MEETING OF THE CITY OF
CONNELL,
The regular semi-monthly meeting, of the City Council of
the City of
PRESENT:
Mayor
EXCUSED: Councilmembers Monica Pruett and Andy Sawyer
STAFF:
City Administrator
VISITORS: Alan
Schroeder, Anderson Perry; Kathy Bingham,
PLANNING & BUILDING
City Administrator Tackett discussed the need for a Planner and a Building/Planning Clerk. Over the past few years staff had dealt with various land use issues with a team approach made up of Public Works Director, Deputy Clerk Treasurer, Accounting Clerk and City Administrator which worked for the amount of planning issues that staff dealt with. With the advent of the prison expansion and the various development groups coming out of the woodwork, it had become apparent that obtaining a planner was going to be necessary. In addition, obtaining clerical assistance for that position as well as building inspections etc. was also important.
Staff had contacted the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments and discussed the option of contracting with them for planning assistance. The amount that had been discussed was $20,000 which would buy some part time assistance. The new clerk would prepare the materials so that the Contract Planner could walk in and deal with the meetings etc. and leave assignments for the clerk.
Council discussed the salary range for the new clerk. The starting range would be at Range 16.
Council gave its consensus to proceed with the contract for planning services with BFCG.
COLA & BENEFIT PACKAGE (NON-UNION)
Clerk-Treasurer Eckman advised that the Finance Committee had met and recommended the following COLA and Benefit Package for the non-union employees.
A 3% COLA plus a $100.00 increase to the non-union employee salary matrix. To offset the non-union employee picking up $100 per month of their benefit package with Plan B and current dental and vision plans. The non-union employees would have the option of changing to Plan A but they would pay $100 plus the difference between Plan B and Plan A. The premium increase in subsequent years would be considered to be shared between the city and the non-union employees based upon budget considerations for those years.
City Clerk-Treasurer Eckman noted that she had some problems when working with the matrix in trying to add the $100 increase. The matrix system was based on 3% step increases and 2.5% range increases. When the $100 was added the percentage on the original $100 would increase by each step and range, meaning that by the end of the matrix system the last step and range received more than the original $100. A possible solution was to have employees pay $150 for benefits.
Council consensus was to proceed with the increase and have employees pay a portion of their benefits and to place the issue on the September 26th Agenda.
At
The regular meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Walton advised that he had received correspondence
from Washington Finance Officers Association that Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer
Received notice of liquor license application for La
Guerrence at 704
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve the Consent Calendar as listed:
a)
Minutes of the
Councilmembers
Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Walton commented that he had several complaints regarding the “pocket bikes”.
Attorney Tanner advised that when passing an ordinance relating to pocket bikes the City needed to be able to draft an ordinance that they could back up with prosecution.
Police Chief Rochleau suggested waiting to see what the
City of
Motion: Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember Boyer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
USDA – WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry provided Council with Change Order No. 5 for L & L Cargile in the amount of $4, 229.75. Phase III was now complete.
Alan Schroeder provided Council with Partial Pay Estimate No. 8 in the amount of $4,033.33.
Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve Partial Payment No. 8 to L & L Cargile. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
To be discussed in Executive Session
City Administrator Tackett advised that in order to speed up the process to move the land from public to private sector that it needed to be declared as surplus property.
Administrator Tackett read Resolution No. 2005-04 declaring the land surplus property.
Motion:
Councilmember Skoglund moved to approve Resolution No. 2005-04 declaring land as
surplus property. Councilmember
Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.
City
Administrator Tackett reported that as requested by Council, an application for
a Community Development Block Grant to replace water lines between
Motion:
Councilmember
Alan Schroeder, City Engineer for the Town of
Motion:
Councilmember Boyer moved that the City of
To be discussed in Executive Session
To be discussed in Executive Session
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion:
Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of
$333,189.17. Councilmember Martinez seconded, motion carried unanimously.
CITY HALL DEPARTMENT – City Clerk-Treasurer
1)
Audit had been completed. Received no findings or management
letter. Had an exit note in regards to the computer problem which had been
corrected.
2)
Moving along with the 2006 Budget.
PUBLIC WORKS – Public Works Supervisor
1) Fall Festival went well.
2) Had a water leak
POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau
1)
Fall Festival went well, parade went very well.
2)
Cleared up three more graffiti cases.
3) Officer Arteaga would be graduating from Academy September 15th.
4)
Had tazer training.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator
1) Met with Senator Kastama from the West side in regards to water & economic issues.
2) Met with DOC, Environmental Impact Statement should be done in October, public meetings would then be held.
3)
City purchased the property across from
Mayor Walton recessed the regular meeting at
Mayor Walton called the regular meeting back to order at
City Administrator Tackett advised that he would ask Mr. Watt to attend the next Council Meeting and make a presentation.
WASTEWATER CAPACITY REQUEST
Mr. Riddell introduced several members of his development group to Council and discussed the issues concerning wastewater disposal. Mr. Riddell requested a “Will Serve Letter” from the city committing to hold aside a 75,000 gallon capacity for sewer.
Councilmembers voiced concern over tying up the entire City’s capacity in one project.
SALE PRICE ESTABLISHED
The City had been approached regarding the purchase of the DNR property south of the School. The City received a proposal for $1,100 per acre and an option.
There being no further business
to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at