MEETING OF THE CITY OF
CONNELL,
The regular semi-monthly meeting, of the City Council of
the City of
PRESENT:
Mayor
EXCUSED: Councilmember
Roel
STAFF:
City Administrator
VISITORS: Alan
Schroeder, Anderson Perry; John Watts, Avista; Bob Swisher, Judge; Bob Koch,
County Commissioner; David Hart, Rhonda Quinton, Kent Mosbrucker Council
candidates; Remie DeRuwe, Don Giese, Robin Giese, Scott Bjorge, Darrell
Ferguson, Michael Harrington, Darlene Harrington, Food Bank; and Kathy Bingham,
Franklin County
1) Retired Senior Volunteer Program – Mayor Walton signed a proclamation proclaiming Tuesday, November 15th as RSVP day.
2) Tri-City Chamber – Invitation to the annual Homebuilders Association Reception November 29th at the Clover Island Inn.
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the Consent Calendar as listed:
a)
Minutes of the
b)
Minutes of the
Councilmembers
Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Judge Swisher and Commissioner Koch requested support for
the Franklin County Criminal Justice and Roadway Improvements Sales Tax on the
November 8th General Election. The .002 cent sales tax increase
proposed by
Mayor Walton made the following additions to the Agenda:
16 a) Ordinance 790 – Zoning change
16 b)
Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as changed. Councilmember Sawyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mayor Walton opened the Public Hearing at
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
City Administrator Tackett advised that a number of months prior during a
discussion of necessary water improvements Council requested staff submit an
application to CDBG to fund water improvements to the residential area from
City Administrator Tackett provided handouts in English and Spanish on Federal Citizen Participation Requirements for Local Government Applicants to the State CDBG Program and went over the handouts.
The CDBG Program provided funds on a competitive basis for local housing,
public and community facilities, economic development, and planning projects
that principally benefit low-and moderate-income households.
Approximately $15.6 million in federal funds would be awarded to
Mayor Walton opened the public hearing for comments from the audience.
Darrell Ferguson, 666 S. Burke, inquired about having to connect to the sewer system. Mr. Ferguson advised that he did not wish to hookup to sewer because his septic tank worked extremely well.
Public Works Director Munyan advised that it was a State law to hook into sewer service if it was provided within 500 feet.
There being no further public comments Mayor Walton opened the hearing for comments from Council.
Council discussed the sewer hook up requirement briefly.
There being no further discussion Mayor Walton closed the public hearing
at
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-07- CDBG CERTIFICATIONS OF COMPLIANCE – WATERLINE REPLACEMENT
City Administrator Tackett advised that in order to apply for CDBG funding the City needed to meet certain requirements and that the City was in compliance with these requirements.
Mayor Walton advised that the area designated for the water improvements was on 4” lines and was experiencing problems.
Motion:
Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve Resolution No. 2005-07 Certifications
compliance for CDBG. Councilmember Skoglund seconded, motion carried
unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-08 – CDBG - FOOD BANK
City Administrator Tackett advised that he had been approached by the Food Bank to submit an application to construct a building on their behalf to CDBG. Only cities and counties could apply for these grants and could apply on behalf of organizations that dealt with low and moderate income residents. After some discussion with CDBG it was decided that the Food Bank would be better served by the Community Investment Fund Grant.
At this point the resolution was not necessary.
Remie DeRuwe, Food Bank President, discussed the obstacles faced by the Food Bank, mostly dealing with location. The Food Bank would like a permanent home. They provided services to approximately 100-125 families in the community. Mr. DeRuew inquired about the possibility of the City donating land next to the Community Center on the condition that the grant was received. The Food Bank had had to relocate four times over the past ten years due to issues with the buildings.
Council
gave its consensus to have the City Administrator continue to work with the Food
Bank and submit an application for the Community Investment Fund Grant in
December.
