OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, June 16, 2026
BodyAstoria, Oregon
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, June 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:11:36

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening and welcome to the Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting of the Austria City Council.

0:07

For the record, the time is 6.13 p.m.

0:10

As noted to the people in chambers, we are experiencing some level of technical difficulty.

0:16

We do not appear to be uh broadcasting video or yes, we don't have video, but we do have audio hopefully, and luckily for me, we have post caption.

0:28

So, Mr.

0:29

Smiths, if you could lead us in the bench, please.

0:49

It's for all.

0:52

Thank you, Mr.

0:53

Straski.

0:56

Counselor Davis here, Ms.

0:58

Moserella.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Counselor Adams.

1:00

Here, Councilor Conklin.

1:01

Here, Mary Scott.

1:02

Here.

1:03

And I would also note that we are privileged to have with us tonight in attendance, acting as interested citizens and not in an official city capacity.

1:14

We have Commissioner Will Rose from the Historic Landmarks Commission, Commissioner Cindy McGee from the Australia Planning Commission, and the Astoria Library Board Chair for Harper with us this evening.

1:25

So thank you all for joining us.

1:28

We are starting with the proclamation tonight.

1:31

And I will note that Barina Centeno Jones was going to uh join us this evening to receive the proclamation.

1:40

She was called away and is not able to join us.

1:43

We're going to do the proclamation anyhow, and uh I will present this to her personally when we have that opportunity.

1:51

Tonight we are going to start at the councillors does appear that they all have the proclamation in front of them.

1:57

Mike, we will start with Councillor Conklin reading the first portion.

2:02

Uh then councilor Adams, Councilor Masrella, Councillor Davis, I will take the fifth and then wrap up.

2:08

So we're asked the first enslaved African was brought to what is now Florida by the Spanish game 1528.

2:18

And the first enslaved Africans were brought to what is now Virginia by the English in 1619 and 388,000 African slaves were ultimately forced to North America and whereas by 1790 there were almost 700,000 slaves in the United States.

2:36

By 1860, nearly 4 million slaves.

2:40

And whereas the Declaration of Independence is the whole truth to be so self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain rights, that among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, and whereas on January 1st, 1863, President Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation, which paved the way to the 13th Amendment, eventually abolishing slavery in the United States.

3:11

Whereas it was not until June 19, 1865, that the emancipation proclamation was announced to those still in Texas and whereas the following year, the first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, and Juneteenth is traditionally observed annually on June 19th and whereas the celebration has rightly spread throughout the United States and is recognized as a symbolic milestone in our city union journey for union hand.

3:51

Now therefore, the city council of the city of Astoria, Oregon, does hereby declare June 19th, 2026 as Juneteenth in the City of Astoria and urge all citizens to become aware of the significance of this celebration in African American history and inheritance of our nation and to renouvel our efforts to eliminate racism in our lives in our community.

4:14

Thank you.

4:21

And then we bring us to reports of counselors, and again, we will start with Council Compton.

4:27

Well, thank you, Mayor.

4:28

I didn't have the opportunity to make the uh manager of spends and um Stacey Stalling to our town business association recently to look at the 10th ballots for um to for the land on the regular lump because that's been a point uh topic.

4:46

Um be able to go to upper town.

4:49

So just want to do a really big thank you to CSOP or inlet on them and to Jonah and there's E1 that's gonna be west of 30 minutes.

4:58

We can look at and see and a speaker.

5:05

Councillor Alch.

5:06

Thank you.

5:07

Anything I have a few updates.

5:09

I want to mention uh our high school graduated seniors that we did have some value victorians come to council and we honor them.

5:19

Uh the weather held out and graduation happened outdoors at the CMH field and the success, and I had a child graduating, so it's really special.

5:29

And then also the community college had their graduation, which I attended as well, and our parts um chair Norma Hernandez was the keynote speaker for the graduation.

5:41

It was really great.

5:43

I had uh a great experience with a constituent who noticed they had a significant high water mill.

5:52

Turned out they had a significant leak, and also were eligible for our water assistance program.

5:58

So I want to say thank you to staff for helping connect that senior who needed some assistance and also helped them with their lead adjustment.

6:07

So that was a really great thing to see that our program is actually being utilized that our staff is able to help people with that.

6:15

Uh, there was also a Northwest Area Commission on Transportation meeting.

6:20

I know Councilor Davis did pull pack some of the items that we reviewed at the at the meeting were the Cossack County Transportation Udate, uh, our capital investment plan, and then also uh the Oregon Department of Transportation C plan with our work plan update, looking at some of the items that we're going to move forward to the Oregon Transportation Commission to move forward into the legislature.

6:50

So right now, what we have is syncing up the signals so that we can create a better flow for our traffic system that is not talking to each other because they are not at the same technology.

