City of Veneta

The meeting included a public hearing and deliberation regarding minor housekeeping amendments to the Veneta Zoning & Development Code, specifically addressing changes related to parkland dedication requirements (including environmental assessments and tree inventories), mobile vending unit permits, temporary sign restrictions, access management standards, traffic impact analysis triggers, and administrative procedures like Type II decision timelines. Council Business included reports on Public Safety, the Park Board Annual Report, the Public Works Director Contract Update, and discussions regarding a donation request and the Public Safety Fee Annual Update. Staff reports covered a Quarterly Update on Code Enforcement and the adoption of the Emergency Operations Plan 2026 and an extension for the City Architect of Record Contract.

The Park Board meeting included an addition to the agenda for the reimbursement of a canopy destroyed at Veneta Haunts. Key action items involved an update on the Easter Egg Hunt, where the Board approved up to $300 for supplies, acknowledging this would slightly exceed the allocated budget. The Board discussed recommendations for the 2026-2027 budget, reviewing allocations for various events, but decided to postpone final budget finalization to allow more time to consider event staffing, tentatively suggesting an overall request increase to $15,000. The Park Board Grant Application Form approval was postponed pending confirmation of insurance requirements and legal review. A motion was passed to approve $100 for the replacement of a canopy damaged during Veneta Haunts. Staff reported significant grant updates, including a $480,000 grant for a bike skills park and plans to pursue a master park plan update. It was also noted that Lane County secured substantial funding for the Veneta-Elmira multi-use path.

The agenda for the meeting included several key business and action items. Discussions centered on the 2026-2027 Budget Recommendations, where allocations for various events like National Night Out, Movies in the Park, and Easter Egg Hunt were reviewed, with a decision to postpone finalizing funding for Veneta Fourths and Veneta Haunts. The Board also addressed the reimbursement of a $500 invoice for sound system services for the previous year's Veneta Haunts event. Other items included a verbal update on the Easter Egg Hunt planning, review of the Park Board Grant Application Form (postponed until next meeting), and staff reports on the Playground RFP and budget to date. Board reports covered member updates and Park Board questions for staff.

The agenda for the meeting covered several topics, including the review of the agenda itself and public comments. Administrative items included the approval of the January 6, 2026, minutes. Long-Range Planning updates focused on the Housing Analysis, Economic Opportunity Analysis, and DLCD Housing Assistance Grant Projects, which involve various consultants and aim to inform decisions on the Urban Growth Boundary and zoning codes. Other items included the monthly Community Development Activity Report and Open Discussion, where updates on grant applications and projects were provided, such as the Green Infrastructure Economic Development grant. The commission also reviewed its calendar for the next meeting.

The City Council meeting included a public hearing concerning multiple ordinances related to short-term rentals. Ordinance No. 597 proposed removing short-term rental regulations from the zoning code, and Ordinance No. 598 readopted these regulations into the municipal code, adjusting standards such as removing the 400 square feet rule for guest rooms. Additionally, Ordinance No. 599 updated outdoor lighting regulations, including requiring LED lamps for public streetlights. Ordinance No. 600 was introduced and adopted to temporarily defer the collection of system development charges. Under Council Business, the Fiscal Year 2024-25 audit was presented, noting an unmodified opinion but highlighting budget over expenditures in areas like law enforcement contracts and community center costs. The December 2025 Public Safety Report indicated a decline in person-associated incidents. Mayor McCoy continued all current council liaison assignments, and appointments were made to the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee. The Community Development Director also presented the annual construction report for 2025.