Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 22, 2016
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Mike Hicks; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb; Christopher Langsett. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to excuse Councilmember Estes’& Hanson’s absences. Councilmember Wilcomb seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Clerk-Treasurer Mike Bagott; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 8, 2016. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
The material used in repairing the parapet on the PD last year isn’t holding up; the company who made the repairs is going to re-do at no cost to the city.
JFB REPORT (2nd council meeting of month only):
Councilmembers Langsett and Wekenman attended the JFB meeting 3/21/16.
On the financial end, things are on target although it’s early in the year.
One fire call in February, 4 calls YTD. There were two meetings in March: both are in classroom driver training for Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention. Physical driving portion of the training will be conducted later. Chief Bagott ordered some fire shelters at a discounted price through a DNR program. EMS will need to purchase four radios for new members and the FD/EMS will be purchasing a 10×20 storage container to put on the west side of the station.
12 EMS calls in February.
EMS is training five new recruits from Palouse.
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT:
The Cascade Bike Club is planning another stay in Palouse August 1-3 with over 200 cyclists + 25 support staff.
CT Bagott is researching funding options for the solar project.
First quarter 2016 sales tax revenue is up over 14% from first quarter 2015 so that’s positive.
OLD BUSINESS:
Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade contract: Dana Cowger of Varela & Associates summarized the contract. Council approved the initial agreement in December 2014 which covered some preliminary work. This amendment is for the next phase of the process. Much discussion ensued. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adopt Varela & Associate’s Agreement Amendment #1 for Palouse’s Wastewater Facility Planning in the amount of $87,405. Councilmember Wekenman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Echanove reported on the funding arrangement with WSDOT for the railroad portion of the W Whitman St project. WSDOT has proposed assigning their portion of the funding to the City so that there will be a single source for payment to all project contractors. After attorney review of the proposed WSDOT contract, it does not appear that there is any benefit to the City in going this route.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
WSU-UI collegiate cycling race will be in Palouse again April 30th.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Langsett MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 3/22/16 Ck. #7343-7357 $14,117.14
ADJOURN: Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________