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McMinnville council approves multiple measures, calls November bond election; adopts building fee update
Summary
The McMinnville City Council unanimously approved several administrative and policy resolutions and voted to place a $98.5 million capital bond proposal for a recreation and aquatic center, senior center and library upgrades, and parks repairs on the November ballot.
The McMinnville City Council at its meeting approved several resolutions and actions that advance administrative operations and put a proposed $98.5 million capital bond for recreation, parks, the senior center and library before voters in November.
Key votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-20: Adopted the building fee schedule (CPI-based update of 2.9% with a goal to maintain a 12-month reserve for the building fund). Motion by Councilor Gary, second by Councilor Cunningham. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
- Resolution 2025-40: Authorized staff to submit two technical assistance grant applications to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for implementation of the Housing Production Strategy and code/process work to respond to recent state housing statutes. Motion by Councilor Cunningham; second by Councilor Tokolsky. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
- Resolution 2025-41 (consent agenda): Authorized sole-source purchase process award for a 2024 Ford F550 chassis and upfit for a public works vehicle to Newberg Ford at $104,489.07 (low bid). Motion by Councilor Gary; second by Councilor Payne. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
- Resolution 2025-42: Authorized a sole-source procurement of kenneling services with Homeward Bound Pets under ORS 279B.075, including a guaranteed two kennels per day and overage provisions; police told the council the vendor accepts dogs without vaccination records and handles redemptions, which other shelters would not in many cases. Motion by Councilor Payne; second by Councilor Chenoweth. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
- Resolution 2025-43: Authorized staff (city attorney and HR) to negotiate terms of employment for an interim city manager (selected candidate: Adam Garvin). Motion by Councilor Payne; second by Councilor Cunningham. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
- Resolution 2025-44: Council voted to place a general-obligation bond measure on the November ballot to fund a new recreation and aquatic center, upgrades to the senior center and library, and park repairs and improvements; total principal amount authorized: $98,500,000. Motion by Councilor Gary; second by Councilor Cunningham. Vote: unanimous (6–0).
What the council said and next steps
Community Development Director Heather Richards and staff described the building fee update as a routine CPI index-based adjustment that must be posted with the Oregon Building Codes Division and implemented on Aug. 1; the council heard comments from several members about the effects of fees and code changes on housing affordability but approved the update.
Planning staff explained the DLCD technical-assistance grant applications would fund consultant support to implement the recently adopted Housing Production Strategy and to perform a code audit and development-process improvements to meet multiple recent state housing laws; staff said the planning division must accomplish this work whether or not the grants are awarded and proposed staff time as an in-kind match.
Police Captain Tim Simons described why the city sought a sole-source contract with Homeward Bound Pets: the organization accepts dogs without vaccination records, provides on-site redemption services and maintains two guaranteed kennels per day for McMinnville; councilors asked about kennel capacity during overflow events and the contract includes overage charges when additional kennels are used.
The city announced interim city-manager selection and authorized HR and the city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement; the selected candidate will be named in the contract. The council also approved a consent purchase of a public-works truck and related upfit.
The council’s vote to call the bond measure sends a finalized ballot question and explanatory summary to voters; staff made a few minor edits to the measure text and summary before adoption. The council and staff said they plan outreach and public information in the run-up to the election.
Ending
All resolutions passed unanimously 6–0. The city will proceed to implement the building fee schedule on Aug. 1, submit the DLCD grant applications by the August deadline, and place the bond measure on the November ballot.
