Thursday, May 26, 2011

Rockford Town Council Meeting - May 4, 2011

Mayor Micki Harnois brought the meeting to order after the invocation was given by Pastor David Lura of the United Methodist Church and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Council members present were:  Clint Stevenson,   Steve Meyer, Jim Oshanick, Stan Seehorn and Thomas Smith.  Public Works, John Goyke and Clerk/Treasurer Darlene LaShaw were also present.

Minutes
Minutes of the Council meeting of April 20th were approved as submitted.

Checks
As the Council reviewed the checks Micki made note of one invoice from the Town’s attorney in the amount of $ 712.00.  She further explained that is was regarding a dog issue that she believes now is a non-issue.  Steve suggested that for future incidents perhaps the Council should attempt to solve the problems before getting the attorney involved.  Steve asked if it was possible for the party involved to pay for the costs.  Micki will talk to the attorney.

Clint made a motion to approve and disperse checks 10930 – 10972 in the amount of $ 31,832.52.  Stan seconded the motion; motion carried.

               Payroll   #10933 – 10940                $    6,747.59
               Claims    #10930 -  10932. 10941 -10972     25,084.93

               Total                                                                  $  31,832.52


TD&H – projects
Chlorination buildings -   Randy Noble was present to update the council on the Town’s ongoing projects. He reminded the Council that the bids for the chlorination buildings project came in over budget.  He further reminded the Council that the upcoming grant for the SW reservoir and the PRV projects were being decreased by 16%.  One of the options mentioned by Pat Stretch of CDBG would be to take funds from the SW reservoir project to help complete the chlorination buildings. 

The Town received a written cost from Elder Roofing for the SW reservoir roof repairs totaling to $ 7,835.00.  If the Council chose to do just the roof repair and not the PRV valve on Stringham Rd. that would leave approximately $ 18,000 that could be used for the chlorination buildings project.  The Town would have to pay only up to $ 2,000 of its own funds.

Stan made a motion to take the full amount of the 2010 CDBG grant to build two Chlorination buildings.  One located at Well #4 and one at Well #5.  The remaining costs not covered by the 2010 grant will come from the 2011 CDBG grant. The remainder of the 2011 grant will be used to repair the SW 200,000 gallon reservoir roof. The motion was seconded by Steve; motion carried.

Reservoir - Randy further informed the Council that a Pre construct meeting was held earlier in the day.  He reported that construction would start in July.  The project will be completed by the end of November.
Randy is waiting for the Frisbie Way booster change order documents.  He will submit them to the Council once he receives them.

Randy also informed the Council that once the tank submittals are received a color can be picked at that time.

Lagoon - Randy briefly spoke of the bubbles in the liner in pond # 2.  He reported the DOE recommended pumping out the water from under the liner.  He noted that perforated tiles should have been installed at the time it was lined.

On call engineer contract – Jim made a motion to approve/renew the On Call Services contract with TD&H and the Town.  This would be for services completed for non grant funded tasks.  Funds would not exceed $ 10,000.  Steve seconded the motion; motion carried.

Public Comments
Vivian reported that there is a community wide Town Park clean up day scheduled May 21st from 10:00 until 2:00. Things to be done – rake and pick up leaves, branches, paint garbage cans, and etc.  The Women’s Club booth will be open for lunch.

Ivan reported he had six items he would like answers to:
·        Code Enforcement – Ivan has been driving around and can not see any improvement in the last five months.
·        He would like to see a breakdown on the Treasurer’s Report.  Some funds may have more funds than others.
·        What is the Town getting for the Sheriff’s contract that it is paying for?  Ivan was not successful in getting a deputy to respond to a break in of one of his shops so he could file a report.
·        There seems to be a lot of dogs running around town.  How many dogs are licensed? What happens to the dogs that are placed in the kennel?
·        He noticed there is sand on sidewalks and around the gutters.
·        Does the Town have another part time employee?

Micki informed Ivan that Terry Liberty is currently in contact with a few property owners in Town.  Terry is planning on being at the next meeting and could update on the status of the various concerns.  Micki also explained to Ivan he could go to the Town Hall the next day and obtain information on the Treasurer’s report as well as the dog license information.

