| Council approves library fix
By Jack Carrerow, Staff Writer
Monday’s meeting of the Reedsport city council featured a very busy agenda of action items as well as proclamations and acknowledgments to local residents.
The board voted 6-0 on the adoption of a supplemental budget for fiscal year 2007-08, as well as voting to accept State Revenue Sharing Funds after a public hearing at which nobody raised any objections.
The board also awarded a construction contract of $15,827 to Ron Kaufmann Builders for the Reedsport Branch Library north wall repair project.
The repair work includes removing siding, replacing rotting studs and replacement of the round window with a modern leak-proof model.
Two other companies bid on the project. The next lowest bid was $31,600.
The board approved allowing the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers to perform the scope of work necessary to complete the dike certification process required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Public Works Administrator Janelle Evans said the cost of the inspection is $36,000.
“This is basically a deposit the Army is requiring up front,” Evans said. “At the end of the process, the city will be given a financial accounting and if there’s any money remaining, it will be refunded. Of course, if the Army requires more money for the work, they will come to us for it.”
The board approved the expenditure by a 6-0 vote.
The council also agreed, after executive session, to pursue the purchase of a 1.26-acre parcel next to the Reedsport city shops, along Winchester Avenue and the railroad tracks.
The property was purchased several years ago by Jim Hatcher. He offered to sell it to the city for $115,000, Reedsport City Manager Rick Hohnbaum told the council members.
“The most attractive part of the offer is that he’s requiring no down payment,” Hohnbaum said. “He was originally wanting to charge 12-percent interest, but I checked with the banks and was told that was high for the market. I offered 10 and he agreed.”
The monthly payment equates to $1,519 and the council voted unanimously to direct Hohnbaum to pursue the purchase of the property.
The meeting opened with an awards ceremony of sorts, with Mayor Keith Tymchuk proclaiming May 5-10 Zack Turner Week and presented Good Friends and Neighbors awards to both the late Cecilia A. Barringer and the Friends of the Library.
Turner, a former Reedsport firefighter, chief and fire marshal from 1958 to 1997, was noted for his extensive service to the community, both as a public servant and volunteer.
The proclamation was accepted by Chief Tom Anderson, Assistant Chief Harold Rose and also about 30 volunteer firefighters who lined up along the walls of the council chambers.
“The legacy Zack has left the city is one that will be long remembered,” Tymchuk told the packed chambers. “Our city has been a much better place because of his presence and we will be forever in his debt.”
Barringer, who died last year, was honored for her financial endowments to the Umpqua Discovery Center and the art department of Reedsport Junior/Senior High School, among other things.
Tymchuk praised Barringer’s generosity and said her gift will make a positive impact on the community.
“She loved the community and this is proof of that,” Tymchuk said.
The Friends of the Library also were saluted with a Good Friends and Neighbors Award for 30 years of service to the community.
Reedsport Librarian Sue Cousineau told the council the recognition was well deserved and is just the beginning of what will be a week-long celebration of the library starting May 19 (see related story Page A6).
“The week of May 19 through 26 will feature all sorts of events held at the library including a Friends of the Library 30th- anniversary party on May 19,” Cousineau said.
Tymchuk also acknowledged Reedsport’s observance of National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
“I further call upon all citizens of the city of Reedsport to observe Thursday, May 8, as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day,” Tymchuk said.
In other business the board;
n approved renewing the contract with the county for meal service at the Lower Umpqua Senior Center at a rate of $283 a month. Staff was directed to look into how the monthly rate was determined by the county and report back to the board.
n approved allowing the county to add upgrades to fire station No.2 in case it needs to be utilized as a command center in the event of a county emergency; and
n tabled the renewing the agreement with Verizon for city phone service, until more information is made available.
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