Council Meeting Notes: Jan. 17, 2012

Here is what I found interesting at the last council meeting ~ Karen

The meeting began at 7:08 pm (meeting materials available here). Mayor Hopkins announced that Councilmember Hunt was excused from the meeting. Councilmembers Hedrick, Hardin and Kristovich were present. The agenda was approved as presented. There were no minutes from previous meetings ready to approve yet.

Staff Reports
Fire Chief Torbet said the department had a record number of 82 calls in 2011. He invited everyone to the free CPR class on January 28th. The department wants to set a Gunnies Book of World Records for the highest per capita ratio of residents with CPR training. There are two new fire fighters, both of whom are EMT’s. The toy and food drive went very well in December with over 485 pounds of food and 200 toys donated. There was more discussion on paying for the new equipment. Hedrick confirmed there will be a budget amendment coming soon to cover the changes in the budget.

Police Chief Kunkel noted the discussion about contracting with Metro Parks to patrol Point Defiance Park is on-going. Officer Vic Cellis was given the 2011 Officer of the Year award. One part-time officer is resigning. There was no civil service commission meeting last month. New equipment for the department is on the way. Hedrick confirmed that the department is ready for the predicted snow storm tomorrow.

Public Comment
JJ McCamment spoke for Point Ruston. They first heard about the town's proposed increase to their rent in the school on December 20th. The requirement for an immediate 87% rent increase is untenable. They cannot absorb that increase so quickly and with the amount of construction underway, they don’t have time to immediately vacate without impacting their work. They have proposed a gradual increase in rent over the course of 2012 to bring them to the new rate the town wants. If Ruston is going to market the building, it will look better to have an active tenant in the building. They have suggested ways to reduce utility costs such as closing off the bottom and/or top floors. Point Ruston is the town’s largest employer with over 30 people using the building, which the town loses if they are forced out.

    Beth Torbet provided the latest newsletter from the business district and pointed out the new logo. She noted the district is looking for ways to involve youth and reminded folks there are many businesses still open despite the empty storefronts on Pearl Street.

    I provided my comments on selling the school building (get the public involved, at least keep the exterior of the building) and encouraged the council to support their local businesses since they help bring revenue to the town.

Business
1. Oath of Office: Hedrick was sworn in after being re-elected to his position.

2. Open Council Position Discussion: Applicants have until the close of business January 31st to submit their material. Hardin confirmed the council has 90 days to fill the vacancy, but the mayor encouraged quick action since they are struggling to get a quorum of members for council meetings. Interviews will be scheduled for the next council meeting.

3. Snodgrass Freeman Architects: David Freeman read his presentation to the council (here) about their proposal to do a feasibility study on the school building and outlined their recommendations on paving the parking lots, their proposed schedule (below), etc. He confirmed they are part of Al Olson’s development team and had been one of the bidders on the building last time it was offered for sale. Hedrick stated the council wanted a very public process and did not think the proposed 3 months till listing the building was realistic. He felt the town needs to decide what its future looks like before making a decision about designing a new town hall complex as proposed by Freeman. He did not think it was the right time to fund a new town hall with so many other needs that lack funding.

Hardin asked where they got their financial figures from (Al Olson and a local blog). He questioned the projected $100,000 increase in revenue in the proposal. Freeman said that number was based on no more losses and a tax increase once the property was in private ownership. Hardin stated he did not think the fast track proposed would work given the need for public input. Kristovich had no comments.

4. Ordinance 1347 – Right of Way Encroachment Permits (Second Reading): Hedrick said the town engineer was adamant that this ordinance not include fences or retaining walls because the annual permitting would become a nightmare. Hardin continued to be concerned about the requirement to permit walkways and driveways built after this became law. The issue was tabled until the next meeting when the engineer could bring his concerns.

5. Ordinance 1348 – Encroachment Master Use Permit (Second Reading): Tabled

6. Motion 499 – Master Fees: Tabled

7. Ordinance 1349 - Repeal RMC 1.14 Regarding Fees: Tabled

8. Ordinance 1342 – Title 19 Amendment to Appeal Procedures (First Reading): Town planner Rob White explained that the town attorney found that the town code was inconsistent with state law under Title 19. This ordinance corrects those inconsistencies. There were no comments from councilmembers.

9. Ordinance 1351 – Click Franchise Agreement (First Reading): Last November Click asked to install empty conduit as part of the Point Ruston LID construction, but did not plan on providing service at this time (or service to the rest of the town). A new agreement would be needed if they ever wanted to run line and provide service. Hardin was glad to see it and looked forward to discussion about service in the future. Hedrick asked about the approval process since the conduit is already installed. Under the agreement, the town is refunded for its costs such as attorney time. The site plan is available on the town web site (here).

10. Executive Session – Real Estate Disposition: The audience was ushered into the hall while the council deliberated in private for about 15 minutes about an unnamed real estate issue.

Claims and Payroll was approved 3-0.

Mayor’s Time

Hopkins reported details from the January staff meeting:

• He had authorized the purchase of a snow plow attachment and trailer that could be used for sand to help with future snow events (but would not be here in time for tomorrow’s predicted snow).
• He has directed town maintenance chief to look at ways to improve the current town hall, such as making it ADA compliant, new windows and doors to help with utility costs, remodeling the back area so it could be shared with the police.
• He thanked Chief Kunkel for the new phones that had walkie talkie communication for all town staff.
• The code enforcement officer has resigned so he is looking for a new one.
• He has asked staff for their 2012 goals with a focus on the sewer project and slowing down on producing new ordinances (costly in staff and consultant time/costs).

Council Time

   Hedrick thanked the town for electing him to another term. He felt Dorothy Bailey would have been a great addition to the council and he was sorry she had to move. He asked the mayor if there had been an uptick in the sales tax coming in to the town after his efforts to ensure the Point Ruston sales were being properly routed to Ruston. Hopkins said they saw an increase from $4,000 to $8,000 in November (the latest data available) but it was not the $12,000 they were expecting. Hedrick promised to keep working on the issue with the Department of Revenue.

   Hardin also felt Bailey would have been a great councilmember. He asked what was new with the sewer project and expected they would be shutting down for the year since the weather had finally turned wet. He asked if temporary patches would be laid on the current open areas and wanted to be kept apprised of the negotiations with the contractor on the alley that the town wanted regraded.

   Kristovich did not have any comments.

The meeting adjourned at 9:46 pm.