correct. Uh there's a psychological that they go through before they can be there. And in my experience, what I've heard, uh including a recent, um whistleblower, is that many of those things are not being followed. And that's why we've had some concerning things happen. Uh very concerning things. I have two uh indigenous women that are carrying their tribal papers in Kous County. That's crazy. Anyway, um I like that the city of Kous County remains committed to supporting the development of all the things that are important to us here. Uh but bravo. Uh and thank you.

Thank you for your kind remarks, Mo. Uh the next person on uh the list is Jaden. Hello. Hi everyone. Um my name is Jaden, pronoun she, her, and I'm currently the executive director of the South Coast Health Equity Coalition. Who would have known two weeks ago when I was here when we were talking about preparedness that we would walk into a week of just craziness for our community? And so, just to follow up with what Mo shared, um I want to thank personally the city of um Kous Bay for helping put rumors to rest about potential ICE detention centers um coming to our region. For many of for many in our community, these rumors created real fear and uncertainty. And at a time like this, our local leaders had an opportunity to stand with the people who call this place home. And we appreciate the city choosing transparency and care for our community. The South Coast Hope Equity Coalition will always continue to advocate for a South Coast for the South Coast, but like I said two weeks ago, like we don't want to do that outside of y'all. Like we want to be in deep collaboration. And throughout the week, you saw a lot of organizations who were in the community kind of wrapping around and saying, "Hey, we need the these things to be clear and also holding local leadership um accountable with um with the power that we hold and our platforms that we have and when it comes to sharing information. Um and so I'm really grateful that y'all were willing to kind of bring us in or reach out or answered our co our phone calls, our text messages, you know. Um it was really amazing and so I want to make sure that we um continue to foster that deep collaboration that we have and thank y'all so much.

Thank you so much Jaden. Uh the next person wishing to speak is Caleb. Caleb, forgive me. Is it Bannis? Am I saying that right? It's Bannis. Banis. Yes. Thank you. Name's Caleb Banis. I live here in Kuz Bay.

Uh first I would like to start by again also thanking you uh for the uh PSA. It was very helpful. Um, I lived a lot of different places in this country, a lot of beautiful places. Uh, I'm happy to call this home. I have a a 9-year-old son and we live in a predominantly Spanish neighborhood here in town and we have a plan. If ice comes, our neighborhood has a plan. Um, and I the PSA was helpful. It put to rest a little bit of fear, but there's a lot of fear. My son is nine. Like I said, he doesn't have all the information, but he does have enough information to be terrified that this is going to come to our city. There's nothing we can do about that. But we have a plan for tsunamis. We have a plan for earthquakes, fires. We have the nicest police force I've ever encountered. Thank you guys.

Um, so nature of horses a vacuum. without a plan. If this comes to our city, then we are left with dealing with chaos. So, I'm encouraging the city to um start uh we'll continue with the transparency because that was beautiful. It was really helpful, but then continue to maybe uh start thinking about a plan for if this comes to our town, how can we best protect our citizens? That's all. Thank you for your comments. Appreciate it. Uh the next person wishing to speak is Abby. Is that right? Hi, Abby. Abby Nip. Am I saying that right? It's Kenip. Canip

Kip. Sorry, my apologies.

No, it's okay. The K is not silent. Um, hi everybody. My name is Abby Kenip. I live in North Bend, but I work in Kuz Bay full-time. I spend most of my time in Kuz Bay. Um, and again, just want to reiterate what everyone has said. Really appreciate the PSA that you guys sent out regarding the potential the rumors around ice facility in Kous Bay. And I just want to reiterate a few things and share some of my own opinions. Um I strongly oppose ICE detention facilities in Kuz Bay and and on our coast in general and in the state of Oregon. And I want to share a little bit about how these rumors have impacted people in my life. Um and the irresponsible communications that have impacted the communities here. The topic of ice triggers deep pain, fear, and trauma for many people and repair is definitely needed um by other city county officials and I'm from Minneapolis. I was just in Minneapolis um about a month and a half ago. My family and communities in Minneapolis. I'm from the neighborhood that Renee Good was murdered in and the horror that everyone facing there is really just unspeakable and I don't think the media is really highlighting all the horrible things that are happening there. The deep violence towards bipok community is utterly disgusting. They are taking any person of color off the street. They held my friend for 48 hours unlawfully and then just released her cuz oh we just took you because of racist things. Um and that's really significantly impacted local economies, hospital, public safety. The list goes on and on and on as I'm sure many of you know. Um and it really has an impact on people's emotional and physical well-being. And I've seen the rumor and Kuzbay really amplify and people that I love here helping people through anxiety attacks um and many other episodes this week from the fear that that stimulates in people. And in Kous County, we stand up for our community and our neighbors. We know that migration is a human right. People move here from wildfires, other

