Board debates whether to reaffirm 2019 decision on police station site; formal action delayed for notice

A board member asked the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen to reaffirm or rescind Resolution 2072 (adopted Feb. 26, 2019), which recommends the old Morrison Road location for a new McMinnville Police Department building. The proposer said preliminary plans and cost estimates exist for both a new construction and a remodel option and asked the board to decide so the architect can proceed.

Multiple members said they supported moving the project forward but questioned whether the board could take a binding vote at the same meeting without additional public notice. "Given lack of public notice and the fact that it's not time sensitive, I don't think we can vote on something like that without it being given due public notice," a board member said. Counsel and the recorder were asked to research whether the item must be routed through the safety committee or may be placed directly on the next full-board action agenda.

Staff said conceptual floor plans for both new construction and remodel options exist but that the full design work requires a clear direction because the city cannot afford to pay for both sets of detailed plans. The board directed staff to confer with counsel and the recorder and return with guidance on procedural requirements; if permitted, the item will be added to the next meeting as an action item for decision.

What happens next: Staff and counsel will advise within days whether committee review is required or whether the board may vote at the next session, and staff will distribute conceptual floor plans to board members for review before any formal action.