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Merrill council approves planning replats, waste-rate increase and budget transfer; discusses RV dump station
Summary
On Aug. 13 the Merrill City Council approved two planning items (including one conditional approval), ratified phone-poll actions, accepted the Waste Management 2025 rate adjustment, passed Resolution 2025-978 to transfer funds for budget compliance, and discussed installing an RV dump/water fill station using a donation-based fee.
The Merrill City Council voted on multiple administrative and planning matters at its Aug. 13, 2025 regular meeting, approving two planning commission recommendations, ratifying several administrative phone polls, adopting a 2025 Waste Management rate adjustment and approving a budget-transfer resolution.
Councilor Johnson moved, and Councilor McCollam seconded, to approve File #LP 16-2025 (Line Vacate General Review Application and Preliminary Map 36-25 for specified Merrill tax lots); the motion passed 3-0. Council then approved File #LP 17-2025 (Land Partition General Review Application & Preliminary Map 38-25 for tax lot 4110-001CC-05700) with the Planning Commission's condition that Klamath County inspect a joint fire-rated wall before finalization; that motion also passed 3-0.
During the consent agenda, the council approved the July 9, 2025 meeting minutes (3-0), ratified a phone poll to authorize brake repair for a Ford F-150 (approved 4-0), and ratified approval for a second pump for the lift station (approved 3-0 with one no vote). The council approved annual business licenses listed in the packet and authorized the July 2025 accounts payable and a July water transfer (motions passed 3-0 as recorded).
Councilor Johnson moved to approve the Waste Management 2025 rate adjustment after council review; Councilor McCollam seconded and the motion passed 3-0. The council also considered three bids to clean the city's water tank (3— year cleaning): Rubicon ($3,550.00), LiquiVision ($4,807.60) and Integrated Underwater Services ($5,966.00). Councilor Johnson moved to approve the Rubicon bid for $3,550.00.
City staff reports included a police report read by Sergeant Hetherwick noting traffic stops, recovery of a stolen Union Pacific service truck, animal complaints, unauthorized campers and other routine enforcement matters. Public Works Director Matthews reported on well levels, lagoon and dry-well maintenance, repairs made ahead of the Lost River Bluegrass Festival and equipment purchases. Matthews also proposed an RV dumping and water fill-up station at Elm and Third Streets; council consensus favored a donation-based usage fee rather than a fixed rate.
In old business councilors reviewed state fireworks rules and declined to adopt additional local restrictions, noting that law enforcement will enforce illegal fireworks under Oregon definitions. Several job-description resolutions were tabled for later consideration. Resolution 2025-978, transferring funds to comply with budget law requirements, was read and approved 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Next steps noted on future agendas include updating the city's tow policy; staff said they will follow up on domain/email recovery and on any implementation tasks for approved planning items and procurement.
