Public Hearing to decide Kyle Waterhouse’s petition to vacate a portion of “K “Street
followed by Regular Palouse City Council Meeting via ZOOM teleconferencing
May 11, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cook called the Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Mary Welcome; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Jim Fielder; Libby Akin; Katie Cooper. Staff present: Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Public Works Supt. Mike Wolf.
PUBLIC HEARING: Council received last month Kyle Waterhouse’s paid application for a petition to vacate a 30’ wide x 250’ long portion of “K” Street. The land is at the dead-end of street and the abutting land is not owned by the city. If expansion were to ever happen then the city has access to build from “I” Street. Vacating this small portion on “K” Street would not result in any land denied access now or in the future. The existing Avista easement will remain in place. Mayor Cook opened the public hearing at 7:03 pm. Kyle Waterhouse added that the land is vacant and it’s a steep hill that turns into a marshland. The only affected neighbor is Monica Burleson and she signed her support of this. Councilmember Sievers MOVED to approve the street vacation request. Councilmember Akin seconded. Motion carried. Public Hearing closed at 7:10 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Welcome MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 27, 2021. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Wolf submitted a written report.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann submitted the police log.
DEPUTY CLERK REPORT:
DC Thompson reported she has balanced and closed April’s Treasurer Report.
Fast-Signs installed the new signs at the pool last week.
DC Thompson submitted her resignation letter on May 8. Her last day will be May 27, 2021.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council went into executive session at 7:22 pm to discuss personnel. Council reconvened at 8:05 pm.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel, Chair Snyder- We are looking at filling three city positions: City Administrator, Deputy Clerk, and Building Inspector. On Thursday the Personnel Committee and Mayor Cook will be conducting a second interview with one of the CA applicants. The Deputy Clerk position is currently being advertised online. The city is going to look at combining the contract for Building Inspector services with other communities.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Bid closing for the Palouse Cove Sidewalk Project was May 4 at 2:00 pm. The city received only one bid. White Diamond Concrete LLC bid as follows: Alternate A – $240,550; Alternate B – $230,530. The city has $197,000 in TIB funds for the project. The project is currently in Mayor Cook’s hands awaiting more information on how to proceed and what kinds of funds might be available.to supplement either this project or perhaps to apply to a completely different project.
Councilmember Cooper has resigned her position as Mayor Pro-Tem effective May 27, 2021. Another councilperson will need to be appointed to that role.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Akin MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Fielder seconded. The motion carried.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 5/11/2021 Ck# 11601-11621 & EFT $14,396.62
Voided Check Ck# 10607
ADJOURN: Councilmember Welcome MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. The motion carried. The council meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________