climate disasters, whatever it may be. And we welcome people with open arms. And I want us to continue to be a place where we welcome people with open arms and our leaders should invest in what we need to thrive and that is not detention centers. So just like Caleb said, I encourage you, the PSA was a great first step and I'd love to see a continuation of these discussions and making an action plan with community involved and with our local leaders involved so that we can support each other when or if this ever does happen in Oregon again. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Um, the last person wishing to speak this evening is Ashley. Ashley, I should know how to say your last name. O Dicki. Odd Dicki. Oh, it was close. Odd Dicki.

Oh, yeah. The first day of school was always fun growing up. So, um, well, first of all, um, I thank the um, city of Kuz Bay for sharing that press release um, regard regarding the ICE rumors in Kous County. I understand that it takes time to meet and to have discussions that can be hard. that can be challenging and it's really um an example of local leadership that others in our community really need to follow. And while it's been shared that the um that there's no current contract in Kous County, Lakeside about uh um with ICE and DHS, we must remain vigilant and continue to organize so that this does not move forward in the future. And words from people in power in leadership roles carry weight. When public officials and media share unconfirmed info, it can deepen anxiety in communities that have experienced harm, family separation, or in um in case of Kous County surveillance. Uh locally, this week's news um was a big trigger for a lot of community members who were targeted and surveyed during the proposed Jordan Cove LG project. Um, I will just say my work plan this this week was totally shifted to be there to hold space and care for community members that were reaching out to us to find out what was going on. Our communities deserve transparency, community engagement, and most importantly, leaders who will protect our communities and not cooperate with ICE. Why is a group like real climate here? Uh we organize alongside communities for a just and livable future where our communities can really live and f thrive. And more and more people are moving here seeking refuge and more as more and more communities are facing escalating climate change impacts. Myself, I moved here over 10 years ago because the community I was

living in was see facing a severe drought. And um in our work uh framework, migrant justice is climate justice. and we cannot achieve climate issues without helping out our migrant communities. Um, we welcome the city of Kus Bay to continue conversations and ultimately really help be a shepherd um, you know, with our other local leaders and really figure out um, how we can collectively work together on how our community responds to ICE if that's through resolutions, collective community conversations. Um, just as the offer that Jaden made earlier about the equity coalition, um, I also offer like road climate as a partner, thought partner, collaborator, and ultimately, um, you know, to help out with that transparency with community members that sometimes some of this information is not as accessible to. So, um, I really appreciate this offer and as mentioned earlier, I feel like this is just the start because I feel like there's going to be more and more hurdles, um, coming our way. and just appreciate the thought and time that has gone um into this effort so far from your council. So, thank you so much,

Ashley. Thank you very much. Is there anyone else wishing to speak? Rocky Doyle. He needs no introduction, but you do have to state your first and last name and where you reside.

Rocky Doyle and uh live in Kous Bay. Um I I too want to thank you for the press release and your discussions and um and relate and what you came up with. Um I guess what I really want to say and I don't know how this works and I follows up with Ashley that if there is something that we can do as a community to support you in these types of decisions or actions when things come up. I look if you you can reach out to Rogue Climate Nashley or somebody but there are those of us who would participate and support you in this excellent uh endeavor. Um don't know how to go about it but it's something to think about and at least I wanted to express that opinion very much. Thank you.

