Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - February 2, 2026

The Astoria City Council met on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included the swearing-in of two new police officers, a proclamation for Career and Technical Education Month, reports from councilors, and action on several agenda items including a public hearing on an urban renewal plan amendment, adoption of final phase system development charges (SDCs), a contingency fund transfer for park pump repairs, and award of a trestle repair contract. Council also discussed new business items on COLPAC dues, an SDC deferral program, and homelessness response strategy. All votes were unanimous except one abstention.

Presentation

• Swearing in of New Police Officers: Chief Kelly read biographies of Eva Khamphouy and Nicholas Bradley; Mayor Fitzpatrick administered the oath. Officers were pinned by family members.

Proclamation

• Career and Technical Education Month: Council proclaimed February 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month. Clatsop Community College President Jarrod Hogue spoke on the importance of CTE programs.

Reports of Councilors

• Councilor Davis: Attended COLPAC meeting on dues increase; reported on council retreat; toured Coastal Family Health Center; announced two new business items.
• Councilor Mazzarella: Praised the council retreat for reviewing 2025 accomplishments and reaffirming priorities; noted she would miss the February 23 work session but planned to raise a related item.
• Councilor Adams: Highlighted that ~10,000 eligible county residents lack access to health services; noted upcoming port, college board, and regional transportation meetings; raised concerns about downtown food access due to business closures.
• Councilor Conklin: Reported on tours of Fort George distribution center and Upper Town Business Association meeting; announced a Valentine's Day event at Pier 39.
• Mayor Fitzpatrick: Attended community memorials, Chamber banquet (presented George Awards), council retreat, and Coastal Family Health Center tour; emphasized the facility's commitment to serving all regardless of ability to pay.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0) the consent calendar including: Library Advisory Board minutes (12/2/25), Maritime Memorial Committee minutes (1/5/26), Parks Advisory Board minutes (1/21/26), adoption of updated City Council Meeting Policy and Procedures, and a resolution amending the City's Policy on Nondiscrimination.

Regular Agenda Items

9.a Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance to Substantially Amend the Astor East Urban Renewal Plan

• Staff Presentation: City Manager Scott Spence presented a proposal to add ~8.37 acres (Copeland Commons and Dairigold sites) to the Astor East Urban Renewal District to support housing development. The sites could accommodate approximately 120 housing units with a focus on workforce housing. The proposal had been reviewed by the Planning Commission and aligned with council priorities. Spence noted the Sunset Empire Transit District would see a ~$40,000 revenue loss over 2026-2034 across the entire district, but for these parcels the loss is minimal.
• Council Questions: None.
• Council Discussion: Councilor Adams raised constituent concerns about workforce housing development on the YMCA site. Councilor Davis disclosed prior communication with a property owner and abstained from voting.
• Public Comment: Andy Kipp (461 Exchange Street) spoke in support, thanking the council for prioritizing housing and expanding affordability.
• Motion and Vote: Moved by Councilor Mazzarella, seconded by Councilor Conklin to conduct first reading of Ordinance 26-02 and schedule second reading for February 17, 2026. Approved 4-0 (Councilor Davis abstained).

9.b Authorization to Adopt System Development Charges (SDC) Resolution Revisions 2026

• Staff Presentation: Staff and consultant FCS presented the final phase of a multi-year SDC implementation, updating fees for water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and parks. Key points:
  • Third and final phase of phased approach begun in 2023.
  • SDCs fund capital projects, not operations.
  • Approximately $685,000 collected to date, primarily from commercial development (~95%).
  • Even after full implementation, Astoria's SDCs remain around the middle compared to similar cities.
  • Staff noted flexibility in applying transportation SDCs and tools such as scaling by housing size and potential deferrals.
• Council Questions:
  • Councilor Davis asked about revenue sources: City Engineer Nathan Crater explained ~95% from commercial, 3% residential, 2% city projects; SDCs apply to new construction, redevelopment, and change-of-use. No projects stalled solely due to SDCs. Adopted rates are about 50% of maximum defensible level. Inflation adjustments may be done administratively going forward.
  • Councilor Adams asked about impacts on downtown change-of-use projects: Crater explained transportation SDCs use ITE trip generation manual, and staff use professional judgment to select appropriate categories, which has helped avoid significant pushback.
  • Councilor Mazzarella asked about objectivity: Crater confirmed calculations are data-based but allow discretion for fairness and local conditions.
• Council Discussion: General support for adopting SDCs as necessary for infrastructure funding. Concerns raised about impacts on small businesses and housing affordability. Staff highlighted mitigation tools: housing incentive program (up to $100,000), urban renewal funding, and potential deferral options.
• Public Comment: None.
• Motion and Vote: Moved by Councilor Davis, seconded by Councilor Adams to adopt the updated resolution. Approved 5-0.

