OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodyAstoria, Oregon
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:41:59

Transcript — Verbatim
1:05

Well, good evening and welcome to the Monday, April 6th, 2026 meeting of the Australia City Council.

1:11

For the record, the time is 6 p.m.

1:14

Mr.

1:14

Spence, if you could lead us in the pledge, please.

1:19

Please stand if you're willing and able.

1:23

Pledge of allegiance to the flag in the United States of America.

1:37

Thank you, Mr.

1:37

Spence.

1:38

And if we could have a roll call, please.

1:40

Councilor Davis.

1:41

Here, Council Mozzarella.

1:43

Here.

1:44

Counselor Adams.

1:45

Counselor Conklin.

1:46

Here, Mayor Fitzpatrick.

1:47

Here.

1:48

First up tonight, we have a presentation, and this is by Baker Tilly regarding our fiscal year 2024-2025 audit.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Spence.

2:14

She couldn't be here in person, but they'll be here through Zoom to provide that presentation and report back to council.

2:21

So Ashley should be online.

2:23

Yep, I'm here.

2:31

Can you please share your own slides?

2:33

I would love to.

2:46

Yes.

2:47

Okay.

2:48

Thank you.

2:49

Um, thank you again for including me on your agenda this evening.

2:51

I apologize I can't be there.

2:53

My name is Ashley Austin.

2:54

I'm a principal with Baker Tilly, uh, your external audit firm, and I'm here to deliver the 2025 audit results.

3:01

Uh we were able to complete the audit back in March.

3:04

Um, and so we're here kind of in our final piece of the audit, providing you with a little bit of a higher level overview of the audit process and the overall results.

3:18

So I'll go through our service team questions and answers on the audit process, which may be and look a little different than what I've presented in the past for those of you that have sat through this presentation before, and then a high level overview of the communication with those charged with governance, which is the city council.

3:36

So first I signed your audit opinion um in accordance with Oregon minimum standards.

3:41

You'll see my personal signature at the end of your opinion.

3:44

Amanda Moore is a principal in our Medford location, specializing in governmental entities and served as a concurring reviewer.

3:50

She picks up a few things in the file as well as your financial statements and provides comments to management to um address as well, making sure that we meet all the bells and whistles of GASB requirements.

4:24

We're gonna submit some confirmations to third parties to get external confirmation of balances that are reported at the end of the year.

4:41

And finally, we're gonna do some substantive testing procedures, which are really looking at invoices, looking at bank statements, pulling legal invoice detail, etc.

4:51

The second bucket is really evaluating that effectiveness of internal controls.

5:00

So your revenue transaction cycle, financial closing reporting, disbursements, payroll.

5:06

We'll test some of those controls for operational effectiveness if we deem them to be operating appropriately.

5:12

And then we report any control weaknesses that we identify.

5:16

We also test compliance with federal and state laws.

5:20

The first bullet point is Oregon minimum audit standards.

5:24

Those tests really are focused on the budget adoption process, procurement standards.

5:29

It has a several other procedures, but those are the main ones.

5:32

And then we also perform a single audit, testing of grants compliance under uniform guidance because the city receives and spends more than $750,000 of federal funding.

5:45

We also perform a technical review of the financial statements.

5:47

So we're making sure that the balances and the transactions that we audited agree to what's reported in the financial statements.

5:54

We want to make sure that those financial statements meet all the applicable gaps, so generally accepted accounting principles, the state and legal requirements.

6:03

And then we want to make sure that the supplementary information, so all that budget to actual information, pension OPEB information is presented accurately as well.

6:12

And then finally, kind of the fifth bucket of what an audit of the city entails is just reporting of our audit results.

6:19

So we had check-ins with management, we were there on site for field work and throughout the audit engagement, timely contact with your finance team, and then we're reporting to you at the end of the process.

6:33

So question number two: are the financial statements accurate?

6:36

So our procedures include, you know, we perform a risk assessment to identify those areas that we think are significant that we will pay more attention to throughout the audit process.

6:45

We test those internal controls for effectiveness.

6:48

We also perform substantive testing, and then again perform that technical review of the financial statements.

6:53

And the results are that you received an unmodified opinion, meaning your financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with U.S.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness██████████████████18%
Procedural███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Economic Development█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026

Note on date discrepancy: The agenda, minutes, and transcript all indicate the meeting was held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM Pacific. The meeting time in UTC is April 7, 2026, 2:00 AM, which is reflected in the instruction to use this date. This summary uses the UTC date as requested.

