CITY OF PALOUSE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY

AUGUST 10, 2004

 

 

 

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM.

ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Norm Schorzman, John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard, and Dave Willmore. Absent were Steve McGehee and Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Randy Zehm, Police Chief; Stephen Bishop, City Attorney; Bruce Grass, Building Inspector; Karen Fealy; Kathy Wilson; Rex Kaser; Shawn Tompkins; Carmen Bolyard; Darrel Goertzen; David E Caudle.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 27, 2004. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING: Revenue sources and consideration of possible increase of Property Tax for collection in 2005.

Mayor opened Public Hearing at 7:05PM

No Public Comment

Mayor closed Public Hearing at 7:10PM

Council members made comments on current budget and concerns for the future revenue sources.

 

OPEN FORUM :

Palouse Chapel and Sex Offenders:

The mayor stated that councilman McGehee voiced concern about further discussion on the Palouse Chapel without his presents and requested the discussion tabled.

 

Karen Fealy began discussion by handing out a flyer on an alleged Level II sex offender living in Palouse. Chief Zehm addressed this issue. This offender is currently living on Houghton and the State’s web site information is incorrect.

Kathy Wilson stated that she spoke to the Sheriffs Department and Larry Young and stated her concern about sex offenders in Palouse. Chief Zehm addressed questions about the internet web site for state registered sex offenders. This site is not updated and it seems to be unclear to the Chief who is actually responsible for keeping the site updated. Chief Zehm explained that for the three levels of sex offenders, only Level III is required to be posted and announced by the media. Carmen Bolyard was questioning why Level II could not also be posted. Councilman Willmore suggested that the police department post notice of any sex offenders in town. Dave Caudle reiterated Chief Zehm’s statement about notification of Level II and III.

 

Kathy Wilson spoke to the Governor’s office about the Megan Law. Dave Caudle stated that the sex offender that Larry Young brought to the church a couple of weeks ago was only at the church 10-15 minutes. When Dave told Larry that the church does not take Level III sex offenders and a juvenile was residing in the church Larry took him to Pullman.

 

Councilman Schorzman voiced his concern about kid’s downtown late in the evening.

 

Eagle Scout Project:

Shawn Tompkins gave an updated report on the Eagle Scout project he and Danny Kent are working on.

The boys will begin the project this weekend. They will need to talk to Byron Hodges about getting the culvert and gravel. The boys also spoke with John Sell about the type of equipment they would need for this project, he offered his assistance in running the needed equipment. John recommended a mini excavator and a bob cat. The rental charges are more then the boys originally estimated and requested additional funds from the city. Councilman Sell MOVED to allocate a total of $300 for rental equipment for the project. Schorzman complimented the boys on this project and Joyce Beeson asked the name of this project, Shawn said Shadylane Trail. Councilman Dillard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges is on vacation this week. Councilman Willmore asked about the repainting of the crosswalks and center lines on Main Street. The Mayor stated that he had just called the state about the center line and discussed with Byron the realignment and repainting of the parking lines.   Councilman Willmore also asked about the repainting of the crosswalk on West Alder at Division Street. This question will be passed along to Byron.

 

Councilman Snook asked about the purchase deal with the Railroad. The Mayor had spoken to Brad Snow and according to Brad the deal is still on, but sitting on his desk. He told the Mayor that he should have it ready to go by the end of the month.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Zehm reported that the National Night Out was again a success. The police Department is prepared for the Bike Club next week.

 

JOINT BOARD FIRE & EMS UPDATE: Councilman Sell reported that 7 bids went out for the Public Safety Building. Two came back and were incomplete. Most of the contractors that the bids went to were only able to bid on a shell of the building. Doug Willcox is rewriting the specs for just the shell and then will send out for the sub contract work separate.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

No new business was presented.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Bev Pearce presented the council with lease agreement from the city attorney, Stephen Bishop. No discussion followed, Bev would make copies of the agreement for council and the item will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:

STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard
The mayor presented the committee with a request from a property owner in regards to an alley way that is currently being used as private property and the requested party would like it to be open for alley way use.

 

FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman
Joyce Beeson stated that $2400 to $2800 from licenses will be coming in. Joyce also stated that now is the time to work on levies that will be put on the ballot. Councilman Schorzman requested a committee meeting.

 

PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : John Sell
No Report

PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook
No Report

POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Steve McGehee-Absent
No Report

WATER & SEWER : David Willmore
Councilman Willmore wants to talk to Don Myott about an EPA certified sewer plant overflow alarm. Councilman Willmore also needed direction in regard to a previous issue on a building project. The mayor recommended that the councilman read current correspondence regarding this issue.

 

POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-Absent

No Report

MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor thanked Councilman Schorzman in regards to a complaint received. The mayor contacted an outside source for further information on the issue. The city also received a concern regarding the set backs for mobile homes within a mobile home park. The mayor asked building inspector Bruce Grass how the abatement issue on Ellis Street is progressing. Bruce answered that things seem to be moving along.

Whitman County sent a notice of the Whitman County Fall Clean up week, Monday, Sept. 20-Saturday Sept 25.

 

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.

Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURN:    Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Dave Willmore seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM

 

The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:

Claims Paid                   Warrants: #   10557 through #   10580                         Payment: $15,386.00

 

 

 

APPROVED:________________________________   ATTEST:________________________________