Canfield & Company: Should 16 year olds vote? NO WAY!

Troutdale city staff: Community events a burden?

In a recent Gresham Outlook article,  Troutdale city manager Ray Young proposed that the city should charge additional fees to the non-profit organizers of community events to  recoup the $18,000 in costs and staff time for road-blocking "Bollards" during events in downtown Troutdale.

“We are recommending to council to begin charging something," Young said. "It is a burden on staff, which means the city subsidizes events on closed streets, to review plans, close streets and monitor the traffic issues."

Why does city staff feel that subsidizing community events is a burden? 

I’ve lived in Troutdale since 2001. I served on the city council for four years, and on the city’s budget committee for at least eight years. In all that time, I’ve never heard a city employee claim that subsidizing community events was “a burden on staff”.

The city of Troutdale has a long history subsidizing the costs of special events, such as Summerfest, the Christmas tree lighting, and the Troutdale cruise-in. The city’s leaders and its citizens have financially supported these events because they know they have a positive impact on the city’s local economy. More importantly, these events give a major boost to Troutdale’s community spirit and pride.

These non-profit events, which Mr. Young was quoted as saying are a “burden” to city staff, succeed in attracting visitors who spend money in Troutdale. That money creates income and supports jobs in Troutdale. The people who have those jobs in Troutdale use that income to pay taxes. Some of those taxes go to pay for Troutdale city employees. These events are a win-win for city staff, Troutdale residents, and the non-profits who receive donations resulting from these events.

The Gresham Outlook has also questioned why the city wants to burden community events with costly additional fees and red tape. In their Thursday, August 16, 2018 online edition, the Gresham Outlook wrote, in their editorial "Bollard' fee puts public events at-risk in Troutdale", 

Having said that, it's disappointing to hear that the city of Troutdale may impose a fee — for installation and removal of bollards — on groups that organize these events. Many of these groups are nonprofit organizations, most with tiny budgets, and in some cases they're raising funds for a philanthropic purpose. Imposing an additional fee would likely siphon off dollars away from charitable organizations that benefit from these events.Given that the city of Troutdale operates with a $10 million annual budget, the city could easily absorb the $18,000 cost of the bollards without breaking a sweat.”

I urge Troutdale residents to contact the Troutdale city council  and demand that “no extra fees or charges” i.e. the “bollard fee”  should be charged for  non-profit community events in Troutdale.

Canfield & Company: Why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

On this episode: Troutdale just raised residential water rates. So why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

Rich Allen has no right to expect blank check from Troutdale

The Troutdale city council, along with the city of Troutdale, are considering whether to have the city provide Troutdale city councilor Rich Allen legal fees in defense of a civil lawsuit filed against Mr. Allen. The city's insurance provider already declined to provide coverage for the libel lawsuit against Mr. Allen.

According to a Gresham Outlook article on December 26, 2016, 

"Troutdale's insurance provider has declined to provide protective coverage for a libel lawsuit targeting embattled City Councilor Rich Allen.

A review by CityCounty Insurance Services states that Allen "was not acting on behalf of the City of Troutdale … when he authored the newspaper article that gave rise to the lawsuit filed by Eastwind Development."

 "There is only coverage under the Trust Agreement if the lawsuit is related to actions taken by Mr. Allen in his official capacity as a city councilor," CIS manager Bill LaMarche wrote in an email. "Therefore, CIS cannot defend nor indemnify Mr. Allen in this matter."

Eastwind Development launched a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against Allen on Nov. 17, alleging he knowingly published false information that damaged the company's reputation and smeared the business as unethical."

Mr. Allen has no right to expect a blank check from Troutdale residents to defend his egregious behavior. The city of Troutdale should not pay Mr. Allen's lawyers to represent a city councilor engaged in alleged reprehensible conduct.

Mr. Allen's alleged conduct raised in the lawsuit was not performed on behalf of the city.  Mr. Allen's alleged conduct raised in the lawsuit was not in furtherance of any adopted city policy.

Payment of Mr. Allen's legal fees would serve only Mr. Allen's private interest and not in the public interest of Troutdale's citizens or the city itself.

I urge Troutdale citizens to contact the city and the city council, and demand that they refuse to pay Mr. Allen's personal legal fees.

Canfield & Company: Troutdale's Shrinking Airport; What happens if Troutdale goes broke??

Why do cities FAIL?

Why do cities FAIL? Because they fail to PLAN.

We'll talk about this issue and more on the next. . .

EAST COUNTY NOW

Tonight at 6pm on Portland/East County Comcast channel 11, Frontier channel 22.

Guess Who Wants To Give Away Troutdale Parks!

Last month, Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust  introduced a Proclamation that would 

". . .recognize the "Springwater Area" and its regional environmental designation in support of volunteer efforts to protect our way of life through the stewardship of natural resources and in so doing,  support citizen health and wellbeing, healthy outdoor activities and the growth of our local economy."

