Rockford Town Council
August 7, 2013
7:05 PM
Mayor
Micki Harnois called the Meeting to order after the Pledge of Allegiance was
recited. Council members present were: Carrie Roecks, Clint Stevenson, and Dave
Thompson. Brenda Gambrel, Deputy Clerk and John Goyke, Clerk/Treasurer/Public Works
Operator were also present.
The
regular Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.
Mayor Harnois administered the Oath of Office to Travis Glidewell, who then took his seat as a Councilman.
Mayor Harnois announced the results of the Primary Election for the open council position, Robert Tollefson and Chuck Collison had the majority of the votes cast and will be on the ballot this fall.
Mayor
comments:
JUB
EngineeringSteve Chandler announced that the six year transportation improvement plan had been submitted to the WA State Department of Transportation and that he was now seeking direction on what projects to apply for funding through the Transportation Improvement Board for the 2014 funding cycle.
Steve Chandler announced that the Transportation Improvement Board application will be due August 23, 2013.
The Council decided that they would apply for funding for:
B Street, from Highway 278 to Third Street
Lake Street from Highway 278 to Third
Third Street from B Street to Sprague
Third to Emma
Emma to Stringham
Sidewalk CL to First/Stringham within Town Limits
Carrie Roecks made a motion to allow the Mayor to sign the completed TIB application before the next meeting Clint Stevenson seconded the motion and the motion carried with a voice vote.
DOE LOAN/GRANT
Cynthia Wall and Ellie Keys were available to answer questions about the loan/grant.
Cynthia Wall explained that the Town will have to pass a financial assessment to assure that the Town is in a position to make the scheduled repayments for the loan before the loan can be issued to the Town.
Alene Willmschen asked how the Town was going to pay for the loan.
Carrie Roecks said that the Towns first
payment on the loan will not occur until 2015.
Steve Meyer asked how many utility accounts
will pay for the loan.
The Deputy Clerk said that only active sewer accounts will be paying for the loan, and that any repayment schedule should reflect that only active accounts will be paying instead of basing the repayment on the total sewer accounts.
Mayor Harnois announced that the new flow
meters will be installed at the lagoons next week.
Cynthia Wall requested that the Town inform
the River Keepers of this new information.
Mayor Harnois said that she would have the
Town Attorney inform the River Keepers Attorney of the update.
Carrie Roecks asked if there were funding sources available to make the loan repayments, instead of the Town raising rates to repay the loan.
Cynthia Wall suggested that the Town apply for loan repayment monies through CDBG or Rural Development. Cynthia Wall also suggested contacting the districts legislators to get a line item added to the states budget and to get the citizens involved in contacting the local legislators to help the Town pay the loan repayments.
Primmer Land Contract for use by Town for the Southwest Reservoir
Carrie Roecks said that she reviewed the current contract, reviewed the past council minutes, reviewed the current price lists for the project and reviewed the original contract with the Primmers and then went and spoke to Stan Primmer.
Carrie Roecks said that when she met with Stan Primmer he informed her that what he wants is completely different than what is written in the current contract that is being considered. Carrie Roecks said that Stan Primmer would like to have a meeting with the Council to discuss the contract.
Carrie Roecks said at this point the current
contract needs to be dismissed and a new contract needs to be drawn up. Carrie
Roecks suggested setting a special meeting time and date and then sitting down
with Stan Primmer and discussing a new contract.
Robert Tollefson asked what the original
contracted stated.
Carrie Roecks said that the original
contract was for two service connections on Lake Street, free water for the
Primmers, a Fire Hydrant at Washington Street, reasonable water pressure, all to
be supplied by the Town at no cost.
Travis Glidewell thanked Carrie Roecks for
all her help and involvement in the Primmer Contract negotiations.
Ivan Willmschen said there had to have been
an original contract before the one being considered and he wanted to know how
much has been spent to date on attorney fees.
Carrie Roecks said that the original
contract before the one being considered was signed by Margret Primmer and it was
a 100 year use contract between the Town and the Primmer’s.
Mayor Harnois said that initially the Town
had spent $3,000.00 on attorney fees and she further explained that she had
initially written the contract that has changed and the updated version is now up
for consideration.
Robert Tollefson asked if the Town is paying
the Primmer’s attorney as well as the Town Attorney.
Mayor Harnois said that the Town is paying
both sides attorney’s and that the attorney fees are not done yet.
RMSA Grant
Carrie Roecks said that she had not yet done
any research as to what to purchase, she is looking into software for the
office.
There was no consensus as to what to
purchase with the RMSA Grant or the Best Buy Gift Card.
Electronic Cigarettes
Mayor Harnois explained that Christina from
the Spokane Regional Health District would like to be at the next Town Council
Meeting to discuss the Town passing a new Town Ordinance restricting the sale
and marketing of electronic cigarettes to Rockford minors.
