Firefighters grant, police cameras and Hill Street pump approved

The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen handled several purchases and grant-related matters Tuesday night, including funding for firefighter training, a new police body-camera agreement and replacement equipment for the Hill Street Pump Station.

The board approved its consent agenda unanimously on a motion by Alderman Sally Brock, seconded by Alderman Keri Morton. Aldermen Deitra Dunlap and Kara Youngblood were absent.

Among the items approved was acceptance of a $105,691.10 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to help cover emergency medical technician training and associated overtime expenses for the McMinnville Fire Department. The grant requires a local match of $5,032.91.

The board also authorized a five-year, $87,662.44 agreement with Axon for the McMinnville Police Department's body-camera program. The agreement covers 29 body cameras, providing equipment for officers to record interactions and preserve video evidence.

In separate action, aldermen unanimously approved an $18,135.17 purchase of a replacement pump for the Hill St. Street Pump Station.

According to Resolution 2026-43, one of the station's two pumps has failed and cannot be repaired. The McMinnville Water and Sewer Department requires two pumps at its pumping stations to provide redundancy, allowing a backup pump to remain available if the other experiences mechanical problems.

The resolution authorized the purchase of a Grundfos pump from Wascon to restore that backup capability as quickly as possible.

Brock made the motion to approve the purchase, with Alderman Harvey seconding. The measure passed unanimously.

The board also unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-16 on first reading, establishing more detailed requirements for development plans and zoning applications submitted to the city.

The proposed amendment defines what constitutes a substantially compliant application, requiring developers to provide the necessary plans, documentation and supporting studies for city review.

Depending on the type of development, those materials may include site plans, utility availability information, drainage and stormwater reports, traffic studies and documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable building and fire codes.

The ordinance also requires plans needing Planning Commission approval to be submitted at least 10 days before a meeting.

Under the proposed rules, incomplete applications would not establish vested development rights simply because preliminary paperwork had been filed. The city would first determine whether an application contained the information necessary for review.

Morton made the motion to approve the ordinance, with Brock seconding. It passed unanimously but will require second-reading approval before becoming final.