The Burns City Council is looking to fill a vacant seat.

At its meeting on April 10, the council unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Forrest Keady from the council.

Those interested in filling the vacancy should submit a letter of interest to city hall. Whoever is appointed to fill the vacancy will finish out the remainder of Keady’s term.

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The council held a brief discussion regarding the city manager position. Current city manager, Dauna Wensenk, announced she is retiring Aug. 31. Mayor Jerry Woodfin said the filing deadline for the position is May 15, and applications submitted for the position are to go to Wensenk at city hall.

Later in the meeting, Woodfin appointed Councilor Liz Appelman to the screening committee for the new city manager, replacing Keady.

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At a previous meeting, the council received a model ordinance regarding historic preservation in the city to review, along with a draft ordinance. The draft was then sent to the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office for review. A few changes were recommended, and the draft was returned to the city. The council was asked to review the changes, and if everything looks good, the ordinance will be sent to the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for approval. Once approved by the DLCD, the ordinance will go back to the council for adoption.

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At a previous meeting, the council listened to a presentation regarding the National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Insurance Program. The program covers sewer and water line repairs that may or may not be covered in a resident’s homeowner’s insurance.

In a written report to the council, Wensenk wrote that she visited with four local insurance agents regarding the service that Service Line Protection offers. The responses she received from three of the agents provide a type of service line protection, and many homeowners may not realize they already have the coverage.

Wensenk recommended that the city not “partner” with NLC.

Councilor Judy Erwin stated that her homeowner’s insurance doesn’t provide the same coverage as NLC, nor the ease of filing a claim. She questioned why the city wouldn’t partner with the NLC.

Appelman said she had a problem with the city endorsing a private company.

The council tabled the matter until Wensenk is present and can explain why she recommended the city not partner with NLC.

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In other business:

• the council voted to donate $100 to the Burns High School Class of 2019 for its all-night party;

• the council tabled a donation request from the Harney County Senior and Community Services center until a representative can attend a meeting;

• in a written report, Wensenk informed the council that H. A. McCoy Engineering recommends the bid for the 2019 street improvements be awarded to Granite Construction of Vancouver, Wash., in the amount of $638,638. She added that to stay within the budget, there may be some negotiating on the project;

• a survey of Washington Park is scheduled so an application can be made for a setback variance;

• Councilor Charity Robey expressed concern about traffic on West Pierce Street near the Little League fields. She noted that vehicles are not to park on the north side of the street. The council discussed painting a crosswalk on the street for safety reasons;

• Public Works Director Pedro Zabala said his department is monitoring the Silvies River for flooding.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at city hall.