Painted Hills Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints
Mayor Harnois explained that Dennis Pace of
the Painted Hills Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church contacted her
seeking a service project for World Wide Service Day. Mayor Harnois suggested
cleaning and weed eating the Town before the South East Spokane County Fair.
Mayor Harnois will pursue this and get back to the Council. Town Attorney
A Marijuana seller contacted Nathan Smith the Town Attorney and inquired about Rockford’s zoning rules and regulations regarding the sales of marijuana in Rockford. The Mayor explained that currently the draft rules state that it cannot be sold within 1000 feet of a park or church.
WA-DOT Citizen Complaint
Mayor Harnois explained that WA-DOT had
received a citizen complaint about speed and illegal passing on highway 278 in
the Rockford Town limits. The citizen requested stop signs be installed at all
intersections. WA-DOT at this time declined to install additional stop signs.
The Mayor said that she would contact the
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and request extra patrols.
Community Service Committee
Mayor Harnois announced that there is a
vacancy on the Community Service Committee and that she would like to see
someone from Rockford volunteer for the committee so the Town has
representation. The committee meets at 8th and Washington September
through July on the second Thursday of the month.Webmaster Contract
The Mayor announced that Andrew Coumont had submitted a contract for the Town to review regarding his services as webmaster. Mayor Harnois handed out a contract for the Council to review.
Creeds
Mayor Harnois thanked Bill and Kathy Creed
for mowing the park, job well done.
The Mayor also thanked Bill and Kathy Creed
for giving Travis Glidewell a chicken to replace his chicken that was eaten by
Josh Jonquet’s dog. Travis Glidewell
said that Josh Jonquet had not given him or Creeds a chicken yet.
Mayor Harnois said that Josh Jonquet had
paid all of the other fines and fees but needed to pay Creeds for the chicken.
Bicycle Alliance
Mayor Harnois announced that the bicycle
alliance helps small Towns write grants for bicycle related expenses in Town.
Committee Reports:
Travis Glidewell was appointed to the Water/Sewer
Committee.Carrie Roecks chairman of the finance committee announced that she had met with the Financial Director of Cheney and they had reviewed the Town’s finances. Carrie Roecks reported that the Cheney Director said the Town is doing OK but the Town needs to figure out how to not have the general fund pay for the water fund. Carrie Roecks said that everyone now needs to sit down and brainstorm some ideas to fix this issue.
Carrie Roecks reported that the Director
also mentioned that the Town needs to implement better cash handling
procedures, and it should look at combining some of the checking accounts.
Carrie Roecks also reported that the 3%
water increase should have been higher and the Town may want to look at adding
a $5.00 special fee to help the water fund and then revisit the fee when the
fund is positive; but she is not familiar with the rules of adding a fee.
Art Grewe asked what the water surcharge is.
Alene Willmschen said that people are moving
into the house across from Carrie Roecks.
Carrie Roecks said that the water/sewer bill
needs to be updated so the public can understand what is actually being
collected and what it is being collected for.
Travis Glidewell wanted to know the cost
comparison of what the water sewer bills are in other Towns compared to
Rockford.
The Deputy Clerk said Rockford’s water sewer
bill compared to other Towns is low.
Carrie Roecks suggested assessing an
emergency water fee on the bill.
Clint Stevenson said that every year the
Town should be looking at assessments to see if they are needed so they can be
removed if the revenue is not needed.
Carrie Roecks said that she would like to
see the water sewer bill raised all at once to include all fees needed.
Alene Willmschen wanted to know when the
water bills will be mailed.
The Deputy Clerk said that the water bills
will be mailed tomorrow.
Carrie Roecks said that there should be no
late fee assessed on anyone’s bills for this month since the bills are getting
out so late.
It was the consensus of the Council to not
remove the late fees for the month.
Carrie Roecks also suggested that the Town
could use a sweep account to move cash easier like Cheney does, also Cheney
uses the State Investment Pool.
Dave Thompson said that the Town needs to
market its ideas better, needs to sell the changes to the public.
Travis Glidewell suggested that the Town
contact MRSC to get the rules on the Town imposing a utility tax on water and
sewer or imposing a surcharge on water or sewer.
July
17th Minutes
Dave Thompson moved to accept the July 17th
Minutes as written.
Clint Stevenson seconded the motion to
accept the minutes as written. The motion then carried with a voice vote.
Checks
Clint Stevenson made a motion to pay check
#’s 12117 – 12145 voiding checks 12130, 12131 and 12143 in the amount of for
$57,259.05. Payroll 12117-12125 $ 5,608.71
Claims 12095-12116 $51,650.34
Dave Thompson seconded the motion, motion carried with a voice vote.
