City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL October 25, 2016 The regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Voth in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam, Moses Lake, Washington. Executive Secretary Sophia Guerrero called the roll. The following were: Present: Mayor Todd Voth, Deputy Mayor Karen Liebrecht, and Council members Don Myers, David Curnel, Ryann Leonard, Mike Norman, and Bill Ecret PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mark Fancher, citizen, led the Council in the flag salute. MAYOR’S REPORTS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Mayor Voth requested Council confirmation of the appointment of Warren Tracey to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved to confirm the appointment, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS - None CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS POLICE DEPARTMENT Miranda Martinez, Police Clerk, was introduced to the Council. Kevin Fuhr, Police Chief, stated that during the recent bank robbery crises, Moses Lake Towing assisted the police by using two of their towing trucks to block streets to help secure the area. After everything was under control, Moses Lake Towing then brought tacos for the police officers who were still investigating the incident. In recognition of their service to the community and the Police Department, Moses Lake Towing was presented with a Citizen Recognition award and a challenge coin. FIRE AND POLICE UNION CONTRACTS John Williams, City Manager, requested authorization to sign the Fire and Police Union contracts. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the labor agreements with the Police Guild and the Fire Union, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. COST OF SERVICE STUDY John Williams, City Manager, presented the Scope of Work and Task Plan for the Cost of Service and Ambulance Rate Study. There was discussion by the Council and staff on what would be included in the cost of service study. CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATIONS UNCHAINED BROTHERHOOD Zane Peterson, Unchained Brotherhood, requested that the City’s ordinance prohibiting panhandling be amended to allow the Unchained Brotherhood to enter the streets during their toy drive during the first and second weeks of December to solicit funds from citizens. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 2 October 25, 2016 John Williams, City Manager, suggested that Mr. Peterson meet with staff about a special events application. CONSENT AGENDA Minutes: The minutes of the October 11 meeting were presented for approval. Approval of Claims, Prepaid Claims, Checks, and Payroll: Vouchers audited and certified by the Finance Director as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims, certified as required by RCW 42.24.090, have been recorded on a listing which has been made available to the Council for approval and is retained for public inspection at the Civic Center. As of October 25, 2016 the Council does approve for payment claims in the amount of $165,301.90; prepaid claims in the amount of $350,715.97; claim checks in the amount of $1,379,089.40; and payroll in the amount of $317,222.92. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the Consent Agenda be approved, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, gave some background on the progress of the Shoreline Master Program. He mentioned that the Council had directed that an alternative to the proposal from the Department of Ecology be provided but no alternative has been developed by the City. Discussions were held with the Department of Ecology on vesting and buffer widths and it has been determined that the subdivisions that have been approved by the City will vest with the existing conditions and there is also a variance procedure in the document whereby a home owner can request an change in the required buffer width. Jeremy Sikes, Shoreline Planner with Department of Ecology, stated that the only two issues remaining to be resolved between DOE and the City are vesting and buffers. He mentioned that Moses Lake is the only place in the State of Washington that has plats showing negotiated buffers with DOE. On the advice of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of shoreline issues, it was the decided that the best way to address the issue was simply to include in the Shoreline Master Program that vesting is subject to state law. The non-negotiated buffer widths in the City’s Plan has no justification for the buffer widths so the DOE had no choice but to default to the state standard. There was considerable discussion by the Council. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that staff be directed to draft an ordinance that adopts the Shoreline Master Program that includes language regarding vesting and buffers, seconded by Council member Liebrecht, and passed with Mayor Voth and Council member Norman opposed. NUISANCES Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that the Code Enforcement Division processed approximately 1,100 weed abatement cases in 2016. He pointed out that the Council has discussed nuisances several times recently and staff is requesting direction on the issues of weed abatement and property maintenance. There was considerable discussion by the Council on the need for property maintenance, which includes weed abatement. It was suggested that a study session be scheduled to consider all regulations pertaining to code enforcement, an escalated penalty and shortened time frame, and the International Property Maintenance Code. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES - PROPERTY TAXATION W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director, presented two ordinances which set the property assessments for collecting the property tax within the City limits. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 3 October 25, 2016 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS RAILROAD John Williams, City Manager, reported that the Port of Moses Lake will be proceeding with Segment One of the new railroad line. The Port has requested a resolution from the City supporting the railroad COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSION - None ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST Todd Voth, Mayor ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director