MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL , WASHINGTON

CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY , WASHINGTON

 

May 12, 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 Andy Sawyer, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett and Ron Boyer.

 

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

 

VISITORS:      Larry Seibel , Anderson Perry; Harvey Crowder, B/F Health Department; and Kathy Bingham, Graphic. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE / PRESENTATIONS / APPOINTMENTS

 

1.                  Tri-City Herald – Ground breaking for a new facility.

2.                  Mid – Columbia Library – The Library Board of Trustees is sponsoring a Friends Appreciation Event on May 20, at 6:30 PM , at the Kennewick Branch.

3.                  TRIDEC – Economic Development Advisory Board meeting May 14th.

 

4.         Harvey Crowder from B/F Health Department made a presentation on the West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes are the carriers of this disease; they infect birds, horses and people.  80% of the people infected notice no symptoms.  20% of those infected suffer headaches, body aches, fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.  Only .6% of those infected have serious symptoms which lead to death.  In 1999 there were 62 cases with 7 deaths.  In 2002 there were 4,156 cases and 284 deaths.  B/F Health Department has implemented a 3 step process for protection from this disease.  The first step being surveillance, the second step being public awareness of actions they can take to protect themselves, and the third step being the formation of a mosquito control program.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the Consent Calendar as amended,

1)         Minutes of the April 28, 2003 Regular Meeting with changes to page 2, Wastewater Facility, change 20 gallon to 20,000 gallon.

Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

             

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

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

           

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry provided Council with a memo from Jake Hallopeter.  The pump had been removed from the lift station and had been taken to the shop.  On May 1 the force main between Lift Stations No. 4 and 5 ruptured and began to leak, this was repaired on May 6.  On May 8 a 2-amp fuse in the control panel for Lift Station No. 4 failed and caused Pump No. 2 to alarm.  This ongoing issued had been brought to Apollo’s attention.  This was being investigated and hopefully would be resolved in the next couple of days.

 

Councilmember Perry inquired as to what could be done in regards to the contractor.

 

Attorney Tanner advised that the City was working through Apollo’s performance issues and would pursue damages.

 

SEWER PROJECT STATUS

Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the bid opening had taken place on May 1st at 2:00 pm .  Bids had been received from eight contractors.  The lowest bid came from Paragon Construction for the amount of $279,284.41.  Larry Seibel reported that Jake Hallopeter recommended the job be awarded to Paragon Construction.

 

Councilmember Skoglund moved to award the project to Paragon Construction. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.   Motion carried unanimously.

 

Councilmember Boyer requested letters of recommendation for Paragon Construction.

 

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Larry Seibel reported that he had received correspondence from USDA Rural Development that the City could proceed with advertisement of the project.  The plans and specifications and right of way certificates still need to be provided to the Department of Health.  The bid opening for Phase I would be June 10.  The bid opening for Phase II would be June 12.  The recommendations would be brought to Council on June 23.

 

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE

Larry Seibel reported that the bid opening had been held on May 7.  Five bids had been received.  The lowest bidder was M.L. Albright & Sons, Inc. at $601,680.13.  Larry Seibel recommended the project be awarded to M.L. Albrith & Sons, Inc.

Councilmember Martinez moved to award the project to M.L. Albright & Sons, Inc contingent upon approval from TIB.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Council requested letters of recommendation for M.L. Albright & Sons, Inc.

 

ADAMS RAILROAD CROSSING

City Administrator Tackett reported that the railroad had completed their portion of this project and that the City crew would have the City portion completed by the end of the week.

 

ORDINANCE NO 758 - WATER RATES INCREASE

City Administrator recommended a hearing date be set.

 

Councilmember Pruett moved to set a Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 758 on Water Rates Increase for June 9th.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 759 – USDA BOND

Changes had been made to the ordinance.  This item was tabled to be heard at the May 26th Regular Council Meeting.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 760 – GENERAL PENALTY

Motion: Councilmember moved to adopt Ordinance No. 760 relating to general penalties.  Councilmember seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

           

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $86,2583.75.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

CITY HALL – Deputy City Clerk Chavez

1.                  Nine participants had signed up for the Get Fit on Route 66 AWC Municipal Games.

2.                  The Fall Festival Committee had planned a Spring Fling for May 31 on North Columbia Ave.

Council gave its consensus to close N. Columbia from Adams to Borah.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  There had been a water break on Wednesday

2.                  The pump had gone out on Lift Station 4.

3.                  The pool would be opening on May 19th for lifeguard training.

4.                  Attended a risk management meeting.  Received helpful information.

5.                  Received information on federal grants and requested permission to apply for a grant of $50,000 to follow up on development for downtown main street and to apply for a grant of $100,000 for the rehab of the old sewer plant.

 

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve staff proceed with the applications for the two grants.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

6.                  The trees had been put on a watering schedule.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief Robert Koch

1.         Finishing up with emergency vehicle training.

 

CHIEF OF POLICE

1.                  Would be gone most of the following week to attend the Chief & Sheriff’s conference.

2.                  Officer Quinton was attending training class.

3.                  Driver safety course.

 

Councilmember Pruett advised that Doc Hastings would be the dedication speaker at the Mountain View Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 26th for the dedication of the Veterans Memorial.

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:05 .