City Council - Regular Meeting

What, no coffee? Oh.

I've been running for two weeks.

Patient I'd like to remind you that there's a three minute limit.

Therefore, you haven't already please take a few moments before you get up to speak and plan and time your comments to make sure you fall within the three minute limit. Thank you for your consideration.

Well, yes.

Okay. We're going to get started. Welcome everybody to the June 8th, 2026 city council meeting. Well, I asked the city clerk to please call the roll.

Councilor McLaughlin.

Present.

Councilor Randall.

Present.

Councilor Ring.

Present.

Councilor Runyon.

Present.

Councilor Richardson is absent and Mayor Mays.

Present. Item three is the pledge of allegiance. Would everybody please stand and join me in the pledge.

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.

Thank you. Item four is approval of the agenda. There's only one, I know there's one small change. Our executive session will have nothing to do with labor negotiations, but we will be going to executive session for the other item that's mentioned on here, which is an evaluation of employment performance. Okay, is there any other discussion on the agenda? All those in favor of approving the agenda, please say aye.

Aye. Oh, we got to have a motion.

I know. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda?

Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. I'll second the motion.

It's been moved by Councilor Ring and seconded by Councilor Randall to approve the agenda. Is there any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 5A is not going to happen tonight. We couldn't get everybody together. So we're hoping that we'll get the recognition of the Dallas Robotics team, which did so great at the national conference or the national competition, I should say. They really did another great job. But we're not able to get all the kids together and the coaches. So we're going to put that off until hopefully the next council meeting. I will go ahead with item 5B, which is proclaiming July 4th as a celebration of our 250th, America's 250th anniversary. I'd like to introduce Chelsea Parrott, who's going to come up and introduce this proclamation.

Good evening, counsel. Thank you for having me.

Want to introduce yourself and who you're with and all that, or were you going to do that?

That was, yeah, I would get there. Okay. Taking a breath, sir. Okay. My name is Chelsea Parrott. I am your Wasco County Veteran Service Officer. I service veterans and their families, helping handhold essentially through the VA, whether it be education, applying for benefits, death and burial, or anything in between. So... America was founded upon three basic core principles, inalienable rights, self-government and the rule of law. The first secures our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The second affirms that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, which means every citizen has a voice. The third calls us to equality and justice for all, to care for one another, to serve in our communities, and to be the change we wish to see. These principles were enshrined in our three charters of freedom, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. 250 years later, here we stand, heirs to that extraordinary legacy. Under three minutes.

You're here. You are well under the three minutes. That's why I'm hesitating to make sure you're done.

That was it, sir.

Great. Excellent presentation. I'm not going to go ahead and read the proclamation. This is once again a city of the Dallas Proclamation proclaiming July 4th, 2026 as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Whereas on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence established the United States of America as a free and independent nation founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, self-government, and the pursuit of individual rights. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, a historic milestone recognizing two and a half centuries of democracy, civic participation, resilience, and service to the nation. And whereas this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the history, achievements, challenges, and shared ideals that continue to shape communities across the country, including here in the Dalles. And whereas generations of residents, veterans, public servants, educators, businesses, civic organizations, and volunteers have contributed to the strength, growth, and character of the Dalles and the United States through service, innovation, and sacrifice, And whereas the Dalles recognition as a medal of honor city reflects the community's commitment to preserving veteran history and promoting the values of courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and selfless service that have helped shape the nation throughout its history. And whereas the City of the Dalles recognizes the importance of civic engagement, public service, historic reflection, and community celebration for this historic milestone. And whereas communities across the nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary with events, educational opportunities, celebrations, and activities intended to inspire future generations and strengthen appreciation for the freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship. Now, therefore, on the 8th day of June, 2026, Richard A. Mays, Mayor of the Dalles, on behalf of the City Council, does hereby proclaim July 4th, 2026 as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary in the Dalles and encourages all residents to recognize and commemorate this historic milestone through reflection, civic participation, community celebration, and appreciation for the enduring principles of liberty, democracy, and public service. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, item six, audience participation. During this portion of the meeting, anyone may speak on any subject which does not later appear on the agenda. Interested citizens are required to sign up in advance and be recognized. Up to three minutes per person will be allowed. Citizens are encouraged to ask questions with the understanding that the city can either answer the question tonight or refer that question to the appropriate staff member who will get back to you within a reasonable amount of time. If a response by the city is requested and that response is not immediately provided, the speaker will be referred to the city manager for further action. We have three signed up. First is Bob Kenyon. Please come forward, state your name and address.

