City Council makes it final on burning rules

Baker City’s overhauled residential burn ordinance made it through its final reading Tuesday and will take effect in 30 days.

The City Council voted 6-0 to approve the third reading of Ordinance 3302, which updates the city’s original 1950s regulations. (Councilor Roger Coles was absent.)

The new ordinance spells out a variety of rules for residents who want to use burn barrels or conduct open burns.

These includes times of day when burning can go on, what can and can’t be set on fire in a burn barrel, and rules for ceremonial and religious fires.

The new ordinance does not require a burning permit for external fireplaces, small commercial fire pits and grills being used as prescribed by manufacturers, such as for disposing of leaves, grass, clippings and other yard debris.

Councilors also passed a related resolution that rescinds the burning permit fees that they approved in April.

As in the past, the city will not charge a fee for annual outdoor burning permits.

People who violate the ordinance could be fined, however.

Such cases will be carried out through the Baker County Justice Court. Cost to a violator could be up to $500 per incident, City Manager Mike Kee said.

Councilor Aletha Bonebrake said she prefers the city encourage people to comply with the rules rather than charge everyone for a permit.

“It’s good to know there is recourse,” Bonebrake said.

During the Council’s discussions about the revised ordinance this spring, she repeatedly expressed her concern that people who wouldn’t want to pay for a permit — or who couldn’t afford the fee — would burn in ways that would prove bothersome to their neighbors or even potentially dangerous.

Councilor Clair Button asked that the fire department keep records of activities related to the burn ordinance, particularly on costs of responding to complaint calls.

License requests — all approved

Councilors also consented to all three license applications on the agenda.

Stockman’s Bar, 2028 Main St., sought renewal of its social gaming license. This enables certain businesses to allow their customers to play card games. Businesses don’t receive direct profit from hosting play, but can increase profits through added sales of food and beverages.

Police Chief Wyn Lohner told councilors that a citation given to Stockman’s in 2009 by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission was eventually dismissed.

The Council also voted to endorse liquor license applications from Pizza Hut and Fletcher Shell.

The OLCC makes final decisions about liquor license applications.

Street sweeper purchase

The Council voted 5-1 to buy a new street sweeper.

The cost, through the state bidding process, will be $182,450.

The new machine will be safer to operate than the existing, 7-year-old sweeper, Public Works Director Michelle Owen said.

The new sweeper also will pick up more small rocks, and more easily transfer its load to a dump truck.

The city needs to be more diligent about keeping streets clean to comply with state stormwater rules, Owen said.

The new machine is also quieter when it backs up, which should please slumbering residents as the sweeper makes its early morning rounds, she said.

Mayor Dennis Dorrah, who cast the lone vote against buying the new sweeper, said he thinks the model might not be the most efficient because, despite its other advantages, it has a smaller holding capacity than the current sweeper.

The city will keep its existing sweeper and use it to collect leaves during the fall.

Sidewalk grants

Councilors awarded four grants for sidewalk construction or reconstruction.

Because the city still has about $5,000 available, there will be a third round of applications. Those are available at the city’s website, www.bakercity.com, or by calling City Hall at 541-523-3673.

BIG DEAL grants

Councilors approved four BIG DEAL grants, which are

for property improvements in the downtown district.

C&DP Enterprises will receive $500 for storefront renovation; Tony Herman, $500 to replace the front entrance; Delicioso restaurant, $237.50 for a new sign; and, Bella Main Street Market, $500 for painting.

Councilor Beverly Calder didn’t participate in the vote because she owns Bella.

Garage sale signs

Councilors heard from Kata Bulinski of Baker City, who talked about how signs advertising garage sales and other types of weekend neighborhood commerce are proliferating around the city. Most of the signs are for events that ended weeks earlier.

“I’d like to respectfully remind people to remove their signs,” Bulinski said.

People who didn’t put up the signs but recognize that the signs are no longer relevant also should feel free to discard them, she said.