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, Roel Martinez and Andrew Sawyer.
STAFF: City Administrator Art Tackett, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Director Patrick Munyan, City Attorney Terry Tanner and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez.
VISITORS: Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; and Dee Burrie Shannon & Wilson.
Second Chance - Invitation to trainee graduation March 27th, 10:00 A.M.
US Dept of Interior - 50th Anniversary of the Columbia Basin Project, May 24th, Moses Lake.
Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheel's - Connell's March for Meals day, March 27th.
Franklin County Resolution 2002-13 - Honoring the 200th anniversary of the US Military Academy.
North Franklin Youth Baseball Group - Requested a backstop for Pioneer Park.
Mayor Walton noted that he would forward the request to the Park Board.
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
Minutes of the March 11, 2002 Regular Meeting
Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The following change was made to the Agenda.
Addition of Item No. 11 a - Shannon & Wilson - Community Center
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as amended. 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 - The subcontractor was working on the motor control center. A demonstration would be done later during the week on the system.
Schedule B - Chloretex would be here to check on the chlorination system next week. Farmer's Electric was working on the wiring for the well. A start up demonstration would be done once there was enough water stored in the lagoons.
Mayor Walton questioned the electricity bill for the site.
WATER RESERVOIR
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that computer models were being set up to come up with different scenarios to handle water demand once the reservoir had been emptied for repair. It would take about 4 to 5 weeks to come up with a solution before setting up a repair schedule.
WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT UPDATE
Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that they were continuing with the design work but would not schedule construction till financing was determined.
TIB- CLARK STREET - PROJECT UPDATE
Phase I - Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the project plans had been submitted for approval and would be advertised in this week's paper. Copies of the plans and specifications are sent to planning centers. Bid opening would be held on April 25th with construction from June 10th till August 19th.
Phase II - Received a response from the Railroad relating to the crossing. A set of plans was given to them in December. The process would take 12-18 months from the time they received the plans.
SHANNON & WILSON - COMMUNITY CENTER
Dee Burrie from Shannon & Wilson reported that progress had been made and provided Council with a drawing of the Center with the pilings. Piles would be placed 3' 3" apart along the northeast corner and the west side of the center. The dry well would need to be moved. The project would only take a couple of weeks to complete. Cost estimates received for the project were $100,000 & $275,000. The next step would be to work with Public Works to write up the request for bids.
BACKFLOW METER
Public Works Director Munyan reported that he had purchased hydrant valves to meter the usage of bulk water. The user would need to attach an approved backflow prevention device, sign an agreement and pay a $500 deposit before hooking up to a hydrant. There would also be a $30 hookup charge, $8 per day use, and water fees. The water fee rates would be looked into during the process of the water rate study.
This item would be brought to Council in the form of an ordinance for approval.
UNDERGROUND UTILITY PERMIT
Public Works Director Munyan reported that the City needed to have some control on the installation of certain utilities to assure that they were being installed correctly. Several problems had come up lately where utilities were being laid and the companies doing so were not returning to level out the alley. A Public Property Construction Permit would help take care of this problem. Director Munyan also noted that he would check into joining the "Call before you dig" program.
Council requested that Director Munyan research utility permit fees charged by other cities.
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-02 - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN & TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
City Administrator Tackett reported that as a follow up to the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Element a resolution would need to be adopted.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Resolution No. 2002-02 -adopting the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Element. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
CAMP PROPERTY
City Administrator Tackett reported that a lease agreement had been agreed upon by the City and Maryette Camp in the amount of $500 a month. The City had an option pending with the company wishing to locate on that parcel.
Councilmember Sawyer moved, seconded by Councilmember Pruett, to approve the amendment to the lease agreement with Ms. Camp. Motion carried unanimously.
DISHWASHER PURCHASE - APPROVAL
City Administrator Tackett provided Council with information on a commercial dishwasher for the Community Center. A grant was obtained from Avista in the amount of $500 to help with the purchase of a new dishwasher. The cost for a new dishwasher alone would range from $2,600 to $3,733.
This project was put on hold until more funds could be obtained.
PAYMENT OF BILLS –
Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $208,077.69. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.
PARK BOARD - There would be a Park Board meeting on March 26th at 7:00 p.m.
POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1. Chris was doing well in the Academy.
2. Had received a lot of domestic calls.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT - Public Works Director Pat Munyan
1. Looking into the purchase of a used oil heater from Connell Grange Supply.
2. Repaired the swimming pool but it was still leaking.
3. Parks were open.
4. Street sweeping.
5. Working on the backflow management program.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett
1. Received payment for rent from previous pharmacy owner Larry Bafus.
Councilmember Skoglund moved to return the money to Mr. Bafus, as he had donated the building to the City. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Attended a meeting in Olympia in regards to L & I program.
Spring Clean Up was set for April 13th through April 22nd.
A representative for the mall would be here on April 6th.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT - City Attorney Terry Tanner
Reported that he would look into the L & I program and would have a recommendation to Council at the next meeting.
Mayor Walton recessed the meeting at 8:55 to go into Executive Session until approximately 9:10 to discuss property issues.
The regular meeting was brought back to order at 9:22 and the following was heard before the Council.
PROPERTY AT 325 N. BURKE
Councilmember Sawyer moved to accept the bid from Mr. Marroquin in the amount of $2,001 for the property at 325 N. Burke with the condition that the City would accept responsibility for the back taxes but would not accept responsibility for the $424.90 lien. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.