Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting via ZOOM teleconferencing
March 9, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cook called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
OATH OF OFFICE: Mayor Cook swore in new councilmember Libby Akin.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Mary Welcome; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Jim Fielder; Libby Akin; Katie Cooper. Staff present: City Administrator Kyle Dixon; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Public Works Supt. Mike Wolf.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Slinkard MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 23, 2021. Councilmember Sievers Seconded. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Wolf submitted a written report. Water line replacement on Fir and W Church should be done this week. Beeson lift station has been repaired. Boards on the foot bridge have been replaced. Supt Wolf passed his water certification test today. Public Works will be grading roads this week.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann submitted the police log.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: No major updates to report.
CA Dixon is waiting on information to proceed with various projects including:
-Response from ECY regarding comments submitted last month to review wastewater alternatives by a 3rd party engineer.
-Official statement from the Dept of Health indicating what the city needs to provide to proceed with water distribution improvements on Church and Culton Street.
-Bid documents from Munir Daud and Associates to proceed with Palouse Cove sidewalk project
-Whitman County Landfill is looking to acquire additional community recycling bins at the new biennium (July 1st). CA Dixon has Palouse on their list if they are ultimately funded.
-Community-wide cleanup this spring. Whitman County Landfill has not announced their spring cleanup dates yet, and there is a chance they do not offer this service in 2021.
NEW BUSINESS:
Citizens Climate Lobby advocating for Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act:
Linda Jovanovich from the Citizens Climate Lobby was on the call to give an update to council on what they are working on and to answer any questions. She updated council on specific bills and where they sit in the legislative session. The Citizens Climate Lobby updated their request to advocate for climate change in general as opposed to any specific proposal. Council will consider the material presented and proceed with a statement if they choose to do so.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Policy & Administration, Chair Cooper-
Councilmember Cooper and the Policy Committee recommend the following changes to the Palouse RV Park policies as a mutually beneficial option for both the city and those who are improving and expanding our community:
A contractor rate of $700/month will be offered at the RV park subject to the following conditions:
-Must have active building permit within city limits of Palouse
-Maximum of 5 spaces for the contractor rate at any given time, subject to availability
-Refunds approved with 2-week notice
-Must adhere to RV park rules at all times or stay will be terminated
Councilmember Cooper MOVED to approve the proposed changes. Councilmember Fielder seconded. The motion carried.
Joint Fire Board, Chair Fielder-
There were 6 fire calls for January: 1 mutual aid to Garfield, 2 down power lines, 1 traffic accident and 1 false alarm at the Community Center. 3 meetings and 2 trainings in January.
There were 9 EMS calls in January: 6 city residents including 1 fire standby; 1 rural; and 2 non-resident.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Cook provided an update on his proposal to create a youth advisory board and will have a document to run by council when finalized.
Proposal for pool house upgrades were discussed. Will be finalized soon.
Palouse Family Foods liquor license up for renewal. No concerns.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Sievers MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Snyder seconded. The motion carried.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 2/28/2021 Ck# 11469-11484 & EFT $41,756.54
Claims Paid 3/9/2021 Ck# 11485-11507 & EFT $12,359.22
ADJOURN: Councilmember Akin MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Fielder seconded. The motion carried. The council meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________