Rockford Town Council
March 12, 2012
Public Hearing
Mayor Micki Harnois brought the public hearing to order after the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Council members present: Clint Stevenson, Jim Oshanick, and Thomas Smith. Public Works Operator John Goyke and Clerk/Treasurer were present. Council member Steve Meyer was absent.
A public hearing was held prior to the Council meeting to hear public comment on an alley vacation requested by Andrew Fricke at 409 W. North Street. This alley is located in Block 42 of Waltman’s Addition of the Rockford Resurvey. Andrew owns the property on both sides of this alley.
Andrew Fricke has submitted a building permit application for an addition to his house. Andrew claims he has been paying property taxes on that alley for the last 14 years. The alley is included in the legal description of his property.
Jim Oshanick spoke that he feels there is no need to vacate the alley but if it is necessary for formality he would vote to vacate the alley.
Clint Stevenson mentioned that if we went back and seen what was paid all these years Andrew would have bought and paid for it already.
Micki Harnois explained again that the legal description doesn’t speak about the alley.
Larry Van Every asked if the lots would have to be refigured.
Duane Fricke mentioned that the streets and alleys are included in the blocks that he owns.
With no further comments the hearing was closed.
Council meeting
Mayor Micki brought the Council meeting to order. The Council members as well as staff that attended the hearing were in attendance at the meeting as well.
Alley vacation
Both Clint Stevenson and Jim Oshanick spoke of the Town should give the alley to Andrew Fricke. Darlene mentioned the past vacations where people had to pay for the property or future vacation requests. Clint explained those people had not paid property tax on those for years.
John Goyke stated the Town couldn’t give the alley away. That would be gifting Town property. He suggested to at least sellit for $ 1.00.
Jim Oshanick made a motion to approve Ordinance12-3 contingent upon amending the language of the ordinance stating the alley in Block 42 will be sold for $ 1.00. Thomas Smith seconded the motion; motion carried.
JUB Engineering
Layne Merritt of JUB Engineering was present. He thanked the Council for selecting JUB for their services. He further explained that any task to be completed would have approval of the Council before any work was done. Any unexpected tasks would be dealt with the same. Layne further mentioned that small items such as phone calls and etc would not be charged to the Town.
Kathy Creed asked if the discounts he had talked about are in writing. Layne mentioned that generally that has been done but it wasn’t in the contract.
Layne further requested if there is something not right, please tell him.
Mayor’s Comments
Micki informed the Council that requests for proposals for the Shoreline Master Plan update had been advertised.
Micki further mentioned that Darlene is still working on a draft letter to the Sheriff’s Department.
Micki reported that a representative of “The Current” met with Pete Abbey, Sam Meyle and her at Frednecks recently. The April edition will feature an article on the up coming frog race.
Funding for TIB’s chip sealing on River Street and Stringham Road has been approved.
Micki had spoken to Pat Stretch of CDBG. CDBG is still waiting on HUD’s approval on the methodology of the new income survey.
There hasn’t been any word yet on the park drainage grant.
Micki reported that Primeland is requesting to place a 3000 gallon diesel tank near the card lock pumps. The applications are being worked on.
Micki reported that the Dept of Agriculture has a grant available for $ 25,000 for projects at fairgrounds and other similar locations to help with public safety and health. Two items that have been mentioned are: remodel the restrooms at the park and make the grounds more level to help prevent trips and falls.
The deadline for the grant is June 15th.
Council committee reports
Thomas Smith reported that Clint Stevenson, John Goyke, Micki Harnois and he had met with Layne Merritt of JUB on Tuesday evening to discuss the Town’s needed improvements and the proposed rate increases. Layne had supplied a spreadsheet on other area Town’s utility rates.
Micki spoke that a public hearing will be held on April 18th for the proposed sewer and lagoon increased rates.
Jim Oshanick reported the Lion’s Club is working on a new sign display for the business signs located at Pioneer Park. The proposed structure along with the trailer that is there is on property that belongs to the railroad. The Club had to change their plans because they didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a project that sat on property that didn’t belong to them.
