Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fairfield, Wash., Regular Town Council June 18, 2013 Meeting Minutes

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
JUNE 18, 2013
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 June 18, 2013 at 7:00 pm.

Council members present: Mary Branon, Valerie Spurrell, George Davidson and Brian Kauffman.  Harry Gibbons was absent due to illness.

Others present: Kathy Marcus of Westland Planning, Cheryl Loeffler and Derek Knecht.

Approval of Minutes
 
ACTION

Brian Kauffman motioned to approve the minutes from the June 4, 2013 regular council meeting as presented; seconded by
Mary Branon. The motion carried.

ACTION
Approval of the Claims
Brian Kauffman made a motion to approve EFT payroll checks E139- E141and #17107-17108 totaling $5,296.49 and check numbers 17109 through 17118; E144 for $21,119.36 as presented. Mary Branon seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Claims: $21,119.36
Payroll: 5,296.49
Total Claims: $26,415.85

Check Register signed by: Brian Kauffman and George Davidson and Mary Branon.

Guests:
Kathy Marcus of Westland Planning

In response to the member standards requirements from Association of Washington Cities/Risk Management Service Agency, Kathy Marcus has prepared a 10-page summary of the pertinent Title 18 Municipal Code provisions indicating which types of land use projects require public hearings and to establish criteria for application processing uniformity and consistency. She was present tonight to conduct this training for the council and asked the council to approve Resolution 2013-4.

ACTION
Mary motioned to approve Resolution 2013-4 training of municipal personnel for land use planning public hearing purposes and further regarding the use of moratoria, seconded by Brian. The motion carried. Kathy also went over the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) section of the Town’s Resolution 2012-02, six-year plan.

The council did not have any additions to the list.

The council then reviewed the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) section. There was no additions to the list so all dates will be rolled.

PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION 2013-5 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) SIX YEAR PLAN 2014 TO 2019

Ending the council’s discussion, Ed opened the public hearing at 7:40 and closed it at 7:40 since there was no public present to comment.

ACTION
Mary motioned to approve Resolution 2013-5 pending updating changes; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.

Century West
Derek Knecht gave an update on the 2012 Sewer Improvement Project since KJ was not present. He reported that the Bowen Brothers are doing great and that the project is ahead of schedule. Some significant I&I issues were found, which are reported in the public works section of the minutes. They will be replacing the manhole by Fairfield Care soon.

OLD BUSINESS
Light Pole Relocation

The council agreed that written documentation from the railroad that would approve the location and to authorize acceptance of their portion of the project is needed. Ed asked for council approval to reject the offer from TD&H that includes the holds harmless agreement and to move forward to project closeout.

ACTION
Mary motioned to reject TD&H’ s offer of 27% payment of the pole relocation and the holds harmless agreement and to move forward with project close-out; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.

Costco Credit Card
Jeannie Jesseph will be using Costco weekly for supplies for the Summer Lunch Program. To do so, she must take a blank, pre-signed check. We will also be looking to use Costco in the future for paper products and bleach now that Kelley’s has closed. Cheryl and Jeannie are asking to obtain the Costco American Express card for these purposes.

ACTION
Mary motioned to authorize applying for the Costco American Express credit card; the card to remain in the office unless needed for purchases; have a starting maximum limit of $2000 and to be paid by receipt at each council meeting; seconded by Brian. The motion carried.

Past due accounts
The council was presented a list of the past due accounts for their review. The list only shows account numbers and balances.

NEW BUSINESS
Cougar Corridor
Greg Parch from Gibby Media presented “Cougar Corridor” a program to redirect traffic that would be generated by the new Cougar Football program to alternate routes south to Pullman. WSU is producing a tri-fold color brochure mapping the alternative routes as well as promoting the open businesses. It appears there is no financial commitment from the communities but they are asking a representative to attend two meetings and the community to commit to displaying the 20 Cougar flags before each game. The council suggested that this would be a great start for KayDee Gilkey. Cheryl will contact her with the information.

Community Service Project
The Day of Service is September 11, 2013 and John Cory, a local resident, is asking if our community had a project that their church could do. He states there could be approximately 100 people that volunteer about four hours. The council did some brainstorming and came up with some possible projects. Top on the list is to work in the “bull-pen” getting rid of scrap, landscape the hillside on Johnson and Norton, place siding on the gazebo and pump house in Thiel Park. Cheryl will contact John and see if any of these would work for the group.

