REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
August 23, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard, Dave Willmore, Steve McGehee, and Norm Schorzman. Absent- Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Officer Terry Snead; Officer Scott Ellsworth; Mark Bailey; Sandra Schorzman; Adam Simpson; Rhett Barker; Steve Haugen; Mary Johnson; Glen Smith; Dan Gladwill, Building Inspector.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the corrected minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 9, 2005. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
- Sandra Schorzman-Preserve America: Sandy present to council a resolution for the Preserve America program. This program promotes communities and gives people who apply for grants to renovation older buildings a competitive edge in the grant process. This organization gives out 125 grants a year. The resolution is good for a two year period. Council Member Dillard MOVED to sign the Preserve America Resolution Number 2005-07. Council Member Jeff Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Council Member Schorzman–Kids downtown late at night: Council Member Schorzman had a copy of an ordinance from Cle Elum for curfew in that town. Schorzman wants a similar ordinance put in place in Palouse. Officer Snead said that a curfew ordinance is only a tool and no arrests are made. Steve Haugen, lives and works downtown and said that the telephone and pop machines in front of Thurman’s invites kids to hang around. He asked if there is an ordinance against skateboarding and riding bikes on the sidewalks. Steve said that he is trying to conduct business in his office space. Council Member Willmore ask Steve if he has any children, the responsibility rests with the parents, maybe if we get into the parents pocketbook it might make a difference. Council Member McGehee said that he has conversations with Randy Zehm who has told him that the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that curfew ordinances are unconstitutional. Rhett Barker said that pop machine can be put on a timer to shut down in the late evening. Mary Johnson said that they are disturbed by intoxicated people at the pop machines late at night buying sodas. Council Member Schorzman said that we have a problem and it needs to be fixed. Council Member Willmore suggested we ask the city attorney what our limits are. The Mayor said this matter needs to be turned over to the policy committee. Rhett Barker said this could be a conduct issue not a curfew issue. Officer Snead said that he is allowed only to ask someone what they are doing and then contact a parent to come and get the kid. Council Member Dillard is in favor of an ordinance in order to protect the kids from getting hurt lat at night. Byron Hodges told the council that school will be starting up in a couple of weeks and things should settle down. Steve Haugen said that he is aware he lives on Main Street, but sometimes it is over the limit.
- Glen Smith–535 Beach St: Glen asked about the status of the Kent property on Beach Street. He wants to know if he has to look at the property in it’s current condition for another winter. This property has been an eyesore for nine years, said Smith. Building Inspector Gladwill will continue to investigate the situation and report back as soon as possible.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Written report submitted by Byron Hodges
Byron added to his report that the chip seal has been done on the south hill road, crosswalks have been painted, the pool closes on Saturday, summer help will be done on the 31st . We will miss Walter. A 6” water main will be installed at two different locations, F St and Ellis St. The city crew pulled the old sidewalk out in front of the Lions Club Building on Main Street. The Lions Club plans to reconstruct their portion of the sidewalk prior to Palouse Days.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Officer Snead submitted a written report
Officer Snead reported that the past two weeks have been fairly quiet. He attended a Chamber meeting, discussing the same topic as council, vagrancy and panhandling. Officer Snead reported that he aided the fire department with traffic control during the fire. He complimented the fire department and their great work on this fire that threatened a residential neighborhood. Officer Snead introduced the council to Sheriff Reserve Deputy Scott Ellsworth. He will be filling in for Terry during his time off. Ellsworth is a Garfield resident and a reserve officer for Whitman county. Officer Snead said that Officer Ellsworth is highly recommended by Sheriff Bret Meyers. Officer Ellsworth explained that he is a fully trained reserve officer and looks forward to the opportunity to work in Palouse. He will be on a few ride alongs with Officer Snead to become better acquainted with the city and it’s lay out.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan Gladwill
Dan reported that last month a pole barn was completed and another one is going up. This fall there is a potential for a Monolithic Dome home being built.
JOINT FIRE BOARD & EMS UPDATE:
Council Member Snook reported that at the last JFB meeting the 2006 Budget was approved, there were very few changes to the budget. The ambulance contract will be up for renewal next year. The new Public Safety Building will hold an Open House and Silent Auction on Sunday, September 25, from 4 PM to 6 PM.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Ordinance No. 813 – Adopting a 1% property tax increase for collection in 2006
The Mayor read the ordinance through in it’s entirety. Council Member Schorzman commented that this is positive, fair and appropriate levy. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Ordinance Number 813 as written. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Ordinance No, 814 – Setting the Regular and Special Levy amounts for 2006
The Mayor read Ordinance No. 814 in its entirety. Council Member Sell MOVED to adopt Ordinance Number 814 as written. Council Member Willmore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Resolution No. 2005-03 – Request to County Auditor to place EMS levy on the Nov. 8th general election ballot
The Mayor read Resolution No. 2005-03 through in its entirety. Council Member Schorzman said that this levy is important to the continuing emergency services to the citizens of Palouse. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2005-03 as written. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Resolution No. 2005-04 – Request to County Auditor to place Street Improvement levy on the Nov. 8th general election ballot
The Mayor read Resolution No. 2005-04 through in its entirety. Council Member Schorzman complimented the city crew on a job well done maintaining our city streets and roadways. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2005-04 as written. Council Member Sell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Resolution No. 2005-05 – Request to County Auditor to place Swimming pool operation & maintenance levy on the Nov. 8th general election ballot
The Mayor read Resolution No. 2005-05 through in its entirety. Council Member Schorzman stated that the pool is the highlight of the summer for it’s local and non-local residents. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2005-05 as written. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Resolution No. 2005-06-finding a sidewalk to be unsafe for public travel:
The Mayor read Resolution No. 2005-06 through in its entirety. The city of Palouse has in place an ordinance which states that property owners are responsible for the sidewalks adjacent to their property. This resolution is taking action on a reported dangerous sidewalk at 130 E Alder St. Council Member Willmore MOVED to approve Resolution No. 2005-06. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: No Old Business discussed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard
No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman
No Report
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : John Sell
No Report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook
No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Steve McGehee
Council Member McGehee reported that the Department of Ecology, Air Quality respresentives would like to attend a council meeting next month. This will be put on the agenda. The police chief advertising was reopened, for a two week period. The deadline to apply is August 29, 2005.
WATER & SEWER : David Willmore
No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman
No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor reported that Joyce Beeson will be attending a Department of Ecology meeting next week. This meeting will be discussing funding sources for future wastewater projects in the city. Don Myott attended a WRIA 34 meeting two weeks ago. The committee group works on the Palouse River Basin Watershed. Don is a member of this committee and the Mayor thanked Don for being part of this group.
The Mayor pointed out to the council the framed picture and trade tokens that were donated to the city by the Ankcorn family. He thanked the family for their generous donation.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Steve McGehee 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. John Sell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11260 through # 11283 Payment: 15,199.45
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________