Yamhill selects AKS Parks for master plan; council hears IT, lighting ordinance and public-safety staffing updates

The City of Yamhill's council told members on Jan. 8 that AKS Parks was selected from three bidders to prepare an updated parks master plan, replacing a plan the council said was about 20 years old. A selection panel that included staff and community members ranked AKS highest; the city is drafting a contract with the firm.

Council members and staff said having an updated parks master plan will strengthen future grant applications for parks projects. The council noted the contract is being prepared and the planning process will follow once the agreement is signed.

On information technology, staff said the city is seeking a short-term independent contractor to replace portions of the current IT vendor work because ongoing costs had become "too big." The temporary contractor was described as available on call and charging in the hundreds (dollars) rather than the thousands; councilors said the temporary arrangement will buy time while the city searches for a longer-term vendor.

The council received an update on the lighting ordinance. Staff said Planning Commission will hold a new public hearing on Jan. 27; the commission is expected to forward a recommendation to council for a public hearing in February under the existing procedural rules.

During public comment, Patty Perrin of 215 North Maple Street said she had asked city hall why an officer, Travis, was out of work and followed with a public-record request; she asked whether, with Travis's expected absence, the chief would increase patrol hours to cover school resource officer duties. The chief responded that the timing of the officer's leave was not something he was previously aware of and said he would follow up and advise when he had information. Perrin said the department could be "down to one" officer for a period and raised concern about coverage.

Another commenter encouraged the council to use visual aids such as maps during discussion so that items under consideration could be pointed to and clearly referenced.

The council also reviewed upcoming training opportunities and a city calendar; staff highlighted a "city day at the Capitol" scheduled for Jan. 28 and noted mandatory Oregon government ethics training for elected officials.

Ending: Staff will return with the AKS Parks contract and the lighting ordinance after Planning Commission review; the police chief will follow up privately on officer staffing and notify the public when more information is available.