Flag Day
Everything went good with the Kid’s Games/races. It was well attended and everyone had a great time. The volunteers had fun and will help again next year. The waffle cone booth was a huge success and netted $1,018.00 for the Fairfield Youth.

Public Works Report
WATER
All wells have been cleaned and looked over for DOH inspection.

Soft Start system is in final stages of installation on Wellhead #1; this will complete all three active wells being updated to soft starts and controls.

Chlorination is well within limits/ no coliform present.
Having some trouble with reservoir communication, looking to replace old antenna and relocate to the south side of the west tank. Worked all weekend answering the calls.

WWTF
Grounds are being mowed and weed-eated on all banks and reservoirs.

Yearly Dam Inspection report is being generated for submittal to DOE.

Influent testing is the only liquids being tested at this time at the WWTF.

Running only two aerators during the NO-discharge season to save on electricity and motor use.

Generator has been inspected and topped off with diesel.

Last two lift station motors have been repaired; 3102 will be a stand by for the main lift and the other will be put in service in Lift Station #2.

PARKS
All sprinkler systems in parks have been repaired and are operational.

Minimal grass damage from the Flag Day Event! Good Job Service Club! Everything else was in GREAT shape, Thank You!

Weed control is almost complete.

ROADS
Roads have been oiled and are holding up.

Select stop signs are on order to be replaced this month to stay on track with retro-reflectivity requirements.

Sinkhole on side of Highway 27 has been repaired on the south end of town.

OTHER:
Sewer Construction is going great! Bowen Brothers are doing on wonderful job and staying ahead of schedule. I&I issues were found and remedied crediting to approximately 20 gallons per minute of now excluded ground water from the sanitary system.

Over the years, contractors have been dumping the unusable material from projects on Ed’s property, which has been saving the town project funds that could be used to extend the projects. The property is getting full so Ed is asking the council if he could connect a private culvert onto a Town’s culvert in this area. There would be no cost to the Town.

ACTION
Brian motioned to authorize Bowen Brothers to extend the Town’s culvert onto a private culvert at 308 N 3 rd; seconded by Valerie. The motion carried.

If anyone is interested in getting fill dirt from the different projects in Town, you can contact Derek. There is a criteria that you have to meet such as assuring that there is easy access for the dump trucks.

Other
The Town received notice from Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board of noxious weeds located by at the intersection of Lake and 3rd Street. Ed will take care of this.

Summer lunch program has started.

The council all agreed to allow St. John Hardware to close Johnson Avenue the afternoon of June 26 to demonstrate some equipment.

Adjourn
With no further business, the council meeting adjourned at 9:12.
Mayor Ed Huber Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Loeffler
 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Three Ordinances Passed by Rockford, Washington Town Council

Town of Rockford, Washington
Ordinance 13-03

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE ROCKFORD TOWN HALL, ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON, AND REPEALING ANY PREVIOUS ORDIANCE OR RESOLUTION IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.

BE IT ORDANED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON:
               The days and hours of operation for the Rockford Town Hall shall be:

                              Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
                              9:00 Am to 12:00 Pm
                              1:00 Pm to 4:00 Pm
Thursday Town Hall will be closed to the public all day. 

This ordinance applies to administrative hours of operation for public to access to Town Hall only and does not affect public works hours of operations.
 
This ordinance does not restrict public access to regularly scheduled public meetings at Town Hall or restrict the hours of employees to work at regularly scheduled public and non public meetings held at Town Hall.
 
Effective: This ordinance shall take affect on passage this 5th day of June 2013.
PASSED by the Town Council in regular meeting this 5th day of June 2013.
Attested
____________________________
Micki Harnois, Mayor
__________________________John Goyke Clerk/Treasurer
 
