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 Perry Skoglund, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett, Andrew Sawyer, and Ron Boyer.
STAFF: City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez.
VISITORS: Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; and representatives from Boy Scout Troop 120.
PRESENTATIONS/APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Walton re-appointed Bob Misener to the Park Board.
Margery Price would be holding a seminar on Parliamentary Procedure for Boards and Council on February 14, 2002.
Educational Service District 29th Annual High School Art Show - February 4 -15th - requesting the Mayor to judge entries.
WA State Transportation Improvement Board - Funding had been approved for Clark Street Phase II - from North 5th to Cemetery Road.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
Minutes of the January 14, 2002 Regular Meeting.
Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Councilmember Boyer voiced a concern regarding the litter on Clark Street by the High School. Councilmember Skoglund noted that on previous occasions he had spoken with a School Board member regarding litter in that area. Mayor Walton advised that he would have Public Works look into it.
Mayor Walton commented that he would like to set up workshop sessions to have Council review the City's code book.
The following additions were made to the Agenda.
Item 7 (a) Mayor Pro-Tem Selection
Item 17 (a) Community Center - Shannon & Wilson agreement
Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
MAYOR PRO-TEM SELECTION
Councilmember Sawyer moved to appoint Councilmember Skoglund as Mayor Pro-Tem. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED RECORD HEARING - Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Element
City Administrator Tackett reported that the Planning Commission had been working on the Comp Plan and had previously held two open public hearings. Administrator Tackett proceeded to review the Comp Plan and Transportation Element and recommended that Council look through the drafts and bring back any changes or suggestions at the next Council meeting.
WASTEWATER FACILITY
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and Council on the progress of the projects.
Schedule A – The engineer was currently in the process of coordinating a meeting to iron out the existing problems for the motor control center.
Schedule B - The well equipment submittal had been approved. The electrical work had not been completed. A change order was proposed for the weather system, buffer trees, a rowboat and other items. Mr. Seibel also commented that a question had been raised in regards to insurance on the waste water facility project and commented that until the project was accepted by the City the City was not responsible for insurance.
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 II - Work was still proceeding on the design. A question had been raised in regards to a water line that ran to Lamb-Weston. Mr. Seibel noted that he would look into it but that water would only be shut off for change over and would not be left off overnight.
WATER & SEWER RATE STUDY
Tabled to be discussed at a Special Council Workshop on February 12, 2002.
TIB - CLARK STREET - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that they were moving ahead with the design and that they could have some options with the recent approval of the grant for the second phase of Clark Street. If possible, the City would trade off a block to have the railroad crossing done before school started in the fall.
PHARMACY LEASE - AGREEMENT
Tabled to February 11, 2002.
COMMUNITY CENTER DEPOSIT REFUND - Alicia Mejia
Mayor Walton commented to Council that he had reviewed and denied the request by Ms. Mejia to receive partial or all of her deposit. Mayor Walton did note however, that Ms. Mejia had done a good job in cleaning the Community Center and had informed attendees, on her invitations, that liquor would not be permitted.
The Community Center Committee had held a meeting and addressed the issue of requiring security be provided at major events even when alcohol was not to be on the premises. Another Committee meeting would be scheduled to complete the changes to the contract.
Councilmember Boyer moved to deny the request for reimbursement of the deposit. Councilmember Sawyer seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
OUTLET MALL
This item was tabled to be brought back at the next meeting.
ROOF REPAIR - LIBRARY AND PHARMACY
Mayor Walton reported that the City did not have the funds available to repair the roof at the pharmacy but did however have funds for the repair of the library roof. Mayor Walton also noted that he had taken a look at the pharmacy roof and it looked to be o-kay for the time being.
Councilmember Martinez moved to accept the proposal from Rapid Roof Systems in the amount of $8,725 for the repair of the library roof. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Tabled to be discussed at a Special Council Workshop on February 12, 2002.
COMMUNITY CENTER - SHANNON & WILSON CONTRACT
City Administrator Tackett reported that Public Works Director Munyan had Provided for Council review a proposal for geotechnical engineering studies.
Councilmember Skoglund moved, seconded by Councilmember Sawyer, to approve Phase I of the contract with Shannon & Wilson in the amount of $16,200 for a geotechnical study of the Community Center. Motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS –
Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $151,995. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.
It was noted that the electricity bill for the Church Museum was high considering there was not much usage of the building. It was also noted the phone bill was being held to review the charges as they were much higher than usual.
Park Board Committee - Were very impressed with the skateboard park at Airway Heights. The next step would be to go out for bids. Mr. Tackett discussed the possibility of using the City's tennis courts for the skateboard park and changing the fence so that bicycles could not get through.
POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
Had vehicle prowls and were conducting interviews.
Officer Boyer would be graduating from the Academy February 22.
Officer Turner would be going to Academy February 5.
Officer Quinton was doing well in field training
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett
The Economic Summit would be rescheduled.
Received correspondence that the City's Ground Water Application had been denied but the City would proceed with an appeal.
MAYOR'S REPORT - Mayor Garland Walton
Attended a meeting with the Department of Health who would be laying off people due to budget cut backs of $1.6 million. Other cities such as Washtucna, Grandview, Wapato and Benton City were experiencing financial difficulties.
Recommended that Council Workshops be held to review the City Code Book.
There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Walton adjourned the regular meeting at 9:22 p.m.