REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
April 10, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Bev Pearce, Deputy City Clerk; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Stephen Bishop, city attorney; Mike Bagott, Fire Chief; GA Perry; Mike Wolf; Julie Killinger; Marvin Pillers; Nicole Wood; Munir Daud.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mark Bailey MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 27, 2007. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM : Mike Wolf and Julie Killinger want to build a house on E Street and need access onto 9th Street . The mayor informed council that 9th Street is a platted, but unopened street. The street would remain unopened. Mike and Julie’s access would be considered a “private drive”. Byron informed council that he has talked to Mike and Julie and they know what the width of the access needs to be for allowing emergency vehicles egress on their “private drive”, and that the garbage truck would not drive on a “private drive” road. The mayor pointed out that the city does not maintain weed control or snow removal on “private drives”. Chief Bagott has no problems with Mike and Julie’s plans. Stephen Bishop said it all sounds good. Council Member Wekenman MOVED to allow a private driveway access off 9th Street for Mike Wolf and Julie Killinger. Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
GA Perry asked council if there were any ordinances against erecting a plaque in town. He was asking because a group from Spokane wants to put up a plaque to honor Raymond Hansen (Rahco), who once lived in the area. The mayor referred Mr. Perry to Mike Milano, Parks and Rec., to discuss the possible sites for such a plaque. Mr. Perry would like to set up a dedication on July 8, during the Ice Cream Social. Byron asked that when deciding on the location please take into account the lawn mowing.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges submitted a written report and reminded council that on Saturday, April 14, 200 trees and shrubs will be planted down by the sewer plant. Don has been working on a pathway down there so people can walk and view the plantings. Byron said people should go down there and look. Council said the new flag pole in Central Park looks good.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported that the last two weeks have been quiet. There have been traffic warnings, dog complaints, and one report of a suspicious person. Officer Ellsworth has been working on bringing the evidence room into state compliance. He has been purging old records and physical evidence where the cases have been cleared. The police department needs to create a locked entry door and secure environment for evidence. The cost will run between $300 and $400 for the materials needed to create the proper space. Chief Neumann was sent a letter from the Boise Police Department in regards to a multi-day bicycle tour of Idaho , called “Ride Idaho 2007”. The ride will include a stop in Palouse on August 11, 2007. The chief is talking to the event planners to determine what type of services may be needed for the bicyclists. He will report to the council later with more information.
The chief discussed the legality of turning across passing lanes or double yellow lines in the middle of the Main Street . He said that the double yellow line now in place prohibits any one passing on the highway downtown. The problem with the current highway marking is that each town or city has its own rules about turning across the double yellow line. Some places allow it, others don’t. This is confusing to motorists. Technically, crossing the double yellow line is illegal. It causes safety issues for pedestrians and motorists backing out of our diagonal parking. If the line was painted a solid 18” yellow stripe, there would be no question. You cannot cross an 18” solid yellow line. The current city ordinances allow motorists to make legal u-turns at each intersection, this would not change. The mayor asked Chief Neumann to contact the state and find out what it would take to paint the 18” solid yellow line.
NEW BUSINESS: A. proposed burn ordinance: Council Member Bailey brought to council a proposed burn ordinance for the city. The ordinance follows state guidelines, already in place. There would be a general prohibition on outdoor burning and open burning of refuse, trees, logs, brush, stumps, leaves, and grass clippings. Recreational fires would be allowed, following the ordinance guidelines. The Fire Chief and Police Chief would be in charge of enforcement, which includes fines for each offense. Chief Bagott said that he has no problem against responsible burns, but the fire department becomes involved in neighborhood disputes over size, location, smoke and health issues. The cost of the department to respond to such issues is a drain on the volunteer and donated services of the firemen and women. The proposed ordinance allows people to have backyard barbeques and campfires. The city’s efforts to create a compost area will help in the elimination of burning yard debris. The county will be purchasing a chipper that can be shared by the communities to dispose of branches and limbs up to 6” in diameter. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to allow the development of the proposed burn ordinance. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Engineering contract for Breeding’s addition sewer project: Munir Daud presented to council a proposed schedule and contract for the council to review. He plans to have the sewer project on paper by the middle of next month; the city will need to use the Small Roster list to get 3 bids. White crosses are being marked as reference points around town for mapping the sewer project and Whitman Street . He has been talking to Paul Weber, engineer for HDR, Spokane , WA . Paul is a rail line contract engineer for WSDOT/RR division. They have requested a written report on Whitman Street and a budget figures. So far the consultant has done a site review and is in full agreement of the replacement of the railroad tracks and agrees with the proposed budget for the project. Craig and Linda Dillard have contacted Munir about property abutting Whitman Street . They will receive a copy of the map, so they can make their requests on the project. Munir gave a cost of $25/per foot for blasting for the Breeding’s addition project. He recommends a higher cost of $60/per foot to cover any unknown problems. The design for Whitman Street will be done by the end of the year. Munir wants to meet with all property owners that will be affected by sewer project. He needs to know current house and sewer line locations and future housing and sewer line locations. The mayor told council that Joyce is looking at inter-loan funds and commercial loans for the sewer project. Byron pointed out that some homes will need to have pumps for their sewer lines because of the location of their homes. Council Member Bailey asked if the city map could be updated since the new aerial photos will be taken. Munir said yes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano presented to council a drawing of Heritage Park Restroom. The drawing included an information board, area map, brochure holders and a counter for people to write on. He has worked with the ADA folks in Moscow to make sure the measurements meet current requirements. The Byway committee will be providing a steel map of the area. The chamber will be asked to pay for the brochure holders. He will talk to Palouse Welding about the counter and an awning. A request was made to DOT for signage for the restroom.
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook reported that the search for the Public Works Superintendent is going well. A recommendation will be presented to the mayor next Wednesday.
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey reported that the planning commission has reviewed the critical area ordinance. The commission is concerned over the mapping of the critical area of Palouse. It encompass’s the entire town. Stephen Bishop said that a variety of towns are overreacting to the ordinance. The ordinance does not stop people from developing in the area, only that they must look at the ordinance more closely and follow procedures. If that is done then things will work out. Palouse is unique because it has a river and creeks right down the middle of town. In the end the buffer zones, wetlands and critical areas are mandated by the state, not Studio Cascade.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that she sent letters to property owners who needed to clear bushes and shrubs from their sidewalks. To date all the requested work has been done. Byron informed council that the Potlatch highway will be closed for several weeks for road construction. Citizens will have to use the Palouse Cove Road to the Idaho highway to get to the Potlatch area.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill-No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT : The mayor reminded the council of the April 21 city-wide clean-up and the April 28 WSU bike race.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Mark seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Mark Bailey seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:44PM.
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 12309 through # 12332 Payments: $19,466.50
VOID Warrants: # 12308 and # 12325
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________