Pendleton Mayor John Turner and Pendleton Fire Chief Mike Ciraulo commended 23 people at the May 2 City Council meeting. The Pendleton City Council also unanimously passed ordinances that will allow City employees to sell surplus property online, and double the amount of money that the City Manager can sign city contracts for.
Chief Ciraulo said that “a community saved a life.” According to Ciraulo, a man passed out in his car while driving. His wife called 911 and dispatchers directed his wife in performing CPR over the phone after determining that he was having a heart attack. The man was revived twice before being evacuated by life flight.
The City Council unanimously passed Ordinance No. 3911. The ordinance states that department heads can decide when personal property owned by the City and used in their department is surplus when the value of the personal property individually or together does not exceed $500. The City Manager can decide when all other personal property owned by the City is surplus.
According to the staff report presented by Pendleton City Attorney Nancy Kearns “department heads have recommended that we revise our disposition of personal property methods to include contemporary practices, which include use of electronic means of communication with buyers, use of intergovernmental opportunities and use of professional liquidation services.” The report continued that the methods outlined in the ordinance “are in keeping with those adopted by other municipalities in Oregon.”
The City Council also unanimously passed Ordinance No. 3909. The ordinance is an amendment to Section three of Ordinance No. 3715. The amended ordinance authorizes the City Manager to sign city contracts not to exceed $50,000. The earlier ordinance authorized contracts up to $25,000.
According to the staff report presented by the City Attorney “several changes increase the spending authority of department heads. The proposed spending limits were increased to mirror those proscribed by state law and are not inconsistent with the limits of similar municipalities. As the cost of goods and services have increased in recent years, these changes will allow departments to more quickly and easily take care of their routine purchasing needs.”