Right there? Yep. Okay. Bob Kenyon, 800 Liberty Street here in the Dells. For just a short comment, obviously three minutes, but I want to put a shout out for the music festival, which was held two weeks ago, which was called the Grand Dalles Music Festival, and it was a grand success. But I want to put a shout out for Jonathan. Jonathan and Shannon came here five years ago, actually, about right now, and opened up. About three years ago, Jonathan started thinking about this. And the first thing we all heard about it was the fall of 24. Those of us who play music with them down there. And the 25 Music Festival was very good. But the big change this year was that instead of using Lewis and Clark Park, which is actually the city park, they moved it to the city park, and it was quite a bit better. The Granada was... three quarters full there was dancing the music the people that came for this uh this event are very good musicians and they come they came a second year and this is the second annual music festival and let's hope that that it becomes the third annual next year and becomes a fixture just like the other ones that are held in the gorge and around the state And I think a real appreciation for the work that Jonathan's put into this to bring these musicians. He has contacts that we... Let me see there. We're almost done. And he has the contacts that was able to bring these musicians to town. And I hope that everybody had a chance to see it. And if not, hopefully next May there will be the third annual The Grand Dales Music Festival. And thank you, Jonathan, for all the work that he did. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Always nice to get positive comments about special events, especially those that volunteers have a big hand in. So thank you again. Next up is Debbie Ferrer.

Hello, I'm Debbie Ferrer, 900 West 18th Street in the Dalles, and I'm here today on behalf of the City Beautification and Tree Committee with a brief report. I just wanted to let you all know that we recently granted 10 grants to local businesses on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Street. for up to $300 each to beautify the front of their, the sidewalks in front of their businesses. So hopefully this is the second year that we've done this. So hopefully you'll see some new flowers and flower pots emerging downtown. And it was a big success last year. And so we wanted to repeat it. We had great response. We were able to give 10 grants away, but we had double that who applied. So hopefully we can do it again next year. We also just opened up our third annual, hopefully annual, residential tree grant for citizens in the Dalles. And so I think you probably are all aware, but for any citizens out there who might be interested, we have given away large pretty large, like eight to 10, eight to 12 foot tall trees that are, you know, really good nursery stock. Citizens can apply for one or two trees to be planted in either the parking strip in front of their house or their front yard. And the purpose of this is to help beautify the community, to help increase property values because trees do that. And also to increase our shade cover in the Dalles because our city is recognized as one that's quite lacking in in shade cover compared to other communities. So it'll help keep us cooler as well. So if anyone is interested those grants that grant application opened up June 1 and it closes. August 1st, so you have two months to apply and there's a link to an online application on the city's homepage and also we have some paper applications here if anyone in the audience wants to take one or they can get a paper application at the city clerk's office upstairs here anytime. So again, due dates are August 1st. We'll let people know if they have received a tree or two and By September 1 and then the trees arrive around the first of October. We usually give them out about the first or second week in October when it's a good time for planting. That's it.

Thank you very much. We appreciate the work that you guys do on the beautification and tree committee and I think we're Yes. Yes.

to make comment.

As soon as I'm done making nine, yeah. I just wanted to congratulate and thank the committee and also point out that we now have seven members, a full committee for the first time in a while. So, Councilor McLaughlin.

Just to add to that, your efforts, by the way, are noted. We see them around town and appreciate it. Good work.

I think it was to 200 trees.

Wow.

City Council for helping

we're noticing the difference in the fronts of businesses.

Okay. Last, Yvonne Wakefield.

Good evening. I have three points today.

Yvonne Peckin Wakefield.

