MEETING OF THE CITY OF CONNELL , WASHINGTON

CONNELL, FRANKLIN COUNTY , WASHINGTON

September 26, 2005

The workshop session of the regular semi-monthly meeting, of the City Council of the City of Connell was called to order by the Mayor at 7:04 pm in the City Hall.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:       Mayor Gary Walton , Mayor Pro-Tem Perry Skoglund , Councilmembers Monica Pruett , Andy Sawyer, Roel Martinez and Ron Boyer.

STAFF:            City Administrator Art Tackett , City Clerk-Treasurer Joan Eckman , Chief of Police Rick Rochleau, City Attorney Terry Tanner , Public Works Director Pat Munyan, and Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner .

VISITORS:      Kathy Bingham, Franklin County Graphic; Ross & Melissa Bushong, Fast & The Past Car show.

WORKSHOP

CONTRACT – BFCG

City Administrator Tackett reviewed the contract agreement provided by Benton Franklin Council of Governments for planning services. The contract would be for a year and then would be reevaluated. Currently there was the possibility of three or four developments starting up before the end of the year.

CLERK POSITION

          City Administrator Tackett advised that the intent was to have the new position filled before the end of the year.

          Councilmember Boyer voiced his concerns regarding the new position.

          City Administrator Tackett described the job description for the new clerk whose main duties would be to handle building permits, planning permits, and code enforcement.

MATRIX REVISED

Clerk-Treasurer Eckman noted that the Salary Matrix had been fixed so that it reflected the $100 increase and no compounding interest. This $100 would offset the $100 employees would pay for their insurance.   There was a small amount of added cost to retirement and social security.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

a)      Minutes of the September 12th, 2005 Workshop & Regular Meeting,

Councilmembers Martinez seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN COMMENT

Ross Bushong presented the City with a Certificate of Appreciation for its help and sponsorship of the Fast and the Past Car Show.  There were 76 cars registered for the show. Ross noted that there were some problems that came up that needed to be addressed prior to next year’s event.  

Mayor Walton commented that a meeting should take place between the City, emergency personnel, and Car Show people in regards to access for emergency vehicles.

Councilmember Skoglund suggested having the Chief of Police attend the Car Show meetings.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Mayor Walton made the following changes to the agenda:

                        Agenda Item No. 8. Sewer Extension was tabled,

                        Agenda Item No. 16 a) BFCG Contract was added, and

                        Agenda Item No. 16 b) Clark Street Park Lease Agreement

Motion: Councilmember Pruett moved to approve the agenda as changed. Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

SALARY MATRIX

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

CLERK POSITION

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to immediately proceed with the process of hiring a Planning and Building Department Clerk.  Councilmember Pruett seconded motion. Motion carried with four votes for and Councilmember Boyer voting against.  

SURPLUS PROPERTY – POLICE DEPARTMENT

         Police Chief Rochleau requested permission to surplus two vehicles, a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria and a 1981 DARE van at the Booker auction in November.

Motion: Councilmember Martinez moved to authorize the surplus of the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria and the 1981 DARE van.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded, motion carried unanimously.

SURPLUS PROPERTY – NE CORNER OF US 395 & NORDHEIM RD

City Administrator Tackett advised that there were 3.3 acres that PUD was looking at purchasing for $9,000 to build a new substation for the prison expansion.  The land had already been appraised and the cost for the appraisal had been included in the $9,000 price for the property. 

City Administrator Tackett presented Resolution No. 2005-05 for surplus of property.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to adopt Resolution no. 2005-05.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

SALES AGREEMENT

          Councilmember Pruett stepped down from the Council bench during this discussion due to a conflict of interest.

          City Administrator reported that Council had discussed an offer received to purchase some of the DNR property that was surplused at the last Council meeting. The property was south of the school. The offer was to purchase some of the land and to have an option on the rest.

Councilmember Martinez suggested a motion that the City accept the offer for the property north and not accept the option but that in the future all city land for sale be advertised more specifically in the Graphic .   Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion.

(Motion did not carry. Councilmember Martinez rescinded his previously suggested motion.)

          Attorney Tanner would draft up a buy-sell agreement and bring it back before Council for approval.

PROPERTY ACQUISITION

          City Administrator Tackett advised that he was approached by the owner of the ethanol plant in Moses Lake for the City to purchase the equipment.  The City would then have to move it to Connell and construct buildings.  The cost for this would be between $400,000 and $500,000.  City Administrator Tackett inquired if Council was interested in buying the equipment if a grant was available to cover all expenditures.

          Council consensus was not to purchase the equipment.

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

City Administrator Tackett advised that RCW 35.21.770 authorized cities to enter into contracts with the Department of Community Trade & Economic Development for fire protection services and requested authorization to proceed with negotiations.

Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to authorize staff to proceed with negotiations with Department of Community Trade & Economic Development for fire protection services.  Councilmember Martinez seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS

          City Attorney Tanner advised that Pasco had approved an ordinance for Motorized Foot Scooters.  Some changes would need to be made and brought back before Council.

BENTON / FRANKLIN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS CONTRACT

Motion:  Councilmember Martinez moved to proceed with the BFCG Contract and for the Mayor to sign.  Councilmember Sawyer seconded, motion carried unanimously.            

CLARK STREET PARK LEASE AGREEMENT

City Administrator Tackett advised that he received a lease agreement from the new owners of the apartments adjacent to Clark Street Park .  The lease would be the same it had been with the previous owners.  The City would lease a section of property for $75 a year.

Motion: Councilmember Martinez moved to approve the lease agreement with Wine County Properties for property adjacent to Clark Street Park . Councilmember Skoglund seconded motion.  Motion carried unanimously.         

PAYMENT OF BILLS             

         Councilmember Pruett noted that Mayor and Council paychecks had not been included in payroll. 

         Clerk-Treasurer Eckman advised they would be printed the next morning and ready for Mayor and Council.

Motion: Councilmember Skoglund moved to pay the vouchers and payroll in the amount of $ 114,239.42 plus Mayor and Council checks ($114,609.19). Councilmember Pruett seconded, motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE / DEPARTMENT REPORTS

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT – Art Tackett

1)                  The mural had been completed and had received many positive comments.

2)                  Would be holding a State Downtown Revitalization Workshop at the Community Center November 2nd.

CITY ATTORNEY 

1)                  Advised that the Community Action Committee was still in need of an appointed official from Council.  Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm .

Would wait until after elections to appoint someone.

2)       Need to designate a Public Records Officer according to a Public Records law in the new RCW.

PUBLIC WORKS – Public Works Supervisor Larry Turner

1)                  Clark Street – Would be getting bids on asphalt to finish up.

2)                  Would be crack sealing.

3)                  Would be starting on Pioneer Park .

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief of Police Rick Rochleau

1)                  Officer Arteaga had graduated from the academy and was working.

2)                  Holding Civil Service test on October 8th.

MEETING ADJOURNED

There being no further business to be heard before the City Council, Mayor Walton adjourned the meeting at 9:20 pm .