Mayor Daoust invited Cathy Sherick from a group promoting the  "Springwater Parks and Community District" to explain what the proclamation was all about. Sherick told the city council her group was only there to get the city to agree to to the concept of the proclamation.

The meeting became heated when several city councilors objected to the proclamation, saying this was the first they had seen or heard of it. A majority of the city councilors spoke against even considering the proclamation until they had more facts about the proposed Springwater concept. Mayor Daoust seemed surprised and angry at the mass objections from the rest of the city council.

In spite of both Sherick and Daoust admitting  once or twice they were really talking about  forming a new parks tax district, they both talked out of both sides of their mouths and insisted they weren't talking about a  new parks tax district. Hence, the snow job.

I don't object to anyone proposing a new parks district. It never hurts to listen to new ideas and proposals. But Mayor Daoust and Ms. Sherick, give me a break! Who do you think you're kidding by continually insisting you're only there to talk about flowery concepts in a flimsy proclamation!  

Both Daoust and Sherick know what they want. They want a new parks taxing district. They want the new parks district to take control of Troutdale's parks and increase taxes for Troutdale residents.  

Troutdale City Councilor John Wilson pointed out the obvious- if Troutdale needs to impose a fee to help maintain our parks, the city can do it themselves. They don't need a parks tax district to do it for them.

What does it mean to be a city in east county?

We can't afford our police department so we merge it with Multnomah County?

We can't afford to maintain our parks. What's next? Giving up our parks to a parks and recreation district?

What does it mean to be a city in east county?  Do we want rely on our elected officials, or should Troutdale voters themselves make these decisions regarding our police department and our parks? I've always trusted voters more than elected officials.

Money For Nothing: The Troutdale Two.

 Troutdale taxpayers have been paying the full salary and benefits for two Troutdale city employees who have been on paid vacation, oops, I mean "paid non-disciplinary administrative leave" for nearly eight months.Troutdale building official Dick Bohlman has been on administrative leave since February, 2013. His annual salary: $83,000. Troutdale community development director Rich Faith has been on administrative leave since March, 2013. Faith's annual salary: $102,000.

When you read the details of this story, you  might think I'm  writing about Saturday Night Live's famous "2010 Government Employee Awards" sketch. Unfortunately for Troutdale, it's no comedy sketch, it's a fact.

As the result of an ongoing investigation  into  the construction of former Troutdale Mayor Jim Kight's 2000 square foot "garden shed", Troutdale city manager Craig Ward  placed building official Dick Bohlman and development director Rich Faith on leave. The April 5, 2013 Oregonian explained,

"Rich Faith, community development director, and Dick Bohlmann, a building official, are on paid, non-disciplinary leave, said city manager Craig Ward. Faith was placed on leave March 8 and Bohlmann on Feb. 7. Both men were included in the June 2012 report by an independent investigator who portrayed Kight as a mayor who bullied city workers and used his influence to break rules for his own benefit, as in building an illegal structure on his property at 950 Jackson Park Road."

 The Oregonian article also stated:

"Ward would not say whether the city of Troutdale is conducting "further research" into the matter itself or using a state agency, nor would he say how long the men would be on leave".

Fast forward to July 26, 2013. The Gresham Outlook reported that both Bohlman and Faith were still on paid leave. According to the Outlook,

"Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust said the city is still waiting on state agencies to complete investigations examining the process in which a controversial building was constructed by former Mayor Jim Kight."

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been conducting their own investigations regarding former Mayor Kight's "garden shed". Apparently these investigations are what prompted the placement of Bohlman and Faith on paid leave.

According to the July 26 Outlook article, city manager Craig Ward indicated that both were at his disposal for occasional work:

“Both continue to be available for assignments, and both have performed limited functions for the city during their absences upon my request and direction.”

Fast forward again, to today. Both Bohlman and Faith are still on paid leave. Faith's annual salary is approximately $102,000 per year. Bohlman's annual salary is approximately $83,000 per year.

According to the news reports, it's easy to make the assumption that Troutdale city manager Ward passed the investigation responsibility to state and federal agencies, who are not ultimately responsible for paying the salary or for making any decision to keep or fire Bohlman and Faith. Troutdale mayor Daoust even stated the city was waiting for the state and federal investigations.

Is eight months an unreasonable amount of time to complete an investigation of misconduct?

Is it fair to keep two city employees twisting in the wind for eight long months, not knowing if they will have jobs to return to?

Is it appropriate for the city to  rely on outside state agencies to investigate the allegations against the Troutdale Two, when the ultimate employment decision must be made by City of Troutdale management?

Is it fair to Troutdale taxpayers to foot the bill for the salaries of two Troutdale employees while state and federal agencies take their sweet time to conduct these investigations?