Micki also informed him to contact Captain Werner of the Sheriff’s department if he was not receiving the response he needed.

Furthermore, the Town does not have another part time person.  The person that was with Skyler down by the lagoons was a volunteer.  John informed him that Skyler was not on the clock during that time.  Micki added that with the Town having to watch its funds volunteers will be needed more.

Cat announced that some student’s need community service hours at their school.

Bill Creed announced that the Grange will offer a Pancake Breakfast on Mother’s Day, May 8th.

Mayor’s Comments
Micki reminded people that Rockford’s Chipping Day is scheduled for May 14th from 9:00 to 3:00.  John and Thomas will be in charge of the event.

The Rockford Youth will have a meeting at the Town Hall on May 5th.

Micki asked if the Town should pay Steve Primmer (Triple P Mowing) additional funds for bagging.  The Council felt there was not a need to bag.

Micki reported that the Exxon has new owners and plans to reopen the first part of June.

Public Works
John reported that Steve Primmer ditched in the park to help drainage and the restrooms in the park are now open.

Sand/debris had been cleaned out from the railroad tracks.

John will call to get a load of cold mix delivered.

Old Business
Regarding Primeland’s lease on its park, Darlene reported that the Town has $ 10 million coverage at the park.  Primeland wanted at least $ 2 million coverage.  She also reported the Town can not add Primeland as an additional insurer.  Micki will talk to Tom Herres.

Art Grewe spoke that for years the Town never paid money for anything for that park and Rockford Grain Growers made an agreement to leave the playground equipment there.

It was the consensus of the Council to bill the trailer park and all other multi user meter accounts for the second tier as if each account was separate.  If there are two accounts on one meter the basic rate would be multiplied by 2 the second tier, water allowed would be multiplied by 2.   (8,000 gallons basic – 12,000 gallons for tier 2).

Brenda will have a representative from BIAS Software come and go through the billing system with Carmen Roche.  The office will speak to the auditors regarding the correct procedure for reimbursements/credits.

New Business
Thomas made a motion to approve Resolution 11-01R, Rockford’s declaring equipment surplus.  The motion was seconded by Steve; motion carried.

John reported the grader needs repairs.  Shims,blades and etc.  It was the consensus of the Council to go ahead with the repairs up to $ 1,000. 

John wanted the Council to be aware that the rodder truck needs tires and it also has the split rims.  Stan will look at them.

Darlene reported that she has to send the Town’s financial Annual Report in by the end of May.  She has gone through the report with Clint.  She announced if anyone wished to go over the report with her they could set a time to come and review it.

Meeting adjourned.



________________________________                             ____________________________________
Darlene LaShaw, Clerk                                        Micki Harnois, Mayor


The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast,
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Rockford Town Council Meeting - April 20, 2011

"Minutes do not include corrections made to the Approved Minutes, and do not include Voided Warrants."

Mayor Micki Harnois brought the meeting to order after Bill Benson of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Council members present were:  Steve Meyer, Jim Oshanick and Stan Seehorn.  Public Works Operator John Goyke and Clerk/Treasurer Darlene LaShaw and Deputy Clerk Brenda Gambrel were also present.  Thomas Smith and Clint Stevenson’s absentees were both excused.

Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 6th Council meeting.  Steve seconded the motion; motion carried.

TD&H - Randy Noble
Well House addition.   Randy was here to update the Council on the two main water projects.   Randy informed the Council that two bids for the well house addition project were over the amount that was available from CDBG.  The apparently low bid from TML Construction was approximately $ 86,000.  Construction funds budgeted from CDBG is $ 61,000.  Randy briefly described the design of the proposed buildings.

Randy further informed the Council he had talked to Pat Stretch of CDBG for a direction of this project.  Pat gave him four options the Town can choose:
·       Do not do anything or do not go forward.  All engineer fees that have been paid will have to be absorbed by CDBG. 
·       Move forward with one building not two buildings.
·       Town pays for all the additional costs.
·        Pat Stretch suggested that funds from the grant to repair the SW reservoir roof and PRV valve on Stringham Rd. could be reallocated to help fund the well house project.  This was recommended by Pat Stretch.

