REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
April 11, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM
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: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Stephen Bishop, city attorney; Caitlyn McGehee; Gina Gage; Rick Gage; David Caudle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Wekenman made a spelling correction: Joint Fire Board and EMS, line 8-fir to fire. Mike Milano MOVED to approve the minutes as corrected of the Regular Council Meeting of March 28, 2006. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM : No discussion
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges
Streets and Sidewalks : Blading and filling in of chuck holes on graveled roads, sweeping streets to prepare the streets for upcoming bike race, April 29. The sidewalks on Echanove Avenue have been swept.
Water and Sewer : A leak has been fixed on Alder street. This line is due for replacement this summer. The sewer pump stations have been cleaned out. The sewer extension project for I Street has begun. A repair on the pool manifold was done and Bryon plans to replace some piping at the pool when it has been drained. The Palouse Conservation District has planted trees around well# 3 and this coming weekend have plans to plant about 100 trees around the sewer plant. This project involves many local service groups. Byron plans on attending a Whitman County Public Works meeting on chip/seal projects this Thursday.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann
The department reserve officer attended a youth at risk seminar; the chief attended a WJAC (Washington Joint Analytical Conference) in Colfax which covered reporting, investigation and analysis of crimes. The chief attended a 2 day training called Law Enforcement Intelligence “Toolbox”. The small agencies in Whitman County have been meeting to share information and keep everyone in the loop for funding possibilities.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Resolution No. 2006-02 – Adopting Whitman County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
The Mayor read the minutes from the last council meeting to remind the council of the previous discussion. He gave a copy of the Palouse Annex portion of the plan to each council member and read the resolution in its entirety. Council Member Wekenman, who has been attending the Hazards Mitigation meetings with the Mayor, stated his support for this plan. The funding process for possible grants related to the plan will begin in October of 2006. The Mayor described to the council the different partners involved with the mitigation plan project. The cost of the initial project was $120,000, with Palouse being a $500 partner. Council Member Snook MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2006-02, the Whitman County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. Council Member Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Ordinance No. 816 – Creating a Planning Commission and adopting provisions for their appointment, duties and meetings
The Mayor read the ordinance through in its entirety. Attorney Bishop made a correction under 17.17.060 – meetings: four members to four regular members. Council Member Wekenman voiced concern over the number of members needed for the planning commission. He felt it would be difficult to recruit seven members. The planning commissions duties focus on the comprehensive plan, land use, zoning and operate as an advisory board. They would bring to council ordinances for review and possible adoption. The council determined that the board members would have to live within the corporate city limits to be eligible. The Mayor read the ordinance by title only. Council Member Bailey MOVED to approve Ordinance No. 816. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. The Mayor said that he would contact former committee members. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS :
- Ordinance No. 817 – Amending 2006 Budget to allow spending a grant for fire equipment
The Mayor read the ordinance through in its entirety. The Mayor read the ordinance by title and number only.
Council Member Schorzman MOVED to approve Ordinance No. 817. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Annexation Request – Review application from Gerald & Susan Foster to annex a portion of land into the city and set date and time for Public Hearing
The Mayor read the annexation policy and proposal to the council. The council agreed the proposal was valid. Discussion on whether the street and alley needed to be annexed was directed to attorney Bishop. Attorney Bishop said that a street and alley is an important element, does the council want it annexed? Council determined that the abutting street and alley should be included in the annexation. Council Member Wekenman MOVED to set the public hearing for Tuesday, May 9 at 7 PM in city hall. Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano
The .08 application for the RV Park has been submitted and the committee will review on April 18. Council Member Milano asked to be excused from the March 25 council meeting as the committee will be taking oral presentations or submitted applications. The Chamber sponsored Open House for the Palouse Police Department on April 7 went well. PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook –No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman
Council Member Wekenman pointed out that the police department will be working on a slim budget of $15,000 to begin the police department renovation. The Council and Mayor thanked Jerry and Lisa Neumann for the clean up prior to the open house.
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey
Council Member Baily reported that the committee of himself and Council Member Snook met last Wednesday to discuss a possible recycling program. He has contacted Empire Disposal for pertinent information; they have not returned the call. Cindy Leper from Whitman County has suggested that Palouse join with Garfield in a recycling program. They have one in place and may be willing to work with the city. Bailey and Snook will meet with Garfield soon on the subject. The policy committee has been looking into sidewalk usage and right of way issues. Baily asked attorney Bishop if he has ever dealt with this type of ordinance. Bishop said it has never been an issue with any of his client cities. If there is no problem an ordinance wouldn’t be needed and a policy would be sufficient. The committee is also looking at an event ordinance/policy pertaining to street closures and park use.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott
Council Member Bagott has contacted American West Bank regarding the Whitman Street renovation. They are willing to work with the city on this project as it affects a portion of their property and access to the drive in window at the bank. A public hearing will be set as soon as the drawings become available.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill-No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor reported that the WSU bicycle organization has provided the city with a copy of their insurance policy for the race. The Mayor read a letter from the ADO announcing an opening on the board. The Mayor asked any council member who is interested to contact him. The Mayor and several of the council members will be attending the AWC conference in Spokane. The Mayor read the following statement:
On March 10, 2006, Police Chief Jerry Neumann received a letter of reprimand for the inappropriate use of city police department resources and personnel on the morning of February 25, 2006.
Consultation on the issue occurred between the Mayor, Personnel Committee, City Attorney and the cities insurance carrier prior to any action being taken. The Mayor considers the matter closed, and reiterates that the private use and benefit of public resources by all staff and elected officials is unacceptable.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Jeff Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Norm Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11656 through # 11697 Payment: $17,680.02
VOIDED Claims Warrants: # 11674 through #11676
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________