CITY OF PALOUSE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
May 24, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Norm Schorzman, John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard, Dave Willmore (7:03PM), Steve McGehee. Absent-Rick Wekenman. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Patty Rippee; Iris A. Holway-Price; Dave Caudle; Chris Boyd; Malenna Palmer; Eric Morrissette; Rhett Barker; Bud Bagott.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 10, 2005. Steve McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING-APPROVAL OF MINUTES-Norm Schorzman MOVED to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of May 17, 2005. Steve McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
- Bud Bagott-Palouse Cove Road speed limit
Bud stated that the proposed speed limit for the finished Palouse Cove road is 50MPH. He has talked to Mr. Storey of the county and he told Bud that county roads are posted at 50MPH. Bud would like the council to petition the county commissioners to change the speed limit to 55MPH. The Mayor said that he would talk to Mr. Storey and report to Bud their discussion.
- Jack Nagle-8th Street approach
Jack spoke to Larry Batterton from the county and he determined that the 8th Street approach from the highway is the responsibility of the city’s to maintain. The city would have to replace the culvert, a permit would be needed at the cost of $350 and plans would have to be submitted to the county for approval. The Mayor turned this project over to the Streets and Sidewalk committee.
- Patti Rippee-Police hours and burn ordinance
Patti asked the Mayor how many hours does our interim police officer work, the Mayor said 40hours, with many of those hours being evening and weekends. Patti said that she had her tires slashed on a Friday evening; she asked if she should have called 911. She has offered a reward for information on the crime. Patti also was concerned about the report in the Boomerang about the possible burn ordinance. If the citizens couldn’t burn leaves would the city provide a drop off place for them? Council Member McGehee explained the proposed points of the burn ordinance. Council Member Schorzman said that he would be asking the Chamber of Commerce for a volunteer fall clean up day.
- Chris Boyd-Building Inspector
The Mayor said that this item is on the agenda.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Written Report Submitted By Byron Hodges
Byron added to his report, Don is reading meters; the street sweeper is being repaired. Council Member McGehee inquired about the chlorination. Byron explained to the council the process for testing and the need for the high level of chlorination. There is a mandate to maintain the current levels and that will not change.
Byron also reported that Don will be attending the North Palouse River Water Shed seminar on Wednesday. This is an all day event.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
No Report from Officer Snead. The question of the current situation on the vandalized police car was asked of the Mayor. He reported that Officer Snead is continuing his investigation and there is no update.
JOINT BOARD FIRE & EMS UPDATE:
- Ratify sale of surplus tanker
Council Member Snook reported that two bids were received for the 1976 Chevrolet water tanker. One from Mike Dymkoski in the amount of $1600 and the second from Gerald Bates in the amount $1055.00. Council Member Willmore MOVED to award the bid to Mike Dymkoski. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The council requested that the tanker be paid for and picked up within two weeks. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Request for confirmation of boundary line adjustment
The Mayor read the Shot Plat Exemption Application that was filed by Boyd Beeson. The application asks that property lines be adjusted to accommodate a better building site.