We got it now? Okay. I have three points to make. I'm Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield. I live at 3735 Clint Drive in the Dalles. I'm here to make three points. One, I own and operate Yvonne's Art Studio at the same address. This May 2nd through 5th. was the 20th annual Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour. I've been participating in this since 2014. The closure of Weber Street impacted this annual public tour, which is the biggest profit-generating event in my operational year. Sales and traffic were down 70% compared to records that I've kept since 2015. And there was at one point when about the 10th person came in and said, we couldn't find this, I said, Talk to the city. Point two. There are some bushes that reach into the road at the curve of Columbia as it turns into Clint Drive. Vehicles coming from the west direction swerve out in the road to avoid them nearly causing head-on collisions with the eastbound traffic. I brought this to the attention of the port and have received no response. I filed a complaint with ODOT and have received no response. With the increased traffic and parked vehicles associated with the construction at the Google site and the vehicles parked at the Imagination Garden, the situation has become even more dangerous. It's not a lot of brush, but it's enough to make people do that two inch into the road. In fact, it looks like a big truck ran over a couple. Number three. Winds blowing across the asphalt company churn up dust clouds that blow across the riverfront trail at times making it painful to walk through. With the additional Google activity on the vacant site across from the plant, the situation has on windy days gotten worse. This business is in an industrial site and there will be environmental fallout. Mitigation, not cessation of the blowing dust problem should be considered. And I've actually had to stop my walk on the trail or pick up my little dogs because the sand and the dust was so bad. And I've seen people put their hoodies over them. So these are the three points I would like to bring to your attention. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Who did you say you contacted about the Columbia and Clint drive from you caught contacted?

Oh, God, and who emailed the port and then a port with Oh, dot? Yeah. Okay. And I've received no response.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. Item seven, the city manager's report, Mr. Cleaves.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have a few items for you this evening. First and foremost, we will be changing the work session that we had planned for the wastewater master plan that was originally scheduled to be later this month. But due to some availability issues, we're going to have to pivot that and hopefully target sometime in July. Amy's going to be sending a doodle poll. I ask that you please respond as timely as possible so we can get that set up. Last week, we hosted Governor Kotak's North Central Regional Solutions Team. Thanks to Dale and Tyler for participating in that. We had a conversation with regional solutions staff and other agency partners, specifically around water challenges and water opportunities, and concluded with an excellent tour of our Wix water treatment plant. I have a meeting next week or next, next week, tomorrow with the new inbound chamber CEO, Linda Cox. She is the former tourism director. You've all met her before, but it'll be a good touch base meeting tomorrow as that transition comes up. I've been participating in the League of Oregon City's Finance and Taxation Policy Committee for potential state legislation in the coming cycle. We're formalizing some of the recommended language for some of the ballot measures that will be Championing three of those major finance policy issues that the committee has been discussing is the prevailing wage impacts on public works infrastructure and public private partnerships, alcohol tax, state shared revenue and nine one one state shared revenue. Wanted to give a reminder to the council and to the community at large that dog licenses are required and will be effective July 1st of this year. And to facilitate this, we've partnered with DocuPet, which went live last week. So you may have seen some posts. There'll be some flyers and whatnot in our utility mailers and updates on our website. Thus far, we have 82 registrations. So hopefully we'll see more and more compliance as we get closer and closer to the July 1st date. We've unveiled our new branding and logo, which I hope you noticed on your council packet this evening. Amy will also be sending out some instructions for all the city councilors to make sure to update and change your signature line on your email to reflect this new brand and logo. I want to give compliments to the team that worked on this. There were multiple staffers in different departments, input from city staff, as well as the city council on finalizing this. Candidate filing packets for council positions are now open and updated information is available on our website at the dallas.org slash elections. And then Amy and I attended the Northwest Women's Leadership Academy graduation last week or last Friday in support of Abby, the executive assistant in my office who graduated from that academy. It was very exciting. We also got a notice today that our partnership with the Dalles Art Center, specifically for our roundabout project to replace the faded murals, received a $28,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts through the hard work of the staff over there. This goes along with a 30,000, roughly a $30,000 grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust and $25,000 from Google. This will involve a partnership with the Columbia Gorge Community College and their welding program and their skill center program up there to install a new art project to replace the murals that have now since faded. And then a smattering of project updates. The Federal Street project is moving forward. There is some heavy equipment moving around down there today. The first street streetscaping project, we have finalized the change order that the council authorized at the last meeting. And we're also continuing to work with our archeologists and we're evaluating a potential sewer line replacement option potentially as part of this project and coordinating that with our public works engineering department, our contract engineer and construction contractor. And there'll be more information on that front in the coming weeks. The West Side Interceptor project is on track with the Weber Street crossing still scheduled to be reopened as planned on June 26. The 10th Street resurfacing repair is scheduled for June 17th. And we're working with our contractor on the 6th Street closeout and repair list. That's the project over from the Snipes and Hostetler area. And that will be scheduled for later this year. And finally, I have a family vacation planned June 26 to July 6. And so I'll have my phone on me and everything, but hopefully we'll be able to get away for a little bit. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Any questions for the city manager? I had one. Occasionally, well, frequently, I should say, travel. through the alley to check on the first street project. And I have yet to see anybody, any archaeologists. Maybe I just go by at the wrong times. It's a little concerning to me that I never see anybody there.

