Special Palouse City Council Meeting 

PUBLIC HEARING  – Critical Areas Ordinance update

followed by Regular Council Meeting

October 8, 2019

 

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

 

ROLL CALL:  Councilmembers present: Bill Slinkard; Tim Sievers; John Snyder; Katie Cooper. Councilmembers absent:  Chris Cook; Rick Wekenman. Councilmember Sievers MOVED to excuse Councilmembers Cook & Wekenman’s absences.  Councilmember Cooper seconded. Motion carried. Staff present: Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Police Officer Joel Anderson; City Administrator Kyle Dixon; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson.

 

OPEN PUBLIC HEARING, Critical Areas Ordinance update, at 7:03 pm:  This is part of a state-wide mandated update to the ordinance from 2014.  It deals with environmentally protected areas, as determined by Ecology and Dept of Commerce’s Growth Management Act, such as the river, aquifer recharge, and wetland areas in Palouse. This ordinance maintains our compliance with the Growth Management Act.  It is a periodic update to incorporate changes in best available science and best management practices. Minor updates; no barriers to responsible construction and ongoing development in Palouse. Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:07 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Councilmember Sievers MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 24, 2019 as written. Councilmember Slinkard seconded.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:  Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.  Land application of biosolids was completed October 5.  The process was delayed due to the lab’s delayed results and DOE approval.  The city is looking into alternate ways to dispose of biosolids in the future.

 

POLICE REPORT:  

-Garfield man Kent Kimberling pled guilty to felony threats and harassment. It went through court Friday, he was released Saturday, and Palouse PD got called out on Sunday by a neighbor.  His family is concerned with his release. Federal charges still pending.

-Callouts include a couple cases involving juveniles; three dog complaints; a property dispute; an unattended death.

-Ongoing patrols into and out of Palouse.

-equipment is all good

-Haunted Palouse extra officers are hired

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: CA Dixon reported:

-he met with Finance Chair Cooper.  Will have a preliminary 2020 budget by end of month.  Will have public hearings in November

-he is meeting this week with fence company to price out fencing for Shady Lane Trails. Our insurance company recommend signage, fencing, and bollards on each entrance.

-Had a productive meeting in Dayton last week with state funding partners. Follow up meeting scheduled with RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office) to discuss funding for bridge over river from Lions Club park to city park.

-having ongoing issues with computer. It’s too old and slow and not functioning properly. He is getting recommendations for replacement as it can no longer be put off.  Long-range replacement policy was discussed with Chair Cooper. Too much at stake to not do it.

-Hope to have an exit meeting with State Auditors scheduled soon

-Mayor and CA Dixon will attend IACC conference in Wenatchee this month.

-Received one bid on the fencing, no bid on the lights.  Public Works will strip the lights for metal and scrap the lights.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:  

Finance, Property, & Equipment, Chair Cooper- met with CA Dixon to go over 2019 YTD figures and 2020 budget.

 

OPEN FORUM:

Andres Sena.  He is very upset that the Palouse police have stopped some kids skateboarding in the streets and around neighborhoods.  He stated the kids are being told they’re subject to $35 fine and/or getting their skateboard taken away and he questioned the legality of that. Andres Sena doesn’t think kids should be stopped.  Chief Neumann stated it is illegal to hinder or obstruct traffic. They can’t go zipping down a hill 35 MPH or in and around cars. As we get more skateboards, we’re going to have more interactions between skateboarders & traffic and therefore police. Councilmember Cooper asked Chief Neumann to work with the school and Aaron Flansburg to educate kids and the public about the traffic laws and safety as they pertain to skateboarders. Chief will try and find some printed material and work on education.

 

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS:  Councilmember Sievers MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.  Councilmember Slinkard seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

The following checks are approved for payment:

Payroll Paid    9/30/19        Ck. 10356-10375, & EFT        $49,694.70

Claims Paid    10/08/19    Ck. 10376-10398, & EFT        $18,349.98

 

ADJOURN:  Councilmember Cooper MOVED to adjourn.  Councilmember Sievers seconded. The motion carried.  The council meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.

 

APPROVED: ________________________________   ATTEST: ________________________________