PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2009 BUDGET
followed by
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT ONLY
November 25, 2008

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

ROLL CALL:  Council members present:  Mark Bailey; Mike Milano; Andy O’Neill; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; Rick Wekenman.  Absent:  Darcie Bagott.  Also present: Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; and Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.  Public present: Pete Hertz; Dixie Reber; Steve McGehee; Jana Mathia.

PUBLIC HEARING:   Mayor Echanove opened the 2009 Final Budget Discussion Public Hearing at 7:01 pm:  No public comment.  Public hearing closed at 7:02.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:   Under Old Business, add the following sentence: “In addition, anticipated connections from a development in the area did not materialize.”  Councilmember Bailey MOVED to adopt the corrected minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 12, 2008.  Councilmember Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:  Superintendent Griffin reported on normal maintenance and preparation for the winter.
At the RV Park, the kiosk light works but none of the pad lights are working.
The storm drain in front of AWB has a broken clay pipe.  They hate to tear it up this time of year but will if it’s an emergency.
Regarding the Palouse River Walk Park, it will be mostly native grasses and trees.  Palouse Conservation District wants to get grass down this fall but it’s too muddy right now.  Two rows of trees between the road and the park will provide a buffer zone.  PW will spray the Poison Hemlock as soon as possible.  There is 400’ of chain-link fencing that they will either declare surplus or find a city use for.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT:  Chief Neumann reported ongoing cases and issues.  Regarding the new patrol car, they found 7 comparable vehicles.  On average, the high was $28,000, the low was $13,900.  They purchased the one from Bagott Motors for $13,500.  It meets all the requirements and gets 22 mpg.

The car-crushing is finally in-process.  They picked up 9 cars from our area.

JFB REPORT :  The new fire truck is here.  EMS calls are up, fire calls are down.

NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 853:  Amending certain funds within the 2008 Annual Budget :  Mayor read the Ordinance 853, an ordinance making the necessary accounting adjustments to the  2008 city of Palouse budget accounting for a $4000.00 donation to both the city and rural fire district for the purchase of the new fire vehicle.  Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 853, second by Councilmember Snook.  Motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 2008-16:  2009 Salary .  The only change is the minimum wage went up $.47 cents per hour which will affect our lifeguards.  Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Resolution 2008-16.  Councilmember O’Neill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:
2009 Final Budget and Budget Message :  No changes from prior meetings.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 
PARKS, CEMETERY, & BUILDINGS:   Councilmember Milano reported the Little People’s Park Project has over $24,000 in savings.  They will meet soon to discuss ground cover, etc.
Regarding the Palouse River Walk project, Palouse Conservation District is a $10,000 partner and FCAAP awarded us $130,000.  They’ve put it in $100,000 so far.  The city’s portion is $35,000 in in-kind work and in cash.

POLICE, FIRE, & SAFETY :  Councilmember Wekenman reported that he and Jerry went over the new vehicle to make sure it would work.  Rick thinks it’s a great investment.  He reminds people to be careful with space heaters, slick roads, wood stoves, etc.

POLICY & ADMINISTRATION :  Councilmember Bailey reported the planning commission needs volunteers.  Those are appointed, at-large positions and meet monthly.  The biggest task right now is going through the comprehensive plan and zoning.

MAYOR’S REPORT :
Pete Hertz, a member of the Whitman County Solid Waste Advisory Board reported that Feb. 25 at the Colfax Fairgrounds they’re having a composting class for the public.  In January at Pullman Disposal they’re taking e-waste (TV’s, computers, CPUs, laptops, monitors) for free.

Our next Brownfields Meeting is December 8th at City Hall at 7:00.  The topic will be re-use for the site.

The City received TIB award of $130,000 for H Street sidewalk project, beginning in 2009.  The city is a $10,000 partner and the school is a $5,000 partner.

The City received an award from Inland NW Partners for our outstanding achievements in improving our economy by promoting economic development through infrastructure improvements.

Munir Daud questions the stop sign behind the PO.  Should we change it to a yield sign?  We need to check with the State to understand State requirements.

Supt. Griffin and the mayor have met regarding storm drainage issues by the new school gym.  The Palouse School District needs approx. 40’ of culvert installed near the AG shop to help alleviate flooding issues.  The council agreed to provide city labor for the project.  The school will purchase the needed materials.  It was agreed that this project was an excellent partnership with the school.

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

ADJOURN:   Councilmember Snook MOVED to adjourn.  Councilmember O’Neill seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.  The council meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.

The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid     #13500 – #13531                     $19,889.08
Payroll Paid