OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Meeting – August 18, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyAstoria, Oregon
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:20:39

Transcript — Verbatim
1:52

And welcome to the Monday, August 17th, 2026 meeting of the Astoria City Council.

1:58

For the record, the time is six PM.

2:01

I would ask our city manager to please lead us in the pledge.

2:25

Thank you, Mr.

2:26

Spence.

2:26

And if we could have a roll call, please.

2:29

Councilor Davis.

2:30

Here.

2:30

Council Mozzarella.

2:31

Here.

2:31

Counselor Adams.

2:32

Councilor Conklin.

2:33

Here.

2:34

Mayor Fitzpatrick.

2:35

Here.

2:36

So tonight we are going to start with some early assistance.

2:41

I will be presenting hopefully three Australia Mayors Awards, followed appropriately by a proclamation in which the entire council will participate.

2:50

And that would be supporting the Australia School District's campaign to increase student attendance.

2:55

And then I recognize that several of the people attending for the awards and the proclamation have other meetings or business to attend to this evening.

3:03

So after providing the proclamation to Superintendent Hoppas, I will pause briefly to allow people to exit the chambers quietly, and then we will go to reports of counselors.

3:14

So starting with the mayor's awards, the Australia Mayor's Awards are presented to recognize those Astorians who quietly go about making Astoria a better place to live.

3:25

Not due to the need for recognition, but because it's who they are and what they do.

3:32

That is what we celebrate this evening.

3:35

So we intend to recognize four people with three mayors' awards tonight.

3:40

And I will first ask uh the first lady Ann Carpenter to join me at the lectern along with uh Principal Lynn Jackson of Alstraya High School, and he will be getting the award for building community in Astoria.

4:05

Thank you for joining me.

4:09

So Lynn is beginning his twenty-eighth year as an educator for the Astoria School District.

4:15

And in his service to Australia High School, Lynn has served eight years as a social science instructor, five years as the assistant principal, and 14 years as the principal.

4:28

And under program development and partnerships, Lynn lists development and refinement of the Australia Choice Academy, which is the alternative education program of the Austoria School District.

4:45

Lynn has helped to establish the Clatsup Works Internship Program.

4:49

And in collaboration with Clatzup Community College, he's developed the Coastal Commitment Dual Enrollment Program.

5:00

And with the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Foundation, he's established a branch of the Schnitzer Care Program at Astoria High School.

5:04

And this foundation provides students with philanthropic opportunities and many grants to local nonprofits.

5:12

He's worked on the on track to graduate programs, averaging a 94% ninth grade on track to graduate rate and 91% on time graduation rate over the past three years.

5:25

And he's also worked on expansion and maintenance of the Waldorf Astoria Sister City student exchange program.

5:33

Now Lynn asks we please note that these achievements were not done in isolation.

5:38

They are achieved through the collaborative effort, collaborative effort of dedicated individuals.

5:44

And he's grateful that he works with such skilled and committed educators.

5:48

And time does not permit me to go further into Lynn's exceptional work with educational organizations spanning the state and country, as well as his leadership within his church.

5:58

I will note though, when I was in high school, I had virtually no interaction with the principal at either of the high schools that I attended, and minimal interaction with our vice principals, except for when I was in trouble for something.

6:13

At Astoria High School, we are lucky to have a very different dynamic, and that's due to the work of our superintendent, Astoria High School's previous previous leadership, and especially the leadership of our current principal, Lynn Jackson.

6:27

The first lady Ann has worked with and served on Astoria High School Scholarships Inc.

6:32

for over a decade.

6:33

And she's had the opportunity to watch Principal Jackson interact with students throughout his period.

6:39

And Ann would like to read a small portion to Lynn here.

6:45

All right.

6:46

Mr.

6:47

Jackson, thank you for providing valuable information to the Astoria High School Scholarships Board of Directors.

6:55

Your feedback has helped make us aware of student successes, helped us understand their sensitivities, and ask better questions, all of which allows us to make better decisions when awarding scholarships.

7:10

Your effort to meet with all incoming freshmen is incredibly impressive.

7:16

Thank you for all you do for the students of Astoria High and also Astoria High School Scholarships Inc.

7:23

Thank you.

7:26

So as mayor, I've had the opportunity to get to Lynn Know Better and see firsthand how the students respond to him.

7:33

Principal Jackson has joined us repeatedly here in Chambers over the over the years for multiple reasons, including when student athletes are recognized and now with the recognition of the valedictorians, along with the student exchange program.

7:47

I've also had the opportunity to see him interact with students on campus during and after school hours, during grad walk, and at the scholarship awards ceremony.

