Palouse City Council June 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes

Palouse City Council

Regular Council Meeting

June 11, 2013 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Echanove called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL:  Council members present:  Senja Estes; Tim Jones; Connie Newman, Bo Ossinger; Norm Schorzman; Rick Wekenman.  Absent: Alison Webb.   Also present: Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin; Police Chief Jerry Neumann; Clerk-Treasurer Joyce Beeson.  Public present: Heather McGehee. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Councilmember
Schorzman MOVED to adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 28, 2013.  Councilmember Estes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:    The power outage and surges that occurred today did damage to the circuit board on the booster pump.  This means that until it is repaired or replaced, it will have to be reset manually as water usage changes throughout the day.  A few new water meters have been installed.  The events over the last few weeks have gone well, with no issues from public works.  Councilmember Wekenman stated that he thinks the city should consider passing on the costs for the damage to the booster pump to whoever caused the power outage. 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Neumann reported that the Police Department, as well, had no issues with the events this month.   He reported a callout, a semi truck and trailer hit a signpost and Avista pole.  The driver will be sent a bill for costs to repair the damage to the signpost.  They are currently working on a felony theft case originating in Palouse.  They have been looking at options to better mark parking spots near the Main & Bridge St. intersection to improve visibility.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ordinance No. 905, sewer rate increase:  Mayor Echanove read the minutes of the last meeting, outlining the need for increasing the sewer rate from $24 to $26 mo.  The sewer operating fund has not been able to meet expenses without using its reserve balance, and it’s been unable to contribute as much as it should to reserves for capital needs.  Councilmember Newman MOVED to adopt Ordinance # 905.  Councilmember Jones seconded the motion.  Discussion: Councilmember Wekenman asked how long this increase might hold in the sewer fund.  It was estimated that this increase should get the sewer fund through 2014.  The motion carried unanimously

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Street name change, necessity to change Palouse Cove Road inside city limits to South Cove Road.  

Currently, Palouse Cove Road has the same name in both the City and County.  The address grid that the county used is not working well with the grid that the city uses, causing confusion for deliveries and potential problems with emergency services.  After discussion, council agreed that the city portion should be changed to something completely different to avoid added confusion.  They will consider this and bring options for naming this street to the next council meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: 

Finance, Property, & Equipment-Tim Jones, Chair:  Councilmember Jones will put together a meeting very soon.  Councilmember Newman recommended putting together a meeting with our audit manager, Deborah Pennik to look at different options the city might have to help with budget issues.

Water & Sewer-Connie Newman, Chair:  Angela Taylor, Taylor Engineering was able to confirm with DOH that the O&M projects listed in the WSP are not mandatory, but rather a list for when funding can be found.  Extra updated copies of the water system have been ordered.

Policy & Administration-Bo Ossinger, Chair:  Councilmember Newman asked about progress on the policy for the keeping of poultry.  Bo reported that he is still working on it.

Personnel & Pool-Norm Schorzman, Chair:  No report.   Councilmember Schorzman thanked the PD and Public Works for their work on the weekend events.

Police, Fire, & Safety-Rick Wekenman, Chair:  No report

Streets & Sidewalks-Senja Estes, Chair:  With this being a new assignment, no report.

OPEN FORUM:  No comments.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

The Palouse Community Center has requested a liquor license for the City Park for a beer garden during the Music Festival on July 27^th.  This event has operated well in the past and caused no problems.  There were no objections from the council.

ALLOW PAYMENT OF BILLS:  Councilmember Wekenman MOVED that the bills against the city be allowed.  Councilmember Newman seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN:  Councilmember Schorzman MOVED to adjourn.  Councilmember Estes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.  The council meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM. 

The following checks are approved for payment:

Payroll Paid   

Ck. # 4902 – 4919 & EFT                      $34,672.36

Claims Paid
Ck. # 4920 – 4941 & EFT                      $23,966.27

APPROVED: ________________________________   ATTEST: ________________________________