City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL June 13, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: 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. ROLL CALL: Executive Secretary Sophia Guerrero called the roll. The following were: Present: Mayor Todd Voth, Deputy Mayor Karen Liebrecht, and Council members Don Myers, Bill Ecret, David Curnel, Ryann Leonard, and Mike Norman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Deputy Mayor Karen Liebrecht led the Council in the pledge of allegiance. SUMMARY REPORTS: MAYOR’S REPORTS MOSES LAKE ROCKS Councilmember Leonard presented Certificate of Recognition to Moses Lake Rocks. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS - None CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Susan Schwiesow, recently promoted to Recreation Superintendent, was introduced to the Council. CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATIONS RESTRICTED PARKING/LANE CHANGE Gilbert Alvarado, gave a brief history of Lakeland Dr. area with the recent increase of development in the area. Because of the amount of traffic going through Lakeland Dr., property owners on the same street were advised of no parking in front of their property. Traffic lanes were going to be installed to help with the traffic flow and one of the property owners, Mr. Jaime Vela, indicated he was not informed of the new parking restrictions. He is looking to the City Council for a compromise that would help him with a lack of parking but also assist with increased traffic flow. Richard Law, Acting City Engineer, presented a map of the area to the Council to help understand the problem and propose a solution. Considerable discussion. Jaime Vela, 1221 Lakeland Dr., Moses Lake, property owner, shares his concerns (lack of parking on his property) with Council. Considerable discussion. Councilmember Ecret is requesting staff for the next council meeting, to bring back a SEPA review and what were the traffic counts before the striping of Lakeland Dr. Also, he would like to see if any documentation was given to the property owners of impending changes to the street. Councilmember Leonard requested staff to collect written opinions of the Grant County Fire District 5 regarding restricted parking and lane change.  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTIC SYSTEM REQUEST Greg Littlefield, wanted to address council regarding a septic system installment on his property. Council instructed Mr. Littlefield to work with City Staff to find a possible solution for his request. This item may appear on the council agenda at a later date. LANDLORD HOUSING KNOWN GANG MEMBERS Linda Toscano, 508 Ash, addressed Council about the current gang problem in Moses Lake and requested that landlords who rent to known gang members be held accountable for gang activity on their property. She has spoken to Senator Judy Warnick and Rep. Tom Dent about her concerns. Ms. Toscano asked if the City would implement an ordinance and City Attorney Katherine Kenison stated she had found in legislative history an ordinance which had been presented to council before regarding this matter but was unable to find out why it was not adopted. She will do some more research and bring back to council. Considerable discussion. Deputy Mayor Karen Liebrecht would like to see the proposed ordinance back to City Council for discussion. OVERDEVELOPMENT AND OVER POPULATION IN MOSES LAKE Penn Weaver, 9061 Neppel Rd NE, Moses Lake, wanted to discuss with the Moses Lake City Council the overdevelopment and over population in our area. He stated to Council he would like Moses Lake to stay a quiet and small community. He moved here with the idea of living a quiet life and doesn’t want to see Moses Lake turn into a larger city along with large city problems. He believes all the new development going on around Moses Lake is unwanted and unneeded. No discussion. CONSENT AGENDA #1 a. Minutes: The minutes of the May 23 meeting were presented for approval. b. 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 June 13, 2017 the Council does approve for payment claims in the amount of $480,313.08; prepaid claims in the amounts of $11,444.20 and $84,715.69; claim checks in the amount of $1,638,337.30; and payroll in the amount of $381,222.72 and $3,965.94. Action Taken: Councilmember Curnel asked that the Claims, Prepaid Claims, Checks, and Payroll, 1b be removed from the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Curnel questioned the payment for 2 police cars, lease payment? $34,648.43 each. Robert Taylor, Finance Director, stated that these were actual purchases coming out from Equipment Rental, who leases them out to the Police Department for 2  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES reimbursement. There was some discussion on life expectancy on these vehicles. c. Authorize City Manager to Execute Industrial Waste Discharge Permit No. 12 – Pure Country Harvest: A waste discharge permit for Pure County Harvest was presented and authorization was requested for the City Manager to sign the permit. d. Request to Accept – Completion of the Winona Lift Station Project – 2016 The project consisted of the reconstruction of the existing Winona Lift Station including new pumps, electrical, controls and communications. The work should be accepted. e. Request to Accept – Completion of the Larson Water Meter Project – 2016 The project consisted of the replacement of sixty-five (65) 1-inch diameter water service connections and sixteen (16) 2-inch diameter water service connections and associated piping within the Larson Housing area, Big Bend College area, and Port district. The work should be accepted. Action Taken: Council member Leonard moved that the Consent Agenda, including 1b., be approved, seconded by Council member Norman, and passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS #2 ORDINANCE - AMEND MLMC 5.22 - PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS An ordinance was presented which amends Chapter 5.22, Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers. The amendment would provide that only businesses dealing in highly valued merchandise will be subject to regulations and fees that come with dealing with goods that are highly susceptible to theft. John Williams, City