**DRAFT**

 

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tonasket was held on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall, Tonasket, Washington.

 

Those present were Mayor Plumb and Councilmembers Griffin, Hines, Olson, Ramsey and Vugteveen who joined in the flag salute.

                                                                        Public Comment

Debbie Johnson, Tonasket resident, asked if the street lights on Hwy 20/6th St could be repaired. There are many children that walk up and down the sidewalk and the lights make it a much safer walk. Councilmember Olson stated that the repair is more than just replacing a bulb, that there are transformers that need to be replaced and Superintendent Pilkinton has worked on this matter.

                                                                        Cemetery Property

Attorney Howe was in attendance to answer questions about the cemetery property.  Bergh Funeral Home is interested in purchasing or leasing a portion of the cemetery property to build a crematorium. In the interest of full disclosure, Attorney Howe informed the Mayor and Council that in the past he has represented the Bergh’s. Mick explained the procedure for selling property to a private individual is not as restrictive as selling to another governmental entity.  Mick concurred with MRSC that the property would remain in the City limits if it is sold. There is not a requirement for Request for Proposals. Neighbors of the cemetery property were in attendance, Anthony and Tiffany Berry, stating they are not in favor of a crematorium being built on the cemetery property. They have concerns about ash, noise and odor. There was more discussion and the Mayor and Council decided to turn the matter over to the Planning Commission for discussion and then they will get back to Council with their recommendation.

                                                                        Final Budget Hearing

This meeting has been advertised as the Final Budget Hearing on the 2012 Budget. Mayor Plumb opened the hearing. The 2012 Budget Items List was discussed.

 

                          

      A.                                                                                       2011                              2012                      2012                                   

                                                                                             Budget                           Request                  Adopted

.    Hotel/Motel Funds:

 

 

Tonasket Airport Improvement                                    800.00

 800.00

      400.00

Tonasket Rodeo Club                                                 2,500.00

     5 ,000.00       

   1,600.00

Garlic Festival/CCC                                                      800.00

         800.00

      400.00

North Country Car Club                                               700.00

         600.00

      400.00

Tonasket Chamber of Commerce                                 800.00

       1,000.00

      400.00

TVBRC                                                                      6,000.00

       6,000.00

   5,000.00

Promotion of Tonasket @ N.W. Aviation Conf.          800.00

          800.00

      400.00

The Chronicle                                                                  -0-

       1,719.00

          -0-

Coulee Corridor Publication                                        600.00

          700.00

      400.00

 

 

 

 

  Total                                                                       13,000.00

 

17,419.00

 

   9,000.00

 

                                                                

             City Hall Requests 

B.       Medical Insurance Increase per employee per month-------------$59.94   approved

 

C.       3% Cost of Living increase for all employees----------------------not approved

 

D.      Paint City Hall-----------possibly be done by volunteers

 

E.       Repair Roof on City Hall-----------looking into costs—must be done soon.

 

F.       Water Sewer Utility Billing (hope to have it installed in 2011 but it may be 2012)—approved to carry over

 

Public Works Requests

G.      3 Vehicle Bay 40’ x 42’ approximately $28,000---approved

 

H.      Pickup Truck price $20,000---------------------------not approved

 

I.         5th position—5 months from May 1st to September 30th ----------looking into this

 

Police Department Requests

J.        2 New Desktop Computers  $1000----possibly use grant funds

 

     K.   2 Laptop Computers   $800--------------possibly use grant funds

 

L.        Police Vehicle  $5000------------------research grant/loan from Rural Development/reassess in 6 months

 

M.     5th Officer in which half time would be dedicated to code enforcement-------not approved

 

N.      3% raise for all law enforcement full time employees---------------------------not approved

 

O.      Reserve Police Sergeant $13 per hour---------------------------------------------approved

 

P.       Fill In Police:   1st Year $10 per hour---------------------------------------------approved

        2nd Year $11 per hour

        3rd Year $12 per hour

 

 

It was moved by Olson and seconded by Griffin to approve the above Budget items as presented and recommended by the Finance Committee. Motion carried. Councilmember Ramsey voted no. The full budget will be adopted at the next Council meeting on December 13th. Mayor Plumb closed the hearing portion of the Council meeting.

