Gearhart public meetings in 2025

Planning Commission

The provided agenda consists solely of a series of PDF file names. No specific rezoning, contract, ordinance, fee change, or public hearing items are described. Consequently, the agenda does not indicate any decisions or discussions scheduled for this meeting.

The Planning Commission excused member Russ Taggard by a 6‑0 vote and approved the consent agenda with corrections by a 6‑0 vote. Staff presented updates on dune hazard data, floodplain ordinance amendments, and a fence inquiry. A public hearing was held on a conditional use and variance request to add a four‑bedroom suite to an existing hotel, but the minutes do not record a final vote on the application.

• Excused member Taggard (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda with corrections (6-0)
• Motion to approve hotel suite application with recommended conditions (vote not recorded)

City Council

The December 3, 2025 City Council agenda for Gearhart, Oregon consists solely of links to PDF documents labeled as meeting materials and minutes. No rezoning proposals, contracts, ordinances, fee changes, or public hearings are listed. The council will likely review the provided documents during the meeting.

The council voted 5-0 to add a new business item for a Liquor License Application Review for the Prep Kitchen. The council also voted 5-0 to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting as amended.

• Approved adding Liquor License Application Review – Special Event (Prep Kitchen) (5-0)
• Approved minutes of the November 5, 2025 meeting (5-0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council reviewed the Public Safety Building survey, noting 704 total responses and various opinion breakdowns for four project options. Council members asked questions about duplicate responses, data accuracy, and potential access to respondent names, but no votes or formal actions were recorded. The session ended without any decisions, approvals, or denials.

Planning Commission

The regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting for Thursday, November 13, 2025 has been cancelled. The next meeting is set for Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm. It will be held via Zoom and in person at Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way. No agenda items were presented for the cancelled meeting.

City Council

The November 5, 2025 Gearhart City Council agenda consists of a series of PDF file references (e.g., meeting materials, minutes, supporting documents). No specific rezoning, contracts, ordinances, fee changes, or public hearings are detailed in the provided text.

The Gearhart City Council voted to approve the minutes from four earlier sessions: the September 30 worksession, the October 1 regular meeting, the October 14 worksession, and the October 30 executive session. Each motion was moved by a councilor, seconded by another, and passed with five yeas and zero nays. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved September 30, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 1, 2025 regular meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 14, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved October 30, 2025 executive session minutes (5-0)

Executive Sessions

The Gearhart City Council met in an emergency executive session on Oct. 30, 2025 to consider employment matters. The session was closed to the public and adjourned at 5:35 p.m. No votes or decisions were recorded.

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council authorized staff to revise the Public Safety Building survey based on the worksession discussion and to issue it to the public. Council members approved adding two new feedback questions and making the name field optional. They also agreed to include a property‑owner question and to incorporate cost‑per‑thousand tax impact information. Distribution will use mail, water‑bill inserts, the city website, and a fire‑station notice, with data expected by the Nov. 24 worksession.

• Approved staff revision of survey content as discussed
• Added two new questions (most important factor, additional comments) to survey
• Made name field optional for respondents
• Included question on whether respondent is a Gearhart property owner
• Agreed to investigate adding cost‑per‑thousand tax impact details
• Decided on distribution via USPS mail, water‑bill links, website/blog, and fire‑station board
• Targeted survey data availability for the Nov. 24 council worksession
• Agreed to set agenda for the Oct. 30 worksession (pending)

Planning Commission

The Gearhart Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on October 9, 2025, to review and discuss a series of agenda materials.

• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 1-12)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 4-10)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 5-11)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 6-12)
• Review of October Planning Commission Meeting materials (PDFs 7-9)

The Planning Commission voted 6‑0 to excuse Commissioner John Mesberg from the meeting. It also voted 6‑0 to approve the consent agenda, which included the September 11, 2025 minutes, the September 24, 2025 financial report, and correspondence from David Bowes. No other formal decisions were made during the session.

• Excused Commissioner John Mesberg (6‑0 vote)
• Approved consent agenda – September 11 minutes, September 24 financial report, and David Bowes correspondence (6‑0 vote)

City Council

The agenda for the October 1, 2025 Gearhart City Council meeting lists only PDF files of meeting materials and a minutes document. No specific resolutions, contracts, or hearings are described in the supplied text.

The council voted to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2025 worksession meeting and the September 3, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting. Both motions passed unanimously with a 4‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved August 28, 2025 worksession minutes (4-0)
• Approved September 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes (4-0)

WorkSessions

The council reached consensus to remove question E from the public safety building survey. They agreed to add bond terms to questions A‑D and include more location details. A draft survey with the revised explanatory statement will be prepared within two weeks and released for public response for two weeks before the November meeting. The primary distribution will be electronic, with hard‑copy copies also made available.

