The following are the unapproved minutes from the Hines Common Council meeting held Dec. 8. The minutes were edited for clarity and length.

Police Chief Ryan DeLange reported that November was slow for the police department.

However, he noted that the department is still seeing the import/export of marijuana, and traffic cases have increased. He added that there have been some weather-related accidents, but nothing major.

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Fire Chief Bob Spence reported that the fire department received five calls since the previous month.

Three calls were for issues with smoke alarms, which the department replaced. One call was for a carbon monoxide alarm that had a battery issue.

The department was called back from a crash on Highway 20 and responded to a hazmat spill in town.

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Acting Public Works Superintendent Jerry Lewellen reported that:

• the contractors left for the winter;

• approximately 200,000 gallons of water are currently being pumped per day. The lagoon is handling approximately 135,000 gallons per day;

• the public works department has been burning weeds and debris around the lagoon;

• the department is preparing the plows and grader for snow;

• the department removed three dead deer in the last two weeks.

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City Administrator Kirby Letham reported that the city is holding the Christmas light contest again. Voting will take place Dec. 20. The Christmas Jamboree was canceled this year, so the Harney County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the cities of Hines and Burns to provide prizes this year.

Letham reminded the council about upcoming trainings, including the League of Oregon Cities training on Dec. 15 and a training provided by Portland State on Dec. 12.

He also noted that the glass barrier was installed at the front counter at city hall.

Caselle (the billing and finance software for the water project) was ordered, and a transition phone call was scheduled for Dec. 17.

Letham also informed the council that the city has received a steady stream of building permit requests.

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The council discussed Resolution 2297, which would temporarily suspend water usage charges until the new water meter and financial systems are up and running.

Letham read the resolution in its entirety.

The city would continue to charge the base rate, but suspend the rates charged for amounts of water consumed.

Councilor Raymond Breshears made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2297 as read. Councilor Robert Beers seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

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Letham introduced the staff report that he created regarding the South Hilltop lot that is currently owned by Ty Volle and his wife.

The report presents six options to the council, but recommends that the city purchase the lot from the Volles. This purchase would protect the water line that runs through the lot, both immediately and into the future.

The council asked Letham to speak with the Volles about selling the lot and report back at a later date.

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Lola Johnson, director of the Harney County Chamber of Commerce, reported that the Shop Harney program is doing well and has been well advertised. To help promote the program, those who purchase Shop Harney gift cards are being entered into a drawing. Currently, 53 businesses are registered to accept these gift cards, and both cities accept the cards for utility payments.

Johnson also discussed a Shop From the Couch virtual program, which she hopes to have in place before Valentine’s Day.

She noted that a send-off for Joe Kingpin, who is leaving for a six-month deployment, will be held Dec. 14.

A new music store opened at 29 W. Washington in Burns. Johnson noted that the store will provide music lessons and band instruments for students to rent.

Nominations for the annual chamber awards ceremony will be accepted through Dec. 16, and winners will be selected Dec. 18.

This year, awards will be distributed during a two-day period, with each winner having a private ceremony with friends and family.

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There have been a few requests to install a stop sign at the corner of South Roanoke and West Hanley. The new stop sign would create a three-way stop at that intersection. Traffic traveling eastbound would be required to stop at that intersection.

Council members had concerns regarding cars and/or buses coming down the hill during the winter and possibly sliding on ice as they try to stop.

No decisions were made. The council will continue to discuss this topic during a future meeting.

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In other business:

• Kylee Murphy expressed concern about a street cut at the intersection of East Hanley and Highway 20;

• Jordan Zwygart presented an overview of the audit that Zwygart John & Associates, CPAs performed for the city;

• Letham read Resolution No. 2298 in its entirety. The resolution transfers monies between objects of expenditure in the 2020-2021 budget.

Councilor Marsallai Quick made a motion to approve the resolution as read. Beers seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously;

• the city received a $50,000 Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) grant. A total of $15,000 was awarded to businesses in Hines that showed a reduction in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19;

• Letham advised the council that he is looking at technology upgrades for city hall to assist with social distancing requirements;

• Letham introduced councilor-elect Amity York;

• this was the final council meeting for Breshears. The council, city administrator, and department heads thanked him for his service to the city.

The next meeting of the Hines Common Council is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

York will be sworn in  during that meeting.