January 13, 2009

New faces start careers at city hall
Council honors years of service of mayor Robb Van Cleave, adds new members

By ROGER NICHOLS
of The Chronicle

     Nikki Lesich became the first woman mayor in the 151-year history of The Dalles Monday night. She and new council member Brian Ahier were sworn in before a standing-room-only crowd. Councilors Dan Spatz, who was elected to his appointed position in November, and Carolyn Wood, who was re-elected, also were sworn in.
     But as the new members took office, the spotlight was largely on those who were leaving. Council member Rob Kovacich and Mayor Robb Van Cleave were both honored.
     Van Cleave, who has served on the council and as mayor since 1994, was visibly moved during his final speech, in which he thanked his wife Lisa and family for their patience and for the many conversations and events he had to miss.
     “To put this in perspective, my son Kyle was starting pre-school in Mrs. Borg’s dance class when I started, and he’s now a freshman in college,” Van Cleave said. Van Cleave acknowledged the mentorship of former mayor Les Cochenour, and the friendship with Susan and David Huntington, who were instrumental in setting up the highly-effective outreach team that has secured millions in federal appropriations for local projects.
     “David taught me the art of negotiation and peace,” he said, “Susan taught me the art of war and hand-to-hand combat.”
     Van Cleave also had special mention for specific city officials, city staff and employees, and “the hundreds of citizens who have served without compensation on boards, task forces and committees.”
     The council presented him with a large brass plaque acknowledging his work on the Union Street underpass. The plaque will be mounted on the underpass.
Brian Ahier, who took his place on the city council for the first time Monday, had this statement:
     “It is an honor to take this office and I look forward to serving the citizens of The Dalles as a city councilor. God has blessed me considerably in my life and it is my sincere prayer that I can be a blessing to our community.
     “I love our city, and while we face many challenges, I am optimistic that within each difficulty there lies the seed of great opportunity. I believe we are on the threshold of great change in the Mid-Columbia and I am excited about the possibilities ahead. I look forward to working with my fellow Councilors, the dedicated city staff and our new mayor to bring The Dalles into the 21st century.”
     New mayor Nikki Lesich had this comment:
     “It’s a great opportunity to lead in the vision and decisions of The Dalles. I’ve learned by serving my community through urban renewal, parks and recreation, budget committee, codes enforcement and as a news reporter for more than a decade. By far, the trail blazed by Mayor Robb Van Cleave and the time and talent of the staff and council that served under his direction, is my gift as the new Mayor. The support I’ve received from friends, family, staff and council has been instrumental in my commitment to the position.”
     Lesich found out at once how much fun the mayor’s position can be, when two residents of West Third Place rose to criticize what they called the lack of the city’s help in notifying them or dealing with problems caused by recent construction along their street. Digging through solid basalt with heavy rock hammers has caused damage to their property and their peace of mind, they said.
     Lenore Clifford, 531 West Third Place, said she was bitterly disappointed at a lack of response to her previous complaints.
     “I don’t know any words ladylike enough to explain how bitter I am about this whole project,” she said, “I don’t even know enough unladylike words to tell you how bitter I am. It’s an absolute stinking mess.”
     She was joined by Bill Harvey, 529 West Third Place, who said he wasn’t sure of the current damage to his house. “But I can tell you the last time, it exceeded $40,000.” He said the retaining walls that supported his house were starting to develop bulges and his garage had been damaged.
     He said that he expected satisfaction, and that “someone will be responsible.”
     The concerns relate to two projects by private companies, one a new natural gas service line, which has been in process in recent weeks, the other an upcoming fiberoptic line installation also planned through that neighborhood, said City Manager Nolan Young.
     Neither project has come before the city council for review. Permits for work within the street right-of-way are issued through an administrative process, instead.
     City councilors agreed to get further information from staff and will likely place the issue on the next city council meeting, Jan. 26.
     There was plenty of other business for the council Monday. The crowd mostly melted away after the ceremonies, and two public hearings drew no testimony from those present.
     The first hearing dealt with round six of the city’s annexation plan, this time dealing with one large island annexation of 70 lots and some 26 individual voluntary annexations. Staff will draw up ordinances implementing the annexation for the next council meeting.
     That was followed by a public hearing on a supplemental budget. The city received unanticipated revenue from several sources, including an insurance settlement, and had to enact a supplemental budget in order to spend the additional funds.
     Under action items, the council:
     • enacted a resolution transferring funds within various departments for the current fiscal year;
     • resolved to direct the city engineer to prepare a preliminary design and cost report for a local improvement district for the reconstruction of West First Street, Terminal Way and Bargeway Road;
     • approved a new state office building lease agreement;
     • approved employment contracts for the city manager, city attorney and municipal judge.