Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
March 26, 2013

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

ROLL CALL: Council members present: Tim Jones; Connie Newman, Bo Ossinger; Norm Schorzman; Alison Webb. Absent: Rick Wekenman. Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present: Aaron Flansburg. Councilmember Jones MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Newman, to excuse Councilmember Wekenman’s absence. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 12, 2013. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Submitted a written report. While in the process of installing a new water service on South Hill, Public Works discovered a fire hydrant line in disrepair. They are going to replace a 20’ section of the main, and 10’ off.

Public Works checked the sewer lift station again and it was filled with items that should never be flushed. Need to keep reminding public of what not to flush. When the Consumer Confidence Report goes out this spring, we will include another reminder.

POLICE REPORT:
The unfinished trim at the PD is being painted with help of a man serving his community service hours.
The Police Harley was listed for sale on the AWC website, the newspaper, posted at P.O., and emailed to city’s list serve. Sealed bids are due April 22nd.
We’re dealing with an ongoing theft on Union Street. A large concrete yard ornamental deer was stolen. If anyone has any information, please contact the PD.
Reminder to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists now that the weather has warmed up.

NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2013-03 adopting policy and procedures for recording and tracking capital assets. – Mayor read aloud the resolution in its entirety. The city already has a policy for tracking small and attractive inventory. This resolution tracks buildings, land, furnishings, fixtures, and furniture, equipment, machinery, vehicles, and tools valued at greater than $5,000. The city has already been doing this but now it’s a policy. Councilmember Ossinger MOVED to approve and sign Resolution No. 2013-03. Councilmember Jones seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:

Parks, Cemetery, & Buildings-Alison Webb. Chair: Alison met with Councilmember Newman and Aaron Flansburg regarding the skatepark. The school deeded the property the tennis court is on get a grant to build it. City will look into a possible title search to confirm who owns the vacated portion of G Street next to the tennis court. The cost of property and liability insurance is yet to be determined. Aaron will continue to gather information. His projected groundbreaking date is June 2014. When he gets more information and answers he will move forward with discussing with the school board/administration, and abutting property owners.

Streets & Sidewalks: Regarding the contract with the Palouse Tavern for their beer garden. Contract has been revised and it looks good. Councilmember Newman recommends it to be renewed annually, perhaps run from June 1 to May 31 and have it on the agenda for the first meeting in May so any questions/concerned can be addressed.

Water & Sewer-Connie Newman, Chair: The WSP is tentatively on the agenda for April 9th to be presented to council. If Council approves the Resolution adopting the WSP, it goes to DOH for their final stamp.

Personnel & Pool-Norm Schorzman, Chair:
Police, Fire, & Safety-Rick Wekenman, Chair:
Policy & Administration-Bo Ossinger, Chair:
Finance, Property, & Equipment-Tim Jones, Chair:

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Request for extended vacation leave this summer for deputy clerk. Her immediate supervisor Clerk Beeson, and Mayor both approve. Councilmember Newman MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Jones to grant the extended leave request. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor read aloud a city proclamation honoring Gloria Hodges for volunteering as an EMS provider for 28 years. Gloria is retiring this spring.

Since no one submitted a letter of interest for the vacated council position we will open it again until April 18th, 2pm.

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.

The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Ck. #4752-4767 & EFT $7,050.07

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________