REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
March 25, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Pro-Tem Mayor Rick Wekenman called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Norm Schorzman; and Rick Wekenman. Absent were: Mayor Echanove and Council members Andy O’Neill and Jeff Snook. Also present were: Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; and Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present were: Jana Mathia.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Bailey MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 11, 2008. Councilmember Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM : The Mayor states that the council will not entertain any comments regarding personnel issues of city staff.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: In addition to his submitted written report, Superintendent Dwayne Griffin added: Munir Daud sent a letter to A & R Construction requesting they contact us and give us a schedule. Dwayne believes it’s too wet on top but he thinks A & R could be working on the trunk line on Fairview Avenue. Don is attending a Wastewater Treatment certification class in Yakima this week.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann is getting literature on internet safety for kids, and will go into the schools and interact with them. He also stated that when it comes to dogs, county residents are not under the same guidance as city residents, however when county dogs come into the city proper, they become accountable to city laws. As weather gets better we’ll begin bicycle safety at the schools again.
JFB UPDATE: Mayor PT Wekenman postponed report until the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: Palouse River MH Park Acquisition Project Update: As of Friday, March 21, 2008, the MH Park belongs to the city. We will begin working with Attorney Bishop on a case-by-case basis. If the trailers can be moved in one big piece, then we will not have order an assessment done for hazardous materials. If they have to be cut into pieces on-site, then we have to go through the hazardous materials abatement processes. There will probably be stipulations from DOE considering the proximity to the river. There have been a number of people who have volunteered their labor on this project.
Whitman Street Project bid opening date has been extended to April 1st.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS:
Councilmember Milano talked with the Recreation Conservation Board about getting a grant for park equipment. He also has a request in for 50% match from the state. He needs to figure out what the city’s cost for installation will be. He talked to the state grant manager for DOT on the Palouse Community Center federal grant. After reviewing, it doesn’t seem feasible to apply for federal grants. He did speak with them about the MH Park Project
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION:
Councilmember Bailey forwarded some information to Bishop on the junk car ordinance. The Planning Commission met about the trailer park with a group from the UI who is doing a park layout plan. He has been working with them about the requirements from the Conservation District and Ecology. At this point it looks like it has to be all native plants; all the sewer and water hook-ups have to be removed, etc. We have not yet located a spot for the junk cars. Chief Neumann reminded council that one stipulation is that it has to be city-owned property. Dwayne Griffin suggested the city dump as a possibility for the junk cars and will do some research.
STREETS & SIDEWALKS:
Councilmember Bagott reminds residents with sidewalks in front of their homes that they are responsible for their maintenance. They need to sweep the gravel off of them and if they can’t, contact Darcie Bagott. DOT has come up with a couple solutions for the pedestrian signs by the car wash and possibly a crosswalk. Councilmember Milano reminds people that there is a tree-planting party on April 12th at 9:00 a.m. There is a volunteer breakfast at 7:30 at the Federated Church.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Bagott MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrant #12965 – #12983 Payment: $84,162.34
Payroll Paid Warrant #6770 – #6793 Payment: $30,052.82
Voids: Warrant #6776 and #6790
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________