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

  May 27, 2003

  The regular semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

  ROLL CALL

PRESENT:       Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Councilmembers Andy Sawyer, Roel Martinez, Monica Pruett and Mayor Gary Walton.

EXCUSED:      Councilmember Ron Boyer.

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner , and Deputy City Clerk Maria Chavez .

VISITORS:      Alan Shcroeder , Anderson Perry;

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

1)         Minutes of the May 12, 2003 Regular Meeting

Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

CONTRACT NAME CHANGE  - A MBER FIELDS
City Administrator Tackett reported that Neil Smick of Amber Fields had requested that the name on his contract be changed to NSINC. He would be changing the property to CRP land except for the portion underneath the circle, approximately 90 acres. This would be a 10 year contract.

Council requested that a clause be included in the contract that the City had the option to buyout any land needed for industrial development.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to allow the name change to NSINC and to approve the changeover of the land to CRP.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

WASTEWATER FACILITY  
Alan Schroeder reported that there were two issues regarding Schedule A.  The first was an increasing frequency of fuse failures on Well #4.  Apollo had found a short in a control wire and was able to fix the problem.  The second issue was the pump from Lift Station 5.  A response was expected from the contractor by the end of the following week. On Schedule B the issue was trying to gage what to plant and when.

It was requested that the water line to the trees be placed as soon as possible as it appeared that some of the trees had died.

SEWER PROJECT STATUS
Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry provided Council with an anticipated schedule for several of the City’s projects including the Sewer Project.  Mr. Schroeder reported that a preconstruction meeting had been held and that the contractor would move their equipment in sometime between June 2 and June 9.  They would work on the alley sewer and the residential pump stations first then Lift Station 2 and last would be Lift Station 3.  Mr. Schroeder also went over Anderson Perry staff and their roles involving the project.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Alan Schroeder reported that Phase I would go out to bid on June 10th and that Phase II would go out to bid on June 12th. A pre bid tour would be held on May 29th.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to authorize the Mayor sign the Letter of Commitment for interim financing with Bank of America.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

City Administrator noted that included in the bills for payment was a voucher to BNSF in the amount of $3,500 for insurance.

 

TIB – CLARK STREET – PROJECT UPDATE
Alan Schroeder reported that there would be a preconstruction meeting on May 30 for Phase II.  The agreement and notice to proceed had been received. Construction would begin on June 9th.

Councilmember Pruett voiced a concern for the need of an alternate route during construction if there was a delay in access due to a train stopped at  the crossings.

City Administrator Tackett noted that a grant was received from Franklin County for the Elm Street overlay.

ORDINANCE NO. 759 – USDA BOND
City Administrator Tackett reported that he had received the latest draft for the USDA Bond ordinance and proceeded to read the sections that had been deleted from the ordinance. 

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to adopt Ordinance No. 759 as presented.  Councilmember Martinez seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

ORDINANCE NO. 761 – SANITATION RATE INCREASE
City Administrator Tackett reported that staff had received the new sanitation rates from BDI and had prepared Ordinance 761 to reflect the increase. 

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to adopt Ordinance No. 761 relating to garbage and refuse collection rates. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

CRCC – INMATE CONTRACT
Mayor Walton advised that the contract had not changed from the previous year.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to authorize the Mayor sign the inmate contract with Coyote Ridge Corrections Center for Offender Work Crews.  Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAYMENT OF BILLS –
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $128,253.62.  Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CITY GOVERNMENT – Councilmember Roel Martinez

1.                  It was discussed that Connell would be receiving approximately $6 million on railroad improvements over the next few years.

 

GOLF COURSE - City Administrator Tackett

1.         The committee was looking at forming a non-profit corporation.

 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT – Mayor Garland Walton

1.                  Five dead birds had been sent to be tested for the West Nile Virus and two more were being sent in.

2.                  Rattlesnakes seemed to be creating a problem this year.

 

CITY HALL – Deputy City Clerk Chavez

1.                  The final payment reimbursement request had been submitted to TIB for Phase I of Clark Street .

2.                  The Custom Cruisers would be holding a car show during the Spring Fling.

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

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner

1.                  PW Director Munyan was doing well.

2.                  The gutters on main street had been cleaned.

3.                  Would be doing some crack sealing.

4.                  Lift Station 4 was running smoothly.

5.                  The swimming pool was scheduled to open on June 11th.

6.                  The Skate Park had been vandalized again.  Looking at installing more lights.

7.                  Adams Street was completed.

 

Councilmember requested someone look into the pile of tree branches on the end of 4th Street .

 

Mayor Walton requested that the city yard be cleaned up.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - City Administrator Art Tackett

1.                  Would be attending the AWC meeting in Spokane June 18-20th

2.                  Would be attending a meeting in La Grand on June 4th in regards to economic development.

3.                  Received correspondence to support House Bill 2282 relating to backfill for losses from the elimination of the motor vehicle excise tax.

4.                  Would be taking vacation the first week of June.

5.                  Received a complaint in regards to the overgrown grass on the property adjacent to the museum.

6.                  An overlay would need to be done on Brentwood .

 

CHIEF OF POLICE – Chief Rick Rochleau

1.                  Would be attending a class for Patrol Rifle Instructor.

2.                  The air conditioner had gone out in the Police Department.

3.                  Arrested 2 adults and a juvenile in regards to a burglary case.

4.                  Attended WASPIC – discussed homeland security.

5.                  Officer Quinton had attended a class on accident investigations.

6.                  Officer Reed would be attending a class on crime scene photography.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:13 pm .