March 18, 2024 Joint Work Session Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF DISTRICT NO. 40/City Council,
YAMHILL COUNTY, McMINNVILLE, OREGON

The Joint Work Session was held March 18, 2024, both in person and via Zoom at the
McMinnville School District Office, 800 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville, OR 97128 

The link was: https://msd40.zoom.us/j/97721628814

At 6:33 p.m. the Board of Directors of McMinnville School District and the City Council  opened the joint work session meeting.  The meeting was called to order by Chair Jason Bizon and Mayor Remy Drabkin.  Roll call indicated the following:

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:           CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None                                                               None

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary
Jeff Towery, City Manager
Claudia Cisnerso, City Recorder

AUDIENCE:  

Steffanie Frost, Kourtney Ferrua, Brian Crain, Karina Smith, Hiran Amarasinghe, Shelly Simonyi, Jason Hall,  and Martha Biggs.  See attached.

• Director Benner and Council member Geary gave a brief history on how the Joint Work Session came about.  Director Benner shared that many years ago it goes back to Scott Hill, they had a conversation about a joint work session, then Covid happened.  The genesis idea really came from Zach and himself spending time together and talking about the Venn diagram that is the city and the school shared the same interests and where we overlap whether it’s property, ownership, shared facilities or constituents that have the same needs.  Once the meeting got into motion, the goal in mind is still the same.  We have shared constituents that we both are doing work for and sometimes we don’t know what the other agencies are doing the same thing or potentially working at odds. The goal is to get together on a regular basis and share what we are doing.  City Council Leary shared that individually a lot of time was spent with respective organizations, civically or voluntarily.  It was amazing when the conversations about what you are working on and what we are working on, it was clear that even two people who spend so much time working on things had blind spots with where the other organization was.  It was such a nice way to get together and share information.  He said, “I’m very glad and appreciative that Mayor Drabkin and Chair Jason Bizon have bought into it and have kept it going”.  

  Mayor Drabkin announced that it is very much the intent and preference of the City of McMinnville that we continue to have these  meetings quarterly.  She also announced that students have until Friday to enter their projects, which is “If I Were Mayor” Student Contest.  Information flyers were distributed to all in attendance.

  School Impacts – Prohibited Camping – See Video recording.
  School Board Directors, Mayor Drabkin and the City Council members discussed  a change in the language of the existing City ordinance and buffer zones around schools.  Discussion to determine if 250, 500, or 1000 feet, which would be safest without putting the City at risk of a lawsuit while keeping students safe. Also discussed having a partnership with the County. 

  Capital Bonding – See Presentation
  Managing Director Lauren MacMillan and Director Jason Hall shared a presentation on bond overview.  Below are the items shared:

  Why Are We Here Bonds Generally General Obligations Bonds Election Dates What Are Your Odds

  Timeline Use of Proceeds Historical Interest Rates Historical Property Values Outstanding GO Bonds

  Report on After School Care – See Video recording
  Superintendent Brockett shared that since 1989 Kids On The Block first originated and came together in a joint collaboration with the school district and the city in developing a way to provide after school care beyond our hour of power for extra education after school, but extend daycare services to families so they could continue working later and the kids would be safe.  There were concerns that students were afraid to go home because they were elementary age and they were going home alone and were scared.  The superintendent at that time worked in collaboration with the mayor and Kids On The Block was formed.  Million of dollars funded the program, we provided the facilities and transportation and part of the funding in collaboration with the city to make sure students had care after school.  We are at the point where Kids On The Block is no longer fundraising.  At the beginning of this year we had about $500,000.00 left for scholarships.  In 2021 Kids On The Block was no more.  So we went into an IGA with Campfire.  Campfire is more expensive because they have to pay for it, and we still need scholarships.  The reason it is on the agenda is just for consideration, they knew there would hopefully be individuals listening.  Kids On The Block funds are down to about $300,000.00 which would last maybe one more year.  We are going to go into a conditional additional one year with Campfire.  There is not an opportunity to extend after this year unless we find another revenue source.  We do not have the funds to provide after school care and when we open after school care, we have to make sure it is equitable access for all families no matter their financial situation.  We are now bringing this forward to kind of discuss and put an awareness that we are down to our last year. 

  Chair Jason Bizon adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
  Mayor Remy Drabkin adjourned at 8:54 p.m.