REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
May 23, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Darcie Bagott; Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; and Rick Wekenman. Absent-Andy O’Neill. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Chief Neumann, Caitlyn McGehee and David Mayhan.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 9, 2006. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges submitted written report. In addition Byron commented that the yearly street oiling will begin after Memorial Day weekend.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Neumann. The chief reported that on May 10 he attended two small agency meetings, one in Colfax and the other in Moses Lake . The chief and reserve officer Cassidy qualified on the gun range last week. The chief lead the Garfield May Day parade on Saturday May 20. A couple of citations were issued and several traffic and speed violation stops were made. The city will deploy the radar board around town again. Council Member Bagott commented on the placement of it and how it seems to help control speeders on Main Street . The Mayor read a Thank you letter from Ray Lindquist to the council. Ray thanked Chief Neumann for the work that has been done at the corner of Wall and Union St. in regards to the property clean up efforts in that neighborhood.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan Gladwill reported that the department is running smooth and he is caught up on current building permits. There are a couple new projects coming up. The Mayor has asked Dan if he had any input as to critical areas from the county perspective. Council Member Wekenman asked Dan if the committee could talk to him about the ADA requirements for the police station. Wekenman wants to make sure there are codes to back up any decisions made regarding ADA access.
JOINT FIRE BOARD & EMS: Jeff Snook reported that there was one fire call in April. The house training burn went well on Sunday May 20. Water cannons have been installed. Fire Chief Bagott would like to see a policy change regarding residency of fire fighters. Request to be in the Palouse fire department have been made from a person who lives in Idaho . The Mayor read a letter from the Inland Northwest Blood drive, 23 units of blood was taken, which in turn helps 69 patients. The organization thanked the EMS and Fire Dept. for a successful drive. The Pullman ambulance contract is up this year, Gloria Hodges EMS coordinator is working with Pullman to review the contract and get it ready for signing.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Clerk Treasurer Joyce Beeson provided to the council a treasurer report as of 4/30/06. She said that a budget amendment will be needed down the road for the Police Station renovation. She also informed council that the annual report was complete and available for their review.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Sludge Press Update: Byron has received bids from three companies so far, including Aero-Mod for the dewatering system. The current bagging system is Aero-Mod they have been dependable and reliable to the city in the past. Treasurer Beeson is working on a loan for the purchase of the equipment. Some preparation work will be needed to put the new system in place. The Department of Ecology has approved the proposed new equipment and system. There was discussion on a sewer rate increase for next year to help cover the cost of the new equipment. Council Member Schorzman commented that it means a lot if the city crew is pleased with the customer service from Aero-Mod.
The Mayor asked that the final bids and sewer rate discussion be put on the June 13 council agenda.
- Update of the Critical Areas Ordinance The Mayor read an email update from city attorney Stephen Bishop regarding an update grant from CTED to update our Critical Areas Ordinance. Bishop requested this grant for Palouse and his other client cities to do what is necessary to meet the Ecology deadline of December 2007. Council Member Schorzman reported that he and Joyce attended the meeting in Garfield , but felt that very little information was given on the requirements of the Critical Area ordinance. If the city does not adopt the ordinance, it could limit some grant funding in the future. Stephen Bishop recommended the city along with the other small communities in Whitman County retain Studio Cascade to shore up the ordinance, using CTED grant funds. Council Member Wekenman stated that a lot of work has been done in past years by the planning commission and that Jim Roberts should be contacted to provide that information to Studio Cascade. Council Member Milano wants to know what this ordinance means or doesn’t mean to property owners. The Mayor recapped by stating that the city attorney will proceed with preparation of the ordinance for the 2007 deadline, the city will apply for CTED funding for update work and Studio Cascade will do the updating.
- Breeding’s Addition Sewer Extension Update: The council gave general approval to proceed with engineering of this project.
- Brownfield’s Update: The Mayor read a letter from the EPA giving approval with the request for site assessment of the Brownfield on Main St . The Mayor has left messages with the property owner of the approval.
NEW BUSINESS: Heritage Park-Josh Snook Eagle Scout Project
Josh Snook presented to council a photo book of the work done on the donation monument for Heritage Park . The estimated cost of the project was $200. Council Member Milano MOVED that the city take ownership of the monument. Council Member Bagott seconded the motion. Discussion on the care and maintenance of the monument took place. Council Member Snook abstained from voting. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : Mike Milano reported that the RV Park consultant contract is being reviewed by the city attorney. Council Member Milano has collected a lot of data on RV parks, its uses and users.
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook reported that the elementary school would like to use the pool for a party on June 8, with June 11 being the official pool opening to the public. The Mayor supports the June 8 pool party. Council Member Snook MOVED to open the pool for the elementary kids on June 8, with the official pool opening June 11. Council Member Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman-No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman reported that he continues to receive bids for the heating and electrical at he police station. There will be a committee meeting next week.
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Mark Bailey reported that Empire Disposal has returned his call regarding recycle pickup in the city. They will not provide door to door pickup, but they would do a drop off site pickup. This means the city would provide a location for recycle bins to be placed by Empire Disposal. Empire will pickup newspapers, aluminum cans, tin, plastics and glass. Concern over the location, and security was discussed. An open site would not work; perhaps security cameras could be used with the site being opened on the weekend only. The next step is to explore possible sites and hours of operation. Deputy Clerk Pearce commented that perhaps the facility could be manned by volunteers on a rotating basis. Council Member Bailey provided to the council a draft of an Influenza Pandemic Emergency Plan for Whitman County .
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Darcie Bagott-No report
The Mayor reported that TIB has closed its books on the 2000 E. Main St. renovation and made final payment to the city for $17,000; this will be added to the Arterial Street Fund.
David Mayhan voiced concern over cars driving too fast down the hill on Whitman Street from Fir. He would like to see a speed sign posted. The Mayor asked the Police Chief and Byron to look into what is an appropriate speed for a gravel road and put up a speed sign.
WATER & SEWER : Andy O’Neill-absent, no report
MAYOR’S REPORT : The Mayor reported that the city has received correspondence from property owners by the old city dump in regards to cluster housing. There are currently 6 people interesting in being on the planning commission. Council Member Milano voived concern over land locking the city with cluster zoning as Pullman has done. Council Member Bailey has spoken to county commissioner Partch and found that the county is willing to work with the city on cluster housing. He feels that he needs to see the actual cluster housing document as he is receiving conflicting information on the subject.
A liquor license renewal for the Palouse Tavern has been received by the city. The license is renewed by default if no objections are made. No objections were made; the license is renewed by default.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Mike Milano seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11741 through # 11756 Payment: $10,483.64
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________