The Umatilla City Council gave a second reading by title only and adopted Ordinance No. 879, an ordinance declaring blighted areas exist within the city, establishing the need for an urban renewal agency and creating Title 2, Chapter 8 of the Umatilla Municipal Code. The council approved the ordinance by roll-call vote after a motion for adoption.

The ordinance’s stated effect is to create the legal framework for an urban renewal agency in Umatilla, including the municipal code chapter that will govern the agency’s administrative structure. Council members approved the second reading and adoption by recorded vote; those voting aye included Councilor Funderburg, Councilor Duffloff, Councilor Katie McMillan, Councilor Smith, Councilor Dennis McMillan and Councilor McLean.

The council did not adopt a specific urban renewal plan or a tax-increment financing schedule at tonight’s meeting; the ordinance establishes authority and code to allow the city to proceed with urban renewal planning and, if later approved, projects and financing. Council discussion on urban renewal earlier in the meeting referenced potential use of urban renewal resources to address infrastructure needs including street, sidewalk and utility improvements in older areas of town, but no bond or tax-increment commitment was approved with the ordinance adoption.

Staff and council members noted the ordinance is a procedural and enabling step: it declares the existence of blight in defined areas and elects a method for exercising urban renewal powers so the city can prepare formal urban renewal planning documents and project lists for future council consideration. The record shows staff will proceed with subsequent planning steps and engagement; the ordinance itself amends the municipal code by creating Title 2, Chapter 8.