Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
January 12, 2016

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

ROLL CALL: Council members present: Bo Ossinger; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb; Christopher Langsett. Councilmember Estes MOVED to excuse Councilmember Hanson’s absence. Councilmember Wekenman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Officer Joe Merry; Clerk-Treasurer Mike Bagott; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of December 8, 2015. Councilmember Ossinger seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. He asked for permission to surplus the 1990 Dodge W350. It will be by sealed bid and have a minimum bid set of $1,000. Councilmember Hicks MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Wilcomb, to surplus the 1990 Dodge. Motion carried unanimously.

POLICE REPORT: Officer Merry reported:
Officer Handley is doing very well and is exceeding their expectations. He will be participating in additional training this spring and fall.
The state has changed some requirements on our ability to process CPL’s. We’re working with the State of Washington on how we can continue to provide this service so we’re looking at developing our own computer system that will allow us to perform the background checks ourselves. However it will cost about $180/month. There is also a required yearly training for all users which will cost money. We haven’t done a cost benefit analysis yet to determine the end cost to us. Chief Neumann will try and have some more specifics on costs at next meeting. In the mean time, CPL’s need to be obtained through the County Sheriff’s office.

CLERK-TREASURER REPORT:
4th Quarter PD investigation fund report: As of today the PD has not expended any money so the entire $500 is still there.

Release of Sand Road Bond: The as-built maps on the new subdivision have arrived. PW Supt. Griffin has reviewed them and is satisfied. Attorney Bishop, with city approval by motion (no ordinance or resolution required), can reconvey the deed of trust. There are still a couple fees we need to collect from Roy Druffel (approx. $480) that just came to our attention. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to accept the as-builts and authorize the attorney to proceed with the reconveyance of the deed of trust pending payment of all applicable fees. Councilmember Ossinger seconded. Once signed, they become city property. Motion carried unanimously.

CT Bagott will have a 4th Quarter budget report after all of 2015 expenses come in. Things are ending better than anticipated.

OLD BUSINESS:
Report from Apollo Solutions: Staff from Apollo Solutions performed their energy review/audit last week and presented their findings. They discussed in-depth the three facility improvement measures and the anticipated energy and cost savings: Well Pump 1 upgrade; Well Pump 3 to solar; and exterior lighting upgrades at the sewer plant. Much discussion ensued.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Streets & Sidewalks, Chair Hicks- In regard to the sidewalk letter that was mailed to approximately 18 property owners regarding their dangerous sidewalk(s), Councilmember Hicks wanted to ensure the public that due to conflict of interest, he cannot and will not be doing any work on any of the properties who received the letter. It was never his intention.

Police, Fire, & Safety, Chair Wekenman- Last fall there was a complaint against the PD and the Mayor. The complainants withdrew their complaint and the issue has been resolved.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Special Condition liquor permit from the Liquor Control Board for the Palouse Brew Fest. No objections.

Sharon Tharp resigned last week from the Planning Commission bringing the total vacancies to three. Three community members have submitted letters of interest to be on the Planning Commission: Chris Cook, Jeff Snook, and Steve Alred. Mayor Echanove appointed all three. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to ratify Mayor Echanove’s appointments of all three to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Estes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Supt. Griffin, CT Bagott, Councilmember Hicks, and Mayor Echanove reviewed all the Statements of Qualifications and have chosen three to interview for the Whitman Street project: Munir Daud & Associates, J-U-B Engineers, & TD&H Engineering.

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

The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll paid 12/31/15 Ck. #7138-#1756 & EFT $42,813.00
Claims Paid 12/30/15 Ck. #7133-#7137 & #7157-#7173 $17,611.69
Claims Paid 1/12/16 Ck. #7174-#7185 $16,386.73

ADJOURN: Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM.

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________