                                                                        Charter Extension Agreement

It was moved by Vugteveen and seconded by Hines to approve the Charter Franchise Agreement extension and allow the Mayor to sign the document.  Motion carried. The Charter agreement will be discussed again at the first meeting in January, 2012.

                                                                        Veteran Donation Box/Hospital

Councilmember Hines reported there is a donation box for Veterans at the hospital and it is in need of items.

                                                                        Ramsey/Report                                             

Councilmember Ramsey asked if a thank you letter could be written to the Hospital District for repairing their sidewalk so quickly.  She also reported the Christmas lights are up thanks to Herb Wandler, Jack Gavin, Joe Gavin, and Tom Bretz.

                                                                        Olson

Councilmember Olson thanked City Clerk Attwood for her work on the budget and also Superintendent Pilkinton and crew for their great job removing snow. It is nice that the Police officers are getting some time off with the help of fill in Officer Audra Fuller.

                                                                        Vugteveen

Councilmember Vugteveen concurred with Councilmember Olson’s remarks.

                                                                        Griffin

Councilmember Griffin stated she is touched by the contributions to the Tonasket Swim Pool, given in memory of Gordon Stangland.

                                                                        Ramsey

Councilmember Ramsey asked about snow removal overtime. The City Clerk explained that the Public Works Department does their best to avoid overtime by using their normal work hours for snow removal.  Sometimes it is inevitable and there will be overtime on the weekends if they have to come out and remove snow.

                                                                        Cars on Streets

Cars parked on the streets between 2:00 am and 6:00 am were discussed.

                                                                        Proclamation

Mayor Plumb proclaimed the month of December to be dedicated to the celebration and thanks to the Tonasket FFA program for representing our school district at the 84th National FFA Convention in October 2011.

                                                                        Department Of Ecology Agreement

There were questions related to the Department of Ecology agreement. One of the concerns is that the agreement states the expected life of the project is 20 years. Councilmember Olson stated that is not very long in relation to the cost. It was decided to ask the engineers this question.  It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Olson to approve the agreement with ECY and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement contingent on Attorney Howe’s approval. Motion carried.

                                                                        Floating Holiday

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Olson to approve December 23, 2011 as the floating holiday for City employees, except the police department. Motion carried. The Police Officers take their floating holiday when it works into their schedule.

                                                                        Gerhard Funds

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Olson to approve up to $200 to be spent on candy canes for children during the Winterfest activities. Motion carried.

                                                                        Pedestrian Project

It was moved by Olson and seconded by Vugteveen to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the ECS for the Whitcomb Ave Pedestrian Project contingent on Attorney Howe’s approval. Motion carried.

                                                                        Howe/Professional Agreement

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Olson to approve the Addendum to Professional Services Agreement with Attorney Howe. Motion carried.

                                                                        Approval/CDBG Forms

It was moved by Hines and seconded by Vugteveen to allow the Mayor to sign the Request for Release of Funds and Certification CDBG forms contingent on Attorney Howe’s approval. Motion carried.

                                                                        Environmental Assessment

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Hines to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Environmental Assessment for the Bonaparte Creek Sewer Improvement Project   contingent on Attorney Howe’s approval. Motion carried.

 

 

 

                                                                        Chamber Meetings/Ramsey

Councilmember Ramsey reported she will not be attending the Chamber of Commerce meetings regularly any more. Councilmember Griffin stated she would attend the Chamber of Commerce meetings.

                                                                        Kick Off Meeting/Bonaparte Project

Jeff Moran, Varela and Associates, would like to have a kick-off meeting with City officials in December. The Water/Sewer Committee, Kurt Danison, Mick Howe, Bill Pilkinton, the Mayor and City Clerk will meet with Jeff sometime in December.

                                                                        Winterfest

The Mayor and Council were reminded that Winterfest is December 2nd.

                                                                        Adjournment

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

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Patrick Plumb, Mayor

 

 

_____________________________

Alice J. Attwood, Clerk-Treasurer