REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
June 13 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; City Attorney, Stephen Bishop; Bill Lipe; Heidi Herbeck; Tom Boone; Caitlyn McGehee; Cory Baune; Tiana Gregg; Thinh Nguyen; Jerry McCollum.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 23, 2006. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM : Council Member Schorzman began by stating that the finance committee met and invited AWC Representative Paul Chasco to attend tonight’s council meeting. Mr. Chasco will be discussing the cities insurance options.
Tiana Gregg presented to the council drawings on her ideas for the use of the property across from the city park. The space would be multipurpose with a pavilion and green space. She commented that that she supports the RV Park, but also feels that the visitors need to have more reasons come to Palouse. She also requested that signs be put up directing travelers to the public restrooms. Council Member Milano spoke in regards to the RV Park and is open to other ideas and locations for an RV Park. He and Tiana will meet to discuss her ideas.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges submitted a written report
Byron and the city crew were cleaning up early Tuesday after a storm came through town causing flash flooding on Main Street and down the stair way on Beach. Byron has received a cost estimate for a 2nd water pump. The Mayor wants the council to seriously consider the purchase of a 2nd pump for a spare. He read from the 2002 council minutes when the pump last failed. There was no discussion at that time to purchase a 2nd pump. The Mayor asked Joyce where the funds would come from to make the purchase. She said that the money could be spent between the three water funds. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to authorize Byron to purchase a 2nd pump, to be used as a reserve in case of future failure. Council Member O’Neill seconded the motion. Council Member Milano asked if the pumps could be switched out as part of a scheduled maintenance program. Byron said yes, perhaps every four years. The motion carried unanimously.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann reported that there were solicitors in town today, he explained the City Solicitor Ordinance to them and they left town. The Chief reported that he has been dealing with right of way parking issues. He has determined that a vehicle can park for 72 hours on the improved street and there is no restriction from parking on unimproved easements. He has made contact with various property owners in regards to noxious weeds and over grown yards, most have complied. Officer Cassidy has been offered a position in another city and may be leaving. The car show went well. The chief and Council Member Wekenman have been working on the police station and exposed the brick wall inside, the chief feels that exposing the old brick gives the building a more historical feel and they hope that they can preserve that look.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Sludge Press Award of Bid-Byron presented bids for the sludge de-watering system at the sewer plant. These are telephone quotes from the Vendor Roster: $118,500-Aero Mod; US Filter-$200,000; Endirodyne-$200,000. The last two mentioned did not provide detail, just their estimate total for equipment and installation. Council Member O’Neill spoke in favor of replacing the sludge system, he feels it is a valuable asset to the city and wants to move forward. The de-watered sludge would be stored in the building for up to one year before moving to another location for spreading. The city borrows a manure spreader now and would like to purchase one in the future. Byron asked for council approval to award the bid to Aero-Mod. Joyce commented that this project could have been a sole source purchase since the current equipment is Aero-Mod, which is probably why the other two companies did not provide detailed quotes. The Mayor reminded council that the purchase of this equipment would be through a loan process and that the sewer rates would need to be increased next year for repayment. Byron told council that the Department of Ecology is in favor of this system. Council Member Snook MOVED to accept the Aero-Mod bid of $118,500. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Police Department Heating and Electric Award of Bids-Council Member Wekenman presented to the council a summary of the quotes for electrical, HVAC and masonry work at Old City Hall where the police department will be housed.
Electrical: Strom Electric – $8100, Pullman Heating – $8,306, Gropp Electric – $17,525. Councilman Wekenman reported his committee recommended the bid go to Strom Electric.
Heating Ventilation & AC: Councilman Wekenman explained the difficulty in comparing quotes with varying types of equipment and efficiency ratings. These bids represent an “apples to apples” type of request for their base prices. The companies then offered detail for desired options. Base Bids: Ackerman – $9,210 (tax included), Pullman Heating – $12,540 (tax included), Hilliard’s Heating – $9,230 (adding tax will increase to $9,941). The full detailed quotes were offered for review. Councilman Wekenman reported his committee recommended the bid for HVAC go to Ackerman’s with added options, bringing the bid amount to $10,741 (tax included). This amount was lower than the other bidders with the same options.
Masonry : Western Masonry – $14,000, without tax (15,078 tax included). No other bids were received from the five companies contacted. Councilman Wekenman reported his committee recommended the bid go to Western Masonry. Mayor Echanove voiced concern over the masonry bid and asked if the work was necessary at this time for safety reasons. Council Member Snook stated his support for doing the work now since the improvements on Whitman Street and the relocation of the Police Department will increase traffic under the unstable bricks. Council Member Wekenman MOVED to accept the bid from Strom Electric. Council Member Milano seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Council Member Wekenman MOVED to accept the bid from Ackerman Heating. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Council Member Wekenman MOVED to accept the bid from Western Masonry. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Breeding’s Addition Sewer Extension Update-Cory Baune from JUB Engineering, (formerly Kimball Engineering) gave a presentation of the scope of work for planning, design and contract documents of the Breeding’s Addition/ Fairview sanitary sewer collection system. The planning and system plan update include the Fishers Addition area. There was discussion on funding for this project, rock excavation. Councilman Andy O’Neill, chair of the Water/Sewer committee, would have a meeting to go over the scope of work. Tom Boone, Breeding’s Addition property owner, asked what the time frame would be. The Mayor said that there is no time frame at this time.
- Brownfield Update-The Mayor reported that the city of Palouse will get together along with the property owner, city staff, EPA and EPA contractor regarding the Brownfield assessment work the first of July.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Ordinance #818 – Annexing certain property to the City of Palouse
The Mayor read the ordinance in its entirety. Illinois Street will not be part of this annexation. City Attorney Stephen Bishop said that if the city wants to have the small portion of Illinois Street annexed, another public hearing would be needed. The Mayor said that the city could deal with that later. Council Member Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance 818. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- AWC – Insurance Services, Paul Chasco- The Mayor explained that the city gave notice one year ago to it’s current insurance carrier of intent to consider other insurance providers. Paul presented his companies policies; coverage’s and costs to the council. CIAW, the cities current carrier, will present at the next council meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano reported that he has received from the city’s attorney a revised contract with RV Park Consultants. The contract is for preliminary design drawings and cost estimates as related to the site on West Main Street . The cost of the contract is $2,500. Council Member Milano MOVED to accept the contract with RV Park Consultants in the amount of $2,500. Council Member Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook –No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman- Reviewing the cities insurance options
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-Presented Bids under new Business
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey- No Report
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott reported that she and Joyce attended a TIB workshop “Basic Application Training for Small Cities”. It walked us through various funding programs offered by the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and completing the application. The city will be applying for funding through the Small City Arterial Program (SCAP) for the Whitman Street project and other future projects on the Six year street plan. The application deadline is August 31. The Six Year Street Plan Public Hearing will be on June 27, prior to the regular council meeting.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill reported that his committee will review the scope of work presented to council by JUB. He will then plan on a town meeting to discuss the Breeding’s/ Fairview sewer collection system with community members.
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor presented to council a sign from Preserve America, this sign could be mounted on City Hall after the brick repair work has been completed.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Jeff Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Mark Bailey seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Council Member O’Neill, encourages citizens to come before the council with their ideas, Council Member Milano also commented that he would like to work on a Parks and Recreation plan for the city.
ADJOURN Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:39PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid: Warrants: # 11759 through # 11794 Payment: $22,534.51
Payroll Paid: Warrants: # 6144 through # 6188 Payment: $28,184.73
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________