MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL, WASHINGTON
CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by Mayor Walton at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Mayor Gary Walton, Councilmembers Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer, Perry Skoglund and Jim Lobach.
STAFF: City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Director Pat Munyan, City Clerk-Treasurer Joan Eckman and City Attorney Terry Tanner.
VISITORS: Larry Seibel, Anderson, Perry; Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic; Andy Sawyer, Mrs. Richard Mann.
Gambling Commission – renewal of license for Hazy’s Tavern for public card room and punchboard/pull-tab. No objections voiced.
Liquor Control Board – renewal of license for Panaderia Lomeli for grocery store – beer/wine. No objections voiced.
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were several corrections to the minutes and are as noted below:
Page 2, paragraph 3, "Mayor Walton also ‘apprised’ (the word apprised was requested by the Mayor to be changed to advised).
Page 2, at bottom of the page; the motion made by Councilmember Pruett did not include a second to the motion or a vote as the text had been cut off and lost by a page break. Clerk Eckman will add the second to the motion and the vote that followed.
Page 5, paragraph 2, the building quoted as being on "Almira" is actually located on Burke.
Motion: Councilmember Pruett made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as follows, with the corrections to the minutes as discussed.
Minutes of the August 27, 2001 Regular Meeting.
Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The minutes will be corrected by City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman on the original set of minutes and will be retained in the filling system as corrected.
None
Councilmember Skoglund made a motion to approve the agenda and order of business as presented. Councilmember Martinez seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING – FY 2002 REVENUES, PROPERTY TAXES, ETC
Mayor Walton opened the public hearing at 7:37 PM for the purpose of identifying revenue sources for the FY 2002 budget.
City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman presented information about the pending initiatives which could have an affect on the property tax revenues for the city, but indicated that even with the 1% as a worse case scenario, that the city would be in a good position to continue services at previously established levels. She indicated that all the revenue sources seemed stable and that there did not seem to be any surprises. She indicated that if the city were able to initiate more that a 1% property tax increase they would definitely be in a much better position for future projects, but that it was not a crucial issue at this time. Mrs. Eckman also shared information about how the state assistance for Initiative 695 has been handled and how it is important to keep those funds clearly identified for the fiscal year in which they are meant to be utilized.
There being no further questions, the public hearing for the purpose of identifying revenues sources for the FY 2002 budget was closed at 7:45 PM.
PUBLIC HEARING - MARYETTE CAMP ANNEXATION
At 7:45 PM, Mayor Walton continued the public hearing for the purpose of the annexation of the Camp property, as there was no action to be taken at this time. The public hearing was continued to the October 22nd meeting, and the hearing was closed at 7:46 PM.
WASTEWATER FACILITY- PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and Council on the progress of the project.
Schedule A – The punch list has been nearly completed except for the leak in lift station #4. They have applied some sealers to it and the leak has been slowed down to about 22 gallons a day. They are going to do some work on it and once it has been completely sealed then we will be able to put the lift station into operation and will be able to pump water up to the lagoons so that we will have water in there to check out the treatment plant and irrigation system. There is also a problem with a broken service line at the Grain Growers and Apollo has been notified to get that repaired. They were suppose to be in today but for some reason did no make it and are suppose to now be in there tomorrow to get it fixed.
Schedule B – They have begun the installing of the insulation and the sheetrock in the building and as soon as the interior finish work is done they will begin installing the motor control center, the treatment equipment and furniture, etc. The curbs for the landscaping have been put in place. The fencing is under construction and should be completed by the end of this week. The well is completed and is getting water at 421 feet. The well is cased and sealed. Test pumping for a minimum of 50 gallons per minutes will begin this week or next. An approximate reading was received of 70 gallons per minute, but that doesn’t tell exactly how the test pump will work. Picatti Bros. will be doing the test pumping. Partial Pay Estimate #6 for $159,345.32 was presented for payment for this period and Larry stated that the work is approximately 82% complete.
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund made a motion to approve Pay Estimate #6 in the amount of $159,345.32. Councilmember Lobach second. Motion carried unanimously.
WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and Council on the progress of the project.
Phase I – Garfield Road Waterline extension.
Still waiting on approval of the Department of Health as we can not proceed with out their approval.
Phase II – Striker Addition system improvements.
Not a lot of progress being made right now until some decisions can be made about the location of the water main; more specifically 3rd Street. The intent is to hold a public meeting for property owners in the area. As soon as that is accomplished they will have a better idea of how to proceed. Mayor Walton indicated that he has spoken with several individual property owners and so far they have been pretty receptive to it all.
CITY HALL ROOF REPAIR – Public Works Director Pat Munyan
Pat shared with the council about the contractor coming back to measure the roof and that a portion had been left out in the original measurements so the cost is a little higher than what had previously been estimated. The repairs to the roof will still leave out the police carport area of the building. The cost came in about $2,100.00 more than the $15,500.00 that was approved by council last meeting. Pat showed the material to council that was going to be used and explained how it was applied.
Motion: Councilmember Lobach made a motion to approve the increase cost of the city hall roof repair up to $19,000.00 plus tax. Councilmember Skoglund second. Motion carried unanimously.
