Gearhart public meetings in 2025

Planning Commission

The provided agenda consists solely of a series of PDF file names. No specific rezoning, contract, ordinance, fee change, or public hearing items are described. Consequently, the agenda does not indicate any decisions or discussions scheduled for this meeting.

The Planning Commission excused member Russ Taggard by a 6‑0 vote and approved the consent agenda with corrections by a 6‑0 vote. Staff presented updates on dune hazard data, floodplain ordinance amendments, and a fence inquiry. A public hearing was held on a conditional use and variance request to add a four‑bedroom suite to an existing hotel, but the minutes do not record a final vote on the application.

• Excused member Taggard (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda with corrections (6-0)
• Motion to approve hotel suite application with recommended conditions (vote not recorded)

City Council

The December 3, 2025 City Council agenda for Gearhart, Oregon consists solely of links to PDF documents labeled as meeting materials and minutes. No rezoning proposals, contracts, ordinances, fee changes, or public hearings are listed. The council will likely review the provided documents during the meeting.

The council voted 5-0 to add a new business item for a Liquor License Application Review for the Prep Kitchen. The council also voted 5-0 to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting as amended.

• Approved adding Liquor License Application Review – Special Event (Prep Kitchen) (5-0)
• Approved minutes of the November 5, 2025 meeting (5-0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council reviewed the Public Safety Building survey, noting 704 total responses and various opinion breakdowns for four project options. Council members asked questions about duplicate responses, data accuracy, and potential access to respondent names, but no votes or formal actions were recorded. The session ended without any decisions, approvals, or denials.

Planning Commission

The regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting for Thursday, November 13, 2025 has been cancelled. The next meeting is set for Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm. It will be held via Zoom and in person at Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way. No agenda items were presented for the cancelled meeting.

City Council

The November 5, 2025 Gearhart City Council agenda consists of a series of PDF file references (e.g., meeting materials, minutes, supporting documents). No specific rezoning, contracts, ordinances, fee changes, or public hearings are detailed in the provided text.

The Gearhart City Council voted to approve the minutes from four earlier sessions: the September 30 worksession, the October 1 regular meeting, the October 14 worksession, and the October 30 executive session. Each motion was moved by a councilor, seconded by another, and passed with five yeas and zero nays. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved September 30, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 1, 2025 regular meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 14, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 30, 2025 executive session minutes (5-0)

Executive Sessions

The Gearhart City Council met in an emergency executive session on Oct. 30, 2025 to consider employment matters. The session was closed to the public and adjourned at 5:35 p.m. No votes or decisions were recorded.

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council authorized staff to revise the Public Safety Building survey based on the worksession discussion and to issue it to the public. Council members approved adding two new feedback questions and making the name field optional. They also agreed to include a property‑owner question and to incorporate cost‑per‑thousand tax impact information. Distribution will use mail, water‑bill inserts, the city website, and a fire‑station notice, with data expected by the Nov. 24 worksession.

• Approved staff revision of survey content as discussed
• Added two new questions (most important factor, additional comments) to survey
• Made name field optional for respondents
• Included question on whether respondent is a Gearhart property owner
• Agreed to investigate adding cost‑per‑thousand tax impact details
• Decided on distribution via USPS mail, water‑bill links, website/blog, and fire‑station board
• Targeted survey data availability for the Nov. 24 council worksession
• Agreed to set agenda for the Oct. 30 worksession (pending)

Planning Commission

The Gearhart Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on October 9, 2025, to review and discuss a series of agenda materials.

• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 1-12)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 4-10)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 5-11)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 6-12)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 7-9)

The Planning Commission voted 6‑0 to excuse Commissioner John Mesberg from the meeting. It also voted 6‑0 to approve the consent agenda, which included the September 11, 2025 minutes, the September 24, 2025 financial report, and correspondence from David Bowes. No other formal decisions were made during the session.

• Excused Commissioner John Mesberg (6‑0 vote)
• Approved consent agenda – September 11 minutes, September 24 financial report, and David Bowes correspondence (6‑0 vote)

City Council

The agenda for the October 1, 2025 Gearhart City Council meeting lists only PDF files of meeting materials and a minutes document. No specific resolutions, contracts, or hearings are described in the supplied text.

The council voted to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2025 worksession meeting and the September 3, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting. Both motions passed unanimously with a 4‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved August 28, 2025 worksession minutes (4-0)
• Approved September 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes (4-0)

WorkSessions

The council reached consensus to remove question E from the public safety building survey. They agreed to add bond terms to questions A‑D and include more location details. A draft survey with the revised explanatory statement will be prepared within two weeks and released for public response for two weeks before the November meeting. The primary distribution will be electronic, with hard‑copy copies also made available.