Town of Rockford, Washington
Ordinance 13-02 
AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE SALARY FOR THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE TOWN OF ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON AT $0.00 PER MONTH AND SETTING THE PAY FOR ADDITIONAL MEETINGS ATTENDED AT $0.00. 
BE IT ORDANED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON:
               The salary for the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Rockford, Washington, is hereby set at the sum of $0.00 per month plus an additional $0.00 for any special meetings or non-regularly scheduled meetings. The Mayor and Council shall receive no compensation for their duties performed as Mayor or Council Member, except when specifically allowed through reimbursements or an hourly wage as set by Council for specific non-council related public work activities. 
Effective: This ordinance shall take affect June 2013.
PASSED by the Town Council in regular meeting this 15th day of May 2013. This Ordinance amends Ordinances 83-7 and 86-5. 
Attested
____________________________
Micki Harnois, Mayor
__________________________John Goyke Clerk/Treasurer


Town of Rockford
Spokane County Washington
Ordinance NO.13-01 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING RULES AND REQUIRMENTS FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE TOWN’S WATER AND SEWER UTILITY AND OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERTO.

WHEREAS, the town through its legislative authority has the power and authority to establish rates for water service and sewer service also to establish reasonable usage fee’s, and connection charges;

WHEREAS, the Town is vested with the authority to operate a municipal water/sewer system pursuant to chapter 35.92 RCW; and

WHEREAS, the Town also has authority to establish reasonable rules for the safety and effective operation of the Town’s water/sewer system.
 
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ROCKFORD, WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.        Sewer charge a continuing charge—Suspension of service—Resumption of service.

A.        Except as provided in subsection B of this section, the charge for sewer service provided in this ordinance, shall be due and payable each and every month an improvement is connected to the Town sewer system, even if the improvement does not receive water service.

B.        The owner of a property not receiving water service may submit an application to the Town Clerk/Treasurer or Deputy Clerk, requesting the suspension of sewer service to the property. The application shall be on a form provided by the Town Clerk/Treasurer or Deputy Clerk, and shall be signed by the property owner. The application shall include a statement that sewer service shall not be reinstated except upon payment of the sewer connection fee as set by the current fee resolution for residential service. Upon receipt of the application by the Town Clerk/Treasurer or Deputy Clerk, sewer service to the property shall be suspended. During the period of suspension, no sewer charges shall accrue for the connection.

C.        Sewer service that has been suspended as provided in this section shall not be reinstated until the appropriate sewer connection fee has been fully paid. Any use of the sewer system through a connection for which service has been suspended and not reinstated shall be considered a theft of services equal in value to the sewer connection fee, and the amount of regular, monthly sewer charges that would have accrued for each month of such use had sewer service been properly reinstated as provided in this section. 

Section 2         Lien for unpaid bills.

            A.        When any water and/or sewer bill upon any premises has been delinquent and unpaid for one calendar month, the Town Clerk/Treasurer shall, within three days thereafter, cause a notice of the delinquency to be served upon or mailed to the owner(s) and occupant(s) of each such premises. If mailed, the notice shall be sent by first-class, certified mail. The Clerk/Treasurer in the notice shall advise each such owner or occupant that such owner or occupant shall have an opportunity to be heard before the Mayor or Clerk/Treasurer in opposition to the imposition of the provision of this chapter, within ten days of the serving or mailing of the notice. All costs for serving such notice shall be added to such delinquent account.

            B.        All water rates and penalties will be charged against the premises to which the service was installed or supplied. All charges for water/sewer, when the same becomes delinquent and unpaid, and all penalties thereon, shall be a lien against the premises to which the same has been furnished and charged, except where the owner of, or the owner of a delinquent mortgage on, said premises has filed written notice with the Town Clerk/Treasurer to cut off service to said premises, and paid the then delinquent charges and penalties against such premises.

            C.        All sewer rates and penalties will be charged against the premises to which the sewer service was supplied. The charges may be enforced as provided by law.

            D.        The lien established by this section may be enforced by cutting off service until the entire delinquent account, rates, fees, interest and penalties, including shut off and re-connection fees are paid. The service may be so cut off when the delinquent account is only for water service, only for sewer service, or for both.

            E.         For unpaid sewer bills, the Town Clerk/Treasurer may prepare and file a written lien notice in the form stated in R.C.W. 35.67.210 as it now exists and as it may hereafter be amended. This lien shall be a charge against the real estate to which sewer service has been provided.

            F.         Delinquent sewer charges shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent per year, compounded monthly. Interest shall run from the date the sewer charges become delinquent until the charges, and interest, are paid in full.

