Staff Report
Jerry Morrissette, town engineer, provided an update on the
sewer project. The work is done except for three “punch list” items, the most significant
being the on-going dispute over the three alley’s that Ruston wants repaved. Overall,
the project is within budget. The mayor projected a total cost of $4.2 million.
Hopkins wants to close out the loan now and pay for any additional costs from
the sewer reserve fund. The loan has to be closed soon or there will be
additional charges.
Public Comment
I corrected a statement from the last meeting and confirmed
that one of the properties refusing to allow EPA to sample their yard is within
Ruston.
Businesses
3-6. Ordinance 1375, 1385, 1383, 1384 – Adult Entertainment (1st
Reading): Although these ordinances had been discussed before, the recording
from the planning commission hearing did not work so another hearing was held.
The planning commission added the changes suggested by the council at the last
meeting and brought the ordinances back to the council again. There was no
discussion.
7. Ordinance 1389 – Amending Electrical Meters to Remove Fees
(1st Reading): When the fee schedule was reviewed for the adult
entertainment license fees, it was decided that the cost for removing electrical
meters should be added to the fee schedule instead of this ordinance. The fee
schedule can be changed easily via a resolution without a second reading, as
would be required if the fee remained in the ordinance. There was no
discussion.
8. Ordinance 1390 – 2013 Budget Adoption (1st
reading): The mayor expects B&O taxes to increase from $26,000 to$36,000 in
2013 with tonight’s ordinance. There was more discussion about carrying police
officer’s spouses on the medical insurance. Kristovich wanted the issue
revisited and the mayor promised to present options that reduced the town’s
costs but increased the deductible for the officers.
Hopkins estimated Ruston has enough in reserves to last 21
years at the current burn rate, but with new development on the horizon on
Stack Hill and elsewhere, he hoped to see the budget balance even before Point
Ruston is finished. Hedrick confirmed that when Hopkins took office the deficit
was running about $500,000 per year, now down to $170,000 estimated for 2012.
The mayor noted the cost for legal and planning but felt it was a good
investment. He also discussed the loan for the new-to-us garbage truck, which
will be repaid over three years. He plans on continuing those same payments
even after the loan is repaid to begin saving for the next truck.
Hedrick recalled spending more for legal on “the back end”
(after being sued) so he supports the upfront cost now. Hardin applauded the
mayor’s plan to save for the next garbage truck. Hardin also wanted the police
chief to reduce his budget to 15% over the historic costs rather than the
current 25%. (Chief Kunkel had explained previously that he budgets for actual
costs, but often finds lower cost items - which resulted in a 25% savings in
2012). Hardin is also opposed to the proposed purchase of a surveillance
camera. The mayor said he had removed it from the budget.
9. Resolution 529 – Master Fees: Because this was a large
document with many fees listed, the attorney presented it to the council early
so they would have time to review. The resolution should not be voted on until
after the adult licensing ordinances were approved. The new fees include the
electrical meter removal and increase fees for engineering review.
Claims & Payroll passed 4-0 with no discussion
Mayor’s Time
Post cards on the schedule for implementing the new garbage
truck should go out by Friday. The new cans have serial numbers and will be
tracked. Owners are responsible for them. Hopkins will be asking the council
for a decision on Point Ruston’s proposal to do only curb and gutter on
Baltimore Street for now. Tacoma water slated to redo Baltimore, which will
mean new paving on half the street. Point Ruston wants to complete the
sidewalks and lighting when they reach 50% build out on Stack Hill or within
the next two years. The work was bonded and was supposed to be done a year ago.
The mayor mentioned how proud he is of staff and how they have organized and
prepared town information. It had been a tough couple of weeks with developers,
but he felt Ruston was in a position of power with more data to support their
case.
Council Time
Hedrick confirmed the utility bills were late this month and
the time for the Christmas tree lighting.
Hardin asked about an upcoming rezone request and wanted to know when the issue would be before the council for discussion.
Kristovich – no comment.
Judd – no comment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:33pm.
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