September 4, 2013
7:00 pm
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 Micki Harnois called the meeting to order after the
Pledge of Allegiance was recited at 7:00 pm.
Council members present were:
Carrie Roecks, Clint Stevenson, Dave Thompson, and Travis
Glidewell. 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 7:04
pm.
Planning and
Zoning
Mayor Harnois announced that the Planning and Zoning
Commission had met last Wednesday, August 28, 2013 and asked for a report
regarding the meeting.
Howard Brutschy stated that the Planning and Zoning meeting
minutes were unavailable at this time, but proceeded to inform the Council on
the happenings of the meeting. The Council
was updated on the permitting process.
Howard Brutschy also reported on the development across from Steve Meyer regarding the interest in drilling a well by property owner Pam Keys, Planning and Zoning found nothing in the Ordinance stating that you cannot drill a well on your property. He stated that if you are in town and have water service and want to drill a well you are welcome to do so.
Planning and Zoning also discussed the zoning for
agricultural production and/or processing of marijuana. It was affirmed by Howard Brutschy that the
Washington State Liquor Control Board at this point, indicates that they will
not have any of their rules out until November 4, 2013 at the earliest. He acknowledged that a precedent may have
already been set by people selling vegetables at the Farmer’s Market.
Mayor Harnois addressed the building permit submitted by
Peggy Fricks regarding the installation of a fence. Peggy Fricks stated that the new section of
fence will be connecting with the existing fence that is already in place. Carrie Roecks asked if anyone from Planning
and Zoning had been up to look and the fence.
Howard Brutschy stated that he had and everything checks out.
ACTION
Clint Stevenson made a motion to accept Margaret Fricks
fence permit as presented to be constructed on
Spokane Regional
Health District: e-cigarettes
Mayor Harnois handed out a packet from SRHD regarding
information and regulations concerning e-cigarettes. The packet contained the ordinance that
LDS Community
Service
Mayor Harnois reminded the Council that Latter Day Saints Church
from Painted Hills will be coming down on September 14, 2013 to do a clean up
around town. They will be cleaning up
before the fair, paying special attention to the detour routes, down town, the
park, and the fair grounds. They will be
painting, weed eating, and anything they can to spruce up the town for fair
weekend. There are some organizations
that will be present to prepare them lunch.
They will be in town from 8:00am to about 1:00pm.
Mayor’s Comments:
The Mayor thanked Vicki for manning the office last
Tuesday.
Primmer Land Contract for use by Town for the Southwest
Reservoir
Carrie Roecks stated that there was a good consensus
regarding the Primmer water reservoir agreement and that the changes were now
in the hands of Jody Cornwall.
Jody Cornwall reported that the Primmer’s attorney has a
legal obligation to send the contract to the Town’s attorney. She stated that she would be emailed a copy
of the contract and would email a copy to the Council.
Carrie Roecks reported that one of the requests from the Primmers’ was to add as an additional insured because it’s the Town’s property on their property. Carrie Roecks proceeded to read aloud the notice to evidence of coverage which explained that AWC cannot add the Primmers without that holder but would be covered under the blanket policy.
Cougar Corridor
Mayor Harnois informed the Council that the Town will be
part of the Cougar Corridor this year, promoting home games for WSU. Pamphlets, posters, and flags will be handed
out to the various businesses around town to show support.
Marijuana Law Update
Mayor Harnois updated the Council on new rules set forth by
the Liquor Control Board. They are
looking at having 18 retail outlets in
Steve Meyer reported that Colorado voted to not make it legal for
small towns to sell within their city limits.
He feels that it would be a good idea to get an ordinance in place so
that the sale of marijuana could not happen within the Town’s limits. The Mayor stated that this was one of the
issues that the Planning Commission was working on, but that they had to have
their regulations in order first.
Carrie Roecks acknowledged that the business license issue
needed to also be resolved so that anyone wanting to operate a business which
sells marijuana would have to come before the Mayor and Council to obtain a
license.
Chuck Collison asked if the Town had considered the tax
generated with only 18 outlets selling in Spokane County . He stated “I mean we’re selling pot not meth.” Carrie Roecks agreed that it definitely would
bring in lots of sales tax, but feels that the Rockford community is not ready
to accept this matter.
Robert Tollefson inquired about selling hemp based products
at the Exxon.
Committee Reports:
John Goyke reported that we will be forced into a new water
test schedule in October. He is not sure
what the cost will be at this point.
Approval of
Minutes
ACTION
Clint Stevenson made a motion to accept the August 21, 2013
regular Council minutes as presented; seconded by Carrie Roecks. The motion carried.
The special meeting minutes from August 29, 2013 will be
corrected and ready for approval at the September 18, 2013 meeting.
Approval of Claims
ACTION
Clint Stevenson made a motion to pay check #’s 12156-12181
in the amount of $11,893.05 as presented; seconded by Dave Thompson. The motion carried.
Claims 12156-12181 $11,893.05
Old Business
Rock Creek Dredging
Travis Glidewell stated that he had made contact with
Cynthia Wall regarding the dredging of Rock Creek. He stated that there are grants available but
did not recommend seeking one this late in the year. Carrie Roecks stated that she feels we should
still clean a portion of Rock Creek this year.