Check Number 12131 $1616.78 and Check Number 12143 $1987.82 were checks written to cover expenses billed by JUB, however the Council only approved $3,000.00 worth of billing and JUB billed $3604.60. Check number 12130 $223.75 was a check written to cover expenses billed by ABC office equipment but the check was written in an amount over what was billed.
New
Business
6% Avista Utility TaxCarrie Roecks asked who would collect the utility tax.
Paul Kimmel from Avista Corp. said that
Avista would collect the utility tax then redistribute it to the Town.
Phil Evans asked what Avista gets out of the Town imposing a utility tax on electricity?
Mayor Harnois explained that Avista was here
to help with the utility tax process at the request of the Town.
Paul Kimmel of Avista Corp. said that Avista
has no interest in raising the Town’s utility tax he was only present to answer
questions.
Ivan Willmschen asked if Avista got the
interest off of the utility tax that was collected by Avista Corp. before it
was dispersed by Avista Corp.
Mayor Harnois explained that the ordinance
does not say what the monies will be specifically used for when raised
Clint Stevenson moved to accept ordinance
13-05 placing a 6% utility tax on electricity sold through Avista Corp. in the
Town limits of Rockford. Carrie Roecks seconded the motion and the motion
carried with a voice vote.
Resolution 13-04
Clint Stevenson moved to accept Resolution
13-04 placing a 3% increase on water and sewer base rates and assessments. Dave
Thompson seconded the motion and the motion carried with a voice vote.
Carrie Roecks said that she had wished that
the increase could have been more.
Clint Stevenson said that this can be done
yearly.
Mayor Harnois said that this can be reviewed
annually.
Carrie Roecks said that it should be done pre-budget
time.
Mayor Harnois said that there are several
budget amendments coming up.
Council Volunteerism
Mayor Harnois announced that the Council and
she went out and picked up asphalt grindings along the road three weeks ago and
last week. Mayor Harnois also wanted to thank the Creeds for mowing and Vicki
Bergstrom for helping in the office.
Town Reader Board
Mayor Harnois reported that the Town reader
board tipped over and needs to be rebuilt. She further reported that the old
reader board has been taken down and the old frame demolished.
Mayor Harnois asked Dave Thompson and Ivan
Willmschen to come up with some ideas on how to rebuild the sign and to look at
the one on 1020 South Pines in Spokane Valley as an example of what she would
like to see put back in its place.
Rock
Creek Dredging
Carrie Roecks said Rock Creek needs to be
dredged through Town.
Travis Glidewell said that Cynthia Wall at
Department of Ecology has some good ideas on getting funding to complete the
project.
Mayor Harnois said that John at URS would be
a good reference to help with the permitting process.
Travis Glidewell then volunteered to head
the project and will continue working on it.
Carrie Roecks said that she wants this issue
on the Council Agenda until it is completed.
Public
Works
Mayor Harnois announced that the water leak
on Weaver has been fixed and the Public Works Operator is waiting on further
tests of the under drain at pond one before beginning to refill the pond.
Public
Comment
Phil Evans said the power to the reader
board needs to be fixed.
Ivan Willmschen said that a lock needs to be
put on the electric box at the new picnic shelter. He was informed that the
Lions Club is responsible for the electric box and if they wish to have a lock
on it they can put a lock on the box but the Town will not assume the liability
of locking the box.
Travis Glidewell informed the Council that
in Fairfield SCOPE was helpful in patrolling the local park and restroom.
Mayor Harnois said that the Town used to
employ a person to take care of the restrooms but that at this time there are
no employees that can lock and unlock the restrooms in a timely fashion.
Executive
Session
The Mayor then announced that the meeting
would move into executive session. The executive session was to discuss
employee performance of Brenda Gambrel and John Goyke. Mayor Harnois said that
the executive session would start at 8:50 PM.
The Council then moved into executive
session to discuss employee performance of Brenda Gambrel and John Goyke.
The Council then came out of executive session at 9:34 PM
The regular Council meeting then reconvened
at 9:34 PM
It was the consensus of the Council and
Mayor that John Goyke will move from Clerk/Treasurer/Public Works Operator to
Public Works Operator and that the Clerk/Treasurer position will be left vacant.
The Public Works Operator will continue to do the Clerk/Treasurer job and the
Public Works job for the short term, and a temporary part time office assistant
will be hired in September.
It was the consensus of the Council and the
Mayor that they would support the Deputy Clerk and the Clerk/Treasurer/Public
Works Operator.
Meeting adjourned 9:55 PM
__________________________ _____________________________
John M. Goyke Micki
Harnois
Clerk/Treasurer Rockford
Mayor
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