The Astoria City Council met on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting that included presentations on the fiscal year 2024-2025 audit and economic development, a proclamation, approval of routine items, and action on several ordinances and program expansions. Key decisions included approving sign code amendments, updating the downtown parking district code, extending a utility assistance pilot program with a scalable model, authorizing a contract for cathodic protection repairs, and establishing criteria for a potential designated campsite.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (5-0) the consent calendar, which included approval of draft meeting minutes from December 8, 15, and 22, 2025, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Astoria Railroad Preservation Association.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Todd Bouchard (120 10th Street) suggested including utility assistance program information in utility bills with income limits in English and Spanish.
  • Jacqueline Lamar (3000 block of Grand Avenue) noted that the existing $17/month assistance was too low to be meaningful and supported expanding eligibility and amounts.
  • Mary Eng (P.O. Box 12) requested campsite criteria include disability accessibility, transit access, and consideration of restraining orders.
  • Theo Whitaker (address not stated) urged the City to consider the preferences of unhoused individuals and prioritize access to services.
  • Christopher Davies (address not stated) recommended buffer areas to minimize impacts on surrounding properties.
  • Daniel Hubner (1846 Grand Avenue) advised against locating a campsite far from services and transit.
  • Jad Davis (address not stated) supported a research-based, community-driven process and a task force.
  • Britta Herwig (address not stated) recommended evaluating sites based on visibility, fencing, enforcement access, and size.
  • Wendy Hemsley (address not stated) asked for data on the city's annual spending per homeless person.
  • Takisha Womble (5024 Cedar Street) supported an ad hoc committee and cautioned against duplicating existing services.
  • Will Sheridan (2930 Expedition Lane) raised concerns about placing a campsite in residential areas.
  • Callan Cummings (3625 Duane) voiced support for an ad hoc committee.

Presentation: Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audit (Baker Tilly)

  • Ashley Osten of Baker Tilly presented the audit results. The city received an unmodified (clean) opinion on financial statements. There was one compliance finding for two budgetary overexpenditures. No fraud, waste, or abuse was identified. New GASB standards were adopted with no material impact. The audit process was smooth.

Presentation: Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR)

  • Kevin Leahy, Executive Director of CEDR, presented an annual update. Highlights included: $856,000 in child care support since 2022, 17 new business starts in 2025, 139 student applications for the Clatsop Works internship program (54 from Astoria High School), and a planned HVAC fundamentals pre-apprenticeship program. CEDR's budget is supported by city sponsorship and private sector funds.

Proclamation: Child Abuse Prevention Month

  • Mayor Fitzpatrick read a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Takisha Womble, Executive Director of Clatsop CASA, accepted and spoke about the importance of protecting children, noting that some well-intentioned policies can create risks for children.

Reports of Councilors

  • Councilor Davis reported touring the Baker Building with Congresswoman Bonamici, discussing healthcare workforce issues.
  • Councilor Mazzarella focused on community engagement regarding criteria for a designated campsite.
  • Councilor Adams attended transportation meetings, ADHDA annual meeting, and Energy Trust reception, discussing solar opportunities and camping issues with Representative Javadi.
  • Councilor Conklin promoted The Harbor's fundraiser.
  • Mayor Fitzpatrick honored three community members who passed away: Sam Johnson, Stuart Bell, and Rosemarie Pavlov.

Discussion Items

9a: Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 26-04 (Sign Code Amendments)

  • Community Development Director John Roberts introduced amendments to the Sign Code, primarily to address wayfinding needs for the Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) Healthcare Campus. Jesse Winterrowd of Winterbrook Planning explained the need for additional directional signage for the hospital campus. Council discussed and approved an amendment to the bed and breakfast definition to allow small-scale events. The first reading was approved 5-0.

9b: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance to Amend Downtown Parking District

  • City Manager Scott Spence presented housekeeping amendments to remove outdated and unenforceable parking requirements. Councilors expressed interest in a future permit parking program. The ordinance was adopted 5-0.

9c: Discussion on Next Steps for Utility Assistance Pilot Program

  • Assistant to the City Manager Ryan Quigley reported that of 30 applications, 11 were approved, using only $696 of the $25,000 budget. Many applicants were slightly above the 30% AMI threshold. Staff recommended extending the pilot for six months with a scalable assistance model (eligibility up to 60% AMI, scaled assistance amounts). Council approved the scalable model (option 3) unanimously 5-0.

