Oakridge city council meeting 11/7: A city contract is questioned and use of Greenwaters Park for a warming center squeaks by

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor/The Herald  —  Mayor Cutchen called the meeting to order with councilors Poncho Tarman, Christina Hollett, and Dawn Kinyon in attendance. Councilor Kelly Brewer attended remotely, and councilors Michelle Coker, and Melissa Bjarnson were absent.

Having received no public comments, Mayor Cutchen began by congratulating the new council members that had been voted into office in the latest elections. Cutchen stated that there will be training afforded to them in the upcoming weeks.

Also, during mayor comments, Cutchen announced that there will be a Veterans’ Day breakfast at the Oakridge fire hall on Monday, November 11, 8-noon. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend.

The Oregon State University’s Extension Service is sponsoring a local 4-H club. Information can be obtained at the Extensions Services office in the Uptown building at 48310 E. 1st Street, unit C.

Lastly, Cutchen announced that the latest updates on the progress of the Willamette Activity Center’s work can be found on the city’s website.

During council comments, Councilor Kinyon welcomed the new council members as well.

There was a discussion concerning the bid to have a pole barn constructed for use by the public works department. Upon a motion by Kinyon to accept the bid proposed by Living the Dream construction for the project, Councilor Brewer said that she had a number of concerns with the Request for Proposal (RFP). Brewer asked several questions regarding the written proposal submitted. Having experience in the construction field and contracts, Brewer felt that the proposal was very vague and believed that the city administrator should verify exactly what the contract submitted to the city included. The motion, originally made by councilor Kinyon, was withdrawn pending additional information to be provided by the CA.

Concerning the upcoming annual city holiday party, though not requiring a vote by council, a conversation ensued about the attendance. Should the Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) be included? Councilor Hollett was disappointed at the poor showing by the city staff last year, and that the event seemed to focus more on the business awards. With that, there was an agreement that the event would be limited to city workers, staff, and volunteers. Mayor Cutchen suggested that the city Employee of the Year could be recognized at another time, perhaps a council meeting.

Several requests for funding by the RTMP and TRT programs were discussed and approved in varying amounts.

Kathy Holston made a request to utilize the Greenwaters Park community building to be used as a warming center. The center would be used during severe cold weather conditions to provide shelter to those who would otherwise have none on those days. She also asked that council consider writing and adopting a resolution identifying the city’s support for the adoption of a warming center to be run by volunteers.

Councilor Kinyon balked at the expense. She believed that the local churches should shoulder the burden of providing for the unhoused. Cutchen explained that by the fact that the city would be covering the added cost of insurance for the center, and that the center would be run by volunteers, it would be the city’s program to support. The request for the use of the building this winter was approved. However, council would not approve adopting a resolution of support.

The League of Oregon Cities is asking the state’s cities to sign a letter asking Congress to help re-fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA’s reserves have been wiped out by the many major catastrophic events this past year. Council approved the mayor to sign the letter.

A sole source provider designation was approved for the procurement of a type of valve used in the wastewater treatment facility by Public Works.

City Administrator James Cleavenger stated that the complaint against Bohemia Resale Store’s signs has been resolved. Options to revise the city’s prohibitive camping ordinance was discussed. After lengthy debate on the enforcement of the current ordinance, it was sent back to the CA for further review.

Lane County has acknowledged that they will search for grants to support our city’s ambulance service.

Cleavenger relayed to the council that he has discovered contract information that may have significant bearing on the Lane County Commissioner’s TV Butte decision.