REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
January 23, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill (7:05); Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Bev Pearce, Deputy City Clerk; Dan Gladwill, Building Inspector; Gloria Hodges; Fred Stephens; Gerri Stephens; Cory Bakeman; Carol Towne; Lynn Youngblood; Charles Sack
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mike Milano MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 9, 2007. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
Cory Bakeman asked the council if the website could be updated. He has found old police forms with past Chief Zehm’s name on them and current events are not listed. Council Member Bailey also noted that the council minutes are not up-to-date. The Mayor will work with Bo Ossinger, the website manager and make the changes. Bev Pearce reminded everyone that current data needs to be sent to Bo in order for him to keep the site updated.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges reported that it has been cold and snowy. The city crew has been working on keeping the water flowing. There have been no major problems. The water chlorinator quit, but the city has backup. The broken part has been sent off for repair and a new chlorinator has been ordered. Marc has been working on painting benches and the pool bleachers. He is working in the police station’s garage area. This is very useful space for the city, as the space is heated and painting can be done during the winter months. Public Works has decided to bid on the same model lawn mower in use now, since the attachments we have will fit. The new Public Works Superintendent can make the decision to change models next year. Byron is currently looking for an ATV for the city; it would be fitted with spraying equipment. The city staff and crew have been working on the new storage area in the back of city hall. File cabinets have been moved and shelves put up. Byron has been plowing snow for several Saturdays now. Council Member Milano reminded Byron that the chamber has allotted $300 for barricade repair. Milano stated that the next event in March will need the barricades. Byron said Marc would get on it. The city crew has been working on cutting and cleaning up roadside trees throughout town. Council Member Milano also asked if the Palouse Conservation District has talked to Don yet about planting trees in April. Byron said he hadn’t heard yet. University of Idaho hydrogeologists continue their work for the city with the installation of the new well data loggers. The Department of Ecology will be coming to review the site location for the compost area. Council Member Bailey asked Byron if the approach to 8th Street was under the State’s repair or the City’s. Byron said that when Jack Nagle was putting in mobile homes up there he widened the entrance to accommodate the project. Mark feels that the turn in the street is tight and needs improvement.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann submitted a written report to the council that included police department activities, new PD office info, training information and summer activity schedule. He added that he has been in contact with Columbia Harley Davidson and will be renewing the lease for the motorcycle for another year.
The clothing and equipment purchased for ex-officer Wright cannot be used by the current police staff and is on con-signment at Blumenthal in Spokane .
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan reported that the winter months have been slow for permits. He has one new mobile home permit and is continuing his work with the contractor for the new stick frame home in Fisher’s Addition. He has been answering many questions for people. He has been studying and taking tests for his building official certification. Dan explained that the studies cover a broad spectrum of building inspection as well as managerial aspects, such as setting up a new building department. The Mayor asked if inspections are slow county-wide. Dan said yes. The State will be adopting the 2006 International Building Codes and Dan is studying the updates to inform permit holders of the changes. Council Member Wekenman asked what part the building department takes on as to dangerous buildings such as the burnt house on Illinois Street . Police Chief Neumann stated that Fire Chief Bagott informed City Hall today that the property owner will be tearing the house down. Dan said that the building department does take action if needed for dangerous buildings.
JOINT BOARD-FIRE & EMS UPDATE: Council Member O’Neill reported that Fire Chief Bagott will be attending a 2-day grant class, paid for by the Fire Department. The purpose is to educate the department on grant writing to better ensure the potential of receiving grants for Fire and EMS . The Potlatch Fire and EMS are back on track and no longer require Palouse to be on call for them. The utility bill at the fire station is great; much better then the previous building. Two firemen have retired, Steve Tuttle and Steve Witthuhn. The fire calls for 2006 were high for the year. Council Member Schorzman thanked Gloria for the quick EMS response to a call earlier in the evening.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Palouse River Walk (Trailer Court Project)
Charles Sack, resident of the trailer park, asked “why do you want to do this?” Why would the city take people’s homes to build another park?” He said it will cost a lot of money to buy out the owners. He suggests a compromise like planting shrubs and trees. He volunteered to prune the plantings. He quoted from Caitlyn McGhee’s article in the Boomerang.