Yeah. And recently, much of the work, frankly, I think has been on compiling the information and report writing that the archaeologists have due to the State Historic Preservation Office. So there is less work actually on site. Excavation has ceased as we work through those reporting requirements, and they evaluate what they've uncovered thus far. We'll have more information when their report is finished, but you're right, they're not actually on site at this time.

OK. Any other questions? Councillor Ring.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Is it possible to get an update on schedule and whatnot for First Street? Not now, if you don't have it, but I'm just curious, like with these delays and reporting and things like that, the schedule is going to slip. So it'd be good to get an update.

Yeah, we're concerned about that as well. And we can provide some of that additional information as we kind of dial it in.

Okay. Anybody else? Okay. We'll move on to city council reports. We'll start with Council Runyon.

Well, I've been gone for a while, except on Zoom. But today, Councilor McLaughlin and I, we made a trip just impromptu to the water treatment plant. Had a nice tour up there and learned a lot. about how things actually work, bringing water into the city and so forth. And it was very interesting. I'll let Tim talk about the rest of it.

Council Randall.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On June 2nd, the local public safety coordinating committee, also known as LIPSIC met. Um, and we received a briefing from the, uh, Wausau County district attorney, Kara Davis. Uh, today, this morning, I, uh, met with the, uh, uh, League of Oregon City's Water and Wastewater Policy Advisory Committee, where we also had a final review of the legislative policy priorities. And upcoming this Wednesday, I'll be meeting with the Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Steering Committee.

Thank you. Councilor Ring?

I'm going to pass this evening. I'm sure mayors, I've been dealing with the death in the family for the last week or so.

Now we have our condolences on that. Councilman McLaughlin.

Thank you, Mayor Mayes. I went downtown to observed some rebuilding. I'm doing a shout out for the person Shana Newsome has taken this project on and she's a local artist. She's donating her time. basically to enhance and she's doing an amazing job with even I was impressed that there was a tile at the Williams building that was missing. And she's working with people to get an exact duplicate remade to fit in there. And she is doing amazing job in the downtown core. And I would like to shout out and say, great job. Continue that. Her name, Shana Newsome. We did visit, Councilor Runyon and I visited our Wix treatment plant because I was investigating how the water system in our community works. And I've been researching that at night, knowing how the water comes off from the mountain and how it's saved underneath the aquifer and how all of that works. So I wanted, it's eyes on is the best way and to see the plant. And thank you, by the way, for being there and showing us around. It was very, very enlightening, and I appreciate the time spent. So that's my report for this week.

Thank you. As far as I'm concerned, I made presentations on what's going on with the city to the Rotary Club the last couple of weeks, the Community Affairs Committee, which is a chamber organization. And I also attended the Community Outreach Team meeting a couple of weeks ago. I also attended a Kiwanis meeting. I did not speak, but our retired director of public works, Dave Anderson, gave a presentation on the city's water system to the Kiwanis Club. The city manager and I met with Katie Linkhouse, who's an aide to Senator Jeff Merkley. And I also attended a little celebration, celebrating the yard of the month, which is another project by our beautification and tree committee. The home is owned by Alison and Joel Lira on scenic drive. So a pretty busy couple of weeks. Okay, item nine is the consent agenda. Items of a routine and non-controversial nature are placed on the consent agenda to allow the city council to spend its time and energy on the important items and issues. Any counselor may request an item be pulled from the consent agenda and may be considered separately. Items pulled from the consent agenda will be placed on the agenda at the end of the action item section. We have three items on tonight's consent agenda. First is the approval of the May 26 City Council meeting minutes. Second is authorizing expenditures for a contract for water system emergency generators. And third is approval of a lease agreement with our community college for the aviation maintenance training hangar at the airport. Is there a motion to approve this consent agenda?

