The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tonasket, was held Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall, Tonasket, Washington.

 

Those present were Mayor Walter and Councilmembers Griffin, Maden, Ramsey and Vugteveen who joined in the flag salute. Also present were Police Chief Rob Burks, Superintendent Bill Pilkinton and City Clerk-Treasurer Alice Attwood.

                                                                        Budget Workshop Hearing

This meeting has been advertised as a Budget Workshop Hearing on the 2010 Budget. Mayor Walter opened the Public Hearing. Mayor Walter asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the budget workshop held the night before.  There was discussion on the ad valorem ordinance which would determine the amount of property taxes the city would collect. It was mentioned that citizens have contacted Councilmembers and do not want their taxes increased. The ad valorem ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting.  Councilmember Ramsey asked about paying off loans and then redirecting the funds to the other loans and making higher payments for a quicker payoff. The City Clerk said this was doable. There was brief discussion on the Cemetery Funds. Mayor Walter closed the public hearing portion of the meeting. The final hearing on the 2010 budget will be held on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm with a budget workshop to be held at 6:00 pm the same night.

                                                                        Public Comments

Mayor Walter asked if there were any public comments, there being none the meeting continued.

                                                                        Ordinance #670---Set Tax Levy

Ordinance #670, which would set the tax levy for 2010 was again discussed. Councilmember Vugteveen stated she would like to ease the burden of taxes for the people and is considering a smaller percentage increase. Councilmember Maden stated this is a challenging economy and is considering one of the lower options. Councilmember Ramsey stated she does not support any increase. Councilmember Griffin stated she would go for option 3.  It was the consensus of the Council they needed more time to review this ordinance and it will be brought up at the next Council meeting.

                                                                        Ordinance #671

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Griffin to adopt ordinance #671. Motion carried. Ordinance #671 establishes and creates new accounts for sewer bond redemption and sewer bond reserves.

                                                                        Ordinance #672

It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Vugteveen to adopt Ordinance #672. Motion carried. Ordinance #672 establishes a City Street Reserve Fund.

                                                                        Ordinance #673

Ordinance #673 was read for the first time. Ordinance #673 is a budget amendment ordinance to include revenues and expenditures for Traffic Safety Grant Funds and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant funds.

                                                                        Chief Burks

Chief Burks presented an agreement with Verizon for 2 internet cards to the Mayor and Council for approval and to authorize the Mayor to sign the document. The internet cards would make it possible to use the lap top computers in the Police vehicles.   Patrick Plumb, Mayor Elect, was present and stated the agreement the city has with NCI Data should provide IP addresses for the city to utilize, making the agreement with Verizon unnecessary. Chief Burks will research this matter.

                                                                        Approval of Grant Application

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Griffin to authorize Chief Burks to apply for a Traffic Safety Grant and allow the Mayor to sign the applicable documents. Motion carried. These grant funds would be used for PBT’s and Radars.

                                                                        Floating Holiday

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Maden to set December 24th, 2009 as the Floating Holiday for City Employees. Motion carried.  The Police Department chooses their own Floating Holiday.

                                                                        Sign at Triangle Park

The City Clerk asked the Mayor and Council if it would be acceptable to them to have the City’s Public Works crew remove the sign at Triangle Park. It was the consensus of the Council to allow this but to ask the Kiwanis first.

                                                                        Request For Proposals

Kurt Danison has prepared a Request for Proposals to seek proposals from firms for assistance in completion of a feasibility study and preparation of alternatives, including estimated costs for the renovation or replacement of the city’s swimming pool. It was the consensus of the Council to allow Kurt to proceed with this advertisement.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Approval of Consent Agenda

It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Griffin to accept and approve the consent agenda which consists of the minutes of the previous meeting, the October Payroll

(10033-10061) $55,094.15 and the October Bills (19713-19770) $41,926.15. Motion carried.

                                                                        Adjournment

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

 

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Patrick Walter, Mayor

 

 

______________________________

Alice J. Attwood, Clerk-Treasurer