DRAFT ONLY. Without council review or approval.
November 8, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Special Council Meeting
Public Hearing for 2012 Preliminary Budget
Followed by
Regular Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: Council members present: Cecil Floyd; Tim Jones; Connie Newman; Norm Schorzman; Jeff Snook; Rick Wekenman. Absent: Mike Milano had medical absence. Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; City Attorney Stephen Bishop; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson; & Deputy Clerk Ann Thompson. Councilmember Newman MOVED, seconded by Councilmember Snook to excuse Councilmember Milano’s absence. Motion carried unanimously. Public present: Pete Hertz.
7:02 PM, Open public hearing for 2012 Preliminary Budget. No comments. 7:04 Close public hearing and open regular council meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 25, 2011. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Supt. Griffin submitted a written report. The new mower has been ordered. The fiber optic people have all their vaults in but still have a lot of work to do.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Neumann submitted the October Activity Log. A few minor HP incidents were handled. Reserve Officer Snead worked all four nights as a volunteer reserve officer. The PD banner is up and hoping to install the new sign soon. The first part of the building remodeling/lowering the ceiling has begun. Our PD’s reporting software program is version 1.5 from 2001 and it is outdated. The program is now on version 7.93 and they can’t help us anymore unless we upgrade because our version is obsolete. The total cost for new programming on P.D.’s main computer, with a 1 year maintenance agreement is $1,499.00. We can pay half now and half in 2012. The money would come out of the general fund. Councilmember Jones MOVED to authorize Chief Neumann to purchase the software. Councilmember Schorzman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
With recent issues involving live traps, Chief Neumann would like to remind the public that they are to trap skunks, raccoons, and feral cats (as long as you abide by the feral cat program). The trapping of domestic animals (purposefully or accidentally) is not allowed and you need to release them immediately. It can be considered animal abuse to trap domestic pets.
OLD BUSINESS:
Atty. Bishop updated council on the timeline and tight schedule the Brownfields project will be on between now and the first of the year. The Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree (PPCD) will be going into the public comment period through Ecology - Nov. 17 thru Dec. 17. Ecology and the City will be hosting a community meeting at the high school gymnasium on December 1 to share information and build community input. On December 20, after Ecology’s public comment period, council will meet to vote on final approval to sign the grant application for clean-up funding. The application must be sent in before the end of the year. The cleanup action plan and scope of work are prepared, pending funding. Atty. Bishop explained that a great deal of time and effort has been spent on the PPCD. He is pleased that Ecology agreed to work with the City to develop this agreement. In short, Ecology says we must own the property before we can apply for funding the cleanup; the City holds that we have assurance of funding before we own the property. Hence, the PPCD. Bishop has been negotiating with Asst. Atty. General who is preparing the draft and they came to an agreement this afternoon. It will be prepared for their public comment period. The only thing that really remains is there’s going to be a gap between the funding and when we commit ourselves to this project. Bishop won’t tolerate a gap. Jim Darling, of MFA has proposed to the EPA that they go on ahead and issue a binding commitment to the grant so we have that available when we sign on to this.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance No. 893: Establish a capital projects fund for police car and equipment. Mayor read aloud the ordinance in its entirety. This combines two current separate funds (Police Car 306 & Police Equipment 307) into one fund Police Car & Equipment (311). Funds 306 & 307 will be closed Dec 31, 2011. A budget amendment will come later to allow transferring funds from the funds which will close. Councilmember Snook MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 893. Seconded by Councilmember Wekenman. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS:
Water & Sewer-Connie Newman, Chair: Went to planning commission mtg. Collaboration between WSP and PC is very fruitful. We have a current, accurate city boundary map and a city zoning map. Retail Service Area proposal will go to public for comment at some point. The PC made some good recommendations for the WSP.
Finance, Property, & Equipment-Mike Milano, Chair: Mayor Echanove met with Councilmember Milano to discuss budget. Proposed changes include:
- 3% pay reduction for all staff
- elimination of spouse/family member dental insurance benefit
- Building Inspector contract reduced from $500 to $400/month
- Voluntary council and mayor pay deferment by percentage or dollar amount or permanent change to council/mayor salary.
- increase to photocopy charges
- increase chipper permit cost from $25 to $40 or eliminate chipper program
- keep swim lesson cost at $25 for residents but increase cost to $35 for non-residents
- increase PD paper service and accident report fees
- adoption of an event impact fee to pay for such things as toilet paper, paper towels, & garbage sacks
- charge for reservation of park shelters and gazebo
- increase the pool levy from 28k to 29k for collection in 2013
- reduce the number or lights on Main Street & perhaps put Whitman Street lights on a timer, or other options
- Disconnect Bridge Street school sign saving the city approx. $1300 a year in electricity. Perhaps the school, Lions Club, or other civic group will want to pay to run it.
- Close Heritage Park restrooms from Dec. through Feb. to save on high winter electricity costs
Much discussion ensued. Councilmember Newman MOVED to approve the BI contract reduction in pay effective January 2012, seconded by Councilmember Snook. Motion carried unanimously. Forecasts from the state continues to be gloomy.
MAYOR’S REPORT: AWC is offering four $1,000 civic engagement scholarships. Each of Washington’s 281 cities and towns get to submit one nominee. Deputy Clerk Thompson will work with Palouse H.S. to get the word out.
ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilmember Schorzman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN: Councilmember Jones MOVED to adjourn. Councilmember Snook seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 9:59 PM.
The following checks are approved for payment:
Payroll Paid: Ck. No. 3540-3556 & EFT $37,468.94
Claims Paid Ck. No. 3557-3595 & EFT $54,200.54
APPROVED: ________________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________
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