Council Meeting Quick Notes: April 6, 2009

Just a few highlights that I found interesting for now, I'll get more out later in the week.... Karen

Call To Order
Roll Call
Flag Salute
Agenda Approval: Moved Ordinance 439 to first so the consultants could address the issue and head home
Minutes: Approved
Study Session I, March 16, 2009
Study Session II, March 16, 2009
Regular Council Meeting, March 16, 2009
Old Business:
1. Resolution 439: Consenting to City of Tacoma Formation of LID: Passed 3-2 (Stebner, Albertson no)
2. Ordinance 1278: Regulation of Private Alarm Systems: Tabled for more changes
3. W. R. Rust Playfield/Dog Park (Huson): Tabled so the proposed area can be surveyed
4. Ordinance 1280: Designating Permitted Off-Leash Areas: Tabled - will change current ordinance to not allow any off-leash dogs in the park until a separate area can be created
5. Resolution 438: Utility Extension Agreement: Passed 5-0
5. Tacoma Recycling Contract - One Year Renewal: Tabled
New Business:
A. Ordinance 1283: Repealing Ordinance 1282 Sewer Utility Rates: Tabled
B. Resolution 440: Contracting with Tacoma for Municipal Services/Annexation: The letter from Mayor Hopkins had been sent 2 weeks ago and a meeting held last Friday with Tacoma officials and Mayor Hopkins and Council Members Hedrick and Hunt. This resolution was defeated 3-2 (Stebner, Albertson yes)
C. Resolution 441: 2008 Tacoma-Pierce County Solid Waste Management Plan: Approved 3-1 (Stebner no) with Albertson abstaining
D. Revenue From Sale of Lots on Commercial Street (Albertson): The sale of town-owned property on the north side of Commercial Street included a tax penalty if homes were not constructed within a specified time period. It does not appear that additional tax has been levied and Albertson wants to see that corrected.
Claims and Payroll
General Public Comment
Mayor's Time: Hopkins felt it was a good discussion with Tacoma on Friday. The town needs to get a list back to Tacoma about what services Tacoma could provide so they can discuss specifics. Stebner had a list of questions that the mayor was required to ask. Hopkins will outline Tacoma's responses to those questions. There are options to continue some autonomy short of annexation such as the neighborhood councils in Tacoma or a different type of a community municipal structure.
Council Time:
Hedrick: At the Tacoma meeting, Mayor Baarsma and City Manager Anderson said they would be willing to come to a public meeting in Ruston to answer any questions the public might have about annexation or services. He did not get the sense that Tacoma is trying to take over Ruston.
Albertson: Council Member Stebner is the only one who has had the courage to stand up on the annexation issue and should have been at the meeting with Tacoma.
Hunt: The data from the Tacoma meeting confirms taxes are higher in Tacoma. Ruston has to be willing to tax itself more if we want to remain solvent or get taxed at Tacoma's rate. In Tacoma, infrastructure problems like the sewer upgrades would be paid directly by those who use that service via an LID. There would not be any savings to Ruston residents on infrastructure upgrades.
Meeting Adjourned