City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL February 28, 2017 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, Ryann Leonard, Bill Ecret, David Curnel, and Mike Norman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Tanner Pugh, President of the FFA, led the Council in the pledge of allegiance. MAYOR’S REPORTS PROCLAMATION The proclamation declaring March 18 - 25, 2017 as FFA Week was read in its entirety. LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mayor Voth requested Council confirmation of the appointment of Leslie Ramsden to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved to confirm the appointment, seconded by Council member Leonard, and passed unanimously. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS - None CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS FIRE DEPARTMENT Brett Bastian, Fire Chief, administered the oath of office to the three new Fire Lieutenants, Jay Morice, J. R. Schwendmen, and Todd Eldred, and presented a badge of office to each one. CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATIONS - None CONSENT AGENDA Minutes: The minutes of the January 24 meeting were presented for approval. Minutes: The minutes of the February 13 special 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 February 28, 2017 the Council does approve for payment claims in the amount of $464,693.64; prepaid claims in the amounts of $328,676.95; claim checks in the amount of $1,810,139.98; and payroll in the amount of $332,423.90. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the Consent Agenda be approved, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS - None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 2 February 28, 2017 NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION - MUNICIPAL AIRPORT A resolution was presented which recognizes the Municipal Airport as a public asset and affirms the City’s support for the Airport. The resolution of the City Council of the City of Moses Lake recognizing the Municipal Airport as a public asset of the City and affirming its support of the Municipal Airport and future growth of the Municipal Airport was read by title only. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the resolution be adopted, seconded by Council member Liebrecht, and passed unanimously. BID AWARD - WELL 20 PUMPHOUSE The City received five bids for the Well 20 Pumphouse Project. This project includes the construction of the pumphouse and associated work to connect the well to existing City facilities. There was some discussion because bids were considerably over the Engineer’s estimate. Action Taken: Council member Norman moved that the bid be awarded to POW Contacting, Inc. In the amount of $323,068.79, seconded by Council member Leonard, and passed unanimously. EXPERIENCE POWERSPORTS - WATVS Derek Smith, Experience Powersports, requested time before the Council to discuss the issue of allowing WATVs on City streets. Derek Smith gave some background on the law that allows the City to permit WATVs on City streets and the requirements that must be met by each WATV. Police Chief Fuhr stated that most of the cities that have allowed WATVs on their streets have a population of 10,000 or less. Wenatchee is the largest city and there have been some abuse by the WATV owners, however, there have been few people that actually use the WATV on the city streets. He pointed out that the WATVs are restricted to streets of 35 mph or less and are not allowed on street highways. Due to the locations of Highway 17 and I-90, and the limitations on speed, access to Moses Lake by WATVs is cut off in several directions. There was considerable discussion. David McMains, 603 W. Meridian, stated that the 4-wheel drive club would encourage the Council to consider an ordinance to allow the WATVs on City streets. Charlene Winzler, 1218 Jefferson, owner of Winzler Vehicle Licensing, stated that she has been receiving inquiries from customers about how to license a WATV and she felt that this would be a good thing for the City. Donna Germain, 4506 Old Monitor Road, Cashmere, stated that the WATVs can cross the highway provided it is at a 90 degree angle. Cities can also designate streets as dual speed, which means it would be 35 mph for a WATV and the posted speed for other vehicles. This designation requires the WATV to leave space for vehicles to pass or move to the shoulder. Gene Reed, 724 H Street SW, Quincy, stated that there are some restrictions on dual speed streets. Bernie Garza, 1404 Skyline Drive, Apt D, stated that he helped get WATVs allowed in Warden and that they are safe on city streets. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: 3 February 28, 2017 Rich Archer, 223 Sharon, pointed out that there are 2,800 acres of sand dunes in the area that attracts ATV users from all over and felt that allowing them on the city streets would increase the tourist presence in the City. There was discussion by the Council. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the staff be directed to bring back an ordinance, based on the one adopted by Wenatchee, addressing the use of WATVs on City streets and include provisions for the licensed driver to be 18 years old, require a safety course prior to operating on the City’s streets, and address the safety aspects, seconded by Council member Myers, and passed with Council members Liebrecht and Leonard opposed due to lack of information at this time. ORDINANCE - AMEND 1.20 - CIVIL CODE ENFORCEMENT An ordinance was presented which establishes a graduated civil violation schedule for those property owners who are repeat offenders under the public nuisance provisions of the Municipal Code. Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, mentioned that there was considerable discussion by the Council at the last meeting concerning the proposed changes but no direction was given to staff so no changes have been made to the draft ordinance. He mentioned that the Council discussed the administrative fee of $150, repeat offenders, and somehow track the repeat offenders. Katherine Kenison, City Attorney, explained the due process protections in the proposed ordinance. There was considerable discussion by Council. Action Taken: Council member Ecret moved that the ordinance be amended to include a $150 administrative fee in the C penalties, allow the Code Enforcement officers to issue a Notice of Correction at first contact and include the voluntary correction option, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS COLVILLE CONFEDERATED TRIBES Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that the Colville Confederated Tribes will have their soft opening on March 1 but the City still does not have the Municipal Services Agreement. He reported that the Tribe can have water and sewer service but will not have fire or police protection until that agreement is signed. ICE SKATING RINK John Williams, City Manager, provided a report of the expenditures and revenues for the operation of the ice skating rink from June 1, 2016 through February 22, 2017. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSION - None ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST Todd Voth, Mayor ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director