North Bend council adopts ROW vacation, approves sanitation rate increase and IT contracts

North Bend City Council on Oct. 14 adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of Pony Point Road near the North Bend Airport, approved a sanitation rate increase and passed three contract-authorizing motions, the council said during its regularly scheduled meeting.

The actions were taken after public hearings and staff presentations. Ordinance 2084 vacates a segment of right of way dedicated in 1991 that the staff report said has been closed to public use for security reasons related to airport operations. Resolution 3374 authorizes a rate increase for North Bend Sanitation. The council also authorized a three-year renewal with OpenText for data backup services, approved Microsoft 365 government licensing through CompuNet, and authorized West Coast Contractors to perform work at the North Bend Airport outside standard billing rules; one councilor declared a potential conflict and recused from that vote.

The ordinance vacating part of Pony Point Road matters because the airport is the sole adjoining owner of the closed roadway segment and the staff report said the easement already protects an existing sanitary sewer. The sanitation rate decision affects monthly charges for residents who receive collection service under the city franchise. The IT contracts and contractor authorization commit city funds and operational authority for multi-year services and work at the airport.

Ordinance 2084: Staff said Pony Point Road was dedicated to the city in 1991 and later closed for airport security after Sept. 11, 2001; the roadway ‘‘realistically has no utility to the public as a dedication for public use,’’ the staff report said. The council voted to adopt the ordinance after two title-only readings. A roll call during adoption produced six affirmative votes; the council recorded the motion as carried.

Sanitation rate increase (Resolution 3374): Per the staff report and franchise agreement, the sanitation franchisee may request rate adjustments to reflect higher operating costs. Staff said the company requested a 3.2% increase; a member of the public who testified described the increase as ‘‘almost a 4% raise’’ and urged greater public notice and transparency about where revenue would be used. After the public hearing the council moved to approve the requested fee increases as authorized in Resolution 3374; the motion carried.

Contracts and authorizations: The council authorized a three-year renewal with OpenText for citywide data backup services in the amount of $48,847.54 and authorized the city administrator to execute the agreement. It also authorized the city administrator to execute an agreement with CompuNet Inc. for Microsoft 365 government cloud licensing in the amount of $20,838.72. Both motions were approved by the council.

West Coast Contractors: Council authorized West Coast Contractors to perform work at the North Bend Airport outside the city’s billing ordinance. Councilor Hamilton verbally acknowledged a potential conflict of interest and recused from discussion and voting. The motion to allow the contractor to proceed carried.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2084 (vacate portion of Pony Point Road): adopted; roll-call recorded as six ayes; outcome: approved. - Resolution 3374 (North Bend Sanitation rate increase): approved; outcome: approved. - OpenText three-year renewal ($48,847.54): approved; outcome: approved. - Microsoft 365 licensing with CompuNet ($20,838.72): approved; outcome: approved. - Authorization for West Coast Contractors to work at North Bend Airport outside billing ordinance: approved; outcome: approved (Councilor Hamilton recused).

No additional conditions, amendments or effective dates were specified at the meeting for these items. Staff indicated public notices and franchise provisions guided the sanitation hearing and that existing easements will remain in place where utilities exist within the vacated Pony Point roadway.

Mayor Jessica Engleke presided over the meeting and staff said written testimony had been entered into the public record for the hearings.