Chapter IX Public Improvements
Section 37 Condemnation.
Any necessity of taking property for the city by condemnation shall be determined by the council and declared by a resolution of the council describing the property and stating the use to which it shall be devoted, and such taking by the city for municipal purposes by right of condemnation shall be done in accordance with the laws and statutes of the state of Oregon in effect at the time of such taking.
Section 38 Improvements.
The procedure for making, altering, vacating or abandoning a public improvement shall be governed by general ordinance or, to the extent not so governed, by the applicable general laws of the state. A remonstrance by the owners of a majority of the property to be specially assessed for a proposed public improvement shall suspend action regarding the improvements for six months. For the purpose of this section, “owner” shall mean the record holder of legal title to the land, except that if there is a purchaser of the land according to a recorded land sale contract or according to a verified writing by the record holder of legal title to the land filed with the city recorder, the said purchaser shall be deemed the “owner.”
Section 39 Special assessments.
The procedure for levying, collecting, and enforcing the payment of special assessments for public improvements or other services to be charged against real property shall be governed by general ordinances. The city’s indebtedness may not exceed debt limits imposed by state law. A city officer or employee who creates or officially approves indebtedness in excess of this limitation is jointly and severally liable for the excess. A charter amendment is not required to authorize city indebtedness.
Section 40 Bids.
Bids shall be in accordance with state laws. A contract for a public improvement in excess of $2,500 for a public improvement to be made by a private contractor shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder for the contract and shall be done in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the council.