Thanks Rocky. Uh, I'd like to thank everyone this evening for your comments and your support. It's very nice for of you to all come out. Uh, and with that said, we will close the uh, public comment section of tonight's agenda and move on to the consent calendar. I move to approve the consent calendar. Second. Okay, we have a motion to uh, approve and a second the consent calendar. All in favor say I.

I. I. opposed. Okay, motion carries. This evening we have a relatively short agenda. We have two action items. Uh and the first action item is consideration of approval of the proclamation celebrating Women's History Month. And Nicole, I think you're going to lead us in that.

Yes, I will uh open it up and then happy to uh read the proclamation if that's necessary. But uh so today we're presenting a proclamation to uh acknowledge Women's History Month. It is an opportunity for us to encourage reflection on the remarkable impact women have had throughout time and to celebrate their roles in shaping our communities and societies worldwide while also fostering uh inspiration and empowerment for current and future generations of women. This was first uh presented in the United States through President Jimmy Carter. uh he declared the week of March 8 uh 8th 1980 as national women's history week. Uh as the event evolved in 1987 national the national history national women's history project successfully petition contrast to uh Congress to designate the entire month of March uh for women's history month. Since then, uh, it has become an annual observance and, uh, a proclamation has been done here at the city of Cousay for a number of years. So, we are just continuing in that practice acknowledging there's, uh, many women in our community that have been impactful.

Great. Thanks, Nicole. And if I may, I'm going to have actually um, Councelor Stevens read the proclamation. Whereas throughout history, women have made significant contributions to society through leadership, innovation, public service, education, business, the arts, community advocacy, and whereas women have strengthened our nation, state, and the city of Kuspay through resilience, determination, and a commitment to progress. And whereas the 2026 Women History Month theme, leading the change women shaping a sustainable future, recognizes the vital role women play in building strong, equitable, and sustainable communities. And whereas Women's History Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women of all backgrounds and to inspire future generations. Now therefore, I, Lucinda Denovo, council president of the city of Kuzbay, do hereby proclaim the month of March as women's history month and encourage all residents to honor the women who have shaped our past and continue to lead and strengthen our community. Uh, so we have a resolution um, excuse me, a proclamation uh, on the table. I counselors, how would you like to proceed?

I move we approve the proclamation. the proclamation celebrating Women's History Month. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. Uh the next item on the agenda is a public hearing uh to consider adoption of state approved building codes uh the permit fee schedule modifications. And Marcy, I think you're going to give us a report.

Yes. Good evening everyone. Uh so previously back in November I believe we originally had proposed a modified SK fee schedule for the building codes department. Uh that was approved went through the state and was adopted. It is active. Uh we did note two fee schedules on there for modification. Uh we had adopted the master plan fee schedule. we didn't um adopt a reduced fee line item and we wanted to offer that. So, we've included that in this as well as a typo correction. So, that's included in the public hearing for the fees. We've also requesting um adoption of our proposed resolution 2605 where we've simply modified the format of the fee schedule that's published. Okay. Thank you, Marcy. Uh, counselors, any questions of Marcy this evening? Okay. How Oh, Mayor Benetti, any comments or questions? No. Okay.

Thank you. Okay. I think we need to hold a public hearing. Is that correct? That is correct. Great. So, I will now open the public hearing uh for any um comments on building code permit fee schedule modifications. And there are no uh comments this evening. So, I will close that public hearing and uh counselors, I will ask how you would like to proceed. Uh I'd like to move that we adopt the state approved building codes permit fee schedule modifications including the proposed resolution 26-05. Second.

Okay. We have a motion and a second to approve the building codes permit fee schedule modifications including in proposed resolution 2605. All in favor say I. I. opposed. Motion carries. Uh the next item on the agenda is the city manager report. Nicole,