9d: Authorization to Award Contract for Cathodic Protection System Repairs

  • City Engineer Nathan Crater recommended a sole-source contract with Norton Corrosion Limited, LLC for $83,769 plus $8,377 contingency (10%) to repair cathodic protection systems on the 7th–11th Street waterfront bridges. The work is critical to prevent corrosion. The contract was approved 5-0.

9e: Establish Criteria for Identifying Potential Locations of a Designated Campsite

  • Council discussed criteria for selecting a potential designated campsite. The agreed criteria included: proximity to services or public transportation, access to utilities (water), not located in residential zones (R1, R2, R3), setup cost ideally no more than $200,000, accommodation for law enforcement/emergency vehicle access, capacity of ~35 campers, and consideration of distance from schools. Mayor Fitzpatrick and Councilor Conklin volunteered to work with staff to review potential locations. No formal vote was taken; the criteria were established by consensus.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved 5-0.
  • Ordinance 26-04 (Sign Code) first reading approved 5-0, with amendment to bed and breakfast definition.
  • Downtown Parking District Ordinance second reading and adoption approved 5-0.
  • Utility Assistance Pilot Program extension and scalable model approved 5-0.
  • Cathodic Protection Contract awarded to Norton Corrosion Limited, LLC for $83,769 plus $8,377 contingency, approved 5-0.
  • Campsite Selection Criteria established by consensus; Mayor Fitzpatrick and Councilor Conklin will work with staff to identify potential sites for presentation at the April 20 meeting.
  • New Business: Councilor Adams requested an executive session to discuss employee performance evaluation. Councilor Conklin introduced a sample ride-share ordinance from Hood River; a future discussion on ride-share services was scheduled.
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening and welcome to the Monday, April 6th, 2026 meeting of the Australia City Council. For the record, the time is 6 p.m. Mr. Spence, if you could lead us in the pledge, please. Please stand if you're willing and able. Pledge of allegiance to the flag in the United States of America. Thank you, Mr. Spence. And if we could have a roll call, please. Councilor Davis. Here, Council Mozzarella. Here. Counselor Adams. Counselor Conklin. Here, Mayor Fitzpatrick. Here. First up tonight, we have a presentation, and this is by Baker Tilly regarding our fiscal year 2024-2025 audit. Mr. Spence. She couldn't be here in person, but they'll be here through Zoom to provide that presentation and report back to council. So Ashley should be online. Yep, I'm here. Can you please share your own slides? I would love to. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Um, thank you again for including me on your agenda this evening. I apologize I can't be there. My name is Ashley Austin. I'm a principal with Baker Tilly, uh, your external audit firm, and I'm here to deliver the 2025 audit results. Uh we were able to complete the audit back in March. Um, and so we're here kind of in our final piece of the audit, providing you with a little bit of a higher level overview of the audit process and the overall results. So I'll go through our service team questions and answers on the audit process, which may be and look a little different than what I've presented in the past for those of you that have sat through this presentation before, and then a high level overview of the communication with those charged with governance, which is the city council. So first I signed your audit opinion um in accordance with Oregon minimum standards. You'll see my personal signature at the end of your opinion. Amanda Moore is a principal in our Medford location, specializing in governmental entities and served as a concurring reviewer. She picks up a few things in the file as well as your financial statements and provides comments to management to um address as well, making sure that we meet all the bells and whistles of GASB requirements. We're gonna submit some confirmations to third parties to get external confirmation of balances that are reported at the end of the year. And finally, we're gonna do some substantive testing procedures, which are really looking at invoices, looking at bank statements, pulling legal invoice detail, etc. The second bucket is really evaluating that effectiveness of internal controls. So your revenue transaction cycle, financial closing reporting, disbursements, payroll. We'll test some of those controls for operational effectiveness if we deem them to be operating appropriately. And then we report any control weaknesses that we identify. We also test compliance with federal and state laws. The first bullet point is Oregon minimum audit standards. Those tests really are focused on the budget adoption process, procurement standards. It has a several other procedures, but those are the main ones. And then we also perform a single audit, testing of grants compliance under uniform guidance because the city receives and spends more than $750,000 of federal funding. We also perform a technical review of the financial statements.

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