I don't believe it is fair or appropriate to keep these two city employees in limbo for such a long time. Most of the facts of this sad Kight saga were already on the table when the results of the Kight investigation  were ordered to be released by the Troutdale City Council, over the objection of city staff. Guilty or innocent, it doesn't matter. Leaving these two employees twisting in the paid administrative leave wind for such a long time is disrespectful and inappropriate.

The city needs to make a decision one way or another and let the Troutdale Two and the rest of the city move on.

Is it fair to Troutdale taxpayers to continue this matter? Absolutely not. The city can't afford to pay these kinds of salaries and get nothing in return. Let's face it. Troutdale's finances aren't in the best shape. The city owes it to its taxpayers to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of every taxpayer dollar. Where is the city's sense of urgency?

Unfortunately, the city staff  chose to pass the investigation baton to outside agencies who have no financial or productivity motive to expedite their investigations of the Kight tool shed saga. Because of city management's lack of urgency, two city employees suffer the indignity of employment limbo, and Troutdale taxpayers suffer the burden of paying the salaries of two employees while getting absolutely nothing in return.

 It's no Saturday Night Live sketch. It's just sad.

Punk, Disco, and Troutdale Tax Levies

1977: Punk, and lots of city employees

Yesterday, we took a trip in the Troutdale Wayback Machine to 1977. While the rest of the nation was catching dance fever or head banging with the Sex Pistols, we discovered that the City of Troutdale's city staff grew from three to over eighty employees in 1977, thanks to President Jimmy Carters's gift to our city of over $250,000 in federal grants. 

Those federal grants eventually ran out and Troutdale ran out of money.  When the one-time grant money was gone, guess what the city did? You guessed it!  They put a $60,000 one year serial levy on the ballot in May, 1978 to replace some of the federal grant money. 

Fortunately for all those new city  employees, the levy passed, YES 459, NO 264.

Today, Troutdale's city budget is running six figure deficits, resulting in alarmingly decreasing reserves. It makes you wonder.


When Troutdale does run out of money, will local voters be willing to pass a local option levy like they did in 1977, when their federal grant money was all gone? 


To help answer that question, lets take a look at a short history of recent tax levies in Troutdale. What is Troutdale's won-loss record for tax levies since 1979?  Lets take a look:

April, 1979: A $130,000 operating levy passed. YES 246, NO 65.

May 1980: A $325,000 tax base levy passed. YES 777, NO 407.

June 1982: Voters rejected continuation of the street light levy.

Nov. 1982: A tax base serial levy defeated. NO 364, YES 214.

June 1986: A $102,000 2 year levy defeated. no 778, yes 430.

August 1986: voters defeated an $88,000 levy.  

NO 694, YES 620.

September 1980: City Council rushed to get an operating levy on the ballot but changed their mind.

March, 1987: voters rejected a $420,000 operating levy.

May 1992: voters pass $1.7 million bond for fire protection.

Total won-loss record for recent tax levies: Won 3, Lost 5. It's not a good prediction of future voter approval for any new taxes or fees. But it's always good to know what the past tells us.

(Sources: Oregonian Archives https://multcolib.org/resource/oregonian-1987-present;  Oregonian Archives https://multcolib.org/resource/oregonian-historical-archive)

When Jimmy Carter Threw Federal Peanuts At Troutdale

"Five years ago, the City of Troutdale had three paid employees. Two months ago, the number had jumped to 25.  Today it stands at 89." . . . "Since June,  with more than $250, 000 in CETA special projects grants, the Troutdale staff has more than tripled. "-- The Oregonian, August 28, 1977

The Oregonian,Metro Section, August 28, 1977

Shortly after taking office 36 years ago, President Jimmy Carter gave Troutdale and hundreds of other cities across the nation large quantities of federal dollars.

The United States was going through a recession. Like Roosevelt before him and Obama today, President Carter decided to create jobs by throwing money at the recession. At the time,  it was one of the last gasps of 1930's New Deal make-work programs.


In 1976, Troutdale's city budget was $8.1 million. Thanks to President Carter, in 1977  the city's staff levels exploded after receiving over $250,000 in  Federal Comprehensive Training and Employment Act (CETA) funds.

Most people now agree that CETA, much like Roosevelt's New Deal, failed to stimulate the economy and ended up being just another "government jobs program that didn't work."

 According to the Oregonian article, many of  Troutdale's  CETA funded city employees were hired for  make-work projects such as:


"Organizing sports and other events,  including classes in belly-dancing,  ceramics, and jewelry making". . .

"Artists in residence Project: The city has hired a painter and sculptor to produce some art for the city. The sculptor is creating a wooden train for children to play on in Depot Park and a metal sculpture for outside city hall. . ."

The Oregonian article explained that "The regular CETA funds have allowed Troutdale to double its police force from three to six, to hire a city hall custodian, police records clerk,  and building plans worker.

