CITY OF PALOUSE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
March 8, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Norm Schorzman, John Sell, Jeff Snook, Dave Willmore (arrived 7:05PM), Steve McGehee, and Rick Wekenman. Absent-Linda Dillard. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Bev Pearce, Deputy City Clerk; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bruce Grass-Police Officer/Building Inspector; Shawn Tompkins; Tom Boone, Sr.; Larry Hunt; David Caudle; Dave Schmitt; Bear Nisse; Marie Dymkoski; Mike Dymkoski; Michelle Fickle; Thinh Nguyen; John Skyles.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 22, 2005. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
- Shawn Tompkins-Shady Lane Signs
Shawn reported that he consulted Tri-State on his sign project and will be following their recommendations. Shawn determined that the cost for 10 signs would be $70. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to allocated to Shawn $70 for signage at the Shady Lane Trail project. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Verizon Billing Notice
Council Member Schorzman asked the city council to write a letter of protest to the rate increase that Verizon is proposing. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to have the Mayor write a letter of protest on behalf of the city council. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. Council Member Wekenman stated that the Palouse Grain Growers use a company named Marathon for their telephone service. The Mayor asked Deputy Clerk Pearce to investigate this company as a possible service provider for the city. The motion carried unanimously.
- Larry Hunt-employee complaint
Larry Hunt asked to talk to the city council privately regarding an employee complaint. The Mayor stated that though it was not usual procedure he would entertain a motion to adjourn to executive session briefly to discuss a personnel issue. Council Member Willmore MOVED to adjourn to executive session to discuss with Larry Hunt a personnel issue.
Council Member Wekenman seconded the motion. The motion carried and council and Larry Hunt adjourned at 7:10PM. Council and Larry Hunt returned at 7:55PM.
- John Skyles, Whitman County Environmental Health Department
John Skyles reported that in regards to Fisher’s Addition, there is no mandate or regulated pressure from the Environmental Health Department or Ecology to extend city sewer to Fishers Addition. The problem is that the properties are devalued because many of the existing septic systems are not up to code. Council Member McGehee asked Skyles if the city is required to update their Sewer Facilities Plan. Skyles stated that he has confirmed with Ecology that no update is required unless a major change to the system is coming. John Skyles stated his supports for the sewer extension project if it is what the property owners want. He agreed with council that the engineering portion of the project could be done in phases. Council Member Sell stated that a small piece of property at the bottom of Fairview Ave would be needed and is owned by the county.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Written Report Submitted By Byron Hodges
Byron added to his report that the city has received the new lawn mower and that he is doing some dirt moving around the PSB.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Written report submitted by Officer Grass
Officer Grass had no addition to his report.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Written report submitted by Inspector Grass
Inspector Grass reported on a setback issue within a mobile home park. The property owners gave council members a letter addressing the issue and how they plan to correct the problem. The inspector wishes to draft a letter to the property owners with specific requirements to be met and a deadline. In regards to the Ellis Street property, Bruce has sent letters to the board of appeals members and they have yet to meet.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Ordinance No. 808- Budget Amendment
Treasurer Beeson explained that this ordinance is a bookkeeping issue in regards to previous warrants. The Mayor read the ordinance through one time in its entirety. He read the ordinance by title and paragraph, then by title only. Council Member McGehee MOVED to adopt ordinance No. 808. Council Member Willmore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Police Department Staffing
At the last council meeting Council Member McGehee MOVED to maintain a two man police department. Council Member Wekenman seconded the motion. Council Member McGehee MOVED to table the discussion. Council Member Sell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. At this meeting Council Member Wekenman MOVED to return the discussion to the table. The Mayor asked for a second. Being none the motion failed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard-Absent
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman
No Report
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : John Sell
Council Member Sell ask when the fire station will move in to the new building. Council Member Wekenman stated that there is still some minor work to be done before the station can be moved.
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook
Toshia Smith has accepted the position as pool manager. The city will put out advertising for the lifeguards as soon as possible.
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Steve McGehee
No Report
WATER & SEWER : David Willmore
Council member Willmore has received a letter from Don Myott and Byron Hodges regarding the water and sewer hookup charges for Bob Strack. Council Member Willmore would like this issue on the next agenda and to notify Bob Strack. Willmore had no report on the Fishers Addition project and would like it to be put on the agenda for the council meeting of April 12.
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman
No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor announced that City Hall will be closed March 16, 17, 18. The Mayor stated that the city’s insurance company Canfield and Associates will have a report of the police department and will be at the next council meeting, March 22.
Council Member Sell announced that AWC will be having an “Executive Session” workshop in Colfax, he would be attending and other council members volunteered to go as well. Council Member Snook reported on Heritage Park and showed council samples of possible bathroom stall options. He noted that accessories, such as toilet paper holders, hand dryers, etc, still need to be purchased and that the allocation may run short. Council Member Snook MOVED for an additional $1,500 add to the $2,500 from the last meeting to finish the bathroom project. Council Member Schorzman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Jeff Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Jeff Snook MOVED to adjourn. Steve McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:39PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants # 10959 through # 10988 Payment: $24,034.12
Payroll Paid Warrants # 5714 through # 5735 Payment: $26,769.99
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________