MANN REQUEST REGARDING SEWER BLOCKAGE
Mayor Walton led off the conversation by directing council attention to the memo in the agenda packet, which indicated that, the city insurance company Canfield and Associates had denied the claim. It was stated further that there was no negligence found on the part of the city, as no other properties with basements on that sewer line were impacted. Public Works Director Pat Munyan also informed council that the WAC and Uniform Plumbing Code both require a back flow device to prevent sewage from flowing backwards into property. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to place the back flow device. Mrs. Mann presented information to the council and indicated that her insurance wouldn’t pay the claim because the company that they had hired to clean their sewer line wrote on the invoice that is was the city’s line that was clogged. Therefore they are stuck in a position where neither insurance will pay the claim. Attorney Tanner indicated that a formal claim should be filed by Mrs. Mann if she wants to pursue this further and that he would send some claim forms to city staff to make available for Mrs. Mann or anyone requesting them in compliance with TORT claims and procedures. There being no further discussion, the topic was closed.
EQUIPMENT – AUTHORIZATION TO SURPLUS AND PURCHASE
Police Chief Rick Rochleau drew council attention to the information he had presented in the agenda packet. Three vehicles were listed to surplus out and include the 1985 Dodge Lancer, 1992 Chevrolet Caprice and 1993 Ford Crown Victoria. Chief Rochleau also asked permission to utilize Booker Auction as they have done a good job in the past. Chief Rochleau then requested council approval to go ahead and order the new police vehicle. He indicated that the cost quoted to him with all the same options was only $5.00 more than last year and was an estimated $23,225.35.
Motion: Councilmember Lobach made a motion to approve the surplus of the three vehicles with the aid of Booker Auction and to approve the purchase of the 2002 Crown Victoria for the estimated price of $23,225.35. Councilmember Martinez seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 742 – AMENDING FY 2001 BUDGET
Clerk Eckman presented the information for amending of the FY 2001 Budget by both Fund and detail with a total increase to the budget of $389,845.00. There was some discussion following.
Motion: Councilmember Lobach made a motion to adopt Ordinance #742 Amending the FY 2001 Budget. Councilmember Pruett second. Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 743 – ESTABLISHING FUND #105
Clerk Eckman presented information about the need to establish Fund #105 for the purpose of establishing a repair and demolition fund. She indicated that this is just one step in the process needed in order for Public Works Director Munyan to have the tools he needs in order to take care of unsafe property within the city limits. Clerk Eckman read the ordinance and explained that the fund was established as a special revolving fund and explained how it would work. There was some discussion following.
Motion: Councilmember Lobach made a motion to adopt Ordinance #743 creating Fund #105 for the purpose of establishing a repair and demolition fund. Councilmember Pruett seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNITY CENTER REPAIR – DISCUSSION AND AUTHORIZATION
Public Works Director Munyan shared pictures with council showing the structural problems in the community center and in the parking lot. Stress on sheet rock is popping the mud out, there is a crack down the whole center of the floor, there are doors that will no longer close, and many other problems. The health room seems to be particularly bad and it was determined that the room would no longer be rented out until an assessment can be done. Attorney Tanner indicates that there is a six year statute of limitation on some construction problems so Pat will check the records for dates and get back to Mr. Tanner to see if there is anything that can be done with the contractor. There are definite questions about the safety of the building and structural stability. There was more discussion about many more issues with the building and problem areas. Council requires more information before some decisions can be made and there was unanimous council consensus to authorize Anderson Perry to check with structural engineers to see about options. Larry indicated that they should be able to have information available for council at the next meeting.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Councilmember Lobach made a motion to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $278,896.46. Councilmember Skoglund seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
None
Attorney Tanner – no report
Finance Department – no further report
Police Report - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
The city is still being plagued with several burglaries and vehicle prowls so apparently they have not gotten all of the individuals involved.
Officer Quinton - is now about half way through his 18 weeks of academy.
Officer Boyer – is up in Seattle now and will start the academy in the morning. He will be gone for about four and a half months.
Officer Turner – will be next to go to the academy.
City Administrator – Mr. Tackett
1. Golf Course – There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with the golf course folks and they will be walking the course to look at the site and see what is going to be needed to get it going. Sam Gunderson from First Golf will be going over the business plan with Art and looking at costs and in kind types of activities that can help to defray the cost of the project. They should have a fairly solid number to present at the October 22nd meeting.
2. Growth Management – is requiring some additional things from the city and that is an update of our critical areas ordinance, but they are also supplying some money to help meet these requirements. The city has hooked up with the regional council this time to go after the money since they are working with other cities also it is in our best interest to go with them. There will be about $3500.00 between now and the first of July for Connell and then we will receive the remainder up to $10,000.00 the following year. There are other things that Art indicated he would want to do with those funds beside just the critical areas ordinance and that would include trying to establish the downtown area as a historical district with the intent of drawing more business into the community.
Public Works - Public Works Director Patrick Munyan
Elm Street project is coming along and looking good.
The water reservoir fence from the old sewer plant will start to go up tomorrow.
The Front End Loader has a leak and needs repaired. The estimated cost is $3,000.00 because the kit alone is about $1,500.00.
The plants and trees on main street need to have a different system for watering them next year instead of using the front end loader. They are working on a solution for that.
Inmates were seen driving a dump truck, but it turned out that a public works employee was following them in one of the city trucks so it was okay.
There is another living facility at Connell Park Estates #44, which needs to be condemned. There is no one living in it at this time. The doors are open and animals are living in it and have been seen running in and out of it. Pat will be following up on that property as well as the one on Burke Street.
The leak in the line at the Grain Growers is supposed to be repaired by the contractor. Pat indicated an independent contractor would be hired to fix it is not done soon and that the retainage of the original contractor would be withheld for the work.
There being no further business for the regular council meeting, Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at 9:23 p.m. to go into an executive session for approximately 10 minutes to discuss various sensitive property issues and indicated that there would be no further action taken.
There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Walton adjourned the regular meeting at 9:43 p.m.