November 16, 2009 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on November 16, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:
Michael Peterson
Wes Lester
Georgia DeHaas
Del Houger

Councilmembers absent:
Brian Lorentz
Linda Aiken

City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.  Chief Sedam was absent.

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the November 2nd and November 6th regular and special meetings were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS:  Sandra Cuthbert was present to voice her concerns about the alley connecting No. Florence & No. Boulevard Streets between E. No. 2nd and E. No. 3rd Streets, being closed off and question why the alley was closed.  Mayor Walker explained that the documents for the sewer line replacement project stated the alley would be returned to its original state, which would have been grass.  On the west end of the alley gravel was put down instead.  Now Bob Sandlund has seeded the alley to grass.  A couple meetings ago, the Council voted to close the alley to make sure the grass is established.  Once the grass is growing good then the alley will be re-opened.  Mayor Walker stated that he personally explained to Mr. Sandlund what was going to happen and that the barricades could only stay up as long as the City felt it was necessary to establish the grass.  If an emergency vehicle needs to access the alley, they will use it as needed; however the alley is closed to everything but emergency vehicles.  A specific date can not be established as it is weather dependant.  Normally the City doesn’t place gravel on alleys.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Councilman Peterson attended a Census Update Meeting in Spokane and they talked about distribution of funds.  The survey will be sent out March 15-17 and they are looking at ways to inform the community and encourage people to participate in the census.

On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Houger to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of November 5, 2009.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of November 4, 2009.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Council then discussed the recommendation to approve the conditional use application submitted by Calvin Bakie, 411 E North Street.  Councilwoman DeHaas asked how long items would be parked outside.  Calvin explained that the turn around time is usually about two weeks but there would always be items outside.  Calvin explained that he really doesn’t have any other place to go.  Mayor Walker asked if the area became unsightly if he could get it fenced.  Calvin responded that his Grandmother is 99 and may not live long.  When she dies, he does not inherit the house so he’d prefer not to put a bunch of money into a privacy fence.  Calvin explained that most of his noise is inside.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve Planning and Zoning’s recommendation to grant a conditional use to Calvin Bakie at 411 E. North Street.  Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas voting no.

Tom Moore received the WWTP variance and facility plan on November 4th but no action has been taken.
The department responded to 126 calls for service.  There were 74 cases written, 16 misdemeanor arrests, 2 felony arrest, 23 citations, 12 written warnings issued, 9 dogs and 3 cats handled.  The Police and Animal Control Report for October 2009 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BANNER POLICY:  Attorney Green stated that right now the City has local control of the issue.  Commercial advertising is anything that is for profit that will generate revenue for a business.  He recommends keeping local control but to ban commercial advertising for profit.

Public Works Director Gortsema explained that last spring relay for life wanted signs advertising the event at each intersection on Main Street.  He contacted the State and the State viewed them as commercial and wouldn’t allow them on the right of way.  The signs were then placed on private property.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to have the clerk and attorney change the language in the existing banner policy to add no commercial advertising for profit.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  A draft will be provided at the next meeting.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $433,251.25 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to declare the library dell computer (cpu without memory, monitor, keyboard and mouse) and the City Hall okipage 24 printer surplus.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CATERING PERMIT:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the catering permit for The Gallery at Irwin Drug on November 19, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION REQUEST:  Aaron Williams, 201 E South 10th Street would like to have an extension on the west sidewalk until next spring or summer so he can pour the gravel driveway and remaining sidewalk at the same time.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant Aaron Williams, 201 E South 10th, a sidewalk extension until July 1, 2010 for the remainder of his sidewalk.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to renew the sidewalk waiver for Anderson Aeromotive on Pine Street.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor

ATTEST:

_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk

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