MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL , WASHINGTON

CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY , WASHINGTON

 

February 24, 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, Roel Martinez, Andy Sawyer, and Ron Boyer.

 

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Chief of Police Rick Rochleau , Fire Chief Robert Koch, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez.

 

VISITORS:      John White, resident; Winston and Louise Byng, Connell Recycling and Storage; Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; and Kathy Bingham, Graphic

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.                  AWC – Emergency Management Workshop for local officials March 21st.

 

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

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

Minutes of the February 10, 2003 Regular Meeting

Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZEN COMMENT/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

 

John White inquired about the proposed ballot for mosquito control.

City Administrator Tackett explained that the county wide district would include spraying inside the city of Connell .  This project would be started this spring.  Money would be barrowed from the County General Fund for this year and would be paid back next year once the fund was established.

 

Also discussed were the semi-trucks driving through Elm Street .

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

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

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

           

CONNELL PHARMACY – SIGNS

Mary Hall requested that Council approve the replacement of the signs for the pharmacy and provided drawings of the proposed signs.  Ms. Hall also inquired about the odor problem but would have to speak to Public Works Director Munyan.

 

 Council gave its consensus to allow Ms. Hall to replace the signs for the pharmacy.

           

CONNELL RECYCLING – WINSTON BYNG

Mr. Byng advised council that his lease for his recycling center had gone up again and that due to this the plans to improve the outside appearance of the business had been put on hold.  Mr. Byng requested assistance to help him apply for grants to purchase the land and expressed his interest in working with the City possibly to lease a portion of that land for City use. Mr. Byng also requested the removal of the Basin Disposal Inc. recycling bins due to these being in direct conflict and competition with his business.

 

City Administrator Tackett advised that he would look into grants for Mr. Byng.

 

Councilmember Pruett noted that the money the Chamber received from BDI for the recycling bins was donated to sponsor the fireworks display.

 

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

City Administrator Tackett reported that he had received correspondence from Alan Schroeder in regards to the walkthrough at the wastewater facility and advised that Jake Hollopeter and Ron Romanik were pleased with the operation.  It appeared that the stations were now meeting design criteria.  Some follow-up electrical paperwork was still needed.  The switchover would occur by the end of following week.

 

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Mayor Walton noted that staff had met with the residents in regards to the grinder pumps and had a satisfactory meeting.  A two year warrantee for the pumps was discussed as well as having an extra pump on hand as a backup.

 

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

City Administrator Tackett reported that this project was moving ahead and would be going out to bid soon.

 

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE

City Administrator Tackett reported that this project was moving ahead.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 754 – SANITATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

City Administrator Tackett advised that the fee for penalties had been included in the ordinance.

 

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Ordinance No. 754 relating to sanitation.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $162,459.61.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mayor Walton requested that the electricity bill for the museum be looked into since it had gone up quite a bit.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

COMMITTEE REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  There would be a Downtown Committee meeting on March 3, 2003 at 7:00 pm .

 

FIRE CHIEF – Fire Chief Robert Koch

1.                  Responded to a chimney fire.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE – Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez

1.                  The City would not be audited this year

2.                  Had taken on the hopeless outstanding & joyful task of cleaning up the City Administrator’s office.

3.                  Advised that staff had received information for the AWC wellness games and requested that the City help pay for the $10 enrollment fee for employees.

 

Council gave its consensus to have the City pay the $10 enrollment fee for AWC’s wellness games for City employees.

POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1.                  Things had been quiet.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  Would be meeting with the school board to discuss sewer line and easements.
2.                  Looking into different health insurance options.

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Garland Walton

1.                      1.    Met with the owners of the Grange Hall discussed a possible girls and boys center.
2.                  Disappointed with AWC’s proposal on the equalization process.          

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.