• Eliminate question E from the survey (consensus)
• Add bond terms to questions A‑D and expand location parameters (consensus)
• Prepare draft survey with revised explanatory statement within two weeks (consensus)
• Release the survey for two weeks to gather preliminary data for November meeting (consensus)
• Use electronic distribution as primary method, with hard‑copy copies also provided (consensus)
• Make the draft survey available for council review by the end of next week (consensus)

Planning Commission

The agenda materials list several PDF files for the September 11, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, but the text does not include any specific items, decisions, or discussions.

The commission approved a proposal to prohibit all pickleball courts in residential zones and to permit them in commercial or semi‑public zones only through a conditional‑use process. Staff were directed to draft the ordinance and schedule a public hearing for the October meeting. Earlier motions excused a member and approved the consent agenda.

• Excused Commissioner Don Frank from the meeting (6‑0 vote)
• Approved consent agenda, including August 14 minutes and August 28 financial report (6‑0 vote)
• Prohibited pickleball courts in all residential zones (commission agreement)
• Allowed pickleball courts in commercial or semi‑public zones only via conditional‑use review (commission agreement)
• Directed staff to draft the ordinance and prepare for an October public hearing (commission agreement)

City Council

The provided text is a list of document filenames for the September 3, 2025, City Council meeting and public hearing. No specific agenda items, motions, or discussion topics are listed in the source text.

The Gearhart City Council approved the minutes of the July 29, 2025 worksession meeting and the August 6, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting. Both motions passed unanimously with five yeas and zero nays. No other actions were decided; the street‑vacation request was discussed but not voted on.

• Approved July 29, 2025 worksession minutes (5-0)
• Approved August 6, 2025 regular meeting minutes (5-0)

WorkSessions

The council reached consensus to complete the Public Safety Building task list within one month. They set a timeline to develop a citizen survey in September and release it in October. Mayor Smith will meet with Building Official Leonard Brogden, and Administrator Sweet will verify bond‑rating impacts of a remodel. The council will review task documents and provide input by the following week.

• Task list to be delivered within 1 month (consensus)
• Develop survey in September, release to citizens in October
• Mayor Smith to meet with Building Official Leonard Brogden
• Administrator Sweet to verify bond‑rating impacts with financial advisors
• Administrator Sweet to arrange meeting availability with Building Official Brogden
• Council to review task documents and give input by next week
• Monthly Public Safety Building worksessions confirmed

Planning Commission

The Gearhart Planning Commission posted eight PDF files labeled as meeting materials for the August 14, 2025 meeting, but the agenda text provided contains no substantive items, decisions, or discussion topics—only a list of document filenames.

The Planning Commission approved the consent agenda unanimously (7‑0). The commission then voted 7‑0 to recommend that the city council approve the Hemlock Avenue street vacation request, provided compensation is paid and a city access easement is retained. Staff will finalize compensation letters and clarify the easement before the council’s decision.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)
• Recommended city council approve Hemlock Ave street vacation with compensation and easement conditions (7-0)

City Council

The provided agenda text consists of a list of meeting materials and document filenames. There are no specific discussion items, motions, or decisions listed in the source text.

The council voted to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2025 executive session meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays). It also approved the amended minutes of the July 2, 2025 regular and public hearing meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays). No other substantive actions were taken during this session.

• Approved July 2, 2025 executive session minutes (5-0)
• Approved amended July 2, 2025 regular and public hearing minutes (5-0)

WorkSessions

The council reviewed options for placing a bond measure for the Public Safety Building on the November 2025 or May 2026 ballot, and considered a professional or in‑house survey to gauge community support. They also examined proposed revisions to Ordinance 930 that regulates contractors' work hours. No formal approvals, denials, or votes were recorded; the discussion was adjourned for further review.

Planning Commission

The provided agenda consists of a list of document files for the July 10, 2025, meeting. There are no specific discussion items, motions, or decisions listed in the text.

The Planning Commission approved the consent agenda with a 7‑0 vote. The commission held a public hearing on a rezoning request for 567 Pacific Way but took no vote, leaving the recommendation pending. Staff reported that the City Council adopted the Flood Hazard Overlay Zone amendments (Option A). No other formal actions were taken.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)
• Public hearing on rezoning request filed as #25-005FZMA; no decision taken

City Council

The provided agenda consists of a list of meeting materials and document filenames. There are no specific discussion items, motions, or decisions listed in the text.