9.c Resolution to Transfer Contingency Funds to Parks Maintenance (Parks Operations Fund #158)

• Staff Presentation: City Manager Spence requested transfer of ~$40,000 from Parks Operations contingency to replace two failing sewage pumps at the city-owned Bumble Childcare building (former Yacht Club). One pump already repaired; second at risk. The Parks contingency has $75,000 available. State law (ORS 294.463) requires council approval for transfers over 15% of budget.
• Council Questions: None.
• Council Discussion: None.
• Public Comment: None.
• Motion and Vote: Moved by Councilor Adams, seconded by Councilor Conklin to approve the budget resolution. Approved 5-0.

9.d Authorization to Award 2025 Trestle Repair Project Construction Contract

• Staff Presentation: Spence presented the project to repair trestles at Columbia Avenue and between 1st and 2nd Streets, critical for the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Budget was $600,000. Six competitive bids received; lowest responsible bid from Bergeman Construction for $488,787. Staff also recommended a 20% contingency ($97,757.40) due to unpredictable repair conditions.
• Council Questions: Councilor Davis confirmed all bids were for the same scope (low-bid procurement). Councilor Adams requested clearer bid process explanations in future staff reports.
• Council Discussion: None.
• Public Comment: None.
• Motions and Votes:
  1. Motion by Councilor Davis, seconded by Councilor Mazzarella to approve contract with Bergeman Construction for $488,787 after mandatory 7-day notice period. Approved 5-0.
  2. Motion by Councilor Conklin, seconded by Councilor Adams to authorize 20% ($97,757.40) construction contingency. Approved 5-0.

New Business & Miscellaneous

• Councilor Davis: Raised COLPAC dues increase request (from $250 to $1,500 annually). Council expressed general support for the increase due to the organization's value but opposed automatic inflation adjustments. Also proposed exploring an SDC deferral program; motion to consider at March 2 meeting was seconded and will be further refined with staff input.
• Councilor Mazzarella: Requested a comprehensive homelessness response strategy discussion rather than focusing solely on the camping ordinance. Council agreed to prioritize this topic at the February 23 Work Session.
• Staff Forecast: Upcoming items include park fee update, parking fee discussion, and RFP for downtown parking plan update.

Public Comments (Non-Agenda)

• Teresa Barnes (875 Franklin Avenue): Urged council to prioritize revisiting the camping ordinance and broader homelessness response. Expressed concerns about individuals living outdoors in poor conditions, questioned decisions related to emergency shelter operations and funding, and emphasized need for transparent and effective use of city resources.

Executive Session

• Council entered executive session at 8:00 PM under ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider exempt information. Reconvened at 9:20 PM with no additional business. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously (5-0): Consent Calendar, SDC Resolution Revisions (final phase), contingency fund transfer for pump replacement, trestle repair contract and contingency.
• Approved 4-0 (1 abstention): First reading of Ordinance 26-02 for Astor East Urban Renewal Plan amendment; second reading scheduled for February 17, 2026.
• Consensus on new business: Support for COLPAC dues increase (without automatic inflation adjustment) and direction to staff to refine SDC deferral proposal. Homelessness response strategy set for February 23 Work Session discussion.

Note: The instruction specified meeting date as 2026-02-03, but all official documents (agenda, minutes, transcript) confirm the meeting took place on February 2, 2026. This summary reflects the actual date.