            G.        The sewage lien provided for in this section shall be effective for a total of not more than one year’s delinquent service charges without the necessity of any writing or recording of the lien with the county auditor. All filing costs, including the release of lien, shall be added to such owner or occupant’s delinquent account. 

Section 3         Interruption of service.

            A.        The water may at any time be shut off from the main, without notice, for repairs or other necessary purposes, and the town will not be responsible for any consequent damages.

            B.        The town shall not be liable, under any circumstances, for a deficiency or failure in the supply of water, whether by the shutting off of water to make repairs or extensions, or for any cause whatsoever.  While water is temporarily shut off from the mains, the hot water faucets shall be kept open by the occupants of the premises, to allow the steam to escape from the water heaters and to prevent bursting. 

Section 4         Private Service.

            No premises supplied at fixed rates will be allowed to supply water to other premises. 

Section 5         Maintenance.

            (a) Public Works will maintain private services from own mains in streets which are being graded or regarded and will have such access to private property as shall be necessary to maintain such pipes during the work, and shall as soon as practical upon the completion of such work, relay said pipes in street.

            (b) Owners shall maintain their private pipes from the end of the town service to and into their property. When necessary, Public Works may slope service in on property to conform to the slope occasioned by the grading of a street and charge expense to owner of service.

            (c) All consumers shall keep in good repair their service pipes and the meters installed by the Town to measure the water used, and protect them from frost at their own expense, and no deductions will be made from water rents on account of pipes being frozen or derangement of service or repairs.

            (d)  In the case of the failure or neglect of the owner of agent of any property in the town of Rockford to promptly repair any service or fixture or to make any changes or alterations required in this ordinance, Public Works is hereby given the authority to order such owner or agent to immediately make such proper repairs, changes or alterations as he may deem necessary and proper. Otherwise, Public Works shall cut off the water to such premises and it shall not be turned on again until all charges accruing against such premises have been paid and until there has been paid the further charge for shutting off and turning on such water service as outlined in the Town’s current fee resolution. 

Section 6         Turning off/on.

            A.        All orders for turning water on or off must be made in writing to the town treasurer, and must be signed by the owner or duly authorized agent of the property from which the water is ordered shut off or turned on. When the water is ordered turned on or shut off from the premises, all charges for water supplied to such premises shall be immediately due and payable to the town and the water will not be turned on until all of such charges are paid.

            B.          When water has been turned on at any premises in accordance with this chapter, the same shall continue to be charged against the premises until ordered turned off by the owner, or the owner’s duly authorized agent; provided, if water is ordered shut off before the third day of the month, there shall be no charge for that month. If water is ordered shut off between the fourth and fifteenth days of the month, rental shall be charged for one-half of that month, which shall be fixed at one-half the minimum rate as determined from the previous month. If ordered turned off between the fifteenth day and the last of the month, a full month’s rental shall be charged, which shall be determined by using the rate of the previous month.

            C.        It shall be unlawful for any owner of any premises connected with the town’s water supply system to disconnect the water on said premises. The owner shall file with the town treasurer a written request that the service of water to said premises be discontinued, and shall pay all arrears of water rates for said premises. When water has been shut off from the premises upon the application of the owner thereof, or for nonpayment of water charges, or for any such other cause, it shall be unlawful for any person again to connect such premises with water except Public Works.

            D.        Whenever the owner of any premises, or the owner’s duly authorized agent, shall desire to use water from the town’s water supply, that owner shall notify Public Works and request that the water be turned on to the said premises, and the owner or the owner’s agent shall leave the owner’s portion of the service exposed in the trench until the water is turned on by the Public Works Department, when the owner or the owner’s agent shall immediately cover the pipe.           

Section 7         Permitting unlawful use.

            Where water has been shut off from any premises for lack of payment, penalties or for any other cause, and the person occupying said premises proceeds to take water from any other premises, without first having secured permission from Public Works, such person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person occupying any premises who permits such taking of water will, by so doing, acknowledge the town’s right to collect from him an amount equal to the amount of the fixed rate, or the minimum charge for a metered service, if said service be on a meter. 

Section 8         Duty to enforce.

            The provisions of this chapter shall in no case be willfully ignored by any Town official or employee. But when a strict enforcement would work a gross injustice upon a consumer of water from the town mains, Public Works is hereby authorized to suspend action in such case until it shall be referred to the town council and acted upon by them. 

