October 25, 2005

Posted on by Mike Milano

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
October 25, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michael Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00PM

ROLL CALL: Council members present were: John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard, Dave Willmore, Steve McGehee, Rick Wekenman and Norm Schorzman. Absent-Linda Dillard Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Bev Pearce, Deputy Clerk; Kary Peterson-DOE; Ed Gnaedinger; Mark Bailey; Michael Allen; Thinh Nguyen; Darcie Bagott; Mike Bagott; Marvin Pillars; Pauline Brantner; Swartz Brantner; Darlene Brantner; Cheryl Johnson; Brian Johnson; Linda Arrasmith.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:   Steve McGehee MOVED to approve minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 11, 2005.  Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

OPEN FORUM :

Kary Peterson-Department of Ecology: Kary explained that he works for the Air Quality Division, which is basically, outdoor residential burning, yard and garden debris and also for the agricultural division, which is field burning.  He explained that Whitman County has a good solid waste program, Cindy Leper is in charge and she has up to $11,000 per year of grant money available for helping cities set up solid waste programs.  The goal of Ecology-Air Quality is to reduce or eliminate yard and garden burns.  Kary stressed that backyard burns are legal in Washington as long as it is natural vegetation and it does not impact somebody.  Mayor Echanove asked for a definition of impact.  Kary stated that an impact to a person would be health issues involving the burn and damage to facilities.

Options to backyard burns were presented to council and discussed

  • Ecology can give a city wide permit to burn on days that are approved by their agency
  • Composting, with the county providing free education to citizens about the proper way to compost
  • Cindy may be able to find funding for the city to purchase a chipper, which would be used 3 or 4 times a year
  • Dumpster placed in a secure area, then the debris would be hauled away
  • The city can make grant application to the county for funding of equipment necessary to eliminate the need to burn
  • Ecology can pay for ads in the local papers for the city to inform citizens of the leaf removal program and provide educational flyers to the citizens of Palouse

The city will be contacting Cindy Leper about getting a dumpster for collection of leaves only at this point. A permit for the Public Works Department will be applied for to burn the cities 3 year accumulation of leaves.  This would be done at the old city dump site.  Other options will be discussed with the county.

If the citizens of Palouse need to report a residential burn that is impacting the neighbors with smoke they need to report it to the Ecology-Air Quality toll free complaint line: 1-866-211-6284.  If the burn is a safety hazard to the surrounding structures, 911 should be called. 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Byron Hodges

The city crew is almost finished putting in the water line on Ellis Street .  Don has read the water meters for the last time this season.  The pool needs to be cleaned and filled.  Marc is picking up leaves.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: No Report

BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Dan Gladwill reported that there were no major items to report at this time.  A couple more pole buildings are going up.  The Mayor asked Dan about the “No Trespass” signs posted on Scott and Patti Green-Kent’s Beach Street property.  Dan said that he made a suggestion to them about posting the property.  Council Member Schorzman commended Dan by stating that he has received two compliments about his work with the city.  Dan informed the council that he is continuing his education.  He is now certified in two areas of plumbing and is going to be attending training for plan review.  The Mayor asked Dan if things were slowing down.  Dan reported that last week he was not in Palouse, but the coming week he will be in town everyday.

JOINT FIRE BOARD:

Council Member Snook reported that at the last JFB meeting the main topic was the residential burn issue.  The Fire Department, EMS and Rural Fire Department have the funds together to insulate the new Public Safety Building .  The Rating Bureau will be in town soon to evaluate Palouse.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Resolution No. 2005-08 – dedicating “ Pauline Lane ”

The Mayor introduced Pauline Brantner and read Resolution No. 2005-08 dedicating the road that leads to Well #3, Pauline Lane.  In attendance was Pauline’s son Swartz and his wife Darlene.  Council Member Schorzman MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2005-08.  Council Member McGehee seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

  • Resolution No. 2005-09 – Revised 2005 Salary Schedule

The Mayor read Resolution No. 2005-09 stating that the lone change to the 2005 salary schedule was an increase in the Police Chief salary for the remaining two months of 2005.  Council Member McGehee MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2005-09 allowing the salary increase for the Chief of Police position.  Council Member Willmore seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

  • Street Vacation request from Council Member John Sell

Councilmember Sell asked about his street vacation request.  He would like council to set a hearing date.  Treasurer Beeson said that she had only received the request today and needed to speak to Council Member Sell about the application after the council meeting. 

OLD BUSINESS:

           

  • 2006 Budget discussion

         Funds – Streets, Arterial Streets, Water, Sewer

Council discussed the Street Funds, both City Streets and Arterial Streets.  The budget for Arterial Streets includes paving two more blocks of Alder Street and applying an additional coat of BST to Fairview Avenue . The water fund has few changes, except that the expenditure line “Water Office & Operating” was increased  from $10,000 to $20,000.  The sewer operating fund has few changes and will need to be looked at because projections show that expenditures are still a little higher than receipts.  We have been spending into the reserve.  Treasurer Beeson recommends a $1.00 increase in the sewer rates to go into the Water Operating Fund.  Councilmember Willmore expressed concerns about raising rates at this time.  It was also brought up that PW Superintendent Byron Hodges suggests an additional increase of $1.00 to begin reserving for changing over to the sludge press technology.  Council decided to visit these issues at the next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 

STREETS & SIDEWALKS: Linda Dillard-Absent 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
Council Member Willmore asked when a second officer would be hired.  Council Member Wekenman said that currently Officer Snead would be acting second officer until the new chief is ready to hire someone else.

MAYOR’S REPORT :
The Mayor had no report

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Jeff Snook MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. 

Norm Schorzman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN Norm Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Steve McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM

The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:

Claims Paid                   Warrants:  # 11367         through #  11379           Payment:  $3,039.17

VOID                            Warrants: #11353

VOID                            Warrants: #11343, replaced with Warrant: # 11366

APPROVED:________________________________   ATTEST:________________________________