MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL, WASHINGTON

CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

November 25, 2002

 

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.

 

ROLL CALL

 

PRESENT:    PRESENT:  Mayor Gary Walton, Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Councilmembers Ron Boyer, Andy Sawyer and Monica Pruett.

 

EXCUSED:    EXCUSED: Councilmember Roel Martinez

 

STAFF:         STAFF:    City Administrator Art Tackett , Chief of Police Rick Rochleau , City Clerk-Treasurer Joan Eckman , and Fire Chief Robert Koch.

 

VISITORS:      VISITORS: Alan Schroeder, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; and Jake Hart

 

CORRESPONDENCE / APPOINTMENTS

 

1.        WA State Liquor Control Board – Liquor license approval for Odom’s Mexican Restaurant.

2.        City Hall would be closed at 3:00 pm on Wednesday for Thanksgiving.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as listed:

Minutes of the November 12, 2002 Special Meeting.

Minutes of the November 12, 2002 Regular Meeting,

Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The following item was added to the agenda:

            Agenda Item No. 15 a) Meals on Wheels Agreement

 

        Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

           

PUBLIC HEARING – 2003 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET

Mayor Walton opened the public hearing for the 2003 FY preliminary budget at 7:38 pm . 

City Administrator Tackett pointed out that there was very little increase in the General Fund and that the majority of the budget was due to grant funds.

 

City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman reported that the total budget for Fiscal Year 2003 amount was $11,220,209.00.  72% of the budget was from grant funds.

 

There were no comments from the public.

 

Mayor Walton inquired about the streets to be chip sealed.

 

City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman advised that she would look into possibly listing the names of the streets to be chip sealed in the Capital Projects narrative.

 

There being no further discussion Mayor Walton closed the public hearing at 7:50 p.m.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 757 – Adopting the 2003 Budget

City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman presented Ordinance No. 757, an ordinance adopting the annual budget of the City of Connell for the year of 2003 for a total budget of 11,220,209.00.  A copy of the detailed budget could be obtained from the City Clerk during business hours.

 

        Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Ordinance No. 757 adopting the annual budget for 2003.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Schedule A – Alan Schroeder reported that during the last inspection problems had been found with the moisture seal monitor for the pumps.   The pumps had been removed and were at the factory in New Jersey .  Once the contractor had the pumps back into place and running for a couple of weeks Anderson Perry would be able to determine if the problem had been solved.  If the problem had not been solved the next step would be to consult Attorney Tanner and take the necessary measures to utilize the bond to finish the project. 

 

Schedule B – Alan Schroeder reported that some minor punch list items were being worked on.

 

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Alan Schroeder reported that the sewer lift station east of Highway 395, the old town lift station, and the sewer extension between Elm Street and Fir Street would be bid as on package.  The projects would go out to bid in January.  The city would need to work out coordinating access to properties for the installation of grinder pumps with the property owners.

 

City Administrator Tackett reported that he had met with the School District in regards to the easements.  The School District would meet with the School Board once the preliminary design had been completed.

 

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

City Administrator Tackett reported that staff had met with Steve Troendle from USDA and went over a few items that needed to be completed.  Over all everything seemed to be in good shape.

 

Alan Schroeder advised that they were working on the design for the new reservoir.  It appeared that they would go with a welded steel reservoir instead of a bolted reservoir. 

 

City Administrator Tackett noted that he had discussed with Larry Seibel and Pat Munyan the possible need of expanding the size of the new reservoir due to the potential for development near the LDS Seminary.

 

Mayor Walton suggested the City look into a development fee to be paid by the developer as the lots were sold.

 

TIB – CLARK STREET

Alan Schroeder reported that the lights for Clark Street had come in but the lights were not on.  Mr. Schroeder advised that he would look into resolving the problem.

 

Phase II was still in the design stage and work was being done on the sewer for Sixth Street .

 

City Administrator noted that they were still working on having Sixth Street dedicated to the City.  Once the street belonged to the City the City would be able to redesign the intersection on Sixth and Adams .

 

SEAL COATING – Release of Retainage

City Administrator Tackett reported that he had spoken to Public Works Director Munyan who recommended the retainage be held until the meter heads and water valve caps had been cleaned off.

 

Alan Schroeder advised that the City approve the payment of the retainage to be released subject to valve covers being verified. 

 

        Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize Payment No. 2 to Superior Paving Company for the release of retainage in the amount of $2,989.78 to be held subject to completion of inspection.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PROPERTY PURCHASE

City Administrator Tackett reported that staff had met with Mr. & Mrs. Bafus regarding their request for the City to purchase the two vacant lots behind the pharmacy.

 

        Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to authorize the City purchase the lots from Mr. and Mrs. Bafus in the amount of $5,000.00.  Councilmember Boyer seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

 

MEALS ON WHEELS

Mayor Walton advised that he had received a Memorandum of Understanding from Marci Woffenden, Program Director for Meals on Wheels.  The City would continue to make available a kitchen and dinning room for the senior citizen meal program on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm . 

 

        Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize City Administrator Tackett sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Connell and Meals on Wheels.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

        Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $120,318.14.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

           

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT – City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman

1.                  Working on the USDA paperwork

2.                  Working on the Budget Document.  Trying to make it more user friendly and would have the document ready after January 15th

 

POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1.                  Received an application for Police Reserve for Angie Escalera.

                Council gave its consensus to approve the reserve application.

2.                  Officers attending training and taking vacations.

3.                  Mayor Walton voiced a concern with the pit bulls seen in town.

        Chief Rochleau noted that three pit bulls had been taken from the community and that the Police Department was continuing to deal with them.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief Robert Koch

1.                  Received a complaint of burning after dark

2.                        Had a garage fire, the cause had not yet been determined

3.                  Received the hazardous suits that had been paid for with grant money received from Emergency Management

4.                  Looking into the purchase of a hydrant flow test kit for about $600

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  Received 11 RFQ’s for the golf proposal and 4 RFQ’s for downtown development

2.                  The North East corner of the Community Center was causing some problems.  The contractors were having problems jacking it up due to the sidewalk being tied in.  The Health Room floor was being removed and repoured

3.                  3 cappuccino places coming into town.  One was going in at the old grocery store

4.                  Attended a meeting with Senator Hewitt to discuss MVET impacts and the funding of the Department of Corrections.

5.                  Would be attending an AWC meeting in Olympia February 19th and 20th.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m.