Council Meeting Notes: April 19, 2010

Meeting materials are available on Ruston Reports here. The meeting began at about 7 pm with the town clerk taking roll and leading the flag salute. With the mayor and Council Member Hunt excused and not present at the meeting, the council appointed Council Member Hedrick as mayor pro-tem. After agenda approval, the minutes of the previous meetings were approved with minor changes.

Staff Reports
Fire: Chief Torbet reported only two calls during March. They have begun planning for the Taste of Tacoma and other summer events.

Police: Chief Kunkel thanked those who worked on the Easter event. He reminded everyone there would be street closures on May 2nd as the Tacoma City Marathon came through town. He was not able to locate grant monies to help pay for the police station security upgrades. He is talking with the mayor about doing the work in phases. He outlined the department's recent training, including emotional survival for police officers.

Public Comment
Ryan Morris asked for an update on the sewer project since it will impact their development in the area.

Sherri Forch liked the work the street light installation crews are doing and is excited to see the new lights working soon.

Jim Wingard provided input on the town's dealings with the Unicorn Tavern and suggested caution to avoid another lawsuit.

Ken Brown is looking forward to working with the town on behalf of the business district on the street scape designs. He also supports the proposed nuisance ordnance.

Beth Torbet let the council know that the business district will sponsor a water station for the marathon and invited helper to join them (bring your cowbells). She also invited anyone to join Jane's Walk for a neighborhood stroll designed to inform and work for improvements.

Business
1. EPA Update: EPA project manager Kevin Rochlin provided this update:

• Point Ruston has re-desgined the impermeable cap that must be installed across the property and hired Hydrometrics as project manager. Hydrometrics has a lot of experience on this site.
• The dirt piles will be re-graded over the summer in preparation for the impermeable cap being installed during the next construction season.
• Point Ruston will be purchasing part of the Burlington Northern Railroad right-of-way for the new road alignment.
• EPA has now taken over the yard replacement project. There are still many more homes to sample, and some will need soil replacement.
• The yard project will be going out to bid in May. He provided the pre-bid packet to the council.
• EPA is working to bring Karen Pickett on board to continue working on the yard project.
• Department of Natural Resources expects to remove the docks this summer.

There were no questions from the council and only a few questions from the public (was my lot tested, confirmed the BN property will be cleaned up, when will development start).

2. Ordinance 1309 - Dissolution of the Tree Committee (Second Reading): Passed 4-0 with no discussion.

3. Ordinance 1310 - Sign and Lighting Code (First Reading): The town planner outlined recent concerns about light trespass and nighttime sky light pollution. The planning commission has studied the issue and suggests separating the light and sign sections of the code. Planning commission chair Kevin Moser pointed out one goal is to create a unifying look for the town with street lighting. Council Member Hardin confirmed this new code would only apply to new construction. He was concerned with the ordinance requiring fixtures be purchased from only one source to remain consistent.

4. Bonney Lake for Code Enforcement: Bonny Lake ready to go once the Mayor signs this contract. Passed 4-0 with no discussion.

5. Comcast Agreement: The town attorney noted that the contact before the council was already approved by Comcast and would bring 5% (rather than 3%) of the cable revenue to Ruston. Passed 4-0 after correcting some typographical errors. Hardin thanked Hunt for all her work on this issue even though she was absent from this meeting.

Claims and Payroll

Approved 4-0 with no discussion.

Mayor's Time

None since Mayor Hopkins was absent.

Council Time

Huson complimented the town clerk on how well she is doing on the meeting minutes. He thanked Hedrick for serving as mayor pro-tem. He also noted that 10% of the March police calls were from the Unicorn Tavern.

Hedrick had a resident call about a sewer cap that was installed recently. He wanted to know what the notification process is when there a failure of a private sewer connection and how the owner is notified of that cost.

Hardin wanted to see the ordinance on the proposed for Point Ruston street vacation well in advance of the meeting that they would have to vote on it.

Kristovich reported that there are now 19 application for 21 Chair project. There is reception planned for June 21st from 5 to 7 pm. Help is for various parts of the project. She also wanted the town to help the Morris family with their home construction as much as possible since they must complete construction by the end of June to qualify for one of the Obama program incentives.

The meeting adjourned at about 7:50 pm.