7:03

Okay.

7:03

Uh there was also a Mac meeting, and there's been a lot of discussion about new county allocations for our shelter providers.

7:10

So I know we've all been answering a lot of questions about that.

7:16

Prior season has started.

7:18

Obviously, we've had a lot of hot weather.

7:20

Check in on your seniors and your neighbors who may have uh trouble understanding how to pull down um prior season is is happening early this year.

7:30

I also met with Jenny from Seio Hispania and talked a little bit about some solar upgrades that might be coming to the building and reviewing some of the uh layout and which they're trying to utilize the building as it's the full extent uh that they can.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness███████████████████████23%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████15%
Transportation Safety██████████████14%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Healthcare Workforce██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026

The Astoria City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, starting at 6:13 PM and adjourning at 8:25 PM. All council members were present (Mayor Fitzpatrick, Councilors Davis, Mazzarella, Adams, Conklin). The meeting included a proclamation for Juneteenth, approval of the consent calendar, and several regular agenda items. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Proclamation

  • Juneteenth: The council read and unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth in Astoria, recognizing its significance in African American history and recommitting efforts to eliminate racism. Mayor Fitzpatrick noted that Marina Centeno Jones, scheduled to receive the proclamation, was unable to attend; he will present it to her later.

Reports of Councilors

  • Councilor Conklin reported on a meeting with the Uppertown Business Association regarding Riverwalk lighting improvements.
  • Councilor Adams reported on graduations, a constituent water leak resolution, transportation discussions, county funding for shelters, fire season, solar improvements at the Senior Center, and strong Sunday Market sales.
  • Councilor Mazzarella reported on meetings regarding proposed Camping Code amendments and the city’s homelessness response.
  • Councilor Davis reported on a Port of Astoria development presentation and a meeting with a crisis-intervention officer from Georgetown, Texas regarding homelessness, regional coordination, and tiny-home programs.
  • Mayor Fitzpatrick reported attending numerous school, civic, cultural, and business events, including graduation activities, Short Circuit Film Festival, and a Cascadia Chamber Opera fundraiser. He also reviewed public comment procedures.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent calendar (motion by Adams, second by Davis) 5-0. Items included:
    • Approval of meeting minutes from April 6, 2026.
    • Visitor service agreements with tourism organizations (Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, Astoria Uppertown Business Association, Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, Clatsop Cruise Hosts, Lower Columbia Tourism Committee).
    • Term extension of the Pacific Power Franchise Agreement to December 31, 2026.
    • Budget amendment of $20,000 from Contingency to the Library Department.
    • Budget amendment of $30,000 from Contingency to the Building Fund for operations.
    • Budget amendment of $50,000 from Contingency to the Shop & Yard division in Public Works Fund.
    • Lease agreement with Friends of the Astoria Column for use of east portion of Heritage Square and closure of 12th Street between Duane and Exchange for the Column Celebration (July 17-18, 2026). Mayor Fitzpatrick disclosed property adjacent to Heritage Square but stated no personal benefit and no recusal required.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Item 8.b (CMH Campus Agreement): Molly Wing, project director for CMH expansion, spoke in support, thanking the city for collaboration. She stated the agreement would improve operational control, coordination, campus safety, utility access, and support a more efficient location for oxygen tank facilities.
  • On Item 8.d (Water/Sewer Rate Increase):
    • Ashley Bond opposed the increase, citing prolonged disputes about high bills at an unoccupied property and concerns about staffing, meter reading, inspections, and transparency. City staff indicated they would follow up.
    • Lisa Morley (Alderbrook neighborhood) opposed the increase, describing her own dispute over an unusually high water bill and meter reading that took months to resolve.
  • On Item 8.e (Transportation SDC Pause): Larry Benzel (1420 Madison Avenue) supported pausing and reevaluating transportation SDCs, stating high charges discourage redevelopment, citing the former Shallon Winery property as an example.
  • On Item 8.f (Community Based Shelter Program):
    • Mary Ellen Rizzi (1157 Niagara Avenue) supported structured shelter programs based on lived experience, advocating for low-barrier entry, clear expectations, chores, job-skills training, accountability, and transitions to stable housing.
    • Lisa Morley asked whether micro-shelters would be owned or rented by the city, whether sanitation costs were per site, how administrative overhead for the homeless liaison would be used, and what liability participating property owners would assume.
  • Non-Agenda Public Comments:
    • Brenda Watson (east side of Astoria) expressed concerns about deteriorating buildings, road conditions, homeless camps, and asked for greater recognition of Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day.
    • Mr. Bradford (downtown business owner) thanked City Manager Spence for responding to concerns about public safety and helping organize a community forum. He requested the forum be scheduled as soon as possible.
    • Mary Eng relayed concerns about conditions and disability access at the LiFEBoat Services shelter, including showers, accessibility, service animals, safety, and shelter management. She reported mediation was expected and advocated for additional shelter options for women, couples, people with disabilities, and people with animals.

