Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 12, 2013
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Tim Jones; Connie Newman, Bo Ossinger; Norm Schorzman; Alison Webb; Rick Wekenman. Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present: Aaron Flansburg, Josh Miller, Joey Thomas.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 26, 2013. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. The sludge press is working flawlessly after repairs.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann attended a cyber-bullying workshop with the GPHS sophomore class. The PD has completed their 2012 training mandate with the state. They’ve also completed all their L & I requirements. They will now have monthly safety trainings, mostly online. Joey Thomas, a GPHS senior, is job shadowing Chief Neumann for his senior project.
OLD BUSINESS:
Surplus Harley: Action – approve to sell by sealed bid: Chief Neumann would like permission to try to sell the Harley using sealed bid, and having a minimum bid of $10,000. Chief will list it online via various markets (Craig’s list, AWC, etc.), and will print in our newspaper of record as well. Proceeds from sale would go back into the PD’s vehicle and equipment fund. Councilmember Jones MOVED to allow Chief Neumann to surplus the motorcycle to the highest bidder with a minimum bid of $10,000. Councilmember Webb seconded. Motion carried unanimously. If purchased by a law enforcement entity, equipment will be included; if sold to a private party, will have to remove the lights, radio, and siren.
Streambank Habitat Enhancement Draft Proposal: Action – review. Mayor summarized the draft proposal for the riverbank by the Brownfields site. The grant project has approximately $70,000 left. This proposal would cost $4,500, to manually remove weeds and install native seeds and plants in early spring of 2014. MFA has submitted this proposal to Ecology for their approval of allowing these expenditures as part of the Brownfields current grants. When these enhancements are finished, volunteers would provide ongoing irrigation and maintenance of the planting area after the project is implemented. This isn’t something else for the public works to take on.
Environmental Covenant for Brownfield Site: Action – approve for signature: Brought to us by the DOE. Reviewed and edited by our attorney. Discussion and explanation ensued. The covenant places declarations as to limitations, restrictions, and uses to which the property may be put and specifies that such declarations shall constitute covenants to run with the land. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to allow Mayor to sign the Restrictive Environmental Covenant. Councilmember Newman seconded. Motion carried unanimously. With the weather warming up, it might be a good time to come up with a tentative plan for marketing this property. The lot is 100’ x 200’ with a 60’ easement between it and Bagott Motors.
NEW BUSINESS:
2012 Treasurers Report: Action – approve. Clerk-Treasurer Beeson prepared the 2012 Year End Treasurer’s Report and a financial summary report narrative. Our actual beginning balance for CE 2013 is $55,591. Councilmember Jones MOVED to adopt the 2012 4th Q Treasurer’s Report. Councilmember Schorzman seconded. Councilmember Newman asked that the minutes clearly reflect that the general fund expended $21,000 more than receipted. Motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 904: budget amendment for fire department grant. Action – approve for signature: Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Amends ordinances No. 902 & 903. Sets estimated revenues and appropriations to reflect money the FD received from the USFS-Department of Natural Resources grant to purchase new wildland fire equipment. It is a 50% match, so the city’s share will be $3,329. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 904. Councilmember Jones seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Parks, Cemetery, & Buildings-Alison Webb. Chair:
Personnel & Pool-Norm Schorzman, Chair:
Policy & Administration-Bo Ossinger, Chair:
Police, Fire, & Safety-Rick Wekenman, Chair:
Finance, Property, & Equipment-Tim Jones, Chair: Have met a few times to discuss the 2012 treasurer’s report. Will meet again after 1st Q ends.
Streets & Sidewalks: Councilmember Newman would like the tavern’s contract to use the city right of way for their beer garden have to be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis. Currently there is not a renewal clause on the contract. By making it an annual renewal, it would serve as a reminder to the establishment of their obligations (garbage pickup, hours, language, barriers, right-of-way, etc.). This annual renewal would be an opportunity for law enforcement, council, to address their concerns with the owners. Joyce will revise the contract for council review.
Water & Sewer-Connie Newman, Chair: Still waiting on DOH’s review. We’re delayed about three weeks so far. Will be having a committee meeting next week to review water and sewer rates and bring forward recommendations we might see. They will also be looking at a replacement timeline for major w/s equipment so council has a better idea of future needs. This will help in evaluate our reserves as we’re adjusting the w/s utility rates.
OPEN FORUM:
Aaron Flansburg & Josh Miller for Palouse Skate Park update: Josh is working with Aaron on the skate park for his GPHS senior project. They’ve been putting on fundraising events. With two events in the last few weeks, the total raised so far is $5,484.64. Upcoming goals are to establish a location for the skate park and continue fundraising. Councilmember Newman MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Wekenman to extend this conversation beyond the three minute limit. Motion carried unanimously. Josh has been helping Aaron since September and has far exceeded the 20 hour minimum requirement for his senior project. They have established a partnership with Palouse Chamber of Commerce as a 501c. Aaron has been looking at potential sites: one in the park on the river side of the swimming pool; one in the gravel lot next to the tennis courts; and one is on the flat part of school’s playground by the bank across from the tee-ball field. Aaron would love to come to an agreement by this spring for a location. Two of these locations are school property so the city may have minimal involvement. The city doesn’t have the luxury of having much excess property for a project like that. Maintenance needs Aaron foresees are the need for a permanent trash can and trash disposal. He wants the skate board community to have a sense of ownership and take responsibility for keeping it clean.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Newman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Newman MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid Ck. #4711-4728 & EFT $34,614.28
Claims Paid Ck. #4729-4751 & EFT $10,213.49
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________