• Eliminate question E from the survey (consensus)
• Add bond terms to questions A‑D and expand location parameters (consensus)
• Prepare draft survey with revised explanatory statement within two weeks (consensus)
• Release the survey for two weeks to gather preliminary data for November meeting (consensus)
• Use electronic distribution as primary method, with hard‑copy copies also provided (consensus)
• Make the draft survey available for council review by the end of next week (consensus)

Planning Commission

The agenda materials list several PDF files for the September 11, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, but the text does not include any specific items, decisions, or discussions.

The commission approved a proposal to prohibit all pickleball courts in residential zones and to permit them in commercial or semi‑public zones only through a conditional‑use process. Staff were directed to draft the ordinance and schedule a public hearing for the October meeting. Earlier motions excused a member and approved the consent agenda.

• Excused Commissioner Don Frank from the meeting (6‑0 vote)
• Approved consent agenda, including August 14 minutes and August 28 financial report (6‑0 vote)
• Prohibited pickleball courts in all residential zones (commission agreement)
• Allowed pickleball courts in commercial or semi‑public zones only via conditional‑use review (commission agreement)
• Directed staff to draft the ordinance and prepare for an October public hearing (commission agreement)

City Council

The provided text is a list of document filenames for the September 3, 2025, City Council meeting and public hearing. No specific agenda items, motions, or discussion topics are listed in the source text.

The Gearhart City Council approved the minutes of the July 29, 2025 worksession meeting and the August 6, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting. Both motions passed unanimously with five yeas and zero nays. No other actions were decided; the street‑vacation request was discussed but not voted on.

• Approved July 29, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved August 6, 2025 regular meeting minutes (5-0)

WorkSessions

The council reached consensus to complete the Public Safety Building task list within one month. They set a timeline to develop a citizen survey in September and release it in October. Mayor Smith will meet with Building Official Leonard Brogden, and Administrator Sweet will verify bond‑rating impacts of a remodel. The council will review task documents and provide input by the following week.

• Task list to be delivered within 1 month (consensus)
• Develop survey in September, release to citizens in October
• Mayor Smith to meet with Building Official Leonard Brogden
• Administrator Sweet to verify bond‑rating impacts with financial advisors
• Administrator Sweet to arrange meeting availability with Building Official Brogden
• Council to review task documents and give input by next week
• Monthly Public Safety Building worksessions confirmed

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved the consent agenda unanimously (7‑0). The commission then voted 7‑0 to recommend that the city council approve the Hemlock Avenue street vacation request, provided compensation is paid and a city access easement is retained. Staff will finalize compensation letters and clarify the easement before the council’s decision.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)
• Recommended city council approve Hemlock Ave street vacation with compensation and easement conditions (7-0)

City Council

The council voted to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2025 executive session meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays). It also approved the amended minutes of the July 2, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays). No other substantive actions were taken during this session.

• Approved July 2, 2025 executive session minutes (5-0)
• Approved amended July 2, 2025 regular and public hearing minutes (5-0)

WorkSessions

The council reviewed options for placing a bond measure for the Public Safety Building on the November 2025 or May 2026 ballot, and considered a professional or in‑house survey to gauge community support. They also examined proposed revisions to Ordinance 930 that regulates contractors' work hours. No formal approvals, denials, or votes were recorded; the discussion was adjourned for further review.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved the consent agenda with a 7‑0 vote. The commission held a public hearing on a rezoning request for 567 Pacific Way but took no vote, leaving the recommendation pending. Staff reported that the City Council adopted the Flood Hazard Overlay Zone amendments (Option A). No other formal actions were taken.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)
• Public hearing on rezoning request filed as #25-005FZMA; no decision taken

Executive Sessions

The Gearhart City Council met in a closed executive session on July 2, 2025, chaired by Mayor Smith. The session was convened to review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the city’s chief executive officer. No decisions, approvals, or votes were recorded; the meeting was closed to the public at 7:03 p.m.

City Council

The Gearhart City Council approved a motion to close the public hearing on the flood hazard overlay amendment with a 5‑0 vote. The Council also approved the amended minutes from the June 4, 2025 meeting by a 5‑0 vote. No other substantive actions or votes were recorded.