When the CETA one-time grant money was gone, guess what the city did? You guessed it! They put a $60,000 one year serial levy on the ballot in May, 1978 to replace some of the CETA money. Fortunately for all those new city  employees, the levy passed, YES 459, NO 264.

The Oregonian, August 28, 1977

A street light levy also  passed: Yes 286, No 97. (The city's street lights had been turned off because they couldn't afford the electricity bill.)

Today, Troutdale's city budget is running six figure deficits, resulting in alarmingly decreasing reserves. It makes you wonder.

When Troutdale does run out of money, will local voters be willing to pass a local option levy like they did in 1977, when their CETA money ran out?

Stay tuned tomorrow for a history of operating levy elections in Troutdale from 1978 to the present.

What Will Troutdale Do When It Runs Out Of Money?

In just a few weeks, Troutdale will have a new Mayor and a new City Councilor. The new City Council will face steep challenges in the new year.

Troutdale's 2012-2013 deficit-laden budget approved by the city's Budget Committee and adopted by the City Council in June 2012 spent $338,000 more than the city's revenues. And now, Troutdale faces an estimated $97,000 budget shortfall in the 2012-2013 fiscal year due to falling assessed property taxes.

 I agree with the prime concern of the City Council and Budget Committee. No one wants to reduce city services! We can all agree on that. Having said that, what happens when the money runs out? What do we do then?

At its current rate of spending, Troutdale's city staff acknowledged it only has enough money in reserves to maintain existing service levels for a couple of years. In the 2012-2013 budget document, city staff wrote,

"The adopted budget maintains the necessary unappropriated balance of about $2,000,000 to meet the operational needs of the City between July 1st and November before property taxes receipts arrive. Dropping below that level could require the City to borrow money to meet the operating needs and could potentially also reduce the bond and credit rating of the City. The adopted budget uses $338,000 of the reserves above that level to maintain existing service levels. The reserves would enable the City to sustain service levels for the next couple of years, consuming reserves at this modest rate."

In spite of the city's precarious financial position, other than token budget cuts of around $30,000 for the 2012-2013 budget, neither the city's Budget Committee or the City Council seemed interested in reducing the city's deficit spending.

 I agree with the prime concern of the City Council and Budget Committee. No one wants to reduce city services! We can all agree on that. Having said that, what happens when the money runs out? What do we do then? PERS costs will go up. Health insurance costs will go up. City revenues could diminish even further.

This is not a problem that just came up out of the blue sky. I've written several times about Troutdale's budget problems here, and here, and here, and here. The question remains- what do we do when the money runs out?

No one wants to reduce city services, but what do we do when the money runs out?

What do we do when the money runs out?

Will Troutdale Stop Its Annual Budget Deficits?

With an 8-5 vote last night, the Troutdale Budget Committee directed that city staff come back with alternate city budgets to compare with the existing proposed 2012-2013 budget that spends $350,000 from the city's reserve dollars-- an alternate proposed budget that spends only $150,000 from reserves, and one that spends zero dollars from reserves. They want to see what these deeper budget cuts would look like. City staff will be providing these alternate budgets to the committee at the next budget meeting early next month. (See the proposed budget here).

Home Forward (aka Portland Housing Authority) Offered To Help Troutdale Build A New City Hall

CONDEMNED: Troutdale City Hall

 A representative of Home Forward (the new name of the Portland Housing Authority) told the City of Troutdale's Economic Development Subcommittee that because Home Forward can issue its own tax exempt bonds, it  "has the means to build Troutdale a new City Hall if it includes affordable housing above it."

Metro to Troutdale: DO WHAT WE SAY, OR ELSE!

Those were Troutdale City Councilor Rich Allen's sentiments in his comment on the OPB web site story "Metro and Troutdale Battle Over Environmental Standards".   

Here is Allen's complete comment:

"It's an outrage. We were merely asking Metro for help identifying where our code was lacking, and they went into enforcement actions instead. I feel like I asked for help and I got the back of the hand. Teaches me for thinking Metro was a partner in the common goal of protecting the environment. It's do exactly what they say without question or else." -Councilor Rich Allen of Troutdale

A beaver in Troutdale's Beaver Creek says, "Metro? We don't need no stinkin' Metro!"

The OPB story quoted  Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett, who laid out Metro's take it or leave it stance:

"Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett says Metro could force Troutdale city councilors to accept a planning ordinance they recently rejected. Or Metro councilors could hit Troutdale's wallet. Bennett explains, "They can withhold funds that Metro distributes to local juridictions. Or they can ask the state of Oregon to find Troutdale out of compliance with Oregon land-use planning goals – and if that happens, the city would lose cigarette tax revenue, liquor tax revenue, and gas tax revenue."

