Rockford
Town Council
March
20, 2013
7:00
p.m.
Mayor
Micki Harnois called the meeting to order after the Pledge of Allegiance was
recited. Council members present: Clint
Stevenson, Steve Meyers, Thomas Smith, Dave Thompson and Larry Van Every. Clerk/Treasurer
Darlene LaShaw, Deputy Clerk Brenda Gambrel, and Public Works Operator John
Goyke were also present.
Micki
Harnois presented Darlene LaShaw with a plaque, plant, and card from the
council members and thanked her for the time she had been with the Town – 18
years. Darlene LaShaw thanked Micki
Harnois and the Council.
Mayor’s Comments
Micki
Harnois spoke of the proposed business coming to the town in Todd Hart’s
building, supposedly selling marijuana accessories. Micki Harnois spoke that business’ like that
cannot be any closer than 1,000 feet from bus stops, parks, and community
centers. She spoke of different wording
in the RCW’s – still trying to find a way to stop the business.
Micki
Harnois reported of the meeting some of the Council members had with the
Sherriff’s department regarding the cost of the contract, it is now up to the
Commissioner’s to respond.
Micki
Harnois reported on the planning and visioning at the Council retreat the night
earlier – 3/19.
Committee Reports
Larry
Van Every for the Economic Development Committee reported on the bank robbery
that took place at the Bank of Fairfield, and of the bad media that town will
be getting from it. He suggested that
the Town needs a theme to help bring tourists, businesses and houses. The Town needs to grow and the Council can’t
do it all on their own – we need help from the citizens.
Public Comments
Vivian
Plank of Banner Bank is concerned that the new business coming to town will
bring more drugs. She reported that Todd Hart had told her that the business
owner sold items for drug paraphernalia.
Kathy
Creed asked which Council positions were up for election this year. Micki
Harnois replied that Micki Harnois’, Steve Meyer, Dave Thompson, and Larry Van
Every were all up for election in 2013.
Kathy
asked if the Town is working on trying to clean up some of the properties in
Town, Micki Harnois answered that the Town was.
The
Town is still pursuing the yellow house, it may have to be condemned and is too
expensive for the Town to clean up.
Bill
Creed asked the status of the Primmer contract. Micki Harnois reported that
both attorneys had met to go over the agreement and should have it back next
week.
Bill
Benson, owner of FootLoose in the Palouse clarified that he is not opening a
pawn shop, but an EBay consignment shop.
He is also against the proposed business coming to town.
Stan
Seehorn of Rockford Auto has been sharing the parking lot with the liquor store
for years and he feels he will have trouble with parking with the proposed business
coming to town. He believes Todd Hart is
disregarding the Town and its citizens.
Stan
Seehorn also asked what the offer was on the Sherriff’s contract. Micki Harnois reported that it was $25,000
and the Department wants $33,000 in 2014. Stan Seehorn feels that some
intervention from the other towns are needed. He also said that he feels the
staff of the Town needs to be held more accountable.
Steve
Meyer spoke that he doesn’t ever remember voting or deciding on any figures for
the Sherriff’s contract.
Kathy
Creed asked why the Town didn’t work on passing the levy and talk to the
public.
Gene
Trevino spoke that this area is already known as a drug area.
Vivian
Plank talked of the good things in the Town, such as the various organizations.
Steve
Meyer agreed that the Town should talk more of a levy, but 78% turned it down.
Vicki
Bergstrom mentioned people had heard of the possible utility tax considered by
the Town and didn’t want the Sherriff levy.
Jennifer
Cecil felt there needs to be a flyer in the newsletter to educate people. She also feels the Town needs a volunteer, as
kids have already picked up 5 bags of garbage.
Larry
Van Every feels every Council member should lead the community. Proposed every Council member pick an area of
town and go door to door and explain the needs of the community.
Art
Grewe reported that the Town used to have its own watch group years ago. The Sherriff told them to stop due to
liability. He also feels the Town should
demand a retraction of what the news has reported about the Town recently.
Jeff
Hildesheim, resident for 26 years, commented that the utility bills have
increased 4 times and there is nothing to show for it and expressed his
displeasure.
Phil
Evans said that the Town should go the County Commissioners.
Micki
Harnois reported that they meet every Tuesday in the County Court House.
Jennifer
Cecil asked if there was anything the citizens could do.
Sheila
McCormick said that someone needs to tell Todd Hart there is a problem with the
new proposed business, and reported that if people don’t get a utility bill
they do not know what is going on in the community.
Minutes
Thomas
Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 6th
meeting. David Thompson seconded the
motion, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Darlene
LaShaw reported for the month of February, 2013: $251,505.11
New Business
The
names on the new bank signature cards will be Micki Harnois, Clint Stevenson,
Brenda Gambrel, and John Goyke.
John
Goyke spoke of a sewer system ordinance to review and make decisions at a later
date.
Mowing
for the parks – volunteers want to do it this year, the Town needs to look into
liability for volunteers.
Clint
Stevenson mentioned that people are looking into using the horse arena for events
and thought it could bring some revenue to the Town.
Public Works
Thomas
Smith made a motion to accept the USDA loan/grant. Clint Stevenson seconded the motion, motion
carried.
Layne
Merritt – task order #1 engineering for the flow meter job.
Thomas
Smith made a motion to approve task order #1 with JUB. Clint Stevenson seconded
the motion, Larry Van Every opposed the motion, motion carried.
Jennifer
Cecil and Clint Stevenson are on the committee for the fees and regulations for
the horse arena.
An
advertisement for a part time Public Works Operator will go into executive
session.
Bill
Creed asked who was replacing Darlene’s position, Micki Harnois answered that
the Town is reorganizing and retasking work with the current staff.
The
Council went into Executive Session.
The
Council was called back to Regular Session.
The
consensus of the Town Council was to keep Jerame Clark as a part time employee.
Steve
Meyer made a motion to deny payment on the Sherriff contract. Larry Van Every seconded the motion. David Thompson, Thomas Smith, and Clint
Stevenson opposed.
Meeting
adjourned.
John Goyke, Clerk/Treasurer Micki
Harnois, Mayor
