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, Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Councilmembers Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer and Andrew Sawyer.
EXCUSED: Councilmember Roel Martinez
STAFF: City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Director Patrick Munyan, City Clerk Treasurer Joan Eckman and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez.
VISITORS: Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; Mary Bauman and Commissioner Beverly Cochrane, Franklin PUD; local youth's and parents, Skate Park.
Mayor Walton made the following appointments:
Civil Service Committee: Rosemary Martinez and Regina Janosky
Disability Board: Re-appointed Chief Rochleau.
Washington Liquor Control Board - Special Occasion Liquor License request for April 12 & 13, 2002. There being no comments or objections, the requests were passed on to the approval of the Liquor Control Board.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
Minutes of the February 25, 2002 Regular Meeting - Correction to Page 4 Payment of Bills - amount should have been $102,900.26 instead of $66,900.26.
Correction to Page 5 - Mejia Refund Request - amount should have been $300 instead of $600.
Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The following change was made to the Agenda.
Moved Item No. 16 after Item No. 7.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
SKATE PARK
City Administrator Tackett showed a video from Skate Wave, featuring equipment and products for skate parks. The system featured was an affordable metal system that was reconfigurable and required low maintenance. A system like the one featured would cost $30,000 to $40,000. The City had $48,000 budget for this project. The site proposed for the skate park was the old tennis court at Pioneer Park. The surface would need some repair work in order for it to be smooth enough to skate on.
A student from the audience asked if they could place home made equipment at the site until construction of the park got started.
Mayor Walton advised them that they could not use home made equipment due to liability. Mayor Walton also advised them that the next Park Board meeting would be held March 26, 7:00 pm where they would be discussing the Skate Park.
Councilmember Sawyer moved to allow Park Board proceed with the Skate Park Project, not to exceed $48,000. This motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Another student commented on the possibility of obtaining money for the park through a skating magazine.
City Administrator Tackett was volunteered to help.
PUBLIC HEARING - MARYETTE CAMP
This item was tabled till the April 8th meeting.
PUD - CONSERVATION AWARD
City Administrator Tackett introduced Mary Bauman and Commissioner Beverly Cochrane from Franklin PUD.
Commissioner Beverly Cochrane on behalf of the Bonneville Power Administration presented to Mayor Walton the Energy Conservation Champion Award in recognition of the City's exceptional efforts to conserve energy.
The City took several steps to conserve energy during the energy crisis. The City replaced the doors at the Fire Station and at the City shop with energy efficient doors, turned off computers and lights when not in use, turned down heating units, reduced pool temperature, and encouraged citizens to use energy more efficiently.
Public Works Director Munyan reported that they would be installing solar panels to heat the pool this summer.
WASTEWATER FACILITY
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry was present to update the Mayor and Council on the progress of the projects.
Schedule A - The Pressure tanks on the domestic system were being installed. The pump and pipe for the wells would be installed Wednesday. Pre-final inspection would be held on March 14th at 10:00 am. The irrigation management plan was nearly finalized. Alan & Jake talked to Neil Smick in regards to his plans for crops. Mr. Smick was planning on a barley crop then sowing alfalfa in the fall.
Schedule B - Targeting March for demonstration of the treatment plant and irrigation system.
Mayor Walton questioned if the City could start penalizing the contractor if the project was not running by the first of April. Mr. Seibel agreed to look into it.
WATER RESERVOIR
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the contractor would need 30 to 45 days to complete the work on the reservoir. The reservoir would need to be drained for approximately three days for the contractors to take measurements, then the reservoir would be filled back up while parts are being fabricated. This will need to be scheduled for this fall during a down time for LambWeston.
WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the design was 60 % completed for Striker but that this project was being put on hold for the time being.
City Administrator Tackett reported that he had contacted United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the option of funding the remaining portion of the Striker Project with a loan/grant combination along with other water improvement projects. City Administrator Tackett provided Council with a map of the proposed water projects.
TIB- CLARK STREET - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the project would be advertised in next weeks paper. Construction would begin June 16th. The plans and specifications were 98% complete.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize the Mayor sign the Consultant Agreement for Construction of Phase I and the Consultant Agreement for Design of Phase II. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
City Administrator Tackett congratulated Anderson Perry on their new office, located next to Klindworth Agency.
PHARMACY LEASE CONTRACT
Mayor Walton discussed the Pharmacy Lease Contract with Mary Hall who had no objections. She did have a concern with the poor condition of the building.
The Lease would be from March 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003. City Administrator Tackett advised Council that the City's intent was to do an option to purchase once the contract was due.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to enter into a real estate lease contract with Mary Hall for the amount of $500 monthly rent. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Walton noted that the name of the pharmacy had been changed to Connell Pharmacy.
ORDINANCE NO. 748 - CONCURRENCY ORDINANCE
City Administrator Tackett reported that as previously discussed Ordinance No. 748 related to Growth Management requirements to enact development regulations that implement and are consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Ordinance No. 748 - Concurrency Ordinance. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $66,032.17. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.
POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1. Chris was doing well in the Academy.
2. Would be attending a meeting in the Tri-Cities on records management for the computer systems.
3. Would be receiving $9,000 for car cameras.
4. Matt Boyer would like to return as a reserve officer. He would bring in an application.
5. Working on replacing the shooting range.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT - City Clerk Treasurer Joan Eckman
Had been in contact with the State Auditor, the DWSRF loan would be included in the audit.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett
1. Need an Executive Session to discuss the bid on the property at 325 N. Burke.
2. May be receiving $77,897 for backfill from I 695.
3. Will be meeting with the interested developer for the outlet mall on March 25th.
4. Economic Summit had been scheduled for April 27th.
Mayor Walton recessed the meeting at 9:00 to go into Executive Session till approximately 9:05 to discuss the property at 325 N. Burke.
The regular meeting was brought back to order at 9:10 there being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting.