Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 12, 2019
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Chris Cook; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb; Katie Cooper. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Police Officer Joel Anderson; City Administrator Kyle Dixon; Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Slinkard MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Council Meeting of February 26, 2019. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: DG submitted a written report. Of significant note, Don Myott will be retiring April 30, after 34+ years of service to the city.
POLICE REPORT:
A new battery was put in Journey #1 (Officer Anderson’s vehicle).
Chief Neumann, the Police, Fire, Safety Committee, and the Civil Service Commission all interviewed via Skype a potential new police officer from Wasilla, Alaska. He holds officer certifications for WA, AK, & Washington Tribal Police, all in good standing. He still has to take and pass polygraph and psychological evaluation as well as be approved by Mayor Echanove. He found opening on Criminal Justice Training Commission website job board where the position was listed.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
CA Dixon has listed Don Myott’s position, WWTP Operator II, on the AWC job search engine as well as on the city web page. The posting is already getting a lot of attention. The sooner we can hire the better so new person can cross-train with Don. It will be difficult to find someone who is not only certified but also able and willing to do street maintenance, snow plowing, grave-digging, w/s cleanouts, meter reading, etc., etc., etc.
Varela Engineering will be attending next meeting for an update on the wastewater issue. A lot of frustrating developments in the last year. We’re not gaining any traction nor solving any problems, and we’re still spending a lot of money. CA Dixon and Mayor are meeting in Olympia next week with DOE Director to discuss all the difficulties with this project.
While in Olympia, CA Dixon and Mayor will also hit TIB, AWC, Commerce, WA St Grange, DAHP and district reps to discuss projects and learn about different programs and funding that could benefit Palouse.
CA Dixon is gathering numbers for paving the Community Center parking lot. There’s a grant that will cover a minimum of 75% of cost. Once numbers are in and we know city’s cost, council can decide whether they want to help with that.
OLD BUSINESS:
TD&H Engineering update on Water System Improvements: Working on reservoir tank design, and system updates to the water distribution system under Culton and Church Streets. As we go through updates, more areas may be flagged. Water Model Update and Water System Plan Update should be done in about a month. Should have a 60% design completion in mid-summer and will review with council at that time. In the summer Michelle will try and find funding opportunities. Final review is anticipated late September. The final location determination has to be made before TD&H can move too far on the water tower design. City needs to do what is best for the majority of its residents.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel & Pool, Chair Cook- Chris gave his recommendations for upgrades at the pool. For 2019 he recommends having painted the exterior, interior, and floors of the pool-house. Additionally, there will be some wave & kid templates ordered for painting on exterior. Estimated costs for these upgrades will be $6,500. CA Dixon said we will need to appropriate an additional $3,500 to cover the costs. Councilmember Sievers MOVED to approve Councilmember Cook’s spring 2019 pool upgrade recommendations. Councilmember Snyder seconded. Motion carried.
Police, Fire, & Safety, Chair Wekenman- Held interview with potential new officer. Councilmember Wekenman was happy with how he interviewed.
OPEN FORUM:
Jim Fielder from Planning Commission. The PC is almost done preparing the community survey and hoping it is ready to go by end of April. It will be available via computer and completely anonymous. Residents will be receiving survey instructions via April utility bills as well as via the city’s listserve. The PC feel confident that they will reach a large majority and good cross-section of the population.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 2/28/19 Ck. #9877-9893 & EFT $44,267.10
Claims Paid 3/12/19 Ck. #9894-9915 & EFT $28,742.37
ADJOURN: Councilmember Cook MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Sievers seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________