CITY OF PALOUSE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING-DRAFT ONLY
September 28, 2004
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro-Tem, Rick Wekenman called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Mayor Echanove absent.
ROLL CALL: Council members present were: Norm Schorzman, John Sell, Jeff Snook, Linda Dillard, Steve McGehee. Absent: Michael Echanove and Dave Willmore. Also present were: Joyce Beeson, Clerk-Treasurer; Byron Hodges, Public Works Superintendent; Randy Zehm, Police Chief
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jeff Snook MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 14, 2004. Steve McGehee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN FORUM :
- North Fork Committee Meeting
Don Myott attended the North Fork Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 in Colfax. The Palouse Conservation District is the lead agency for this committee. The Department of Ecology is using the North Fork Committee to get much of their information which is then used in their water clean-up plan. Results of the testing are available for council and public review. Since 1992 there has been a testing site at Bridge Street Bridge, fecal coliform levels have been shown to be high. All sites have had high readings, but not all the time. The goal is to reduce the coliform level at the test site at Bridge Street Bridge by 80%. When TMDL testing is done, grant money will more likely be available. Public comment period will start after this 2 or 3 week review period. There seems to be support for Fisher’s Addition project with different agencies he has dealt with. Don suggests that a test site at F Street Bridge would be a benefit to the project.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT : Written Report Submitted By Byron Hodges
- Don read meters
- Site work is being done for the new Public Safety Building
- Park looks good after Car Show since Marc rolled it
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Written report submitted by Chief Zehm
Chief Zehm is still working with City Attorney on signage for parking on Main Street and animal control contract. Council member McGehee asked the chief if he knows the progress of Palouse Cove Road. Zehm responded that KC Construction has found some problems with sub grade and it is slowing down the progress. Council member McGehee asked Bryon Hodges if water is being sold to construction site. Yes, in both the previous and last month, approximately 3,000 M Gallons were sold.
JOINT BOARD FIRE & EMS UPDATE:
Council member Snook reported on the Joint Board meeting on Monday, September 20. The grant application for the fire truck was denied. Specifications are being developed for used pumper tanker and used tanker to try to keep within the $150,000 budget. The JFB hopes to get specifications approved so they can negotiate the purchase when a truck is found to meet their needs. Building is underway for the Public Safety Building. The shell will probably be up in about a month.
NEW BUSINESS:
No New Business
OLD BUSINESS:
- Reports on the alley report from Public Works, Fire Chief Bagott and Chief Zehm.
Chief Zehm stated that it looks like both properties are using the alley. Council member Dillard said the Duran’s want alley open for safety issues and available to drive through to add fill dirt to their garden. Chief Zehm said there should be room to gain access within space before the basketball court. Council member Schorzman commented that if access hasn’t been used for a number of years, does that mean it is vacated automatically? Council member Sell said that is not the case for public right of way. It always remains a city right of way. Byron Hodges stated that having citizens maintain the right of ways, such as alleys, works well for the city. The city wouldn’t want to maintain alley unless there is a need and there is no utilities in this alleyway. Council member Dillard restated that the city attorney told her that the city encourages citizens to use and take care of city right of ways, knowing that the ownership belongs to the city. She stated that neighbors need to negotiate with each other. Council member McGehee asked if a fence was running down the alley. He continued to comment on past council discussions about fencing the right of ways and if the city ever needed access the fence would have to be removed. The council determined that they will not force the issue of opening up this alley, this is a neighbor to neighbor issue. Council member Dillard will contact the Duran’s and explain the council’s position.
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
Committee received a note from Chief Zehm regarding a panhandling ordinance. There is a request for a committee meeting to look at sample ordinances that might be available. He would like to see issues covering topics from vagrancies to loitering and more. Council member Dillard is concerned with loitering and sleeping in the new restroom and the need to address these issues. Chief Zehm will work toward developing an ordinance with good, clear language.
Council member Schorzman received a complaint about a lawn full of junk. Chief Zehm recommended the person make a written complaint so it can be handled through the nuisance ordinance and public health department.
A meeting is being set up with Paul Dorning, RC & D and other players in the Fishers Addition sewer extension project. Council members Willmore, Schorzman and Sell will be contacted with details.
WATER & SEWER : David Willmore-Absent
No Report
POLICE, FIRE & SAFETY : Rick Wekenman
No Report
Council member Dillard stated that Iris bulbs will the planted along the corn patch
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Norm Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.
John Sell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Steve McGehee MOVED to adjourn. Jeff Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM
The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Warrants: # 10637 through # 10657 Payment: $4,904.57
APPROVED:________________________________ ATTEST:________________________________