REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
August 10, 2010
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:09 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Cecil Floyd; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; & Randy Zehm. Absent: Mike Milano; Rick Wekenman; & Doug Willcox. Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present: Pete Hertz, Jeslyn Lemke, David Lee, Sean Colligan, Nicole Wood, Doug Willcox, Bruce Beeson, Bev Pearce, Jon Fleischman, David Mayhan, Dixie Reber, Patti Green-Kent.
Councilmember Snook MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Floyd to excuse the absences of Councilmembers Wekenman and Milano. Motion carried unanimously. The Mayor stated he would speak of Councilman Marcus later.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 27, 2010. Councilmember Zehm seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM:
David Mayhan claimed the Mayor allowed Chief Neumann of the Palouse PD to violate his son’s rights when they trespassed him from the Palouse Park due to his criminal activity there. Mayor Echanove stated he has no update or further comment.
David Lee reminded council of the low water pressure issue on certain areas of the South Hill. There are times when the pressure is adequate and then it goes away. Mayor explained this issue is a reflection of the 100 year old water reservoir on the North Hill which needs to be replaced. One solution is to put in a new reservoir past the cemetery but this would be upwards of $500,000. In 2009 the city submitted that project for some federal stimulus money but didn’t get it. Supt. Griffin said the highs and lows in water pressure up there are due to usage; that whole area is gravity flow. We’re not in any violation of DOH codes. Councilmember Zehm asked if the reservoir is the only option or just the best option. Mayor said the pressure is not uniform; there’s a house up there with the opposite problem – too much pressure. Doug Willcox said homeowners can buy a booster pump that will take minimal supply pressure and boost it up to a suitable pressure. Engineering work needs to be done to study this storage issue on the south hill.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works completed their construction work at the flat house; Woltering Construction has poured the walls. Our extra helper is working and doing a great job. We trimmed trees on school bus routes. Chipper was here last week. Pool is going well; park is busy.
POLICE REPORT : Chief submitted the police log.
Chief also submitted a sample Seattle park policy that he will use in writing Palouse’s park policies regarding regulations for park use. Dave Mayhan argued that the Chief can’t compare Palouse Park rules with a city like Seattle.
Regarding the wedding at the park with alcohol, there were no incidences and the area was cleaned up afterward. We may want to regulate music, perhaps not allowing amplified music after 9:00 pm.
NEW BUSINESS :
Patti Green Kent spoke on behalf of Nicole Wood’s land-related issues. She asked when the city is going to adopt guidelines for service extensions. Mayor agrees on the need for a policy. However, the city has worked very hard with Nicole Wood and her agents, for the last 2.5 years. Patti stated that other people have been allowed to install water service to their property with more than one platted lot. The Mayor reminded Patti and council that the four city blocks were talking about has requested several services, not just one like the Kessler’s did. He then showed actual requests from them and the city responses. The mayor also reminded everyone of a meeting with the DOH on December 11, 2009 and another workshop meeting on 2/16/2010 attended by both Patti and John Eastburn. It was made clear everything that was needed to develop that land. Mr. Eastburn followed up with a letter stating his understanding of what needed to be done and that Munir Daud would be contacted to begin the plan. They have been told numerous times that they have to have an engineered water plan. Having a water system plan would make it easier and probably cheaper for the engineer, but it still must be done and submitted to DOH for approval whenever more than one service is called for.
The water system plan will provide for a main line system and when a developer has questions, there will be something on paper to hand them. Patti stated that Nicole wants to sell a couple parcels; she’s not acting as a developer. Mayor responded that she doesn’t have to develop it, but before development begins the water plan must be approved by the city and DOH.
A Waster System Plan is an overall hydraulic analysis that goes into our general approval plan from DOH. A Service Extension Policy spells out requirements in detail such as sizes of pipe, type and brand of meters and other specific requirements such as engineering.
Councilmember Zehm read aloud, at her request, a letter from Nicole Wood. In it she discusses her dissatisfaction with the water/sewer issues with her property.
Private driveway approval for Jim Farr : Jim Farr wants approval for a private driveway from Fairview across the newly acquired City rock pit property as indicated in yellow on map. Bruce Beeson suggested the city needs a legal description and shouldn’t have to pay for it. Mayor recommends a motion that we approve access across the city property to the rock pit pending legal description from Atty Bishop. Specifics of access will be in attorney’s paperwork. If Stephen Bishop will do it under retainer, the city will do it; otherwise the applicant pays for it. The city has road specs that need to be followed if it is for a street opening. Councilmember Zehm MOVED to send to attorney for development, an agreement for access off of Fairview and through city owned property as requested by Jim Farr, understanding any legal costs will be assessed to Jim Farr. Councilmember Schorzman seconded. Councilmember Zehm amended, second by Councilmember Schorzman, to learn of any associated costs beforehand and if so, signed approval from Jim Farr prior to agreement.
2nd Quarter Treasurer’s Report
After 6 months, we’ve only spent 32.6% of our budget which is great. Everyone is cutting costs as much as possible. Councilmember Snook MOVED , seconded by Councilmember Floyd, to adopt the 2nd Q Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried unanimously.
RV Park – weekly rate fees : There was discussion on having a weekly rate at the park to encourage RV’ers to stay a few extra days. City Hall gets frequent requests for a weekly rate. After discussion, Councilmember Snook MOVED to amend the fee schedule to include a $150 weekly (seven nights) RV rate. The current charge is $175. Councilmember Schorzman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
MAYOR’S REPORT :
Utility Service Extension Policy – It is clear this needs to be done ASAP. We will work through Stephen Bishop using a policy that he has already given an extensive legal review and was drafted by an engineer for technical information. We could make fast work of this at no great cost to the city. First call is to Stephen to put him on the mission. Councilmember Floyd MOVED to proceed with writing the Service Extension Policy. Councilmember Zehm seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Small System Water Plan – This item, on the other hand, is not done either quickly or cheaply. The cost projection is $35-$50 k. We can spread the process out over time to make it more affordable. Once adopted and approved it must be updated every 5 years. Councilmember Snook MOVED to begin the selection process for professional services to develop a water system plan for the city. Councilmember Floyd seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Doug Willcox reported MFA will be here Thursday for a meeting to discuss the preliminary conclusions of the on site sampling just completed.
Mayor has received interest from a couple candidates for the Planning Commission. He is not prepared to make a selection.
Mayor read aloud a letter from Councilmember Marcus. He has to regretfully resign due to a very serious medical condition. Councilmember Snook MOVED , second by Councilmember Schorzman to accept the resignation of Councilmember Marcus. Mayor asked Ann to put out a call for applicants for a new councilmember, due by 5:00 p.m August 31st. Water and Sewer Committee is now going to need a strong chairman or chairwoman.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Zehm seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid
Claims Paid Ck. No. 2480 – 2510 $66,346.47
VOIDED Ck. No. 2486
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________