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

July 25, 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 , Monica Pruett, Ron Boyer and Andy Sawyer.

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; Pat Iribbaren; John Scheer, Emergency Management; Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic .

CORRESPONDENCE/ APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Walton appointed Richard Sackman to the Civil Service.

Received correspondence from the WA Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs Association that the crime report was available for download off the internet.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

a)      Minutes of the July 11, 2005 Regular Meeting,

Councilmembers Sawyer & Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Walton made the following changes to the Agenda:

            Addition of 13 a) Property Purchase for IAC Pioneer Park Grant                      

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

MEETING RECESSED

Mayor Walton recessed the Regular Meeting at 7:35 pm for approximately 10 minutes to tour the Mobile Command Center . The Center was purchased by Franklin County through Homeland Security grant funds. Franklin County was the first in our region to purchase this type of unit.

MEETING RECONVENED

Mayor Walton reconvened the Regular Meeting at 7:48 pm and the following was heard before the Council.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-02 - NIMS

John Scheer of Emergency Management discussed Resolution No. 2005-02 , a resolution implementing the Nation Incident Management System (NIMS) and advised that in order to receive FY 2006 preparedness funding, applicants would need to meet NIMS requirements such as the passage of Resolution No. 2005-02.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to adopt Resolution No. 2005-02 implementing the National Incident Management System. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.

USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry advised that clearances had been received from Department of Revenue and Labor & Industries for release of retainage for the 75,000 gallon Reservoir project.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve Partial Pay Estimate No. 7 Release of Retainage in the amount of $12,530.03 to Erwin Construction.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Alan Schroeder reported that Schedules G & H were still open and provided Council with proposed additional work items in the amount of approximately $3,900 and a project punch list. A change order would be submitted at a future meeting.

IRIBARREN SHORT PLAT

City Administrator Tackett presented the short plat submitted by Pat Iribarren and advised that generally it was reviewed and signed by the Mayor without review by the Council but however there was a street dedication on this short plat.

Mayor Walton advised that when the lot was originally divided between Desmarais and Reeve that there had been a verbal agreement that if the lots were redivided that curbs and streets would have to be finished.

City Administrator Tackett noted that he was not aware of that agreement and that there were three options available, to approve the plat, to approve with conditions, or to deny the plat.

Pat Iribarren commented that had he know he would have to install curbs and gutters he would not have proceeded with the short plat.

Attorney Tanner advised that the Short Plat subdivision stated that the design of the short plat shall conform with CMC 16.16 which discussed curb requirements.

Mayor Walton noted that he would check into with staff why Mr. Iribarren had not been made aware of the requirements.

Mayor Walton approved the Iribarren short plat with the condition that at the time of construction curbs and gutters had to be put in.

PURCHASE OF FITNESS CENTER

City Administrator advised he had been approached regarding the purchase of the fitness center.

Consensus of the Council was to not purchase the fitness center.

TEMPORARY SALARY INCREASE

            Chief of Police Rochleau requested a temporary increase in Sergeant’s pay of 5% for Sergeant Kuehny.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve a temporary 5% increase to Sergeant Kuehny.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE

            Public Works Supervisor Turner provided Council with a copy of a notice to Armando Lugo, owner of the duplex at 144-148 E. Clark.  This duplex was in violation of several building codes.  Attorney Tanner had reviewed the notice.

            Consensus of the Council was to authorize Public Works Supervisor Turner proceed with the enforcement of the violation of building codes.

PROPERTY PURCHASE FOR IAC PARK GRANT

City Administrator Tackett provided Council with a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the property owned by Mr. Bennett north of Pioneer Park .  When the application had been submitted an agreement had been made with Mr. Bennett to purchase that property for $40,000.  The appraisal came back and covered the $40,000.

Motion: Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the Purchase and Sale Agreement with William T. Bennett.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAYMENT OF BILLS           

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $304,095.09. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE / DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney  Terry Tanner

1)                  Reminded Council that those who whished to run again for Term of Office would need to file by July 29th.

2)                  The City had lost its public defender and was currently looking for a replacement.  Someone would be present to fill in at the next court.

CITY HALL DEPARTMENT – Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña

1)                   Had a Stress Relief presentation July 28th that had gone quiet well.

2)                  Currently planning the Wellness BBQ for August.

PUBLIC WORKS – Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner

1)                  The well pump at the Wastewater plant had gone out & would be fixed by Wednesday.

2)                  Would be meeting with PCS to get the street lines painted.

3)                  The mower was down – still working on weeds.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1)                  Officer Quinton attended firearms training.

2)                  Officer Boyer would be attending a class on tazers.

3)                  Would be having the regular safety meeting on July 28th.

4)                  A dog escaped from the dog pound.

5)                  Dealing with domestics and runaways.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  Received a two year extension for the IAC grant.

2)                  In the process of selection people for the CRCC committee.

3)                  Would be holding a workshop with the August regular meeting.

4)                  Finance Committee to meet the second week in August.

5)                  Energy park was coming along.

City Administrator brought up the need for a City Planner due to the increase in planning issues coming up.

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Garland Walton

            Mayor Walton suggested holding the workshop a half hour before the regular meeting and reminded everyone about supporting the Connell Heritage Museum at the ice cream social.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:13 pm .