MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL , WASHINGTON
CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY , WASHINGTON

August 11, 2003

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:       Mayor Gary Walton, Councilmembers Monica Pruett, Roel Martinez, Andy Sawyer, and Ron Boyer.

EXCUSED:      Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Director Pat Munyan , City Attorney Terry Tanner and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez .

VISITORS:      Alan Schroeder and Larry Seibel , Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; Carol Lindner, Ron Colley, Joyce Hall, Nancy Kallio, Phil and Marid Krigbaum, Pam Guiford, Golf Course; Martin Howser, cable system; and David Kleinbach, resident.

CORRESPONDENCE

1)                  WA State Liquor Control Board – Renewal for Quick Mart.

PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Walton presented the following with Yard of the Month:

            Keith and Pam Leavitt, Terry and Lori Collier, James and MaryMargaret Nipper and Gloria Cerna.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve the Consent Calendar as listed,

1)      Minutes of the July 28, 2003 Regular Meeting

Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS

David Kleinbach at 136 S. Chelan requested that a four way stop be placed at the corner of Ash & Chelan as this was a major crossing point for kids and pointed out that there were a number of small children who lived in that area.  Also he was concerned with the amount of traffic during the summer and many of the drivers not making a stop at the stop sign.

Mayor Walton requested that Chief Rochleau look into placing a four way stop at the intersection of Ash & Chelan.

Mayor Walton reported that the City was not able to spray for mosquitoes during the evening due to all the activity going on and that it had to be done in the early morning when things were quieter.  He also reported that it was against the law to spray for mosquitoes inside city limits with an airplane and that Lamb Weston was praying their ponds twice a week.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

COMMUNITY CABLE – MARTIN HOWSER

Martin Howser, owner of Community Cable was present to listen to questions regarding the cable service.

Several people discussed the channels that had problems such as no picture, snowy picture, and sound problems.

Mr. Howser advised that an amplifier had failed and was replaced and that currently they were in the process of replacing all the electronics and that they expected it be done by the fall.  In the future they would be adding additional channels as well as digital cable and internet.  There was the capability of broadcasting the council meetings on the channel that was being used by the school.       

GOLF COURSE

City Administrator Tackett introduced Ron Colley and Carol Lindner who had formed a non-profit organization and were in attendance to do a presentation on the proposed golf course.

Ron Colley discussed the budget for FY 2003 and FY 2004.  He presented the organization chart and board of directors and the project schedule.  The rough grading and course layout was scheduled to begin in October of this year.

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry reported that Familian had checked the pumps and reported that all the readings were in normal operation ranges.  A fuse had blown out of Lift Station 4.  A GE representative narrowed the problem down to a circuit board.  A new circuit board would be in on August 13th.

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Alan Schroeder reported that everything was on schedule and they were currently working on Lift Station’s 2 and 6.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay Payment No.2 from Paragon Construction Co. in the amount of $64,740.48.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the contractors were ready to start construction.  The notice to proceed should be received by next Monday.  The easement for Schedule E had not been received but that would not hold up the project.

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the curbs had gone in and that the same machine would also be doing the sidewalks.  There was work being done on the sewer extension for North Sixth but it was going slow due to the hard rock.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Payment Request No. 2 for Schedule A to ML Albright in the amount of $193,147.00.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve Payment Request No. 2 for Schedule B to ML Albright in the amount of $5,189.53.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Payment Request No. 1 for Schedule C to ML Albright in the amount of $1,721.87.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

COULEE CORRIDOR

City Administrator Tackett reported that he had been in contact with the Coulee Corridor to discuss the potential for extending the corridor to the City of Connell .  Connell would be able to provide a new museum, a railcar and park to enhance the museum and is exploring other tourist related activities.  As a member of this association Connell would receive support, financial and otherwise, and marketing, statewide and nationally.  Administrator Tackett requested approval to prepare a letter of request for consideration to the Coulee Corridor Association.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the City Administrator proceed with the request for consideration to join the Coulee Corridor.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Walton advised that he had spoken to Julie and Vinai Nuntananunsit who agreed to donate their signal if the City provided them with another pole to put their sign on.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $398,907.43.  Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

City Administrator Tackett reminded everyone of the Special Council Meeting on August 18th, at 7:00 pm at the City Hall.

MEETING RECESSED

Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at 9:18 , for approximately 15 minutes, to go into executive session to discuss legal issues.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:40 pm .