Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 25. 2014
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Doreen Hanson; Bo Ossinger; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Bev Pearce;
Christopher Langsett. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann;
Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Absent: Councilmember Wekenman had a family
matter. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Estes, to excuse Rick’s absence. Motion
carried unanimously. Public present: Student Liaison Tyler Wilson; Donna Langsett; Katie Cooper; Berlyn Hegg; Ami Kramer; Daniel Kramer; Jens Hegg; Aaron Flansburg; Kelsie Bakeman; Michael Kammeyer; Daniel Eastman; Tim
Jones; Kristin Jones; Nicole Flansburg; Kari Watkins; Garrick Watkins; Connie Newman; Darlene Brantner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adopt the minutes of the RegularCouncil March 11,2014. Councilmember Langsett seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Meeting of PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. New backhoe arrived and is great.
POLICE REPORT: Working on a couple nuisance complaints on the north hill. The ATV ordinance is still with Atty.
Bishop. Snow tires must be off by April 15.
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JFB REPORT: Councilmember Langsett attended his first JFB meeting. Had a tour of the facility with Marv Pillers.
There were 8 EMS calls in February. Annie Pillers is working with Pullman on the ambulance contract to make sure
ambulance isn’t dispatched until EMS or FD calls for one as it is unnecessarily costly. EMS is looking for volunteers. Two fire calls in February, 4 for the year. They’ve had a couple trainings and a station work night. The pump/motor is getting replaced on brush truck 413. Everything is on budget.
OLD BUSINESS:
Skatepark Update: Mayor Echanove reported on the meeting held on March 13 with DOE. Present were Don Myott,
Dwayne Griffin, Mayor Echanove, Palouse Skatepark Council rep & wls chair Bo Ossinger, Aaron Flansburg, C-T
Beeson, Deputy Clerk Thompson. In summary, there are numerous state requirements the city has to begin, including lowering the temperature of the effluent from the plant, TMDL loading, effluent testing for fecal coliform, and nutrient testing with nitrates and phosphates, all of which potentially will require sewer plant expansion. Because of these issues and others, DOE said building a skate park next to the sewer plant wouldn’t be prudent. It would be very limiting to the city. DOE has indicated that they’ll hold off on issuing our permit until all the results of various studies have come in, and then they’ll set goals that the city has to obtain within the five years. Aaron Flansburg read aloud his 4- page prepared statement (attached). In summary, Aaron and the skatepark committees would still like to s~e the park located at the site next to the sewer plant. He would like to go through the SEPA which will bring in public comment from Palouse citizens and Ecology. When Aaron initially asked to build a skatepark, it was to be anywhere from 3,800 to 5,000 sf. Mayor wants to know how Aaron went from a 5,000 sf plan to 15,000 sf. Aaron said because the sewer plant land allows for that size. C-T Beeson told Aaron the next step is the SEPA process.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Water & Sewer- Councilmember Ossinger reported they had a short committee meeting last week attended by Jim
Farr. There is an error in paragraph 10.1 of the WSP. Connie Newman (former WIS committee chair) explained that the WSP is not a policy, it’s a plan. The WSP doesn’t change the city’s policies, it should reflect them. So paragraph 10.1 in the WSP is not accurate and should be changed to reflect the city’s actual policies: wls committee meetings are not required monthly; and committee meetings are not open meetings but the public can ‘request to attend. Taylor Engineering is awaiting the correction and will print and bind the final copies upon notice. WIS committee will bring something back to next council meeting.
Streets & Sidewalks- Councilmember Hicks had a committee meeting. His main focus now is on the Bridge Street
bridge work. The bridge is owned by the state (not the city). Mike met with Tom Riebold from Colfax WSDOT to look at the bridge. The railings are disintegrating rapidly. He’s going to try and get that on WSDOT’s bridge maintenance schedules. The state is also looking at cutting that curb out to help with the narrowness. The state won’t resurface it. Mayor thought maybe a bus shelter at the corner of Bluff and Sumner might be a good grant project for the Safe Routes to School program.
Personnel & Pool- Councilmember Pearce had a committee meeting. They established pool season dates, returning
pool staff & manager, and pay rates. We’ll be looking to hire one or two fill-in lifeguards. Out-of-town pool guests are encouraged to donate; last year they donated $1,403. They are also required to pay more for swim lessons – over50% of our swim lesson income comes from people outside the city limits, which we need. Bev is anticipating more users this summer because Reaney Pool in Pullman will be closed this for repairs.
The city received a complaint last week from Jim Farr. Mayor will review with Personnel Chair Bev Pearce.
Finance, Property, & Eguipment-Councilmember Langsett met with Joyce to discuss the six year water system
financial plan. Chris will meet with Dwayne to discuss project priority. The IACC conference is coming up in October. Mayor would like Councilmember Langsett to perhaps attend.
OPEN FORUM:
Darlene Brantner is concerned that just because the levy passed that we don’t spend it on returning the officer to full time but rather save the money for public works needs, parks, equipment, and cemetery.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
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Tavern agreement for use of public right of way. The Brick Wall Bar & Grill would like permission to have an outdoor beer garden area approximately April through October, as weather permits. Policy Committee will review the agreement and bring to next council meeting.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Ossinger MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Estes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Estes MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Pearce seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
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The following checks are approved for payment: .
Claims Paid
Ck. #5574 – 5595
APPROVED:
$84,925.92
_ ATTEST:
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