Small Town News

Richland Council To Review Utility Hook-ups

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Brenda Grams,' co-owner of the Shorthorn Restaurant, approached the Richland City Council at last Thursdays regular September meeting regarding the city's billing protocol for sewer service, specifically addressing the Shorthorn.

"We are being charged for two sewers, and we don't know why, as we have only one business and only one sewer line to the business."

Richland's Council President Marvin Schaber researched the history of the Shorthorn property and said that there are two addresses (300 and 302) to that property, that former business operations had needed two sewers when there were separate owners and managers. Grams noted that the Shorthorn is listed as one address. Schaber emphasized that because of past experiences and current situations, including apartment properties, business properties and combinations thereof, that making a determination of how to resolve the Shorthorn's situation must be handled carefully and appropriately.

"Business situations change, and with those changes we can get ourselves, as a city, into some problems we do not want to have. We would like to just tell the Shorthorn that they can be one unit for billing, but with what's happened in the past we have learned we have to be very careful how we decide this."

Schaber explained to Grams that what he would like to say right away is that the city could determine that the Shorthorn is one business, but as a city the council needs to review the ordinances and make sure they are fair to everyone.

Councilwoman Lavera McDaniel said, "It is my conviction that if there is one business, there should be one sewer."

There was further discussion after which Council-woman Debi Duggan said she would like to learn all of the information available so the council could make the correct decision based on their findings.

"We want to be fair to the Shorthorn and we want to be fair to the apartment rentals and other businesses in Richland," Duggan said.

Duggan suggested the council schedule a work session, and the council agreed. A tentative date of September 23rd was set at City Hall with the stipulation that Marvin Schaber would be available to attend.

"We don't need a quorum for a work session, but Marvin's history and expertise with these matters makes it important that he be present for the meeting," said Duggan.

Brenda Grams also presented a second request to the council, explaining she had called the Baker County Planning Commission inquiring about the commercial-residential status of an additional property she and her husband own.

"We have an old barn-type building that we want to tear down and we are considering building storage units or possibly a garage. The Planning Commission said the property is designated commercial-residential and to find out from the city if we needed a permit to tear down the old building."

Following discussion, Mayor Dick Pedersen clarified to Brenda that a permit is not required to take down the existing building, but if they decided to build in the future, they would need to submit a building plan to the city.

A communication from engineer Dave Wildman of Anderson-Perry Associates proposed an approach to the future water project between the New Bridge Water Supply District and the City of Richland.

Wildman suggested that it would "involve applying to the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) for a technical assistance grant to support the preliminary engineering report development, conducting a limited GPS survey of critical water system facilities in the New Bridge area, developing an update to the existing preliminary engineering report focusing on the four intertie alternatives discussed in our previous meeting, and developing a funding application for the project for the design and construction phase to keep the project momentum carrying forward."

Schaber said he did not want to hold up the process and wants to keep the momentum going. "I would like to see us help and do what we have to do, to continue until we see what kind of costs are involved, and I support what Wildman has proposed."

The Richland City Council voted unanimously to support and work together with New Bridge to further Wildman's proposal.

In correspondence, Mayor Dick Pedersen provided a flyer reminding the council of the public open house on September 14 at 10:00 a.m. in John Day for the dedication of the new airport. Council-woman Debi Duggan thanked the council on behalf of former Councilman Jim Wilson, who was hospitalized last week.

He is currently home and recovering.

Department reports identified that sewer, water and streets are all in essentially good repair notwithstanding previously identified projects that are still being worked on.

In Old Business, the current status of the street light work was reviewed. Bids are still being taken on the project from electricians.

In Old Business, not presented in time to be placed on the agenda, Pedersen informed the council he had spoken with County Commissioner Fred Warner at 1:30 p.m., just prior to the council meeting, and learned the Housing Authority has moved up their time for the annexation to February 1, 2011.

"Warner said he would supply people to come to Richland, review the annexation process and train (City Recorder) Patti Crews as well for future annexation projects, and there would be no cost to the city for this service," said Pedersen.

Speeding on city streets was the only line item in New Business. Crews informed the council the city had received a verbal complaint that there was ongoing speeding during all hours of the day and night on Third Street. Council discussion and comparing notes revealed that there are complaints of driving too fast on all of Richland's streets.

Pedersen said he would like to see it handled like violations of burning laws and dog barking complaints are handled.

"If someone has a complaint, they are to come into City Hall. Patti will give them a formal complaint form, they need to fill it out, date it and sign it, give it back to Patti and we (the city) will address it."

Schaber added it's important for people to come in and sign complaints when there is a problem, adding that if they don't, the city can't help them. "People don't like to sign complaints, but it's the only way to get anything done about it," he said.

Duggan suggested an effective way to handle speeding and other violations is "to call 541-523-6415 Baker Dispatch and file a complaint. Take down license plate numbers and turn them in."

Duggan said she will be gone the second week of October and requested a meeting date change. The council agreed to change the date to Thursday, October 7 at 2:00 p.m.

Duggan told the council she has been made aware of some individuals who would like to run for the open positions on the council as write-in candidates.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Richland City Council will be on October 7, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.



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© 2011 Hells Canyon Journal Halfway, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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