Council Meeting Notes: August 3, 2009

A study session was held at 6 pm to interview the company the town is considering hiring for building permit services. I arrived at the tail end of the meeting. Lyle Hardin was asking how development projects currently underway would be handled in a transfer of services. The SAFEbuiltinc team said there is a 30 to 60 day window to transfer all projects. Albertson joked that hopefully it would take long enough that Hardin would be sitting in his seat when such a change takes place so Hardin could take all the blame.

The study session adjourned about 6:50 pm and the regular meeting began at 7 pm. The clerk called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to appoint a mayor pro-tem since Hopkins was absent (Huson was also absent). Hunt made a motion to appoint Hedrick as mayor pro-tem. After a long pause, Hedrick seconded the motion. Hedrick deferred to Stebner as the senior council member (in case Stebner wanted to run the meeting). When Stebner said he was not interested, the vote to appoint Hedrick was approved 4-0.

Hedrick called the meeting to order and the agenda was approved. Stebner asked if the town attorney was coming. After a phone call, it was confirmed he was on his way. Hedrick asked for a motion to approve the minutes, but Hunt wanted to go back to the agenda and add a discussion on the building services. Stebner asked if the town should go out to bid. The town attorney had just arrived and advised it was not required but was a good idea. Hunt moved to add the issue to the agenda, which was approved 4-0.

Hedrick again asked for a motion to approve the minutes, but the town attorney then asked to have the agenda amended to add an executive session just before the resolution changing employee work hours. The amended agenda was approved 4-0.

The minutes of both the study session and regular meeting of July 20, 2009 were approved with some minor changes with a vote of 4-0.

Public Comment
Jim Wingard: With the budget review on the agenda tonight, he pointed out that it would have been nice to have the tax income that the council lost when they imposed the tax increase on the casino gambling operation last year.

Business
1. SAFEbuiltinc Discussion: Hunt outlined the results of the study session and moved to have the mayor work with SAFEbuiltinc on a contract (which comes back to the council for approval). Albertson seconded the motion. Stebner wanted to know what the big rush was. There had been no discussion of this change at previous council meetings and he was not kept in the loop on any reasons this change was needed. Hunt pointed out the problems identified by the building permit task force (they both had been committee members), such as only having inspections 2 times a week. This proposal should save the town and clients money and time. Albertson liked several things about the proposal, although he hoped that someone would call the references. The motion was approved 4-0.

2. Resolution 450: Agreement with Town Planner: Hunt moved for approval and Stebner seconded the motion. The town attorney explained that the language the council had wanted changed at the last meeting had not been made. The way the council wanted the contract worded could be construed as the planner being a town employee rather than an independent contractor. After more discussion, the agreement was approved 4-0.

3. Resolution 452: Amending Council Rules: The motion to require fiscal notes was made by Albertson and seconded by Stebner. The proposal was changed to have this requirement apply to all proposed ordinances and approved 4-0.

The council recessed into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss potential litigation. At 8 pm they reconvened the meeting.

4. Resolution 453: Changing the Standard Work Week for Employees: The issue was moved to the next meeting on August 17th.

Claims and Payroll
Hunt moved for approval. After a long pause with no second from Albertson or Stebner, Hedrick confirmed with the town attorney he had the authority to second motions as mayor pro-tem. The attorney told him he did not give up any of his rights as a council member as mayor pro-tem. Hedrick then seconded the motion. Hunt and Hedrick voted yes, Stebner voted no and Albertson abstained. Council rules state that unless there is a conflict of interest, an abstention is counted with the majority vote. The town attorney confirmed that approval had been granted to pay the bills and employees for this pay period.

Council Time:
Stebner wanted to have a study session with the town electrician to discuss the street lighting project.
Albertson agreed that the street lighting project was important. Some of the lights have been tagged as unsafe. He also passed out a budget from LaConner and pointed out many things he liked about how they formatted and presented the information. He felt that the council should look at the pay rate of the town maintenance men given the amount of work they do compared to other employees.
Hunt still wants to look at a green design for the street lights even though the town electrical engineer had some concerns.
Hedrick had talked to the fire chief about installing NoxBoxes on new development and encouraging local businesses to also get one. The box has a key for the building and is accessible by emergency personnel. It will cost about $1500 to equip the fire engine for this service. There is some debate about the fire department's authority to conduct inspections of local businesses. Inspections are suspended until the issue can be resolved.

The meeting adjourned about 8:2o pm.