DRAFT ONLY. Without council review or approval.
Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
April 10, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Chris Cook, Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; Rick Wekenman. Councilmembers Snyder, Wilcomb and Stout absent. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to excuse the absences of Councilmember Snyder, Wilcomb and Stout. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. Motion carries. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann & City Administrator Kyle Dixon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 27, 2018. Councilmember Sievers seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt Griffin submitted a written report. Preparing for work to replace cracked/crumbled sidewalk on west main street near the city park.
POLICE REPORT: All 3 internet signals in Garfield are up and running. Signals in Garfield are actually boosting signals in Palouse.
Had several reports of a vicious dog on 8th street. Dog was ordered removed from the city.
Recent hire Officer Anderson is doing great. Reserve Officer Snead’s last day will be Saturday, April 21 which is the weekend of the WSU/UI bicycle race in town.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: CA Dixon and Councilmember Slinkard, along with our Wastewater engineers Varela & Associates, are meeting with a property owner tomorrow to discuss a potential land transaction that would allow the city to proceed with our preferred alternative for wastewater disposal.
Our recent interest in expanding our current solar array up at Well Pump 3 is on hold for now. Last week, Avista’s billing department handed down a ruling regarding how excess kWh production can be used by account holders with more than one meter. New rules state that excess kWh must be spread evenly over all meters on one account, which triggers a monthly minimum charge for each meter of $19.08. The city has 20 meters on its account. This equates to an extra $350 per month in minimum charges that Avista would charge the city. We are currently grandfathered in to their old system of billing and we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our current agreement with Avista. If they ever reconsider their billing model, the city will look into expansion at that time. The solar farm provided the city a net savings of $3,120 in 2017 and is projected to save the city in excess of $150,000 over its lifespan as currently constructed.
Dixon is working with BI Gladwill and Atty Hanson on next steps regarding the Palouse Arms building. BI Gladwill gave the owner a deadline of April 4th to install fencing around the building and May 31st to show significant progress on rehabbing building. Follow up letter will be sent once drafted and update will be provided at next meeting.
The library and city are looking into replacing carpet and painting (library only) this summer and we will have quotes for council to review if we receive satisfactory numbers.
Dixon submitted a grant to construct a walking path off Shady Lane toward the river. This land was recently donated to the city. We will have an update on grant status at the next meeting.
The city received an annexation proposal last week. Owners of land to be annexed and their engineer will be invited to the next council meeting to discuss their plans.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel & Pool, Chair Cook- Met last week to address issues of recruiting and retaining lifeguards. Discussed several different approaches to resolve this growing staffing problem.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Palouse Community Center is requesting permission from the city to install a handicap space and ramp in the parking lot of the community center, which is city-owned property. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to allow, Councilmember Slinkard seconded and the motion carried.
Mayor and Chief had meeting with Clear Risk (city’s insurance company) to discuss how to streamline operations between Mayor’s office and the Police Department.
Small city connector in Palouse is May 29. City council and staff are encouraged to register and attend.
WSU/Idaho bicycle race is April 21st in Palouse.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Cook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 3/31/18 Ck. #9079-9098 & EFT $46,931.02
Claims Paid 4/10/18 Ck. #9100-9132 & EFT $16,057.19
VOID: Ck. #9099
ADJOURN: Councilmember Sievers MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Cook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________