CITY OF PALOUSE
Regular Council Meeting
Immediately Following Public Hearings
July 10, 2007
Public Hearing – 2008 Revenue Sources
Public Hearing – 6 Year Street Improvement Plan
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Absent- Mark Bailey. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Dwayne Griffin, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy City Clerk; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Greg Kessler; Marcia Lehman-Kessler; Crystal Bailey; Munir Daud.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING – 2008 Revenue Sources : Review 2008 revenue sources and consideration of possible 1% increase of property tax levy and the amount allowed for new construction. The Mayor opened the public hearing. No public comment
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING: 7:04PM
OPEN REGULAR MEETING:
Street Levy: Council Member Bagott proposed to council an increase to the special street levy because it has not changed in more than 15 years while the cost of construction continues to rise. Council Member Bagott also noted that we have not been able to reserve much money for future projects. Every year the six year street plan gets more difficult because there are not enough funds available to complete multiple projects. The Mayor voiced concern because the taxpayers are also paying the school levies. Council Member Snook MOVED to increase the Street Levy from $35,000 to $40,000. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. Council Member O’Neill said the dollar amount is too low. The motion carried unanimously.
Pool Levy: Council Member Bagott MOVED to keep the Pool levy at $26,000. Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Regular Levy: Council Member Snook MOVED to increase the regular levy and EMS levy by the allowed 1%. Council Member O’Neill seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING – 6 Year Street Improvement Plan: The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:24PM
No public comment.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING: 7:26PM
OPEN REGULAR MEETING:
The Mayor explained that TIB funding opportunities are now available for 2008.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 25, 2007. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges/Dwayne Griffin submitted a written report. Byron added that Dwayne has been doing general maintenance on the equipment, clean up work and figuring out the schedule for the future sewer projects. It was noted that this is Byron’s last council meeting. Dwayne informed council that the pool house will need new solar piping and roof next year. He would like to increase the pipe length from 900 ft to 1200 ft.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported that it has been business as usual. He had just a handful of fireworks complaints, traffic stops, DUI arrest and a felony arrest. He was at the library early today to read to the kids and fingerprint and photograph them as well. This information will be given to parents in case a child is missing. He will continue with this program during the summer. The new police station is working well. Council Member Wekenman asked about the out building behind the Family Café. The chief said they are in the process of taking the building down.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Resolution # 2007- 01 Adopting the 6 Year Street Improvement Plan
The Mayor read the resolution in its entirety. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt the Six Year Street Improvement Plan. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Resolution # 2007- 02 Revised 2007 Salary Schedule
The Mayor explained that this resolution is to make a correction to the salary schedule to allow for the new public works superintendents salary range. Council Member Snook MOVED to adopt the revised 2007 Salary Schedule. Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
C. Resolution # 2007- 03 Interlocal Agreement for solid waste reduction projects and to improve air quality between Whitman County, City of Palouse and Rural Community Assistance Corporation.
The Mayor read the resolution and the agreement. This purpose of this agreement is for the County to receive grant funds from Ecology to purchase and make available to communities a chipper/grinder to make compostable waste. Further expansions to this program may be added. Council Member Snook MOVED to adopt Resolution #2007-03. Council Member Milano seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Update from Munir Daud on the Breeding’s Addition Sewer Extension & Whitman Street Project.
Munir handed out updated maps to the council. The first discussion was on Whitman Street, parking and property lines. Crystal Bailey explained that the community center preliminary drawings have the public use part of the building on the North side facing Whitman Street. Munir said he would draw up options for parking. The next discussion was on the Breeding’s addition sewer extension. Munir Daud presented draft maps showing the proposed sewer extension and asked us to share them with the affected property owners for their input. Council member O’Neill asked how to divide the cost of the project among the property owners now and in the future. The Mayor stated that to fund this project it was first thought that the total project cost would be divided by the number of developed and buildable lots. Munir will work with Joyce on a formula.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano reported that he has been discussing with Steve Brink the need to improve the electrical capacity at the City Park. Steve has safety issue concerns. The estimated cost is between $800 and $1,000. Mike would like to include this in next year’s budget. On August 11, volunteers are needed for a River Clean-up. This is a project proposed to council by Nyna VanHarn a few months ago. She is working with the Palouse Conservation District. Volunteers need to be 12 years and older. Please contact Marie Dymkoski at 878-1650 to volunteer. Mike would like council’s approval to write a letter to the Idaho State Highway to ask for a Palouse sign to be posted at the intersection of ID state highway 95/6 and 272. Council gave their approval.
The Mayor asked about an update on the RV Park. Mike said that he has reviewed the Potlatch policy and feels it is not as strict as we would like our policy to be. The donated electrical equipment from Palouse Welding is a bit outdated and will not work for this project.
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook –No Report, but he did support the proposed electrical improvement at the City Park
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No Report, but he did support the proposed electrical improvement at the City Park.
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey-Absent, No Report
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott presented the six year street plan
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill Stated that he would contact property owners in Breeding’s addition to let them know that new maps are available.
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor informed council that the Regional Quarterly Breakfast will be held by the Latah County Board of Commissioners on Wed., July 18 at 7:00AM. The topic will be West Nile Virus.
The Mayor read a surplus list from Dwayne for two items. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to allow a fork lift and a gas tank and stand to be surplused. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Council Member Milano reminded council that the Scenic By-way meeting will be held Wed. July 25th at 6PM at the Family Café. The Mayor read a letter stating that Council Member Snook has completed a certification process through AWC and is now a Certified Municipal Leader. The Department of Ecology will be coming into town the last week in July to test soil samples at the old Palouse Producers site pending approval.
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: Mike Milano MOVED to adjourn. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:02PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 12459 through # 12494 Payment: $14,227.79
VOID Warrants: # 12458
Payroll June Warrants: # 6547 through # 6573 Payment: $40,346.67
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________