Rockford Town Council Meeting October 17, 2012

Town Council

October 17, 2012

7:00 p.m.

 

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

 

Public Hearings

Two Public Hearings were held prior to the council meeting. Micki Harnois opened the first Public Hearing for the Town’s request for the 1% increase on the regular property tax. Darlene LaShaw explained that the Town in the year previously had received $ 62,619.98. A 1% increase to that would be a total of $626.19. Darlene further explained with the EMS levy the Town received the previous year $12,630.87. A 1% increase to that would be a total of $126.31.

 

There was no public comment. The hearing was closed.

 

Mayor Micki Harnois opened the second Public Hearing for the Town’s capital improvement needs/CDBG (

Community Development Block Grant ) 2013 grant project.

 

Layne Merritt of JUB (J-U-B Engineers Inc.,) was present and spoke to the Council and citizens that at the previous Council meeting the Council had spoke in length of the needs for the Town’s lagoons system. He felt that improvements on the lagoons were a high priority of the Town; however, he realized that there are other projects that others may feel were a priority. Layne noted that any projects applied for, an acceptable amount of the project would be approximately $200,000.

 

Darlene LaShaw reported CDBG funding are funds from HUD (Housing and Urban Development.) The area benefits are for communities that have 50.7% of the population that are at low/moderate income levels. The recent income survey the Town completed indicated that Rockford qualifies. Darlene read many of the eligible projects available to apply for. Public Facilities, public services and infrastructure. She also explained the ineligible projects. She also submitted a chart of possible funding available thru the County CDBG. She noted that the County CDBG may receive as much as $1,333,276.000 which would be a 6% increase from last year; however, there may still be cuts to the program, resulting in more than 8% decrease. If the Town continues on with to apply for infrastructure there would be approximately $700,000.00 available. If Spokane Co. is allocated its whole 20% there would be a lesser amount available.

 

Jim Oshanick spoke that he felt that the Town needs to do further improvements on its lagoons. Jim also mentioned that there was a Community Center that may need improvements as well.

 

With no further public comments the hearing was closed.

 

Council Meeting

Micki Harnois opened the Council meeting. The Council members that were at the hearing attended the meeting as well.

 

Layne Merritt with JUB updated the Council on current CDBG funded lagoon improvement project. The contractor will start work next week weather permitting. It should move along quickly and may be done mid November – no sooner.

 

The project is within budget. The two (2) items spoke/decided on at the last meeting were eliminated with change orders.

 

Jim Oshanick asked if Layne had talked to DOE (Department of Ecology) regarding monitor wells in the lagoons. Layne reported he did speak to DOE and voiced he had felt there was no need to have well monitors. He felt any answers from the DOE will be at a later date.

 

Layne also submitted improvement cost estimates for ponds #2 and #3.
Pond #2 - $384,740.00
Pond #3 - $924,900.00

Both included 25% contingencies.

 

Layne also had an overall project cost estimate totaling $2,648,325.00. That would be improvements just for treatment not for collection.

 

Layne spoke that it was discussed at previous meetings to apply not only for CDBG but DOE funding as well. Approximately 50% could be loans.

 

Micki Harnois reported she had talked to Any Oneil o

RCAC   (Rural Community Assistance Corporation) whom informed her that DOE may not give money in the future because it did not agree with the recent type of income survey.

 

Steve made a motion for the Town to apply for full funding for the rehabilitation for lagoon #2 and apply for an alternate funding to install screening at the head works for the lagoons. Thomas seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

John reported that the owner of the house at 127 S. River Street needs to hook up to the Town’s sewer system. He had submitted a plan for pumping to the manhole.

 

The owner will need to sign an acknowledgement that the owner is responsible for any problems; lateral to be maintained by the owner.

 

The sewer line will need be sleeved all along the travel way and along any potable water transmission lines. The plan was approved with the sleeve corrections/additions.

 

Paul Kimmell of Avista was present to explain the utility tax on the electricity bill through Avista to the Council. The Town can implement utility taxes up to 6% without vote of the citizens. Avista Utilities would collect the monies and then send it back to the Town. Town’s usually need to be clear about the purpose for the tax, list the projects. Paul further explained about 70% of Avista’s utility users are using a utility tax. Micki Harnois informed the Council that if they wanted to go further a hearing would need to be held.

 

Mayor Comments

Micki Harnois thanked those who helped with the recent water breaks, including the staff, Randy and Skyler Gambrel.

 

Committee Reports

Jim Oshanick reported that approximately 48 yards of top soil was placed in the three worst spots in the park. Jim borrowed a tractor and smoothed and seeded it as well. Expenditures will go toward the $1,000.00 grant from the NW Farm Credit Services. 

 

Thomas Smith and Dave Thompson will work together and review the Town’s health insurance options. The current plan is going up 11%.

 

Micki Harnois spoke of the necessity for the Council to review recent policies the Town has adopted/implemented and see how things are working.

 

Steve Meyer stated that gravel needs to be placed by the area on “B” Street where the water break was.

 

Steve also reported that he has found a dump box for the truck for $5,000.00. Steve and John will go look at it next week.

 

Public Comments

Walt Whitman asked about the 1% tax. He feels taxes are getting out of hand.

 

Ed Larson was present regarding his utility bill. He has a $150.00 charge for a no meter reading that he feels should not have been added. He knows he submitted a reading. Secondly he received late fees and he paid his August bill. John explained if a person only pays a portion of the bill a late fee will be charged on the unpaid portion of the account, including fees that were not paid. Ed was told he needs to come to the Town Hall and set up a time so John and Brenda can look into his account with him.

 

Randy Gambrel spoke of the recent water break that he had helped John with. Randy spoke highly of John but, emphasized that he feels the Town needs to have more parts on hand to deal with repairs. He felt the break would have been repaired twelve hours earlier if the parts were on hand.

 

Thomas mentioned that the Town has a financial policy on hand and the Town could stock up on parts. Steve agreed with Randy but further voiced he understands from past scrutinizing why John hasn’t purchased more items. Thomas further stated that between John and the Mayor the Town can spend up to $ 600 without Council approval per the Financial plan.

 

Darlene explained that when the Council adopts the budget, if there is money in those line items the Town should be able to purchase the necessary items. Darlene further added that it had not been a problem in the past keeping parts in stock; it hasn’t been until the last few years that there has been so much scrutinizing.

 

Minutes

Jim Oshanick made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2012 meeting. Thomas Smith seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Darlene reported $303,559.73 in all funds for September 2012.

 

Old Business

Jim Oshanick made a motion to approve Resolution 12-0560 Spokane County Emergency Management Department amended interlocal agreement. Thomas Smith seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

New Business

Dave Thompson made a motion to approve the draft zoning map. Steve Meyer seconded the motion, motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned.
_________________________       _________________
Darlene LaShaw Clerk/Treasurer   Micki Harnois Mayor