July 6 2011 Public Hearing and Council Minutes, Rockford, Wash.
Public Hearing – Rockford Water Service Rates/Fees
Mayor Micki Harnois brought the Public Hearing to order after the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Council members present were: Clint Stevenson, Steve Meyer, and Stan Seehorn. Public Works John Goyke, Deputy Clerk Brenda Gambrel and Clerk/Treasurer Darlene LaShaw were also present. Council members Jim Oshanick and Thomas Smith were absent.
Jim Wilson of Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) was present to brief the audience of the reasons why the Town is currently looking at its water rates. The increasing costs of operating and the aging infrastructure. He spoke of the committee who had met to work on the rates and regulations that will help control and/or alleviate ongoing issues, problems pertaining to the Town’s water system and service.
Jim also spoke of the base rate of $ 22.00 and the price per 1000 gallon - $ 1.50/residential, $2.50/commercial – the Town is proposing. He also reported the Town has a draft ordinance which states the rules and regulations of the water service. A resolution will state all of the proposed fees. The Town’s goal is to have the ordinance and fees approved and to be effective by August 1st.
Public comment:
Travis Glidewell questioned a comment he had heard of the Town borrowing funds from another fund. Darlene explained that the Water Reserve Fund has helped the Water Fund. Travis also asked if documents from 2008 could be reviewed. Darlene answered that yes they could. She also briefly read a list of the major expenditures that the Town has paid with its own funds from the water fund since 2006. She reported that the Town had the Water Reserve fund for future/emergency projects however because of the recent projects the Town has not placed funds into the Reserve fund for a few years.
Alene Willmschen asked what the current balance of the Water Reserve Fund was. Darlene answered that it is $ 13,400.
Larry Van Every spoke that the Town and its water fund was not really hurting but the citizens are hurting. He spoke that he had hoped that the Town did a revenue projection. He also asked what the Town has done to bring people to Rockford to increase the population.
Bill Creed asked if the $ 1,500 connection fee was correct. He had thought it was more. Clint answered that it was correct.
Alene asked if the delinquent accounts will be collected.
Ivan stated that he felt that the past dues should be read at each and every meeting.
Fred Abbey spoke of his renter had left an unpaid account and he feels he is not liable for that account.
Clint stated land lords are ultimately responsible for the accounts.
Stan Seehorn asked how the proposed rates are compared to the other neighboring towns. Jim Wilson and Randy Noble both spoke that they feel that the proposed rates are still relatively low in the area.
Micki reminded people that this was one of two hearings the Town will hold. Alene asked if people could review the draft ordinance. Darlene reported that the draft could be reviewed at any time.
Darlene reported that the goal was to have the final draft of the ordinance and resolution to the Council for approval by the 20th.
There were no more public comments. The hearing was closed.
Council meeting
Mayor Micki brought the meeting to order. The Council members and staff that were present for the hearing were also in attendance for the meeting.
Checks
Clint made a motion to approve checks # 11,014 - # 11,057 with the exception of # 11016 in the amount of $ 2,994.52 in the amount of $ 33,333.73. Steve seconded the motion; motion carried.
Payroll # 11,014-11,023 - $ 10,220.25
Checks # 11,024 – 11,057 23,113.48
Total $ 33,333.73
Ivan questioned the check for the code enforcement. He is not seeing things getting done. Micki informed him he could get a copy of the invoice.
Minutes
The minutes of the June 15th Council meeting were approved as submitted.
Micki reported that the web site is being worked on. Minutes of past minutes will be placed on the site as well.
Projects
Randy Noble of TD&H was present to update the Council on the on going projects.
Well house - a pre construction meeting was held June 8th. Construction will begin as soon as permit is obtained from the County.
Reservoir- construction will begin approximately on July 18th. Stan made a motion to approve Change Order #1 for the booster station. Clint seconded the motion; motion carried.
Lagoons – A meeting is scheduled for July 11th at the Town Hall with the Town, DOE and TD&H regarding the bubbled liners at the lagoons.
TIB –Randy had met with John and Steve on the 27th regarding the options for the TIB grant projects. It was the consensus at that meeting to apply for a preservation project on the Missile Rd to the Weaver St railroad tracks. Randy explained that TIB had completed a pavement condition inventory on every street. Missile is a red colored road. The TIB application is due August 31st.
Micki will talk to the DOT regarding the Department referring trucks to take Missile/Weaver streets in order to by pass the rail road over pass. Clint asked if the DOT doesn’t consider it could the Town place its own weight limit signs on the street.
Randy spoke with Gloria of TIB regarding the State chip sealing Hwy 278 next year. She agreed that both Center Street & Stringham Rd would be good candidates.
Public Comments
Vicki Bergstrom asked why there were people living in the Moyer trailer that does not have water?
Micki reported the Code Enforcer has gone to talk to the person for the second time, explaining a pressure test needs to be completed.
Brenda briefly reported that she had sent a letter to the bankruptcy court regarding Moyer’s account.
Alene asked if the Euteneier’s had paid their utility bill yet. Brenda explained that, no, they had not. They had further explained they plan on coming back in August.
Micki stated that Terry Ottosen needed to be contacted regarding the Euteneier’s were living in the RV and that was in the County.
Pete Abbey complained about his garbage portion of his bills is not correct. Micki stated she would talk to him later.
Public Works
John will call Big Sky for costs for jetting and to camera sewer lines.
John has been weed eating outside the fence at the park. He had understood that Steve Primmer’s weed eating is stated in the contract.
Stan asked if he had the man power to keep up with the demand. John mentioned the budget will not allow additional help at this time. Micki reported that the Town had received two applications for the position that Skyler Gambrel recently had. She further stated he had left for a full time job with benefits. At this time both Clint and Thomas will be able to help John with some tasks.
Stan further asked about sweeping the sand off of the Emma St hill. John will continue to try to schedule a time to work on that.
P&Z
Micki reported that the Town received a letter of resignation from Bill Creed. She thanked Bill for his time and service he had done while he was on the committee. She further stated that the newsletter will be asking for applications to fill his position.
Alene asked who is on the committee. Micki and Darlene informed her that Larry Van Every, Howard Brutschy, David Thompson, and Dan Braaton were all on the committee.
Travis Glidewell asked if the Council had ever considered mowing its own parks. Micki answered that the Town has contracted in the past number of years. A discussion took place on mowers. No decisions were made.
Old Business
Micki reported that Primeland is still waiting to hear back from St. Paul regarding the park agreement with the Town.
Micki further reported that Josh Grandinetti and Andy Coumont are implementing additional data and updating the Town’s website.
The City of Spokane is making arrangements on removing the chip pile left out by the Town’s shop.
Stan nominated Steve Meyer for Mayor Pro-tem for a six month term. Clint seconded the nomination. A voice vote was taken, passed unanimously . He will be placed on all signature cards at the banks.
Stan asked about the insurance. Darlene reported that in August health insurance options information will be given to the Council to review. The current plan ends at the end of December. Stan inquired about the liability insurance as well. Darlene stated that the Town would have to give a year’s notice on the liability insurance. She will get that confirmed.
New Business
Steve made a motion to approve Resolution 11-01R, Rockford’s Six Year Transportation Plan. Stan seconded the motion; motion carried.
Darlene reported that Rockford Fire Chief had asked if the Council would consider placing a fire levy on the ballot in November would they want to increase it from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000. Stan would like to know what it would be per $ 1,000. More will be discussed at the next meeting.
Micki briefly read a flyer from SNAP who is looking for individuals that qualify for heating assistance for their homes this winter.
Meeting adjourned.
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Darlene LaShaw, Clerk Micki Harnois, Mayor
