Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Astoria City Council met on June 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation honoring valedictorians, proclamations for Pride Month and the 40th anniversary of Short Circuit, approval of consent calendar items (with one set of minutes removed), public hearings and votes on vacating rights-of-way for Columbia Memorial Hospital's expansion, adoption of the FY 2026-2027 budget ($72.85 million), election to receive state shared revenues ($1.8+ million), authorization for a $46,000 engineering contract for the 17th Street floating dock replacement, acceptance of a $170,000 grant amendment for sewage lift station rehabilitation, and extensive discussion on the homeless liaison scope of work, which was tabled to a special meeting on June 2, 2026. Non-agenda public comments addressed fire safety concerns near a fuel corridor, representation for the Pride Proclamation, public engagement practices, and accommodations in camping ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• 8.a – Draft minutes from March 16, 2026, were removed from the consent calendar due to significant errors.
• 8.b – Draft minutes from March 23, 2026, were approved as part of the consent calendar (motion by Davis, second by Conklin; unanimous 5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 9.a (Street Vacation): Doug Kalb (President, CMH Board of Trustees) spoke in support, citing improved safety, traffic calming, and maintenance savings.
• Item 9.b (Budget): Timothy Helms asked how to obtain a copy of the budget; staff directed him to the online version.
• Item 9.f (Homeless Liaison):
  • Timothy Helms questioned how the liaison would differ from existing outreach by Clatsop Community Action, Lifeboat, and Helping Hands.
  • Mary Ellen Rizzi advocated for a managed campsite and formal city-county cooperation to pursue outside funding.
  • Daniel Hubner supported the position and urged maintaining the proposed compensation, given the role's complexity.
  • Jacqueline Lamar emphasized the need for training, trauma-informed care, mental-health support, transportation, and equipment.
  • Trista Erickson (behavioral-health case manager) stressed adequate compensation, benefits, a city vehicle, radio access, and safety support.
  • Colin Cummings questioned program objectives and performance measures, arguing that enforcement of the camping ordinance remains necessary.
  • Lisa Morley challenged the 20% administrative allowance, lack of measurable outcomes, and worker safety considerations.
  • Mary Eng raised concerns about shelter misconduct and the liaison's independence from service providers.
• Non-Agenda Public Comments (Item 10):
  • Mary Eng read a formal complaint about open flames and smoking near petroleum facilities at Fifth Street and Marine Drive, requesting fire department inspection and enforcement of a safety buffer.
  • Jacqueline Lamar asked the council to invite the Lower Columbia Q Center to accept the Pride Proclamation at the June 2 meeting.
  • Lisa Morley discussed Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 1, urging earlier and more meaningful public engagement.
  • Daniel Hubner requested that the camping ordinance accommodate people with disabilities regarding the 7:00 AM pack-up time.
  • Timothy Helms thanked the council for the Baker Building housing.

Discussion Items

• 4.a – Honoring Valedictorians: Astoria High School Principal Lynn Jackson introduced five of seven valedictorians (two were absent due to final exams). Mayor Fitzpatrick presented City coins. The community was invited to the graduation walk on June 4.
• 5.a – Pride Month Proclamation: The council declared June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. No representative was present to accept; council agreed to reach out to the Lower Columbia Q Center for the June 2 meeting.
• 5.b – Short Circuit Proclamation: The council declared June 5, 2026, as "J5 Day" for the 40th anniversary. Richard Mays accepted and noted a gold Johnny Five figure from Sony’s archive would be displayed at the Heritage Museum.
• 6 – Reports of Councilors:
  • Councilor Davis reported on CREST budget meeting and recognized Public Works Week.
  • Councilor Adams reported on regional meetings, praised Principal Jackson, and announced her election as vice chair of the Local Officials Advisory Committee.
  • Councilor Conklin reported on ODOT discussions about east-end transportation and a temporary fix for a bump on Highway 26.
• 9.a – Public Hearing & First Reading: Street Vacation Ordinance: City Manager Spence presented the vacation of portions of Franklin Avenue, 20th Street, and 22nd Street to support CMH's ~$300 million expansion. The affected streets will remain open to traffic; utility access is preserved. Staff notified 65 property owners, received one inquiry, and got written letters of support. Council questions clarified that the vacation does not extend west of 18th Street and that two city-owned lots are handled separately. Councilor Davis praised the process. The first reading passed unanimously (5-0).
• 9.b – Public Hearing & Adoption of FY 2026-2027 Budget: Presentation by Spence: total budget $72,852,132, a $10 million decrease due to completed capital projects. Councilor Adams asked about labor negotiations not being complete before budget adoption; Spence and Finance Director Norton explained that negotiations often run through June and that conservative estimates and contingency funds are used. The budget resolution (including the property tax rate of $8.1738 per thousand and $642,975 for library bond) was adopted unanimously (5-0).
• 9.c – Public Hearing & Resolution: State Shared Revenues: Spence explained the resolution is required annually to receive over $1.8 million (gas tax ~$800K, alcohol tax ~$250K, etc.). Unanimously adopted (5-0).
• 9.d – Authorization: 17th St. Floating Dock Replacement: Public Works Director Harrington presented: existing dock is closed; $46,000 contract with Bergerson Construction for engineering and shop drawings; total replacement estimated at $429,000. Councilor Davis suggested future scoring matrices better capture product suitability. Motion approved unanimously (5-0).
• 9.e – Authorization: Amendment No. 2 to DEQ Grant for Sewage Lift Stations: The amendment adds $170,000, bringing total grant funding to over $550,000. Council enthusiastically supported the project. Motion approved unanimously (5-0).
• 9.f – Homeless Liaison Scope of Work: Spence proposed a one-year, 30-hour/week contract (~$66,000) for outreach, navigation, and reporting. Council discussion raised multiple points:
  • Councilor Mazzarella: liaison should be separate from enforcement; reports to council desired.
  • Councilor Davis: focus on shelter/housing placement, measurable outcomes, direct council reporting, and resources like vehicle/mileage.
  • Councilor Conklin: concerns about worker safety, workload, need for a behavioral-health specialist within police, and consideration of a managed camping area.
  • Councilor Adams: clear reporting structure (recommended reporting to City Manager), weekly data, and MAC meeting participation.
  • Staff agreed to incorporate key feedback and bring a revised scope to the June 2 meeting. Council voted to table the item until the next meeting (June 2) to review the revised draft (motion by Davis, second by Mazzarella; unanimous 5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Consent Calendar (as amended): Approved 5-0.
  • 9.a – First reading of street vacation ordinance: Approved 5-0.
  • 9.b – Adoption of FY 2026-2027 budget and tax levy: Approved 5-0.
  • 9.c – Resolution to receive state shared revenues: Approved 5-0.
  • 9.d – Authorization of $46,000 contract for dock engineering: Approved 5-0.
  • 9.e – Authorization of Amendment No. 2 to DEQ grant: Approved 5-0.
  • 9.f – Motion to table homeless liaison item to June 2 meeting: Approved 5-0.
• Directives: Staff will revise the homeless liaison scope of work incorporating council feedback (emphasis on navigation, performance reporting, direct council updates, resources, and reporting to City Manager). The revised draft will be presented at the June 2 special meeting.
• Next Steps: Second reading of the street vacation ordinance is scheduled; contract award for dock fabrication will return after July 1; lift station rehabilitation project continues with increased grant funding. Council will consider camping ordinance amendments and other homeless strategy components at future meetings.