Randy Noble estimated that the cost of one building vs. two buildings would be approximately $ 50,000.  He further informed the Council that a decision did not have to be made at that time.  The decision was tabled until further information was obtained.  Randy will send out documents to the Council members to review before the next meeting.

Reservoir   Randy announced that a pre construction meeting had been scheduled for May 4th at 3:00 pm at the Town Hall.  This meeting will be held to meet all supervisors, managers and etc.

Randy will send out the updated Frisbie booster pump change order when Gabe completes them.

Steve asked if the old booster station can be used for B Street.  Randy said it was a possibility.  The old booster runs 24/7.  He didn’t know if it can be re wired to be turned on/off.

Lagoon bubble.  Randy reported there is a bubble in Pond #2, (the north pond).  Earlier in the day John, Randy, and Marsha Sands of the DOE met at the lagoon.  The DOE agrees that there is gas in the bubble.

Randy spoke of a French drain system in the system.  The DOE mentioned that the plan should be placed in the design guidelines for other lagoons.  Randy asked the DOE if the Town’s lagoon as well as Fairfield’s lagoon could be a pilot project would there be any funding available?  The DOE will look into it.

It was the Consensus of the Council to renew the 2006 general engineering contract with TD&H.  TD&H will not be able to start work on any project until authorization.    Expenditures will not exceed $ 10,000 in two years.

Spokane Co. Solid Waste Task Force
Doug Parks of the Spokane Co. Solid Waste Task Force updated the Council of the committee’s work.  The Task Force decided that a non profit municipality corporation would need to be created for the protection of everyone.  He will let the Town know when someone from the Town will need to attend one of the meetings to vote on matters. 

The 14 communities involved will work on an Interlocal Quality agreement.  It is anticipated to have the final draft ready by the first of June.  A County Commissioner will plan to attend the Town Council meeting to discuss the agreement with the Council.

Department of Emergency Management
Gerry Bozarth of the Department of Emergency Management gave a brief presentation of FEMA Disaster Cost Recovery programs.
·       Public Assistance – for governments
·       Individual Assistance – minimum of 20 people w/40% of damage uninsured
·       Small Business Administration (SBA) – low interest loans for applicants who suffer  economic/physical damage

Rural Community Assistance Corp
RCAC – Jim Wilson and Andy O’Neil of Rural Community Assistance Corporation were present to speak to the Council about the Town’s water rates.   Jim spoke of the short fall in the Town’s water fund.  He and Andy had completed a preliminary analysis of the rates, history, and budgetary numbers.  The report was submitted to the Council for review.

He further explained that for the year of 2010 2/3 of the water fund revenues are from the base rate.  The Town only receives approximately $ 2,080.00 from the middle level of the current rate structure.

Jim also mentioned of the Town adopting an ordinance with various water fees and collection of those fees.

No decisions on the Town’s water rates were made. 

A discussion took place on the billing of the water usage at the trailer park.  There is one meter for eight units.  There is not an ordinance that states certain regulations for billing water for meters with multi user accounts.

The trailer park owners provided a document of calculations of what had been charged vs. what should have been charged.

The owner further submitted a copy of a “Final Notice” document that had been posted by John and Brenda weeks prior.  John briefly explained the process of how the late notices are delivered.  Micki spoke that the notices will not be handed out like that again.

Brenda will set a meeting with BIAS, Carmen Roche and the Town, showing how the computer computes the utility bills.

The decision of how multi user accounts will be billed was tabled until the next meeting.

Mayor’s Comments
Micki quickly spoke of her trip earlier in the day for the signing of the bill for the Scenic Bi-way.  She further explained that the Town will have the ability to apply for Federal grants.

Public Comments
It was the consensus of the Town to sell the two surplus pick ups with a private sale. A resolution will be submitted to the Council at the meeting declaring the vehicles surplus.

