** DRAFT **

 

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tonasket was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall, Tonasket, Washington.

 

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

                                                                        Public Comment

The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience that had a public comment. There being none the meeting continued.

                                                                        Bid Opening/Newspaper

This meeting has been advertised as a bid opening for providing official newspaper services for the City. Two bids have been received. The first bid opened was from the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune in the amount of $8.75 per column inch with the additional options that they continue to print legal notices in a 10 point font for easy reading or they will reduce the point size to 8 point type in order to save the city money, approximately 34% from the current rate. Their circulation in Tonasket is 777. The second bid is from the Chronicle in the amount of $7.75 per column inch if received in electronic format and $8.75 if the Chronicle sets the type. Their optional additional coverage with inclusion of the Bottom Line would be an additional $1.00 per column inch. The Chronicle’s circulation in Tonasket zip code is 783.  There was much discussion regarding circulation and size of print. Roger Harnack, publisher of the Chronicle stated that the circulation presented by Gary DeVon of the Gazette-Tribune was incorrect. Mayor Walter assigned this matter to Councilmembers Vugteveen and Ramsey for a recommendation.

                                                                        Six Year Transportation Plan

This meeting has been advertised as a public Hearing on the Six Year Transportation Plan. Mayor Walter opened the public hearing. Councilmember Maden asked if the City had a map of street work and how it was determined to repair a certain street. Superintendent Pilkinton stated he pretty much decides on the work due to condition of the streets.   After further discussion it was moved by Vugteveen and seconded by Maden to adopt Resolution 2009-05. Motion carried. Resolution 2009-005 adopts the Six Year Transportation Plan for 2010 through 2015. The public hearing was closed.

                                                                        Business Registration Discussion

The subject of a proposed business registration was discussed. Councilmember Ramsey reported the business community she has been in contact with is not in strong support for the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Maden stated she has had the same response. Councilmember Fancher stated the cost is a concern. Also discussed was the penalty attached to the proposed ordinance and the possibility to put the business information on the city’s website. This matter will continue to be researched.

                                                                        Planning Priorities

The Councilmembers stated their priorities for work to be done by Kurt Danison, Highlands Associates. Councilmember Vugteveen stated annexations, and Parks and Recreation, specifically the swim pool are her priorities. Councilmember Maden’s priorities are annexations, the swim pool and a trail system between Oroville and Tonasket. Councilmember Fancher’s priorities are annexations and a swim pool. Councilmember Ramsey’s priorities are a swim pool and the downtown sidewalks and renovation. Kurt Danison will be attending the next City Council meeting. Due to the absence of Councilmember Griffin her priorities can be given at the next Council meeting.

                                                                        B3 Skate Park Payment

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to approve the payment to William Emfinger Construction for the sidewalk work at the B3 Skate Park in the amount of $12,396.70 contingent on the approval of Building Official Christian Johnson. Motion carried.

                                                                        B3 Skate Park Retainage

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Vugteveen to approve payment to William Emfinger Construction in the amount of $603.54 for retainage contingent on all of the applicable paperwork being returned. Motion carried.

                                                                        Janis Bridge Project Update

City Clerk Alice Attwood updated the Mayor and Council on the Janis Bridge Project. The City Clerk has contacted Dustin Vaughn, WSDOT, and he stated the project is on schedule and the bridge will be opened on July 27th. The project scope entailed more work than originally planned but is still on schedule.

                                                                        Committee Reports

Councilmember Ramsey reported the Chamber of Commerce is requesting to keep the 4 way stop at Whitcomb and 4th St.   Councilmember Ramsey also reported there will be a get together at the Day Park on Saturday July 18th  from 11am-12pm in honor of Bailey Griffin who was the winner of the 2009 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Earn Your Stripes Youth Achievement Award.

 

Councilmember Fancher did not have a committee report.

 

Councilmember Maden reported she attended the TVBRC Board meeting and they are close to a final approval of the new sign for the TVBRC. Councilmember Maden also had questions regarding the reimbursement of funds for the TVBRC costs that are budgeted from Hotel/Motel funds for 2009. Councilmember Maden attended the recent Economic Development Forum and stated that it appears that customer service education is needed in our area.

