It's time to catch up on what's been happening at the council meetings. I am 7 weeks behind at this point, so bear with me. The meeting materials for this meeting are available on Ruston Reports here....
6 pm Study Session
Hedrick arrived late. Steve Taylor, head of Ruston's public works, was present to talk about garbage services. The new accounting service, BIAS, had discovered a 5 year trend where the town is loosing money on some accounts, such garbage. Right now, about 45% of the maintenance crew's time is spent collecting garbage and recycle items. The mayor noted that the Town's recycle service is free to residents, but the town pays for the disposal.
The mayor contacted University Place (UP) Refuse Service to see if they would interested in servicing Ruston. The company services both UP and Fircrest. The mayor was concerned about both the fact that the refuse service is not paying for itself and that the manual labor (lifting cans, ect.) results in the likelihood of injuries to the maintenance staff.
He had learned that if Ruston were to create a "green policy", the town may qualify for more grants by doing things like providing larger garbage containers and only picking up every other week (reducing the carbon footprint). Neil from UP Refuse provided some background on the company (small, family owned business for over 4o years). Their services are automated now to reduce injury. The rates they currently charge were listed on a handout provided to the council.
The company has an agreement with Pierce County to allow disposal to county landfills once a year at no charge, and with Tacoma Landfill to allow their customers to bring in their household hazardous waste at no charge. Taylor asked if there was any lower rate offered to seniors like is currently allowed in Ruston. Neil said they have a smaller container that would be a lower cost.
Currently the town charges $23 with no recylcing, $19 with recycling. UP Refuse would provide containers for both garage and recycling, no different rate. Hunt confirmed that glass would not be recycled with this new service. She also asked other logistical questions.
Steve noted that as the town's population increases, more people would need to be hired if the town were to continue to provide its own garbage service. Taylor confirmed that the customer would need to replace their own containers if lost or stolen with UP Refuse, although that policy is not strictly enforced. The mayor noted that The Commencement has an on-site compactor and it's possible Point Ruston may also provide the same.
Neil suggested possibly modeling a contract after the University Place contract and rates. Hunt wanted to know if they could arrange for a spring clean up day, where extra material is picked up or collected at a local pick up point. The mayor said that this issue would be talked about in the coming months. The town will provide a count of the current garbage accounts so UP Refuse can begin calculating potential rates.
Regular Meeting
7:05 called to order. After roll call (all present) and flag salute, the agenda was approved after adding contracting with Bonney Lake for code enforcement. The meeting minutes from the last meeting were approved with no discussion.
Public Comment
Sherrie Forch thanked everyone for their help with the Easter Egg event. She was opposed to the proposed side yard setback variance.
Edie Tallman wanted to know if the mayor had been able to get a separate zip code for Ruston. He has not had time to focus on that yet.
Business
1. Power for Winnifred Medians: Mo Fesharaki provided the cost estimates for providing power to the medians on Winnifred as requested by the council. The cost is $59,047 for the median from 53th-54th, and lower for the others. He then discussed options for installation. The cost will be less if it is done now while the contractor is on-site for the current project. Funding could come out of the electrical utility reserve fund. The council decided not spend the money at this time.
2. Police Station Security: Hedrick and Chief Kunkel outlined improvement to the security of the Ruston police station. The hope is to replace the windows, doors, install security cameras and concrete barriers. The chief also wants to upgrade the lighting and replace the 1960's era carpet. There was more discussion about security cameras. The mayor and chief had discussed looking for grant monies, but they may be hard to come by and take some time to secure. The option of using the Capital Improvement Fund was discussed. Chief Kunkel acknowledged that their department does get threats. Hedrick noted the total cost (minus carpet) is about $46,000. No decision was reached.
3. Business District Update: The mayor felt the business district was doing a lot of good things in the community and felt they should be given regular time at the meetings to provide updates on their activities. Beth Torbet, the current president, gave some background on the district. The district is current working on local projects like the chairs, car show and others. They have a design team working on street scape suggestions such as coloring, lighting, signage, benches, flower planters, etc. Huson attend the last meeting and was impressed with the level of energy and organization. He also mentioned that Heidi Kress is putting together a walking map for the district. Beth pointed out that they are doing a membership drive and presented Hunt with certificates for her three businesses that recently joined the business district.