7:58

Lynn knows all of their names and he knows all of Lynn knows all of their names and they all know him.

8:05

They feel comfortable teasing each other, and the respect clearly goes both ways.

8:10

Parents feel comfortable approaching Principal Jackson, and he is comfortable approaching parents.

8:16

Ann noted to me that during student interviews during what we refer to as scholarship week, where over 100 students are interviewed over the course of three to four days in April of each year to determine which scholarships should go to which students.

8:30

That not only does Lynn provide background on each of the students, but more importantly, that students consistently note that Principal Jackson has made them feel seen, recognized, and appreciated.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Waste Management████████████████16%
Arts And Culture█████████████13%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Astoria City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as Monday, August 17, 2026. Per user instruction, the date is shown as August 18, 2026.

The Astoria City Council met on the evening of August 18, 2026, in the Council Chambers. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Mayor Fitzpatrick presented three Mayor’s Awards, followed by a proclamation supporting student attendance. Council then approved the consent calendar, eight regular agenda items, and heard public comment on non‑agenda matters.

Presentation – Mayor’s Awards

  • Lynn Jackson, Principal of Astoria High School, received the Mayor’s Award for building community. Jackson has served 28 years in the district and helped achieve a 94% ninth‑grade on‑track rate and a 91% on‑time graduation rate over three years. He also established programs like the Clatsop Works Internship Program and the Schnitzer Care Program.
  • Ryan Bloom and Britta Herwig received the Mayor’s Award for contributing behind the scenes. They have volunteered with numerous organizations including the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, Sister Cities Committee, and Liberty Theater Board. Both expressed their desire to support the community quietly.

Proclamation – Supporting Astoria School District’s Attendance Campaign

  • The Council unanimously approved a proclamation in support of the “Strong Attendance, Strong Astoria” campaign. Superintendent Hoppes noted that chronic absenteeism has risen from about 10% before the pandemic to approximately 30% (nearly 500 students out of 1,750 missed 17+ days last year). The district aims to reduce the rate to 15% next year and back to 10%.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the draft meeting minutes of June 1 and June 2, 2026.
  • Authorized a $10,000 contract amendment with DOWL for the 2025 Trestle Repair Project (total now $95,787.52).
  • Approved the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Durango marked police vehicle and a 2027 Dodge Durango unmarked police vehicle.

Discussion Items

9a – Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

  • Council considered a resolution to create a five‑member advisory commission. After discussion, Councilor Davis successfully moved to amend the resolution so that the five voting members must demonstrate expertise in core arts‑related areas (visual, performing, literary/digital arts, arts administration, emerging arts, or historic preservation/architecture), while up to three non‑voting ex‑officio members may bring expertise in tourism/hospitality, education, community engagement, or nonprofit leadership. The motion and resolution passed unanimously.

9b – Stormwater Utility Formation Study

  • Staff presented the need for a dedicated stormwater utility to fund ongoing maintenance and future projects. The $74,025 contract with FCS Group will evaluate rate structures and implementation timing, with the goal of presenting options for the FY 2027‑28 budget. Council unanimously approved the contract.

9c – Budget Resolution for Forest Management

  • Transferred $40,000 from contingency to the Forest Management Activities appropriation (Fund 102) to complete remaining Bear Creek Forest Carbon Project work and fund the FY 2026‑27 forest management contract. Approved unanimously.

9d – Contract with Springboard Forestry

  • Authorized a $68,560 contract with City Forester Ben Hayes (Springboard Forestry) for FY 2026‑27 forestry stewardship consulting services. Approved unanimously.

9e – Budget Resolution for Solar Bollard Lights

  • Transferred $60,000 from contingency to capital improvements in the Promote Astoria Fund (#410) to purchase 40 solar bollard lights. Approved unanimously.

9f – Purchase of Solar Bollard Lights

  • Authorized the purchase of 40 solar bollards from Crescent Electric for $57,078 to light the Riverwalk between 35th and 39th streets. Director Dart‑McLean noted that wired alternatives would cost roughly twice as much; the solar bollards have motion sensors and a five‑year battery life. Approved unanimously.

9g – Recology Rate Increase

  • Recology requested a 3% annual adjustment for collection services (typical 32‑gallon customer would see a $1.02/month increase) and a 3% increase for transfer station self‑haul customers. The inter‑company rate for yard debris will increase by 23% due to higher processing costs. Council also discussed a future low‑income assistance program. The resolution was approved unanimously, effective September 1, 2026.

9h – Letter of Support for Chinook Indian Nation

  • Council approved a letter supporting the Chinook Indian Nation’s ongoing efforts to obtain federal recognition. The letter will be prepared by staff and signed by the Mayor and Council.