The Gearhart City Council approved a motion to close the public hearing on the flood hazard overlay amendment with a 5‑0 vote. The Council also approved the amended minutes from the June 4, 2025 meeting by a 5‑0 vote. No other substantive actions or votes were recorded.

• Closed public hearing on flood overlay amendment (5-0)
• Approved amended June 4 minutes (5-0)

Executive Sessions

The Gearhart City Council met in a closed executive session on July 2, 2025, chaired by Mayor Smith. The session was convened to review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the city’s chief executive officer. No decisions, approvals, or votes were recorded; the meeting was closed to the public at 7:03 p.m.

Planning Commission

The provided agenda contains only file references and no specific action items. It is procedural boilerplate.

The Gearhart Planning Commission approved the consent agenda, including minutes corrections, the May 29, 2025 financial report, and correspondence, with a 7‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were approved. Commissioners asked staff to bring back examples of how other cities handle pickleball noise and options for updating Gearhart’s noise or nuisance ordinances for future discussion.

• Approved consent agenda (7‑0)
• Requested staff to provide examples of other cities' pickleball noise regulations (agreed)
• Requested staff to outline options for amending Gearhart noise or nuisance ordinances (agreed)

City Council

The provided text is a list of meeting materials and a reference to an agenda for the June 4, 2025, City Council meeting. No specific discussion items, proposals, or decisions are detailed in the provided text.

The Gearhart City Council approved a motion to continue the public hearing on the zoning text amendment that would replace Section 3.10 Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, with the intent to adopt Option A in July. The Council also approved motions to close the public hearings on the Public Safety Building options and on the 2025‑2026 budget and state revenue sharing items. All three motions passed unanimously (5 yeas, 0 nays).

• Continue public hearing on zoning amendment, aiming to adopt Option A in July (approved 5-0)
• Close public hearing on Public Safety Building options (approved 5-0)
• Close public hearing on 2025-2026 State Revenue Sharing Funds and budget items (approved 5-0)

City Council

The City Council is conducting public hearings regarding FEMA-ESA and PSB materials. The provided agenda consists primarily of hearing materials and procedural notes.

• Public hearing on GHOZ FEMA-ESA & PSB
• Review of GZO_HOZ - FEMA-ESA-PICM materials

The council voted to continue the public hearing on the zoning text amendment that replaces Section 3.10 Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, planning to adopt Option A in July and consider Option B if deadlines allow. The motion to continue the hearing was approved unanimously (5‑0). The council also voted to close the public hearing on the proposed Public Safety Building options, with that motion approved unanimously (5‑0).

• Continue zoning amendment hearing to July, adopt Option A (approved 5‑0)
• Close public safety building hearing (approved 5‑0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession on May 27, 2025 to review the Public Safety Building project. Council members and staff presented survey results, cost breakdowns, and communication plans, and answered community questions. No votes, approvals, or other formal actions were recorded during the session.

Budget Committee

The Gearhart Budget Committee is meeting to review documents for the 2025-2026 budget cycle. The posted agenda lists only PDF files (revised agenda, legal notice, donation request forms, budget calendar and approved budget) with no specific action items, votes or public hearings described. This appears to be a procedural review session.

• Revised agenda and meeting materials posted as PDFs
• Legal notice for 2025-2026 budget
• Donation request forms for 2025-2026
• Budget calendar for 2025-2026

The Budget Committee approved the revised meeting agenda by consensus. They approved the amended minutes from the April 15, 2025 meeting with a vote of 10‑yeas and 0‑nays. A public hearing on State Revenue Sharing for FY 2025‑2026 was held with no objections or comments. No other formal actions or approvals were recorded during the meeting.

• Approved revised agenda (consensus)
• Approved amended April 15, 2025 minutes (10 yeas, 0 nays)
• Conducted public hearing on State Revenue Sharing (no objections)

Planning Commission

The provided agenda contains only a list of document files and no specific action items, proposals, or discussion topics. It is procedural boilerplate.

The commission approved the consent agenda, which included the March 13 minutes and the April 30 financial report, by a 7‑0 vote. No other substantive actions or approvals were recorded during the meeting.

• Approved consent agenda (7-0)

City Council

The provided document is a list of meeting materials and an agenda for the May 7, 2025, City Council meeting. No specific discussion items or decisions are listed in the provided text.

The Gearhart City Council approved the minutes of the April 2 regular meeting, the April 11 special meeting, and the April 29 worksession. Each motion was moved and seconded by councilors and passed unanimously with a 5‑yea, 0‑nay vote. No other substantive actions were taken at this meeting.

