Nehalem council approves planning-services contract, OKs liquor permit reapplication; reviews staff reports

The Nehalem City Council approved several routine and operational items at its Feb. 10 meeting, including minutes, a liquor-permit reapplication and a contract for planning services, and received staff updates on grants and public-works projects.

The council approved the minutes of the Jan. 13, 2025 regular meeting following a motion by Council President Hilary Howell and a second by Councilor Dave Cram; the motion passed 4-0 (Yes: Howell, Cram, Larzelier, Quintana). The council also approved a North County Recreation District (NCRD) OLCC permit application after City Manager Lori Longfellow explained the district is reapplying for a liquor license used for some events; Councilor Doug Larzelier moved and Council President Howell seconded the motion, which passed 4-0 (Yes: Howell, Cram, Larzelier, Quintana).

City Manager Longfellow presented a contract with the MorganCPS Group for planning services, noting the city’s prior planner, Walt Wendolowski, is retiring and that Morgan’s rate is higher but expected to remain within the budget. Council President Howell moved to approve the contract and Councilor Larzelier seconded; the motion passed 4-0 (Yes: Howell, Cram, Larzelier, Quintana).

In correspondence, Longfellow provided a report from Tides of Change with activity statistics for Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2024, and a list of cities that received a resilience grant; she noted no Oregon coast cities were awarded in this round. In staff reports, Longfellow said the city expects news soon about a park grant application. Public Works Director Brian Moore reported progress on Phase 2 of the Anderson Creek Raw Water Line project and on the 8th Street project, noted January rainfall totaled about 5 inches and said staff installed a new clay valve at the Water Treatment Plant to replace a malfunctioning valve.

The council took no other formal actions at the meeting and adjourned following the regular business items.