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

August 8, 2005

The regular semi-monthly meeting, of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by the Mayor at 7:00 pm in the City Hall and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:       Mayor Gary Walton, Councilmembers Roel Martinez , Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer and Andy Sawyer.

EXCUSED:      Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund

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

VISITORS:      Alan Schroeder, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic ; and Jim Riddell.

WORKSHOP

City Administrator Tackett provided background information in regards to water, sewer, park and street project upgrades that had taken place in the last few years. Administrator Tackett also briefly went over the Energy Park Project.

Council requested that the city staff apply for the CDBG Block Grant to upgrade water and sewer in the Sportsman & Klindworth additions.

The next workshop meeting was set for August 22 at 7:00 pm .

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

a)      Minutes of the July 25, 2005 Regular Meeting,

Councilmembers Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZEN COMMENT

Jim Riddell presented the proposed layout for the Tullamoor project.  This project would include 2,400 homes, two 18 hole courses, and an upscale RV park with a par 2 golf course.

Mr. Riddell discussed three major issues that needed to be worked out for this project; sewer, water for residential use, and water for the golf courses. Three options were discussed for the sewer.  Mr. Riddell noted that the first phase would need to be up and running by May of 2006.

City Administrator Tackett recommended city staff meet with Mr. Riddell and Alan Schroeder to discuss the sewer issue.

Councilmember Boyer noted that the curb in front of Val Bitton’s house needed to be repaired.

Public Works Supervisor Turner commented that they had been waiting to combine that job with another due to the cost of gravel but that would be done this year.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

CONCERNED CITIZEN PRESENTATION

            This item was tabled as the concerned citizen was not in attendance.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry advised that Cargile Construction would be in town next week to finish up their contract and do a final inspection on Schedules G & H.  Franklin County was ready to do their work for about $15,000 as budgeted.  A small works roster would be coming out soon.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-03 – 75,000 GALLON RESERVOIR

            Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry advised that Mr. Troendle of USDA  had informed staff that a resolution was not necessary as the project had already been approved. 

CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE

Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner provided Council with correspondence received from Mr. Lugo in regards to his property on E. Clark.  Mr. Lugo had repaired some or all of the items that had been requested. Staff had contacted the City Attorney in regards to this issue. 

City Attorney Tanner commented that if all the items were completed no further action would be taken.

RESCIND ORDINANCE NO. 780 – RODSTOL ANNEXATION

            City Administrator Tackett reported that the City had annexed property belonging to Mr. Rodstol and when it was submitted to Office of Financial Management it was rejected. The City would like to annex SR 260 from the south eastern city limits to the eastern city limits of the farm.

Attorney Tanner noted that since the Rodstol property was not contiguous to the existing city limits it could not be annexed. By annexing SR 260 it would make the City contiguous with the farm and therefore the City would be able to annex the property.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to rescind Ordinance No. 780 annexing Rodstol property.   Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAYMENT OF BILLS           

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $69,123.49. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE / DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CITY HALL DEPARTMENT – Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña

1)                  The Wellness BBQ was set for August 25th at 5:00 pm .

2)                  A representative from L & I would be in to do a presentation on Ergonomics.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1)                  Held training on NIMS

2)                  Officer Boyer attended training on tazers.

3)                  Would be advertising for testing for a new officer.

4)                  Officer Arteaga still in the Academy doing good.

5)                  Officer Boyer made an arrest on the graffiti case.

PUBLIC WORKS – Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner

1)                  Street lines would be painted on Monday.

2)                  Had an extra crew out working on weeds.

3)                  Had two sewer line breaks and provided pictures.

Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry brought in handouts and the cracked bell joint.  Mr. Schroeder explained to Council that there had been four identical breaks in the sewer lines.  The area of concern was in the first 4,000 feet of pipe. It appeared that the joints were not installed correctly.  Mr. Schroeder advised that he requested the bills for repair be sent to him as a good faith gesture to the City.  He would also be contacting Apollo in regards to the breaks.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  Due to prison expansion, potential development, and other things going on  a request to increase the engineering budget would be brought forward at a future date.

2)                  Provided Council with Coulee Corridor booklets. 

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 8:58 pm .