Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 13, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Mark Wilcomb; Bob Stout. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Officer Joe Handley; Clerk-Treasurer Kyle Dixon.
Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Slinkard to excuse Councilmember Wekenman’s absence. Motion carries.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Sievers MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 27, 2018. Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt Griffin submitted a written report.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann made a conditional offer to officer candidate. Chief thinks he will be a great fit in Palouse. Official start day will be March 27th.
Busy day yesterday with several arrests in Garfield for warrants and license suspensions.
Cascades Computing has ordered equipment for wi-fi access in police vehicles.
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT: BI Gladwill has drafted a letter, reviewed by Atty Hanson, to the owner of the old Palouse Arms building on Main Street addressing the city’s concern regarding its condition. To proceed with an abatement of dangerous buildings, Atty Hanson is requesting council approve funding for a litigation guarantee, which is roughly $500. A litigation guarantee protects the city against any lien holders of the property should the city order the building be demolished. Chief Neumann discussed an alternative of issuing citations for public nuisance in an attempt to rectify the situation. Councilmember Stout MOVED to allow Atty Hanson to proceed with a litigation guarantee for the Palouse Arms property, Councilmember Stout seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ord. 968 – Budget Amendment: This budget amendment accounts for revenues and expenditures for the West Whitman Street project, in the Arterial Streets fund, that were receipted in 2018 for work performed in 2017. Mayor Echanove read the Ordinance in full. Councilmember Stout MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Wilcomb, to approve Ordinance 968 as presented. Motion carried.
Review Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve preliminary proposal: The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 7th, at City Hall to obtain comments from the public on a proposed 12-lot subdivision on the south end of town off Palouse Cove Rd. After the hearing and subsequent review, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval by city council of the preliminary proposal brought by Palouse Builders LLC. Their recommendation of approval is subject to staff report conditions. The city has sent the environmental checklist to the Dept of Ecology. After a 14-day comment period, the city will then vote on whether to approve, approve subject to conditions, or deny the proposal. This vote will take place at the next council meeting on March 27th. The Board of Adjustment also held a public hearing on March 7th to hear comments about a conditional use permit submitted by Palouse Builders LLC to allow duplexes and/or adult family homes on 4 lots in the proposed subdivision. The conditional use permit was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
No reports
OPEN FORUM:
Caleb San Miguel read a report about an issue he had with Jerry Neumann regarding removal of a dangerous tree and street closure. He presented paperwork to council regarding the tree removal service used by Neumann. Neumann offered rebuttal. San Miguel would like the city to adopt an ordinance to address safe tree removal and he would also like to contract with the city for all tree/limb removal on city-owned property. This issue will be forwarded to the policy and administration committee for further review.
Doug Willcox submitted a written report to council indicating his concerns with the TDH water tower agreement. Mayor Echanove discussed the various reasons why the city is proceeding with this project. Council discussed. Topic will be further discussed at the next council meeting.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Councilmember Hanson submitted her resignation February 27, 2018. Mayor Echanove accepted her resignation and publicly thanked her for her service. A call for submittals of interest for the vacated position was emailed to list serve and is posted at Post Office and City Hall. Position is open until filled.
Mayor Echanove and CT Dixon will be attending a conference in April to speak to other local governments about our solar project.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Stout seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 3/13/18 Ck. #9037-9064 $13,552.65
ADJOURN: Councilmember Sievers MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Snyder seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________