Council Meeting ~ Feb. 25, 2008

Highlights of tonight’s meeting include:

• Council Member Hedrick was concerned about several items placed on the agenda with no information provided by council members by Council Members Albertson and Huson. Albertson said he would discuss the issues when they came up on the agenda.
• The new police chief, Sharon Reese, was sworn in. The mayor thanked Sgt. Kunkel for his good work as acting chief.
• The police and fire department monthly reports were presented. Among other things, the police are looking at working with other small communities for using prisoner labor to clean up alongside streets. The fire department had 4 medical aid calls in January. The residency program is beginning soon. The first resident is scheduled to move in to the house next to town hall in mid-March. This program will provide increased fire department coverage and was strongly recommended by the fire committee study.
• There was information presented on two more fire engines the chief has located. He recommended one in California that is well-equipped. Funding for the purchase will be on the agenda for the council meeting next week.
• The council approved a handicap parking space in front of the Kirkevold home on Shirley Street. The handicap shuttle has have trouble finding parking when picking them up because of the nearby condo development.
• Council Member Albertson removed a couple of items from the agenda (contract for forensic accountant and amending council rules). The issues will be discussed in detail at upcoming study sessions. A schedule of study sessions and topics will be decided at the meeting next week.
• Council Member Albertson and Stebner authorized themselves to meet with a “former employee” who is alleging misconduct by the mayor. Since this employee has retained an attorney and has indicated he will be suing the town, the mayor felt it was unwise to meet privately with him and overstepped the legislative authority of the council. He will ask the town attorney to research whether such a meeting is legal and for the council to engage in personnel matters in this way. He asked that the council to abide by whatever the town attorney advised. The town attorney encouraged Albertson and Stebner to have the town’s legal counsel present at the meeting. The motion passed 3 to 1 with Council Member Hedrick voting against the motion, which did not include any provision for the town attorney to attend.
• Council Member Huson then removed his agenda item about the fire truck. Huson stated he was satisfied with the presentation and information presented by the fire chief during his report.
• The council approved moving forward with hiring an attorney that specializes in employment and labor issues. Rather than fight with the council again about a choice of attorney (as had happened with the town’s defense attorney) the mayor asked the council to decide who he should choose for this work. The council asked the mayor to pursue a contract with Mr. Wingerbougher (I have no idea how to spell the name).
• Bills and payroll were approved with one question about why the town was paying attorney fees to have the town’s interests watched regarding the escrow on the Commencement project.
• During mayor’s time, Transue asked the council to consider having a facilitator come in to help the council and community work through long-range planning issues. A supplemental budget will be needed, and this item could be included.
• He suggested that the Marcott financial study be discussed at a study session soon. Mr. Marcott could give a presentation. Alberston felt the study confirmed that the Commencement development was not necessary for the town’s survival, but that there was clear need for the Point Ruston development.
• During public comment, there was quite a bit of discussion about the cost of town planning services for Point Ruston. Mr. Cohen, owner of Point Ruston noted that the recent public comment period on the SEPA yielded 47 comments, 44 of which were very positive. He felt the official comment from the Town of Ruston was negative and not supportive of the project.
• One audience member felt we need to have a reserve maintenance person available and the budget should be amended to cover that cost. She noted that Steve Taylor had to work yesterday even though his sister had just died.