Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2017

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

ROLL CALL: Council members present: Doreen Hanson; Bill Slinkard; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb. Councilmember Hanson MOVED to excuse Councilmember Stout’s absence. Councilmember Hicks seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Kyle Dixon; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 24, 2017. Councilmember Wilcomb seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

POLICE REPORT:
No issues with the Brew Fest. Happy with the participants who took advantage of the transportation to and from Moscow and Pullman.

The river got into the Lions Club Park but the level has dropped back down.

We need to start the process for the replacement search for when Officer Merry retires in December.

CLERK-TREASURER REPORT: Snow removal budget will be close to 100% of budgeted amount for year by the end of February. Supt. Griffin purchased a new snow blade for approximately $3,680.

OLD BUSINESS:
Update from Michelle Bly, our project manager from TD&H Engineering regarding city’s water system plan including a south hill water reservoir and Church Street water line upgrades: TD&H met with Dwayne Griffin and Don Myott to look at water infrastructure primarily on the south side of town and elevation of potential reservoir sites. DOH stated in writing that a water system plan amendment is required. There is currently a planning grant open which is due at the end of the month. The reservoir isn’t a water quality issue so it will be tougher to get the grant awarded to us. If the grant doesn’t come to fruition, the city will need to determine how to pay for the amendment. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Hicks, authorizing the mayor to sign a grant application for our water system plan update and other projects. Motion carried unanimously. In addition to the water reservoir and water system plan, there is 1500’ of water line on Church Street that needs replacement and engineering assistance. Grant opportunities were discussed.

NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2017-02, Policy defining Small & Attractive items and capital expense purchases for the city: Mayor read aloud the resolution in its entirety. This policy is something auditors want cities to have. The policy gives definitions and monetary thresholds for small & attractive items as well as capital expenses. Councilmember Hicks MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Wilcomb, to adopt Resolution No. 2017-02 as written. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel & Pool, Chair Hanson- Someone approached Doreen about possibly offering scuba lessons in the city’s pool this summer during non-open hours. City staff would need to see his credentials. The fee he charges his students would have to cover the city’s costs (lifeguards, insurance costs if any, etc).

Holly Leendertsen contacted Deputy Clerk Thompson and will be returning as pool manager this year.

Streets & Sidewalks, Chair Hicks-
Supt. Griffin would like a part-time, seasonal employee, approximately May-September, mostly in the parks and cemetery doing grounds work like mowing. CT Dixon ran the numbers and the city could afford it at $12/hour, 20 hours a week. The position will have to be closely monitored hours-wise so as to remain in budget. Our insurance requires the person be 18 or older. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to authorize public works to proceed with hiring a part-time, 20 hour a week, seasonal employee. No overtime, no benefits. Councilmember Hanson seconded. Supt. Griffin will oversee the hiring and, if necessary, the firing.
Police, Fire, & Safety, Chair Wekenman-
Councilmember Wekenman wants to meet with Chief Neumann and Officer Merry regarding Officer Merry’s retirement and the hiring of his replacement. Wants the hiring to take place prior to Officer Merry leaving so Officer Merry can help train his replacement.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Liquor renewal for the Palouse Caboose. No objections.

West Whitman Street update from project engineer Munir Daud MD&A: There’s 415’ of old transite water line pipe under west Whitman Street. Transite pipe is super strong and safe until you cut it or smash it and it changes to powder. It does not rust like steel or other material. Transite pipe doesn’t break unless the backfill around it contains small sharp rocks that could puncture the pipe. It will cost an additional $20,000 to the project to replace the 415’ of water line. When we’re talking about an $800,000 project of which the city’s portion is only $20,000, another $20,000 to replace the old transite water line is worth it; the street will already be opened up so replacement will never be cheaper or easier. The benefits to doing it now are: no mobilization, insurance, sawing pavement, repaving, and clean-up, etc. We will instruct MD&A to replace 415’ of existing transite pipe as part of the Whtiman Street project.

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

The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 01/31/17 Ck. #8074-8090 & EFT $42,717.18
Claims Paid 02/14/17 Ck. #8092-8131 & EFT $25,666.13
VOIDS Ck. #8091, #8093, #8126, & #8127

ADJOURN: Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________