Friday, January 6, 2012

Fairfield, Wash., Town Council January 3, 2012


REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2012
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.

Mayor Ed Huber called the regular council meeting to order on January 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Mary Branon, Harry Gibbons, George Davidson, Valerie Spurrell and Brian Kauffman.

Others present: Derek Knecht, Derek A. Knecht, Beau and Amy Wheeler and Cheryl Loeffler.

Approval of Minutes

Action

Harry Gibbons motioned to approve the December 20, 2011 regular council minutes as presented, seconded by Mary Branon. The motion carried. George and Valerie abstained.

Action

Approval of the Claims
Claim vouchers #16482 through #16493 for $13,675.54 and EFTs for $3,549.98 dated 12-31-2011 and #16494 through 16499 dated January 3, 2012 were approved for payment as presented by Brian Kauffman, seconded Mary Branon. The motion carried.

December 31, 2011 January 3, 2012
Claims: $12,248.92 $8,674.84
Payroll: 4,976.60 -0-
Total Claims: $17,225.52 $8,674.84
Check Registers signed by: Harry Gibbons, Mary Branon and Brian Kauffman

ACTION

Mary motioned to approve the absence of Brian Kauffman from the Dec 20, 2011 council meeting; seconded by Harry. The motion carried.

Brian Kauffman was sworn in to council position #5 on December 30, 2011 at Town Hall by Cheryl Loeffler and Ed Huber.

OLD BUSINESS
Community Center Youth Activities
During Christmas break, movies were offered for the youth on two separate days with the under 12-year-old movie at 11 and 13 + movie at 4:00. Since no one showed up for the later movie time, it was decided to cancel it for the Friday movie and for future reference, probably only have one movie time for everyone. The people that did come really enjoyed it and would like to see it continue perhaps on Saturdays. The youth activities are scheduled to start on Thursday, Jan 5th. A Wii console has been purchased but the television still needs purchased.

Community Center agreement
The council will review the current rates and policies for public rental of the Community Center and bring their suggestions to the next meeting.

Hours of City Hall
No comments from survey have been turned in.

COOP
Ed and KayDee Gilkey are still a working on this.

Employee wages
The council had approved up to a 5% raise for Cheryl at the previous meeting and after Ed and Cheryl visited, a 3% pay raise was agreed upon.

Ed met with Derek and Derek on 12-30-2011 for Derek’s 90-day review. There have not been any unfavorable comments from the public about the father-son working set-up. Derek Sr. said that if there had been even one negative comment, he would recommend leaving the younger Derek on probation. Both Ed and Derek agree that another 90-day probation period is not necessary. Ed recommends that Derek A be moved to permanent full-time position with full benefits and raise to $12.00 per hour effective 1-1-2012.

ACTION

Brian motioned to grant Derek A Knecht full time status effective 1-1-2012 with benefits and raise to $12.00; seconded by Harry. The motion carried.

Employee wages
Derek changed position from Public works II to Public Works 1 with raise to $17.00
Derek A $11.00 to $12.00
Alene raise from $11.00 to 11.75
Cheryl $15.88 to $16.35

NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2012-1 Fee Schedule
The council will take this home to review. Derek will check the rates for water and sewer connections in other communities for the next meeting.

Mayor Pro-Tem

ACTION

Harry motioned to appoint Mary Branon as Mayor Pro-Tem for six months; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.

Council Departments
Harry Gibbons Streets
Mary Branon Finance
George Davidson Sewer
Valerie Spurrell Parks
Brian Kauffman Water

Finance committee: Mary, Brian and Harry.

Public Works Update
WATER
  • Rebuilt chlorinator in well house #1
  • Replaced chlorination system pump in well house #5
  • Taking over bacteriological testing this month from the Department of Health (DOH)
  • Doing well totals and consumption for year ending 2011
  • Year-end chlorination report for DOH
WWTF
  • Continually battling clogs in the effluent system, compilation of chewed up cattails and roots from pond
  • plants. Clogging under high flows, have to keep a close watch for potential overflow.
  • Doing year-end DMR report for the Department of Ecology
PARKS
  • Picked up garbage/ branches in Hart Park from windstorm. Much better though after the pruning was performed.
  • Pick up garbage from Thiel Park/ Skate Park.
ROADS
  • Fixed washouts in various locations around town due to flash flood waters
  • Filling in pot-holes
Other:
All four of the town employees have signed the personnel handbook.

Beau and Amy Wheeler expressed the fact that they are still being charged for the water at 105 S Railroad even though they have moved out and the water was turned off in June. Cheryl will check into this and make necessary corrections.

Beau also asked about disconnecting the sewer at this house. The council explained how each connection is counted with the Department of Ecology and the town is only allowed so many connections. The cost of reconnecting the sewer is $3500.

There will be a meeting on January 12 at 7:00 with Sunshine Disposal and the surrounding communities regarding recycling. There was discussion about the Solid Waste Agreement with Spokane County and not being able to use anyone but Empire Disposal. Cheryl will contact Dave Patterson from Empire and Suzanne Tresko.

Review Complaints & Compliments
None.

Adjourn
The regular meeting adjourned 8:22 pm.

Mayor Ed Huber               Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Loeffler

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