• Closed public hearing on flood overlay amendment (5-0)
• Approved amended June 4 minutes (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Gearhart Planning Commission approved the consent agenda, including minutes corrections, the May 29, 2025 financial report, and correspondence, with a 7‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were approved. Commissioners asked staff to bring back examples of how other cities handle pickleball noise and options for updating Gearhart’s noise or nuisance ordinances for future discussion.

• Approved consent agenda (7‑0)
• Requested staff to provide examples of other cities' pickleball noise regulations (agreed)
• Requested staff to outline options for amending Gearhart noise or nuisance ordinances (agreed)

City Council

The Gearhart City Council approved a motion to continue the public hearing on the zoning text amendment that would replace Section 3.10 Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, with the intent to adopt Option A in July. The Council also approved motions to close the public hearings on the Public Safety Building options and on the 2025‑2026 budget and state revenue sharing items. All three motions passed unanimously (5 yeas, 0 nays).

• Continue public hearing on zoning amendment, aiming to adopt Option A in July (approved 5-0)
• Close public hearing on Public Safety Building options (approved 5-0)
• Close public hearing on 2025-2026 State Revenue Sharing Funds and budget items (approved 5-0)

City Council

The council voted to continue the public hearing on the zoning text amendment that replaces Section 3.10 Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, planning to adopt Option A in July and consider Option B if deadlines allow. The motion to continue the hearing was approved unanimously (5‑0). The council also voted to close the public hearing on the proposed Public Safety Building options, with that motion approved unanimously (5‑0).

• Continue zoning amendment hearing to July, adopt Option A (approved 5‑0)
• Close public safety building hearing (approved 5‑0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession on May 27, 2025 to review the Public Safety Building project. Council members and staff presented survey results, cost breakdowns, and communication plans, and answered community questions. No votes, approvals, or other formal actions were recorded during the session.

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee approved the revised meeting agenda by consensus. They approved the amended minutes from the April 15, 2025 meeting with a vote of 10‑yeas and 0‑nays. A public hearing on State Revenue Sharing for FY 2025‑2026 was held with no objections or comments. No other formal actions or approvals were recorded during the meeting.

• Approved revised agenda (consensus)
• Approved amended April 15, 2025 minutes (10 yeas, 0 nays)
• Conducted public hearing on State Revenue Sharing (no objections)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the consent agenda, which included the March 13 minutes and the April 30 financial report, by a 7‑0 vote. No other substantive actions or approvals were recorded during the meeting.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)

City Council

The Gearhart City Council approved the minutes of the April 2 regular meeting, the April 11 special meeting, and the April 29 worksession. Each motion was moved and seconded by councilors and passed unanimously with a 5‑yea, 0‑nay vote. No other substantive actions were taken at this meeting.

• Approved minutes of April 2, 2025 regular meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays)
• Approved minutes of April 11, 2025 special meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays)
• Approved minutes of April 29, 2025 worksession (5 yeas, 0 nays)

WorkSessions

Mayor Smith proposed moving regular City Council meetings to a 6:00 pm start, with public hearings at 5:30 pm, and said the proposal would be presented at the June meeting. Council members debated Ordinance 942, focusing on whether the Heritage tree and the 55‑inch tree definitions should be combined or kept separate. Opinions were split, but no vote or formal action on either the meeting‑time change or the ordinance clarification was recorded.

Budget Committee

The committee voted to adjourn the meeting with 10 yeas and 0 nays. No other actions were approved. Discussions were held about a bilingual police incentive pay, but no decision was made.

• Adjourned meeting (10 yeas, 0 nays)

Special Council

The council approved a $5,000 change order to negotiate with the Klosh Group for tasks on the Public Safety Building project, passing 3‑yeas to 1‑nay. A motion to have Administrator Sweet discuss appropriate tasks with Klosh Group failed because it lacked a second. The meeting was adjourned with a unanimous 4‑yea vote.

• Approved $5,000 change order with Klosh Group (3 yeas, 1 nay)
• Motion to have Administrator Sweet talk to Klosh Group failed (no second)
• Adjourned meeting (4 yeas, 0 nays)

City Council

The council voted 5-0 to provide a $1,550 city contribution for the 2025 Street Dance event. The council also approved the minutes of the March 5, 2025 regular meeting and the February 26, 2025 work session, each by a 5-0 vote. No other actions were taken.

• Approved $1,550 city contribution to 2025 Street Dance (5-0)
• Approved minutes of March 5, 2025 regular meeting (5-0)
• Approved minutes of February 26, 2025 work session (5-0)