PALOUSE CITY COUNCIL
Special Council Meeting
July 22, 2014, @ 7:00 pm
Public Hearing to consider proposed changes to: Palouse Municipal Code Title 17 (zoning), the city zoning map, and the Comprehensive 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: Bo Ossinger; Mike Hicks; Rick Wekenman; Bev Pearce; Chris Langsett. Absent: Councilmembers Estes and Hanson are both on vacation. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Hicks to excuse their absences. Motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Public Works Supt. Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson; & C-T in training Mike Bagott. Public present: Sharon Tharp; Donna Langsett; Corey Laughary; Stillman Norton; Aaron Flansburg; Lynne Nelson.

PUBLIC HEARING on proposed PMC Title 17, the zoning map, and the Comprehensive Plan: Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:04 pm. Chairman Laughary of the Planning Commission summarized the work they’ve done and their process. The city’s current zoning is antiquated; approximately 20% of our city is zoned unclassified. Our map is still handwritten on tissue paper. The Comp Plan is a visionary document for the city. There was excellent discussion, many questions and answers, including written questions submitted by Greg & Bev Pearce. The PC has proposed west Main Street be zoned commercial (where there are already residences). Chairman Laughary explained that those houses are grandfathered in, however for future development, businesses can be built.

Following are a summary of the proposed changes to Title 17 & the zoning map:
1. Section 17.04.040, (D) Conditional Uses permitted – add a #8 to include the school’s barn & stables as needing a conditional use permit.
2. Section 17.04.040, (E) Density, lot size and setback, 1 – remove …”with a minimum boundary length of 50 feet on any side” to accommodate odd-shaped lots.
3. Section 17.04.040, (E), 2 – concern that there will be two different sets of setback requirements to administer.
4. Section 17.04.040, (E), 4 – change the maximum lot coverage from 40% to 48% to accommodate people’s desire for decks, sheds, garages, etc.
5. Section 17.04.0060, (F), 2 – there is concern of requiring the same setbacks for residential use in the commercial district as are required in the residential district. Since residential use in a commercial district must go through the Board of Adjustment anyway, perhaps the setbacks could be considered on a case-by-case basis through that process.
6. Section 17.08.040, Required Standards for Planned Developments (G) – Change the text to say “The City may require a set aside of up to 15% of the total land area within the planned development for permanent, usable open spaces if the City determines that the open space set aside is reasonably necessary as a direct result of the proposed planned development or reasonably necessary to mitigate a direct impact that is a consequence of the proposed planned development.”
7. Section 17.12.020 (B) – correct overlooked typo, “Occupancy in an RV park shall be restricted to 29 days” and possibly remove municipally-owned RV Park from this restriction.
8. Proposed zoning map – enlarge the Open Space of the walking trail on Almota Street and extend east the Commercial space from the car wash to include the Quality Drapery site.

Mayor Echanove asked Chairman Laughary if these discussed changes to the Title 17 and the zoning map were substantial and if the PC wanted the documents back for PC consideration. Chairman Laughary declined, stating they would prefer the process remain with the city council. Deputy Clerk Thompson is going to make the suggested changes for review at the next meeting. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to suspend the public hearing and restart it at the August 12 council meeting. Councilmember Hicks seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Public hearing closed at 8:55 pm.

Open Regular Council Meeting at 8:56 pm:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Ossinger MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Public Hearing and Council Meeting of July 8, 2014. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Reading meters this week. While reading water meters today, Don Myott was badly bitten on the hand by a dog. There are a lot of aggressive dogs around town. Water meters are city property and public works are to have access 24/7. They will be contacting homeowners who have fenced in their meter within the right of way.
Hoping to start the Wall Street project next week.
We’re working on getting the street lights up that were destroyed in the tavern fire.

POLICE REPORT:
The radar trailer is up around town.
PD needs a new computer system; the current system was purchased in 2006. Preliminary estimate for a computer and printer is $1,800 and there is room in the budget. Will install old computer at the Garfield PD.
Music Festival is this weekend.

JFB REPORT:
The 2015 budget will be the same as 2014 except for some line item restructuring.
One FD call in June, 14 YTD. Two meetings in July, including a wildland training.
Thanks to donated funds, they were able to acquire $2,000 in needed equipment.
Burn ban is in effect.
4 EMS calls in June, 42 YTD.
There will be some CPR trainings in August and September.

OLD BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2014-09 setting a one year excess property tax levy in the amount of $44,000 to be used for street improvements and street oiling. Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. It’s an estimated $0.761 per $1,000 of assessed value in the year 2014 for collection in 2015. Same amount as last year. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2014-09 as presented. Councilmember Langsett seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution No. 2014-10 setting a one year excess property tax levy in the amount of $28,000 which will be used for operation and maintenance of the swimming pool. Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. It’s an estimated $0.485 per $1,000 of assessed value in the year 2014 for collection in 2015. Same amount as last year. Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2014-10. Councilmember Hicks seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No committee reports.

OPEN FORUM:
Aaron Flansburg reported they broke ground today on the Whitman Street skatepark site.

Regarding the old tavern site, structural fill is not mandatory. At this time the BI would like to see it filled with soils and reasonably compacted.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
C-T in training Mike Bagott attended a training last week. Said it was very worthwhile.

The city received eight SOQ’s for the sewer plant. The review committee is still reviewing.

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

ADJOURN: Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.

The following checks are approved for payment:
June Payroll Paid: Ck. #5798-5825 & EFT $40,395.14
Claims Paid Ck. #5857-5877 $12,460.98

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________