Art Grewe asked if the railroad still gives 99 year leases. Jim didn’t know but someone would look into it.
Jim also mentioned he had talked to Scott Watson regarding the park drainage project. Scott had bid on the high side. Chances are the project will not cost as much as his bid was.
Larry Van Every asked if the trailer located by the proposed sign display was water tight. He also asked if it could be made into an emergency contact center. Jim didn’t know. It could be looked into. The trailer does store items.
Public Comment
Jody Cornwall was present and reported that the agreement between the Town and the Primmer’s was at their attorney for review. She spoke of a few changes that had been made. Primmer’s will be billed for the service and be reimbursed from the Town.
Bill Creed asked with the changes in the Primmer’s agreement, are all the Council members involved in with the talks or just two of them. Micki reported that the council will be in agreement with all the decisions.
Kathy Creed asked if the Council came up with an answer regarding taping the minutes. Micki reported that the auditors said that the Town doesn’t have to record the meetings. Darlene reported that the attorney from years ago recommended the Town to not record the meetings for liabilities.
Kathy Creed asked if it was the Council’s decision then to not tape the minutes.
Thomas Smith reported that the Council hasn’t had a chance to discuss it.
Darlene will talk to MRSC regarding the subject.
P&Z
Thomas Smith made a motion to approve Andrew Fricke’s building permit application for a two story garage at 409 W. North. Jim seconded the motion; motion carried.
Minutes
Jim Oshanick made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 21st meeting. Clint Stevenson seconded the motion; motion carried.
Old Business
Fire Levy
Micki reported that the Town can not ask people to vote for the fire levy but can remind people to vote.
Kathy Creed reported that Fire Chief Brad Marlow had contacted her and said he would get information to her. She also stated she had felt that the Fire Department needs to take responsibility and do some work to help promote the levy.
Spokanimal
Darlene spoke to the Council regarding the Spokanimal check, # 11,400 for $ 65.00. The Council did not approve the check at the last meeting. She told the Council she felt it was the Town’s bill. The Council directed the staff to call Spokanimal to deal with the Pit Bull dog again. She further stated that Raleigh Clark was not going to pay Spokanimal but the Town can send him an invoice for the amount. If he doesn’t pay the bill the Town can place a lien on the property.
Thomas Smith made a motion to approve check # 11,400 for $ 65.00. Jim Oshanick seconded the motion; motion carried.
Recycling
John Goyke reported that Suzanne Tresko of Spokane Regional Solid Waste System is working on a grant that would pay for 75% of Sunshine Disposal’s hauling costs.
John also informed the Council that he has been talking with Suzanne Tresko regarding a possible grant project which could include a fenced, asphalt area that could by used for recycling and composting.
It was the consensus of the Council to continue to work on the grant project.
Utility payments
Art Grewe asked if the Town had ever received the money from the Moyer’s past utility accounts. Darlene reported that the Town did in January.
New Business
Darlene informed the Council that the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) will be revamping its bar code numbering system, required to be used in 2013. Currently the Town is using Version 5 of the BIAS accounting system. BIAS has revamped it accounting program to Version 6 and will amend it to be compatible to the SAO’s new coding system. BIAS will not retrofit Version 5 to the new coding and it will stop making continued updates. The cost will be $ 1,600.00, plus tax. It was the consensus of the Council to update to BIAS’s Version 6.
The Council approved to purchase a lawn sweeper and thatcher for $ 100.00.
Public Works report
John Goyke reported that Well #5 is down. Dickerson will be out on Tuesday to pull the pump and find out what is wrong. Depending on what is wrong it would cost from $ 6,000 to $ 8,800 for just a pump.
Larry Van Every asked if it could be rebuilt to have one for back up.
Thomas Smith asked where the funds would come from to pay for it.
Darlene suggested waiting and seeing what is wrong with it and what the cost will be and then determine where the money will come from.
Meeting adjourned.
_________________ _____________________
Darlene LaShaw, Clerk Micki Harnois, Mayor
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