CITY OF PALOUSE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
October 12, 2004
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Norm Schorzman, John Sell, Jeff Snook, Dave Willmore, and Rick Wekenman. Late arrival: Steve McGehee-7:04PM and Linda Dillard-7:50PM. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Randy Zehm, Police Chief; Bruce Grass, Officer/Building Inspector; Bruce Beeson; Thinh Nguyen; Craig Dillard; Mike Bagott, Fire Chief.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Corrections to the minutes: Public Works, line 3, add the word good to correct this sentence-“Park looks good after Car Show since Marc rolled it.” And under Police Department, correct spelling on third line of report, grad to grade. Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the amended minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 28, 2004. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
No Open Forum
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges
City crew continues to work on daily tasks. Work on the Public Safety Building site has been performed, including water, sewer and placement of fire hydrant.
Marc connected sprinkler system at Heritage Park, the late rain has kept him busy mowing.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Bruce Grass
Inspector has been busy, the Public Safety Building is doing well, a log home is going in and re-roofing inspectors have occurred. Bruce has been working with Joyce and city attorney, Stephen Bishop on the abatement process for the Beach Street property. Notice has been sent to property owners stating city’s position on the abatement. The owner of the Ellis Street property has been making some progress, in accordance with the city’s orders, deadline is January. The council asked various questions about the Beach Street property. Bruce stated that no significant progress has been made. Questions on the city’s authority to request improvements to the interior were asked. Bruce said that the owners would have to follow required permit and code procedures to continue work on the interior. The mayor read a letter from the property owners, dated June 23, 2002 stating their intentions for completion of the renovation of the home and property, during that year.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Written report submitted by Chief Zehm
Chief Zehm reported that last year the city received about a 1,000 gun locks from the Child Safe Program. This year the city again received 1,000 gun locks. Citizens are encouraged to pick-up as many of these locks as needed, no questions asked. They are free for the taking at city hall.
JOINT BOARD FIRE & EMS UPDATE:
- A. Award of contracts for Plumbing and Heating at the Public Safety Building
Three bids for the plumbing were submitted: Guardian-$19,905.00; Ken Paulson Plumbing, Inc.-$23,042.97 and Hilliards-$6,230.00. The Joint Fire Board approved the award to the lowest bidder – Hilliard’s.
Four bids for the In Floor Radiant heating were submitted: Guardian-$21,959.00; Hilliards-$16,880.00; Nolan Heating and Air, Inc.-$16,725.53+tax and Ackerman Heating and Air Conditioning-$26,302.82. The Joint Fire Board approved the award to the lowest bidder – Nolan Heating and Air, Inc.
Council member Wekenman stated that portions of each the plumbing and in floor heating work will be done by volunteers, in order to keep costs down. Council member Willmore stated concern about the phases of work in regards to the pouring of concrete and roof installment. Council member Sell said that the roof may be in place before the floor is poured. Insulation material that is needed before the flooring is poured was purchased at a cost of $2,650.00. Council member Wekenman MOVED that the council ratify the Joint Fire Boards award of bids to Hilliard’s for the plumbing in the amount of $6,230.00 and Nolan for the in floor radiant heating in the amount of $16,725.53 +tax, for the Public Safety Building. Council member Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Discussion for approval of Fire Apparatus specifications
Fire Chief Bagott provided specifications for three different fire apparatus. The department was not awarded a grant this year and wishes to move ahead with the search for used vehicles. The specifications have been modified since the initial request in June. Chief Bagott is asking for pre-approval from the council to purchase any two of the three requested vehicles. The fire chief has been talking to fire truck brokers and other resellers of this type of used vehicles to get a general idea of what is available and the condition of the vehicles. There may be a need for members of the fire department to travel if a vehicle is found so it can be inspected. This is to insure the quality of the vehicle when found. There is a total of $120,000 allocated for the purchase of two vehicles, with the goal of using $90,000 for the purchase and any added expense for putting the vehicles into service, such such as delivery, taxes and modifications. The remaining budget could be used as matching funds for future grants. Council member Sell questioned the pump rating on one of the vehicles. The chief stated that the pump rate is low because the specifications are written to be very general. The department is looking for vehicles with higher pump rates. Council member Willmore asked the chief about getting water from the river to fill the water tanks. Bagott stated that the hose has a limit of 20 feet and the elevation would need to be correct in order to pump the water. This means that access to the river would be limited. It is generally difficult to get water from the river locally.
