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

April 11, 2005

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, Monica Pruett, and Ron Boyer.

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Police Chief Rick Rochleau, City Attorney Terry Tanner, and Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña.

VISITORS:      Alan Schroeder, Anderson Perry; Jim & Dolores Riddell, Golf Course; Jeff Arlington; Jim & Sandy Rodstol; Lynne Miller, Tri-City Herald; Curt Giles; and Kathy Bingham, Graphic.

CORRESPONDENCE

1)                  HAAP – Hispanic Academic Achievement Program Would be having its annual ceremony on May 6th at the TRAC.

2)                  WA State Liquor Control Board – Liquor license renewal for Round-Up Tavern

3)                  WA State Liquor Control Board – Liquor license Town & Country Lanes.

PRESENTATION & APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Walton presented a certificate for Bob Misener for his dedication and service to the Park Board.

Mayor Walton made the following appointments.

1)                  Andy Sawyer II – Park Board

2)                  Darrell Ferguson – Planning Commission

CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion: Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the Consent Calendar as with the following correction:

a)      Page 2 of the Minutes of the March 28th  Regular meeting, Phase III Reservoir, motion corrected to: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve payment of $55,950.80 to Picatti …

Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT

Curt Giles, owner of Circle S. Company, advised council that he was looking for land to build houses on.  Mr. Giles, who had been building homes since 1975, presented layouts of homes and stated that he was looking at placing 10 homes in this. 

Council directed Mr. Giles to Jeff Arlington, a local real estate agent who was in the audience.   

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Walton made the following addition to the agenda;

            Agenda Item No. 15 a. Apollo Settlement Agreement, and

Agenda Item No. 10 a Contract Issue – Executive session                  

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

PUBLIC HEARING – RODSTOL ANNEXATION

Mayor Walton closed the regular meeting at 7:43 pm and open up the Public Hearing to discuss annexation of Rodstol Property.

City Administrator Tackett advised that no negative comments had been received in regards to this annexation.

The hearing was opened up for public comments, no comments were heard.

The hearing was opened up for comments from Council, no comments were heard.

Mayor Walton closed the public hearing at 7:44 pm and opened up the Regular Meeting. 

ORDINANCE 780 – RODSTOL ANNEXATION

            Mayor Walton read the title of Ordinance 780 annexing property to the City.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to adopt Ordinance 780 annexing property to the City. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Alan Schroeder from Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Phase III Reservoir – Project was basically completed.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Partial Pay Estimate No. 6 in the amount of $8,624.25 to Erwin Construction.  Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Schedules G & H – The well houses and panels were running.  Well # 9 was running on temporary power, still waiting for the motor control center. Alan also advised that the contract had expired.

Motion:  Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Partial Pay Estimate No. 5 to Cargile in the amount of $140,901.69. Councilmember Sawyer seconded, motion carried unanimously.

            Alan advised that there was about $30,000 left in the grant and Council would need to decide how they wanted to spend the remainder of the money. 

SKATE PARK

City Administrator Tackett advised that the general opinion in regards to moving the Skate Park to Columbia Ave was that the strip of land was to narrow.

Mayor Walton suggested the Skate Park be placed on the property owned by the City on the north side of Borah. 

REQUEST FOR ROAD

City Administrator Tackett advised that Roger Baile, who owned property north of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, had approached him in regards to the road that lead out to his property. Mr. Baile would pay for the gravel if the City would be willing to do the work.  The City had culverts that could be used for this road.

Council consensus was for City Administrator Tackett to nail out an agreement with Mr. Baile and bring it back to the next meeting.

MEETING RECESSED

Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at 7:59 to go into Executive Session to discuss, real estate and contract issues for approximately 15 minutes.

At 8:15 Mayor Walton advised that the Executive Session would run until 8:25 .

MEETING RECONVENED

Mayor Walton reconvened the regular meeting at 8:26 and the following was heard:

WATER PLAN AUTHORIZATION

            City Administrator Tackett advised that about a year ago the City had received a letter from the Department of Health in regards to upgrading the water plan.   The City requested an extension until enhancements to facilities were completed. An extension was granted through December of 2005.

City Administrator Tackett requested that he be authorized to submit an application to the Public Works Trust Fund for a $28,000 no interest loan.  The first payment would be due one year after completion of the plan, the loan would be paid off within five years.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to authorize staff apply to Public Works Trust Fund for a $28,000 loan and to have the Mayor sign so that staff could proceed with the water plan.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

LAND SALE APPROVAL

            City Administrator Tackett advised that staff and attorney reviewed the contract for the sale of the farm. 

Mayor Walton advised that the wells, water rights, reservoirs, and easements would be retained by the City. 

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the sell of the farm land, approximately 1200 acres, to Jim Riddell in the amount of $2,021,000 and to authorize Mayor Walton to sign the contract.  Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

CHIEF OF POLICE CONTRACT

Mayor Walton noted that some wording had been changed in the contract since its last approval.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve the Chief of Police Contract.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

APOLLO SETTLEMENT

            Tanner advised that the settlement amount was for $57, 529.29.  There would also be a five year warranty on the pump.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve the settlement agreement with Apollo and to have the Mayor sign.  Councilmember Boyer seconded, motion carried unanimously.  

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $267,667.06. Councilmember Pruett seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE / DEPARTMENT REPORTS

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  Working on selling the DNR land.

2)                  May have more participation from visitors at Council Meetings.

3)                  The City may want to form a sub group to look through ordinances.

4)                  May be receiving a request to rezone or replat the Country Estates.

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Garland Walton

1)                  Requested total steps walked for each member.

Councilmember Pruett advised that the old Lions Club had been painted by the Chamber.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:52 pm .