City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL November 22, 2016 The regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council was called to order at 7 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Liebrecht in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam, Moses Lake, Washington. Administrative Secretary Judy Thompson called the roll. The following were: Present: Deputy Mayor Karen Liebrecht, and Council members Don Myers, David Curnel, Ryann Leonard, Mike Norman, and Bill Ecret Absent: Mayor Todd Voth Action Taken: Council member Curnel moved to excuse Mayor Voth from the meeting, seconded by Mr. Norman, and passed unanimously. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council member Myers led the Council in the flag salute. MAYOR’S REPORTS - None ADDITIONAL BUSINESS - None CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS - None CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATIONS LIBRARY Tim Fuhrman, President, Moses Lake Public Library Foundation, stated that they are working on improving the public library which was designed in 1964 and which is still used by 500 visitors a day. The library is working on replacing the existing one-size fits all shelving, which was built in and does not meet current modern safety requirements, with portable shelving designed for libraries. Some funds have been provided by the Kiwanis and Rotary to help replace the shelving in the children’s area, the foreign language shelving, the video shelving, and the young adult shelving. The City has agreed to help in this project by removing the existing shelving. The project should be completed in January 2017. CONSENT AGENDA Minutes: The minutes of the November 8 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 22, 2016 the Council does approve for payment claims in the amount of $1,134,013.72; prepaid claims in the amounts of $96,642.19 and $25,629.76; claim checks in the amount of $579,625.01; and payroll in the amount of $321,313.11. Manhole Lining Project 2016: Michels Corporation has completed work on the 2016 Sewer Manhole Lining Project. The work should be accepted and the 60 day lien period entered into. Action Taken: Council member Curnel moved that the Consent Agenda be approved, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE - 2017 BUDGET - PUBLIC HEARING The ordinance adopting the 2017 budget was presented. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 2 November 22, 2016 John Williams, City Manager, stated that, in order to balance the budget, three positions and other expenditures have been eliminated. He pointed out that since 2012 the City’s reserves have been shrinking and the amount of revenue received has also been shrinking but mandated costs have risen. W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director, explained that the numbers have been changing due to updates on expenditures and revenues, including the recently approved union contracts for fire and police and the mandated minimum wage increase. He recommended an increase in the ambulance fee as that fund is spending more than it brings in. There was some discussion by the Council. Council member Leonard commented that she would like to see the payment to the Health District be increased to $2 per person since the Council is providing for some additional revenue. The public hearing was opened. There were no comments, so the public hearing was closed. OLD BUSINESS ORDINANCE - AMEND 3.30 - UTILITY OCCUPATIONAL TAX An ordinance was presented which increases the taxes on sewer, stormwater, and garbage. The increase would be dedicated to public safety. The ordinance amending Chapter 3.30 of the Moses Lake Municipal Cod entitled “Utility Occupational Tax” was read by title only. Robert Taylor, Finance Director, stated that the funds raised by this increase will be dedicated to public safety improvements or any other priorities determined by the Council. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the ordinance be adopted, seconded by Council member Leonard, and passed with Council member Myers opposed. ORDINANCES - AMEND CHAPTERS 17.09 & 17.12 - SHORT AND MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS Ordinances were presented which eliminates the acreage requirement in the short and major subdivision chapters of the Municipal Code which brings them into compliance with state statutes.. The ordinance amending Chapter 17.09 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled “Short Subdivisions” was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Curnel moved that the ordinance be adopted, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. The ordinance amending Chapter 17.12 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled Major Subdivisions” was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the ordinance be adopted, seconded by Council member Curnel, and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS AWARD BID - FIRE STATION FENCING PROJECT The city received 5 bids for the Fire Station Fencing Project. This projects consists of installing a 6' high chain link fence around the parking lot and training area of Headquarters Fire Station. Gary Harer, Municipal Services Director, stated that the city received a very good bid from Fencing and Awning, Inc. Since the bid was so much lower than the other bids and the engineer’s estimated, staff called the company to be sure there had been no mistake on the bid and were informed by the company that the bid amount was correct. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 3 November 22, 2016 Action Taken: Mr. Ecret moved that the bid be awarded to Fencing and Awning, Inc. In the amount of $22,038.82. ORDINANCE - AMEND 3.27 - REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX An ordinance was presented which eliminates the sunset clause in the previously imposed real estate excise tax. John Williams, City Manager, pointed out that this tax provides approximately $200,000 per year for the City. TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT Council previously directed staff to investigate a Transportation Benefit District. John Williams, City Manager, explained the process of creating a Transportation Benefit District. The first step would be to hold a public hearing on the establishment of a Transportation Benefit District. The Council would become the Transportation Benefit District Board, which is separate from the Council activities. It was the consensus of the Council to set a public hearing for the December 13 meeting. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS POLICE VEHICLES John Williams, City Manager, stated that there has been a delay in getting the newest police vehicle in operation and the vehicle should be ready by next week. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS COST OF SERVICE STUDY Council member Leonard inquired about the status of the Cost of Service Study for the ambulance service. John Williams, City Manager, stated that a contract will be forthcoming. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST Todd Voth, Mayor ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director