• Approved minutes of April 2, 2025 regular meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays)
• Approved minutes of April 11, 2025 special meeting (5 yeas, 0 nays)
• Approved minutes of April 29, 2025 worksession (5 yeas, 0 nays)

WorkSessions

Mayor Smith proposed moving regular City Council meetings to a 6:00 pm start, with public hearings at 5:30 pm, and said the proposal would be presented at the June meeting. Council members debated Ordinance 942, focusing on whether the Heritage tree and the 55‑inch tree definitions should be combined or kept separate. Opinions were split, but no vote or formal action on either the meeting‑time change or the ordinance clarification was recorded.

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee is meeting to review the proposed budget and narrative for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The meeting includes a review of the budget calendar and supporting materials.

• Proposed 2025-2026 Budget
• Budget Narrative 2025-2026
• Budget Calendar 2025-2026

The committee voted to adjourn the meeting with 10 yeas and 0 nays. No other actions were approved. Discussions were held about a bilingual police incentive pay, but no decision was made.

• Adjourned meeting (10 yeas, 0 nays)

Special Council

The council approved a $5,000 change order to negotiate with the Klosh Group for tasks on the Public Safety Building project, passing 3‑yeas to 1‑nay. A motion to have Administrator Sweet discuss appropriate tasks with Klosh Group failed because it lacked a second. The meeting was adjourned with a unanimous 4‑yea vote.

• Approved $5,000 change order with Klosh Group (3 yeas, 1 nay)
• Motion to have Administrator Sweet talk to Klosh Group failed (no second)
• Adjourned meeting (4 yeas, 0 nays)

City Council

The agenda for the April 2, 2025 Gearhart City Council meeting contains only a list of PDF attachments (meeting materials, minutes, agenda document) and no substantive items for discussion or decision. No specific rezonings, contracts, ordinances, or public hearings are mentioned.

• No specific agenda items are listed in the provided text.

The council voted 5-0 to provide a $1,550 city contribution for the 2025 Street Dance event. The council also approved the minutes of the March 5, 2025 regular meeting and the February 26, 2025 work session, each by a 5-0 vote. No other actions were taken.

• Approved $1,550 city contribution to 2025 Street Dance (5-0)
• Approved minutes of March 5, 2025 regular meeting (5-0)
• Approved minutes of February 26, 2025 work session (5-0)

Planning Commission

This agenda consists solely of references to meeting materials (PDF files) with no descriptions of specific proposals, ordinances, or public hearings. The commission is likely handling only routine procedural matters.

The Gearhart Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a variety store and sweet shop at 95 S. Cottage Avenue, with all seven members voting in favor. The commission also decided to discard its existing goals list and address issues as they arise. Staff reported on the final payment of a water treatment facility bond, resulting in tax savings, and discussed future plans for the Public Safety Building and a postponed FEMA hearing.

• Approved conditional use permit for variety store at 95 S. Cottage Ave (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including January 9, 2025 minutes and February 26, 2025 financial report (7-0)
• Discarded existing goals list, adopting a case-by-case approach

City Council

The agenda for the March 5, 2025 Gearhart City Council meeting consists solely of a list of PDF documents (meeting materials, minutes, and other files) with no specific agenda items described. No decisions, proposals, or public hearings are listed. This appears to be a procedural or placeholder agenda.

The Gearhart City Council approved moving forward with two recommended options (3 and 4.5) for the Public Safety Building project, advancing them to conceptual design and budget. The Council also approved revised Council Rules, allowed Columbia Memorial Hospital to use the city logo for a tsunami refuge grant, and made Budget Committee appointments. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

• Approved Public Safety Building options 3 and 4.5 for conceptual design (5-0)
• Approved revised Council Rules by consensus (5-0)
• Approved Columbia Memorial Hospital use of city logo for tsunami refuge support (5-0)
• Appointed Karl Leigh, reappointed Eric Halperin and Curt Penrod to Budget Committee (5-0)
• Approved minutes of Feb 5 regular meeting and worksession (5-0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession to review and discuss development options for the Public Safety Building, based on community engagement data. FFA Architecture presented feedback from three community meetings and discussed seismic design criteria and cost impacts. The Council provided input to narrow the options to two, with refined data and concept designs to be presented in May.

• Reviewed Public Safety Building development options with FFA Architecture
• Discussed narrowing options to two for further cost estimates and concept design
• Scheduled refined data presentation on two options for May

Planning Commission

This meeting was cancelled and did not take place. No items were discussed or decided.

• The February 13, 2025 Planning Commission meeting was cancelled.

City Council

The provided text contains a list of meeting materials and a date, but does not include specific agenda items. It is procedural boilerplate.