Discussion Items

8.a - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance Vacating Portions of Franklin Ave., 20th St., and 22nd St. Rights-of-Way

  • City Manager Spence explained the vacation supports CMH’s planned hospital expansion and campus redevelopment. The rights-of-way will become private streets but remain publicly accessible, with utility reservations. No council questions, discussion, or public comment. Motion by Mazzarella, second by Davis; adopted 5-0.

8.b - Consideration of Columbia Memorial Hospital Campus Agreement

  • City Manager Spence presented the agreement, which transfers City-owned properties to CMH, terminates a historical lease (with a $232,000 payment to the City’s General Fund), and establishes coordination protocols for future utility work and improvements. Councilor Davis asked about allocation of the lease-termination payment; City Manager Spence confirmed it goes to the General Fund. Councilor Mazzarella thanked staff and CMH for collaboration. Motion by Davis, second by Adams; approved 5-0.

8.c - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance Amending the Astoria Camping Code

  • City Manager Spence summarized amendments: incorporate Shelter First approach, direct individuals to shelter, allow enforcement when reasonable shelter is available, permit accommodations for special circumstances, limit penalties to $35, and incorporate trespass provisions. He noted the definition of “person in charge” was unintentionally omitted and needed reinsertion. Councilor Mazzarella noted language was developed with attorney consultation to comply with state law. No questions or public comment. Two motions: (1) to reinsert the definition (motion by Adams, second by Conklin) approved 5-0; (2) to adopt the ordinance as amended (motion by Adams, second by Davis) approved 5-0.

8.d - Adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Water and Sewer Resolutions with Rate Adjustments

  • City Manager Spence presented a 4% increase to water and sewer rates and related fees. For a customer using approximately 7,500 gallons per month, the combined bill would increase by roughly $7 to $8 per month (billed every other month). The increase covers personnel, debt service, inflation, service levels, and major infrastructure. Council questions:
    • Councilor Adams asked about commercial impacts; staff stated they vary significantly.
    • Councilor Mazzarella asked about combined sewer overflow (CSO) surcharge and debt; Public Works Director Harrington explained about one-third of a typical bill supports the CSO program, the city is about 60% complete with required CSO work, and an extension allows time to seek grants.
    • Councilor Davis asked about long-term capital needs; Director Harrington stated the utility funds have no dedicated capital-improvement revenue, and the forthcoming ten-year capital-improvement plan identifies approximately $250 million in unfunded infrastructure needs. Council discussion acknowledged the burden but deemed the increase necessary. Two motions: water resolution (motion by Mazzarella, second by Davis) approved 5-0; sewer resolution (motion by Davis, second by Conklin) approved 5-0.

8.e - Resolution to Amend Transportation System Development Charges (SDC)

  • City Manager Spence recommended pausing the scheduled increase from $3,116 to $4,674 on July 1, 2026, pending review of the methodology. He cited examples where transportation SDCs ranged from $23,000 to over $300,000, discouraging small businesses and redevelopment. Council questions: Councilor Davis asked about calculation, review timeline (staff estimated 2-3 months for methodology review; two weeks for initial information), and relief for projects in pipeline. Councilor Adams asked about legality of pausing entirely. Councilors expressed concern about disproportionate impact on small businesses. Public comment: Larry Benzel supported pause. Motion by Davis, second by Adams to approve the resolution freezing the rate at $3,116; approved 5-0.

