MEETING
OF THE CITY OF
CONNELL,
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of the City of
PRESENT: Councilmembers Andy Sawyer, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer and
Mayor Gary Walton.
EXCUSED: Mayor
Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund
STAFF: Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Supervisor
VISITORS: Alan
Shcroeder, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Graphic.
Motion:
Councilmember Martinez moved to
approve the Consent Calendar as listed,
1)
Minutes of the
Councilmember
Sawyer seconded motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
Motion:
Councilmember Sawyer moved to
approve the agenda as listed. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING – WATER RATE INCREASE
Mayor
Walton opened the public hearing on Water Rates Increase at
Mayor
Walton reported that due to a number of factors such as rate increases for
electricity, operation and maintenance, and employee benefits the City was faced
with increasing water rates which had not been increased since 1998.
There
were no comments from the audience.
Councilmember
questioned the increased rates for employee benefits.
Mayor
Walton requested that the City look into rates again in July of 2004.
There
being no further comments the Mayor closed the public hearing at
ORDINANCE
NO. 758 – WATER RATE INCREASE
Mayor
Walton advised that this ordinance met the sate requirements for water
conservation.
Motion:
Councilmember Sawyer moved to adopt Ordinance No. 758 relating to water rates.
Councilmember Boyer seconded motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
WASTEWATER
FACILITY
Alan
Schroeder reported that the test results had been received for Pump 5 which
indicated that it had failed seals and a pinched sensor.
There was also wear noted on the pump.
Apollo recognized that it was a warranty issue and had authorized repair.
It had been requested that all the other pumps be investigated, Anderson
Perry was awaiting a response from Apollo.
Alan
also noted that work was being done on awarding the bid for the water line to
the trees.
SEWER
PROJECT STATUS
Alan
Schroeder of Anderson Perry advised that he had received the Notice to Proceed
for the Mayor’s signature. A walk
through had been scheduled for the area where the grinder pumps would be
installed. The contractor had
planned on moving in on Wednesday.
It
had been brought to city staff’s attention that Desmarais shop had not been
scheduled to receive a grinder pump but was also located in the wellhead
protection area.
Council
gave its consensus to install a grinder pump on Desmarais property if necessary.
Motion:
Councilmember Pruett moved to
authorize the Mayor sign the Notice to Proceed Agreement with Paragon
Construction. Councilmember Martinez
seconded motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
USDA
– WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Alan
Schroeder reported that there would be a bid opening on
June
10th.
The permit for crossing the coulee had been received, the next step was
to receive the BNSF permit to file the right-of-way certificate with rural
development. Once this had been
received the project could be awarded.
TIB
–
Alan
Schroeder provided Council and staff with an updated anticipated
schedule for the project. Mr.
Schroeder advised that the potential of a train blocking both crossings had been
looked into and that an emergency route would be coordinated with the school.
The contractor would be moving in on Wednesday.
NORTHWEST AREA FOUNDATION – APPLICATION AUTHORIZATION
Councilmember
Pruett discussed a new program from the Northwest Area Foundation called
“Horizons Community Leadership Program”.
This comprehensive community based leadership program aims to reduce
poverty in small rural communities in several
states. The city had been approached
by Boardman and Heppner about participating with them in this program since it
was designed to work with clusters of three communities.
Motion: Councilmember
Boyer moved to authorize the City Administrator to proceed with the application
for the program and for the Mayor to sign the application.
Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE 759- USDA BOND – CORRECTION
Deputy Clerk Chavez reported that the items noted at the last council
meeting as being deleted should have been inserted.
Motion:
Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Ordinance No. 759 with the correction of
the changes being added to the ordinance. Councilmember
Martinez seconded motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the payroll and bills
in
the amount of $63,564.24. Councilmember
Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC
WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Supervisor
1.
Would look into the graffiti on the
poles in the pavilion.
2.
Public Works Director would be back
to work on June 10th.
3.
Two new lights had been installed
at
Councilmember
Boyer inquired as to city codes in regards to vacant lots that had overgrown
dried out grass.
CITY
HALL – Deputy City Clerk Chavez
1.
Staff had completed the AWC
Wellness games. The girls had done
very well while the guys did not do quite as well.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1.
Graduation weekend had gone well.
2.
Attended a training class on
rifles.
3.
Officer Reed had attended a class
on crime scene photography.
4.
Officer Boyer had attended a class
on crime scene investigation.
5.
The fire arms simulator would be
here on Thursday.
Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at
There
being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton
adjourned the meeting at