The Gearhart City Council approved spending up to $170,000 from reserve funds to purchase and upfit two new fire department vehicles, replacing inadequate ones. The council also approved the annual Gearhart Firefighter Ball fundraiser and its liquor license, appointed the City Treasurer as Budget Officer, adopted the budget calendar, and allowed a Clean Up Day. All other items were routine approvals or informational reports.

• Approved $170,000 reserve funds for two new fire department vehicles (4-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved GVFD Association request to hold annual Firefighter Ball (5-0)
• Approved liquor license application for Firefighter Ball (5-0)
• Took no action on OLCC & City liquor license renewals, allowing favorable recommendation (5-0)
• Appointed City Treasurer as Budget Officer (5-0)
• Adopted Budget Calendar (5-0)
• Allowed City to hold Clean Up Day for Earth Day 2025 (5-0)
• Approved minutes of January 8 regular meeting and January 8 & 29 worksessions (5-0 each)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession to review its Rules of Council, discussing potential language changes but taking no formal votes. Topics included clarifying that individual councilors should not ask staff to complete their narratives, changing 'the entire Council' to 'a quorum or majority of the Council' in Section IV, aligning special meeting call language with the City Charter, and adding training requirements. The meeting was procedural, with no substantive decisions made.

• No formal decisions or votes taken during worksession
• Discussed potential language change in Section IV from 'the entire Council' to 'a quorum or majority of the Council'
• Discussed clarifying that two council members could call a special meeting per City Charter
• Discussed adding language about required council training (e.g., FEMA)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession to review materials for Public Safety Building Community Engagement Meeting #3. FFA Architecture presented five development options developed from prior community meetings, with plans for the community to vote on the top two at the next meeting. These two options would then be presented to the City Council for approval at the March 5 regular meeting, after which FFA would work on concept design and pricing. No formal decisions were made during this worksession; it was procedural and informational only.

• Reviewed FFA's five development options for the Public Safety Building
• Discussed timeline for community vote and City Council approval in March
• No formal votes or approvals taken during the worksession

Planning Commission

The agenda for the January 9, 2025 Gearhart Planning Commission meeting contains only references to several PDF documents. No specific proposals, decisions, or public hearings are described in the provided text.

The Gearhart Planning Commission held its regular meeting on January 9, 2025, electing Virginia Dideum as President and Don Frank as Vice President. The commission approved the consent agenda and discussed the draft FEMA floodplain management ordinance, which is required for federal compliance. No formal decisions were made on the ordinance; it will be the subject of a public hearing next month.

• Elected Virginia Dideum as Planning Commission President (6-0, 1 abstention)
• Elected Don Frank as Planning Commission Vice President (6-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved consent agenda including December 12, 2024 minutes and December 31, 2024 financial report (7-0)

City Council

The January 8, 2025, City Council meeting is largely procedural, with a slate of consent agenda items including minutes, police and fire reports, treasurer and audit documents, and correspondence. The potentially substantive item is proposed Ordinance 945, which appears to relate to cost recovery for services, though the agenda provides no details on its content.

• Ordinance 945 (cost recovery services) appears on the agenda for possible action
• Council will consider approving December 2024 meeting minutes
• Police Department report for December 2024
• Fire Department report for December 2024
• Treasurer's report and audit compliance letter are listed

The Gearhart City Council appointed Councilor Paulina Cockrum as Council President (4-0-1) and unanimously approved Ordinance 945, which implements cost recovery services. The council also approved a plan of action for audit compliance and the submission of a water investment needs assessment to the Legislative Water Caucus, both by consensus.

• Appointed Councilor Cockrum as Council President (4-0-1)
• Approved Ordinance 945 for cost recovery services (5-0)
• Approved Plan of Action for audit compliance (5-0)
• Approved submission of Water Investment Needs Assessment to Legislative Water Caucus (5-0)
• Approved minutes of December 4, 2024 meeting (5-0)

WorkSessions

The Gearhart City Council held a worksession to discuss System Development Charges (SDC) as a potential revenue source, but took no formal action. City Attorney Peter Watts explained SDC basics, legal considerations, and potential impacts on development and housing. Councilors raised questions about available buildable land, transient room tax alternatives, and the cost-effectiveness of implementing SDC. The discussion was informational only, with no decisions made.

• No formal decisions made; worksession was informational only
• Discussed SDC overview, current rates, proposed changes, and implementation timeline
• Reviewed potential legal issues including Goal 10 housing requirements and Sheetz v. County of El Dorado
• Noted other coastal cities have implemented SDC; more info to come at next meeting