REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
December 9, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook. Absent: Darcie Bagott, Rick Wekenman, and Mark Bailey. Also present: Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann. Public present: Pete Hertz; Dixie Reber; Steve McGehee and Greg Partch.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 25, 2008. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Superintendent Griffin reported on normal maintenance and preparation for the winter.
He reported that the booster pump on North hill was out for about an hour while Strom Electric made electrical supply modifications. The sanding gravel has been purchased from the county and they are ready to plow snow. He is participating in the NIMS training as provided by the county.
OPEN FORUM : Whitman County Commissioner Greg Partch congratulated Palouse on being awarded TIB funding for the H street sidewalk project. He then recapped county programs being used in Palouse such as the chipper, junk car removal, and the purchase of sanding gravel.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported that the surplus police car has been stripped down and is ready to go if any bids are received. To date, no bids have been received. Chief Neumann asked council if he should simply have the car removed by a scrap dealer. Council agreed to the idea. The chief reported that he is also attending the NIMS training and handed out the November activity log for Garfield and Palouse.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 849 – Increasing the rate charged for water service : Councilmember Milano MOVED to suspend the rules for reading Ordinance No. 849. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Echanove explained that this ordinance would increase the amount charged for city water by one dollar for each single service and incrementing the same from there as in the past ordinance. He asked how council wants to proceed. Councilmember O’Neill MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 849. Councilmember Snook seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 850 – Increasing the rate charged for sewer service : Councilmember Milano MOVED to suspend the rules for reading Ordinance No. 850. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mayor Echanove explained that this ordinance would increase the amount charged for city sewer by one dollar for each single service and incrementing the same from there as in the past ordinance. He asked how council wants to proceed. Councilmember Milano MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 850. Councilmember O’Neill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 851 – Increasing the fee charged for dishonored checks: Mayor Echanove read the ordinance. This ordinance would raise the fee charged for dishonored checks from the current $10 to $25. He asked how council wants to proceed. Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 851. Councilmember O’Neill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 852 – Increasing the fee charged for late water/sewer payments: Mayor Echanove read the ordinance. This ordinance would raise the fee charged for late payments from the current $5 to $10. He asked how council wants to proceed. Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 852. Councilmember O’Neill seconded. Discussion included a comment against from the gallery. One vote opposed, Councilmember Schorzman. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 2008-17 – Establishing certain policies and procedures for authorizing issuance of payments : Mayor Echanove read Resolution 2008-17. He asked council how they want to proceed. Councilmember Milano MOVED to adopt Resolution 2008-17. Councilmember O’Neill seconded. Discussion included a question by Councilmember Milano asking if the language from this resolution is consistent with the State Auditors Office. C-T Beeson answered yes. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 854 – 2009 Final Budget and Budget Message : Councilmember O’Neill MOVED to suspend the rules for reading Ordinance No. 854. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mayor Echanove explained no changes have been made since the version was handed out at the last meeting. The impact to Palouse of the Streamline Sales Tax is still a big unknown. He asked council how they want to proceed. Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 854. Councilmember Schorzman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Beeson reminded the Mayor of one more ordinance to address that should probably have been considered before Resolution 2008-17.
Ordinance No. 855 – Authorizing the payment of claims or other obligations by check: Mayor Echanove read the ordinance. This ordinance would allow the use of checks rather than the current warrant process. He asked how council wants to proceed. Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 855. Councilmember Snook seconded and the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY, & BUILDINGS: Councilmember Milano reported the he is working toward getting preliminary estimates for the two pedestrian bridges across the river. Nicole Flansburg has joined with the Little People’s Park Project and will be gathering estimates on enhancements to our walking trails. The Little Peoples committee would like the city to look at a piece of equipment they are considering for the park. They ask that public works review the drawing of the equipment and possible placement site. Mayor Echanove asked when he expects to know whether or not he gets the state award for park improvements. Councilmember Milano answered this spring. If awarded, this grant is for 12K and will go toward providing handicap accessibility and proper groundcover. A memorial bench has been purchased to honor Roger Marcus II and Karl E. Nelson.
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The mayor reported on the most recent Brownfields meeting. Reuse was the focus and several ideas were mentioned including retail, housing and a combination of both. Also mentioned were light industry, and green space. The main focus of reuse kept going back to using the river as an asset. There are many steps to this process and the meetings will continue every month. Dennis Griner has put in for a $10,000 grant to involve the high school students in this process. Steve McGehee stated that with the zoning recommendations from the planning commission, be careful to maintain a degree of flexibility since the reuse of this property has not been determined.
Mayor Echanove relayed that with a stimulus package being considered by the President-Elect, communities across the State have been asked to identify infrastructure projects that are ready to construct. The mayor asked all present to consider what infrastructure projects are most important and ready to go. Some of the projects mentioned included the comprehensive park plan, reconstruction of West Whitman (including the rail line), a new Public Works building and a new South Hill water reservoir. Also mentioned was the Fisher’s Addition sewer extension project as well as basic replacement of water, sewer and storm drain systems citywide where needed.
The City received TIB award of $130,000 for H Street sidewalk project, beginning in 2009. One of the requirements is that this project be on the city’s 6 Year Street Plan. A public hearing will be scheduled for the next regular meeting, December 23rd.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember O’Neill seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember O’Neill MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.