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Umatilla council passes fee, compensation and grant resolutions; approves downtown revitalization awards
Summary
The Umatilla City Council on April 1 approved multiple fiscal and grant measures, including a general fee resolution that updates utility and service fees, a compensation plan for FY2025–26, two downtown revitalization grants and authorization to submit a housing grant application.
The Umatilla City Council on April 1 approved a package of routine fiscal and grant measures, including updates to utility and service fees, a compensation plan for the coming fiscal year, two downtown revitalization grant awards and authorization to apply for a housing fund grant.
General fee resolution (Resolution 29-2025): Finance staff recommended several changes in the city’s fee schedule tied to a recent rate study. The staff presentation noted new fees for paddle-board and e-bike rentals, added community-center rental fees, and an adjustment to a public-works hourly rate to $45 per hour. The packet included a rate comparison with neighboring cities: at a November snapshot the city ranked fifth-lowest for water, sixth for sewer and seventh for garbage among nine cities surveyed. Council discussed an anticipated 6% increase recommended for water and sewer rates following an FCS Group study; staff said the study accounted for recent inflation and capital needs. A motion to adopt Resolution 29-2025 carried on a recorded vote.
Compensation plan (Resolution 38-2025): Council approved a resolution adopting a compensation plan for fiscal year 2025–26 that includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. Staff said the 3% COLA aligns with the city’s collective-bargaining agreements and cited CPI and other indices considered. A councilor recused themselves from part of the discussion for a potential conflict because a family member works for the police department; the record shows the council proceeded with the vote after the disclosure and an abstention was recorded where applicable. The motion passed as recorded.
Downtown revitalization grants: The council approved awards from the downtown revitalization fund for two local businesses. The staff report recommended a $26,005 award to HTM Group (project cost listed as approximately $38,004) for siding, windows and signage, and a $14,003.75 award to Mercado La Vista LLC (project cost approximately $19,000) for roofing, signage and paint. The council voted to approve the awards as presented.
Housing grant application (Resolution 31-2025): Staff described a proposed grant application to the state housing fund to obtain up to $100,000 for design work to upgrade H Street east of the school district, estimated to require about $175,000 in design costs to bring sidewalks, lighting and streetwork to city standards. The council authorized the mayor to sign and ratified the application submission retroactive to March 31, 2025; staff said they would notify the council if the application process required additional approvals.
Procedural and other outcomes: The council also approved minor schedule adjustments (meeting start-time change to accommodate the budget committee) and accepted two downtown business ribbon-cutting announcements. Several routine motions passed without extended debate.