CLOSED RECORD HEARING
Mayor Walton
opened the Closed Record Hearing at
Sub-division of Property:
Property Owner:
City of
Site Location:
South of SR 260 on
Parcel No. 109-880-024
Zoning: Commercial General (CG)
Proposed Use:
Commercial General (CG)
City Administrator Tackett presented Council with a Final Plat drawing of the property south of the US Bank. The Planning Commission met on October 18 where they reviewed the plans and was recommending approval of the subdivision as submitted.
Motion:
Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the Sub-division of property south
of SR 260, as presented. Councilmember
Sawyer seconded motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - AVISTA
City Administrator Tackett advised that he had met with Avista and
discussed marketing of excess natural gas.
John Watts, Director of Energy Marketing for Avista, provided Council with an overview of Avista energy, natural gas, and power services. Mr. Watts also suggested that an RFP be done since there was a lot of work to pipe lines and the utility that needed to be completed prior to the flow of electrons. Signing a MOU with Avista would not obligate the City to contract with Avista.
At full production the gasification plant, which is part of Phase I, should produce approximately 100 mega watts of electricity plus save natural gas. The City currently used approximately 40 megawatts of electricity which means that the City would have about 60 megawatts to sell.
City Administrator Tackett advised that the MOU would be brought back to the November 14th meeting once Attorney Tanner had a chance to review it.
SEWER ISSUE
ORDINANCE NO. 786 – REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 780 – RODSTOL ANNEXATION
City Administrator Tackett advised that in order to proceed with the new annexation request the City needed to repeal Ordinance No. 780, the Rodstol Annexation, by passing Ordinance No. 786. This would clear the way to continue with the annexation that was begun last summer and ran into opposition by OFM because the farm property annexed by the City was not contiguous to existing city limits. Staff has worked with Department of Transportation, OFM, and MRSC regarding the new annexation.
Motion:
Councilmember Sawyer moved to adopt Ordinance No. 786 repealing Ordinance
No. 780 pertaining to the Rodstol Annexation. Councilmember Skoglund seconded
motion, motion carried unanimously.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO COMMENCE ANNEXATION PROCEEDINGS
City Administrator Tackett advised that Council needed to set a date to discuss the Notice of Intention to Commence Annexation Proceedings at which the property owners would be invited to attend.
Council set the date of
City Administrator Tackett advised that this annexation would include a
parcel that belonged to Mr. Munyan that had been included in the farm annexation
but needed to be done correctly and would include SR 260 from the existing city
limits to the east end of the farm.
FLU SHOTS
Mayor Walton advised that historically Council had approved covering the costs for staff to have flu or pneumonia shots which had already been included in the budget.
Councilmember Boyer voiced a concern about liability if employees got sick from the shot.
Motion:
Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve covering cost of shots.
Councilmember Pruett seconded motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE 790 – REZONE OF DNR/CITY PROPERTY
City Administrator Tackett advised that when the City had annexed the DNR
triangle north of
Motion:
Councilmember Sawyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 790 amending the
official zoning map for the City of
Commissioner Koch advised that he believed that the City would not have to designate money towards criminal justice as the County had designated the amount necessary for criminal justice.
City Attorney Tanner advised that
by trying to raise money, even if it failed, that the City has a better argument
when requesting financial help from the State Legislature.
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to support the Franklin County Criminal Justice and Roadway Improvements Sales Tax. Councilmember Pruett seconded motion, motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $162,271.66. Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS – Public Works Director
1) Held a Small Works Roster bid opening for the control valve on the main line from the City farm, two bids were received. This item would be brought to the next Council meeting for discussion.
2)
The railroad signal on
3)
Working on the
4) Cleaning up leaves and spraying for dandelions at the parks.
5)
Storm drains would be cleaned, the storm drains on
FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief
1) Fire hydrants were flushed, found some malfunctions which had been fixed
2)
Transmission and annual service done on the freight liner.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator
1)
The Feasibility Study on the
2) Attended an AWC meeting where they discussed a law where the state would pick up the health cost of inmates transported to hospital or doctor.
3) Odessa Sub Area conference October 26th.
4)
Would be meeting with Valoria Loveland October 27th if
the Energy Park Feasibility study arrived.
There being no further business
to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at