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 Pro-Tem at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer and Andrew Sawyer.
EXCUSED: Mayor Gary Walton, had surgery on his arm.
STAFF: City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, and City Clerk Treasurer Joan Eckman.
VISITORS: Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; Alicia Mejia, resident; and Dean Perry, Shannon & Wilson.
Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund temporarily appointed Councilmember Martinez to the Finance Committee.
Connell High School - In regards to the Anderson Perry Scholarship. Once a winner had been selected, the School would contact the City.
Families for Kids - Reception being held on May 17th at the new Richland Community Center from 11:00-2:00 to honor local foster parents.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
Minutes of the February 11, 2002 Regular Meeting - Correction to Page 1 under Citizen Comment/ Non Agenda Items - change the word "bicycles" to "motorcycles".
Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Alicia Mejia was present to request that the City refund her Community Center deposit that had been withheld due to finding beer cartons on the premises. Mrs. Mejia advised Council that she had been told she would not need security at the event since she was not serving alcohol and that when an officer did stop by the event he did not make any mention of having seen anyone drinking. Mrs. Mejia stated that she and her husband had worked hard in raising the money for the event and made sure everything was clean in order to receive a refund of the deposit. The invitations stated that no alcohol would be allowed.
Councilmember Martinez translated for Mrs. Mejia and advised her that this issue would be discussed in Executive Session and to call back the following day to hear the outcome.
The following change was made to the Agenda.
Moved Item No. 18 after Item No. 7.
Items 14 - Kathy Silva - Property Purchase, 15 - Mann Settlement, 17 - Golf Course Update, and Mejia's request for reimbursement were moved to Executive Session.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNITY CENTER
City Administrator Tackett introduced Dean Perry with Shannon & Wilson.
Mr. Perry provided Council with handouts on the findings of the ground penetrating radar work and the GEO physics profile. Mr. Perry also provided Council with possible solutions.
Ground penetrating radar work showed where there were soft and hard anomalies. Four soil test were drilled around the Community Center. Wet loose soil, voids, wood and other materials were discovered. The Center seemed to be floating on two sides which was were the greatest amount of distress was showing on the building. The floor slab was not tied to the building and was also causing problems.
A solution discussed was the instillation of pin piles. Rods would be drilled into the ground and grouted into place. It could take up to 50 piles. The building would be jacked back into place. The floor would need to be tied to the building once the building had been stabilized. Another possibility mentioned was moving the building to a new location.
Cost for the piles was around $350 to $400 each. In all it would take about $100,000 to install the piles and stabilize the building.
Councilmember Sawyer moved to authorize Shannon & Wilson proceed into Stage Two of their contract for Community Center restoration. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
WASTEWATER FACILITY
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and Council on the progress of the projects.
Schedule A - Once everything had been put back together for the motor control center it would be started up and an inspection would be done.
Schedule B - The well pump equipment would be delivered during the week. A test run and inspection would be done within a month. The project would not be finished until the change order items had been completed.
City Administrator Tackett indicated that staff had contacted DOE and requested a 6-month extension for the project although he did not expect it take that long.
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry advised Council that work was still proceeding on the design and that the project was on schedule. Mr. Seibel noted that the Clark Street Project was a priority at this time.
TIB- CLARK STREET - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the plans were 90% completed. Advertising would take place March 14th, bids would be opened April 16th, a recommendation would be taken to Council on April 22nd, construction would begin June 10th and would be completed August 19th.
ORDINANCE NO. 748 - CONCURRENCY ORDINANCE
City Administrator Tackett reported that according to the Growth Management Act the City is required to enact development regulations that implement and are and are consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission had already reviewed and approved this ordinance and recommended its adoption.
City Administrator Tackett requested that this item be brought back at the March 11th meeting for adoption.
PHARMACY LEASE CONTRACT
Administrator Tackett reported that he had spoken to the new owner of the pharmacy in regards to the contract who commented that it looked fine. Not included was an option for the purchase of the building although it is the City's intent to eventually sell the building to her on the business had become more stable.
This item would be brought back at the March 11th meeting.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
City Administrator Tackett reported that the Summit date had to be changed from April 13th to April 27th.
KATHY SILVA - PROPERTY PURCHASE
This item was moved to Executive Session
MANN - SETTLEMENT
This item was moved to Executive Session
WATER RIGHT APPEAL
City Administrator Tackett reported that Attorney Tanner had submitted an appeal on the negative decision made by the Department of Ecology on the City's request for additional water rights. Attorney Tanner recommended that the City have available $4,000-$5,000 for expert witnesses.
Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve the expenditure of up to $5000 for expert witnesses for the water rights appeal. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
GOLF COURSE UPDATE
This item was tabled to Executive Session
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $66,900.26. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.
A question was raised in regards to the electricity bill for the Old Church in the amount of $403. City Administrator Tackett reported he would look into it.
Golf Course Committee - A meeting had been schedule for March 5th at 7:00 pm at the City Hall.
POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1. Officer Boyer graduated from the Academy and would begin work on Feb. 27.
2. A few years prior the Police Department had applied for and received a grant for an officer at the school. The school could no longer guarantee a match for the project. Chief Rochleau recommended that the grant be turned back.
3. The shooting range needed some renovating or to be moved. Looking at the north end of the canyon on the farm as a possible site.
4. The new phone system would be installed at the water tower.
5. Applied for a traffic safety mini grant in conjunction with Franklin County and received a laser radar unit. Officers would need to be trained on the $4,000 unit. The City would need to pay the $300 tax.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT - City Clerk Treasurer Joan Eckman
1. Completed the Budget and Annual Report.
2. Received a call from the State Auditor's office. The City would be audited sometime in the summer.
3. Revenue were coming in as expected.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett
1. Received correspondence that I 747 was being taken to court.
2. Would be attending a meeting with PUD in regards to green power.
Councilmember Martinez noted that resident John White had cleaned up debris along the City's right-of-way on Fir Street, next to the gravel pit, and was requesting that he be allowed to burn it.
Council gave its consensus to have Mr. White burn the debris.
Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund recessed the meeting at 8:55 till approximately 9:15 to discuss property issues, as noted above, for executive session
The regular meeting was brought back to order at 9:21 and the following items were heard before the Council.
MANN - SETTLEMENT
Councilmember Sawyer moved to deny the Mann's settlement. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
OUTLET MALL
Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund reported that the outlet mall had approached the City in regards to surveying the property for the possible placement of a mall. It would cost $3,500 to have the survey done.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the expenditure of $3,500 for the survey as long as this amount was included in the $17,500 in the initial bid. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.
MEJIA - REQUEST FOR APPEAL OF DENIAL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER DEPOSIT REFUND
Councilmember Boyer moved to deny the refund of $600, for the Community Center deposit, to the Mejia Family. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund adjourned the regular meeting at 9:24 p.m.