Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026
Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026
Note on date discrepancy: The agenda, minutes, and transcript consistently list the meeting date as Monday, May 4, 2026. However, the user-provided date for this summary is May 5, 2026. This summary uses the requested date for the title and headings, but the actual meeting occurred on May 4, 2026.
The Astoria City Council met on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, consent calendar approval, and five regular agenda items. Key actions included approving a $2 million EPA grant for Heritage Square remediation, authorizing an ADA ramp project with ODOT, initiating a street vacation process for Columbia Memorial Hospital, awarding a logging contract for forest thinning, and discussing a potential rideshare ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent calendar (5-0), which included draft meeting minutes from January 5, 2026 through February 23, 2026, and Parks Advisory Board minutes from April 22, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christopher Davies (595 18th Street): Expressed concerns about traffic safety on Franklin Avenue near 17th and 18th Streets and questioned future roadway improvements. (Item 9c)
- Eric Thorsen (Columbia Memorial Hospital, 2111 Exchange Street): Spoke in support of the street vacation proposal, stating it would improve campus circulation, pedestrian safety, security, and hospital operations. (Item 9c)
- Lisa Morley (4908 Cedar Street): Urged Council to complete additional traffic and parking analysis before final action, citing concerns about neighborhood impacts, emergency access, and parking capacity. Recommended additional engineering studies and public outreach. (Item 9c)
- Daniel Hubner (1846 6th Street): Expressed reservations about companies like Uber and Lyft but believes allowing rideshare services in Astoria would address an important transportation need. (Item 9e)
- Mike Brosius (682 34th Street): Thanked the Mayor, Council, and staff for their dedication and service, acknowledging significant public and private investments and encouraging focus on positive progress. (Non-agenda public comment)
- Mary Eng (PO Box 12): Expressed concerns about sanitation at homeless camping areas, staff burnout among service providers, harassment she has experienced, and recent violence involving unhoused individuals. Thanked emergency responders after a recent assault. (Non-agenda public comment)
Discussion Items
- 9a: Heritage Square Site Capping Project Fund and Supplemental Budget: City Manager Scott Spence presented a resolution to establish Fund 199 and a supplemental budget to accept a $2 million EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant. The project timeline includes design and public outreach in 2026, cleanup in 2027, and redevelopment planning in 2028. Councilors asked about public outreach requirements, with staff noting partnership with Consejo Hispano to ensure broad community participation. No public comment. Approved 5-0.
- 9b: ODOT ADA Ramp Project IGA: City Manager Spence presented an IGA with ODOT for replacing approximately 125 curb ramps at 30 intersections, with construction starting July 2026. City Engineer Nathan Crater explained that maintenance responsibilities remain consistent with existing practices, and that ODOT approved the use of colonial red truncated domes to preserve historic character. Councilor Adams expressed appreciation for balancing accessibility with historic preservation. No public comment. Approved 5-0.
- 9c: Resolution of Intent to Vacate Portions of Franklin Ave., 20th St., and 22nd St. Rights-of-Way: City Manager Spence presented a resolution initiating the process to vacate streets for Columbia Memorial Hospital's campus expansion. Approximately 65 property owners within 400 feet would receive notice. Councilors discussed traffic, emergency access, and parking concerns. Staff noted additional information would be presented during the public hearing process. Public comment from three individuals as noted above. Approved 5-0.
- 9d: Authorization to Award Contract for Logging Services (2026 Forest Thinning Project): City Forester Ben Hayes presented a 48-acre thinning project in the Bear Creek Watershed to improve water quality and forest health, generating an estimated $296,000 in net revenue. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Teevin Bros. Land & Timber Co., LLC as the lowest responsible bidder. Councilors asked about tree age and wood quality. No public comment. Approved 5-0.
- 9e: Discussion on Ordinance to Allow Transportation Network Companies (Rideshare): Councilor Conklin initiated the discussion, citing limited taxi availability, safety concerns, and parking challenges. Councilor Mazzarella supported exploring an ordinance and suggested coordinating with neighboring communities. Mayor Fitzpatrick expressed support. Councilor Adams emphasized reviewing existing taxi regulations and coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions. One public comment in support. Council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance with additional information comparing TNCs and taxi regulations and neighboring policies.
Key Outcomes
- Heritage Square Fund: Adopted resolution creating Fund 199 and supplemental budget accepting $2 million EPA grant. (5-0)
- ODOT ADA Ramp IGA: Approved IGA with ODOT for curb ramp improvements. (5-0)
- Street Vacation Initiation: Adopted resolution of intent to vacate portions of Franklin Ave., 20th St., and 22nd St. for CMH expansion, with a public hearing set for June 4, 2026. (5-0)
- Logging Contract: Awarded contract to Teevin Bros. Land & Timber Co., LLC for forest thinning services. (5-0)
- Rideshare Ordinance: Council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance allowing Transportation Network Companies (e.g., Uber, Lyft) to operate in Astoria, with further analysis and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
- Next Meetings: May 18, 2026 meeting to include discussion on homeless response and authorization to purchase replacement dock at 17th Street. May 25, 2026 work session to include Arts and Culture Development Plan and Parks Master Plan Update.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Monday, May 4th, 2026 meeting of the Australia City Council. For the record, the time is 6 p.m. Mr. Spence. If we could have if if we could have you lead us in the pledge, please. Pledge of allegiance. To the Republic, which stands one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice power. Thank you, Mr. Spence. And if we could have a roll call, please. Council Davis. Here. Councilor Mozzarella. Councillor Adams. Counselor Conklin. Here. Mayor Fitzpatrick. Here. So we are going to start tonight with a presentation. And our first presentation is for the Dr. Harvey Historic Preservation Award. And the historic preservation award has been presented annually since 1988. It recognizes outstanding real rehabilitation or restoration projects that honor the historic and architectural character of Astoria. The award is named for Dr. Edward Harvey, a pioneer in local historic preservation. And his early efforts included installing hand painted plaques, highlighting the history of buildings, many of which can still be seen throughout the city today. He also advocated for the creation of the Clotsap County Historic Advisory Committee and served as its chairman for many years. And at their April meeting, the Historic Landmarks Commission selected this year's awards recipients. So how many of you have seen the signs that he created and put on the different houses and buildings around town? Good. The old highway signs is kind of cool to see how he repurposed those. So the award for the best example of renovations of a historic commercial property presented to John Toyuka and Lori Lum for the restoration of the former Masonic Lodge, now known as Lum Lodge, located at 1572 Franklin Avenue. Once listed as one of Oregon's most endangered historic sites, John and Lori purchased the property in October of 2024 and began an extensive restoration project. The City of Astoria thanks you for your efforts. No, actually, Lori and I um Lori's uncle was a Mason there, my grandfather was a Mason there. And for years we worked diagonally to that building. In the 80s, he was had that building there. And so when we worked across the street, we kept watching the building. But when you're doing that, you're finding out a lot of the history too. There's a couple of different fires. Unravel a part of Asteroid's history as it goes. So it's a really interesting process. And uh we'll be done when we get our certificate of occupancy, mayor. And then uh we hoped it was a great place to serve the community, have a lot of events there, so that would be nice. I'd be definitely feel honored. Um, my parents are here. My dad was actually born in Astoria, so it means a lot to us, our community. Um, we're just very thrilled and so appreciative. So thank you very much.
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