Reports of Councilors

  • Councilors reported on various community events: the fire chief meet‑and‑greet (29 applicants, six finalists), the Tansy Point Treaty commemoration, and concerns about the new ODOT road diet configuration. Councilor Adams and others expressed interest in a special meeting regarding the BPA SAFE program funding cut affecting the fishing industry.

New Business

  • Council agreed to direct staff to plan a special meeting on the BPA SAFE program funding cut, modeled after the recent Job Corps special meeting, to include stakeholders and legislators. No specific date was set.

Public Comments (Non‑Agenda)

  • Paul Crocker (116 West Grand Avenue) spoke against the proposed vacant residential unit excise tax. He argued it unfairly targets second homeowners and creates a significant financial burden, noting the tax would be $1,000 every 60 days. He questioned the logic of the exemption threshold and expressed concern about the process.

Key Outcomes

  • All regular agenda items were approved unanimously (9a through 9h), with the Arts Commission resolution amended as described.
  • Recology rate increases approved effective September 1, 2026.
  • Direction given to staff to prepare a letter supporting the Chinook Indian Nation.
  • Direction given to staff to plan a special meeting on the BPA SAFE funding cut.
  • Next meeting (August 25, 2026) will be a community conversation at Fort George Brewery’s Lovell Showroom.

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to the Monday, August 17th, 2026 meeting of the Astoria City Council. For the record, the time is six PM. I would ask our city manager to please lead us in the pledge. Thank you, Mr. Spence. And if we could have a roll call, please. Councilor Davis. Here. Council Mozzarella. Here. Counselor Adams. Councilor Conklin. Here. Mayor Fitzpatrick. Here. So tonight we are going to start with some early assistance. I will be presenting hopefully three Australia Mayors Awards, followed appropriately by a proclamation in which the entire council will participate. And that would be supporting the Australia School District's campaign to increase student attendance. And then I recognize that several of the people attending for the awards and the proclamation have other meetings or business to attend to this evening. So after providing the proclamation to Superintendent Hoppas, I will pause briefly to allow people to exit the chambers quietly, and then we will go to reports of counselors. So starting with the mayor's awards, the Australia Mayor's Awards are presented to recognize those Astorians who quietly go about making Astoria a better place to live. Not due to the need for recognition, but because it's who they are and what they do. That is what we celebrate this evening. So we intend to recognize four people with three mayors' awards tonight. And I will first ask uh the first lady Ann Carpenter to join me at the lectern along with uh Principal Lynn Jackson of Alstraya High School, and he will be getting the award for building community in Astoria. Thank you for joining me. So Lynn is beginning his twenty-eighth year as an educator for the Astoria School District. And in his service to Australia High School, Lynn has served eight years as a social science instructor, five years as the assistant principal, and 14 years as the principal. And under program development and partnerships, Lynn lists development and refinement of the Australia Choice Academy, which is the alternative education program of the Austoria School District. Lynn has helped to establish the Clatsup Works Internship Program. And in collaboration with Clatzup Community College, he's developed the Coastal Commitment Dual Enrollment Program. And with the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Foundation, he's established a branch of the Schnitzer Care Program at Astoria High School. And this foundation provides students with philanthropic opportunities and many grants to local nonprofits. He's worked on the on track to graduate programs, averaging a 94% ninth grade on track to graduate rate and 91% on time graduation rate over the past three years. And he's also worked on expansion and maintenance of the Waldorf Astoria Sister City student exchange program. Now Lynn asks we please note that these achievements were not done in isolation. They are achieved through the collaborative effort, collaborative effort of dedicated individuals. And he's grateful that he works with such skilled and committed educators. And time does not permit me to go further into Lynn's exceptional work with educational organizations spanning the state and country, as well as his leadership within his church. I will note though, when I was in high school, I had virtually no interaction with the principal at either of the high schools that I attended, and minimal interaction with our vice principals, except for when I was in trouble for something. At Astoria High School, we are lucky to have a very different dynamic, and that's due to the work of our superintendent, Astoria High School's previous previous leadership, and especially the leadership of our current principal, Lynn Jackson. The first lady Ann has worked with and served on Astoria High School Scholarships Inc. for over a decade. And she's had the opportunity to watch Principal Jackson interact with students throughout his period. And Ann would like to read a small portion to Lynn here. All right. Mr. Jackson, thank you for providing valuable information to the Astoria High School Scholarships Board of Directors. Your feedback has helped make us aware of student successes, helped us understand their sensitivities, and ask better questions, all of which allows us to make better decisions when awarding scholarships. Your effort to meet with all incoming freshmen is incredibly impressive.

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