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

June 13, 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 , Ron Boyer and Andy Sawyer.

EXCUSED:      Councilmember Monica Pruett

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , Public Works Director Patrick Munyan, Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, City Attorney Terry Tanner , Fire Chief Bob Koch and Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña.

VISITORS:      Alan Schroeder, Anderson Perry; Scott Frakes, Coyote Ridge; Kary Peterson & Richelle DeGroot, Dept of Ecology; John White, Citizen; and Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mayor Walton presented Yard of the Month to the following residents; Joyce Harper, Lee & Brenda Magouirk, Donald & Barbara Krein, and Bob & Laurel Misener.

Mayor Walton temporarily appointed Councilmember Martinez to the Finance Committee to review bills.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

a)      Minutes of the May 24, 2005  Regular Meeting,

Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Scott Frakes, new Superintendent for Dept of Corrections, introduced himself to Mayor and Council and advised that he was really glad to be here and excited for what lied ahead.  There would be a community meeting on June 30^th at 7:00 pm to discuss the prison expansion.

Mayor Walton advised that he had received a letter from the Mosquito Control District and commented that they were doing a great job in treating for mosquitoes.

Mr. White advised that they were also operating on a complaint basis.  Once a complaint was received someone would be out within 24 hours to spray if it was not to windy.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

ORDER OF BUSINESS

DEPT OF ECOLOGY

Kerry Peterson, from the Department of Ecology, was present to discuss a change in the law regarding restricting residential burning that would become effective January 1 of 2007. He was working at promoting alternatives for burning and promoting grants to help fund alternatives. Mr. Peterson advised that he would be willing to work with staff on grant applications.

Alternatives to burning discussed included chipping or grinding.  Expanding the Spring Cleanup dumpsters was also a suggestion.

Mr. Peterson noted that tumbleweeds were exempt from the burn ban and therefore could be burned.

PUBLIC HEARING – BAILIE ANNEXATION

Mayor Walton opened the Public Hearing at 7:56 pm. for the purpose of considering a Petition for Annexation by Roger Bailie for Jubilant LLC.

There being no objections to the Mayor or Councilmembers participation, who did not have any interest in this property or stood to gain or lose any financial benefit, the Mayor asked City Administrator Tackett to present the staff report.

City Administrator Tackett read over Ordinance No. 784 and reported that the property to be annexed was contiguous to the City along a portion of the City’s Northern boundary. The property was zoned Agricultural as part of Franklin County and should be annexed to the City zoned Agricultural.  The proposed use of the property did not change by annexation.

Mr. Tackett advised that the area under discussion was being considered as a logical area for the development of an industrial park.  That area had been designated as future industrial in the Connell Comprehensive Plan.

After the Findings of Fact Mayor Walton opened up the hearing for public comments.  There being no comments from the public Mayor Walton opened up the hearing for discussion by Council.

Councilmember Boyer inquired about the development of the property.

City Administrator advised that development would be done as a combination of City and private development.  The City would apply for grant funds to help develop the land. City funds would not be used.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to accept the Petition for Annexation submitted by Mr. Bailie for Jubilant LLC.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.   Motion carried unanimously.

ORDINANCE NO. 784 – BAILIE ANNEXATION

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Ordinance No. 784, annexation of land. Councilmembers Martinez and Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  

PUBLIC HEARING – SIX YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Mayor Walton opened the Public Hearing on the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program at 8:13 p.m.

City Administrator Tackett reviewed the 13 projects as listed on the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.  The projects were the same as the previous year with changes being made to the dates.  The first project, Adams Street , would be submitted for funding by TIB. The second project, Extension of Sixth Street, could only be funded through an appropriation process through the Federal congress.  It was left at second position in order for it to be considered for funding although there was a possibility of it not being funded for several years.  The other projects were either fundable through TIB or local funding process.  Most of those would be funded as the City would be able to provide the funding.

After City Administrator Tackett finished his review of all the projects Mayor Walton opened the Public Hearing for comments from the public.

John White, residing on Elm Street , voiced his opposition to Project No. 2 for the overpass. He inquired about a traffic impact study for Elm Street and thought it would be a waste of money and advised he would be willing to get a petition against the construction of the overpass.

Scott Frakes, residing on S. Burke, inquired about Project No. 10 on South Burke Ave.

Project No. 10 would be street reconstruction on South Burke from East Ash to East Birch.

Councilmember Boyer wished to reiterate Mr. White as to the need for the overpass.

            Councilmember Skoglund expressed that minutes/seconds counted in saving lives.

