Council Meeting: July 7, 2008

The council meeting began at 7 pm with Council Member Stebner absent. The first several business items went quickly. Several folks that had been appointed by the previous mayor to various committees had resigned recently. The council confirmed Bryan Ficiala as a new planning commission member and Robin Zehel, Lynette Hopkins and Sue Heinz are now on the Tree Committee with Ginger Kryger appointed as the chair.

Council Member Hunt will replace Stebner on the Rainer Communication Commission (a regulatory group for cable companies, among other things). The school boy patrol was removed from Ruston’s code (with a second reading waived). The loading zone in front of the Ruston school building will be brought back to the council once an exact footage is identified. The pay increase for the interim police chief passed (with the second reading waived).

The motion to pass the gambling tax increase (ordinance) and to waive the second reading (so the final vote would be made immediately) was made by Council Member Albertson. Council Member Hedrick objected; he felt the issue was controversial and warranted further research and allowing the public to comment at the end of the meeting. He said the removing the schoolboy patrol was logical to pass in one meeting, but passing this kind of tax increase on Ruston’s biggest tax payer and largest employer should at least wait until the public had a chance to speak. Albertson thought there had been plenty of opportunity to hear from the public at prior meetings. Hunt gained approval to change the tax rate to 12% (rather than 20% as proposed). The final vote on the issue was 3-1 with Hedrick voting no.

The agreement for countywide planning policies was approved. Council Member Huson said he and Hunt had met with a potential planner, but she disqualified herself because of a conflict of interest with Point Ruston. They will continue to work on finding someone soon. Huson named 3 of the engineering applicants that he felt were well qualified. The mayor will present a rate schedule for each of these engineering firms at the next meeting.

The town maintenance department had recommended UBS for locating services. The council endorsed that choice 4-0. The council also approved the interlocal agreement for the police task force. The chief pointed out an ordinance or resolution is required. She will bring one to the next meeting.

The council approved the closure of a portion of N. 51st Street on September 6th for the business district’s community music fest. The police chief noted the home alarm ordinance needs to be updated. She will work with the town attorney and bring something back to the council. The study session next week will address the future needs of the police and maintenance departments.

Huson had provided an ordinance tonight to the council on the Stack Hill plat amendments that encompassed his suggestions made at the end of the public hearing. Because it was presented so late, the ordinance will be given its first reading at the July 21st meeting. Hunt wanted to know if the council could talk to the developer about this new ordinance, since there were some new stipulations added. She was reminded that no communication was allowed with anyone now that the public hearing was closed. The new town attorney thought the developer could be invited to address the council tonight, but both Hedrick and Albertson felt that any presentation would be new evidence outside of the public hearing that should not be allowed. The attorney will research the issue and see if the public hearing needed to be opened again since this ordinance was different than what had been considered at the last hearing.

Claims and payroll were approved after the last bill from Hulitt Zollars was removed (and will not be paid until some questions are answered). The mayor pointed out that the files from the former planner would not be released until this final bill was paid. Huson said his clerk was going to their office to pick up the files tomorrow, perhaps if they hurry they could get them.

There were several public comments, which I did not track well. Most comments were from folks connected to the casino telling the council why their tax increase was wrong. During mayor’s time, Everding said he is exploring a fire impact fee that would be charged for every 3rd floor or higher based on square footage; and that the web site committee should have a basic town web site up by the end of the month.

During council time, Huson responded to some of the public comments. Hedrick complimented the new fire engine. Albertson also responded to some of the public comments, as did Hunt. An interesting quote from Albertson, “…because we have a few people in town that think its hilarious and fun and great to get onto the front page of the newspaper fighting and all that does is drive people away from Ruston. All that does is makes it harder for people with businesses in Ruston to get customers. All that does is makes it harder for people to sell their homes in Ruston. And you can slap each other on the back and feel so good about it but the reality is that you’re hurting the town.”

The meeting moved into executive session at about 9 pm but I didn’t stay. I assume they adjourned the meeting after the 30 minutes of executive session. If anyone stuck around, let me know. As always, I encourage you to attend the meetings for yourself. If you’d like a CD recording of the meeting, I’d be happy to supply one.

Karen