Council Meeting: Sept. 15, 2008

Here is what I observed tonight ~ please attend yourself to see your leaders in action! ~ Karen

Mayor Pro-tem Bradley Huson started the meeting at 7 pm. The agenda was amended to delay the tree committee report until next meeting and to hold a 30-minute executive session to discuss real estate issues and potential litigation.

The first item was a public hearing on the codification of Ruston codes, which brings the codes up to date with any recent changes. They are now available on Ruston's web page. Several thank yous were extended to Sally Everding for her work, along with the rest of the web committee for putting this together. Huson will draft a thank you letter for the council to sign. Rather than pay Mrs. Everding (since her husband was mayor at the time), the town will contribute to the community Easter egg celebration.

Fire Chief Torbet noted that all the calls last month were medical aid, although several were for patient assists rather than medical emergencies. He will be updating his report to reflect these types of calls. Police Chief Reese went over several items; calls were routine this month, she is pursing a refund of the department radios that have not worked well, her proposed new salary grid (provides incentives to keep people on and get better applicants) costing $7,563 for the rest of 2008 and $37,717 for 2009. They have several good applicants for police reserve positions. She also discussed her resignation at the end of the year. The police chief and town attorney will look at the noise ordinance to make sure it is enforceable.

Town electrician Tim Burtron presented information on the deteriorating streetlights. After discussion, Burtron will work with the electrical engineer to get a bid on putting a scope of work for replacing the lights on Pearl, Winnifred and 51st Street - taking into consideration the style of new lights on Stack Hill and Point Ruston.

Huson clarified the letter from Betty Fellerman on the dog park. The cost is about $250 a year. Ms. Fellerman has donated $25 towards purchasing doggie bags.

Ordinance 1265 (accepting the codified municipal code) passed 5-0.

Council Member Stebner wants a new study on the condition of the town sewer system. After discussion, the mayor will have the town planner review the current information and come back with a proposal at the next meeting. Storm sewer was also discussed. Once Ruston reaches a population of 1,000 new regulations for storm water discharge is required. Coupled with changes needed for the storm line that runs through the Point Ruston site, this issue will need attention very soon as well. Stebner suggested using Harbor Improvement and sewer reserve funds if needed.

The town attorney presented an ordinance that would control renting or allowing meetings in town facilities. After some discussion, Huson will bring the ordinance back for a second reading at the next meeting with some issues clarified.

There was extended discussion on hiring a town administrator. Hunt has drafted a job description suggesting pay of $75,000 to $90,000 a year. Albertson asked if funding for the position would require 4 votes. The attorney felt it would only require super majority approval if additional funding would be required.

Albertson felt the town could not afford a paid administrator and would not last until Point Ruston was developed. He wants to look at the short-term issues like fixing the immediate needs and thought the council should be talking to Tacoma about what to do when we run out of money, including annexation. Stebner felt the council needed to look at all the options and put annexation up for a vote.

Huson noted that he and Hunt have already met with Tacoma's city manager about taking them over police, fire and other services. They are waiting to hear back on what Tacoma would proposal. He felt the handwriting was on the wall and Ruston could not afford to continue to provide the same level of service to new residents.

Huson felt the town had done well this year, considering all the resignations. They had gotten the legal and planning costs under control and moved important development projects forward. These saving might be enough to pay for an administrator through the end of 2008. He will talk with the town clerk to see if they could find a way to fund the town administrator position within the budget since they would not have the super-majority vote.

Albertson wanted to know if anyone had applied for the mayor's position. The clerk noted there had not been any notice given yet asking for applications. Albertson felt it had been a disastrous year for the town, especially with former mayor Everding’s resignation. Hunt felt an administrator would save the town money in the long run by securing grants.

The clerk supported hiring an administrator and felt there needed to be a central person who could prioritize and recommend how to move projects/issues forward. Stebner chastised the clerk for not getting the meeting minutes done yet. Huson noted that at least the town would not run out of money before Albertson would run out of office - he could be voted out of office before then. Stebner thought that comment was inexcusable.

Claims and payroll were approved 5-0.

Public Comment:
Jim Wingard gave his address as required, but was interrupted by Albertson who demanded to know what Wingard's address was at his residence (not the address of the property he owns in Ruston). Huson gaveled him down, noting that Wingard was still allowed to address the council. Wingard express frustration that Stebner and Albertson seem to be opposing hiring an administrator but supported changing the form of government that would have forced hiring a manager.

Connie Maglione expressed frustration that a part-time administrator was not being pursued. She chastised Albertson for attempting to interrupt her and then noted what she felt was money wasted on frivolous lawsuits and the grant the council walked away from last spring.

I voiced support for new pedestrian-friendly street lighting, asked when the exclusive lease on the Commencement sales center expired and felt it was inappropriate to be talking about annexation.

Terry Knapp wanted to know why Albertson and Stebner supported hiring an administrator before but not now. They responded that they had never supported the concept.

Sherrie Forch likened the town to a boat being skippered by well-intended amateurs. She felt we need a professional at the helm or we would run aground.

Jon Anderson wanted to know if the mayor's position had been advertised yet. Huson noted there had not been a town newsletter since the decision was made to ask for applications at the last meeting. The invitation would be included in the next newsletter.

Nan Leiter felt that a proven record in securing grants should be the top priority for an administrator. She was also concerned about the divisive nature of the meeting.

Mayor's Time:
Huson has met with Paul Wageman of the Commencement to talk about noise, maintenance, cost of utilities and the lease and the relocation of Bennett Street. He has also met with Point Ruston to discuss infrastructure, the LID and the shoreline permit. He and Hunt will be meeting with Point Ruston bi-weekly (Hunt is the council committee person for infrastructure).

Council Time:
Stebner wants to see the fence installed at the dog park as budgeted. He noted the auditor will be auditing the town and he wants to attend the pre-meeting. He and Hedrick will attend.

Hedrick congratulated the business district on a successful music fest. He is sorry to see Chief Reese leave and thanked her for her time a police chief. He will draft a letter of recommendation for the council to sign. He will also take on the process of getting a secretary for the civil service commission after he talks to the commission chair.

Albertson also thanked Chief Reese. He clarified he had not supported hiring an administrator when Transue was mayor. Regarding what he felt were frivolous lawsuits, he asked Jim Wingard how much he was suing Ruston for. Mr. Wingard responded only enough to start a recall. Albertson felt we had not gotten any applications for mayor because we had poisoned the well with too many personal attacks on local blogs. He felt the town government is dysfunctional and policy differences were being turned into personal attacks.

He felt it was wrong for council members to meet with developers in private and that the new hearing on Stack Hill was a back door way to accomplish what had been turned down through the front door. He said people would be shocked at what's gone on behind the scenes to change the outcome of that last vote.

Hunt responded to Albertson’s accusation of ex-parte communication on the last vote on Stack Hill, noting that the town attorney had advised the council that contact with the developer was allowed. She also encouraged the council to review a brochure from AWC on user fees and tax sources.

The meeting moved into executive session for about 25 minutes and adjourned at about 9:30 with no further action.