Hermiston council authorizes CDBG signer, approves ODOT amendment, elects council president; URA backs $30,000 facade grant

Hermiston — The Hermiston City Council on Jan. 13 took several formal actions: it adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) documents for an Agape House project; accepted an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for ADA curb ramps; rescheduled a regular meeting; elected Councilor Ed McCarthy as council president; and, sitting as the Hermiston Urban Renewal Agency (HURA), approved a $30,000 façade grant to Club 24 for exterior and site improvements.

Why it matters: The CDBG signer authorization lets grant administration proceed without requiring the mayor’s signature on each document. The ODOT amendment acknowledges an increase in project cost borne by ODOT while preserving the city’s role in coordinating right-of-way work. The HURA façade grant supports a private redevelopment investment of about $150,000 in the downtown urban renewal district.

Most significant actions and votes

- Resolution 2351 — Agape House CDBG project: Council adopted a resolution delegating signing authority to the city manager so grant paperwork can move forward; motion passed by roll call, 8–0. City Manager Smith told the council the city had sponsored the Agape House application and hired Decode Consulting to administer the grant paperwork.

- Resolution 2352 — ODOT ADA curb ramp IGA amendment: Council approved an amendment updating project descriptions and reflecting a cost increase; council materials and staff said all added costs will be borne by ODOT; motion passed unanimously by roll call.

- Reschedule Jan. 27 council meeting: The council voted to move the regular Jan. 27 meeting to Thursday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m., to allow members to attend League of Oregon Cities events; motion carried by roll call.

- Council president election: Councilors nominated two candidates; McCarthy received the most votes in an in-chamber show of hands and was elected council president for a two-year term.

- HURA façade grant — Club 24 (555 S. Highway 395): As the Urban Renewal Agency the council approved a $30,000 façade grant to support exterior improvements on a proposed $150,000 private investment, including a 6,000-square-foot addition and public street improvements; vote was 7–1 with Councilor Litton voting no.

Failed or declined proposals

- Motion to add an item to study increasing the city’s allocation of transient room tax (TRT) funds to the Chamber of Commerce (proposed increase to 8–10%): motion to place the item on a future council agenda failed in a recorded vote. Staff said the request would require budget implications and analysis.

- Motion to add a budget discussion item to increase funding to Harkenreiter Senior Center (proposed roughly $30,000): a motion to place that item on a future agenda failed 5–3.

What councilors said: City Manager Kevin Smith explained the CDBG and ODOT items, noting federal paperwork complexity and that ODOT will cover construction costs; Councilor Hayward moved the CDBG resolution and Councilor Meyer seconded. Acting as HURA, staff and the planning commission recommended raising the standard facade match cap in this case to $30,000 given the project scale and public street improvements; Councilor Barone moved the HURA award and Councilor Roberts seconded.

Next steps: For the CDBG grant, staff will execute the paperwork with the grant administrator Decode Consulting and proceed with implementation. The HURA façade grant requires final invoices and compliance with program terms before reimbursement.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Consent agenda (items a & b): approved, unanimous roll call. - Resolution 2351 (CDBG signer): approved, 8–0. - Resolution 2352 (ODOT ADA IGA amendment): approved, unanimous. - Reschedule Jan. 27 meeting to Jan. 30: approved. - Carnegie topic for Civic Leadership Academy (see separate article): approved. - Council president election: Councilor Ed McCarthy elected (majority of council votes). - HURA façade grant — Club 24 (555 S. Highway 395): approved, 7–1.

No litigation, ordinance adoptions or budget appropriations were finalized at this meeting; the recorded votes and motions above reflect the council’s formal actions on Jan. 13.