Mayor Walton noted that there were many considerations for and against the overpass.  One of the benefits would be for school kids that were walking to school who would benefit from a safer route.

Councilmember Martinez voiced his opinion in favor of construction of the overpass. 

Mayor Walton closed the Public Hearing at 8:40 pm .

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-01

Council consensus was to bring back Resolution No. 2005-01 at the June 27^th meeting to allow time for citizen comment.

USDA – WATER IMPROVEMENTS

Alan Schroeder from Anderson Perry reported on the following:

Schedules G & H – Contractor for the well was essentially done, a few punch list items remained.  The final Pay Estimate, minus retainage, was presented for payment.  There was approximately $48,000 still available from the grant funds.  A valve instillation and power line extension would cost approximately $35,000 leaving $10,000 to $13,000 in grant funds.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve Partial Pay Estimate 7 to L & L Cargile in the amount of $48,311.43.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

WATER BILLING UPGRADE QUOTE

            City Administer Tackett advised that the quote for the water billing upgrade had been received.  The upgrade would allow for averaging of bills when not read either due to insulation or bad weather.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to authorize Mayor Walton sign the contract for water billing upgrade for a total of $2,000.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

COUNTY’S POTENTIAL REQUEST FOR 2/10’S OF 1% TAX INCREASE

            City Administrator Tackett reported that staff had received additional information regarding the proposed tax increase since it was briefly discussed at the previous meeting.  County had cut back staff in order to meet a projected shortfall in revenues which had negatively impacted the general level of services to citizens, parks, roads and law enforcement. Recent legislation provided the County with the ability to raise taxes by 3/10’s of 1% with at least 33% of that go towards law enforcement. The County determined that 2/10’s of 1% would be put on the ballot.  If this were to pass

the City of Connell would receive approximately $40,000.  The County requested the City send in a wish list.  

County Commissioner Koch advised that the majority of County funds would go towards criminal justice but would also be used to up grade some of the county roads.

Attorney Tanner advised that the ballot would state what the funds would be used for and that the City would be held to use those funds as stated.

Consensus of the Council was for the City to support the tax increase and to prepare a resolution at the appropriate time.

PROPERTY OFFERS

            This item was tabled for discussion in Executive Session.

ANDERSON PERRY AGREEMENT

Alan Schroeder presented a proposed agreement between the City of Connell and Anderson Perry for completion of a water and wastewater feasibility report that would detail water and wastewater utility improvements needed to serve Coyote Ridge.  This report was suggested by Kent Nugen of DOC. Mr. Nugen indicated DOC would consider an interlocal agreement with the City to facilitate feasibility report completion.

Attorney Tanner suggested advising DOC that the City would consider the Anderson Perry Agreement as long as an interlocal agreement were in place.  Council would then approve both the Anderson Perry Agreement and the DOC Interlocal Agreement at the same time.

City Administrator Tackett agreed to initiate the call to DOC.

WHEEL IRRIGATION PIPE SALE

City Administrator Tackett inquired if Council wished to surplus the wheel lines at the farm.

Mayor Walton requested a list be brought before Council of the items to be surplused.

POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT

            City Administrator Tackett advised that the City had received the contracts back from Teamsters and that it was within the parameters set by Council. Salaries were left open for negotiations for next year.

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Teamster Contract with the Connell Police Department.  Councilmember Boyer seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAYMENT OF BILLS           

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $109,228.52. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE / DEPARTMENT REPORTS

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1)                  Had been busy with the school

2)                  Officer Arteaga was doing well at the academy and would be back to work mid September.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief Bob Koch

1)                  Senate bill 5135 passed  which raised the disability fees for fire fighters from $10 to $30.

2)                  Able to acquire a ten bottle cascade trailer for the cost of $100.

3)                  Need to do something about having a wild land type of vehicle since the City had taken in extra land. Recently had to fight a 20-30 acre fire.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – City Attorney Terry Tanner

1)         Driving while suspended in the third degree law would come back into affect July 1.   

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Art Tackett

1)                  Waste Energy project going well.

2)                  Received the grant for new waterslides.  Construction is expected to begin in 2006.

3)                  Would be submitting a request to IAC in regards to the athletic fields to keep the application open.

4)                  Ground breaking ceremony for the Jidder Bean coffee shop on Thursday at 2:00 pm .

5)                  Need to get started on having Council budget meetings, first need to hold a finance meeting.

MEETING RECESSED

Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at 9:27 pm to go into Executive Session to discuss property offers for approximately 15 minutes.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:45 pm .