Carol Towne, resident of the trailer park for seven years. She agreed that some of the spaces are an eyesore. She suggested working on the property to make it look better. She has family members that also live in the park who are disabled. The current property owner has raised the rent and makes promises not kept. She likes living in Palouse and would like to know what the city will do to make it right, if they do purchase the park.
Fred Stephens, Carol’s son, and resident of the trailer park. He doesn’t understand about the Palouse River Walk. He would like to see plantings and improvement in appearance as well. He asked if he could legally move his trailer. Chief Neumann said yes, following state codes. “Would the city be willing to pay for moving and setup costs?”
The Mayor stated to the audience that Caitlyn is an employee of the The Boomerang newspaper, not the city of Palouse , thus, her statements may or may not reflect that of the city’s. The trailer park is for sale and anyone can purchase it for any use. The Mayor has talked to the trailer park owner and discussed possible uses for the space. The city is afforded funding opportunities for this location because of its location along the Palouse River . The information about the city “buying out” the trailer owners was loosely termed. The Mayor referred to a 1985 planning commission report quoting surveys done at that time. The citizens of Palouse were asked what they would like to see along the river front and nature trails and walking paths had high percentages. The Mayor again reminded the council that the park is for sale to anyone and anyone can come in between now and the time the funding application is written, sent in and potentially approved, and purchases the property. Then there is the one year’s notification time to the trailer owners. The city has zero involvement with the park at this time. The goal for the city is to make sure this is a win-win situation for all involved. This would be a long-term project for this city if it were to happen. Fred Stephens and Carol Towne thanked the council for their time and information.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano-No report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook reported that the committee met to begin work on the replacement for Byron. The committee wants to review the position description and perhaps rewrite it. They hope to have an ad in place by the first week in February and hiring by mid-March.
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-No report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey-No report
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that the committee met to address questions raised at the last council meeting. In regards to the West Whitman Street , the committee reviewed the different possibilities to the traffic flow and determined that with the railroad traffic going both directions and the general use of the street; it would not be feasible to make it a one way street. In regards to the weeds, it was determined that the property that weeds are growing on is private property and the owners are responsible. There is no funding available to repave the street at this time and no action will be taken.
Chief Neumann followed up with Officer Zehm and there is no record of any citations being processed for handicap parking violations. Council Member Bagott said that they are continuing to review the signage requirements.
Chief Neumann followed up with Officer Zehm and there is no record of any citations being processed for handicap parking violations. Council Member Bagott said that they are continuing to review the signage requirements.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill reported that no changes to the late fees or payment by the property owners will take place until 2008.
MAYOR’S REPORT : Palouse Economic Development Council released a statement about the first annual Business Plan Competition being sponsored by Washington State University , the Port of Whitman and Palouse Economic Development Council. The total of $30,000 in prize money may be given to winners. Leta Palmer, Day Camp Director for the Chief Kamiakin District Day Camp sent a letter requesting the use of the city park June 18th to June 22nd for 150 cub scouts. The Mayor passed this information on to Council Member Milano as a contact. The Whitman County Spring Clean-Up is Monday April 16 through Saturday April 28. The Tire Amnesty Day is on Saturday April 7th. The city will have sign-up sheets at the front desk. This information will be passed on to the Palouse Chamber and Deputy Clerk Pearce will put up signs around town. The local municipalities will be having a breakfast meeting about telecommunications tomorrow. March 22 at the Gladish Building there will be an economic development meeting about affordable housing for anyone wishing to attend.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Mike Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:45PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: #12174 Payment: $5679.42
Claims Paid Warrants # 12175 through # 12192 Payment: $9652.08
Claims VOID Warrants: # 12181
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________