Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 26, 2014

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

ROLL CALL: Council members present: Bo Ossinger; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Bev Pearce; Christopher Langsett. Councilmember Wekenman is working harvest and Councilmember Hanson is recovering from surgery. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED to excuse their absences. Councilmember Langsett seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; City Attorney Stephen Bishop; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; C-T in training Mike Bagott; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present: Donna Langsett; Lynne Nelson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 12, 2014. Councilmember Ossinger seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
Wall Street project is going slow but making progress. The asphalt is off and are now working on the water.
The tree grate that was destroyed in the fire has arrived and is now installed.
Rowand Machinery came and videoed the malfunctioning backhoe so they can send it to John Deere to see what’s going on. They said they will fix it.

POLICE REPORT:
Several nuisance complaints in Garfield regarding dogs; we’ve been working on the owners and compliance.
School starts Sept. 8. Drive carefully and watch for kids.
Palouse Day is Sept. 13.
There was a vandalism burn at the park reported. The police are investigating. If the public sees something that doesn’t look right, don’t hesitate to report it.
Regarding the complaint against Officer Merry, Chief will review it and it will go through the chain of command.
The new computer and printer at the PD is in and running great.

OLD BUSINESS:
Continue public hearing review of proposed changes to Title 17, zoning map, and comprehensive plan:
Mayor opened the resumed public hearing at 7:12 pm. Council and city staff continued review of Title 17. Atty. Bishop offered his professional opinion on various matters. Much discussion ensued. Mayor suspended the public hearing at 8:37 pm to be resumed at next council meeting.

Resolution No. 2014-12 adopting a greenhouse gas reduction emission policy: Mayor read aloud the resolution in its entirety. This policy is encouraged by various agencies when applying for grant funds; they like to see this policy in effect. A few minor amendments were made. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Pearce, to adopt Resolution No. 2014-12 as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

WWTP facility engineer selection: W/S committee, Mayor, C-T Beeson, Supt. Griffin, & C-T in training Mike Bagott met last week to interview the top four engineers who made the short list. After much discussion, Varela & Associates was selected. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED to allow the mayor to offer the consulting position and to begin contract negotiations with Varela & Associates. Seconded by Councilmember Hicks. Motion carried unanimously. We made it very clear to Varela that the city has very limited resources, particularly in 2014 because we weren’t aware we had to go down this path. They will soon begin working with DOE on the permitting process. We have until December of 2017 to submit plans and until July of 2024 to implement the plans. Motion carried unanimously.

JFB REPORT:
FD had three calls in July, 21 YTD. There have been a number of fire calls in August. Burning ban is still in effect.
EMS had 11 calls in July, 49 YTD. EMS is hoping to add a couple staff. The FD is having a couple problems with their radios which they’re addressing. They’ve purchased a few secondary radios (for non-critical situations) for only $50 fully equipped and they work really well so they will probably add a few more for back-up or as an additional tool to enhance communication.

NEW BUSINESS:
Review draft ordinance 917 – proposed changes to Title 18-Land Division, caused by proposed changes to Title 17:
Mayor explained that this change would reflect the changes in Title 17. It would reduce minimum lot size from 10,000 to 7,000 sf. The ordinance at this point is for council review.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
No reports

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Through August, the RV Park is up $4,795 in reservations over same time period as last year.

Received a request from Marie Dymkoski to allow the Palouse Chamber to hold the “Barley Bar Relay” again during Palouse Day, Sept. 13, 2014 from 2:30-4:00 pm. The mayor and city staff have no issues. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Estes, to allow the use of the Brownfields site for the Heidi Keen Barley Bar Relay. Motion carried unanimously.

Received a request from Angie Griner to allow the Viking Crew to hold a 3-on-3 basketball tourney and a human foosball tourney during Palouse Day, Sept. 13, 2014, from approximately 11:00 am-4:00 pm, on the north side of Beach Street between Main and Whitman. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Langsett, authorizing their use of Beach Street for Palouse Day. Motion carried unanimously.

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Langsett MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Ossinger seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN: Councilmember Estes MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Pearce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.

The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Ck. #5935 – #5953 $23,951.58

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________