DRAFT ONLY. Without council review or approval.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 27, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Cecil Floyd; Tim Jones; Mike Milano; Connie Newman; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook. Absent: Rick Wekenman. Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson. Councilmember Wekenman is still working harvest hours. Councilmember Newman MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Schorzman to excuse Councilmember Wekenman’s absence. Motion carried unanimously. Public present: Pete Hertz and Tom Kammerzell.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Newman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 13, 2011. Councilmember Schorzman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report.
POLICE REPORT:
Chief Neumann submitted the activity log for last month. The police activity has increased this month.
The question of ADA compliancy for the PD building has come up again from a few citizens, with no formal complaint submitted. Chief Neumann reminded council of past research and meetings with ADA representatives. It was confirmed that the Palouse PD is not a manned facility (someone in the office at all times) so ADA access is not required. The telephone numbers are widely published and there is a buzzer at ground level. The chief said he would move forward with a sign on the building at street level with the phone numbers. Mayor Echanove agreed that a sign at street level is a good idea and they should move forward with that.
Palouse Day went well with no issues to report. Public Works agreed except that Steve Brink allowed power to be taken from his building for the carnival equipment since it overloaded the lamp posts and no generator was provided as planned.
JFB REPORT: No report because there was no quorum at the JFB board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Revised Lease Agreement with the Palouse Community Center (PCC) – The Mayor explained to council that the original lease signed in 2004 was for only a portion of the land where the community center is being built. In short, the legal description is changed to include the full width of the city land going east and west and 110 feet going south to north. Councilmember Milano MOVED to allow the mayor to sign the Lease Agreement with the PCC pending verification of the legal description. Councilmember Newman seconded the motion. After short discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Finance, Property, & Equipment-Mike Milano, Chair: A worksheet was handed out showing the history of the general fund since 2000 and projections thru 2014. Councilmember Milano will be meeting with his committee to discuss the current financial trends and what can be done in the future. One thing being considered is increasing the cost of the annual Chipper/Compost permit from $25 to $40. This increase would bring the city closer to breaking even on the program. Another item being considered in the 2012 budget is retiring the debt at AWBank for the sewer extension completed in 2008. The principal balance is $12,000 which, if approved in the 2012 budget, would be paid out of the Sewer fund.
Water & Sewer-Connie Newman, Chair: Councilmember Newman reported that she would be attending the water summit and encouraged others to attend as well.
Water System Plan Update: The committee and staff have been kept busy doing our share of gathering data to keep engineering costs down. Deputy Clerk Thompson has logged over 35 hours on the project in the last two weeks. The committee will meet Thursday to talk about the possibility of extending the water retail service area. Expansion of the water retail service area does not obligate the city in any way financially to extend water to those areas; it simply would allow individuals the right to request a water extension to those areas at their own expense. The committee will be looking at both the advantages and disadvantages to extending the water retail service area. After the committee meeting, they will meet with the Planning Commission to talk about how this fits with current and proposed city code and comprehensive plan.
Water System Plan Update: The committee and staff have been kept busy doing our share of gathering data to keep engineering costs down. Deputy Clerk Thompson has logged over 35 hours on the project in the last two weeks. The committee will meet Thursday to talk about the possibility of extending the water retail service area. Expansion of the water retail service area does not obligate the city in any way financially to extend water to those areas; it simply would allow individuals the right to request a water extension to those areas at their own expense. The committee will be looking at both the advantages and disadvantages to extending the water retail service area. After the committee meeting, they will meet with the Planning Commission to talk about how this fits with current and proposed city code and comprehensive plan.
Streets & Sidewalks-Cecil Floyd, Chair: No report except that his committee will meet to discuss future projects and applications for funding.
Policy & Administration-Norm Schorzman, Chair: No report.
On other business, Councilmember Schorzman asked that the city revise their letter granting him permission to have landscaping done within the city right of way along the new health clinic. He asked that he be given advanced notice when the city would be doing work within the improved right of way. Superintendent Griffin said that even in the event of an emergency, they always work with the property owner to minimize damage. After discussion, it was decided that since the request from the Schorzmans is already normal procedure for public works, a revised letter would not be necessary since the minutes of this discussion would be provided.
Parks, Cemetery, & Buildings-Tim Jones. Chair: Councilmember Milano reported that the contract with First Step Internet has been signed and delivered for service at the RV Park. There is a one-time equipment charge of $1,800 with no monthly fees as per a previous agreement allowing installation of their hardware on city property.
OPEN FORUM:
Tom Kammerzell, candidate for Port Commissioner, introduced himself to council. He outlined his goals as a candidate and a commissioner, if elected.
MAYOR’S REPORT: No report
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Snook seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Milano seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Claims Paid Ck. No. 3469 – 3482 $67,222.16
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________
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