Rockford Town Council
April 18, 2012
7:00 pm

Mayor Micki Harnois brought the meeting to order after the Pledge of allegiance was recited. Council members present: Clint Stevenson, Steve Meyer, Thomas Smith and Dave Thompson. Council member Jim Oshanick was absent. Clerk/Treasurer Darlene LaShaw and Public Works Operator John Goyke were also present


Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson and Police Chief Brian Asmus were present to donate their SCOPE car to the Town. The Town will be placing the car in various places which will help aid in decreasing speeders.


Public HearingA Public Hearing was held for proposed rate increases in both sewer and lagoon funds. It would be a $2.00 increase to each fund.


Micki Harnois reported that the last rate increase for lagoon was in 1992 and sewer rate increase was in 2000.


Thomas spoke of the increasing expenditures at the lagoon/treatment plant, that have become more than the revenues. The sewer fund has had to help pay for expenses. Both funds need to be increased so that the Town can start putting money in reserves for future needed improvements.


Alene Willmschen asked how long the short fall had been.


Darlene answered that in about the last couple of years. Darlene also mentioned that the Council had to remember that the Town had funds from liquidated damages from one of the phases of the lagoon projects years ago. Darlene also reported that she had talked to the Council in the past about the need to do something and it was agreed that the water fund had to be dealt with first which was last year.


Darlene and Clint also explained that for years there had not been all the testing that is currently being done. One reason or another not all of the lagoons were operating with aerators in past years. The electrical costs are about $8,000.00.


Clint Stevenson also spoke of the option for the Town to increase rates up to 3% annually if needed for necessary expenditures.


Micki reported that the Town had a spread sheet of other Towns with their rates for comparison. She also spoke of grants and loans that require matching funds.


Ivan Willmschen asked about the project that had been presented to the Council regarding sleaving pipes. Micki explained that was just an informational presentation only. There is not a project planned.


David Thompson mentioned he had understood that some aerators needed to be worked on. John answered that yes, some needed repaired.


Thomas spoke of a number of items that need to be improved in a timely matter required by DOE.
John Goyke spoke of using old UV lights at the treatment plant. The Town is currently in violation. The Town had received a few bad sample reports.


No further public comments, the Public Hearing closed.


Mayor’s CommentsAn ordinance (for the increase of rates) will be for the Council in the next couple meetings.
Micki reported the Fire Levy has passed with 67% approval. Micki thanked the Creeds and Brad Marlow for their help with the information to help get it passed.


May 22nd, there will be a small city round up meeting through AWC for elected officials at Fairfield at 6:00 pm.


Micki had a flyer for prescription drug disposal and shreading day at the Valley’s police station on the 28th.


The soil conservation will hold an Arbor Day on April 27th with a presentation for the first time Tree City USA communities.


Micki reported she had an email from the Fairfield clerk that the Town had gone with Empire Disposal for recycling; 1 large bin, dump as needed basis $175.00 per dump.


Committee ReportsSteve Meyer reported that the streets need work but there isn’t any money. Steve will talk to the State to see if they will do 20 foot approaches on the side streets when they are in town.


Steve further spoke that the Town still has to work on drainage up by Randy Harnasch’s. That has been planned for years.


Steve would like the Town to pave a street each year but there is not enough funds or grants available.


Dave Thompson asked if the Town was planning on oiling this year. Micki mentioned that it had been discussed before to not oil but use the funds to pave a street. Micki further mentioned it was very dusty in the down town area.


John explained that the Town needed to have a forward plan. The Town needs to generate revenue, i.e., bonds, levy. There is no place to cut expenses and no other ways to generate revenue.


Micki reported that there was no word on a drainage grant, a decision has not been made yet.


Public CommentBill Creed reported that it appears Raleigh Clark is in violation of to set backs on the chicken fence and silo. Bill would like the Town to act on this issue.


Kathy Creed was not sure if the hours with Brenda had been resolved. Micki confirmed they were.


Kathy also inquired what it would take for the Grange to rescind the ordinance vacating the alley behind the Grange Hall?


Micki stated that the ordinance does not state any funds paid. The Town would want the alley back. Steve thinks the Town should do it for fire safety reasons.


Micki reported that she has been in contact with relatives of the late Harold Pierce, trying to work on resolving issues on his property.


Steve Meyer state that no funds were paid and probably no deed issued. Steve sees no reason why the Town couldn’t rescind the decision.


John Goyke reported that technically the property description stated in the ordinance is incorrect. Stating block “5” and not block “s”.


Thomas Smith asked if the property taxes had been paid on it.


The Town will check with MRSC regarding rescinding the past ordinance.


Kathy Creed also asked if it was appropriate for private cars being worked on in the Town’s shop? John confirmed after hours he and Jerame had been working on vehicles in the shop. If the Council doesn’t want that, it can stop. Micki stated that it needed to stop.


MinutesThomas Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of April 4th, 2012. Clint seconded the motion, motion carried.


Treasurers ReportDarlene reported February 2012 treasurer report $300,999.07 – all in funds.


Old BusinessThursday April 19th, 2012 representatives from Latah, Waverly and Rockford will interview companies that submitted proposals for the Shoreline master plan update. One will be chosen to do the update which will need to be done by the end of 2013.


Steve Meyer felt that it should be a whole council decision.


Art asked what will it cost the Town? Micki answered it was a $120,000.00 grant from DOE that will pay for all three Town’s and their plans. There will be no cost to the Town.


The Town received 2 tree city usa signs. John wanted to know where the Council wanted them placed. One will go in the South end of Town – 500 feet. The other one – 500 feet in from hwy 27.


Animal ControlMicki explained that she talked to Spokanimal. The Town has to update its ordinance; it is missing an appeal section, it can’t discriminate against breed and Spokanimal officer determines if the animal is dangerous or not.


Brenda had typed up Ordinance 12-5 that contains what Spokanimal advised. Steve thought it was time for the Town to give the ordinance to the attorney to review and ask Spokanimal to place on paper the information about discriminating against breeds and get the attorney’s thoughts. Steve thought the Town’s original ordinance was good enough.


Thomas made a motion to send the original ordinance to the attorney to look over. Dave Thompson seconded the motion, motion carried.


Micki reported that the pit bull from 17 E. Spring had recently attacked another dog. The owner kicked the dog off of her dog.


Public WorksJohn Goyke gave the Council members a copy of the proposed city street contract as interpreted by the State Highway Department report. John asked the Council to review and make comments and return to him by the next meeting.


John also submitted the bill from Dickerson for well #5 repairs in the amount $11,616.00. John said the Council needs to make a decision to take the clay valve out, it will eliminate the hammerings. We will need the electrician that works with Dickerson. It was the consensus of the Council to limit the cost to$4,000.00 to install spool and remove clay valve, but a cost estimate was needed before work began.


John reported that he and Jerame had been working on approaches and pot holes. Dave Thompson said what they had done looked good.


Micki reported that during May 16-18th John will be gone to attend a cross connection class.


Clint made a motion to pay invoice #0928 of Dickerson’s in the amount of $11,616.04. Thomas seconded the motion, motion carried.
　
Meeting Adjourned.
　
　
___________________________________ _______________________________________
Brenda Gambrel, Deputy Clerk                     Micki Harnois, Mayor