REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
May 13, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro-Tem Rick Wekenman called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; and Jeff Snook. Absent were: Mayor Michael Echanove. Also present were: Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; and Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Public present were: Jana Mathia, Leti Mondragon, Larry Zeller, Tom Wolny, Mary Estes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Bailey MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 22, 2008, and Special Council Meeting of May 5, 2008. Councilmember Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
Leti Mondragon and her husband Larry Zeller are concerned with night activity, revving engines, loud kids, etc. at the city park. They would like to consider implementing closing down the park at night. She has taken to videotaping the kids at the park in an attempt to scare off any would-be criminal activity. Chief Neumann explained that there is lack of proof or evidence. Leti asked if the high school does anything as far as K-9 searches for drugs at the school. Chief Neumann explained that the school is able to initiate drug searches; law enforcement can’t search lockers without warrants. Chief Neumann explained that the city doesn’t have a noise ordinance but does have a nuisance ordinance, which would cover loud noises at the park, etc. Mayor Pro-Tem Wekenman said the best approach is to call the police department when the problems are happening. Councilmember Bailey explained that noise ordinances are a very difficult and expensive code to enforce. He suggests using the police for a while. Larry asked if a curfew at the park can be considered. Mayor Pro Tem Wekenman responded that curfews have been considered in the past. Instead he suggests first to continue doing what they’re doing, monitoring the park and calling the police if there is suspicious activity.
Mary Estes stated that her group would like to plant six roses at Heritage Park around the statue. The big area near the PD is a very large project which she’d like to do over time. She asked whether PW could/would terrace the bottom of the grassy area near the PD as a start to the larger rose garden. Clerk Beeson responded that it probably could not be part of the Whitman Street design. Mayor Pro-Tem Wekenman told Mary she needs to talk to Public Works to get approval. Supt. Griffin cautioned that there are utilities and bedrock under the grass. Ultimately, Marc Arrasmith has final approval on any work they might do there. Eventually Mary would like to see a rose park that people could sit in, wander through but knows it will take time and planning. Mayor Pro-Tem Wekenman said they’ll have to look at the plan to see how it would be incorporated.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Superintendent Dwayne Griffin reported they have been very busy. Friday they did their yearly crackseal throughout town. The pool house roof is done and is now ready to put in the solar tubing. One coat of paint is on the floors, ready for another coat. There is still wood at the park if anyone is interested in sawing it up and taking it. They are working on Whitman Street; with a goal to be done by June 1st; prior to construction beginning. A & R has been working, really battling the rock. They will consider blasting. A part-time worker has been hired for the summer. On Thursday Strom Electric will be here to install the VFD on the booster pump. Dwayne is taking a 3 day class in Spokane this month for his water certification.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
We’ve been in Garfield since the 1st; and that’s going well. We have a couple decent applicants who applied for the third officer position. May Days is the 17th, we’ll bring in some extra help so Palouse will be covered at the same time. We’ll have the bicycle rodeo at the school next week. Our goal is to get a helmet on every kid.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 841 : amending Ord. No. 838, amending certain funds within the 2008 Annual Budget. Mayor ProTem Wekenman read Ordinance 841, increasing the total law enforcement budget by $34,720 to cover the new officer and the rise in fuel costs. Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 841. Councilmember Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion of park plan: Councilmember Milano reported he got information back from county parks. City parks and trail systems are essential for quality of life everywhere. He checked again with state recommendations for park planning; it’s pretty simple, get public input and include a 10-year plan. Mike will apply the demographics and a needs-assessment to the park plan then distribute it to council for review. He is hoping to adopt it by resolution at the next meeting.
Whitman Street update : Construction to begin June 9th: Pre-construction meeting May 22nd.
MH Park update : We’re still looking into ways to remove the trailers. Reports back indicate there isn’t enough metal to offset the fees for waste disposal.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS: Councilmember Milano stated that Shelley Goertzen wants to get together with city staff to discuss installation of new park equipment. Need to discuss with PW which apparatus at the park will be removed, if any. Anything removed will have to be surplused. Clerk Beeson questioned the request to remove the small slide since our insurance company has no problem and it’s still used and loved by the kids. Councilmember Milano said if it is decided that it should be kept, then it can be moved elsewhere in the park.
PERSONNEL & POOL:
Kasey, our pool manager is handling the phone interviews for the lifeguards.
MAYOR’S REPORT :
Clerk Beeson reminded council that the deadline for the 6-year street plan is coming up as well as the public hearing for revenue sources. She also reminded council that with current SAS 112 requirements, the annual report needs to be reviewed by an outside party, preferably council, before sending in. The deadline is May 31st.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Bagott seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Bagott MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid
Claims Paid
Payroll Paid
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________