Centennial Library

April 15, 2013 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on April 15, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Beryl Grant
Mike Peterson
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Brian Lorentz

City employees present were Chief Drew, Public Works Director McFrederick, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the April 1st meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORSCarlene Whitesell, President of Camas Prairie Food Bank explained they are starting their community garden this year and one big issue is costs. They are asking for some assistance with the City utility bill.  After discussion, it was suggested the City could do a flat donation to the food bank and not actually provide water bill relief.  Councilwoman Dumas suggested $500.00.  On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Lester to donate $250.00 to Camas Prairie Food Bank to assist with their budget.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Louise Ellenberg was present to provide the Council with information on their new route, starting at Sts. Peter and Paul School and eventually ending up at the High School for the Walk for Life.  They would also like to hang a banner from April 20th – May 11th.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by  Councilman Peterson to approve the route for Walk for Life on May 11th, donate two individual pool passes and to allow them to hang their banner from April 20th – May 11th.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Rachel Young, with Grangeville Arts requested permission to have the summer concert series in the park again.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Grant to allow Grangeville Arts to use Pioneer Park for the summer concerts series on July 18th, July 25th, August 1st and August 8th.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WWTP PROJECT UPDATE:  Public Works Director McFrederick stated he is waiting for a final change order from TML and final punch list items to be completed, then the City is done with Phase I.  Phase II is out to bid, due on May 1st.  The City currently has 5 bidders holding plans.  The City received a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant for Phase II.

LIBRARY REPORTBecky Hosman updated the Council on Library activities. They will have a Love your Library Work Day using volunteers.  They have updated the library to reorganize various areas.   The website is updated and provides a new, interactive website.

BARGER WELL IN AREA OF IMPACT:  Discussion occurred on the Barger request to disconnect from City water and drill a well in the area of impact.  It was suggested that maybe they could buy water at the bulk water price for their pool.  Councilman Lorentz felt the City was getting off track as Barger’s request was specifically to drill a well in the area of impact.  Councilman Lorentz did not feel a well should be drilled and if allowed, they should have to disconnect from City sewer.  Councilman Lester felt it was going backward to drill a well after being on City water.  Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to recommend to the County not to allow Kevin and Michelle Barger to drill a well and if the County allows the well, then Barger’s would need to unhook from city sewer.   If a reason is needed for sewer disconnection, with City water, there is no way to meter the sewer.  It is in the best interest of the City to leave them on the water and sewer to protect the city water.  Councilman Lorentz stated if someone chooses to disconnect from the system, they should have to pay the buy in fees in the future if they want to reconnect.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  Mayor Walker asked Public Works Director McFrederick to represent the City at the hearing and have McFrederick and Kennedy work together to write a letter to the County.

WEBB FUNDS POLICY:  Mayor Walker explained the discussion was on a policy not what to spend the money on.  It was previously discussed to set up a revolving loan fund in each department for capital outlay items with the Council setting the terms of repayment or spending the interest only.

Attorney Green explained the will states it is a gift to the City to be used in the four entities.  It is the Council’s job to determine how the funds will be used.  All funds need to go through the budgeting process.

Councilman Lorentz felt there was already a system in place for budgeting which involves the department heads.  The budget process actually takes care of things and it works.  Fiscal responsibility is already in place through the budget process; the Council has ultimate control to make sure the funds are spent wisely and not wasted.  He felt the revolving loan fund will move money from the investment fund to the Webb investment fund.  Councilman Houger agreed with Lorentz.

Councilman Peterson would like to allow the Department Heads to spend a certain amount or percentage and then do the revolving loan.

Councilwoman Grant would like to allow the departments to use some of the funds.

Councilman Lester didn’t want to see the money all spend in a short amount of time.  He would like to see the funds left in savings for a year and see what happens then.  He agreed with Lorentz that the Council will watch spending during the budget and if the requests got out of hand then it wouldn’t be approved.

Mayor Walker stated the budget will be staring soon and the Council will discuss it then.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $267,035.40 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS:  Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to surplus the items listed from the Public Works and Fire departments.

a.  Public Works:  2 Wisconsin air cooled motors, models VF4D, 24 horse at 2400 rpm   Serial #s 5363108 and #5363118.
b.  Public Works:  4 Motorola Handhelds P200 Radios, 4 battery chargers and   4 Kenwood mobile radios for vehicles
c.  Fire:  Stihl chain saw, 041 farm boss 20” bar,

Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CHEMICALS AT WWTP:  Public Works Director McFrederick explained the chemicals needed for the new filtration system for approximately $28,000 can’t be purchased with project funds.  He requested permission to use leftover money of $19,000 from the capital outlay line item to be able to buy the chemicals and stay within budget.  By purchasing in bulk, the City gets about a 30% discount.  It will be about $22,000/year for chemicals.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to authorize the public works director to use $28,000 capital outlay funds for maintenance and operation at the plant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PARK WELL:  Public Works Director McFrederick informed the Council that the Park well motor has been rewound two times and it appears something is wrong with the pump.  The well is currently shut down; Park Well is critical for summer usage.  He is getting an estimate to pull the pump to determine the problem.

SENIOR FUN NIGHT:  The City received a donation request from the Senior Fun Committee.  Councilman Lester felt senior fun night is a good thing but doesn’t feel the City should donate toward it.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45P.M.

______________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor ATTEST:

______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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