City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL November 8, 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: Troy Hesse, Firefighter, led the Council in the flag salute. MAYOR’S REPORTS - None ADDITIONAL BUSINESS - None CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS DOE - LARSON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT - AWARD Sean Thompson, Department of Ecology, presented an award for outstanding performance to the City for perfect compliance with state regulations in 2015 for the Sand Dunes Wastewater Treatment Plant. He mentioned that it is very difficult for a wastewater treatment facility to earn this award and commended the employees that work in this division. He pointed out that the Larson Wastewater Treatment Plant has earned this award every year since 2008. GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS John Williams, City Manager, requested direction from the Council on whether to meet with the current Board of County Commissioners or wait until after the election and the new County Commissioners are in office. After some discussion it was the consensus of the Council to meet as soon as possible with the current Board of County Commissioners. CODE ENFORCEMENT John Williams, City Manager, requested direction for the Council on the date of the requested study session on code enforcement issues. There was considerable discussion by the Council on whether a study session is needed at this time or whether Council members should meet with staff individually about their concerns. No study session was set. CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATIONS - None CONSENT AGENDA Minutes: The minutes of the October 25 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 November 8, 2016 the Council does approve for payment claims in the amount of $266,344.06; prepaid claims in the amounts of $280,092.59 and $75,096.19; claim checks in the amount of $854,945.50; and payroll in the amounts of $313,573.02 and $3,658.55. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 2 November 8, 2016 Ray Louise Preliminary Major Plat and Findings of Fact: The Ray Louise Preliminary Major Plat and Findings of Fact were submitted for approval. The plat is 4.2 acres and is a replat of Lots 1 - 6, Block 3 and Lots 7, 8, 10, & 11, Block 2, Vance-Emery Subdivision. The site is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential, which corresponds with the underlying Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation of Residential. The Planning Commission recommended that the final plat be approved with conditions. Action Taken: Council member Liebrecht moved that the Consent Agenda be approved, seconded by Council member Curnel, and passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCES - PROPERTY TAXATION - PUBLIC HEARING Ordinances were presented which provided for the estimated amount to be received by the City from taxes on assessed valuations for property within the City limits. The public hearing was opened. There were no comments, so the public hearing was closed. The ordinance fixing the amount to be received from municipal purposes from taxations on assessed valuations on property within the City of Moses Lake, Washington for 2017 was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Norman moved that the ordinance be adopted, seconded by Council member Curnel, and passed unanimously. The ordinance providing for substantial need to increase the regular property tax limit factor above the rate of inflation pursuant to RCW 84.55.010 was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Curnel moved that the ordinance be adopted, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that after the last Council meeting staff was directed to draft an ordinance adopting the Shoreline Master Program that includes language regarding vesting and buffers. After further discussion with the Department of Ecology (DOE) it was determined that an ordnance would not be required. The only thing necessary to meet the statutory requirements is a letter to the Department of Ecology detailing the language agreed upon between the City and DOE. There was considerable discussion by the Council. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the Mayor be authorized to sign the letter, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed with Mayor Voth opposed. COST OF SERVICE STUDY - AMBULANCE Brett Bastion, Fire Chief, explained that staff is presenting for Council consideration the Scope of Work and Task Plan from FCS Group for the Cost of Service and Ambulance Rate Study. He pointed that there is a statutory requirement to have a cost of service study completed before any rate setting for the ambulance utility. He reviewed the scope of work proposed by FCS Group and recommended that Tasks 1 through 9 and Optional Task 10 be approved. Council member Leonard stated for the record that she did not want this study to do anything negative to the Fire Department. It should not create a situation that recommends the City to look at volunteers, just hiring firefighters with EMT certifications. It is a benefit to the Fire Department that there are Firefighter/Paramedics as it provides an additional level of service, especially when there are less people who can respond. She did not want to see those types of changes come out of this type of study. It should only be used to benefit the city and the citizens by improving the Fire Department. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 3 November 8, 2016 There was considerable discussion by the Council on which tasks should be included in the contract. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the City Manager be authorized to seek a contract with FCS Group for a Cost of Service study with Tasks 1 - 13, seconded by Mayor Voth, and failed with Council member Ecret and Mayor Voth in favor and Council members Norman, Liebrecht, Leonard, Myers, and Curnel opposed. Action Taken: Council member Liebrecht moved that the City Manager be authorized to seek a contract with FCS Group for a Cost of Service study with Tasks 1 - 10, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed with Mayor Voth opposed. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that Optional Tasks 11 and 12 be included in the contract, seconded by Mayor Voth and failed with Council member Ecret and Mayor Voth in favor and Council members Norman, Liebrecht, Leonard, Myers, and Curnel opposed. NEW BUSINESS APPEAL - CONNECT TO CITY SEWER - 730 GRAPE DRIVE Shawn O’Brien, City Engineer, stated that the septic system at 730 Grape Drive has failed and it is required that the residence be connected to the existing city sewer. The home owners have appealed that requirement as it will cost over $44,000 to connect to City sewer and about $11,500 to install a new septic system. City staff has no objection to the installation of a new septic system. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the appeal be granted, seconded by Council member Myers, and passed unanimously. REQUEST TO CONNECT TO CITY SERVICES - GUY’S WESTSHORE SHORT PLAT Shawn O’Brien, City Engineer, stated that Columbia Northwest Engineering, on behalf of the property owner, has requested permission to connect Guy’s Westshore Short Plat located at 2750 NE Westshore Drive to the City’s sewer and water system without annexing the property to the City. The property is over one half mile from the City’s limits and it would be impractical to annex since there are additional parcels and right-of-way between the lot and the City’s limits. If approved, an Extra Territorial Utility Agreement would be required. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the request to connect to City utilities be granted with the stipulation that an Extra Territorial Utility Agreement be required, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. BARON ESTATES NO. 2 - COVENANT Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that when Baron Estates No. 2 was approved, a covenant was required for the improvement of the temporary cul-de-sac at the end of Skyline Drive after 5 years. The time limit has passed and staff is requesting the covenant be called in and the cul-de-sac be constructed. There was some discussion by the Council on the process of calling in the covenant. Action Taken: Council member Liebrecht moved that the covenant be called in, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. STORMWATER REPAIR PROJECT 2016 The City received six bids for the Stormwater Repair Project 2016. The project consists of installing, modifying, and replacing stormwater structures at 11 locations throughout the City and 9 non-conforming access ramps. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the contract be awarded to Pow Contracting, Inc. In the amount of $106,508.00, seconded by Council member Ecret, and passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 4 November 8, 2016 ORDINANCES - CHAPTER 17.09 & 17.12 Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that the Planning Commission has recommended that the Short and Major Subdivision Chapters in the Municipal Code be amended by removing the 4 acre limit for a short subdivision. He explained the difference between the short and major subdivision processes. ORDINANCE - 2017 BUDGET John Williams, City Manager, provided the 2017 budget ordinance, without amounts, and spending plan. Staff requested a public hearing be set to consider the budget. He mentioned that the fee schedule would become part of the budget document and requested direction from the Council on whether to continue with the Transportation Benefit District. There was some discussion and it was the consensus of the Council to begin work on the Transportation Benefit District. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that a public hearing for the budget be set for November 22, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. FEE SCHEDULE John Williams, City Manager, stated that the fee table would become part of the budget each year which would standardize the time for any approved increases in the City’s fees. The fee schedule would be raised by a consumer price index as designated or other rate established by the Council during the budget process. Fees considered as pass-through fees would be increased to match payments made by the City. There was considerable discussion by the Council. Mayor Voth and Council member Norman felt the fee for the marijuana extraction system permit should be increased by $100. Mayor Voth felt the water, sewer, and water development charges are exorbitant and was not in favor of the amount of increase and that the increases should be done on an incremental basis. There was considerable discussion by the Council and staff was directed to provided additional information on some of the proposed increases. RESOLUTION - ACCEPT DONATION - EPHRATA MOSES LAKE KENNEL CLUB A resolution was presented which accepts $430 from the Ephrata Moses Lake Kennel Club. The funds will be used to install a Dogi Pot Pet Station at Blue Heron Park. Th resolution accepting a cash donation of $430 from the Ephrata Moses Lake Kennel Club was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the resolution be adopted, seconded by Council member Myers, and passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS GRANT COUNTY CITIES AND TOWNS John Williams, City Manager, reminded the Council of the November 18 meeting of the Grant County Cities and Towns in Moses Lake at 6 p.m. AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2016 Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, reminded the Council of a request from the Airport Commission to amend the Comprehensive Plan by including 100' of property to the existing Municipal Airport along the west side of the Municipal Airport. Since that time a conceptual layout has been provided of the land proposed to be included in the 2016 amendment and the development as shown would CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 5 November 8, 2016 require additional property to the west. The proposed improvements include additional hangers and a future taxiway. Staff requested direction on whether or not the Council wants to proceed to include the additional property in the 2016 Comp Plan amendment. He mentioned that staff has already notified the Department of Commerce of the scope of the City’s 2016 Comp Plan amendment and this improvement is beyond the original scope. Mayor Voth mentioned that he is the Council representative on the Airport Commission and he was unaware of the development as proposed. The only improvements he was aware of was in the originally requested 100' addition. There was some discussion by the Council which was not in favor of making the changes since it was not what was originally approved by the Council. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSION The regular meeting was recessed at 9:25 p.m. and the Council met in a 30 minute executive session with the City Attorney under RCW 42.30.110(I) to discuss potential litigation. At 9:56 p.m. the Council requested an additional 10 minute Executive Session At 10:12 p.m. the Council requested an additional 10 minute Executive Session. The executive session was adjourned at 10:24 p.m. and the regular meeting was reconvened. ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST Todd Voth, Mayor ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director