MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL, WASHINGTON
CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON

June 25, 2001

The regular semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by Mayor Walton at 7:31 p.m. in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:      Mayor Gary Walton, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Lobach, Council members Perry Skoglund, Ron Boyer, and Monica Pruett.

EXCUSED:      Council member Roel Martinez.

STAFF:          City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

VISITORS:      Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry and Associates; Phil Richie, Canfield and Associates; Davis Bauer and Jerry Sackman, citizens; Leonard Dietrick and Gary Lefebvre, Basin Disposal Inc.; and Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Council member Skoglund moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
        1)      Minutes of the June 11, 2001 Regular Meeting
Council member Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Mayor Walton reported that there were residents on the north end of town on Adams Street that were having problems with their water pressure.  Mayor Walton requested Anderson Perry look into what it would take to have the waterline replaced.

Mayor Walton disclosed that Public Works Director Munyan would be going in for shoulder surgery and would be taking four to six weeks off.  Mayor Walton commented that he had spoken to Mrs. Paula Nance about filling in as a building inspector on an as needed basis.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Council member Pruett moved to authorize the agenda as listed.  Council member Skoglund seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

PROPERTY ISSUES - DAVIS BAUER

Mr. Bauer was present to discuss some concerns he had regarding the ability to access the back of his property by driving through the Pioneer Park.  Special permission to do so was granted in 1990 with the condition that if usage became excessive or caused other unforeseen problems the access would have to be re-evaluated.  Mr. Bauer requested that Council take a look at his property before making any decisions.  Mr. Bauer also discussed the bright light shining at the pool.

Mayor Walton noted that the Benton Franklin Health Department regulated the lighting at the pool.

This item was tabled to allow Council to look at the property and the City to look into different possibilities for lighting.

Council agreed that Mr. Bauer could unlock his back gate to gain foot access to the park but noted that at this time he could not drive through the park to gain access to his property.

WASTEWATER FACILITY  - PROJECT UPDATE

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and council on the progress of the projects.

Schedule A – Motor Control centers had been delivered and would be installed by June 28.  As soon as Selland reconnected the force main, the City would be ready to schedule a pump test for the lift station.

Schedule B –  Changes had been made to the liner that was installed and the City received a $27,200 credit.  This credit could then be used toward the installation of an eight-foot fence.  Cost of the eight-foot fence would run $36,915.  Taking into account that $8, 160 had been appropriated for the fence and the $27, 200 credit, the City would spend an extra $4,827 for the fence.

Council member Skoglund moved to approve the extra expenditure of approximately $4,827 for an eight-foot fence. Council member Lobach seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Walton disclosed that he had forwarded the contract with Big Bend Electric to City Attorney Tanner who felt that everything was in order.  Attorney Tanner did note that in the electrical power easement there was some one sided language relating to the termination of the agreement by the City but that it did not seem likely that this would be a problem.  In order for Big Bend to get started the proper paperwork needed to be signed.

Council member Lobach moved to approve the Mayor sign the Right of Way Easement, the Electrical Power Easement, the Customer Service Application and to pay a partial payment of about $500 to Big Bend Electric.  Council member Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT UPDATE

 Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to discuss this project.

  Phase I - East of Highway - The plans and specifications had been completed.  There were four bidders for the project, a recommendation would be made at the July 9th Council Meeting.  Construction should start by the end of July.

  Phase II - Striker - Were waiting for photography of the site.

 Discussed was a 10-year la te-comer's agreement.

Mayor Walton was approached by the contractor and developer who were developing a truck stop to inquire about a latecomer's agreement on the sewer line.

Council member Lobach moved to allow a 10-year latecomer's fee for those wishing to tie into the new sewer line once it had been completed.  Council member Boyer seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.

ORDINANCE NO. 737 - SANITATION RATE INCREASE

Leonard Dietrick and Gary Lefebvre from Basin Disposal Inc. were present to discuss the sanitation rate increase.  Mr. Dietrick commented that due to increasing prices in fuel and insurance costs BDI would be raising prices.

Ordinance No. 737 reflecting sanitation increases was presented to Council.

Council member Lobach moved to adopt Ordinance No. 737 increasing sanitation rates.  Council member Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PROPERTY PURCHASE

            This item was tabled.

CANFIELD AND ASSOCIATES PRESENTATION

Phil Richie from Canfield and Associates provided the Council with background information regarding this organization and some of the activities they provided for member organizations.  There was a feeling among Council that some of the workshops could be very valuable and should be scheduled.

PROPERTY PURCHASE

City Administrator Tackett reported that the City had been approached by the owner of the property south of Highway 260 and adjacent on the west of Highway 395 about purchasing the property. 

Councilmember Lobach moved to approve the property purchase in the amount of $25,000.  Councilmember Boyer seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

TIP - Transportation Improvement Plan

City Administrator Tackett provided Council with a copy of the Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan.  Fifth Street extension had been moved up on the priority list due to safety issues.  One issue being children playing chicken with the train.  Another concern was access in the event of an emergency if both crossings were blocked. 

A Public Hearing was set for July 23, 2001 to review and adopt the plan.

INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT

City Administrator Tackett presented the Interlocal Agreement for the Eastern Washington Water Alliance.  This agreement would formalize the organization on a temporary basis that had been working on water issues.  The initial Board of Directors would be West Richland, Richland, Yakima, and Connell.  

Council member Lobach moved to approve the mayor sign the Interlocal Agreement.  Council member Skoglund seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - CONTRACT

Council member Lobach, employed by the Department of Corrections, stepped down from the council bench during this discussion.

Mayor Walton reported that he had received the Offender Work Crew Project Contract from the Department of Corrections.  The contract was the same as the previous year.

Council member Skoglund moved to authorize the Mayor sign the Offender Work Crew Project Contract.  Council member Pruett seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously. 

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

Council member Lobach made a motion to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $222,910.74.  Council member Skoglund seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

MEETING RECESSED

Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m. to go into executive session for approximately 20 minutes to discuss property issues regarding the purchase of property.

MEETING RECONVENED

Mayor Walton reconvened the regular meeting at 9:44 p.m. and the following action was taken by Council.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

PROPERTY PURCHASE

Council member Lobach moved to allow the City Administrator enter into negotiations for the purchase of 30 acres from Maryette Camp for property south of Americold, off of Hawthorne.  Council member Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Walton adjourned the regular meeting at 9:45  p.m.