Council Meeting: Sept. 8, 2009

Here is what I found interesting at the last meeting. Be sure to attend yourself and get a first hand view of local politics in action. ~ Karen

The meeting began at 7:03 after waiting a few minutes for council members Stebner and Albertson to arrive. Stebner came in just as the meeting started, but Albertson never arrived. After the agenda approval and flag salute, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved 4-0.

General Public Comment
Jim Wingard was concerned about the amount of money the town is spending defending itself on the casino lawsuit. He asked for the exact dollar amount, but received no response. He said he would stop by town hall this week and hoped it would be released.

Nancy Sharkey was opposed to the potential rezone on Pearl Street. She has three young children and is concerned about their safety since commercial development would mean more traffic. Having businesses in this area would not add much money to the town, but would mean big changes to her neighborhood and reduce the value of her investment.

Ginger Kryger wanted assurances that if the Comprehensive Plan change recommended by the planning commission is delayed until 2011, no one will try to push for the zoning change. The mayor said he did not think anyone on the council (or himself) had any plans to force commercial zoning.

I asked the council to not give up the potential commercial designation since it would be very time consuming and costly to ever try to get it back. I also asked that we use this momentum to start some broad-based planning meetings – get everyone to the table as we move to update the Comprehensive Plan.

Don Torbet felt the town needed revenue and should keep the potential commercial designation. There is adequate traffic on Pearl to support business. He wanted to know why Ms. Kryger’s question was answered but not Mr. Wingard’s.

Beth Torbet noted the business district is working on improvements to the streetscape. She also hoped the council would not give up the potential for commercial development along all of Pearl.

Business
1. Commercial District Street Lighting: Stebner wanted to ensure the new streetlights could be used to hang flower baskets or flags. The town electrician said the new lights were not built to handle the weight of flower pots and did not include any attachments for flags. The cost for a larger pole and arm on the big light standards (12 planned for Pearl) would be about $500 each, and about $150 each for the smaller poles on the other streets (pictures here). After a lengthy discussion, the council decided they would pay for the additional engineering to include arms for flags only for just the 12 poles on Pearl Street. There will be a formal resolution authorizing the additional expense at the next meeting. The bid will include two options, with or without arms for flags.

2. Resolution 454 - Agreement for Building Department Services: The old company will be terminated on Wednesday. Hunt was in favor, noting extensive research her previous task force had done on the issue. Hedrick thought it was important to upgrade given the amount of development on the horizon. Stebner still thought the work should have gone out to bid, but was pleased with SafeBuilt. The mayor said the new company brings automation and tracking ability that is very much needed. He said he had researched the market before recommending this company. Hunt said she called a reference who gave a solid recommendation. The resolution was approved 4-0.

3. Ordinance 1295 - Adopting Building Permit, Plan Review and Building Department Service Fee Schedules (First Reading): Hunt and Huson were very pleased with the format. No action was taken on first reading.

4. Ordinance 1296 - Maximum Load Limits on Baltimore between Ruston Way and N. Commercial (First Reading): Stebner wanted a guarantee this was not just a cost-cutting measure for the developer. He wondered why the train tunnel could not be re-engineered to handle truck traffic. The town planner noted this was a way to keep heavy truck traffic on 51st Street rather than cutting through the residential neighborhood and that working with the railroad on a big project like this is difficult. He will have Point Ruston and one of their engineers at the next meeting to go over details. The fire chief said he was ok with the weight restrictions, but wanted to be sure that not only Ruston’s equipment could use the road, but larger equipment if needed.

5. Salary Provisions for Collective Bargaining Agreement: The town attorney stated that most everything had been agreed to except for this issue (which should not be discussed in executive session). The council had previously rejected the union request for a 2.5% annual pay increase for the 3 years of the contract. Hunt wanted any increase tied to the consumer price index. Hedrick wanted to know if the town could selectively give pay increases to certain people but was told no. Hunt wanted to know how Ruston’s pay compared to other small towns, but that has not been researched yet. She noted we are running at a deficit and did not want to bankrupt the town. Hedrick noted that state and other municipalities have a hiring freeze or are looking at pay cuts. He proposed freezing the current wages for the three years of the contract. The rest of the council agreed.

6. Pearl Street Zoning Map Amendments: The mayor summarized the issue and the current recommendation by both the planning commission and town staff. Hedrick had surveyed the area and found 9 homes, 2 multi-family buildings and one vacant lot. The planner said the original proposal came from discussion with the mayor looking for economic development opportunities for the town. The council accepted the staff recommendations to not initiate a plan amendment for this one issue.

Claims and Payroll
Hunt wanted to be sure the Mr. Wingard’s question would be answered this week. Huson gave him the total spent during August from the claims he had just approved ($4,140.00). Claims and payroll was approved 3-1 with Stebner voting no.

Mayor’s Time
The loan paperwork for the sewer replacement has been submitted. The project should be underway in the next 30 to 45 days.

The transfer to the new budget software/accounting system is underway and the budget should be more understandable now. Hopkins noted the clerk has done nothing wrong, she has been formatting things as instructed in the past.

He forewarned the council that he wants to upgrade the town web site soon. One of the volunteer firefighters who works for a computer company is lending his expertise. Hopkins wants to make the site more interactive with the ability to check account balances and pay bills on-line, apply and track permits, have citizens contribute.

The community center is a labor of love. The volunteer fire fighters spent a day helping pull out the old kitchen (including the large granite counter) and got it moved to the new area. He is still getting volunteers to get the cabinets and final pieces in place. He is hoping to start holding meetings in the new space by the first of November.

He was hoping for curb painting on 49th this weekend. One of the neighbors pressure washed the curbs and he wants to get it done while they are clean. Chief Kunkel has been trying to schedule the crew from Reman Hall.

Council Time
Stebner was concerned that the various committees are not being given proper marching orders. If there is nothing for the committee to do, he wants the council to ensure they are not required to meet. For instance, he did not think the tree committee had reason to be meeting right now. Ms. Kryger was the past chair of this committee and let the council know that the committee finished up a few things at the last meeting just before she left the committee. There are only two members of the committee now, so they cannot function. Hopkins is working the council liaison Huson on the issue.

Huson offered his thanks for the fire department’s quick, strong response to a 3 am fire alarm at his house recently. It turned out it was a false alarm, but he was impressed. He promised to be better dressed if there is ever another alarm.

Hedrick did not have anything.

Hunt said the council would begin setting the 2010 budget soon. She wanted to get the new ordinances codified. The town planner let her know that he and the clerk are planning on doing that quarterly. Hunt noted that the council rules require that council members should call in to be excused when they are absent from a meeting. Any absence should be noted in the minutes for both excused or unexcused. Since Albertson had missed the last two meetings with no notice, that correction should be made to the minutes. She also related a comment from a vendor who serviced the copier at their home. The vendor had been questioned twice by police and local security while parked in town and he thought we had a very secure community.

The meeting adjourned about 8:20 pm.