The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held Sept. 9. These minutes were edited for clarity and length:

Interim City Manager Judy Erwin reported that:

• she attended the county court meeting where housing was discussed. Greg Smith of the Harney County Economic Development office will request a legislative change allowing the city and county to freeze property taxes for up to five years for new construction of residences and commercial buildings;

• she was told that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn’t allow grazing at the airport. However, when she called the FFA, she learned that the agency doesn’t have a problem with it. Erwin asked the council why grazing isn’t allowed at the airport anymore.

Mayor Jerry Woodfin said he’s all for it, but the last person who was allowed to graze at the airport “turned it into a junkyard.”

However, Woodfin added that Kyle Osborne’s cows grazed at the airport years ago, and Osborne kept all the fences up and the fire hazard down.

Erwin will talk to the city attorney to determine what the city needs to do to offer grazing or possibly set up a solar field to generate revenue;

• The Tree Service donated their time to trim the two trees in front of the old post office.

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Burns Police Chief Newt SkunkCap reported that the department is continually busy, and new officer Mike Schaff is doing a great job so far.

SkunkCap also reported that an active shooter training would be held at the same time as the Harney County Fair parade. He will ask the public works department if they can help cover the parade.

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Public Works Director Michael Berry reported that the Oregon Health Department did a sanitation survey on the city’s system on Aug. 29. The department gave the system a rating of “Outstanding Performance,” so it won’t be inspected for another five years.

Berry also reported that public works has been busy cleaning the shop, performing fire-hydrant maintenance, and servicing equipment.

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Woodfin said Fire Chief Scott Williamson was excused from the meeting because he and two of his volunteers went to Selma to help with the fires.

Councilor Liz Appelman asked where to send donations to those affected by the fires.

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Under new business:

• Lanette Humphrey said planning is still under way for the Harney Partners for Kids and Families Drug- and Alcohol-Free Dinner, and she asked for a donation to help cover the cost. She is unsure whether it will be a drive-up or sit-down dinner.

The council voted to donate $100 to the dinner;

• Erwin said there are currently five homes for sale between Burns and Hines, and people continue to move here with no place to rent or buy.

Erwin added that the city is currently paying for upkeep and the water bill at Memorial Park, and she suggested advertising the property for free or cheap to a developer who will put in a subdivision and housing.

She discussed it with the city attorney, and he said the city could control every aspect of the project — from the type of construction to the color of the homes. Erwin added that the city needs to do something to help with the housing shortage, and this would be a really nice place for a housing development.

Woodfin said housing has been a major discussion, and this could be a way to attract homebuilders.

Appelman suggested having the property appraised first, and the council agreed by consensus to move forward with the appraisal.

Councilor Pam Smerski, Councilor Christy Rivera, and Erwin will serve on a committee for this project.

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Erwin presented the council with six grant applications for Corona Relief Funds from the following businesses:

• A & L Big Dogs — $500;

• Up Up & Away — $500;

• Rhojo’s — $1,099.97;

• City Center Motel — $2,400;

• Robin’s Closet — $1,000;

• Katie Batie Designs — $1,000.

Appelman suggested that the council approve all of the applications.

Smerski suggested awarding Up Up & Away $1,000, instead of $500, to be fair and because that business was shut down for three months, just like the others.

There was a consensus of the council to award all six of the applications for the amount requested and give Up Up & Away $1,000 instead of $500.

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The council approved Resolution No. 20-962, which temporarily suspends fees charged to property owners desiring to connect to city water and sewer services.