The Mayor informed the Council that a Jarpa permit would be
required. John Goyke and Micki Harnois
will fill out the paperwork.
Community Service Committee
Mayor Harnois reminded the Council that this was the
position on the CDBG application regarding the community service vacancy. She stated that they need someone for the
second Thursday of every month from September to July at 4:00 pm.
Town Reader Board
Dave Thompson and Ivan Willmschen are still working on the
reader board. Mayor Harnois asked if
they would like some help from an Eagle Scout.
Dave Thompson stated that would be fine.
Website
Mayor Harnois affirmed that nothing has been happening with
the website, but that Andrew Coumont had emailed again. Mayor Harnois then asked what had been
decided about Andrew Coumont’s contract.
Carrie Roecks replied that nothing was decided because he was supposed
to meet with the Council but never showed up.
Carrie Roecks was concerned about paying the monthly fee for the lack of
service being received.
Frontier Internet Proposal
Mayor Harnois addressed the new business proposal for
internet service provided by
Frontier. It was acknowledged that the first
proposal was incorrect due to the amount of lines that would be in use. The updated proposal would be for 3 business
lines for $79.97 and internet $19.99 making the total per month $99.96. This is double the original quoted proposal
of $46.99 due to a mistake on the part of Frontier Communications.
ACTION
Dave Thompson made a motion to accept Frontiers proposal for
$99.96 per month excluding taxes and Carrie Roecks will talk to them regarding
their original proposal; seconded by Clint Stevenson. The motion carried.
New Business
New Office and Employee HoursMayor Harnois announced the new office hours starting September 16, 2013 will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday open to the public from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch, Tuesday and Thursday the office will be closed. Brenda Gambrel will be here 4 days a week and Alene Felgenhauer will be here Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings to assist.
6% Avista Utility Tax
Mayor Harnois addressed ordinance 13-07 utility tax on
Avista electric sales. She informed the
Council that the Town’s attorney had stated that the ordinance would need to be
looked over again because it requires 60 days to pass between the enactment of
a tax on utility providers and the effective date on the collection of the
tax. The updated effective date is
November 15, 2013. Clint Stevenson
stated that the date on the ordinance was wrong and Avista wanted it rewritten.
Clint Stevenson wanted it on record as saying the Town
should not be billed a second time by the Town’s attorney on the repeal of
13-05 and the rewriting of the new ordinance.
ACTION
Clint Stevenson made a motion to adopt ordinance 13-07
proposing a utility tax to provide revenue to the general fund and to repeal
ordinance 13-05; seconded by Carrie Roecks.
The motion carried.
Ivan Willmschen asked where the interest was going from
Avista. Mayor Harnois answered that the
money was not in Avista’s hands long enough to collect interest, this coming
from Paul Kimmel of Avista Corp. Carrie
Roecks suggested that we keep it quarterly for now and change it at a later
date.
Attorney Representation: Primmer Agreement
Carrie Roecks mentioned making a decision about whether or not the Town’s attorney will continue to represent them regarding the Primmer agreement. Mayor Harnois reminded the Council that the representing attorney was a municipal land use attorney and the goal in mind was to protect the Town. Clint Stevenson stated that if the Council is unhappy with the new attorney’s contract that we send it back
ACTION
Clint Stevenson made a motion to discontinue the services of
the Town attorney and retain the services of Darwin Grewe; seconded by Carrie
Roecks. The motion carried
Mayor Harnois reiterated that once the Council is presented
with the new agreement from Darwin Grewe, that if at that time, it needs to be
reviewed by the attorney again it will be sent back with any comments or
concerns.
Business Licenses
Mayor Harnois affirmed that currently if anyone wants a
business license the cost is $10.00.
Carrie Roecks was questioning if you could have a bigger fee to begin
with and then have the $10.00 be a renewal fee.
Jody Cornwall inquired if door to door solicitors are
required to get a business license and who enforces that. Mayor Harnois stated that they can be turned
into the state for operating without a business license and that all the Mayor
and Council can do is make the citizens aware of that. Chuck Collison stated that this issue
pertains to the Green River Ordinance.
Mayor Harnois stated that the collection for business licenses had not
been on the books as being collected since Carrie Roecks left City Hall as the
Clerk, but that they had just recently found out.
Public Works
John Goyke stated that everything was fine.
Mayor Harnois gave praise to the staff for meeting the
deadlines for billing, meter readings, and Council packets.
Public Comment
Jody Cornwall suggested spending the $50.00 Best Buy gift
card on a microphone.
Executive Session
Mayor Harnois announced that the meeting would adjourn to
executive session at 8:44 pm. The
Council then moved into executive session to discuss employee wages, training,
critical time in the budget period, the auditor’s visit, and the
clerk-treasurer role.
The Council came out of executive session at 9:37 pm
The regular Council meeting the reconvened at 9:37 pm.
It was the consensus of the Council and Mayor that it would
be permitted for the staff to work 5 days a week if needed especially for
training. There was also discussion
regarding a wage increase to $13.00 per hour for employee Brenda Gambrel.
ACTION
Dave Thompson made a motion to approve the wage increase for
employee Brenda Gambrel to $13.00 per hour; seconded by Clint Stevenson. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.
__________________ ______________________John M. Goyke Micki Harnois
Clerk/Treasurer Rockford Mayor
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