DRAFT ONLY. Without council review or approval.
Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
June 27, 2017
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Doreen Hanson; Bill Slinkard; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb; Bob Stout. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Kyle Dixon; City Attorney Eric Hanson.
PUBLIC HEARING 1 OF 2 – 2018 Revenue Sources – Hearing opened at 7:02. CT Dixon discussed the standard 1% increase in the General and EMS levies for 2018. No public comment. Hearing closed at 7:08.
PUBLIC HEARING 2 OF 2 – Six Year Street Plan – Hearing opened at 7:08. Councilmember Hicks outlined work to be performed on Spokane St. later this year and into next year as well as other subsequent projects. No public comment. Hearing closed at 7:16.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 13, 2017. Councilmember Wilcomb seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. The city received two bids for road oiling. Low bidder was BST Surfacing out of Spokane. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to accept BST Surfacing’s bid for road oiling. Councilmember Slinkard seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Water leak detected and fixed under West Main St. bridge. Construction on West Whitman is progressing without any major setbacks to date.
POLICE REPORT: Cameras at RV, sewer, compost and park are linked to city hall and recording. New orange crossing flags were ordered for the bridge and main crosswalk. Meth lab discovered during routine traffic stop in Garfield. Open officer position will be advertised in July through August. Goal is to have interviews scheduled for September until filled. Councilmember Wekenman inquired about the handicap access at the skate park that was discussed at a previous council meeting. Council discussed the potential safety issues of having the skate park merge with the sidewalk, parking lot and street. Council tabled topic until further discussion with Aaron Flansburg, possibly at next council meeting.
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT: CT Dixon has completed draft for a “Complete Streets” Ordinance. It has been forwarded to the Complete Streets program director at TIB for review and critique before we proceed with adoption. Once adopted, the city is immediately eligible for a grant of up to $250,000 for approved street/sidewalk/walking path projects in the city. CT Dixon and Supt Griffin have been working with McKinstry regarding an update of the city’s water data collection system. They will present upgrade options to the city at the next council meeting. The city is in the process of purchasing a fire truck currently located in Tennessee. Purchase should be finalized by the end of July. CT Dixon asked permission from council to close city hall on Monday, July 3rd in addition to the July 4th federal holiday on Tuesday. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to close city hall on Monday, July 3rd. Councilmember Hicks seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
JOINT FIRE BOARD REPORT: From the Fire Chief: 1 call in May, 6 YTD. Two training meetings in June, including some wildlands training. Agreement has been reached with the seller for a replacement pumper-tanker for the city. Final cost will be $98,500 which is exactly on budget. Cost includes taxes and staff travel and fuel to bring the truck to Palouse. Truck is low mileage and in excellent condition. The JFB voted unanimously to authorize the Fire Chief to sign the reservation agreement for the new truck and begin the purchase process. The City of Palouse has approved its share of the purchase cost, and funding approval from rural is expected shortly. From the EMS Coordinator: Number of calls is down this year. 30 YTD, down from 50 this time last year. EMS personnel attended a training at Moses Boone’s farm on combine evacuation.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance 956 – Budget Amendment 412 Water System Reserve for TD&H Preliminary Engineering Report-
Mayor read the ordinance aloud to council. CT Dixon discussed the need to increase the expenditure line item to allow for the $10,000 cost of the preliminary engineering report required to apply for a funding package to construct a water tower on the south hill in Palouse. Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt Ordinance 956 as presented. Councilmember Slinkard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2017-06 Adopting Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan-
Discussed in Public Hearing #2 above. Hearing no further comment, Councilmember Hicks MOVED to accept Resolution 2017-06 adopting the Six-year Transportation Improvement Plan as presented. Councilmember Wilcomb seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Streets and Sidewalks Chair, Councilmember Hicks – No update on alley issue between the Roger’s and Duran’s property. CT Dixon has a consultation with insurance provider Clear Risk Solutions tomorrow on how to proceed and will have an update at the next city council meeting.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Whitman County Mayor’s Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 7:00PM in the Community Center.
Alcohol permit received by the city for a beer garden during the Palouse Music Festival in the park on Saturday, July 29th. Council has no objections.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Estes MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 6/14/17-6/27/17 Ck. #8382-8392 & EFT $50,977.49
ADJOURN: Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________