John reported that he and Skyler have graveled, rolled B Street and have started ditching W Lake Street.

John had not received any returned calls on sweeper costs.

Jim announced that the Town needed to pay attention to the report submitted by RCAC and watch the Town’s expenditures.

Treasurer’s Report
Darlene reported March 2011 Treasurer’s Report as $ 331,579.67, all in funds.

Old Business
Jim will have a plan for the park’s drainage project by the next meeting.

Micki reported that Neil Davey plans to speak to Jeff Sainsbury regarding the electricity needs in the park.

New Business
The CHS lease agreement was tabled until the next meeting. The office will look into the Town’s current liability amount for the park.

The Town will issue Council member Stan Seehorn a Town of Rockford credit card to help purchase supplies and parts for the Town.

The Town had received a letter from Rockford resident Mona Vanek regarding her request to place the Town’s website as a link to her North Palouse e- Newscast.  Micki announced that a copy of the letter was available for everyone.


Meeting adjourned.


______________________________                                 ______________________________
Darlene LaShaw, Clerk                                                 Micki Harnois, Mayor                             

The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast, http://www.palousenewscast.com/.                                                                                                                                     
TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.
                                                                                                        

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Palouse Public Works Department Chipper & Compost Facility

  • The Palouse Public Works Department is having problems with misuse at the chipper & compost facility.  The following items were recently dumped:  pop and beer cans, chicken wire, nails, screws, rocks, bricks, etc.  One handful of rocks through the chipper and it costs the city $120 to replace the broken blades.  Not to mention the cost of Public Works having to separate out the trash.  Please help keep this program going.  Remember CLEAN GREEN only. 

  • Also remember, your permit is good for your yard only.   In other words, go ahead and be helpful, but each person you’re helping must hold a valid permit as well. 

  • Due to limited space at the facility, it is imperative that you try and stack your debris on the pile, not just on the ground.
 

We have worked hard to have this great facility and want to see it continue.  If you see abuse or misuse, please report it to City Hall.

Please contact City Hall,  509-878-1811, if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your understanding. 



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TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.
 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Town of Latah

TOWN HALL
108 E. Market, Latah, WA 98808
Mayor, Teresa Galvin
Heidi Turnbaugh, town clerk
Ph: 509 286-3471
Post office
23 W. Market Latah, WA 98808


The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast,
http://www.palousenewscast.com/.
TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Town of Rockford

Rockford, http://rockfordwa.com/pages/organizations/town_council/town_council.html.


City Hall
20 West Emma St.
Rockford, WA 99030
Phone- (509) 291-4716
Fax- (509) 291-5733
Mayor - Micki Harnois, mayor@rockfordwa.com.
Darlene LaShaw- Clerk, clerk@rockfordwa.com.
Brenda Gambrel- Deputy Clerk, deputyclerk@rockfordwa.com


John Goyke - Public Works Operator, publicworks@rockfordwa.com.


Council meetings and Planning Commission meetings are at City Hall Meeting room on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m.


The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast,
http://www.palousenewscast.com/.
TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.

Town of Fairfield

City Hall
218 East Main Street
P.O. Box 334
Fairfield, WA 99012-0334

Ph: (509) 283-2414
Fax, (888) 595-5579
E-mail, townoffairfield@cougarwireless.net.

Travis Glidewell, Public Works Supervisor; Cell: (509) 370-0832; e-mail, publicworks@rezmail.com.

The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast, http://www.palousenewscast.com/
TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.

Town of Spangle

Council meetings are at City Hall 115 W. 2nd St., on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, at 6:00 p.m.

City Hall
PO Box 147
Spangle, Wa. 99031
E-mail,
(509)245-3260

Mayor Don Mangis
Council Members:
Ralph Sunwold
Clyde Sample
Bill Whitehall
Toby Trower
Melissa Holling

Peggy Mangis, pking@townofspangle.org

Spangle, Washington is in Spokane county, 16 miles S of Spokane on US Route 195.


The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast,
http://www.palousenewscast.com/.
TOWNS, http://tinyurl.com/5rgxnd6.