Merrill City Council approves routine licenses, appointments and a fund transfer

Mayor Terry Guthrie called the Merrill City Council into session on Jan. 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. and the council handled a series of routine administrative and financial items before adjourning at 7:23 p.m.

Council President Johnson administered the oath of office to Mayor Terry Guthrie, who repeated the oath: "I, Terry Guthrie, do solemnly swear I will uphold the Constitution of the United States of America; the State of Oregon; the City Charter and Ordinances of the City of Merrill; and I will, to the best of my ability, honestly, faithfully, and lawfully perform the duties as Mayor for City of Merrill, so help me God." Mayor Guthrie then administered the oath to Councilor McCollam.

The body approved the Dec. 11, 2024 meeting minutes and a broad slate of business-license renewals for local firms. Councilor Baley moved to approve the minutes; Councilor McCollam seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Councilor Johnson moved to approve the list of business-license renewals and Councilor McCollam seconded; that motion also passed 3-0.

The council considered the business-license renewal for Merrill Motel/RV. Councilor Johnson moved to approve the renewal and Councilor Baley seconded. Councilor McCollam recused herself from that vote citing a conflict of interest; the motion passed with two votes in favor and one recusal. The transcript did not state the nature of the conflict.

Financial items approved included ratification of a phone poll, December 2024 accounts payable and a December water transfer; those motions carried on unanimous 3-0 votes.

On land-use business, the council approved File # LP 15-2024, a land-partition general review application for Tax Lot R-4110-001CD-00600, after Councilor Johnson moved and Councilor McCollam seconded; the motion passed 3-0.

The council appointed the Budget Committee (members listed as Miles Gatliff and Franceska McAuliffe, plus two vacant seats) and approved a Road Construction Services Agreement; both actions passed by unanimous 3-0 votes. Council also authorized Mayor Guthrie to sign a Letter of Support for the Klamath Irrigation District with a submission deadline of Jan. 14, 2025.

Councilors approved Resolution 2024-957—identified in the meeting as a transfer of funds "to comply with budget law requirements"—on a motion by Councilor Johnson and second by Councilor Baley; the vote was 3-0 in favor.

Staff reports included a police update from Sergeant Hetherwick describing welfare checks, trespass orders that were later lifted, interagency assists and a recovered stolen vehicle coordinated with neighboring agencies. The public-works report (submitted by Director Matthews in his absence) noted routine maintenance, a recorded outside-dumping revenue of approximately $65,790, lift-station monitoring and the Willow Street Lift Station ceasing operation on Christmas Day, with the motor possibly requiring replacement. City Recorder Rayna Hernandez reported year-end reconciliation work, pending payroll software updates affecting tax forms, and audit interactions.

The council announced future agenda items including filling Council Position 1 and purchasing flowers for the late Mayor Betty Tyree. Sergeant Hetherwick announced winners for the community "Best of the Best" holiday-decorations contest. There was no public comment during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

Votes at a glance: approval of meeting minutes (3-0); business-license renewals (3-0); Merrill Motel/RV renewal (approved 2-yes, 0-no, 1-recusal—Councilor McCollam); accounts payable and transfers (3-0); File # LP 15-2024 (3-0); Road Construction Services Agreement (3-0); Resolution 2024-957 (3-0).