thank you. Um I would like to start out the report this uh tonight just a thank you to the team who kind of helped keep things going in the unexpected two weeks that I stepped away and then also the the team who sits up here and helps make all of the great decisions for our community allow me to take that time and step away. So, um, I appreciate that it is a perfect storm right now with the right people in the right seats to make that happen. So, thanks to all of you guys for doing that. Um, just a quick update on the Englewood development. We met with the team today and they are moving pretty quickly. They should have some uh permits and things uh started in the next week or so with hopefully a groundbreaking. They're they're talking about maybe doing that uh with members from council, some folks from the county as this has been a collaboration potentially the first week of April. So, more to follow with that. They have every intention to have uh some buildings up there uh one year from the date in which they met us. So, um, you'll recall the introductions were made by Councelor Matthews at last year's, uh, spring conference for the League of Oregon Cities, which was in Northbend, was held in Northbend, uh, the first week of May. So, that's pretty quick, right around the corner. Uh, more to follow there. Uh, also just to share, and we'll have some information coming out about this, the East Side uh, feasibility study um, for the port's property in East Side for housing. We're doing some work with a consultant in in conjunction with the port. There will be some community meetings. Obviously, a lot of conversation around uh how that could impact the east side uh neighborhoods. So, we'll be bringing together uh the consulting team and folks from our team and the ports team to host some

community meetings. Uh those are scheduled for March 11th and uh 25th. Those are evening meetings and uh the school district has been kind enough to allow us to use the east side school there. So more to follow on that should be out in our uh both in our uh networking uh circles and also the ports as well. Uh we are fast and furiously trying to pull together a budget. Uh we'll be doing that kind of finalizing some things here in house uh with the intent to get that out to the full budget committee the first week of April. Um the latest the second week of April as we plan those meetings the last week of April, first week of May. And then finally we will be bringing to you the um uh collective bargaining agreement at your next meeting um for the International Association of Firefighters. Uh the team's been working with their uh with their uh bargaining team over the last several months. This is the quickest we've been in and out of a contract um in my history of being at the city of Keys Bay. So I'm really proud of both sides uh being able to sit at the table and come to conclusion. We'll have some information uh in regards to those final agreed amounts uh and you know all of that in the staff report for the March 17th meeting. So, just want to let you know we've made great progress and actually got it finished before uh the contract uh closes at the end of June. So, that's what I have for today.

Very exciting news. Thank you, Nicole. Uh council comments. Uh Jacob, we'll start with you. I don't have any comments this evening, so uh I'll pass it on to the next counselor. Okay. How about uh Councelor Matthews?

All right. I'll just uh jump in by uh addressing the ICE statement. Um I just wanted to basically say that that I'm glad or very appreciative of this council and the staff for collaborating to u craft a a statement that I think was really well thought out. And uh I'm also glad to hear that it had a calming effect for a large portion of our community. uh we are all in this together and I think that that comment that statement um held that principle uh to the best of its ability. I also wanted to just uh kind of honor women's history month a little bit since we already we already went through that but um you know sitting at this dis with um a large majority of or a majority of strong and very capable women and uh and staff as well being um so well represented with women. It's just a it's an honor to see uh our community really embrace uh women's history month, but also in today's uh aspect just um the way we all collaborate and uh the efforts that are or you know the accolades that women bring to our community on a daily basis. And so I just want to say thank you for uh being a part of it and for allowing me to sit and um be a part of what you bring to the table every day. That brings me to another part which is Marcy at the building codes administration. I know a lot of contractors and I've been checking in with them to see how things are going and I've heard uh lots of good comments. Actually, all good comments. I haven't heard anything but uh praise for your um your presence in the building codes department and uh I think it's a

really welcomed refreshing um change. So, thank you for what you're doing and I think that's all I have for tonight. Councelor Matthews, I've always called you a smart man and the fact that you would uh acknowledge all the strong women when there are seven six at this dis right now with staff and council members and the majority in our audience uh this evening are women. So thank you for always your uh incredibly thoughtful remarks. Um councelor Stevens. Yeah, just quickly uh to echo just proud to be a resident of the city of Cuspay and proud to sit on this DAS. Thanks. Uh, and last but not least, our fearless leader, Mayor Benetti.

Thank you. Well, first of all, I want to thank everyone for stepping up uh for me and helping during this time. And uh I really appreciate the council um supporting me. So anyway, Luca, thank you so much for stepping in the last couple meetings. It's my absolute honor, Mayor Benetti. Um I think that everything has been said. Just so grateful for all of you here this evening to uh share uh your thoughts uh about the statement that was made and um just really appreciate you being here this evening. So thank you. Meeting adjourned.