Council Member Schorzman MOVED to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement. Council Member Willmore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Review of latecomer Agreement for reimbursement of water main expenses
The latecomer agreement sets in place a process for which repayment of water main expenses can be reimbursed to an original property owner, if he/she puts in a water main and subsequent property owners hook into the same water main. The repayment plan is that the first additional customer would pay one-half the cost, second additional customer to pay one-third, being divided between original owner and first additional owner; the third additional customer to pay one-fourth, to be divided equally between the original customer, the first additional customer and the second additional customer. This agreement will run for a 15 year period. Byron Hodges asked the council if this same agreement could be used for sewer expenses. The Mayor said that it could be looked at. Council Member Snook asked how this type of agreement would be administered. Joyce Beeson said that the property would be marked on the Public Works map and be tracked accordingly. The paperwork would be handled through the city office. Council Member Sell MOVED to adopt the Latecomers Agreement. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Animal Shelter contract 2005-2006
The Mayor read the agreement extending the animal shelter contract. This agreement extends the 2002 contract with no changes. Council Member Schorzman MOVED to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement. Council Member Willmore seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Agreement for the use of Public Street
This agreement is between the City of Palouse and owners of the Palouse Tavern, Bob and Tina Brookshier. The wording for this contract is the exactly the same as the agreement with the previous tavern owners. Council discussed other possible uses of the one half of the street and sidewalk during the same hours that the tavern wishes to use the space on their Friday Night barbeques. Council Member Willmore MOVED to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement. Council Member McGehee seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- Ordinance No. 810 Adopt Partial Street Vacation- 15’ of D Street between 8th and 9th Street
The Mayor read the ordinance through the first time in its entirety. This ordinance vacates the westerly 15’ of a portion of D Street between Eighth and Ninth Street. The city would retain under the easterly 10’ for all utility use and access. Iris Holway, the petitioner, will pay to the city the sum of $1125 and recording costs for this vacation. At the Public Hearing on May 17 Council Member Schorzman MOVED and it was seconded by Council Member McGehee to vacate the west 15’, on the condition that an engineers statement is attached stating that the remaining 45’ would be adequate to meet city specifications for street openings. Based on that Jack Nagel, contractor for Iris contacted Bob Murtha, who then told Jack that an engineer statement would not be needed as the building of a street would have to meet city specifications. Byron Hodges and John Cooper, who has extensive work experience in road building, looked at the site and determined that there was adequate space for a future street. The Mayor asked Council Member Schorzman to amend his previous motion. Council Member Schorzman amended his motion by striking the request for an engineer’s statement being attached and allowing the vacation based on city staff findings. Council Member McGehee seconded the amended motion. The motion carried. The Mayor read the ordinance through a second time by title and number only, then a third time by title only.
Iris Holway thanked the council and city staff for all the work that they did to put this in motion.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Building Inspector search update
The Mayor began by updating the council on the county building inspector’s role in Palouse. The county will not sign on any new building permits. The inspector can only sign off and finish existing permits. The council had previously voiced concern over the plan review and its fee. The Mayor explained to the council that if Dan Gladwill, who is currently working for the county, would work for the budgeted $5,000/per year and 60% of the permit fee as a plan review fee on commercial projects in the amount of $100,000 or over. Council Member Willmore MOVED to accept Dan Gladwill as building inspector. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. Discussion continued, Rhett Barker voiced concern over the time frame for an inspection. Council Member McGehee asked what the plan review process is. Council Member Sell stated that he would have liked to talk to Dan about his view on the plan review process. Eric Morrissette turned in his application for the Building Inspector position, he explained the certification process and his qualifications for the position, and he stated that he is willing to be certified.
Council Member McGehee asked if residents will have to do anything different if a plan review process is in place. The Mayor explained that all projects would have a plan review and only the commercial projects over $100,000 would have a plan review fee charged. Council Member Sell pointed out that the city does not have a plan review fee in its fee schedule. Council Member Willmore stated that the contract with Dan would only be for one year. The Mayor asked Council Member Willmore to withdraw his original motion of hiring Dan Gladwill. Council Member Willmore withdrew his motion to hire Dan Gladwill and Council Member Snook withdrew his second. Council Member Willmore MOVED to adopt a fee schedule to allow a 60% plan review fee for commercial projects at or over the amount of $100,000. Council Member Snook seconded the motion. The motion votes were: Sell-Nay; McGehee-Nay; Schorzman-Nay; Snook-Aye; Dillard-Aye; Willmore-Aye. The Mayor voted Aye to break the tie. The Mayor stated that he will hire Dan Gladwill the following day as the city’s building inspector. Joyce pointed out that this would be a contract position. A contract would be drawn up with City Attorney Stephen Bishop.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard
No Report
FINANCE, PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT : Norm Schorzman
No Report
PARKS, CEMETERY & BUILDINGS : John Sell
No Report
PERSONNEL & POOL : Jeff Snook
No Report
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION : Steve McGehee
No Report
WATER & SEWER : David Willmore
No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman-Absent
No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor attended the Hazard Mitigation workshop. The city must adopt its own Hazard Mitigation plan; he will be working with the city staff on this project.
The Mayor spoke to the CFO of WATCO regarding the purchase of the railroad property in an effort to get the purchase moving again.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Dave Willmore 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. Dave Willmore seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:40PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 11099 through # 11114 Payment: $6,161.84
Payroll Paid 4/29/05 Warrants: #5798 through # 5820 Payment: $24,823.34
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________