Veneta public meetings in 2022

Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee voted to recommend that City Council approve the Commercial Development Incentive Program and Application Packet. The committee also reached a consensus not to pursue the acquisition of the St. Vincent De Paul property.

• Approved November 9, 2022 minutes (6-0)
• Recommended City Council approve Commercial Development Incentive Program and Application Packet (6-0)
• Reached consensus not to pursue acquiring the St. Vincent De Paul property

City Council

The City Council adopted findings of fact and held the first reading for Ordinance No. 571 to amend land development and division rules. Council also directed staff to bring a resolution for water and sewer rate increases to the January 2023 meeting following public opposition. Other actions included ratifying a social media policy and approving a community survey.

• Approved findings of fact for amendments to Land Development Ordinance No. 493 and Land Division Ordinance No. 494 (5-0)
• First reading of Ordinance No. 571 to amend Land Development and Land Division ordinances approved (5-0)
• Directed staff to bring proposed water and sewer rate increase resolution to January 2023 meeting
• Approved consent agenda including Rescue Veneta Grant Award (5-0)
• Accepted Lane County abstract of votes for November 8, 2022 election (5-0)
• Declared Robbie McCoy and Alexa Benson elected as City Councilors (5-0)
• Approved $500 donation to S.A.N.T.A. Project from Council’s Discretionary fund (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 1369 ratifying amended social media policy (5-0)

Park Board

The Park Board met on December 7, 2022, but noted there were not enough members present for a quorum. No formal decisions were made, and the approval of the November 7, 2022, minutes was postponed to January 4, 2023.

Planning Commission

The Commission approved the October 11, 2022 minutes. Members reached a consensus to exempt vendors at City sanctioned events from separate Temporary Use Permits and directed staff to research and develop standards for private family burials on private property.

• Approved October 11, 2022 minutes (4-0)
• Consensus to remove Temporary Use Permit requirements for vendors at Farmers Markets or City sanctioned events
• Directed staff to research and develop draft standards for regulating the placement of remains on private property

Business Assistance Committee

The Business Assistance Committee recommended the approval of two grant applications and a bylaws amendment. One recommendation was sent to the City Council for final approval.

• Recommended City Council approve Rescue Veneta Grant for Healing Movement and Wellness, LLC (Unanimous)
• Recommended approval of Business Assistance Committee Bylaws Amendment (Unanimous)
• Recommended approval of West Lane Charter School Signage Grant Application (Unanimous)
• Approved October 28, 2022 Minutes (Unanimous)

City Council

The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 570 to redesignate and rezone a portion of Tax Lot No. 18-06-01-00-01610. The Council also authorized funding for planning services and updated authorized bank account signers.

• Adopted Ordinance No. 570 to redesignate and rezone part of Tax Lot No. 18-06-01-00-01610 (5-0)
• Authorized up to $60,000 for the LCOG Planning Services IGA (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 1368 authorizing signers on city banking accounts (5-0)
• Approved $315 from Council’s Discretionary Fund to waive nine Community Center rental fees for Fern Ridge VFW (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including previous meeting minutes and department reports (5-0)
• Cancelled Council meetings for November 28 and December 26, 2022

City Council

The City Council reviewed a Water and Sewer Rates Study presentation. Councilors discussed the impact of inflation and fixed incomes on residents. The Council reached a consensus to have staff prepare a resolution for rate increases.

• Directed staff to present a resolution to raise water rates by 3%
• Directed staff to present a resolution to raise sewer rates by 2%

Economic Development Committee

The committee reviewed the Commercial Development Incentive Program and directed staff to update the employee-to-subsidy ratio and alignment with city planning documents. Staff were also directed to continue discussions regarding the purchase of St. Vincent De Paul lots on Broadway Ave.

• Approved October 12, 2022 minutes (5-0)
• Directed staff to review and update the Commercial Development Incentive Program (CDIP) regarding employee-to-subsidy ratios and planning document alignment
• Directed staff to continue discussions with St. Vincent De Paul about the purchase of property on Broadway Ave

Park Board

The Park Board voted to amend its bylaws to allow for two non-voting student members. The board also reviewed updates on picnic table procurement and the Cathy Coulson-Keegan Tree Memorial.

• Approved September 7, 2022 minutes (5-0)
• Approved motion to change bylaws to include 9 voting members and 2 non-voting student members (5-0)

City Council

The City Council held a work session to review the conceptual design of the Community Center presented by MA Haselip and Architect Paul Dustrud. Councilors requested modifications regarding the entrance, meeting room dividers, and parking. The Council reached a consensus to have these changes incorporated into the design for a future report.

• Reached consensus to modify the conceptual Community Center design based on Council feedback

Business Assistance Committee

The Business Assistance Committee recommended that the City Council approve a Rescue Veneta Grants Program application for Hair by Leslie in Veneta. The committee also directed staff to explore changes to committee bylaws regarding voting membership.

• Approved September 30, 2022 Minutes (2-0)
• Recommended City Council approve Hair by Leslie in Veneta’s Rescue Veneta Grants Program application (2-0)
• Directed staff to explore changing bylaws to include two Economic Development Committee voting members and eliminate the backup City Council member (2-0)

City Council

The Veneta City Council held a joint work session with the Planning Commission, discussing land use roles, housing affordability, broadband internet, and stormwater management. No formal votes were taken; the session was informational. Council also received a community survey overview and agreed to hold a future work session on water and sewer rates.

• Consensus to hold a City Council Work Session on November 10, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the Water and Sewer Rate Study
• Consensus for the City of Veneta to sign the Oregon Mayor’s Association letter to the State proposing unhoused funding action
• Next meeting scheduled for October 28, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. for a Work Session on the Community Center Design