Shame on you, Martha Bennett. Have you ever bothered to read Troutdale's Development Code for yourself? Have you ever visited Troutdale? Have you ever bothered to talk to anyone from Troutdale? Have you ever walked along Beaver Creek or the Sandy River and viewed the plentiful wildlife- fish, beavers, great herons, skunks, deer, even the occasional cougar??

I didn't think so.

Controversy Brewing Between Troutdale, IBEW Local 48

My "Google Alert" for Troutdale brought this to my attention today. It's a letter posted on the IBEW Local 48 website urging its members to come to this Tuesday's Troutdale City Council meeting to protest the city's selection of Prairie Electric instead of an IBEW Local 48 represented firm for the electrical work to be done at Troutdale's new police station now under construction.  

 

 Here's the text from the IBEW Web site.

 

Dear Troutdale Member,

I am writing to you personally and urgently requesting your assistance on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. 
You are a taxpayer that pays taxes to the City of Troutdale.  As a taxpayer, you were asked to pass a bond levy in order to build a new City Police Station.  Your Union, IBEW Local 48, supported this measure and it was passed. As a result your property taxes and/or rents are supporting construction of the project.  What you may not have heard is that the Electrical portion of the bid went to Prairie Electric, a non-union company based in Vancouver, Washington.   Their employees primarily live in the Vancouver area.  This action is what has prompted my request for help from members.
In addition to the support of the tax bond, your Local also donated funds that paid entirely for the installation of electrical services, outlets and modifications of the street lamps that are along the Historic Columbia River Highway (Halsey Street) in downtown Troutdale.  I am sure you have enjoyed the Christmas Lights that have adorned these poles during the last two Holiday Seasons.  Again, this electrical installation was made possible due to the courtesy of IBEW Local 48. This was at zero cost to the City of Troutdale.  The City requested this of us and we willingly donated it to them.
Further, the BALMCC of IBEW Local 48 and NECA have provided funds for the installation of sports scoreboards for four East County high schools with a fifth scoreboard being designed now.  The average cost of these installations is $30,000.00 each.  They have been provided with BALMCC covering all costs in an effort to support our schools and community.   In fact, the first scoreboard was installed in 2006 at the Reynolds High School baseball field, located in Troutdale.
During the last three years our members have suffered tremendously with unemployment.  I find it inexcusable that the Troutdale City Council did nothing to insure local citizens were provided with an opportunity to work within their own community.   In other words, you as a citizen are paying taxes to your city to provide jobs to out of state workers while you remain either unemployed or forced to seek work elsewhere, possibly Intel which is an hour drive in the morning and up to two hours in the evening.
I am also personally offended on behalf of our members.   Our Local members have given to this community.   Yet the project was still awarded to a company with absolutely no community ties to Troutdale and no history of donating to the city.   They will be profiting from a project paid for in part by our members due to the fact that the Construction Manager chose to exclude the Union bid for reasons still not clear to me.  In fact, it has been reported to me that the Union bid was lower than Prairie Electric’s bid yet they still chose to go with them.
Brothers and Sisters, this should outrage you.  I am asking you to express your outrage in a peaceful and legal manner by supporting myself and other Local Union members at the next Troutdale City Council meeting.  It is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.  It will be held at City Hall located at 104 SE Kibling Street in Troutdale.
You will be contacted by a Representative of Local 48 to solicit your support.  We are in dire need of members who live in the area that are willing to speak to the Council.  We will provide the script and give you coaching in an effort to ease any anxiety you may have.
Now is the time to stand up and show your displeasure to your elected City Council members!

Your Local needs you and more importantly the City needs to understand what Local jobs mean to our members.  

I look forward to your participation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Fraternally,

CLIF DAVIS

Business Manager

Financial Secretary

Say Goodbye To Troutdale Taxpayer Dollars

Original Estimate of Troutdale's Centennial Arch: $80,000. Actual Cost: Over $350,000.
Original Estimate of Troutdale's New Parks Maintenance Building? $700,00. Actual Cost? $1.2 Million.
Original Estimate of Troutdale's Sunrise Park Parking Lot? $150,000. Actual Cost? $210,000(so far).

When private companies make mistakes, they lose their own money and eventually go out of business. This makes private business owners cautious and careful.


However, when a city like Troutdale makes mistakes on things like building project estimates, there are no consequences. It's your money that's lost. And the city has no reason to be cautious and careful with your money, because there are no consequences when they waste your money. The city just spends more of your money. And it raises your taxes.  

What a way to run a city. 

RAW NOTES- Troutdale City Council Resolution to Censure Mayor Kight

Here are  raw notes I took during tonight’s Troutdale City Council discussion of the resolution to censure Troutdale Mayor Jim Kight. DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional transcription typist, and I missed a few sentences here and there. But I hope these notes give a good idea of the actual discussion. 

