City of Palouse
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
June 8, 2010

CALL TO ORDER:   Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL:   Council members present:  Mike Milano; Jeff Snook; Roger Marcus and Cecil Floyd.  Absent: Norm Schorzman, Rick Wekenman and Randy Zehm.  Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; City Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson.  Public present:  Bev and Greg Pearce.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:   Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 25, 2010.  Councilmember Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

OPEN FORUM :  No topics

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:   Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.  He also reported:

• They are digging out for the concrete walkways in the city park.  Superintendent Griffin commended the Police Department for their quick response to the vandalism at the park.
• Time was spent cleaning up graffiti vandalism at the park restroom done on two separate evenings.
• The debris behind the tavern building is being cleaned up by the ones responsible.
• Bid requests have gone out for the one-ton pickup.
• They used the Garfield chipper for a few days.
• There was a recall on several of the city’s hydrants so there will be service reps out working on them from time to time. 

POLICE REPORT :  Chief Neumann handed out Activity Logs for May.  He further reported that the garage on Culton St. has been demolished and is being hauled off.

Charges have been filed for vandalism at the park and are pending prosecution at the county.

The Rat Rod show event went well with no problems or incidence reports.  The 10:00 PM quiet time was followed and there were no complaints.  The music and limited parking did seem to interfere somewhat with the Bank Left Gallery event.

There was a break in and burglary at the Grange Hall.  There were two separate instances: damage to two doors and some property stolen.  The investigation ended with two juvenile arrests and the return of some of the stolen property.

OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance Number 869 – Budget Amendment – Homeland Security Grant for Firefighter turnout gear
Mayor read ordinance in its entirety.  The amendment allows for the receipt and spending of the HS grant and the 5% match that will be split with the county.  The total maximum expenditures will $38,220, with only $956 being the city’s share.  Councilmember Milano MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 869.  Councilmember Marcus seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS :
Councilmember Marcus commented that the Riverpark is being cut (weed-whacked) when he was under the impression that this would be maintained as a natural park area.  Superintendent Griffin explained that people from Conservation come and whack down the grass.  Griffin said he would speak to Don and the Conservation District about the maintenance plan of the Riverpark.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 
Water & Sewer – Councilmember Marcus reported that work has started on the water rate study through RCAC.

Streets & Sidewalks – Councilmember Floyd will begin working with staff on the 6-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).  After discussion, council set the public hearing for input of the STIP for the Regular council meeting night of July 13.  Mayor Echanove reminded council and staff of the TIB workshop on June 14th in Pullman.  TIB has grant money available again.

Pool & Personnel – Councilmember reported that the pool steps have been ordered and the school art class is touching up the painted murals on the pool house walls.

Finance, Property & Equipment – Councilmember Milano said that he will be calling a finance committee to look at the 2010 YTD figures and begin forecasting 2011 budget needs.

Councilmember Milano MOVED to excuse the absences of Councilmembers Schorzman, Wekenman and Zehm.  Councilmember Snook seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

MAYOR’S REPORT :
A special occasion liquor license has been filed by the Palouse Community Center Board for a beer garden at the Hayton Greene City Park during the Blue Grass Festival.  There were no objections.
The 2010 preliminary census was reported by OFM to be 1,015.
The mayor gave a little background of the Ecology study that is being done on the temperature variations in our city wells down at about 400’.  Recent testing results are indicating that the water being tested is old, which means they are not being affected by groundwater or any recent recharge.   Ecology is continuing their study as it is very unusual for the 14 degree variations in water so deep.   He further stressed that there is no health risk and our well water continues to get satisfactory test results.

Brownsfield Update – the acquisition strategy is moving forward as is the clearing of the site for testing equipment to be able to come in.  A drilling company will begin collecting core samples on or about June 15.  Doug Willcox is working on putting together a community meeting where all those interested can talk about their goals for the outcome of this project.  There has been no word on the EPA grant to augment the IPG Ecology grant.

The Planning Commission needs to fill two vacant positions and has asked that we get the word out to the community.  An announcement will be put out on the city email list and posted around town.

The Mayor officially appointed Councilmember Floyd as the ex-officio member to the Planning Commission.

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

ADJOURN:   Councilmember Snook MOVED to adjourn.  Councilmember Marcus seconded and the motion carried unanimously.  The council meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.

The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid        Ck #2301 – #2317       $37,619.32
Claims Paid        Ck #2318 – #2346       $12,176.52