On the agenda: Myrtle Creek Minutes — Flock camera (Oct 20)

CITY OF MYRTLE CREEK
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

DATE:

October 20, 2026

PLACE:

Council Chambers, 207 NW Pleasant St., Myrtle Creek, Oregon

PRESIDING OFFICER:

Mayor Luke Dillon

COUNCILORS PRESENT:

Robert Chaney, Sr., Cathey Wragg, Diana Larson, Rick Held,
Jamie McElmurry

COUNCILORS ABSENT:
A quorum was present throughout the meeting.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE:

City Administrator Zach Potter, City Recorder Joanna Bilbrey,
Finance Officer Lesley Hiscocks, Police Chief Jonathan Brewster,
Fire Chief Manie Pires

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Dillon called the October 20, 2026, meeting to order at
5:30 PM

PUBLIC PRESENTATION
CITIZENS HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA
Parts I & II
Motion was made by Councilor Larson and seconded by Councilor Wragg to approve Consent Agenda
Parts I & II as presented in the October 20, 2026, council packet. Discussion: Minutes correction;
Councilor comment to note grant was issued through ODOT.
Vote: No: X. Yes: Held, Wragg, Chaney, Larson, McElmurry. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Finance Report
Finance Officer Lesley Hiscocks submitted the September Finance Report into record as written.
Police Department
Police Chief Jonathan Brewster submitted the September Police Department Report into record as
written. Councilor Wragg asked for a synopsis of the Flock camera usage. The Police Chief shared that
the department first entered into a contract with Flock in 2021 and renewed the contract in 2023 for five
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October 20, 2026
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years. The cameras are leased but the data is owned by the City of Myrtle Creek. Data is shared with
Oregon Police Agencies only. Pictures are taken of the back of vehicles as they pass. Officers are able to
search the data base by specific information such as color and type of vehicle and by license plate
number. Data is only stored for 30 days. Councilor McElmurry shared information from the LOC
conference that the Councilors were given. The Police Chief also shared that case numbers are required
to be entered in order to look up information in the Flock database. Officers cannot just randomly search
through images.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Manie Pires submitted the September Fire Department Report into record as written. The
Chief shared that he has volunteers that are painting the hydrants in town.
Public Works
City Administrator Zach Potter submitted the September Public Works Report into record as written.
REGULAR AGENDA
Awarding of Structural Engineering Services for the Myrtle Creek Police Station Seismic Rehabiliation
Project. Police Chief Jonathan Brewster shared how the qualifications were reivewed.
Motion was made by Councilor Larson to issue an intent to award for structural engineering services for
the Myrtle Creek Police Station seismic rehabilitation to ZCS. Motion was seconded by Councilor
Wragg. Discussion: No discussion followed.
Vote: No: X. Yes: Held, Wragg, Chaney, Larson, McElmurry. Motion passed unanimously.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
The City Administrator shared that the remodel of the Evergreen Park restrooms is about halfway
completed. The impound lot and the the dog kennel extension work are almost complete. Work is
continuing on the new dog park in Evergreen Park. The golf course greens were aerated. The City
Administrator shared that some sidewalks have been repaired while replacing broken water meters and
that sidewalk corners at the corners of Hall and Second Ave were made ADA compliant to match the
corners next to the child care facility. The City Administrator shared that he attended the LOC
Conference (League of Oregon Cities) last week. The Mayor asked about relocation of the Police
Department and what they can do during construction. The Police Chief shared that if it is necessary to
move, it has been discussed to use the back portion of City Hall. There are funds in the grant to help
with relocation costs. The City Administrator asked if Council would like to have ZCS also look at City
Hall to give a cost estimate of possibly updating both sides of the building. Mayor and Council
consensus was to have ZCS look at City Hall.
MAYOR AND COUNCILOR – COMMITTEE REPORTS and COUNCILOR COMMENTS
Councilor Chaney shared about the LOC conference and shared that the networking for small cities was
the best part. Councilor McElmurry shared that a session she attended covered ways for councilors to
help cities grow. Councilor McElmurry shared that during the conference there was information on
cities holding a mattress recycling event and would like to see Myrtle Creek conduct one. Councilor
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October 20, 2026
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McElmurry also shared that local newsletters were a big push from cities to help get information out to
older citizens. Councilor Larson shared about a session that suggested instead of hosting town halls,
staff should meet the people where they are such as Coffee with Cop events. Councilor Larson shared
that City Day at the Capital is coming up in January. Councilor McElmurry shared that she learned of
legal services provided by LOC and if the city utilizes that benefit. Councilor Larson shared that she
would like to speak to a Representative regarding the transit tax that is collected but does not benefit our
residents. Councilor Chaney shared that the Downtown Street Fair is October 31, 2026.
Council requested that staff look at our Special Event Policy and fee structure and questioned closing the
streets for private events. Councilor Wragg shared that everywhere you look you see stuff happening
and wanted to share she loves what she’s seeing. Councilor Larson shared that the information shared at
the conference this year was more productive than in the past. Councilor Held requested that the City
Recorder create a schedule of events that are happening around town and within the parks to share with
Council. Councilor Held requested the Visitor Center be on the next Urban Renewal Agency agenda and
clarified with the Finance Officer that the Visitor Center maintenance and utilities should not come from
Urban Renewal Funds.
Police Chief Jonathan Brewster shared that the Police Department has an open position.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Luke Dillon adjourned the regular meeting of the City Council for October 20, 2026, at 6:32
P.M.

______________________________
Luke Dillon, Mayor

Attest:

______________________________
Joanna Bilbrey
City Recorder

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