Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting via ZOOM teleconferencing
October 13, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cook called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Mary Welcome; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Jim Fielder; Steve Alred; Katie Cooper. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Public Works Supt. Mike Wolf; City Administrator Kyle Dixon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Snyder MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 22, 2020. Councilmember Slinkard seconded. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Wolf submitted a written report.
New lift pump for sewer plant should be here this week. Irrigation systems almost winterized. Asphalt patching and crack fill prep ongoing.
Supt Wolf would like to grant Nagle Construction permission to work in city right of way to install water and sewer utilities at the corner of 8th and C St. Councilmember Sievers MOVED to grant permission. Councilmember Fielder seconded and the motion carried.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann submitted the police log. Furnace in PD is being repaired this week. PD ordered a replacement printer.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
ECY has reviewed our latest facility plan submittal and has only minor comments. Varela will address those comments by next week and we will have an approved facility plan. We received one public comment on the SEPA process that we will address in the final plan as well.
ECY funding application for design phase of wastewater facility upgrades was submitted today. ECY will publish results of this round of funding by mid-January.
Preliminary budget should be completed by early next week. CA Dixon is still gathering information. City will still solicit written public comment on the proposed budget on October 27 and November 10 council meetings. Preliminary budget will be available upon request once completed.
Palouse Chamber of Commerce is seeking council approval for a maximum of $14,500 of the city’s $49,000 allocation of CARES Act COVID Relief Funds. This money will be put toward program and communications development for the Palouse business community in response to COVID-19 and the subsequent changing landscape of local business. Councilmember Cooper MOVED to approve Chamber request. Councilmember Sievers seconded and the motion carried. Councilmember Welcome abstained.
RV revenue has bounced back some from loss of revenue due to COVID cancellations. It is at 63% YTD
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Budget, Finance, & Major Acquisitions, Chair Welcome- Will be meeting next week to discuss budget.
Streets, Properties, & Facilities, Chair Sievers- Putting forth a proposal to rename ‘H Street’ to ‘SGT Jacob Demand Way’. Chair Sievers will welcome feedback leading up to next meeting. Public may request copy of proposed resolution by contacting CA Dixon.
Policy & Administration, Chair Cooper-
Discussed messaging from city regarding safe Halloween practices with CA Dixon. City will send out info and post flyers promoting best practices.
Chair Cooper and CA Dixon will meet with TLC Animal Care owner Andi Edwards next week to discuss feral cat population in town and how the city may help mitigate growing numbers. Chief Neumann said local businesses can certify as authorized feral cat catchers, set humane traps, and send cats to vet to get fixed.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Bank Left Gallery up for liquor license renewal. No objections.
Mayor Cook provided update on water task group. Doug Willcox and group have had ongoing discussions with Keller Associate’s Angela Taylor and will consult with additional regional engineer to vet concepts prior to bringing any recommendations to council.
Items acquired by law enforcement grant received by Garfield/Palouse PD back in 2009 will potentially be split between the two departments. Currently with Atty Hanson for review.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Sievers MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Welcome seconded. Motion carried.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid 9/30/2020 Ck. #11129-11149 & EFT $48,810.85
Claims Paid 10/13/2020 Ck. #11150-11182 & EFT $42,772.87
ADJOURN: Councilmember Fielder MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Alred seconded the motion and the motion carried. The council meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________