Palouse City Council
Regular Council Meeting
October 23, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro-Tem Wekenman called the Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Chris Cook; Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Mark Wilcomb; Katie Cooper. Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Police Officer Joe Handley; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Mayor Echanove and CA Dixon are attending the IACC conference in Wenatchee.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Wilcomb MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 9, 2018. Councilmember Slinkard seconded and the motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: A couple new houses in 3rd quarter. $500,000 building valuation in 3rd Q, netting city approximately $4,700 in fees.
POLICE REPORT:
-HP went well, no issues. Had extra help from reserve officers.
-10/22/18 Officer Handley submitted his letter of resignation on good terms and in good standing. Officer Handley has taken a position in Colfax. Chief Neumann has accepted his resignation. Joe’s last day will be October 29th. Chief Neumann thanked him for his service. Joe has requested, in lieu of city buying him out of his sick leave etc., that he get to keep bulletproof vest, vest pouch, police jumpsuit, custom holster, and flashlight. Before that can be decided, CA Dixon needs to first determine from state auditor if that’s allowable. Officer Snead will fill in any staffing shortfalls in the schedule through January, pending word from Garfield and what we are going to do with the Garfield contract.
JOINT FIRE BOARD REPORT:
-EMS wants community to know that when picked up in Palouse via Pullman ambulance (as per interlocal agreement for ambulance services), the patient still has the option of being taken to either Moscow, Colfax or Pullman hospital.
-Had an unexpected radiator repair on Engine 416 but it is back in service.
-More wildland fires this time of year than usual. Rain and cool weather are needed. A little over 8 acres burnt in McKenzie Butte wildfire on Cove Road last Friday night. Had an incredible response from about 10 or 11 agencies.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Mayor Pro-Tem Wekenman read aloud CA Dixon’s written report.
-Councilmember Sievers and Wastewater Engineer John Patrouch from Varela met with owners of land northeast of town and seemed to have a productive and encouraging meeting. Varela is preparing site analysis for several areas that were discussed and will have an update for us at one of our meetings in November.
-Public Works Trust Fund just completed underwriting for $250,000 pre-construction loan for water system improvements. Paperwork should be available for review at the next council meeting.
-CA Dixon is preparing the 2019 preliminary budget for the first council meeting in November. Goal is to have this completed and distributed to council by Tuesday, November 6th. Two public hearings for the 2019 annual budget will coincide with both council meetings in November.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Personnel & Pool, Chair Cook– Chair Cook provided council and staff last week with an in-depth written report on pool stats for 2018 summer usage.
Water & Sewer, Chair Slinkard- Councilmember Sievers reported he had a three-hour tour of various land options in the city for the WWTF. Came away with three potential sites, two more favorable than the others. Engineer was encouraged by the locations and thought they were workable but he has to do preliminary assessments before we can dive into or even discuss price. All parties felt good about the meeting. Will know more in November.
Parks, Cemetery, & Buildings, Chair Snyder- Councilmember Wekenman would like to see discussions resume on a new building for public works.
Finance, Property, & Equipment, Chair Cooper- Sewer rate increase still needs to be discussed. Councilmember Wekenman doesn’t think the $3 increase is enough for city’s needs. Discussions will continue.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Liquor license renewal for Bank Left Bistro. No objections.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Sievers MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid 10/11/18 Ck. #9558 replaces lost ck. # 9499.
10/23/18 Ck. #9558-9597 & EFT $22,280.68
ADJOURN: Councilmember Cook MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________