DRAFT ONLY.  Without council review or approval.

Palouse City Council

Regular Council Meeting

December 11, 2018

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL:  Council members present: Chris Cook; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Police Officer Joel Anderson; City Administrator Kyle Dixon; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Councilmember Slinkard MOVED to excuse Councilmember Cooper’s absence. Councilmember Sievers seconded and the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Special Council Meeting of November 27, 2018. Councilmember Snyder seconded the motion and the motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:  Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.

POLICE REPORT: 

-Chief has conducted a traffic study on the south hill due to a citizen complaint.  Speed study, stop sign study and traffic observation.  Traffic was light at all times and there were no violations.

-There are a couple moose hanging around in Palouse right now.  They can be dangerous.  Avoid human and pet interactions with them.  Absolutely do not feed them.  Be cautious and give them a lot of room.

-School patrols continue weekly.

-Chief Neumann is continuing state-mandated training.

-Busy months for CPL’s.

-Chief Neumann wants council approval to advertise for the vacated officer position. Mayor Echanove wants to first speak again with Garfield Mayor Pfaff prior to bringing anyone else on board because there are still issues to be resolved within the department.  Councilmember Wekenman spoke with Mayor Pfaff and says he is on board to continue the duration of the contract for three more years. He reports that Mayor Pfaff is satisfied with how things have been handled; Chief has met the provisions set forth: daily police logs and monthly meetings with both mayors.  Chief Neumann states our interim third officer Snead leaves at the end of February.  We need the third officer to fulfill our obligation to Garfield as well as to have a full-functioning, full-strength police department. Advertising the position doesn’t obligate the city and gives us a head start on finding applicants and allows time for Mayor Echanove to speak to Mayor Pfaff.  Councilmember Wekenman MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Wilcomb, authorizing Chief Neumann to advertise for a new officer. Motion carried.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:

Varela wastewater facility plan. Our consultants have been looking at two sites for year-round storage and irrigation and have identified one that looks reasonable. The estimated costs are $16 million, accounting for inflation. Varela is preparing a contract supplement for the added work associated with these new sites that will be presented to council in January. In the meantime, Varela and CA Dixon are working with the landowners to refine the area needed, secure a pipeline route, and develop possible construction phasing and funding options using the remaining funds in their existing contract.

CA Dixon has scheduled a meeting with the Brownfields Committee to discuss any updates needed for the Request for Proposals that is scheduled to be published in January for the site. The goal is to transfer the property to an individual or group that will develop the site and reintegrate it back into the community.  CA Dixon is optimistic that the city will receive proposals.

Supt. Griffin and CA Dixon met with Avista contractor to evaluate potential sites for the electric vehicle charging station.  There could be some initial costs incurred to the city.  When CA Dixon gets those figures he will share with council and council can decide from there whether to proceed with the project.

OLD BUSINESS:

TD&H Pre-construction planning contract for water system improvements: Michelle Bly from TD&H was present.  The contract is with city attorney for review.  Michelle reviewed with council the timetable for the project. Water model update and water system update are the big push upfront because they will guide the rest of the project.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 980- amending certain funds within the 2018 annual budget:  Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Amends appropriations in the current expense and cemetery funds for expenditure during 2018: $1,400 more for cemetery and $10,100 more for CE. This is normal year-end housekeeping. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 980 as written. Councilmember Cook seconded and the motion carried.

Ordinance No. 981 – adopting the 2019 annual budget:  Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety.  Ordinance outlines the estimated resources and appropriations for 2019. Estimated 2019 resources are 2.7 million and appropriations are $1.68 million. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 981 as presented. Councilmember Wekenman seconded and the motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 

Personnel & Pool, Chair Cook–  Committee Chair Cook met at the pool facility with Gregory Raye of Fast Signs and Johny Delecruz (painter) to discuss improvements and maybe some cost-effective ways to aesthetically improve the pool facility including painting and signage.  Councilmember Cook will get some bids and discuss options, including possibly getting volunteers to paint to save money.

Police, Fire, & Safety, Chair Wekenman- committee met recently to discuss advertising for the third officer.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

CA Dixon spoke with city attorney about what to do in the case of a personal vehicle being damaged in the course of city work, i.e. hitting a deer on the way to Wenatchee for a conference.  Atty. Hanson is researching case law and will get back to CA Dixon.  In the meantime, Mayor Echanove wants council to think about a policy for that.

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

The following checks are approved for payment:

Payroll Paid      11/30/18 Ck. #9670-9698 & EFT             $49,956.20

Claims Paid      12/11/18 Ck. #9699-9726 & EFT            $20,312.35

ADJOURN:  Councilmember Cook MOVED to adjourn.  Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.  The council meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.

APPROVED: ________________________________   ATTEST: ________________________________