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Astoria staff recommends using one‑time funds to help Consejo Hispano cover system development charges; council schedules special meeting
Summary
City manager recommended using a one‑time special fund to help Consejo Hispano cover roughly $72,000 in system development charges tied to its potential purchase of the Peace First Lutheran Church building. Council members agreed to consider a decision at a short special meeting Thursday to meet the organization's March 4 closing date.
City Manager Spence on Feb. 18 asked the Astoria City Council to consider using funds in a city special fund (Fund 140) to help local nonprofit Consejo Hispano pay system development charges (SDCs) tied to its proposed purchase and change‑of‑use of the Peace First Lutheran Church building.
Spence said that during due diligence Consejo Hispano learned it would face SDCs of about $72,000 under the city’s ordinance because the proposed change of use from a religious institution to a community organization triggers transportation‑impact SDCs (based on PM peak traffic assumptions). He described Fund 140 as a one‑time pool of revenues created from earlier reimbursements and noted it currently holds about $749,000; he recommended the council consider using some of those funds to cover the SDCs.
Why it matters: Consejo Hispano provides social services countywide, staff said, and the building purchase would establish a permanent community space downtown. Spence told council that without help the purchase might fail, and the building could remain vacant. Deputy director Norma Hernandez, representing Consejo Hispano, addressed council and described the organization’s 20 years of local service and the significance of securing a permanent home downtown.
Council discussion and process: councilors asked about precedent, audit/legal issues and whether using Fund 140 created an obligation to provide similar assistance to other organizations. Spence said he consulted the city attorney and finance director and that legally the council can repurpose Fund 140 for council priorities; he recommended treating the request as a one‑time decision based on the organization’s unique community role. Council discussed scheduling; Consejo Hispano’s closing date is March 4, and members agreed to consider the matter at a short special meeting. City staff said they will prepare a resolution and supporting materials for a Thursday special meeting at 6 p.m. and will also make arrangements to include the item prior to the Feb. 24 work session if necessary.
No final appropriation or formal assistance was approved at the Feb. 18 meeting; council directed staff to prepare materials and schedule the special meeting to allow timely action before the closing date.