Section 9         Payment of delinquent accounts.

            No water or sewer service shall be provided anew to any premises where any owner of the premises, or any person or tenant in whose name(s) the account will be listed, has a delinquent water/sewer account with the town.

Section 10       Accounts in owner’s name.

            All accounts for water sewer/shall be the responsibility of the owner(s) of the real property receiving the water/sewer service. In the case of a mobile home, or other temporary or mobile structure, the owner of the real estate shall be the responsible party. All accounts for water shall be kept in the name of the owner of the property, when known, and all charges shall be made against the real property as well as against the owner thereof. No change in ownership or occupancy shall effect the application of this section. 

This Ordinance amends Ordinances 158,186,81-8,92-8,94-6,97-3,05-11,06-02,08-04,08-05,08-06,11-1,11-2,11-3,12-02 and Resolution, 80-2R and Ordinance 94-6. This Ordinance combines and adds to the collection fees, dates and sets responsibility of town and owners for water/sewer rates.
 
Effective: This ordinance shall take affect June 2013.
Passed by the Town Council in regular session the 01st day of May, 2013.
 
Attested
____________________________
Micki Harnois, Mayor
__________________________John Goyke Clerk/Treasurer                                                  

Friday, June 21, 2013

Rockford, Wash., Town Council Meeting Minutes April 3, 2013


Rockford Town Council
April 3, 2013
7:00 PM 

Mayor Micki Harnois called the meeting to order after the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Council members present were: Larry Van Every, Dave Thompson and Steve Meyer. Clint Stevenson and Thomas Smith were absent but excused.  Brenda Gambrel Deputy Clerk and John Goyke Clerk/Treasurer/Public Works Operator were also present. 

Layne from JUB Engineers:

Pond 1 Liner has been spark tested, nine holes were identified and welded. Pond One Underdrain has had clean tests; no fecal coliform has been detected.

The drain line from the Waste Water control building has been videoed by General Industries and it appears that the drain pipe has settled. General Industries has given a proposal to fix the drain line at $1180.99.

Dave Thompson made a motion to accept the gravel Change Order # 3 for the Town of Rockford, 2012 Lagoon No. 1 Rehabilitation Project, Larry Van Every seconded motion, passed voice vote.

Larry Van Every asked if the gravel overage was valid, Steve Meyer said that the contractor did have an overage on the gravel, but there was a built in buffer on the price of the gravel when the contractor bid the project.

Dave Thompson made a motion to accept the drain pipe repair Change Order # 4 for the Town of Rockford 2012 Lagoon No. 1 Rehabilitation Project; Larry Van Every seconded the motion, passed voice vote.

SRTC pedestrian and bicycle trails money is available, with a 13.5% match, there is a potential that the state may pay for the match.

Steve Meyer asked what type of project the Town of Rockford would propose to use SRTC monies.

The Mayor spoke about a potential project that the money could be used for such as walking trails on the dyke.

Steve Meyer asked about extending the sidewalk along WA ST Highway 278 from the town park to the rodeo grounds. Layne explained that project would have to be cleared by the state.

The cut off for the SRTC funding is April 30th. Larry Van Every was concerned with the match portion; JUB said that if the state did not cover the match the grant could be declined.

Dave Thompson said that if the state did not pay the match on the SRTC grant that he did not want to see town money pulled out of the budget to cover the match.

Steve Meyer said that if the town had to get the money at 13.5%, and if the project helped the town, the money should be got.

Layne said that the project could roughly be 1000 feet of sidewalk; the project may be $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 in cost.

The Mayor said the River Street sidewalk, and Emma to Church Street sidewalk is bad.

Steve Meyer made a motion to pursue the SRTC grant, seconded by Dave Thompson passed voice vote Larry Van Every opposed. 

Mayor comments:
Meetings are being recorded.
Agenda’s will be done the Friday before the meetings.

The Mayor asks that if someone speaks during the public comment section that they give their names and those names will be put in the minutes unless a public safety issue prevents the names from being placed in the minutes.

The Mayor asked if the meeting minutes should be approved before being posted to the website. The council decided by consensus that the meeting minutes will have to be approved before being posted on the website.

The Delante property foreclosure was discussed. 

