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

  March 22, 2004

  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 pm in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

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

EXCUSED:      Mayor Gary Walton

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Public Works Director Pat Munyan , Police Chief Rick Rochleau, and Deputy Clerk Maria ChavezPeña

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

CORRESPONDENCE

1) Dept of Natural Resources – In regards to addendum and adoption of existing environmental document for Kittitas and Yakima Counties .

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

Minutes of the March 8, 2004 Regular Meeting.

Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

            Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Phase I –  Morse Construction would be in on March 23 to sandblast and paint the water tank.

Phase II – Presented a change order for the overrun in estimated rock excavation.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Change Order request from Pegram Construction in the amount of $67,367.00.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

Phase III – Would be meeting on March 26th with WASH DOT to discuss the crossing.  The prices for steal had increased dramatically which would be an impact on the project if not allowed to work in the median.

STREET PROJECTS - UPDATE

            Clark Street Rail Crossing: Larry Seibel of Anderson Perry reported that the Environmental Application would be submitted in a couple of days with justifications for the City to not have to complete a biological assessment and that he hoped to get an answer from them in about three weeks.   

WASTEWATER FACILITY  

City Administrator Tackett reported that staff was waiting to hear a response in regards to the warranty on the pumps.

Public Works Director Munyan advised that he and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Valdez had been spending a great deal of time at the Plant learning procedures creating spreadsheets and control methods for the many test that had to be done on a daily basis.  Hoped to get a credited lab at the wastewater facility within the next year.

Mr. Munyan reported that the chlorination machine was down and Cloretex would be on site March 23 to fix the problem.  The City can not discharge water without chlorine.

CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE

            City Administrator Tackett noted that the cable service seemed to be improving and that he would stay on top of it.

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS (TIP) 2004

            City Administrator Tackett advised that it was time again to set up a Street Committee meeting to review the projects listed and make additions.

            A Street Committee meeting was set for March 25th at 4:00 pm .

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund temporarily appointed Councilmember Martinez to the Finance Committee to review vouchers and payroll.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the payroll and bills in the amount of $110,046.46.  Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

PLANNING COMMISSION – City Administrator Art Tackett

The Planning Commission would be forwarding a recommendation to the City Council in regards to public hearings held on amending the Flood Plan Ordinance and adopting an update to the Comprehensive Plan.

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS – Councilmember Roel Martinez

The City of Richland would be applying for a $24 million grant from TIP for a museum.  Would like to have staff look into the possibility of using this source to fund a corridor to connect the north and south areas on the west end of town for emergency vehicles.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director Pat Munyan

1)  Burned the Coulee up to Clark Street the rest would be done by hand

2) Had been out street sweeping

3)  Met with head of mosquito control and discussed the possibility of leasing or selling the pickup and sprayer.  The insurance company did not agree with leasing the vehicle due to liability issues. This item would be placed on the next Council Meeting for discussion.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Police Chief Rick Rochleau

1) Would be having training on evidence collection

2) Held the FATS training, planned on making this a yearly event and possibly having a driving simulator in the future

3) Car prowls and thefts tapered off

4) Had several sex crimes and domestic violence cases

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1) Submitted the application to change the farms water rights to municipal from agricultural.  This would save the City $30,000 a year once the bonds have been changed.

2)  DNR had completed their appraisal but the property would still need to be appraised by a third party.

3) A representative from IAC was in town and toured the City parks and fields.

4) Would be setting up a goal workshop for Council where Council would also be touring the Wastewater Facility.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem Skoglund adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm .