Palouse City Council – July 10, 2018
PUBLIC HEARING #1 – 2019 Revenue Sources
PUBLIC HEARING #2 – Six-Year Street Plan
Followed by
Regular Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Chris Cook; Bill Slinkard; John Snyder; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to excuse Councilmember Sievers’ absence. Councilmember Cook seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Police Officer Joel Anderson; City Administrator Kyle Dixon; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.
PUBLIC HEARING #1: 2019 Revenue Sources – Opened public hearing at 7:02. No comments. Closed at 7:03
PUBLIC HEARING #2: Six-Year Street Plan – Opened public hearing at 7:03. No comments. Closed at 7:04.
INTERVIEWS FOR COUNCIL POSITION #7 – Two applicants applied for vacant council position #7: Palouse residents Katie Cooper & Jim Fielder. Both candidates were asked the same set of questions by council. At 7:43 pm Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to go into executive session to discuss candidates. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Echanove called meeting back to order at 7:57 pm. Councilmember Cook MOVED to appoint Katie Cooper to council position #7. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Echanove swore in Katie Cooper.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 26, 2018. Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann reported on their daily patrols and ongoing issues.
Vehicles are running fine but getting tired.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
CA Dixon discussed the 2019 revenue sources. The city has a lawful allowance of 1% increase on levy every year. 2019 proposed general Levy is $181,157, exclusive of banked capacity and new construction credit. EMS levy proposed is $30,273. Voter-approved special levy information will be presented at the next council meeting. 2018 special levy for streets is $44,000; pool is $34,000. Pool levy has been increased in past two years to help cover the cost of increased maintenance, such as stripping and re-painting the pool, as well as the rising cost of operations due to minimum wage increases. Pool levy only covers a portion of maintenance and operation, with the City’s general fund covering the rest. Pool committee will meet to discuss finances and levy prior to next council meeting.
CA Dixon discussed the 6-year street plan. Supt. Griffin drives the roads every day and no one knows the comprehensive outlay of the streets better than him. The following streets are identified for the plan: 1) West Whitman & Fir Street reconstruction; 2) Culton Street reconstruction; 3) Park Street chip seal; 4) Cannon Street reconstruction from Division Street to Mary Street; 5) Beach Street reconstruction to Church Street; 6) South River Road from Wall Street to county line;
The Request for Proposals for Brownfields site has been finalized and published. We are accepting proposals until September 5. We’ve advertised regionally through a database of contractors and city will try and get word out locally as well.
TD&H, engineers for the water tower project, will be at July 24 council meeting to review with council work that has been completed to date and reasons for selection of the current site. They may have a funding update from USDA as well.
2nd Qtr Treasurer’s Report will be discussed at next meeting.
Landowner for the proposed site of upgraded wastewater treatment facility followed up with the city. We are hopeful that discussions to acquire needed land will continue.
CA Dixon attended annual AWC conference in Yakima. This conference is a great way to connect with other cities, both big and small, on how to solve similar problems and share ideas about how to improve local government. This conference, along with IACC (infrastructure funding conference) are especially important for smaller cities to continue to improve services and infrastructure.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2018-05 – adopting Six-Year Street Plan: Mayor read aloud the resolution. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt the resolution as presented. Councilmember Wekenman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 972 – Budget amendment for Fire Equipment Reserve Fund: Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Fire Department’s current airpacks have reached their mandated expiration dates. Chief Bagott found a suitable supplier for the airpacks. City’s share for 6 airpacks is approximately $32,000 (the county pays the other half). It’s a lot of money but a necessity. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 972 as written. Councilmember Snyder seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM:
Teresa Myott complimented the pool staff.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 6/30/2018 Ck. #9288-9315 & EFT $52,945.90
Claims Paid 7/10/2018 Ck. #9316-9346 & EFT $17,728.11
ADJOURN: Councilmember Slinkard MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Cook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________