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

McLaughlin will second.

Moved by Councilor Randall and seconded by Councilor McLaughlin to approve the consent agenda. Is there any questions or discussion? All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much. Item 10A is consideration of a resolution establishing the Service Continuity Reserve Fund. And our finance director, Brita Meyer, is here to explain.

Yes, good evening. Resolution 26-020 establishes a new service continuity reserve fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial stability during periods of sudden revenue shortfalls, unexpected expenditure increases, or changing economic conditions. This reserve would allow the city to maintain essential general fund services while evaluating and implementing longer term fiscal resources and solutions. The fiscal year 26-27 budget approved by the budget committee already includes funding for this reserve. Staff recommends the adoption of this resolution, establishing the fund and defining its purpose, funding use and review requirements.

Thank you. Any questions for Ms. Meyer? Any discussion? Of course, we did discuss this. As our finance director has pointed out, we did discuss this at the budget committee meeting at length, if I remember correctly. So, good. If there's no other discussion or questions, I'm looking for a motion.

Want to make a motion?

Mr. Mayor, I'll move to adopt resolution number 26-020, establishing the service continuity reserve fund under ORS 294.346 and providing for its purpose, funding, use, and review.

Is there a second?

McLaughlin, one second.

McLaughlin.

It's been moved by Councilor Ring and seconded by Councilor McLaughlin to approve the resolution establishing the community, or excuse me, the service continuity reserve fund. Any discussion? All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 11A is a resolution declaring the city of the Dells election to receive state revenues for this fiscal year coming up. I have a script I have to read. Now's the time scheduled for the city council's public hearing under ORS 221.770 to receive written and oral testimony on the proposed use of state revenue sharing funds for the city's 2026-27 fiscal year in relation to the entire city budget, including possible offset against property taxes. The public hearing is now open. First, I'll ask the finance director to summarize the proposed use of state revenue sharing funds, the budget committee's recommendation, and any legal use restrictions. Council may ask questions after that presentation. Then I'll open up for public testimony portion of the hearing. After public testimony is complete, the council may deliberate and consider resolution number 26-021, declaring the city's election to receipt state revenues for fiscal year 26-27. Are there any questions about the process? Seeing no questions right now, Ms. Meyer, would you like to give the staff report, please?

Thank you. The state law requires cities to annually hold public hearings to adopt a resolution electing to receive state revenue-sharing funds. The Budget Committee conducted the required hearing on May 11th and recommended continuing the city's longstanding practice of using these revenues to support general fund and street fund operations. Tonight's hearing allows the Council to receive public input on the proposed use of these funds before considering the annual resolution to receive these funds for fiscal year 26-27. The approved budget already includes these anticipated revenues in the general and the street funds. Staff recommends adoption of this resolution.

Thank you. Does the City Council have any questions for the Finance Director? Okay, seeing none, I am now opening the public testimony portion of the hearing. Does anybody wish to provide oral testimony or has anyone submitted written testimony on the proposed use of state revenue sharing funds for fiscal year 26 and 27? Anybody? Seeing no testimony, the public testimony portion of this hearing is closed. Is there any council discussion before a motion? Okay, seeing no questions or discussion, is there a motion?

Mayor Mayes, I move to adopt resolution number 26-021 declaring the city's election to receive state revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027. Is there a second? I'll second the motion.

It's been moved by Councilor McLaughlin and seconded by Councilor Randall to adopt the resolution of declaring the city of the Dalles election under state statute to receive state revenues for fiscal year 2026 and seven. Is there any discussion? Any more? Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. That concludes agenda item 11A. We'll now move to item... 11b once again we have a public hearing this one is on the approved fiscal year budget for 2026 and 7 fiscal year this is resolution 26-022 now is the time schedule for the city council's public hearing under oregon local budget law to receive written and oral testimony on the budget committee approved fiscal year 2026-27 budget and to consider resolution number 26-022, adopting the budget, making appropriations, authorizing expenditures, levying taxes, and authorizing the city manager to take action necessary to carry out the adopted budget. The public hearing is now open. First, I'll ask the finance director to summarize the approved budget, the budget committee action, the minor water capital reserve fund grant adjustment, and the total budget amount the proposed appropriations and the proposed tax levy. Council may ask questions after that presentation. I'll then open the public testimony portion of the hearing. After public testimony is complete, the council may deliberate and consider resolution number 26-022. If the council wants to make changes that would require additional notice or another hearing under ORS 294.456, the staff should identify that council The staff should identify that before the council acts. Are there any questions about the process? Ms. Meyer, would you like to give the staff report?

