SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL, WASHINGTON

CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON

July 15, 2002

The Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Connell to discuss goals and objectives for fiscal year 2003 was called to order by Mayor Walton at 6:00 p.m. in the Connell City Hall .

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:       Mayor Gary Walton, Perry Skoglund, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer, and Andy Sawyer.

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett, Public Works Director Pat Munyan, Police Chief Rick Rochleau , and City Clerk/Treasurer Joan Eckman.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

OVERVIEW -  City Administrator Tackett explained the meeting to be an opportunity to share some ideas about individual goals and objectives for departments heads and council for the coming year. He led off with listing some of the projects he had in mind and what he expected of them for the coming year.

1.      Golf Course – he is still interested in pursuing this project and will be involved in a meeting on Thursday, July 18th in the City Hall at 6:30 p.m.

2.      Outlet Mall – this project is basically on hold for the time being.

3.      Storm Water Facility – state requirements are pushing the need for updating the storm water facility within the community and after the recent storm it is evident that there are some areas of concern.

4.      PFD (Public Facility District) – 3/10’s of one percent could be made available for a project, but the Ordinance needs to be passed by July 31st in order to qualify. The project must be 10 million minimum and that is why a district with several entities would need to be involved.

5.      Pioneer Park Splash Pool – a splash pool could be constructed at the old volley ball court site by the pool. This facility would not require lifeguards to be in attendance yet would provide a wet environment play area for younger children.

DEPARTMENT HEAD PRESENTATIONS

            FINANCE DEPARTMENT –   City Clerk/Treasurer Eckman indicated that there were no       capital facility project needs for her department at this time, but that there were a couple of informative issues to present for their consideration.

1.   Washington State Auditors – will be present at the end of July or the beginning of August to conduct a two year audit for fiscal years 2000 and 2001. There has already been some information sent to them via fax and computer for preliminary work in their offices which will hopefully speed   up the process and the on site work here at the city hall when they get to that point. This two year audit was already scheduled into the budget for fiscal year 2002.        

     2.      Capital Facility Plan – a capital facility plan section will be included in the budget document for fiscal year 2003 which will list the departmental capital projects, their funding sources by fund, loan or grant, summary of scope of work and a timeline for the project. It is anticipated that by including this type of information in the budget document that it will make the whole document more usable and provide critical resource information throughout the fiscal year for all involved.

            POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief Rick Rochleau presented a list of projects that he would like the council to consider and are listed as follows:

1.      Reserve Security – the cost for a police reserve to be utilized for security purposes has increased due to the amount of the benefits. The city has been charging $11.00 for the past several years and now finds it necessary to increase that amount to $12.50 in order to cover the full cost of that employee service excluding the equipment.

2.      In-car Cameras – there are still 2 vehicles of full time officers that do not have the in-car cameras excluding the chiefs’ vehicle which will not have a camera installed. The cost per camera is estimated at $2,500 each for a total cost of $5,000. There are several options available for pursuing this expense of which two seem the most optimistic for proceeding fairly quickly.

                  Option 1. Grant funds were utilized for the purchase of the   previous cameras along with donations from various individuals and         businesses. The chances of getting another grant are slim due to the         current emphasis on homeland security.

                  Option 2.  Manpower replacement from the state for     reimbursement for officer time at the academy for communities under     10,000 in population has been applied for in the amount of $32,671.00.     The amount that we receive will not be that much, but a percentage       thereof, depending upon how many agencies have applied for the     reimbursement because of the need to split the amount of money available on an equal basis. The chief will bring it up again when he finds out how much the city will receive back.

3.      Fire Chief Office – has been looking into the possibility of establishing an office in the city hall. Rick indicated that they are looking at the possibility of utilizing the current interview room. If that takes place then the old evidence room will be utilized as the interview room and a new evidence room could be built out in the car port area. Pat is working with Rick to come up with a cost estimate for the new evidence room and they should have that prepared for the next council meeting on the 22nd.

4.       Police Software Program – the program needs replaced due to cost issues

 with the state and county. There is a program that is windows based and the initial cost would be $3,000 depending upon the number of computers to be utilized. Rick is looking at just four right now. After the initial cost there would be an annual fee of $395.00. The current annual fee is over $600. There is money in the current fiscal budget to accomplish the change over in software.

5.      Gun Range – is still on hold for now, but will be done a little at a time as a design is finalized and money becomes available.

6.      Less Lethal Weapons – the feasibility of utilizing less lethal weapons is being looked into. There is still a need for special training as the weapons (bean bags, rubber batons, etc.) can still cause death if not utilized correctly, however there are times when these specialized weapons can be utilized effectively.

7.      Srgt. Williams – should be returning sometime in August depending upon utilization of some of his accrued vacation leave.

            PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director Munyan had several items for the council to consider for the coming budget year and are as follows:

1.      Storm Drain Improvements –  it became very evident that the storm drain system needed to be improved even if the state requirements didn’t require     it. Even though we don’t get a lot of rain here when a storm happens like the one on Sunday, July 7th the current drain system just can not keep up  with the deluge of water. The major problem areas are on Adams Street in front of city hall, Clark Street at Almira and Birch Street .

2.      Staffing versus Inmates – DOC will be requiring the city to comply with   inmate supervisory methods which will impact staffing and duties. It will be necessary for the city to determine if it is feasible to continue to utilize the inmates or whether it would be more effective to increase staff.

3.      Wastewater Treatment Certification – Godfrey Valdez passed his          wastewater treatment certification tests and is now officially certified to operate the new plant.

4.      Brush Hog – needs to be replaced next year at an estimated cost of $3,500.

5.      Soccer Field – the cost for the nets depends upon the size of the mesh and  there are several options available.

6.      Well #8 Generator – Pat is checking into the cost to purchase a generator  large enough to run well #8. The one that the city has from DOC is not  large enough unless the pump was to be set up on a soft start status.

            MAYOR & COUNCIL GOAL SETTING – the projects discussed by mayor and council to be pursued for the coming year are as follows:

1.      Status Quo – one of the main concerns is to complete the projects that are currently in progress; i.e. TIB/Clark, Water Projects, Chip Seal Streets

2.      Storm Drains – state requirements and necessary

3.      TIP as presented by street committee

4.      Golf Course – continue to pursue options

5.      Computer Program 2002 & 2003 – for police

6.      Cameras – in police cars

7.      Community Center Rehab – complete rehabilitation of building

8.      Museum – ADA requirements

9.      Free Up Pat – look at getting rid of Pat’s responsibilities of code enforcement and building inspection in order to allow him to concentrate on his job as a public works director.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council of the City of Connell , the special meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.