Resolution No. 2004-08 was presented to the council for approval. The mayor read the resolution in it’s entirety to the council. The council is authorizing the JFB and EMS to enter into the purchase of two used fire vehicles under special market conditions. Council member Schorzman MOVED to approval Resolution 2004-08. Council member Willmore seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Request to access Palouse Cove Road
Bruce and Joyce Beeson presented a request to the council to consider two accesses on to Palouse Cove Road. They are selling one acre of property adjacent to the road. The potential owner wishes to have a private driveway and the Beesons request an access north of this 1 acre piece. The mayor spoke to the city attorney and found that the city has no policy for egress from private property on to this road. The attorney stated that the city should be concerned about the public safety with any new egress, considering issues such as visibility and drainage. Byron Hodges commented that a small culvert may be needed. Council member Willmore MOVED to allow the requested access. Joyce Beeson pointed out that the first option for access will be for a single dwelling use only. Council member McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Consider preliminary boundary line adjustment on Beeson property north of Community Action property
The Beeson are resizing 3 parcels of land and wish to do a boundary line adjustment. The council had no objections and no council action was taken.
- Preliminary Budget Discussions:
The mayor began by giving a history of the budget, multiple funds; several are self supporting, such as the water and sewer funds. The general levy is split between operating funds Current Expense and City Street. There are three excess levies in place, which bring in O & M funds for the pool, improvements for arterial streets, and EMS. By law the council is presented the budget from the mayor each year. The mayor addressed each department in Current Expense and continued with several funds. At 9:00PM council member Snook MOVED to continue the council meeting past 9:00PM. Council member Wekenman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The council continued to look at the budge until 9:20PM, then agreed to continue the budget discussions at the next council meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Review of Meeting with UCRD & D-Sewer Extension
The mayor reviewed the meeting with Paul Dorning, UCRC & D. The discussion of sewer extension to Fisher’s addition was the topic. Paul would like to look for funding sources for this project.
- Letter from Duran’s in regard to alley way
Council member Schorzman offered to meet with the two property owners and work out some type of resolution to the problem. Council discussed again the current non use by the city for this alley way and left the issue in Schorzman hands to work on.
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
No Report
MAYOR’S REPORT :
The mayor approached Mike Dymkowski about pouring the concrete apron in front of the Heritage Park restrooms. Mike is unavailable at this time to do the work. Ace Elliott was then contacted and they have provided a bid proposal, in the amount of $2,617. Council member Sell suggested asking Mac-Lee Construction for a bid since they are here in town working on the Public Safety Building and will be pouring concrete soon. The mayor asked the council for approval to find a contractor to pour the apron for $2,617 or less. Council agreed.
The mayor reminded council of the upcoming Library Board meeting, Oct. 20, and an AWC regional meeting the same evening. Four council members will attend. Council member Schorzman encouraged council to attend the Library meeting as it will be addressing the upcoming levy vote.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Steve McGehee MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. John Sell noted to council the payment included in the bills for Mac-Lee Construction. The performance bond has not been received but the city is proceeding after conversations with the auditors office and attorney. The retainage was increased and extra measures will be taken to assure performance according to the contract. Jeff Snook seconded the motion to pay bills and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Rick Wekenman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:53PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 10658 through # 10692 Payment: $80,727.83
Payroll Paid Warrants: # 5574 through 5596 Payment: $26,148.37
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________