REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
January 10, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Absent-Darcie Bagott. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; David Milano; Kathleen Milano; Tracy Milano; Edie Riddle; Dave Tharp; Marc VanHarn; Tony Wright.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of December 13, 2005. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The Mayor swore in new council members: Mike Milano, Position No. 1; Mark Bailey, Position No. 3 and Andy O’Neill, Position No. 7.
OPEN FORUM :
- Dave Tharp-compression brakes on Hwy 272 coming in from Potlatch
Dave is concerned about the noise compression brakes make when used coming into town. He said that 98% of the truck drivers do not use them; it’s the 2% that concerns him. Tony Wright, who lives on Myott St also is concerned, he referred the council to RCW 46.37.395 a state law prohibiting the use of compression brakes. Both Tony and Dave feel that the city should consider a stronger ordinance then the state requires. The Mayor moved this issue to the Policy and Administration committee for review.
- Marc VanHarn-June 3 Car Show
Marc offered to the council a proposal for his second car show on June 3. He expects more vendors and entries to the show. He received good feedback from those who attended and wants to put the show on again. He has already submitted to the city a street closure request. Council Member Milano pointed out to Marc that the Department of Transportation requires more signage when streets are closed, he will meet with Marc to go over the details. Marc also requested camping at the city park for this event. Council Member Schorzman stated concerns of closing two blocks of Main Street because of the impact of parking. Marc said that he has already addressed this. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to table the discussion until he gets feedback from the businesses. Council member Bailey seconded the motion. Council Member Wekenman stated that perhaps all the business owners affected should come to a council meeting to discuss this. The motion carried with Council Member Wekenman opposed.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges
- Review and award lawnmower bid
Byron submitted to the council two bids for a new lawnmower. 1. Arrow Tractor – $2584.80 with trade-in
- Columbia Tractor-$2149 with trade-in. Byron pointed out that the lawn mower models have changed for 2006. These bids are for new 2005 models. This allows the city to continue using all the attachments on hand. Next years lawnmower model will be different and either replacements or modifications will need to be taken into consideration.
- Review and award tree cutting bid
Byron submitted to the council two bids for falling three trees in the cemetery. He stated that in the past the city has always been able to handle the tree maintenance in the cemetery without any damage to grave markers. These particular trees need equipment that the city does not have. The bids are: 1. Wilson – $969.30 w/tax; 2. RC – $1507 w/tax. Wilson will receive the bid.
Council Member Schorzman MOVED to accept the bids from Columbia Tractor and Wilson Tree Service. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Byron updated the council on the city crew’s work: clean up gravel that was put down for snow and ice, all storm drains have been cleaned, one plugged sewer on Bridge Street worked on. Marc has been painting tables, digging in new sprinklers at the park and completing the construction of the barricades. The crew continues to work on vehicle and equipment maintenance.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
The Mayor stated that Bagott Motors is working on finding a used vehicle for the police department. The city has in its budget $25,000, with $10,200 of that being the grant that former Chief Zehm has acquired. Council Member Wekenman wants some type of public announcement to inform the citizens of Palouse of the purchase and upgrades to the vehicles of the police department.
OLD BUSINESS:
Council Member Bailey had an update on the issue of Jo Johnson’s road. He had spent some time with Tom Boone, original developer of the property in question. Mark said that it is very difficult to determine the boundaries of this road because there are so many stakes around the area. Byron said that he would like to walk the road with Mark to further explain the situation. He also continued to state that if the surrounding property owners would pitch in an equal amount to bring the road to city specification, the city would then take over the road. Council Member Bailey asked if there are any letters or other documentation on this issue. Treasurer Beeson said yes, letters were sent to all involved parties. The Mayor reminded the council that the city would not accept the road unless the situation went through our city attorney first. The Mayor did ask Byron to plow the road as needed for snow removal. This would be a courtesy to the residents on the road.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Discussion of Ecology process for assessment of Brownfield’s
The mayor discussed with council a program that the Dept. of Ecology administers regarding Brownfield properties.
