** DRAFT **

 

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tonasket was held on Tuesday, April 8, 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.

 

Also present were Attorney Mick Howe and Department Heads, Bill Pilkinton, Rob Burks and Alice Attwood.

                                                                        Executive Session

Mayor Walter called the meeting to order and declared an executive session to be held according to RCW 42.30.110, to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency, matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or litigation or potential litigation, to which the agency is a party, and to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. The Mayor declared a 25 minute executive session. The beginning time was 7:02 pm, at 7:27 pm the Mayor informed the public it would extend 10 more minutes. At 7:37 pm the executive session ended and the Mayor invited the public back to the council.

                                                                        Public Comment/Brad Wood

In public comment, Brad Wood, a Tonasket Resident, stated he had received an e-mail from Janet Storey and she informed him she would be reinstated at the Police Department. Brad asked how much these legal proceedings were going to cost the city and expressed his personal views of this matter.  Attorney Howe answered by stating we don’t know how much it will cost the city and we will not know for a couple of weeks.

                                                                        Bus Replacement Program/Seniors

There was a large contingency of Senior Citizens present to ask the Council to reconsider the amount to be contributed to the bus replacement program. Jackie Bradley, Chris Zaferes, Barrie Colbert, Ralph Longanecker, and Jerry Beeman were a few of the representatives requesting additional funds. Jackie Bradley stated the bus was used 2706 times in Tonasket. Councilmember Fancher asked how much the other cities use the bus. Jackie stated she didn’t know but could get the information. Councilmember Ramsey stated that prorated or not $1000 is a minimum amount. Ralph Longanecker read a letter of support for the bus program. Mayor Walter read a letter from Jack Gavin, Kiwanis, supporting the program also. It was then moved by Fancher and seconded by Griffin to give $1000 total to the Senior Bus Replacement Program. Motion carried.

                                                                        Legacy Park/George Frank

George Frank was present regarding a water hook-up for the Legacy Memorial Park. There was discussion if the city can legally hookup water to the property for no charge. Attorney Howe will review the lease with the group and determine if the water hookup can be part of the lease. Mr. Frank also talked about the installation of a footbridge over Bonaparte Creek. There was a brief discussion on this subject and no action taken.

                                                                        TVBRC/Dave Kester

Dave Kester, Chamber of Commerce President, was present at the Mayor’s request to discuss the proposed guidelines for the Tonasket Visitor and Business Resource Center. Mr. Kester updated the Mayor and Council on the progress they have made on the guidelines. After discussion on each guideline Councilmember Fancher asked the Mayor if he was satisfied with the progress at the TVBRC. Mayor Walter stated yes he is satisfied right now.  Councilmember Maden asked if Dave needed any help at the TVBRC and he stated anyone is welcome to come and paint.

                                                                        Rescind Resolution 2008-04

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Ramsey to rescind Resolution 2008-04. Motion carried. Resolution 2008-04 was a land lease agreement for a hangar at the airport.

                                                                        Parking/Hospital

There was a brief discussion on a previous request from Warner Bartleson, hospital administrator, to use the Day Park parking lot during the hospital construction for their patients and customers. The council decided to wait to discuss this further until they hear from Mr. Bartleson again.

                                                                        Arbor Day Proclamation

Mayor Walter read the Arbor Day Proclamation declaring April 19th, 2008 as Arbor Day in Tonasket.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Park Committee Report

The Parks Committee submitted a committee report. The report touched on the subjects of parking at the Day Park and other city parks and also making the signage at the parks consistent throughout town.

                                                                        Planning/Community Dev. Position

Councilmember Fancher discussed the importance of filling the planning and community development director position. The City Clerk has been in contact with the City of Okanogan to discuss the possibility of sharing a person in this position. More research and discussion will be done on this matter.

                                                                        Portable Units/Police Department

Councilmember Ramsey asked Chief Burks if he had heard of any other portable units are available from the federal surplus program for the police department. The Chief stated there are not any at this time.

                                                                        Chamber/Day Park

It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Maden to allow the Chamber of Commerce to use the Day Park area on May 31st until 6:00 pm. Motion carried.

                                                                        Close 3rd Street

It was moved Fancher and seconded by Maden to allow 3rd Street to be closed from Western Ave.  to Whitcomb Ave. on May 31st for a Flea Market from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Motion carried.

                                                                        Ordinance #650 & #651

The City Clerk introduced Ordinances #650 and #651 for the first time. These are budget amendment ordinances and will be presented for adoption at the next Council meeting.

                                                                        DNR Easement

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Griffin to authorize the Mayor to sign the DNR easement renewal agreement for the sewer outfall into Okanogan River. Motion carried.

                                                                        Paint Striping/WSDOT

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to authorize the paint striping by the DOT on certain city streets in the amount of $900. Motion carried.

                                                                        Pay Request #3/Skate Park Project

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to approve payment of $49,049.04, Pay request #3, to William Emfinger for the Skate Park Project.  Motion carried.

                                                                        Minimum Price/Compressor

It was moved by Griffin and seconded by Maden to set a minimum price of $1200 on the recently surplused compressor. Motion carried.

                                                                        Chief Burks Report

Chief Burks reported the Drama students at the Tonasket High School and local law enforcement officials held a mock emergency drill on April 5th.  The Tonasket Police Department and Fire Department, the EMS District, Okanogan County Sheriff Department and North Valley Hospital participated in the drill. Chief Burks also reported on the Firearms, Firearm Training, and Proficiency Evaluation portion of the Tonasket Police Department Law Enforcement Policies and Procedures that he had submitted to the Mayor and Council. There was brief discussion on this subject and then it was moved by Vugteveen and seconded by Fancher to accept the Firearms, Firearm Training and Proficiency Evaluation submitted by Chief Burks. Motion carried.

                                                                        Meeting/Park

The City Clerk asked the Mayor and Park Committee if they could meet with Chris Branch on Wednesday at 5:00 pm to discuss a possible grant application.

                                                                        Retreat & Arbor Day Reminder

The City Clerk reminded the Mayor and Council of the retreat to be held on Saturday, April 12th and also of the Arbor Day celebration on Saturday the 19th.

                                                                        Consent Agenda

It was moved by Ramsey and seconded by Fancher to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the previous meeting, March Payroll (9413-9439) in the amount of $49,729.85 and March Bills (18613-18667) in the amount of $121,989.77. Motion carried.   

                                                                        Letter of Support/Forest Service

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to direct the City Clerk to write a letter of support for the Tonasket Ranger District in favor of the Whistler Canyon Trailhead project. Motion carried.

 

 

 

                                                                        Correspondence

Correspondence from the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the DNR has been given to the Mayor and Council.

                                                                        Community Meeting

The City Clerk announced the Tree Board members would like to hold a Community meeting on either the 23rd or the 24th of April. The purpose of the informal meeting is to gather ideas from local businesses and residents for city improvements. It was decided to hold the meeting on April 24th at 5:30 pm.

                                                                        Day Park

The City Clerk reported she had a request from Carrie Alexander to use the Day Park during Founders Day weekend for a children’s activity. It was stated that this request is part of the Chamber of Commerce’s activities for the Rodeo weekend. It was stated the Chamber of Commerce should complete a hold harmless agreement for the use of the Day Park.

                                                                        Park/Soccer Tournament.

It was discussed there is a soccer tournament coming soon to the Chief Tonasket Park. There is a concern of who should be footing the bill for the supplies for the restroom and that maybe the group should be paying for a portable toilet for the tournament.

                                                                        Adjournment

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

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Patrick Walter, Mayor

 

 

______________________________

Alice J. Attwood, Clerk-Treasurer