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

January 27, 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 Ron Boyer, Andy Sawyer, Roel Martinez, and Monica Pruett.

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

VISITORS:      Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; and Kathy Bingham, Graphic

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

Minutes of the January 13, 2003 Regular Meeting

Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Councilmember Martinez noted that on a government web page it did not list the correct information for councilmembers.

Councilmember Skoglund noted that branches had been left on the road on Franklin Street .

Mayor Walton inquired about the empty houses on East Gum that had abandoned cars.  Chief Rochleau noted that he had the titles to those cars and would be having them towed away.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Walton made the following additions to the agenda:

            Item No. 12 a. Pharmacy

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the pumps were working.  A test run had been done on Monday and the electrical problems and the seal leak problems had been solved.  The pumps had been tested individually by Apollo and it was determined that Lift Station 4 was over producing, they would see if the pump could be adjusted.

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Larry Seibel advised Council that he and City Administrator Tackett had met with the Superintendent for the School District in regards to the sewer line placement from Franklin Street to Clark Street and the future right-of-way  for North Sixth.  Additional information would be provided to the School District for their next meeting.  The existing septic tanks and drain fields had been mapped for the homes on South Fifth Avenue .  A meeting would be set up with the residents.

Discussed were the grinder pumps that were being installed and their warrantee. It was suggested the City carry an extra pump in case of an emergency.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that they were moving ahead with the design.  Work was being done on the easements for the waterlines, looking into the possibility of looping N. Third and N. Fourth.  Work was also being done on the permits for the railroad crossing.  The permit process would take between 45 and 60 days.

City Administrator Tackett reported that he had submitted more information to the bank for the interim financing.  Administrator Tackett advised that he had spoken to USDA and that the City seemed to be in pretty good shape.

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE

PHASE II – Larry Seibel reported that this project would be begin ounce school had let out for the summer and would be completed before it resumed in the fall.  The City would be meeting with the School District on February to discuss the approaches for the connection to Clark Street as well as to answer questions.

COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL

City Administrator Tackett advised that the rental agreement for the Community Center had been updated.  15% was added to the rates for non-residential rentals, Classification IV was added for the School district, churches and DOC, the rental hours for the building had changed, and a fee for the use of City equipment had been added.

 

Police Chief Rochleau requested stricter security regulations and presented Council with an addition to the rental agreement for the Community Center.

 

Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the revised rental agreement for the Community Center and to include the stricter security regulations.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PHARMACY

Public Works Director Munyan reported that he had received complaints from the employees at the pharmacy in regards to the air quality of the building.  Director Munyan agreed to contact L & I to see if they would run some test.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $183,402.89.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

           

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT – Deputy City Clerk Chavez

1.                  Year end for 2002 had been completed

2.                  Working on the final request for reimbursement for the Wastewater Facility.

 

POLICE REPORT - Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1.                  An individual had run into the fence at the bike path.

2.                  Made another arrest involving the internet.

3.                  Received approval of grants for the Halloween lights and Spike Stripes.

4.                  Sergeant Kuehny was attending training classes for defensive tactics.

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director Patrick Munyan

1.                  The sidewalks had been poured outside the Community Center and the floors had been pumped under the Keenager Room and the Meeting Room.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT  - City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  A Downtown meeting had been scheduled for February 3 at 7:00 pm to discuss updating the Comprehensive Plan and to discuss the selection of a consultant.  

 

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Garland Walton

1.         Attended a Health Board meeting where small pox vaccines had been discussed. 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.