The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held June 28. These minutes were edited for clarity and length.

Darrin Henry of Henry’s Burns Holdings LLC submitted a request for a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change for a parcel of land (totaling 158.79 acres) on West Monroe Street in Burns. The zone change would change portions of the property from general commercial to business park and mulitfamily residential, and from single-family residential to multifamily residential and general commercial.

Councilor Jen Keady asked for examples of how the commercial space would be used on the west side.

Jay Harland said it may be used for overnight accommodations.

Harland said, if the council approves, they will prepare an ordinance and bring it back for review.

Nick Green, president of Catalyst Public Policy Advisors, said he’s been working on this project for more than a year. Green has been a professional planner in Oregon for about seven years, and he’s never seen an opportunity where a single landowner has 1,200 acres of property — with a large portion that’s already in city limits and within the Urban Growth Boundary, ready to develop and ready with a plan.

Phase one will add 249 homes plus commercial property. If phase two is approved, it will bring in 426 homes for a total of 675 homes. This would make a dent in some of the housing challenges that the community is facing.

Green informed the council that $10,000,000 from the Regional Rural Revitalization Consortium can be spent on this and other projects. The city of Burns was recently awarded $100,000 for technical assistance and planning. Several million dollars were already allocated for public improvements on top of the private equity that’s coming into the project.

Green said they can have the final design package available for council review within 60 days. This would enable them to mobilize crews to begin making public improvements this fall.

Councilor Heather Smith moved to prepare an ordinance consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation for the Plan Amendment and Zone Change. Councilor Jen Hoke seconded the motion, and it passed.

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In other business:

• owner Wendy Reid informed the council that the Pine Room is hosting an end-of-summer concert. She asked the city to close South Egan (north of the crosswalk and Jackson Street and south of the fire hydrant) and extend the curfew from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 16.

The Pine Room would also like to put up a chain-link fence and use both parking lots to ensure safety.

Fire Chief Scott Williamson said the intersection may be considered a state highway. If that’s the case, the Pine Room will have to file for a permit through the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Police Chief Steve Macartney said he has no problem with extending the curfew or closing the road.

The council agreed to approve Reid’s request, but asked her to meet with city employees to agree on stipulations;

• Interim City Manager Judy Erwin read Public Works Director Michael Berry’s letter of resignation.

Burns Mayor Jerry Woodfin made a motion to accept Berry’s resignation, effective July 13, 2023. Councilor Tod Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Smith made a motion to appoint Council President Jen Hoke as the Community Development Block Grant Certifying Officer. Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Gahley made a motion to approve Ordinance 23-886, which establishes camping regulation and campsite removal policy and declares an emergency. Hoke seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Erwin informed the council that the adjusted 2023-2024 budget is down to $17,893,201. The budget was reduced when half of the water rate increase was removed. The remainder of the increase will be made next year.

Keady made a motion to approve the budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Keady made a motion to approve the Urban Renewal Agency expense of $57,025 for fiscal year 2023-2024. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 23-760, which allows the city to receive state revenues. Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 23-761, which establishes water and sewer rates, the water and sewer service connection charge, and other related charges in the city of Burns. Hoke seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 23-762 regarding changes to the 2022-2023 budget. The resolution changes appropriation amounts within the State Tax Street Fund and transfers funds for unexpected expenses. Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Gahley made a motion to approve Resolution 23-763 regarding changes to the 2022-2023 budget. The resolution changes appropriation amounts within the General Fund and transfers funds for unexpected expenses. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Hoke made a motion to approve Resolution 23-764 regarding changes to the 2022-2023 budget. The resolution changes appropriation amounts within the State Street Fund and transfers funds for unexpected funds. Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed;

• Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 23-765 regarding changes to the 2022-2023 budget. The resolution changes appropriation amounts within the General Fund and transfers funds for unexpected expenses. Gahley seconded the motion, and it passed.