Yes, so the budget committee reviewed the proposed fiscal year 26-27 budget on May 11th and 12th and approved it with modifications. Tonight's public hearing provides the council and the community an opportunity to offer testimony before final budget adoption. Since Budget Committee approval, one minor adjustment has been made. An amended grant award increased the Water Capital Reserve Fund revenues and expenditures by $146,187 with no impact on the overall balance of the fund. Staff recommends the adoption of the fiscal year 26-27 budget and the accompanying resolution authorizing the appropriations, expenditures, tax levies of $3.15 and a half cents per $1,000 of assessed value and related administrative actions.

Thank you, Ms. Meyer. Is there any questions for the finance director? Again, as it was pointed out, this was a subject of two nights, wasn't it? A budget committee on May 11th and 12th. So, okay. If there's no other questions, I'm opening the public testimony portion of this hearing. Does anyone wish to provide oral testimony or has anyone submitted written testimony with questions or comments on the approved fiscal year 2026-27 budget? Anybody would like to come forward and speak? You're not limited to three minutes either. Okay, let the record show that no one is coming forward. Since there is no testimony, the public testimony portion of this hearing is closed. Is there any council discussion or any proposed amendment before a motion is made? Anybody? Okay, if the council makes no further amendments and it looks like they are not, An appropriate motion is on the staff report.

Mr. Mayor, I'll move to adopt resolution number 26-022, adopting fiscal year 2026-2027 budget for the city of the Dalles, making appropriations, authorizing expenditures, levying taxes, and authorizing the city manager to take such action as necessary to carry out the adopted budget. I'll second it.

It's been moved by Councilor Ring and seconded by Councilor Randall to adopt the resolution adopting the city's budget for 2026-27. Is there any more discussion or questions? All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much. The City Council of the City of the Dalles will now meet in executive session in accordance with ORS 192.660, which allows the Council to meet in executive session to review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the city manager, city attorney, and municipal judge. Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session. All other members of the audience are asked to leave the room. We will be meeting in the conference room, however, so you're welcome to stay here. But representatives of the news may be specifically directed not to report on or otherwise disclose any of the deliberations or anything said about these subjects during the executive session, except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced. No final decision may be made in executive session. At the end of the executive session, we will return to open session and welcome the audience back to the open meeting. We expect the return to open session in about 60 minutes. Those not permitted to attend the executive session are invited to wait until the council returns to open session. And with that, we will adjourn to executive session.

Oh man. We're open session now.

I guess I'll check the score of the basketball game later. So we're entertaining ideas on salary increases for Jonathan and Matthew. We also need to consider the judge. So we can either award the judge the same as Matthew and Jonathan or which we've always done, or we can leave that for me and Ben to work out with him. As we know, we're never in a position where we can effectively evaluate the judge, but we do have employees that have commented and Brenda has, actually Brenda has done some work on that. So we can leave it to her to finish up. Is that okay? Yes.

Regarding the judge, as usual, I recuse myself from any evaluation. Because? Because of the conflict of interest.

With your son?

No, he's my attorney.

Oh. Yeah, that would be legitimate.

As a private practice.

All right. Does anybody have a recommendation for a salary increase? I could throw out some ideas, but I want to give you guys first shot.

You don't have something written on that.

I got a motion. Yeah, but we have to fill in the blank. Oh, percentage blank.

So, and this is to clarify that's for a merit increase.

Well, that's up to us. We can give a zero merit or we can give anything for a merit. We can give a step increase, which is 3%. If we want to give a step increase by virtue of the fact that neither one of them had been with the city, then the appropriate number of years where they get to the top step and then are not eligible for a step increase anymore, right?

I'm interested in your recommendation.