8.f - Discussion on Community Based Shelter Program

  • Assistant City Manager Ryan Quigley presented an outline for a pilot program partnering with nonprofit, commercial, industrial, or faith-based property owners to host managed micro-shelter sites. The city would authorize and support the program; a homeless liaison would coordinate referrals, services, and compliance. Preliminary outline: 1-3 sites, maximum of 3 shelter spaces or vehicles per site, sanitation and garbage service, 30-day probationary period, up to 180-day stay with possible 30-day extensions. Council discussion:
    • Councilor Conklin and Mayor Fitzpatrick expressed concern about mixing vehicle camping with micro-shelters and preferred starting with micro-shelters only; Councilor Mazzarella noted existing code already allows limited vehicle camping on private property with owner permission, and asked if a separate vehicle program was needed. Staff confirmed the code allows camping with owner permission but without city resources.
    • Councilor Davis noted that a private property owner could permit vehicle camping under existing code regardless of this program.
    • Councilor Mazzarella raised liability concerns; City Manager Spence advised participating organizations to consult insurance carriers. The council recognized the need for alternatives for individuals who cannot safely use congregate shelters. Public comment: Mary Ellen Rizzi supported structured shelters; Lisa Morley asked about cost and liability. Motion by Conklin, second by Mazzarella to direct staff to implement the program; approved 5-0. Motion by Davis, second by Conklin to amend the program by removing the vehicle-camping component; approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous Votes: All votes (consent calendar, ordinances, resolutions, and program direction) passed 5-0.
  • Ordinances Adopted: Street vacation for CMH campus; amendments to the Camping Code (including reinsertion of “person in charge” definition).
  • Agreements Approved: Columbia Memorial Hospital Campus Agreement (including $232,000 lease-termination payment to General Fund); visitor service agreements with tourism organizations.
  • Budget and Rate Actions: Budget amendments for Library, Building Fund, and Public Works; 4% water and sewer rate increases for FY 2026-2027.
  • Transportation SDC: Frozen at $3,116 pending methodology review; staff to return with additional information within approximately two weeks.
  • Community Based Shelter Program: Staff directed to implement a pilot program focused on micro-shelters (excluding vehicle camping); further details to be developed by staff.
  • Upcoming Meetings: June 22 work session on affordable housing proposals at the Customs House property and agenda setting.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting of the Austria City Council. For the record, the time is 6.13 p.m. As noted to the people in chambers, we are experiencing some level of technical difficulty. We do not appear to be uh broadcasting video or yes, we don't have video, but we do have audio hopefully, and luckily for me, we have post caption. So, Mr. Smiths, if you could lead us in the bench, please. It's for all. Thank you, Mr. Straski. Counselor Davis here, Ms. Moserella. Here. Counselor Adams. Here, Councilor Conklin. Here, Mary Scott. Here. And I would also note that we are privileged to have with us tonight in attendance, acting as interested citizens and not in an official city capacity. We have Commissioner Will Rose from the Historic Landmarks Commission, Commissioner Cindy McGee from the Australia Planning Commission, and the Astoria Library Board Chair for Harper with us this evening. So thank you all for joining us. We are starting with the proclamation tonight. And I will note that Barina Centeno Jones was going to uh join us this evening to receive the proclamation. She was called away and is not able to join us. We're going to do the proclamation anyhow, and uh I will present this to her personally when we have that opportunity. Tonight we are going to start at the councillors does appear that they all have the proclamation in front of them. Mike, we will start with Councillor Conklin reading the first portion. Uh then councilor Adams, Councilor Masrella, Councillor Davis, I will take the fifth and then wrap up. So we're asked the first enslaved African was brought to what is now Florida by the Spanish game 1528. And the first enslaved Africans were brought to what is now Virginia by the English in 1619 and 388,000 African slaves were ultimately forced to North America and whereas by 1790 there were almost 700,000 slaves in the United States. By 1860, nearly 4 million slaves. And whereas the Declaration of Independence is the whole truth to be so self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain rights, that among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, and whereas on January 1st, 1863, President Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation, which paved the way to the 13th Amendment, eventually abolishing slavery in the United States. Whereas it was not until June 19, 1865, that the emancipation proclamation was announced to those still in Texas and whereas the following year, the first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, and Juneteenth is traditionally observed annually on June 19th and whereas the celebration has rightly spread throughout the United States and is recognized as a symbolic milestone in our city union journey for union hand. Now therefore, the city council of the city of Astoria, Oregon, does hereby declare June 19th, 2026 as Juneteenth in the City of Astoria and urge all citizens to become aware of the significance of this celebration in African American history and inheritance of our nation and to renouvel our efforts to eliminate racism in our lives in our community. Thank you. And then we bring us to reports of counselors, and again, we will start with Council Compton. Well, thank you, Mayor. I didn't have the opportunity to make the uh manager of spends and um Stacey Stalling to our town business association recently to look at the 10th ballots for um to for the land on the regular lump because that's been a point uh topic. Um be able to go to upper town. So just want to do a really big thank you to CSOP or inlet on them and to Jonah and there's E1 that's gonna be west of 30 minutes. We can look at and see and a speaker. Councillor Alch. Thank you. Anything I have a few updates. I want to mention uh our high school graduated seniors that we did have some value victorians come to council and we honor them. Uh the weather held out and graduation happened outdoors at the CMH field and the success, and I had a child graduating, so it's really special. And then also the community college had their graduation, which I attended as well, and our parts um chair Norma Hernandez was the keynote speaker for the graduation. It was really great. I had uh a great experience with a constituent who noticed they had a significant high water mill. Turned out they had a significant leak, and also were eligible for our water assistance program. So I want to say thank you to staff for helping connect that senior who needed some assistance and also helped them with their lead adjustment. So that was a really great thing to see that our program is actually being utilized that our staff is able to help people with that.

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