Palouse City Council
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING
Followed by
Regular Council Meeting
November 24, 2015

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL: Council members present: Doreen Hanson; Bo Ossinger; Mike Hicks; Rick Wekenman; Bev Pearce; Christopher Langsett. Councilmember Senja Estes was absent. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to excuse her absence. Councilmember Pearce seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Mike Bagott; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.

FINAL PUBIC HEARING ON 2016 BUDGET: Mayor Echanove opened the public hearing at 7:01 pm. No public comments. Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:04 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Council Meeting of November 10, 2015. Councilmember Hanson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. The city’s new pick-up arrived yesterday.

POLICE REPORT:
Have had some concerns about the moose being sighted near the school. The PD and school are working together.
Officer Handley’s vehicle will be getting snow tires tomorrow.
Chief Neumann’s vehicle will be getting one new regular tire due to non-repairable sidewall damage.

JOINT FIRE BOARD REPORT:
Councilmembers Wekenman, Langsett, and Ossinger attended the JFB meeting 11/16/15.
Annie Pillers reported they’re under budget, even with the insurance renewal bill.
2 fire calls in October, 30 YTD. There might be a building on Frazen Road available for a possible structure fire training burn. Had to secure and barricade the old, vacant Palouse Arms building due to a collapsed external wall.
11 EMS calls in October. No injuries this year at any home GPHS football games.

Larry West and Annie Pillers negotiated with the City of Pullman on the ambulance contract. There hasn’t been a raise to the contract for two years. The JFB agreed to Pullman’s offer of a 4% increase for 2016 and a 2% increase for 2017. CT Bagott/Fire Chief Bagott and EMS First Responder Bev Pearce both vowed what a wonderful service this ambulance contract is for the people of Palouse. Their trainings and feedback to EMS are invaluable. Councilmember Pearce MOVED to authorize Mayor Echanove to sign the EMS contract with the City of Pullman. Councilmember Wekenman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 936 – Shoreline Management Master Plan Adoption: Mayor Echanove read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 936. Councilmember Langsett seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 937 – Adopting property tax increase for Emergency Medical Services for collection in 2016:
Mayor Echanove read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Councilmember Wekenman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 937. Councilmember Pearce seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance No. 938 – Adopting the regular property tax increase for collection in 2016: Mayor Echanove read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Councilmember Hicks MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 938. Councilmember Langsett seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance No. 939 – Setting the regular and special levy amounts for 2016 budget year: Mayor Echanove read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 939. Councilmember Hanson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Streets & Sidewalks, Chair Hicks- The committee went through all the streets to evaluate and identify approximately 20 houses that will be receiving the sidewalk repair notice/letter. Identification will be ongoing. The identified properties have a common thread of either trip steps or other significant safety issues. Letters will be sent out within the few weeks.

Personnel & Pool, Chair Pearce-
Councilmember Pearce researched Nicole Wood’s 10/27/15 complaint against Mayor Echanove, Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson, & CT Mike Bagott for violating her due process at public hearings. Councilmember Pearce read aloud the complaint and her subsequent written response to Nicole Wood. In summary, the personnel committee cannot find where there is any violation by city staff or by the mayor.

OPEN FORUM:
Sharon Tharp, representing the Palouse Planning Commission. Wants to publicly thank and recognize the resigning planning commission members for all their knowledge, expertise, and work on the Palouse Comprehensive Plan and also on the rewrite of Title 17. Mayor Echanove read aloud a letter of interest received today from resident Liz Rousseau to be on the Planning Commission. Mayor Echanove appointed her to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Pearce MOVED to confirm Liz Rousseau’s appointment to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Langsett seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The Planning Commission still needs a couple more members.

Sharon Tharp, representing herself, spoke about her ongoing issues with her neighbor’s yard. Chief Neumann addressed Sharon’s concerns. Much discussion ensued.

MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Echanove and CT Bagott made a presentation to CERB (Community Economic Revitalization Board) members in Olympia on November 19 in support of the City’s grant application for $48,113 in planning funding for the upcoming WWTP upgrade. Funding was approved by the Board. CERB members praised the City for looking for innovative solutions and engaging the community by forming a citizen advisory group. Total estimated planning costs are $180,000.

The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) announced their 2016 project list on November 20. The City’s application for funding in the amount $370,500 for West Whitman Street was approved. The total estimated cost for this project is $700,000. The City’s contribution is estimated at $19,500. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

The city received more communications today from Jim Farr and Nicole Wood. Councilmember Pearce spoke with our attorneys and shared with council what she learned and additional discussion ensued.

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Langsett MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN: Councilmember Pearce MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Hicks seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.

The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 11/24/15 Ck. #7059-7081 $106,625.70

APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________