REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
AUGUST 2, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Note to persons reviewing this document: This is not a verbatim transcript. While an attempt has been made to document pertinent points, these minutes contain only a summary of the discussion and voting.
The regular council meeting was called to order on August 2, 2011 at 7:00 by Mayor Ed Huber.
Council members present: Harry Gibbons, KayDee Gilkey, Karrie Stewart, Mary Branon and Brian Kauffman.
Others present: KJ Hanley, Jerri Kay Thieren, Wayne Kochheiser, Alene Felgenhauer and Gabe Newsomefrom the Planning Commission, and Cheryl Loeffler.
Approval of Minutes
Action
KayDee Gilkey motioned to approve the July 19, 2011 minutes as presented, seconded by Karrie Stewart. The motion carried.
Action
Approval of the Claims
Claim vouchers #16287-16312 for $23,405.88 and EFTs for $3,533.24 were approved for payment as presented by Brian Kauffman; seconded by Mary Branon. The motion carried.
Claims: $19,243.61
Payroll: 7.695.51
Total Claims: $26,939.12
Check Registers signed by: Mary Branon, Brian Kauffman and Karrie Stewart.
Check #16288 was voided.
Action
Harry Gibbons motioned to excuse Brian Kauffman from the July 19, 2011 meeting; seconded by Karrie Stewart. The motion carried.
Guests
Planning Commission
Mayor Huber welcomed the Planning Commission to the council meeting and introduced the newest member Gabe Newsome. The group needs to select a chairperson with the resignation of Marty Boleck. Ed expressed how important their role is to the Town and the council. He also added that the council is here to support them. Ed asked for feedback on how the council can help them.
- Alene Felgenhauer suggested having meetings at least every six months even if there is no permit submitted just to refresh the members and keep up on changes.
- The permit payments are now made directly in Spokane. There is no follow through for the commission to know if Spokane County actually approved the permit. Cheryl will check with Building and Planning on obtaining notification.
Ed again wanted to let the commission know that the council is here to support them. All the council asks is that the Planning Commission represents the town in a fair and professional manner. The council wants to know if anyone in the community treats any member of the commission unfairly or unkind. We are very appreciative of what work the commission does and their work is very important to the running of the town.
105 S Railroad
The homeowners did not attend the council meeting but had expressed what the topic was beforehand. This will be moved further into the agenda.
Engineers Report
2011 Sewer Improvement project
KJ Hanley from Century West has presented the Professional Agreement between Century West Engineering and the Town of Fairfield for the 2011 Sewer Improvement Project Contract #11-19. This agreement lists the Town match to be $9,300 for the design portion of the project. The goal is to get this project designed and ready for the approval and completed in this calendar year. The funds have not been released yet from CDBG.
ACTION
Mary motioned to approve the CDBG 2011 Sewer Improvement Contract #11-19 Professional Agreement between Century West and the Town of Fairfield with $9,300 Town match for the design; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.
Project Summary & Cost Estimate for TIB funding
KJ went over the application for the 2013 Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) project. He is going to clarify if any special requirements/restrictions apply with pedestrian crossings. There was discussion about the flashing lights that would be placed at each crossing. There is a $100,000 limit on the Small City Preservation; these may have to be added later. KJ will contact Gloria Bennett at TIB for this information.
The engineer’s estimate for the Main Street Overly/Reconstruction-Sidewalks-Lighting is for $516,472 with a 5% Town match. With the utility tax now in effect, there should be funds in the Town’s budget for this project. This application is for the year 2013 and since the TIB funds receive their funding from the gas tax these funds should be secure.
ACTION
Harry motioned to approve the application for the TIB Main Street Overly/Reconstruction-Sidewalks-Lighting for for $516,472 with a 5% Town match seconded by Mary. The motion carried.
The First Street-Sidewalk Improvement portion of the TIB application will be presented for approval after KJ visits with Gloria Bennett.
OLD BUSINESS
2012 WSDOT Chip Seal partnership
Gloria Bennett from TIB returned the application with the locations listed that were approved for this chip seal project.
These include:
2nd Street-Lake Avenue to Bradshaw Avenue
Bradshaw Avenue-3rd Street to SR 27
Bradshaw Avenue-West City Limits to 3rd Street
ACTION
KayDee motioned to agree to the 2012 WSDOT Chip Seal partnership for the streets listed; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.
Mosquito fogging
With the current lack of moisture and the heat, the council agreed to stop the fogging for this year. Cheryl will notify Dean Browning.
NEW BUSINESS
409 N 2nd
The homeowners ran into a situation where there was a question as to whether the home was currently connected to the Town’s sewer system. They contracted with a plumber who was still unable to determine the connection. They were able to find an existing connection line on their property coming from the main sewer line that the plumber then used to connect the home to the sewer main. The Town has met the requirements set by the sewer ordinance for providing the utility to the property line. The specific amount that the homeowners have paid for their sewer service since they moved in is comparable to what a new sewer connection would cost. The council decided, since they were not certain whether the connection was previously completed, that the sewer fees collected would satisfy this process, even if it was to be determined a new connection had been provided.
During the process of fixing their sewer, Derek was notified that the plumber had ruptured the main water line. After examination, Derek determined that it was the property owner’s service line and not the main line that had been severed. The line needed to be repaired “live” to eliminate the risk of having contamination flush back into the town’s water system. The council agreed there would be no charge to the homeowner for assistance in repairing the break.
105 S Railroad
The council discussed the issue of the occupant of this residence having their service line break, turning off their own water meter in April and not notifying the Town that this was done until this Monday. The council made the decision that they are still responsible for the entire utility bill.
Public Works Report
No public works report given.
Other:
Cheryl has jury duty August 22 through Sept 2.
The Town received notification late today that we are one of 33 award recipients of the 2011-2013 Washington State Archives Local Records Grant Program. We will receive $5,300 to digitize and preserve the historical Minutes, Ordinances and Resolutions.
The July Avista utility billing does have the addition of the utility tax of 6% for the Town of Fairfield.
Review Complaints & Compliments
7-25-2011 Four-wheeler riding: Two complaints came in on Monday morning about someone riding a red four-wheeler behind the Town Shop and around the streets over the weekend. It was extremely loud, obnoxious and very dusty. **Cheryl contacted the homeowner about this. She commented that she would talk to the youth and inform that they the four-wheeler cannot be ridden inside City Limits. She was advised that if the bike is seen being ridden again inside the city limits, the sheriff would be called. She assured me that it would not happen again.
8-1-2011: RV in upper park: There have been some concerned citizens questioning the RV that is parked by Hahner Field. They also have a dog that was out and running the street yesterday. ** Cheryl contacted their place of employment to have them stop by City Hall. They said that they had found another home for their dog.
Cheryl researched the ordinances and found Ordinance #15.18.050 stating that a recreational vehicle may not be used as a residence longer than 14 days. The people living in the RV are not in compliance with this ordinance. Cheryl was instructed by the council to notify the occupants at their employment that the vehicle needs to be moved within 48 hours (Friday, August 5) to private property or outside city limits.
The regular council meeting took a 5-minute recess. They will resume at 8:25 for an executive session to discuss personnel issues. The executive session should last about 30 minutes at which time regular session will be resumed. No actions will take place during the executive session. There may or may not be action taken during the regular session.
The executive session adjourned at 9:30 pm.
The regular council meeting reconvened at 9:30.
ACTION
KayDee motioned to authorize $100 per week bonus pay to Derek Knecht while he is the sole public works employee; seconded by Harry. The motion passed with 4 yeas and 1 nea.
Adjourn
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:31 pm.
Mayor Ed Huber Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Loeffler
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