A Brownfield is defined as real property, the expansion, redeveloplement, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. He and Joyce had the opportunity to meet with EPA officials last October and discussed possible projects in Palouse. The EPA explained that there are three main points to their program: 1.) property assessment 2). clean up 3). reuse of the property. Generally Brownfield’s are old gas stations or other type of business sites that used chemicals in their business. These types of properties are often located on prime real estate locations such as Main Streets. Currently 2 types of assessment exist with the costs being covered by the EPA. After the assessment is made, recommendations are reported. The Mayor has spoken to a possible property owner about this program and the property owner had no initial objections to continue to explore this program. The Mayor pointed out that the Department of Ecology has some previous assessment work in Palouse and that he was sent an abbreviated version of those records. The Mayor would like the council’s blessing to continue researching this program.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
STREETS & SIDEWALKS: No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No Report
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : No Report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook-No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : No Report
WATER & SEWER : No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor began by assigning chairs to the committees: Policy/Admin – Mark Bailey; Finance, Property, Equipment-Norm Schorzman; Park, Cemetery & Buildings-Mike Milano; Water & Sewer-Andy O’Neill; Streets & Sidewalks-Darcie Bagott; Police, Fire & Safety-Rick Wekenman (this chair would also be on the Joint Fire Board).
The Mayor informed council members that in addition to serving as a chair they must also choose three other committees to serve on. Stating there are many exciting projects for the city in 2006, RV parks, the Fisher’s Addition sewer project to name a couple. Council Member O’Neill asked if he could meet with Byron and the city crew to see daily operations. The Mayor informed council of the Whitman Street project, between Hwy 26 and Hall Street. This road is a disaster and it needs a total rework. The Mayor said that the city will spend 2006 looking for funding and in 2007 the construction will begin. Joyce and the Mayor have met with TIB and WSDOT already to discuss the project. Munir Daud has already drawn up preliminary drawings for the pre-application that was sent in last week at no charge.
Council Member Wekenman stated that the railroad lines future is in question. No one can afford to ship with the railroad anymore. The Mayor said that the design work must be done now not later. The project will proceed as if the rail line were still there. This is a frequently used street in Palouse.
The Mayor stated that Byron and the city staff worked on an application for funding to chip/seal Fairview Ave and the F, 4th D, 3rd, E St road on the South Hill. The application was sent to the Small City Pavement Preservation program. Treasurer Beeson requested that the F, 4th D, 3rd and E Street and a road off of the Potlatch be renamed. These multi named roads pose a problem for the 911 system as well as documentation for other sources.
Other projects going into 2006 are the relocation of the Police department into the old fire station, and the 40 x 100 foot lot on Main Street available for development. The remaining CDBG funds from the Mary Street house sale are still available. The amount is about $25,000 and the council may use it for community development initiatives.
County Commissioner Partch met with the Mayor, reminding him of two positions open on county committees:
- .08 committee 2. Palouse Economic Development Committee, private citizens and council members are welcome.
The AWC will be holding the City Legislative Action Conference on January 25 and 26 in Olympia. Council Members Snook and the Mayor are planning to attend. The Mayor pointed out that the next city council meeting is the same day they will be leaving. He asked what the council members would like to do about the council meeting. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to change the council date to January 23, Monday. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried. Clerk Beeson stated she would check with attorney Bishop about the legalities of changing meeting night since it is set in city code. The Mayor reminded council that they must elect a Mayor pro tem. Council Member O’Neill MOVED to elect Council Member Wekenman as Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
A liquor permit renewal for Thurman’s Market has come before council, with no objects the permit is approved by default.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN Jeff Snook MOVED to adjourn. Mike Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11489 through # 11502 Payment: $11,405.46
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11503 through # 11522 Payment: $8,882.13
Claims VOID Warrants: # 11487 through # 11488
Payroll Paid Warrants” # 6039 through # 6061 Payment: $28,456.62
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________