To see the resolution that was being discussed, read the documents at the end of these meeting agenda items at this link:
http://www.ci.troutdale.or.us//mayor-council/documents/packets/20110524.pdf

NOTES FROM TROUTDALE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ CITIZEN COMMENTS re: RESOLUTION TO CENSURE TROUTDALE MAYOR JIM KIGHT

May 24, 2011

Troutdale City Councilor Doug Daoust: we need to be a team and we’re not. We have a rogue official. This has been going on for years; this should have been addressed a long time ago. This should have been addressed by the previous city council..There have been thing that kind of boiled over. This is not about Jim’s shed that turned into a house. We’re not going to get into a technical argument about the house.
The real issue –house is the improper use of his position to put influence and staff the entire process. It is our impression that no other person sitting in this audience would be able to build the accessory structure that Jim did. Staff is caught in the middle. And we don’t like that at all. We don’t like staff being put in the position where they are uncomfortable, were they are wondering what’s going on. Bottom line is our respect for city employees.

Former Troutdale Mayor Paul Thalofer..shocked that mayor lies to city staff.. Despicable and should not be tolerated by the city council.

Troutdale resident Marni Zollinger: any person should have expected ethical treatment from this mayor. I did not. I expect your resignation. I am calling for it.

Troutdale resident John Wilson: I know where Jim is coming from when promoting city. Sometimes you must not wait for permission. I respect entire city council but kight is only one banging drums for the city. We all need to get this behind us. City staff..d if they have problem with mayor.. People that work for them.. strong people. Ii don’t know how someone could intimidate staff.


citizen K. Mingus(? guessing at spelling of name!):Fostered a lot of kids..Worked with kids. Micromanaging…they are distracting. Over focus on things makes things worse. Had kids I might have clashed with.. sets up.invited other problems. My point..kight..You have a different type of personality. I like your heart, perseverance…on balance… as adults we need to be like parents.. Need to be careful about how we are treating one another. Maybe we need a refresher course in how we’re treating people. Find a solution. It’s not always kicking people o ut. If you remove them.. Nothing gets dealt with. I don’t agree with people that want resignation.

citizen Ed Kofer(guessing at spelling of name): if anybody builds a structure not allowed in flood plain they should be required to tear it down.

Troutdale resident Kristine Jacobson (another guess at name spelling). How can you honestly stand before all these people and say the house is a shed. I feel in small town like Troutdale you are using yourplitical power for personal gain.

Karen -West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce…(read someones nomination of Kight as Troutdale citizen of year)

Troutdale Mayor Jum Kight: (reads from written prepared statement.) Common ground but also things that need to be revealed. Things that have been suppressed to protect city’s credibility. Appears that political campaign for mayor has already begun. Intended to defame slander mayor and take him out of running for election. Half truths and outright lies. I will highlitht most important.
Building—we built building because we have a business. Home based business. My wife had no desk space. Coffee table.. Wherever she needs space. It’s a mess. Remove business activity from our home environment so there cold e separation of activities. When we decided to build accessory structure we hired a general contractor. We wanted d arms length transaction between project and city staff. I knew early on that my position as city councilor I would be under intense scrutiny.  I wanted to protect city employees from criticism as well as my own reputation. Buildingprojectg is very complex. Building dept functions under state law. Planning dept=Troutdale laws. Fed regulations..Supersede local and state. In conflict with one another. Many contractors will refuse to build structures in flood plain.
We were lucky to find a contractor who had experience building in flood plain.
Building was designed by professionals. Wanted structure that complemented neighborhood. Another Troutdale mayor had same idea when he built English Tudor when he built his property. Our building looks just like a house. That was intended desire. We wanted appearance to match our home.. Painted same color so they all match.
Facility does not have full cooking kitchen or fully functioning bedrooms. Designed as offices.
Desks tables… insert—some people call closets..We wanted them for filing cabinets. It does not serve as a dwelling because that is how it was designed. All permits submitted by general contractr,, approved by city. We have cert of occupancy for accessory building, not accessory dwelling.
Red version original design of building shows 1016 square feet. It was never designed for 700SF
Plans have signatures from all different departments in the city.
Most egregious statements….circumvent building codes…baseless, groundless, libelous comments. City employees took extra precautions to make sure everything done by code. Council should offer apology to city staff. Libel concludes with libel in Outlook. Council Doaust lack of knowledge…statement that lied to staff is comical. All changes to original plan are checked and signed off by city depts... Another libelous statement as quoted by councilor Daoust. You can’t build until you have approval.
Complaints—giving direction to city employee after charter change not true. City manager will attest my requests go to him and not city employees. Many complaints from months and years ago.. No supporting documents.
Recent example from norm Thomas giving direction to city staff, in direct violation of new charter... phone books in front of businesses that are closed… thomqas asked if police could issue citations for vacant property owners. Public works dept sent employees to walk downtown and pick up books Thomas—poor judgment and waste of time. Not the first time.
Appointment of mpac/jpact to metro. Asked by weatherby to appear as mpact alternate. Later he wanted to resign and asked if I would continue to serve as primary. Ripma on mpac.serious problems—embarassment from mpac.. Mayor approached (Metro Councilor) Rod Park.. All mayors decided ripma not appropriate and e was removed..--- Mayors took over that post. I asked council to be appointed.. They all approved—city council next council—total reversal and councilor Thomas was appointed. Lobbying by ripma to garner their support.. Happened quickly… reversed previous council decision. Ripma took it upon himself to gains support for another city councilor.  Councilor recruited by ripma had no experience with issues. Indicating interest—councilor has attended not one meeting.  Never appeared before Troutdale council to describe qualifications.  Other cities would have been better served by more experienced person.
Last allegation..Money spent for facilitator… members of council have selective memory main reason we hired facilitator to address Hartmann issue.  Daoust, white met with same councilor and he resigned. All other allegations were from a year ago or more. Since charter change, things have changed.  Sure other attacks will be made on me to pursue their own political agenda. If they had come to me these issue could have been resolved. It is my hope there will be reflection on part of other councilors...youdont represent yourselves in eyes of community by tearing down other people.

