Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
May 10, 2016
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Doreen Hanson; Mike Hicks; Senja Estes; Rick Wekenman; Mark Wilcomb; Christopher Langsett. Staff present: Clerk-Treasurer Mike Bagott.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 24, 2016. Councilmember Hanson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
POLICE REPORT: None
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT: C-T Bagott reported:
The notice of the opening for the Clerk-Treasurer position has been posted at City Hall and the Post Office, sent via email on the City Listserv, and listed on the AWC Jobnet site. No cover letters/resumes have been received to date, but there have been several inquiries regarding the position.
The initial reimbursement requests have been submitted to TIB for W Whitman St engineering expenses and to CERB for work on the Wastewater Facility Plan.
Joe from Apollo called on Monday to advise that the City should be hearing from the Dept of Commerce regarding our solar grant application in the near future.
City Hall will be closed on Friday as C-T Bagott will be attending the Eastern Washington Finance Officers Association spring meeting in Spokane and Deputy Clerk Thompson is on vacation.
RV Park revenues are already approximately $400 ahead of revenues through the end of May in 2015. Positive comments continue to come in about the park and about the interactions that visitors have with local residents and businesses.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Water Extension Application – Finch: Councilmember Langsett reviewed the application with Supt. Griffin and Councilmember Hicks. There were no concerns. Councilmember Langsett MOVED to approve the application as submitted. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Council permission needed for contractor to work in City right-of-way on Houghton Street for utilities for Finch’s home installation: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to allow Mangum’s Concrete Forming to work in the City right-of-way. Councilmember Langsett seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel & Pool, Chair Hanson- A committee meeting will be held next week.
Water & Sewer, pro-tem Chair Langsett- No report
Streets & Sidewalks, Chair Hicks- The City attorney is preparing a resolution regarding the deficient sidewalks that were identified by the Streets & Sidewalks Committee. Councilmember Hicks will work with Deputy Clerk Thompson to develop another letter to affected property owners.
Parks, Cemetery, & Buildings, Chair Estes- No report
Police, Fire, & Safety, Chair Wekenman- No report
Policy & Administration, Chair Wilcomb- No report
Finance, Property, & Equipment, Chair Langsett- No report
OPEN FORUM: No public present
MAYOR’S REPORT:
A liquor license renewal has been received for McLeod’s Palouse Market. There were no Council objections to the renewal.
Jeff Baldwin has resigned from the Planning Commission.
The Mayor contacted our insurance carrier regarding the public records requests that continue to be received by the City. He received a call from the carrier this afternoon indicating that they are willing to spend some money on the City’s behalf to engage an attorney in Yakima that specializes in public records issues to review our situation. Much discussion ensued.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Hicks MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Wilcomb seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid: Ck. #7422-7438 & EFT $38,292.39
Claims Paid: Ck. #7439-7467 & EFT $25,217.79
ADJOURN: Councilmember Estes MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Hanson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________