A new mayor and three new councilors were sworn in at the first Burns City Council meeting of the new year, held Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Municipal Judge/City Clerk Dawn Crafts first administered the oath of office to the newly-elected mayor Jerry Woodfin, and then to councilors Liz Appelman and Lynda Fine, who were elected this past November, and Terri Presley, who was re-elected.

Woodfin’s move to the mayor position left his council position vacant, and City Manager Dauna Wensenk informed the council that she had advertised for letters of interest to fill the position and she had received one from Gary Estep. Woodfin read Estep’s letter aloud, and the council voted to appoint Estep to the vacant council position to serve the remaining time left on Woodfin’s term.

Outgoing Mayor Craig LaFollette read a prepared statement before handing over the gavel to Woodfin. LaFollette stated that after 10 years of serving on the council, he was reminded and encouraged by the work of many as “we attempt to create positive change in our community.

“It is, in the spirit of service to one’s community, where a person steps into the role of councilor, void of any personal agenda, setting bias aside, making decisions that best serve the city and its citizens. A challenge faced by the Burns City Council on numerous occasions, where apparent simple decisions were not that simple, but requiring much research and thought.”

LaFollette thanked the current council and the new members for their willingness to serve the community.

He then challenged the incoming council to consider the idea of service consolidation between Burns and Hines.

“Based upon the current economic climate and financial struggles of our municipalities, it defies logic as well as being financially irresponsible to duplicate city services,” LaFollette said.

In closing, LaFollette noted, “As a councilor and mayor, one’s duties are simplified and made much easier when the city has an efficient, cohesive team running the city. From our administration to police, fire and maintenance staff, we have that kind of team, a team to be most proud of. I thank all of you for your work and the support you have shown me over the years.”

After the new council members were sworn in and had taken their seats, Woodfin presented LaFollette and former councilors Dan Hoke and LouAnn Deiter with keys to the city, and thanked them for their service.

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The first order of business for the new council was to appoint a council president. Woodfin stated that in his personal opinion, he would like to see Councilor Dennis Davis appointed council president, and then made a motion to appoint Davis to the position.

Councilor Presley said it was her understanding that according to the city charter, it was up to the council to appoint the council president.

Wensenk explained it is up to the council to make the appointment, but the mayor can nominate someone for the position.

Presley then expressed her desire, as the senior member of the council, to serve as council president. When asked what the role of council president is, Woodfin answered that it is to sit in for the mayor in the event of the mayor’s absence and “works closely with the mayor on issues at hand.

“For me personally, in the time I’ve been on the council, Dennis has shown  me personally that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help in any situation that arises. It’s somebody that I feel like I can count on,” Woodfin said.

Davis stated we are currently watching President-elect Donald Trump bringing into his administration the people he feels most comfortable with, that he trusts the most, and communicate best with.

“We have heard from Mayor LaFollette how much he appreciated the presence of Dan Hoke as his [council] president, somebody who he had a long history with, who he communicated well with, who shared co-insights and philosophies, and analyses for what should happen with the city,” Davis said. “I feel that as the mayor takes on these tasks, this yoke of burden that he is going to carry with him now, that it is the very least we can do is to avail him the personnel that he wishes to have close at hand.”

The motion to appoint Davis as council passed on a 5-1 vote, with Presley casting the lone nay vote.

The council also voted to appoint Wensenk as the budget officer for the city.

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Police Chief Newt Skunkcap told the council that looking at the caseload, his department was busier than normal in 2016. He said in 2015, there were about 465 cases, and the year before that was about the same. Skunkcap said he was looking back at the books and the only time that they beat the 2016 caseload was when Burns and Hines police departments were combined.

“That was a while ago,” he said. “Actually, quite a while ago. When Burns and Hines were combined, we pulled 562 cases, and that’s a lot for both cities. This year, Burns alone, we pulled 519. Hines, they pulled a little under 250. So, if we were combined, we would be well over 700.

“The guys are busy, they’re working hard, like I said before, I’m part of a fantastic team. These guys, my hat is off to them. We’re looking to get the reserve program up and going. Hopefully, we can get some more bodies on the road.

“If we can get Burns and Hines to be one department again, it’s not only going to benefit the city of Burns, it’s going to benefit the city of Hines. We work together already, but the one thing that divides us is this little line and for us, it doesn’t divide us at all. We work together as much as we can. I think it would be phenomenal for both cities if we could all be one agency.”

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Public Works Director Pedro Zabala reported his department had been busy plowing snow, hauling snow, and sanding streets.

Zabala stated that so far this snow season, the city has plowed 36 inches of snow off city streets. That compares with 34 inches total last year, and the last day they plowed last year was Jan. 16.

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Wensenk thanked all departments for their time put in to clear snow from streets, sidewalks, and fire hydrants. She said she visited with a number of merchants about keeping sidewalks clear of snow, and added a lot of people are helping their neighbors and friends out when needed. She also reported the airport was closed one day because of snow.

Wensenk said she met with Forrest Keady recently regarding the renovation of the Central Hotel. Keady has been working with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) to try to get some assistance with the transformer in the area and the cost of it.

Keady said there is a program in place through OTEC to fund line extensions and transformers for economic developments. Keady and County Judge Pete Runnels will attend the OTEC board meeting on Jan. 24 to make their case to replace the transformer. Keady also asked the mayor and/or council for a letter of support to present to the OTEC board.

A little later in the meeting, Keady gave the new council an update on the Central Hotel renovation. He said they have installed all new flooring, two new structure-bearing beams, and they are in discussion with several businesses about going into the hotel.

“There will be a hotel on the top level, retail on the bottom level, and then we are going to develop the back two lots,” Keady said.

Keady added that the sign, made in the late 1800s as a sign for a bakery, has been restored and will be unveiled at a later date.

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In other business:

• Presley said there is some concern about businesses piling snow on corners, reducing the visibility, and she thanked the city crew for their hard work plowing snow;

• Davis said he is hoping to see a change in council procedure. He said he would like to see the public comment portion of the meeting moved up to earlier in the meetings so residents have a chance to make a statement before the council goes into deliberations;

• the council agreed to hold a workshop at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at city hall.