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

June 28, 2004

The regular semi-monthly meeting, with a workshop session, of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by the Mayor Pro-Tem at 6:20 pm in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

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

EXCUSED:      Mayor Garland Walton

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

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

TOUR OF CITY FACILITIES

Staff and visitors went on a tour of City Facilities at 6:22 pm

MEETING RECONVENED

The regular meeting of the City of Connell was reconvened at 7:32 p.m. at the City Hall.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

Minutes of the June 14, 2004 Regular Meeting,

Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund temporarily appointed Councilmember Martinez to the Finance Committee.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

            Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Phase I –  Mr. Seibel advised that chip sealing would begin on June 29th and an overlay would be done on Elm Street .  The catch basin on the north side of the street was dug out and recompacted.  The catch basin on the south side of the street was removed along with some of the curb then recompacted with new curbing.  Patching would be done on Clark Street .

Phase II – A final inspection would be scheduled once the chip sealing was completed.

Phase III – Bid opening for the reservoir was held on June 24^th.  Recommended award go to Erwin Construction contingent on approval by Rural Development.  The other bidder filed a protest claiming that Erwin did not list subcontractors as stated in the bid document.  The City Attorney would look into the claim and a recommendation would be brought at the next council meeting.

City Administrator Tackett advised that the Urban Growth Boundary was approved by the Commissioners but that there was a ten day waiting period for approval from the State.

STREET PROJECTS - UPDATE

            Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that once the problem on Elm Street was taken care of the project would be ready for close out.

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

Larry Seibel advised that he knew of no changes currently on the Wastewater Facility project.

ENGINEERING AGREEMENT – ANDERSON PERRY

City Administrator Tackett presented an Engineering Agreement with Anderson Perry for the Terrace Heights Overlay Project.  The City had budgeted $50,000 for a TIB match, $44,000 would be used for the Overlay Project and the match would be done in 2005.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve Engineering Agreement No. W68-195 with Anderson Perry for Terrace Heights Overlay Project in the amount of $8,500.  Councilmember Boyer seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

ORDINANCE NO. 771 – WATER RATE INCREASE

            City Administrator Tackett advised that the City had to increase the water rates again this year to meet the City’s obligation with USDA and Bond Counsel.  The increase would increase overage from $.71 per 100 cubic foot to $.82 per 100 cubic foot. 

            City Administrator Tackett suggested a Commission be formed with representatives from major water consumers to review water rates on a bi yearly schedule.

Motion: Councilmember Boyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 771 increasing the water rate.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

LAND SWAP

            Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry advised that staff from Anderson Perry had spoken to Connell Grain Growers about the relocation of the drainage pond.  Test holes had been dug on the east side of the street and were looking at digging more test holes. The street would have to be cut if the pond were to be moved. 

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved not to swap land with Connell Grain Growers and to keep the drainage pond at its current location.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAYMENT OF BILLS –

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $166,491.44. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Police Chief Rick Rochleau

1)                  Had four officers attend training on youth violence and officer survival.

2)                  July 10^th & 11^th officers scheduled to go to EVOC in Ephrata

3)                  Executed search warrants and arrested two individuals on narcotics and a third individual who had a warrant out for his arrest.

4)                  Inquired if Council had received any complaints about motor scooters.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner

1)                  Roads were being worked on

2)                  The City was sprayed twice for mosquitoes the previous weeks

3)                  Getting rid of weeds

4)                  Wash off Pavillion

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  Need to set a date for the Council Goals and Objectives

2)                  Council would be touring CRCC August 23 at 5:30 pm

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm .