MEETING OF THE
CITY OF
CONNELL,
PRESENT: Mayor Gary Walton, Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund, Monica Pruett and Andy Sawyer.
EXCUSED: Councilmembers
Roel
STAFF:
City Administrator
VISITORS: Alan
Schroeder, Anderson Perry; and Darrick Dietrich, Basin Disposal Inc.
Mayor Walton thanked Maria ChavezPeña, Kathy Bingham and Andy Sawyer for their work done for the Spring Fling.
A Certificate of Commendation was presented to the City from the American Legion.
B/F Community Health Alliance declared
B/F County Mosquito Control received authorization to treat LambWeston’s ponds.
L & I would be in May 26th to do a presentation on ergonomics.
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as listed:
a)
Minutes of the
b)
Minutes of the
Councilmember
Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Walton made the following addition to the Agenda: Item No. 15 a) Cleanup of Farm.
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
DEPT OF ECOLOGY
This item was tabled.
USDA – WATER IMPROVEMENTS
Alan Schroeder
from Anderson Perry reported on the following:
Schedules G & H – Wells #9 and 10 were started, contractors and subcontractors were present. The option of installing a control valve at the lower end of the system was presented to USDA Rural Development who seemed favorable.
City
Administrator Tackett advised that he would be meeting with Senator Cantwell’s
staff and would discuss dates for the dedication ceremony.
PETITION FOR ANNEXATION
City Administrator Tackett advised that a Petition for Annexation had been submitted and a public hearing would need to be set.
Motion:
Councilmember Pruett moved to set a Public Hearing for
CERTIFICATION FOR PWTF – WATER PLAN
City Administrator Tackett advised that staff had completed the application for PWTF to enable the community to hire a consultant to prepare a Water Plan as required by the Department of Health. The Certification needed to be authorized and signed in order to submit the $28,000 application.
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the mayor sign the Certification for the PWTF application. Councilmember Sawyer seconded, motion carried unanimously.
ENERGY PARK INCUBATOR
City
Administrator Tackett advised that the establishment of a Green Energy park
continued to move ahead. Once the annexation was complete the area of the Park
would be inside the City limits. At that point staff would start an
Environmental Review for the Park. The
strategy would be to do an Umbrella DNS or Mitigated DNS.
The Review would take about 3 months. In anticipation of some kind of
funding becoming available staff had been working on the make-up of the
Incubator Board. The intent would be to have a CEO, CPA, attorney, chamber
member, Economic Development Council, energy professional,
REVIEW TIP MAP
City
Administrator Tackett reviewed the TIP projects.
A map with the projects was provided by Anderson Perry.
There were no changes from the previous year.
Staff would be
submitting an application to TIB for
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to set a Public Hearing on the TIP for June 13th. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 782 – SANITATION
RATE INCREASE
Darrick Dietrich, of Basin Disposal Inc., was present to update Council on the annual rate adjustment based on the (Consumer Price Index) CPI. The adjustment was scheduled for July 1. The adjustment factor was 1.89% and would be applied to all the rates defined in the contract.
Mr. Dietrich discussed the feasibility of a transfer station. Several factors needed to be taken into consideration such as transportation, expenses and utilization.
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to adopt Ordinance 782 relating to sanitation rates. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
2/10’S OF 1% TAX INCREASE - COUNTY
City Administrator Tackett advised that legislature had passed
legislation enabling counties to pass a 3/10’s of 1% increase in sales tax.
One third of that had to be given to law enforcement.
A meeting was held were the County decided to put 2/10’s of 1% increase
on the ballot this fall. The question was what would the City of
Councilmember Skoglund commented he was not in favor of supporting the increase. Councilmembers Pruett and Sawyer agreed with Councilmember Skoglund.
City Administrator Tackett advised he would discuss the issue some more with Commissioner Koch.
CLEAN UP OF FARM
Mayor Walton advised that clean up of the farm had been included in the contract.
Public Works Director Munyan advised that he had received a price quote from Desmarais to clean up the farm for $7,500.
Motion:
Councilmember Pruett moved to
accept the bid for the farm clean up from Mr. Desmarias in the amount of $7,500.
Councilmember Skoglund seconded, motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $152,480.50. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
CITY HALL – Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Maria ChavezPeña
1) Clerk-Treasurer Eckman would be out of the office for a couple weeks due to surgery.
2) The ASP upgrade for water bills would be on the next agenda as staff had not received a price quote.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – Public Works Director
1) Spraying for weeds
2) Working on the swimming pool
3) Working with Conrath to cleanup his uncle’s lots.
4) Would be putting sod in at the Community Center and doing landscaping.
5) Would be receiving a price quote on moving the electric boxes at Lift Station 5 out of the wet well due to corrosion problems.
6) Working on the Coliform Plan and a Management Plan for the water system.
7) Had been cross training staff, currently had 2 certified wastewater collection specialist, 3 water distribution specialist, 2 water distribution managers (by the end of the year), 2 wastewater treatment plant operators, 2 licensed applicators, 4 cross-connection control specialist, 3 safety specialist and industrial hygienist, and 4 certified pool and spa operators.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator
1) Attended the Columbia Basin Development League meeting, they would be looking at starting construction of the additional 500,000 acres in about five years.
2) A bill was passed by the legislature to provide tax credit for B & O taxes. Would be working with the Downtown Development group to get organized to receive a 501C3.
3)
Spoke to the GIS manager from
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Garland Walton
1) Would be a meeting with DOC in regards to offsite work crews.
2) Legislation working on a $1,000 tax credit for emergency volunteer personnel.
3) AARP presented City with a certificate of appreciation for support of the AARP Driver Safety Program.
4) Was questioned in regards to the Man, Women, Educator of the Year plaques. They need to be repaired and updated.
There being no further business
to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at