The Canby Urban Renewal District Agency has decided to halt ongoing discussions with the Canby Fire District No. 62 on providing and paying for adequate fire coverage in the proposed three-phase industrial park until after the Sept. 19 annexation special election.

The fire board subsequently decided to pass two resolutions actively opposing both next month's annexation measure, and restating its opposition to the Urban Renewal District.

The URD Agency, which consists of the six councilors and Mayor Scott Taylor, made its decision during an executive session Aug. 14.

The fire board approved its resolutions two days later during its regular meeting at the South Pine Street fire station.

"After talking with our attorney, the decision we made at this point was we would step back from talks until after the vote on the 19th," Taylor said Friday. "It does not mean we are done with the conversation."

"There is still a commitment to work toward a resolution," Canby City Administrator Mark Adcock said Friday.

Canby Fire Chief Ted Kunze said Monday the fire board does not feel its position has changed since the creation of the URD last year, and maintains its opposition to the plan's tax-increment financing mechanism.

"It's the same factual reasons," he said. "We stated in the city's original application that we could not serve an industrial park without different equipment and needs because we are an urban-rural fire district. In our opinion, the city has ignored that comment throughout the process, and it's one reason why the Canby Planning Commission decided not to recommend it.

''The board felt they had no other choice but to oppose it because we do not have the resources to protect what they are proposing for the industrial area . . . They haven't given us any reason for suspending negotiations . . . It does alarm us."

The Canby Fire District No. 62's board of directors initially decided earlier this month not to support the proposed city-sponsored annexation of 301 acres into the city limits.

The decision was made shortly after an Aug. 2 workshop of the council and fire board.

At the workshop, legal questions continued to cloud the city's fire coverage proposal, which was to reserve or redirect the 9.6 percent of Urban Renewal District revenues the fire district would forgo under the $51 million URD's tax-increment financing mechanism.

The fire district has long expressed concerns about its ability to provide coverage in a a large industrial, and wants to be sure it can legally receive and use URD funds to purchase necessary equipment.

Both parties expressed concern with potential liability claims if the state, at some time in the future, decides URD funds cannot be funneled to a special, separate fund for firefighting needs.

Fire board directors said they wanted and needed written assurances the proposal will meet the state attorney general's approval.

At the meeting, attorney Harvey Rogers said "the law is not hugely clear" about whether tax-increment revenues can be spent on items not in the URD plan.

City staff were instructed to gather more information, and to report back. No meeting date was scheduled, and it appears the two parties will not meet until mid- to late-September.

In other news at the City Council's Aug. 16 meeting, councilors unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance that would allow the city to issue encroachment permits for building work administratively through city staff.

If approved again Sept. 6, the ordinance would help property owners making building improvements or changes to store facades to get approval to temporarily encroach on a public right of way. No process currently exists, and the permit would be revocable.

The city wanted to have in place a process that allowed property owners to step up and make facade or other improvements consistent with the city's Downtown Master Plan implementation, Adcock said.

Councilors passed the Knutson and NW Floriculture annexation resolution, thereby sending the proposed annexation 1.7 acres to the voters.

The land is located in the southside of Northeast 22nd Avenue, between North Locust and North Maple streets, and will be voted on Nov. 7. The City Council and Planning Commission both recommended approval of the annexation.

Canby Planning Department Director John Williams suggested the existing Citizen Involvement Committee, which is part of the city's Periodic Review process, look at zoning issues, rather than create a new zoning task force.

Councilors agreed by consensus to the idea.

Williams also gave councilors a status report on work he is putting together designed to provide information for the local and area real estate community.

"The council felt some time ago that prospective property owners and home buyers looking at Canby could benefit from information focusing on potential roads extensions, zoning, master plan activities and other information," Adcock said. "They felt it would be helpful for people to have information on the horizon as they looked at Canby."

Lastly, appointments to the city Budget Committee, the General Canby Day Committee and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board were made, but vacancies still exist on many boards.

To apply to serve on a city board, call City Hall at 266-4021.