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

August 9, 2004

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

ROLL CALL

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

EXCUSED:      Councilmember Pruett

STAFF:            Police Chief Rick Rochleau, Public Works Director Pat Munyan , and Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña.

VISITORS:      Ross & Melissa Bushong, Fast & the Past; Dana Herron, Connell Grain Growers; Ron Colley, Roger Bailie, Mardi Krigbaum, Philip Krigbaum, Rawline Mann, Val Bitton, Lee Hall, Joyce Hall, and Brad Bailie, Golf Course; Larry Seibel, Anderson Perry; and Kathy Bingham, Graphic.

PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Walton presented Yard of The Month to the following; David & Melissa Dixon, Rick & Cristy Kent, Cliff & Ruth Perkins, S. Keohuangpraseuth and Michael Jay’s.

CORRESPONDENCE

1)                  WA State Liquor Control Board – Liquor license renewal for Town & Country Lanes.  No objections were heard.

2)                  Dept of Corrections – Would be providing a tour on August 23 at 5:30 for Council and public.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

Minutes of the July 26, 2004 Regular Meeting,

Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Ross Bushong advised that the Museum held an ice-cream social with approximately 25 in attendance and noted that no one from City Council or Chamber had attended.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

CONNELL GRAIN GROWERS – LAND SWAP

Dana Herron from Connell Grain Growers provided Council correspondence from Anderson Perry regarding the relocation of the drainage pond.  Two sites had been tested for suitability and both revealed the presence of clean black sand below five feet.  This was the same sand found at the existing site. The next step would be to have estimates prepared for design drawings and construction.

  Councilmember Boyer moved to approve Connell Grain Growers proceed with the feasibility study at their own expense.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

GOLF COURSE COMMITTEE

Roger Bailie provided Council with a break out of expenditures to date and advised of the project completed on the Golf Course Project.  Not to much more could be done until water was available to the site.  Many inquiries had been made in regards to lots for housing.  Housing was an issue in Connell as seen by twenty seven new teachers that had been hired, many of which were unable to find housing.  Mr. Bailie also discussed his involvement with the expansion of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and the potential for economic development in Connell.

Ron Colley advised that they would like to get the first and second hole completed to generate interest in the project. 

FAST AND THE PAST

Ross Bushong advised that currently there were 23 pre-registrants for the car show.  He and his wife Melissa Bushong had attended various car shows and had handed out flyers. They canvassed businesses in Connell and Tri-Cities for goodie bags and trophies. Clear Channel Radio had been contacted and they would be advertising the Fall Festival. Mr. Bushong inquired about getting lapel pins and city brochures for the registrants. He would meet with Chief of Police Rochleau at a later date to go over the schedule for street closure for the slow cruise.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

            Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Phase I –  Received the clearance from Dept of Revenue to pay the retainage and close out the project.  Would present last Payment Request for retainage at next Council Meeting.

Phase II – The punch list items had been completed.

Phase III –  Bid Award documents had been received for the Reservoir.  There would be a pre-bid tour on August 17 at 9:00 am for Schedules G & H.  The bid opening would be held on September 7.

The Water Rights Transfer request had been approved by the Franklin County Conservancy Board and was forwarded to Department of Ecology.  

Mayor Walton advised that the City had received the audit documents from the State Auditors office and that everything, including the USDA project, looked good.  

STREET PROJECTS - UPDATE

            Clark Street Project - Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that he was waiting for the necessary paperwork to close out Schedule A and C of the Clark Street project.

Street Improvement Project - The bid opening for the street projects would be held on August 17 at 2:00 pm , for Terrace Heights and chi psealing.

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

Mayor Walton temporarily appointed Councilmember Roel Martinez to the Finance Committee.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $102,109.98. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CITY HALL REPORT – Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña

1)                  City brochures were completed but due to lack of funding had not been printed. 

2)                  Inquired about welcome baskets for new residents and businesses.

3)                  Appreciation BBQ would be on August 30 at 6:00 pm for Council, staff, and families.

4)                  Blood pressure checks were being done at the Connell Pharmacy for those who wished to participate.

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Gary Walton

1)                  There would be a BBQ for Fire District’s, Hospital District, and Police Department members on August 21 at 5:00 at Pioneer Park .

2)                  Advised Public Works Director of graffiti at slide in Pioneer Park and at the Skateboard Park .

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Police Chief Rick Rochleau

1)                  Night out at Pioneer Park approximately 150 people, went very well.

2)                  Was investigating six vehicle prowls.

Councilmember Martinez inquired about better traffic control during an emergency situation such as a fire.  During the fire at the CPE traffic made it difficult for the firemen to do their job.  This item would be brought up for discussion at the next firemen’s meeting.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director Patrick Munyan

1)                  The train car was cleaned up and would be painted.

2)                  The roof at Well 1 had been completed.

3)                  School lights were being installed at Clark Street .

4)                  Weeds were being taken care of.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:53 pm .