Fairfield Town Council Meeting, November 1, 2011

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 1, 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 November 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm by Mayor Ed Huber. Council members present: Mary Branon, Harry Gibbons, KayDee Gilkey, Brian Kauffman. Karrie Stewart was absent due to illness. Others present: KJ Hanley, George Davidson, Jane VanWinkle and Cheryl Loeffler.

Approval of Minutes

Action

Harry Gibbons motioned to approve the October 18, 2011 regular council minutes as presented, seconded by Mary Branon. The motion carried.

Action

Approval of the Claims

Claim vouchers #16398 through #16421 for $10,984.13 and EFTs for $3,070.10 were approved for payment as presented by Brian Kauffman; seconded by Harry Gibbons. The motion carried.

Claims: $ 8,396.68

Payroll: 5,657.55

Total Claims: $14,054.23

Check Registers signed by: Brian Kauffman, KayDee Gilkey and Mary Branon.

Checks #16401 and 16419 were voided.

Guest

John Jesseph of Inland Tree Service

John presented a fall pruning plan for the Fairfield Cemetery and Town of Fairfield. The cemetery has $1989 of donated funds for tree maintenance along with the $500 from the regular budget for the tree maintenance. The Tree City and Loss Control Grant for 2011 and the Tree City budget for 2012 would be used for the pruning inside the town. John suggests that his crew would work for three solid days and then donate one-half day each to the cemetery and the town and get most of the deadheading and pruning done in these two locations.

The trees on the north side of Hart Park that were designated as the second priority for maintenance at the public hearing last spring, would be the primary area to work. There has already been damage done to some of these trees this summer from wind. The limbs on these trees are “long and stringy” and would need to have some balancing done. This is not topping like what has been done on some of the trees in our area. John will be meeting with Guy Williams, president of the Fairfield Cemetery Board, on Wednesday to discuss the boundaries of the cemetery and what line of trees to begin working on there. The grower’s field on the east side has been planted and does not want any vehicles accessing the field. John guaranteed that he would not need to access the field.

The trees on Fairweather by Hahner Field are almost all dead or very near dead. This is another area that will need to be assessed for maintenance.

Garth Davis from Spokane Conservation District donated six trees to the Town and John, Garth and two of his employees planted them on October 26th. They planted pine and lodge pole pine and a sweetgum tree in Hart Park, a Noble pine in Thiel Park and an evergreen in the right-of-way at 1st and Seward. Garth and the conservation district continue to be very generous to the Town of Fairfield. He will bring more trees down in the spring.

ACTION

Mary motioned to authorize the proposal from John Jesseph, Inland Tree service, as the budget handles; seconded by KayDee. The motion carried.

As a Tree City, an inventory is kept of all of the street trees, which are trees that are in the town’s right-of way. If you see a tree that is need of any kind of attention, please bring it to the attention of Town Hall or someone that is on the Tree Board.

Engineer’s Report

Transportion Improvement Board

The announcement of projects that will be receiving funding for the 2013 funding cycle will be reviewed November 16-18 and the announcement of awards soon after.

2011 Sewer Improvement Project

Century West has finally received comments from Department of Ecology (DOE) and they will be addressed. The project will be ready to go to bid the first part of January 2012. Pat Stretch from CDBG has asked if Fairfield and Century West would be interested in switching part of the funds for this project to CDBG-R, which is part of the ARRA funding. These require to buy-America (ARRA) and have some extra federal regulations. It would also require some changes in the documentation. KJ is comfortable guaranteeing an end of construction before June 30, 2012 but possibly not having all of the paperwork completed by that date. Sometimes it takes a few months to get all of the paperwork back from Department of Revenue and Labor and Industries. Pat was comfortable with that statement.

CDBG funding cycle for 2012

Applications for the CDBG funding cycle of 2012 are due and must be postmarked November 12. At this time, the available funding is $965,000 so the competition will be greater than usual. In order to keep in line with the requirements of DOE, the council agreed that it is better to keep applying for the grants to show that there is intent from the Town to work on the inflow and infiltration issues.

KJ will have the application ready for council review and public hearing, which will be November 8 at 7:00.

The areas for consideration are along the north end of the railroad tracks off Ticknor and Carlton south on 2nd. There is a question about easements along the railroad that will have to be looked into. He will keep the asking dollar amount close to $130,000, which will include camera work.

The manhole in Ottosen’s field needs to be videoed when it is wet to get an accurate reading. KJ will check with Big Sky Industrial about accessing a wet field. Harry offered to visit with the Ottosens about this.

Public hearing

Mayor Huber explained that he is going to open one public hearing for all three topics and action will take place, if needed, after the hearing is closed.

Public hearing for Resolution 2011-4 Tax levy for 2012

Open public hearing at 8:04 by Mayor Ed Huber

By law, each year the Town is allowed to ask for an additional 1% property tax. The increase would give Fairfield an additional $836 for the 2012 budget.

Question: Is that $836 per household or the entire town?

Answer: The entire town.

Ordinance #367 Implementation of Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)

There was some confusion by both council and citizens in the way REET would be collected. After checking again with Spokane County, it would definitely be an additional tax to the person that is selling property. There is no guarantee on how much will be received each year. Jane also provided some good links for information of this. This is a tax increase to the home seller of .25% for REET 1 and .25% for REET 2.