City Councilor Daoust: That was very good that is what I expected. I heard what you had to say. Because that’s what we always hear. Jim denying everything. Not apologizing, not seeing his ways, this is always over the years have gotten back when we tried to approach him. Glen and I called him and tried to meet him he couldn’t do it we had exec session with him in private that issues could have been resolved but they went because we got the same identical response in private. To the point we just do not believe our mayor we do not trust our mayor. The fact he called our allegations full of lies... I told everybody before we have docs to back them up. Glen and I met with city staff before this boiled over. Got input from city staff, this is nbot the city council making things up. We do not have the goal of trying to destroy personality that is Jim kight. Glen and I saw original plans that showed a 768 sf shed. Those are original plans not what he showed. Original plans sept 12007 shed one great big room. He called it one big open room. On blocks. Things changed. June 2008... May 08 due to concerns about what was being built additional site plans were dropped off. Timeline provided by staff. June 08 stop work order. The week before site visit was made and concrete basement already poured.  Plans he showed you were y poured and plans were all in.  Plans he showed you were from June 08.
He was banking on it doesn’t qualify as a house. Not full kitchen, no doors on closet. Only things missing. Last week, I saw the videos. He just shows office space and office furniture. Didn’t show kitchen, bathroom, or full basement. Mike Goss helped him make a video. Last week he got a certificate of occupancy that he requested that he showed in front of the camera. To say he hired a general contractor to keep arms length away? We know Jim, that’s funny, to say that Jim would keep an arm’s length from anything. A lot of meetings that were held with city staff were held with kights name on it. I have a hard time sitting here where we hear the same things from Jim and nothing will be done.

Troutdale City Councilor White: I agree with Doug I saw original plans. They are different. As for Jims comment we should have came to him... we did. We did everything to keep this private. No effort was made to talk to people he attack during his response. Goes against team spirit and trust. I worry about staff. I want to know city staff we will back them up.

MayorKight: We could go tit for tat.. Contractor requested certificate of occupancy.

Troutdale City Councilor David Ripma: no comment.

Troutdale City Councilor NormThomas: what happened with phone book I was approached by business person. I called public works director asked him what could be done I didn’t call police and ask for citations. Charlie warren picked up books and discarded them. There were misunderstandings. I have since called not only city manager, Charlie warren and city councilors and apologized for my actions. I don’t’ want to go into tit for tat. There are things that can be resolved and I would hope mayor would work with us. Last thing I want to see is dysfunctional council. Spent time in executive sessions o it wouldn’t come out in public I don’t think it’s beneficial to do that. I feel that as an elected official we need to go with the charter.

Troutdale City Councilor Eric Anderson: limited history. On council. If this were private sector position in this were an evaluation, comment would be this is not a good fit. Phenomenal as cheerleader, promoter. But you ran for mayor and there are procedures policies and a level of conduct that must be followed, I can’t behave poorly as official as rep of city of Troutdale. I can’t engage in conduct that would be detrimental. Can’t put my family in that position. Resolution, rhetoric is sad but necessary. It my hope that for your remaining months that we take something from this and look in the mirror and try to see what were are talking about I pray that that happens. There is procedure and behavior that we all have to look up to.

