REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
August 28, 2007

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. Absent- Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Dwayne Griffin, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Dennis Griner; Dale Tronsen; Kay Tronsen; David Mayhan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:   Council Member Snook made a correction to the minutes.  Council Member Wekenman was not present at the last council meeting.  Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the corrected minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 14, 2007.  Norm Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

O PEN FORUM : Crystal Bailey from the Palouse Community Center Board presented council with two proposed plans for the new community center building.  She stated that the board wishes to keep communications open with the council on the project.  The proposed plans will be posted around town along with suggestion boxes for the project.

The board voted on allowing a 5 foot easement on the east side of the community center building to Sam and Heidi Kite for the Open Eye Building.  Crystal said the board also wants the council approval as well.  The board also wishes to ask council for a 5 foot easement on the west side of the proposed community center building.  The Mayor stated that the current lease is for a community center building on 40 feet.  He and city attorney Stephen Bishop have discussed the matter and wish to offer to the community center board an alternative.  The city would like to change the lot location for the center.  Instead of the east lot, the city would lease the same amount of property on the west lot.  This would allow the issue of easement to the Kites to be handled by the city and allow the board to proceed with their plans.  The council was in agreement and Crystal said that she would take this change back to the community center board.

David Mayhan stated that he has been working downtown and has not noticed the police patrolling on Main Street.  He has noticed several traffic infractions.  He also wants the police to patrol Fir and West Whitman Street as he is concerned about his children walking across the street and there are speeding cars.  He wants a crosswalk or pedestrian signs.  The Mayor asked Dwayne Griffin, Public Works, to post a speed sign at the bottom of the hill.  There is already a 15 mile sign posted on the road further up.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Dwayne Griffin submitted a written report and added that progress is being made on Alder Street, 200 feet of water line has been placed this week.  The Mayor reported many compliments on the public spaces in Palouse.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported a suspicious, possible arson fire on the corner of Division and Church Street on Monday night.  There are reports of high school students speeding when leaving football practice, the department is working on this issue.  The school will be patrolled in the morning and afternoon during the school year.  The department motorcycle is currently in the shop for recall repair.  The Chief assisted Rosalia PD for the Motorcycle Rally this past weekend.

BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan Gladwill reported that he continues to take phone calls and is looking at plans for a new house to be built in Fishers Addition.  There are several reroofs, decks and final permits signed off.

JOINT FIRE BOARD AND EMS UPDATE:

A.         Ratify award of pavement bid for PSB lot.  Council Member Snook MOVED to ratify the pavement bid to POE Asphalt in the amount of 15,523.20.  Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Council Member O’Neill reported that the department has attended many mutual aid calls this summer.  It was reported that Chief Bagott requests the city start putting money in the vehicle funds for the department.  The grant for a new truck was turned down again.  New turnouts are needed and the department will be applying for a combo grant that includes turnouts and a newer, used fire truck in 2008.  Council member O’Neill reported that Chief Bagott will be requesting that the city reserves for a fire truck be built up because the Dodge may only have about five more years of service.

OLD BUSINESS:

A.         Breeding’s Addition Sewer Extension Update.  The Mayor met with city attorney Bishop and reported that due to the size of the project the bid laws prohibit the city from doing any work, such as putting in the trunk line.  Bishop also suggested that we finance as much of the project as possible through inter-fund loans.  Treasurer-Clerk Beeson will be able to find $80,000 using three different inter-fund loans.  The loans must be paid back in three years at current interest rates.  A construction loan will be considered for the remaining $95,000.  This could be an eighteen month loan and will be paid back through the hook-up fees.  Joyce will draw up the resolutions for the inter-fund loans.  The Mayor has given Munir Daud the go ahead to send out request for bids on the project after the Department of Ecology approves the project engineer plans and the amendment to our Sewer Facility Plan.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 

STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that she continues to deal with the ADA parking for the Police Station.  Munir suggested placing it on the west side of the building.

On the subject of renaming two street areas in the city limits of Palouse, Council Member Bagott suggested that the streets that are currently named F St, 4th St, C St, and E St be renamed to South River Road.  The streets currently named 11th St and 12th St to be named Lynd Street.  Council Member Bagott MOVED to instruct the City Attorney to draw up a resolution for renaming the two streets within city limits.  Council Member Snook seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The Mayor is interested in improving, not adding stop and warning signs within the city.  He suggested council view a website www.crosswalks.com for ideas of signage.  Dwayne said that Marc Arrasmith suggested painting a “Stop Ahead” sign on the road just before the stop at the intersection of Main and Bridge (Hwy 27 and 272).

The city was notified by TIB that there is funding available for chip/seal work in Palouse.  Dwayne’s list would be West Palouse Cove Road and Church Street.  An application will be developed in October.  If approved, the work would be 100% fund by TIB.

MAYOR’S REPORT :  The Mayor has no update on the Almota Trailer Park project.  Council Member Bailey is looking at grants for a compost/Biosolids project.  Dwayne reported that the pool is closed and seasonal maintenance will be done.

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Mike Milano MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Andy O’Neill seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN Darcie Bagott MOVED to adjourn. Norm Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:20PM

The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:

Claims Paid                   Warrants:  # 12555        through # 12577           Payment:  $11,187.27

APPROVED:________________________________   ATTEST:________________________________