Committee Reports:
Larry Van Every is working on the website with Deputy Clerk Brenda Gambrel, Larry Van Every would like to get some citizen comments to post on the website, and Larry Van Every would like to see some nice stories from the town to post on the website.

Public Comments:
Phil Evans was concerned about the engineer costs to write the grants and what would happen if the town did not get the grant. Steve Meyer explained, many times there is not a cost to the town from the engineer because it is a gamble for the engineer as well to write the grant hoping to get the funding and the project.

Bill Creed, the town needs to get grants to put the sewage dump station back in.

Kathleen Creed, there is a PT cruiser at the park and transactions are being performed around it, daily transactions, the PT cruiser belongs to a person in the trailer park. Brenda Gambrel says that she knows who the PT cruiser belongs to. Ms. Creed said that the town needs to put a stop to it. Steve Meyer suggested calling the Sheriff and reporting it to the drug enforcement department.

Phil Evans suggested that SCOPE get involved.  Larry Van Every said that he had filled out his Scope application, SCOPE was then discussed.

Carrie Roecks thought Stringham Road should get a sidewalk. She also thought the draft minutes should be posted on the website.

Phil Evans wanted a citizen vote on the draft minutes being posted. Larry Van Every then took a vote of the citizens and the vote was a majority, 7 citizens voted yes to post the minutes on the website in draft form. It was then decided that the meeting would be posted in draft form on the website due to the public vote.  

March 20 Minutes
Correction amendment 3rd page, Public Works section, line eight, “An advertisement for a part time Public Works Operator will go into executive session”. Was changed to “The discussion of the Public Works Operator position will be discussed in executive session.”    Dave Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Larry Van Every seconded the motion, passed voice vote

Checks
Dave Thomas motioned to approve payroll checks 11934 through 11946 for $7,742.16, claims checks 11931 through 11933 and 11947 through 11969 for $29,776.74 total check numbers 11931 to 11969 for total claims $37,518.90, motion was seconded by Larry Van Every, passed voice vote.

Old Business
Primmer mowing contract:

AWC insurance coverage was discussed concerning volunteers working in the park. Clerk/Treasurer John Goyke explained that the AWC insurance would cover volunteers so long as they signed a hold harmless agreement and an agreement that stated that if they used their own equipment from home that the town would not be held liable for the repairs to their equipment. Clerk/Treasurer John Goyke also explained that volunteers can also use the town equipment but a hold harmless agreement would also have to be signed. Clerk/Treasurer John Goyke also explained that the town has the option to pay the L & I rate for the volunteers, if they felt that would give the town some protection, some towns pay this rate to help protect the town.  Larry Van Every felt that the town should try the volunteers first and if it did not work have Jerame Clark do the mowing. Steve Meyer felt that the volunteer idea would work well. It was the consensus of the council that Volunteers will be mowing the park and ball fields and that Clerk/Treasurer/Public Works Operator John Goyke is in charge of organizing the volunteers. Clerk/Treasurer John Goyke will also have the AWC volunteer waivers forms ready for approval at the next council meeting.  

Use of arena by outside persons:

Jennifer Cecil spoke on this issue.

Spokane charges $200.00 a day another charges $175.00 a day for arena use.

Women’s club has offered to buy more panels for the arena if needed. The width of the arena is okay the length needs to be increased which will require more panels to be installed.

Access to water and lights would be needed and donations for use of the arena could be taken and a sign could be put up to encourage donations.

Larry Van Every had a concern with the arena expansion and its subsequent rental, is the town in the business to do something that a private citizen could be doing is this commercially viable, why is the town in this business? Steve Meyer felt that this is not really a commercial undertaking more of an idea to help the youth. The arena was originally bought from Moran Fairgrounds and picked up by Steve Meyer. Phil Evans wanted to know if there would be any additional costs to the maintenance department. The Mayor felt that the there would be no additional costs to the maintenance department. 

Clint Stevenson will keep working on the issue.

Sheriff contract is still being reviewed.

Website:
Meeting minutes will be posted in draft form on the website.
There was a consensus of the council to give the password to Larry Van Every so he could work on the website.