Mayor Kight:  Maybe this is a fork in the road. We are not unlike a family. Different personality with you may not get along with them but. I will work so that we can work together as a city council to get things done. If we take the same energy that we saw here tonight it would be amazing what we can accomplish. Hopefully we can all go from a clean slate and what can we come up with together for solutions...such as city streets. If we ignore it costs triple...Marino block... eyesore... seek developers dfont leave it up to other members oc council or staff. Urban renewal. Look for grant money we can use to clean up site.. Don’t always leave everything up to staff they are overburdened. The arch we have $300,000 arch and at night you can’t see it go look for donation money. I have. $2500 already received. Those kinds of things what counts. Community needs hope and leadership. Maybe tonight we can start that process if I as a mayor have overstepped my bounds I apologize to city staff and from this day forward I will work fervently work to make sure it doesn’t happen again. From now on everything will go through city manager. With everything said...

Councilor Daoust: move we adopt resolution. (Councilor White seconds the motion- moiton passes unanimously, even Mayor Kight votes yes)

Councilor Daoust: I would like to schedule a follow up meeting... a workship meeting with council and mayor to follow up with this resolution that just passed. To clarify any corrective action that city council may want to take I don’t know it is that clear. Need to clarify issues so this ball doesn’t get dropped.

Mayor Kight: I agree. Not sure what is being asked by council so I support your idea of work session.

(end of discussion, voting on resolution).
City Council takes 10 minute break, end

Troutdale Budget Committee Gets It Done.

"80 percent of success is just showing up"  — Woody Allen.  Troutdale's budget committee did just that.  Although just one citizen showed up to watch and comment, the budget committee got their budget approval finished early by taking the high road and a 30,000 foot view of the city's budget picture.  New budget committee chair Tanney Staffenson, Acting City Administrator Ron Garzini and Finance Director Erich Mueller performed a tag-team of focused and high level budget discussions.  We completed the entire process in two nights. In previous years, the budget committee process took three or four days due to in-fighting on $50 budget line items.


The budget committee did restore several items to the police budget: 3 in-car digital cameras, and a new server for the car camera system, called ICAM, a total of about $20,000. Some committee members expressed dismay at what they perceived as a rubber stamp approval of the proposed budget. They would have preferred, I suppose, to go over each of the thousands of line items one by one. And then argue over each line item. It's what was allowed in previous years, to the city's detriment. But we weren't  there to be cost accountants or analysts. This year, a large majority of the budget committee trusted the staff's recommendations after listening to detailed overviews of each department's goals, policies, and requirements. 

I've served on Troutdale's budget committee since 2004. We've gone from having large reserves and millions of  dollars in building permit related fees and charges to small reserves and virtually no building permit related fees and charges. The glory days of building permit fees related to city growth are over, mostly due to the cratered mortgage/economic crisis, but also because Troutdale is nearing build out. There isn't much more land within the city limits to build new houses or businesses on.

Due to state property tax limitations, we can only increase our tax revenues by 3% a year. Meanwhile, PERS, health insurance, union contracts, and fire protection contracts are going up by anywhere from 6-20% or more per year. And our city also has a $400,000 per year shortage for proper road maintenance.  It's not a pretty picture. Some day in the future, our city will either have to cut services drastically or ask our citizens for more money, especially to address the road maintenance issue. I'm as fiscally conservative as it gets,  but even this conservative guy recognizes that many difficult choices will be forced upon our fair city sooner rather than later. It truly is a "you can pay us now, or pay us later" dilemma. 


Finally, only one citizen, ONE, showed up to observe this year's budget meetings.  That's one more than has showed up at previous year's budget meetings. This just proves a simple fact to me. People love to complain about taxes. They love to complain about government inefficiencies and wasteful spending practices. But even when they live in a small town like Troutdale, where they could actually show up, make comments and suggestions and actually be listened to, and probably have their suggestions acted upon, they still don't care enough to show up.  

If you're one of these people, I can only say don't come singin' the blues to the City of Troutdale about how it spends its money.  You will have one more chance in June, when the city council holds another hearing on the budget. If you want to make suggestions on the budget, that's your last chance. Take advantage of that opportunity. You'll be glad you did.

Troutdale Mayor's Expenses Questioned

Artwork from Columbia River Gallery. Painting supplies. Moulding. Stain. Thermal lamination. Wallpaper. Meals at the Black Rabbit Restaurant, Marie Callender's, and Bumpers Bar and Grill. These items are among nearly $1,000 in expenses paid by the City of Troutdale to Mayor Jim Kight Since September, 2008 in addition to the Mayor's $500 monthly stipend. The Troutdale City Council will be discussing these expenses tomorrow night at a work session.

Troutdale's City Council rules (see below) are very specific about reimbursable expenses for the Mayor and City Council. Last time I checked, those reimbursable expenses did not include remodeling and painting supplies, artwork, or meal reimbursement(except for meals at conferences, conventions, or meetings of local and regional organizations). Mayor Kight's request for reimbursement of these expenses is additionally questionable because he is also paid a $500 per month stipend to defray the costs that come with the job of Mayor.  Maybe there's a reasonable explanation, but this looks like unauthorized double dipping to me.