Manager reiterated the passing of this ordinance would separate business types and only pawnshops would be required to complete a pawn list reporting form to the Moses Lake Police Department. Action Taken: Councilmember Leonard moved that Ordinance No. 2865 be approved as presented, seconded by Councilmember Norman, and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS #3 ORDINANCE – AMEND MLMC 1.08 GENERAL PENALTIES An ordinance was presented which amends Chapter 1.08, General Penalties. The amendment is part of the proposed revisions to MLMC 1.20 Civil Code Enforcement as directed by the City Council. The intent is to develop a system whereby property owners understand that continued public nuisance violations will have an increased monetary penalty that they will want to avoid. Gilbert Alvarado, Deputy City Manager, describes other penalties within the Municipal Code affected by changing Chapter 1.08. Because three other municipal codes will be affected if Council changes the current penalty for C6, staff is looking for direction on how to treat those three municipal code violations without altering the nuisance violation penalty. Councilmember Leonard would like staff to bring back the other municipal codes that would be affected if 3  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES they changed C2, C3 and C5 penalties. Councilmember Ecret is in favor of changes to C6 and C7 as presented. Considerable discussion. No action taken. #4 REQUEST TO CHANGE MLMC 3.18.060C – GAMBLING TAX FOR CARD ROOMS BJ Garbe of Lake Bowl is requesting the Moses Lake City Council reduce the Card Room Gambling Tax of 10% of gross receipts to the city to be lowered incrementally over a 4 year span. They are hoping to decrease the tax to 5% beginning July 1, 2017. Due to tribal competition and state legislation, profits have fallen in the last couple of years, and they are asking to lower their taxes paid to the city. Considerable discussion on taxes received and how they are spent within the city. Action Taken: Councilmember Ecret moved to have staff bring back MLMC 3.18.060 with the proposed tier changes Mr. Garbe has presented and have true numbers of what the city has brought in and what the estimated amount the city will bring in for the next 4-5 years. Second by Councilmember Norman. Deputy Mayor Karen Leibrecht and Councilmember Leonard would like to have a study session before a decision has been made due to the fact the city’s budget would be affected by this decision. A 30 minute study session will be scheduled before the next council meeting. Vote taken, passed unanimously. #5 RESOLUTION – BALLOT MEASURE PROPOSITION 1 – TBD City Manager John Williams introduced the resolution Ballot Measure Proposition No. 1 to the Council. If approved by Council, this ballot proposition would impose 0.2% sales and use tax to fund the preservation, restoration, and construction of City streets. The proposition will appear on the ballot at the November 7, 2017 General Election. In order for the ballot measure to appear in the General Election, a resolution needs to be submitted to the Grant County Auditor’s office no later than August 1, 2017. Considerable discussion. Action Taken: Councilmember Curnel moved that Resolution No. 3673 be approved as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leonard, and passed unanimously. #6 RESOLUTION – COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR A BALLOT MEASURE City Manager John Williams introduced the resolution ML City Council Supporting Proposition No. 1 to the Council. Passage of Proposition No.1 would benefit the citizens of the City by providing funding to preserve and maintain the City’s transportation infrastructure. Considerable discussion. Action Taken: Councilmember Norman moved that Resolution No. 3674 be approved as presented, seconded by Councilmember Leonard, and passed unanimously. #7 RESOLUTION – NUISANCE ABATEMENT – 1208 ALDERWOOD – HUD A resolution was presented which provides for the abatement of nuisances at 1208 Alderwood, owned by 4  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Housing & Urban Development. Rick Rodriguez, Code Enforcement Officer, was sworn in and provided testimony concerning the nuisance violations. There was no other testimony. The hearing was closed. The resolution determining that HUD are the owners of certain real property within the City; that a nuisance requiring abatement by City forces contracted by the City exists on such property; and directing the use of such forces to abate the nuisance found was read by title only. Action Taken: Councilmember Leonard moved that Resolution No. 3675 be approved as presented, seconded by Councilmember Myers, and passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS K-9 UNIT GRANT City Manager, John Williams informed the City Council attempts to receive a grant for the Moses Lake Police Department K9 unit has failed. The City will continue to pursue efforts for revenue either by donations or other grants. Councilmember Leonard questioned whether the current monies collected would be reimbursed or held in fund? City Manager John Williams reported that the City would continue to seek funds from other sources and if all efforts failed, the current funds would be transferred to the County K9 unit. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING 06/09/2017 Deputy City Manager, Gil Alvarado met with the Airport Commissioners at their meeting on June 9, 2017 to discuss volunteer issues, which has been resolved, FEMA reimbursement, crack seal on taxiway, and continue to work through the issue of airport leases. RECON UPDATE – DEPUTY CITY MANAGER – GIL ALVARADO Gil Alvarado, Deputy City Manager, reported on the Retail Conference held in Las Vegas, NV, was attended by City staff and various agencies. He mentioned that there were 2 hoteliers who have committed to Moses Lake and numerous restaurants/retailers who are showing interest in the area. Major developers from Tucson, Arizona and Portland, Oregon are planning on a site visit to Moses Lake. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSION - None ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m. _________________________ Todd Voth, Mayor ATTEST ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director 5