REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
December 12, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman, and Rick Wekenman. Absent-Jeff Snook. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Ann Thompson, Clerical Asst.; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Steven Bishop, City Attorney; Randy Zehm; Cory Bakeman; Lynn Youngblood; and Caitlyn McGehee, Boomerang reporter.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Darcie Bagott MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 28, 2006. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges reported the sludge press is working with only a few minor problems. They’ve been plowing snow and ice when necessary. A new motor has been ordered for the Central Park clock. New signs went up on Bridge Street as requested. There are a few more fallen signs that need to be repaired.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Police Chief Jerry Neumann reported that slick roads have caused a few accidents. A hit-and-run on Main and Hall Streets took out another of the city’s light poles. Byron Hodges expressed concern over using the same light poles on the Whitman Street Project, as he is dissatisfied with their quality. There was a DUI assist with the WSP. The heating system at the new police department building still isn’t working properly. The city will withhold payment to Ackerman Heating until they fix the problem. There have been questions about how to contact an officer in Palouse. The Palouse PD is a non-manned office. For all emergencies, call 9-1-1. To have an officer dispatched for a non-emergency, call WhitCom at 509-332-2521. Otherwise, you may leave a message for an officer on the Palouse PD phone and they will get back to you when they come in to check messages. The advantage of using WhitCom is that all calls are logged in and they will dispatch the officer on duty.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Ordinance No. 828 and attached Budget Message. The Mayor asked council to suspend the reading of the entire ordinance and budget message. Council Member Norm Schorzman MOVED to allow the Mayor to suspend the reading of the entire ordinance and budget message. Council member Darcie Bagott seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Council member Norm Schorzman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 828 and attached Budget Message. Council member Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS :.
PERSONNEL & POOL :
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT :
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY :
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey-Whitman Co Library has agreed to submit proposed language changes.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that she is waiting on official response from WSDOT for the funding of the railroad portion of Whitman Street . TIB recommended we start from scratch and advertise a Request for Qualifications for engineering services for the Whitman Street project. We recently had two derails on Bridge Street .
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill reminded Byron that the deadline for putting a bid in on the City of Pullman ’s bio solid spreader is December 15th.
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor reported that we are ending the year on a wonderful note. He reminded council that Joyce is always conservative on budgets; revenues low, expenditures high. The budget generally turns to actual numbers around February of following year. There is a Legislative Conference Feb. 14th-15th in Olympia which the Mayor recommends the council go to. The Green-Kent’s submitted a letter to Council addressing their delinquent water/sewer concerns. They issued a check for 40% of what they actually owe. After discussion, council instructed the city staff not to cash the check as we need to be paid for ALL the months of service. The city is providing water and sewer, not managing rentals. If the service is provided, it must be paid for. Joyce Beeson asked council to consider raising late fees for water and sewer payments and also consider a change to the city code that would allow for only the owner or their agent to be billed for water/sewer service as opposed to the tenant. Time-Warner has bought out the local cable company which will affect which channels cable customers receive. City Hall will close at 1:00 p.m. on December 15th for the staff Christmas Party. City Hall will be closed December 26th for Christmas. Norm Schorzman MOVED that the December 26th council meeting will be cancelled. Mike Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The next Council meeting is January 9th.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS : Rick Wekenman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: Payment:
APPROVED: ______________________________ ATTEST:________________________________