These funds can only be used for capital projects such as parks and recreational facilities streets, roadways, sidewalks, street lighting, water and sewer.

Mary Branon commented that she thinks this is definitely not the right time to increase taxes to our citizens but that the possibility should not be put away forever. Harry Gibbons agreed. He stated that we would like to have as many people come in and purchase the homes that are for sale. With the additional tax, potential buyers might not purchase one here.

Comment: The first thing a person asks the realtor is what it costs to sell a house? The excise tax is always brought up. To sell a home in Fairfield, the excise tax is 1.28%. The REET would make it 1.78%. That percentage is added to the price of the home by the seller.

Question: If a person sells a $100,000 home, how much extra would they be paying?

Answer: $250 with REET 1 or $500 with REET 1&2.

Citizen Comment: I don’t think that is that big of a deal. The council is very diligent and very careful with their money.

Comment: This tax is paid when you leave the town. You don’t get to see the benefit of what the money will be used for. Our expenses keep going up and our income goes down every month. With the utility tax on Avista and with their suggested hike in rates, please don’t add another tax to that.

Council comment: The expenses of the Town keep going up also. What do you expect us to do about funding?

Citizen comment: I expect to see you keep cutting your expenses.

Resolution 2011-5 Revisions to the 2011 Capital Improvement Plan.

The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a listing of projects that the Town would like to have done but would need to seek funding to accomplish. Having it on the CIP puts items in place to receive funding and the funding agencies look at these lists for legitimate projects. Mary read the existing list to the audience.

Ed discussed the addition of maintenance equipment for the streets and parks such as a commercial grade lawnmower and an all-purpose utility vehicle.

The name of Good Samaritan Road needs to be changed to Hilltop Lane.

With no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 8:31.

ACTION

KayDee motioned to approve Resolution 2011-4, setting the tax levy for 2012, seconded by Brian. The motion passed.

The council will not take action on the agenda topic concerning the implentation of the REET tax.

ACTION

KayDee motioned to approve Resolution 2011-5, revisions to the 2011 Capital Improvement Plan; seconded by Mary. The motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Updates

Abandoned trailer update

There has been nothing done the past two weeks on the removal of the abandoned trailer. The Improvement Board will be called for further action.

Yard debris day update

Sunshine Disposal reported that there were two 30-yard dumpsters were filled and Inland Tree Service hauled 22 yards of chipped material. Someone dumped trees that were larger than was allowed and these trees are still piled out there.

Pumpkin carving update

Alene Felgenhauer reported that there were approximately 25-30 carved pumpkins. Everyone had a wonderful time and wants to have another event. Barb Neal brought down an apple cider press to make apple cider for everyone. Having the town function and the Service Club dinner on the same night worked well for both groups. Mary Branon has contacted Frontier about the sign the Service Club used. They would be happy to  ave them set it at the Frontier Building in the future.

No new business

Public Works Update

WATER

• • Well houses have been cleaned and prepped for winter.
• • Water meters have been read for the last time this year.
• • In the process of completing the yearly WUE( Water Use Efficiency) report for 2010-2011

WWTF

• • Pond levels are being brought up to full level in anticipation of a hard freeze in November.
• • Liner Pump has been tore down and put away for winter before a hard freeze.
• • Tree sprinkler system has been un-hooked and winterized.
• • Testing and Discharge will begin November 1, 2011

PARKS

• • All park water systems have been winterized and skate park Restrooms have been shut down for the season.
• • R.V. Dump has been shut down for the season, closed signs posted.
• • John Deere 316 has quit running. Electrical system has went to ground and will have to be traced until short is found.
• • Pea gravel has been added around playground equipment to meet minimum height requirements.

ROADS

• • Front end of backhoe had to be repaired, the king pin fell out of the front passenger wheel due to wear over the years. Upon inspection, the driver’s side was in no better shape. Ordered parts from Caterpillar, and replaced both kingpins, all four bushings, both slide shims and keeper bolts. This was accomplished in the shop saving approximately an $875.00 repair bill + parts. The backhoe is up and running again.
• Tie-Rod ends will be replaced very soon.
• • Gravel has been added around most low manholes to avoid catching with plows.
• • Sander has been ordered and should be in by 11/11/11 at the latest.

Other:

• • Preliminary budget will be presented 11-15-2011.
• • Fairfield Care asked the Town to donate to their open house. A 25% discount for ½-day use of the community center was provided.
• • Arbor Day Tree Planting was done on October 10. An Austrian Pine was planted at the north edge of the Fairfield Cemetery. It is draught tolerant and should do fine there.
• • Auditor Entrance meeting was held with Ed, Mary, Cheryl and the auditors on Wednesday. Cheryl commented that so far, it is going fine and Carol Cherry should be done working in our office on Thursday.

Review Complaints & Compliments

10-25-2011: Building material blowing from 408 W Hamilton. **Alene contacted Improvement Board and was given advice to send the letter attached.

Adjourn

The regular meeting adjourned 8:52 pm.

Mayor Ed Huber                  Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Loeffler