REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
July 24, 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; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Absent- Mike Milano. Council Member Wekenman noted that he would miss the next two council meetings because of harvest work. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Dwayne Griffin, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy City Clerk; Jerry Neumann, Police Chief; Dan Gladwill, Building Inspector; Munir Daud.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rick Wekenman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 10, 2007. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Dwayne Griffin submitted a written report and added that he met with Munir and Jim Farr to look at test holes and review elevations on Breeding’s Addition. Alder Street is moving along fine. It is going a bit slow due to sewer emergency interruptions. The pool is operating well, just minor maintenance. The Mayor complimented Dwayne on his work.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported that it has been a good summer so far. The department assisted Idaho State Police and Whitman County Sheriffs office in a warrant arrest. There are on going dog complaints on Houghton Street. The Durango is getting fitted for a Cargo screen. The Palouse Chamber has requested the use of the Police Station garage area for the Haunted Palouse event. The Chief has no problem; the council gave general agreement for the use. Chief Neumann is working on a Bike Rodeo for the fall at the school. Council member Milano is working with him on this project. Council member Bailey asked the Chief about a request from Whitman County Deputy Randy Zehm for readdressing. Joyce reported that the Palouse Cove Housing development was addressed incorrectly and will need to be changed along with other minor changes. Council member Wekenman asked the Chief about the collapsed building behind the Family Café. The Chief said that he will ask JR how much longer it will take.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan Gladwill reported that the summer is busy, lots of calls and projects. He is working on getting folks to report completed projects so he can do the final inspections. He has done a preliminary final on the Neiberg project and the McGhee project is moving along. Dan served notice to a resident and it is coming up on 60 days. The last day for him to apply for a permit for work is July 31. After that day Dan will turn this over to City Attorney Stephen Bishop for legal action. Chief Neumann stated that Adult Protective Services is unable to assist. If the city were to take ownership, the home would have to be brought up to code or demolished. Dan suggested that if the resident would come in and get a permit to accomplish the required work, perhaps the city could waive the cost of the permit fee to help move the process forward. Discussion continued and it was determined that we would wait and see if this deadline is met. Dan also reported that he will be attending a FEMA flood training in 2008 of which the cost would be covered by FEMA with the exception of his meals. He will be asking Joyce to budget for this expense in his department.
JOINT FIRE BOARD AND EMS UPDATE : Jeff Snook reported that Fire and EMS would be increasing their 2008 budget about $6,000 in Joint Board-Fire & EMS and about $2,500 in EMS. Jeff reported that the board received an estimate from Poe Asphalt to pave the area in front of the PSB to Echanove Ave. A budget amendment would be needed. The cost which will come out of the cities general fund is expected to be about $3,375, EMS $3,375, and Rural Fire $6,750. Council member O’Neill instructed C-T Beeson to confirm with Poe that the estimate is still valid since it was done in March. Council member O’Neill MOVED to proceed with the paving of the PSB lot in front of the building. Council member Wekenman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Bridger Landle will be working on a flag pole at the station as an Eagle Scout project.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Mayor asked councils permission to suspend the reading of the three ordinances and two resolutions. Council member Bagott MOVED to suspend the reading of the three ordinances and two resolutions. Council member Schorzman seconded the motion the motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance #833-Adopting a 1% increase in the regular property tax levy to be collected in 2008
The Mayor pointed out that this is a councilmatic levy and does not go to the voters. Council member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Ordinance # 833. Council member Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance #834- Adopting a 1% increase in the EMS property tax levy to be collected in 2008. Council member Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance # 834. Council member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance #835-Setting regular and special levy amounts. Council member Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance # 835. Council member Bagott seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution #2007-04- Setting a one year special levy on the ballot for street oiling and improvements.
Council member Bagott MOVED adopt Resolution #2007-04. Council member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution #2007-05-Setting a one year special levy on the ballot for operation and maintenance of the swimming pool. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Resolution #2007-05. Council member Bailey 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 for the Whitman Street Project. He has talked to the RR engineer and will be providing more details. He has been talking to AVISTA about two poles within the project and it may be that only one will need to be moved. An archeological survey will be needed for the project site as required by the state. He will contact a company in Pullman that performs this type of survey. Munir has researched the ownership of the property below the RR tracks and is working on parking ideas.
On the Breeding’s Addition, he has been working with Dwayne and Jim Farr, planning manhole locations in relation to the proposed sewer lines. On Thursday, July 26th there will be a meeting here at city hall with the property owners, Munir Daud, public works, the Mayor and two or three council members. It is hoped that many concerns will be addressed. There was discussion on how to distribute the cost for the project.
B. Update on the SR27/Palouse River Trailer Park Project
The Mayor announced that this project has been put on the tentative list for approval by DOE. Final approval for all projects is set for August 22 with September 1 being the first available effective date for funding. The Mayor indicated that project policies and procedures will be developed with the assistance of the city attorney should final approval be granted.
C. Liquor license application
Council member Wekenman presented to council a liquor license application (beer and wine) for the Green Frog Café at their new location. There were no objections and the license is approved by default.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano-Absent no report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook –No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-No Report
The Mayor informed council that John Cooper informed City Hall that Highway 6 (Potlatch Hwy) will be closed from August 6 to October 6 for reconstruction.
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey reported that he is working on the camera installation for the compost facility.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that she will be working on renaming two streets in Palouse to aid in the 911 calls, the property owners will need to be notified of the changes when they happen.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill-No report
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor reported that an archeological survey was done on the Palouse Producers site last week and that the EPA will be doing test drilling on the same site next week. He reminded council that there are three phases to a Brownfield project: Assessment, Clean up and Reuse.
The council discussed the need for a “No Motorized Vehicle” signs on Shadylane. Only city vehicles are allowed on the pathway for maintenance.
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 : Rick Wekenman MOVED to adjourn. Darcie Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:54PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 12495 through # 12517 Payment: $13,476.19
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________