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

August 25, 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, Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Councilmembers Monica Pruett, Andy Sawyer, and Ron Boyer.

EXCUSED:      Councilmember Roel Martinez

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

VISITORS:      Alan Schroeder and Larry Seibel , Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic; Mike Reimers, Connell Wrestlers; and Ron Bradner, Hazy’s Tavern.

CORRESPONDENCE

1)                  AWC – Received notification that the City had been granted a technology grant to be used for computers.

2)                  Canfield & Associates – Thanked Erick Mauseth for helping to conduct the survey for the fire station.  Everything was in good order and in excellent condition.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

1)                  Minutes of the August 11, 2003 Regular Meeting

2)                  Minutes of the August 18, 2003 Special Meeting

Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Walton made the following additions to the agenda:

            Item No. 8 a.  Street Dance Hazy’s Tavern

            Item No. 15 a. Pavilion Policy

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

PROPOSED SIGNAGE – STATE WRESTLING C HAMPS

Mike Reimers requested that the Wrestling team be authorized to post a sign on the Welcome to Connell sign that was located on SH 260.  The Wrestling team would pay for the sign and would also post it.  There would be enough room for other teams to post signs if they liked.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to allow Mr. Reimers place a sign for the wrestling state champs on the Welcome to Connell sign.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

HAZY’S TAVERN STREET DANCE

Ron Bradner requested that he be allowed to close the street for their annual street dance.  The area would be fenced off as in the previous years.

Motion:  Councilmember Sawyer moved to allow Hazy’s Tavern put on their annual street dance during the Fall Festival.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry reported that a fuse had blown out on Lift Station 4 and had been replaced as well as a circuit board but the pump still would not work.  H & N Electric determined that there was a problem with the pump motor and that there was a ground fault somewhere between the control panel & the pump.  Apollo was informed but had not responded.  H & N would pull the motor to have it tested. 

A meeting was scheduled for August 28th at 5:00 with city staff, Anderson Perry, H & N and City Council to discuss the results of the test and options for the pump.

Mayor Walton advised that another letter be sent to Apollo in regards to additional cost incurred.  

Alan Schroeder noted that he would contact other pump representatives for quotes.

Motion:  Councilmember Pruett moved to authorize the City hire H & N Electric.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that Clark Street sewer extension was nearly completed.  The last piece of pipe had been installed.

Alan Schroeder reported that Lift Station 2 had been tested and placed into service.  The punch list still needed to be completed.

Alan Schroeder also reported that the control panel had been installed at Lift Station 6 and that the project was on schedule. 

Staff had received concerns from the residents on Fifth Street in regards to the toilets not flushing well and would look into this problem.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Phase I - Schedule A - contractors had started mobilization and would be pushing casing under the railroad.  On Schedule B they were currently working on the tank design, these drawings would be submitted to the Department of Health for review and approval. On Schedule F Public Works staff came up with a method to provide pressure to CRCC.  The tank had been drained and was being pressure washed. Once the tank had been cleaned up it would be dehumidified.

Phase II - The waterline under Elm Street was being installed, next would be Fir Street .  This project should be substantially completed by the first of September.  The seal coating would not be done until next summer.

Phase III – Working on the design for the pressure reducing station.

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that Clark Street was open to traffic and that the traffic signs had been installed.  There was still restoration work to be done as well as cleanup.  A deliver date for the street lights had not been received. 

            Elm Street should be completed by Friday.

YOUTH ATHLETIC FIELD APPLICATION

City Administrator Tackett reported that staff had applied for a grant to build athletic fields several years ago. At the time the grant was awarded to someone else but they were now requesting that the city reapply.  City Administrator Tackett recommended that the City apply for a grant to purchase the property North of Pioneer Park and build backstops and bleachers and perhaps install a splash pool.  The grant would be for $110,000.

Public Works Director Munyan agreed that it would be nice to have the extra fields and splash pool but advised that he did not see how his staff would be able to maintain it with the loss of the inmate crew.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize staff apply for the Youth Athletic Field grant.  Councilmember Boyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

WATER RIGHTS CONVERSION

City Administrator Tackett requested that staff proceed with the transfer of water rights from agricultural to municipal.  The City would hire Tim Reierson who had originally worked with the City when the City purchased the water rights and wells.   

Converting water rights was a very complicated issue and the city did not want to lose any water rights in the transfer or infringe on the water rights of those farming the land. It would take over six months for the transfer to be complete.        

Motion:  Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize the City hire Tim Reierson to apply for the water rights transfer.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

FOUR WAY STOP

Chief Rochleau reported that Chelan & Ash was a good place for a four-way stop.  The other place Council may wish to consider would be at Fir Street.

Motion:  Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize stop signs placed on Chelan & Ash.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAVILLION POLICY

Mayor Walton advised that there had been a conflict over the Pavillion during the weekend.  Normally people who whish to use the Pavillion call and place their name on the calendar so that others know it would be occupied.  There is no fee and the users are told that is on a first-come first-use basis. 

City Administrator Tackett advised that staff had contacted other cities in regards to their policies.  Some cities charged a reservation fee while others charged a deposit that was then returned. 

Council requested staff prepare a policy that included a charge for use of the Pavillion and bring it forth at the next council meeting.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $151,822.19.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  The Park & Rec  Board would be going through the Comp Plan. 

2)                  There would be a Downtown Development meeting August 28th.

3)                  Finance Committee meeting September 4th at 7:00 am .

4)                  Had spoken to Doug Bruce about Lamb Weston.  The Department of revenue had mistakenly sent the city’s tax money to the wrong city.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1)                  Had several domestic calls

2)                  Officer Reed was attending an EVOC Instructors class

3)                  School would be starting on August 26th.

4)                  Fall Festival would be September 12-14.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director Pat Munyan

1)                  Reservoir was emptied.  The water system was running with pressure relieve valves being operated by staff 24 hours a day.

2)                  Received a letter in regards to concern with power outage.  At this time with the reservoir empty if there were to be a power outage the city would have no reserve water.  Recommended Council think about the purchase or rental of a generator for backup power.  Councilmember Boyer suggested staff talk to Lamb Weston to see if they would be interested in helping out.

3)                  Started the hydrogen sulfite tank at Lift Station 4.  Would only need to be filled once a year.

4)                  Sent a letter to Mr. Byng who had been cleaning up his lot.

5)                  Advised that Council may want to look at installing a transfer station so that people don’t dump trash on empty lots.  Would get back to Council with a cost estimate.

6)                  Had a water break at Striker.

7)                  The crew was cleaning up the streets and parks for Fall Festival.

8)                  Would be patching the hole on Adams Street .

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:12 pm .