4. 49th Street Sewer Pump Replacement: Jerry Morrissette explained the situation with several homes that are using a pump system - to see if there were some options to add these homes on a gravity-feed system during the other planned sewer upgrades. The cost would be about $74,000 from the sewer reserve fund. Hardin offered to recuse himself from voting or discussion since some of the effected properties are owned by close personal friends. No one asked that he withdraw. Hedrick confirmed that this project is about 75% engineered now.
Huson wanted to know how the current system is working. Morrissette said the current 5 homes on the grinder system were installed in about 2000. It was paid for by those homes so they could develop those lots. The council directed staff to draw up a resolution to finish the engineering and a requirement that these homes connect to the new line (and pay a connection fee if they have not paid one in the past).
Morrissette reported on the results on the smoke testing. He said things went well. The private property connections were better than expected. There were some problems with some catch basins in the public right of ways.
5. Ordinance 1308 - Side yard Set Back Variance (Second Reading): Hunt noted that she walked this lot and she was having a hard time with the proposal. The ordinance passed with a vote of 4-1 with Hunt voting no.
6. Ordinance 1309 - Dissolution of the Tree Committee (First Reading): The mayor has proposed this because he feels the work is better suited to be performed by the planning commission.
7. Resolution 466 - Point Ruston LID: The town attorney explained that this was a measure to clarify the previous LID agreement. Passed 5-0.
8. Resolution 467 - Set Date For Public Hearing for Vacation of Portions of Gallagher Way/51st Street: The town attorney outlined that the new alignment of Ruston Way dictates that Ruston vacate some portions of the current right of way. Point Ruston is asking for expedited approval at the same meeting right after the public hearing to help speed up the work. Hardin was concerned about making a decision at the same night as the hearing and had some other questions that he wanted addressed before making a decision. He was not pleased with having to hurry something like this to help the developer and he wanted to confirm that Point Ruston will pay for any town staff time needed to review this proposal. Passed 5-0.
9. Contracting with Bonney Lake for Code Enforcement: Town Planner Rob White explained why he suggested this arrangement - that Bonney Lake is looking at reducing hours for their inspectors and Ruston is looking at having someone other than the planner available for advising on minor issues and performing the inspections. A formal resolution will be prepared for the next meeting.
Claims and Payroll
Passed 5-0.
Mayor's Time
Mayor Hopkins reported on his research on using the state Public Works Trust Fund for grants. Applications are due in May, but Ruston will need to update its policies and plans before qualifying for these monies. He will not pursue grants this year, but will be working to update the Comprehensive Plan so the town is prepared to make application when a project ready.
The mayor is working to develop a "green policy" for the town. He thanked everyone for their work on the Easter Egg Hunt. He will be purchasing some accounting software to help the clerk. The community center now has the sheet rocking done. He wants to outsource the resurfacing of the hardwood floor for $2,100. He wanted to know if the council would agree to a loan that would be repaid by rental fees.
The mayor is considering contracting out some of the commercial business fire inspections.
Council Time
Huson felt that most of the work on the Easter event was done by Sherri Forch. He also expressed pleasure at how organized the mayor is - that they had gotten through 9 business items at this meeting by 8:3o was amazing. He was glad to see a council that was willing to work together in "civil and ... constructive manner" and felt the meetings were somewhat pleasant to attend now.
Hedrick also thanked everyone for the Easter event, despite the cold weather. He also thanked the mayor for the positive changes he has brought during his tenure as mayor.
Hunt said she is still working with the mayor on the updated contract with Comcast. She wants to see Ruston receive 5% of revenues rather than the current 3%. She also thanked everyone for the Easter event.
Hardin especially thanked his wife for her work on the Easter event - and thanked the staff for their work on various issues. The new scanner for town hall is being order the next week.
Kristovich reminded everyone that the applications for the chair project are due by April 18th. It appeared that there were more applications from artists than there will be chairs, so the committee will be able to select artists for the project.
Beth Torbet added a note that Jane's Walk will be held on May 2nd.
The meeting was adjourned at about 8:50 pm.
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