** DRAFT **

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tonasket was held on Tuesday January 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall, Tonasket, Washington.

Those present were Mayor Walter and Councilmembers Fancher, Griffin, Maden, Ramsey and Vugteveen who joined in the flag salute.

It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Maden to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.

Public Hearing/2^nd St. Vacation

This meeting is a continuation of the public hearing on the request to vacate 2^nd Street and a portion of the alley submitted by North Valley Hospital and Rob and Roz Nau. Mayor Walter opened the hearing and followed the protocol for the hearing. Councilmember Maden recused herself from the discussion on the street vacation. Building Official Christian Johnson read the Planning Commission Recommendation documents and entered into the record the listed documents and exhibits in the report. The Planning Commission is in support of the vacation of the street and alley with stipulations regarding payment and ingress and egress. Councilmember Fancher asked if there would be continued use of the alley and Christian Johnson stated there would be. Councilmember Ramsey had questions how Christian Johnson arrived at the amount to be remitted to the city from the Hospital District for the street. Christian replied each parcel was arrived at differently and the process is shown in the report. Mayor Walter read a letter from the Fraternal Order of Eagles to the North Valley Hospital. The letter stated the Tonasket Eagles intends to support the Hospital’s efforts to expand and also in obtaining the vacation of 2^nd St. from the city. Sue Weisner, a lady in the audience, asked if the city vacated the street does that give the Hospital District more leverage to enact eminent domain over the Eagles property. Mayor Walter stated he had researched that matter and the answer is no. Councilmember Vugteveen stated that she sees no reason not to vacate if everyone is in agreement. It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Vugteveen to adopt by reference the Staff Finding of Facts and Conclusions and accept the Planning Commission’s Recommendation to vacate the subject right of ways subject to: 1) The City retaining equivalent right of ingress, egress and utilities continuing from the alley end to Whitcomb Avenue, 2) The Petitioners compensate the City in the amount of $12, 250 for the area vacated, 3) The Petitioners reimburse the City for all costs incurred in processing this petition and transfer of lands. Further, Staff shall prepare a draft ordinance which executes the same for consideration during our next Council meeting. Motion carried. Ramsey voted no.

Ordinance #649

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Vugteveen to adopt Ordinance #649 with $12,250 in Section 2. Motion carried. Ramsey voted no. Maden recused herself from the discussion and vote. Ordinance #649 vacates that section of 2^nd Street between Western Ave. and Whitcomb Ave., and a portion of the alley in Block 3.

No Public Comment.

Retreat

There was a discussion on when and where to hold a retreat for the Mayor, Council and Department Heads. It was the consensus of the Council to hold a Retreat at the School and to have it on March 8^th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Roni Diefenbach, Economic Alliance, will be asked to facilitate the retreat.

Approve Planning Commission Appts.

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Griffin to accept the Planning Commission Appointments. George Frank, 3 year term and Gayle Mailloux, 3 year term. Motion carried.

Mayor’s Committees

In regards to the Mayor’s Committees, Mayor Walter stated he dropped the Police and Fire Committee added a Capital Improvement Committee and added Annexations to the Housing/Youth Center Committee. The Mayor stated he would like the Capital Improvement Committee to work on several important projects, a new police department building, the Skate park project, the Railroad crossing at the south end of Chief Tonasket Park and the Tonasket Visitor and Business Resource Center, the Salmon Viewing Platform, a new sign for History Park and improvements for Chief Tonasket Park. He would like the Street Committee to work on 7^th Street traffic problem, research speed bumps or other ways to slow traffic down.

Proposed Planning Agreement

There was a brief discussion on a proposed planner agreement sent in from Kurt Danison, Highlands Associates which will be discussed at the next meeting.

TVBRC

Mayor Walter reported he has concerns regarding the Tonasket Visitor and Business Resource Center and the fact that the city is not in compliance with the primary reason for the facility which is to support small and emerging businesses. Councilmember Fancher stated she feels there is a change in the Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Maden stated she would like to get this problem rectified, there is a new president and she would like to make an effort to work with them. Coucilmembers Fancher and Maden will meet with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss this matter.

AWC Action Conference

The City Clerk reminded the Mayor and Council that the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Action Conference will be held next week.

Meeting Representatives

The City Clerk will give to the Mayor and Council a list of the meetings, definitions for the meetings, dates and times to assist with finding a representative for the meetings.

Vehicle Donated

Police Chief Rob Burks stated the Colville Confederated Tribes Police have donated a 2002 Ford Explorer to the Police Department. The Clerk was instructed to write a thank you letter for the vehicle.

Adjournment

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Fancher to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

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Patrick Walter, Mayor

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Alice J. Attwood, Clerk-Treasurer