Stayton City Council Considers More Local TV Programming

The council also discussed mandatory setbacks and received an update on the city water system.

(STAYTON, Ore.) - The Stayton city council met last night and councilors present were Scott Vigil, Steve Frank, Don Walters, Tim Grimes and mayor Virginia Honeywell. Absent was Don Koenig.

The first presentation of the evening to the council, made by this reporter, regarded the need for a community access television system. In the presentation it was noted that the designated channel 19 that was set aside for this purpose is under-utilized.

For the past 3 months the only thing shown on it was a November county commissioners meeting. It was proposed that a local group of individuals take over the control and programming of this channel and produce and schedule both local, county and state programming of relevant television programs as well as using the cable access channel for the use of radio audio from our local community radio station KENC.

Councilors asked a few questions and councilor Grimes asked that the city staff look over the presentation and proposal and come back at the next meeting with a recommendation. The proposal asks the city to give their permission for the use of this channel with a one year exclusive use plus a renewal option.

In other news, Sarah Arcune, a candidate for Senate district 9, introduced herself as a community resident and reminded the council that she was running for that seat and was seeking support. Arcune is a Republican.

The public hearing continued for the code amendment to implement the Downtown Transportation and Revitalization Plan. City Planner Dan Flieschman made a presentation and said that the planning commission had made some suggested changes to this plan for the council to consider.

The issues to consider were more parking on private property, set back requirements on downtown properties yet built, requirements for all new buildings to be 2 stories, with retail on the ground floor.

Mayor Honeywell then opened the hearing to the public. Speaking as a proponent for the plan was Susan Horvath, the current owner of the Woolen Mill property. She was in support of the plan, but had serious concerns with the set back requirements proposed along the south side of her property, bordering the mill creek.

She felt that a 50 foot buffer instead of her proposed 15 or 20 foot setback was too restrictive and that development of her planned community would take too much land and would not allow her room for the prime lots facing the mill stream.

She added that she did not support the planned pathway and foot bridge over the mill stream along the south property line of the property. She felt it was unsafe and would invade the privacy of the property owners. She did support a bridge further east on the property that would join Pioneer park. The city council discussed the set back issues and then the Mayor asked for opponents to the plan to speak.

Former Mayor Gerry Aboud had several issues with the plan ranging from not requiring more off street parking, a 50% mixed use ratio was too high, the minimum floor space requirements should be 30%, not 50%.

He was also opposed to the allowance of sandwich signs being allowed on any downtown sidewalks as well as the lighting standards should be reduced from the current 20' to a lower standard. He spoke about not supporting the mixed use of duplex's and triplexes in the downtown area.

He feels that the current duplex's and triplexes in our community are rentals and are not well maintained property and could become an eyesore to the community. The council spoke at great length about setbacks and the other issues discussed; then the mayor asked Mrs. Horvath if she could live with a 35 foot set back. Mrs. Horvath said it would be better, but would like a lower setback requirement and asked for a continuance of the hearing to a latter date so that she and the city planner could talk and come up with a better set back plan that would acceptable to her and the city.

The Mayor said that they would do that and would ask for a finalization of the amendment at the next city council meeting.

Al Shannon, the interim City Financial director was asking for authorization to change the adopted 2008 budget to reflect a maintenance staff member who quit and the city had to hire a private cleaning company instead of filling this position at the same cost. The city council voted 4-0 to approve this change.

The city council voted 4-0 to allow the public works department to apply for a one million dollar grant for the purpose of acquiring the property necessary for the proposed Mill Creek property city park.

Public Works director, Mike Faught reported that the water system inspection was finished and he reported that one of the major leaks had been identified as being at or in excess of 50 gallons a minute. He will come back to the council with a plan on how to repair this major leak.

And finally in council news, Mayor Virginia Honeywell thanked retiring city manager, Chris Childs for his work and dedication and suggested that it must be a great relief for him to be attending his last city council meeting. She then wished him well and reminded everyone of the retirement party forth coming for him...