Sewer ordinance:
No comment

Fricke alley vacation:
Ordinance 12-3 was never finalized, signed or published; so it was the consensus of the council that the ordinance was never fully adopted due to the contingency of the verbiage being changed because of these reasons it was decided that the ordinance is not in affect and is void.

AWC Claims:
Looked at, no discussion.

New Business:
Resolution 13-01R:
Bob Cunningham the owner of the Rockford Trailer Court discussed the meter hook ups and the sewer hook ups at the trailer park. Dave Thompson discussed the fee’s that were being assessed at the trailer park.

Larry Van Every moved to accept resolution 13-01R seconded by Steve Meyer passed voice vote, Dave Thompson opposed.

Costco Membership:
It was discussed that the town could join Cost Co and purchase the town checks cheaper.
It was the consensus of the council to apply for membership.

Elder Roof Contract:
Dave Thompson moved to accept the Elder Roof contract, Larry Van Every seconded motion passed voice vote.

Tree City USA Grant:
Clerk/Treasurer John Goyke explained that the grant does not pay for the removal of the old tree’s just the planting of new trees.

Steve Meyer made a motion to not apply for the Tree city USA Grant; Larry Van Every seconded the motion, passed voice vote

Steve Meyer announced that he is resigning his council position, affective the end of this council meeting. Steve Meyer mentioned his reasons for resigning they were the Sheriff’s contract automatic renewal; he feels that the Mayor should have been fired. Legal fees that were accrued without council vote, contrary to the council motion that said no legal fees could be accrued without prior approval by the council. He is not happy that John Goyke is the clerk, John Goyke was hired as the maintenance man and he is making $3.00 an hour more to do the same job that Darlene La Schaw was doing, and  by paying him more this could open the town up to a discrimination law suit. He feels that a big debacle is coming. He is tired of being kicked around by some of the people in this town and by some of the councilmen on the council. He does not want to be involved in these council’s current decisions. 

He said he will still work with the town.

Carrie Roecks feels that the town should not be shady in its decisions. 

 The Mayor then adjourned the meeting at 9:00 PM.
 
__________________________                                               _____________________________ 
John M. Goyke                                                                              Micki Harnois
Clerk/Treasurer                                                                             Rockford Mayor

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fairfield, Wash., Town Council June 18, 2013 Meeting Agenda


The agenda for the June 18, 2013 Fairfield Town Council meeting is available here.

If you have any questions, please call town hall at 283-2414.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Water Quality 2013 Report for Palouse, Washington


The City of Palouse Water System's annual Consumer Confidence Report on water quality is published published here. This report is mandated by the Washington State Department of Health.  

Hard copies will be mailed out to all city residents within the next two weeks.

If the link doesn't work, please visit City of Palouse and look for the link there.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Palouse Planning June 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes


Palouse Planning Draft Minutes
06/4/2013  7pm

I. Call to order by Chairman Corey Laughary @ 7:05 PM
II. Roll call
 A quorum was met with the following members present; Lynne Nelson, Sharon Tharp, Corey Laughary, Robin Rilette and Mary Estes.  Jay Iverson was unable to attend and excused.
Public in attendance; Nicole Wood
III.Approval of Minutes from the Last Meeting
Approval of minutes from 5/7/2013 was made with the correction of a typo. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Corey Laughary and seconded by Robin Rilette.  All were in favor.
IV. Old Business
The Vision Statement for the Comprehensive Plan needs to be approved.  Mary Estes will send it to Ann and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Jay has conferred with Taylor Engineering regarding the zoning map and it is in process.
IV. New Business- none
V. City Council Matters- none
VI. Work Session.
1.       Review final draft documents for Comprehensive Plan- Discussion was held regarding some changes in wording in the comprehensive plan.  Lynne will work with Ann on the editing of the document and formatting of the graphs.

2.      Review zoning map – To be discussed at the next meeting. 

3.      Review title 17 -Discussion was held on the new Parks Open Space section with more work to be done by Lynne.  Several definitions were discussed and incorporated into the document and wording regarding housing was changed from single family housing to single unit, housing unit, dwelling unit or other appropriate wording.  More discussion will be held on the Critical areas section.
VIII. Public Forum – No issues were raised during the public forum.
IX. Adjournment- A motion to adjourn was made by Mary Estes and seconded by Lynne Nelson The motion passed unanimously.  Meeting was adjourned @9:00PM.