CITY OF PALOUSE
PUBLIC HEARING
REVENUE SOURCES FOR 2006
August 9, 2005
City Hall
7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00PM
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Bob Brookshier voiced concern over out of state users of the city pool
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING: 7:10PM
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
August 9, 2005
City Hall
7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:10PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard-Absent, Dave Willmore-Absent, Steve McGehee, Rick Wekenman-Absent and Norm Schorzman. Also present were: Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Officer Terry Snead; Stephen Bishop, City attorney; Mark Bailey; Greg Partch, county commissioner; Tina Brookshier; Bob Brookshier; Thinh Nguyen; Maggie Breshears; Ancel Jeffers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the corrected minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 26, 2005. John Sell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
Bob Brookshier-owner Palouse Tavern: Bob would like to know what can be done about Charlie Sack sitting in front of his business asking customers that are coming into the tavern for money. Bob feels that when Charlie is sitting there it makes potential customers turn away. Officer Snead said that this is a very tricky situation. There is no city ordinance against panhandling and Charlie is within his legal rights to sit on the bench, which is on a public street. Bob also voice concern about Charlie being homeless and sleeping on a deck behind the Boone Building. Officer Snead told the council that there is no law against being homeless. Officer Snead ask the council for direction. Council Member Schorzman would like to have the city attorney draw up an ordinance on panhandling. The council gave a general approval. City attorney Stephen Bishop said that most panhandling ordinances have to be drafted very carefully. Commissioner Partch informed the council that a house bill # 2136 was just approved. This bill aids homeless people. The county is mandated to take care of this problem and has contracted with Community Action Center to handle the program. The city can opt to be part of this program. Council Member McGehee gave statistics regarding the homeless and working poor population, the term homeless should not be generalized. Commissioner Partch said that in 1980 there was a point in time survey and Whitman County had a lot of homeless people.
Commissioner Partch is now on the Transportation Improvement Board, which provides funding for roads inside city limits. He is working on forming relationships with other rural cities and will notify cities that have road improvement needs about available grants. There is more funding available for sidewalk improvements as well. Commissioner Partch read a resolution that the Palouse Cove Road is officially complete and the speed limit is 55MPH.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Officer Snead
Officer Snead reported that the National Night Out seemed to have gone well. The organizations that attend enjoyed themselves, the audience appeared to have a good time and the Blockwatch made a couple of hundred dollars over expense. He would like to thank the following people for working hard on the event, Annie and Marv Pillars, Steve Gill, Patti Rippee and the Mayor.
Officer Snead is working on a large value burglary and ask that citizens should report if they see people they don’t recognize, hanging around cars or campers. There have been a couple of minor speeding citations, and dog complaints.
The Mayor Thanked Officer Snead for his efforts for the National Night Out.
TREASURER’S REPORT: 2ND QUARTER 2005
Joyce provided for the council the current expenses and revenues for 2005. This information will be used in the upcoming committee meetings for the 2006 Budget.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard
Absent-No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman
No Report
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : John Sell
No Report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook
Absent-No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Steve McGehee
There has been several telephone interviews with the remaining police chief candidate. The time frame for a face to face interview is 3 to 4 weeks. Ancel Jeffers questioned the council about the decision to pay up to $1,000 for transportation costs. He also suggested that the council post the position again. Council Member Schorzman voiced agreement with Ancel and stated that this candidate is holding the city hostage with his delays in responding to the previous phone messages, he is really disheartened by us being held hostage. Council Member McGehee stated that this was not a matter of us being held hostage. The candidate was unable to return calls because of his current employment. Council Member Sell would like to re advertise the position. The Mayor ask council if they would like to make a motion. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to re advertise the Police Chief position. Council Member Sell seconded. Discussion on how long to leave open, it was decided for 2 weeks. Motion carried unanimously.
The Mayor stated that the city needs police protection and that Officer Snead will continue his current duries.Council member McGehee also discussed the burn ordinance that his committee is working on. A description between recreational burning and maintenance burning needs to be added. He ask Stephen Bishop if there was an easier way for the local law to enforce the State laws. Stephen said that the Department of Ecology regulates the State burn ordinance. Discussion continued on a no fee burn permit, violation fees would be as follows: 1st violation-no fee, 2nd violation-$50.00, 3rd violation $100, the cost for each violation would accelerate. He also told the council that St. John has a city wide burn once a year and wondered if Palouse would be interested in that again. Council Member McGehee ask council if they would like DOE to address the city about other possible solutions to the burn question. There was a general agreement.
WATER & SEWER : David Willmore
Absent-No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman
Absent-No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor again mentioned the Whitman Street project to council, stating that the city of Palouse, TIB and DOT will be working on this project together in 2006 and that the project needs to be developed with an engineer. The mayor asked council approval to proceed with getting numbers and data for the project. Council had no objection.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
John Sell 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 8:30PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11226 through #11238 Payment: 11,908.52
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11239 through # 11259 Payment: 12,495.01
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________