 

Councilmember Vugteveen stated she will report on the Engineer selection later in the meeting.

                                                                        Payment for New Park Sign

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to authorize payment of $500 to Tim Reed for the sign at History Park. Motion carried.

                                                                        Proclamation

Mayor Walter read a proclamation proclaiming July 18th, 2009 as Bailey Griffin Day in Tonasket.

                                                                        Approval of Liquor Permit

It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Maden to approve the special liquor permit for the Community Culture Center to have a wine tasting event in History Park during the Garlic Festival August 21st and 22nd. Motion carried.

                                                                        Engineering Selections

Councilmember Vugteveen reported she and Councilmember Fancher, Superintendent Pilkinton and City Clerk Alice Attwood have reviewed the RFQ’s from 7 different engineering firms. She stated they were all very nice and well done applications. It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Vugteveen to select Varela Engineering as the city’s primary engineering firm and to select USKH , TDH and Century west as optional firms. Motion carried.

                                                                        Well #5 Pump Work                                    

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Vugteveen to approve work on Well 5 pump to rebuild and rewind the motor for $4000 plus tax. Motion carried.   There will be additional costs for installing the pump motor which are not known at this time.

                                                                        Tour/Councilmembers

The City Council will meet with Superintendent Bill Pilkinton on Wednesday July 29th at 3:00 pm for a tour of city facilities and property.

                                                                        2008 Jail and Booking Fees

The City Clerk informed the Mayor and Council that a bill in the amount of $31,430.12 has been received from Okanogan County for jail and booking fees for 2008. The city has budgeted $20,000 for this expenditure and the County intends to send a bill for the first half of  2009 soon so the amount to be expended is going to be quite a ways over the budgeted amount. The City Clerk asked permission to pay $20,000 for the 2008 bill and then at a later date pay the balance. It was moved by Fancher and seconded by Ramsey to allow the City Clerk to pay $20,000 now and then the balance at a late date. Motion carried.

                                                                        Princeton Airshow                                       

Mayor Walter announced the Town of Princeton has invited everyone to their 2nd Annual Airshow on July 18th.

                                                                        Airport/Phone Bill

It was moved by Maden and seconded by Fancher to pay the entire bill submitted by the Fly Club for the telephone at the Airport. Motion carried. The bill submitted was $382.52 and $236.46 of that amount is from 2008. The City Clerk asked for approval to pay for the portion from 2008 since it was from a different year than the current budget.

                                                                        Chamber/Request for 4 Way Stop

The City has received a letter from the Tonasket Chamber of Commerce requesting to keep the 4 way stop on the corner of 4th and Whitcomb Ave. There were positive remarks regarding this issue and it was mentioned why not ask for a traffic signal in place of the 4 way stop. The City Clerk was directed to contact the WSDOT to find out the process for applying for a traffic signal. It was also stated public input is important in this type of decision.

                                                                        Firehall/Rental Fee

Mayor Walter stated the Council may want to consider some type of rental fee for the EMS District using the City’s old firehall. At this time they are paying for the power but no rent. The City still does the maintenance and should be compensated.

 

 

 

                                                                        Skate Park

The B3 skate park was discussed. It is nearing completion. The BMX track needs more work, weeds pulled and rocks picked up. Representatives from the Recreation Conservation Office will be in town to see the facility on July 21st.

                                                                        Trustees/Skate Park

The City Clerk was instructed to contact Noah Stewart at the County Jail to ask if the trustees could come up and help with the work at the Skate Park.

                                                                        Approval/Consent Agenda

It was moved by Vugteveen and seconded by Maden to approve the consent agenda which consists of the minutes of the previous meeting, June Payroll (9892-9929) $59,272.86, and June Bills (19485-19546) $56,371.30. Motion carried.

                                                                        City Flag

Councilmember Ramsey asked if the city flag could be flown with the US flag at City Hall. The City Clerk stated she would take care of that request.

                                                                        Meeting/Holiday Decorations

It was stated that a meeting needs to be scheduled for the holiday lighting and banner project.

                                                                        Adjournment

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

 

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    Patrick Walter, Mayor

 

 

______________________________

Alice J. Attwood, Clerk-Treasurer