Well, I was going to suggest that they get a 2.7% COLA increase. cost of living which we just found out okay a three percent step increase because they would be eligible for that if they were not if they were part of the pay plan neither one of them are part of the pay plan but if they were they'd be eligible for a step increase right and then a uh two and a half percent merit increase so three percent plus uh 2.7 plus three plus What did I just say? Two or two and a half percent merit. Two and a half. Two and a half.

Which is close to what they got last year, I believe. I think it's exactly this.

Well, I don't know about percentage, but I don't care. Well, I have that here. The COLA increase last step increase would have been the same. The merit, I think, was got it right here, I think.

It was higher. I'm not mistaken.

The merit was higher?

I think so. seems like cola was like three something it was high but I just want to make sure that the compensation package is aligned to other to other cities that have um so that we don't fall outside of the average of what other cities are offering plan or city managers meaning if it's too high If it's too low, he's going to take a look, and we don't want that. We want it to be averaged out and be somewhere in the middle.

According to my notes, last year they got a 3.3% COLA, a 3% STEP, and a 2.5% MERIT.

Yeah, that's a little more. Can you say that again?

3.3% COLA, 3% STEP, and a 2.5% MERIT. And COLA this year is how much? 2.7%.

I would drop that down.

Yeah, so my suggestion was 2.7 COLA, 3% step, 2.5% merit. And I think we did not do a salary survey this year, but past years, Jonathan's very hard to compare with other city attorneys because you're not comparing apples to apples. Right. A lot of cities, especially ones our size, contract out the attorney they're legal. Matthews, of course, there are a lot of city managers in Oregon. And the key there is to compare the Dalles with similar sized cities, like Pendleton, Hermiston, for example, Hood River is not our size, but they're right next door.

And I think that my suggestion is those three elements you just listed. Let's do that.

I'm, I'm agreement with that.

Scott, Ben. Remind me again, they're not on like a city pay scale. John Potter, So the step increase, I think, is important, especially because it's on public record right like so the coal adjustments straightforward the merit increase, I think, is fairly straightforward, but if they're not on a like a city pay scale, then this step increase. Is.

John Potter, You want me to. John Potter, Expand on that a little bit. Yeah, like all all cities and employees, with the exception of Matthew and Jonathan are part of the city's pay plan, which includes a starting salary. of x and a maximum salary all city positions except for those two have a minimum and a maximum is there seven steps okay let's assume there's seven steps between the minimum and the max and all seven steps have a three percent in between each step so when you're here seven years you're not eligible theoretically you're not eligible for a step increase anymore because you're at the top of the range about half of our employees are at the top of their range So Matthew and Jonathan have only been here four or five years. So they would, theoretically, if they were part of the pay plan, they would be eligible for a 3% step increase, which is why I've suggested that they get that step increase. Correct. When they get to be here seven years or something, that's another story, in my opinion. So that would be something else.

Right.

Is that clear? Yep. Okay.

When I was in administration and we settled our union contracts and administrative was always higher, that always made me feel odd. I just didn't it didn't sit right. So I always wanted it to be aligned with the staff. I didn't win out on that argument. But anyway, this is aligned and it's it's reasonable and it's not it's not excessive. So I think your plan, I agree with your plan, Rich.

Okay, 2.7 plus 3.0 plus 2.5 equals 8.2.

8.2? Just writing them down, give them your written.

Well, if somebody wants to make the motion, I've got it right here. Scott is?

Yeah.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion. I move to award an 8.2% salary increase inclusive of cost of living allowance and merit increase to the three contracted city employees effective on their respective anniversary dates.

Okay. I think you should, I think we need to amend that to just say the city attorney and the city manager.

Correct. Okay. So withdraw that motion. I withdraw that motion. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make another motion to award an 8.2% salary increase inclusive of cost of living allowance and merit increase to the two contracted city employees, the city attorney and the city manager, effective on their respective anniversary dates.

Let's do Robert's Rules of Order. Is that correct? 8.2, okay. Okay, good. Good, okay.

Is there a second?

I'll second. Yeah, you go ahead.

It's been moved by Councilor Randall and seconded by Councilor Ring to award an 8.2% salary increase inclusive of cost of living and merit to the city manager and the city attorney effective on the respective anniversary dates. Is there any discussion? Any more discussion? All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. I didn't know Dan Richardson would agree with that because he texted me before, so.

Okay.

All right. Anything else that come before the council?