City Council

Regular Council Meeting of August 17, 2021 Present were: Mayor Neal, Councilmembers Naillon, Marthaller, McElheran and Hart. Absent: Councilman Moser. Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Neal. Pledge of Allegiance given. Copies of the August 4th council meeting minutes were read and approved. Jeff Bunnell, The Oroville Initiative, reported that 2 metal benches with artwork on them have been donated to TOI with a request that they be placed at Henry Kniss Riverfront Park; the donation will include installation costs. Bunnell presented a draft of the proposal, including installation plans, and is requesting Council approval for placement of the benches in the park; discussion on placement location. Bunnell to provide more detail prior to installation. Council thanked Bunnell. Karen Frisbie questioned the removal of the senior project sign from Henry Kniss Park; Mayor Neal stated that when senior projects are removed by the City, it is usually due to lack of maintenance. Superintendent Thompson stated that the sign was beyond repair and had to be removed. Lynn Chapman, representing the Oroville Tree Board, Streetscape and TOI, was present to request that the tree in front of Sun Lakes Realty be removed and replaced with a community clock. Chapman stated that the clock purchase price is approximately $10,000 and she is requesting approval prior to starting the fund raising for the project. Discussion on actual installation of the clock. Council approved the request and thanked Chapman for the proposal. Chief Langford, Police Department wage restructure request discussion. Police Committee member McElheran explained the basis for the proposal and discussed recruitment as a main concern; stated that he fully supports the proposal and would like the council to consider approving the proposal prior to the budget workshops. Chief Langford stated that there is the potential for 1 opening this year and possibly a second opening next year; further discussion on recruitment and request for a sign-on bonus for lateral officers. Discussion on steps taken so far to improve the department. Councilman Naillon stated that the City needs to take a realistic look at what it would cost the City for these improvements as proposed by Chief Langford. Discussion on Professional Liability Insurance and incentive percentages proposed; additional information is needed on what is available for the Professional Liability Insurance. Mayor Neal stated that the structure of the request is ok, but the numbers need to be adjusted during budget. Councilman Naillon questioned wage comparisons; Langford and McElheran stated that they reviewed wage comparisons during the Police Committee meeting. Councilman Naillon stated that additional information is needed and the structure of the proposal needs to be put into a format that the Council could adopt. Naillon also stated that the other departments need to be addressed as well. Councilman Hart thanked Chief Langford for presenting the proposal. Restructuring request to be tabled until more information is received. Chief Langford would like to address the proposed sign-on bonus for laterals; discussed that the budget needs to be looked at for 2021 and that it is only anticipated that there will be an opening in 2021. Sign-on bonus proposal tabled. Chief Langford questioned how to move forward with the request and how the Council would like him to proceed. Discussed that the proposal should be addressed during the budget workshops. 602 Appleway penalty reversal request received from Chris Allen, stating that he is the new owner of the property. Account balance is $4,519.02, with the penalty portion amounting to $2,556.62. Motion by McElheran, second by Marthaller that the penalty portion be taken off; motion carried. Lake View Hills Short Plat Development Agreement submitted by Pat & Patti Garrett reviewed. Clerk Denney stated that there are a few typo corrections that need to be made and all references to Okanogan County need to be removed. Superintendent Thompson would like to recommend that the Council require that physical connection be made by the City, not the developer. Motion by Naillon, second by Hart that the Lake View Hills Short Plat Development Agreement be approved with the recommendations made by staff; motion carried. 10-Minute Executive Session, 42.30.110 (1)(g), called at 7:50 pm by Mayor Neal to review qualifications of an applicant for City Hall. Meeting reconvened at 8:00 pm. Per Clerk Denney’s recommendation, as requested by Deputy Clerk Jen Allenby, motion by Naillon, second by Hart that positions within City Hall be changed to: Deputy Clerk Emily Finsen, Staff Assistant Cindy Boyer and Part-Time Utility Billing Clerk Jen Allenby; motion carried. Karen Frisbie reminded the Council that the Jet Ski races will be held the weekend of August 21st & 22nd. Frisbie also stated that the Food Distribution will take place on Thursday, August 19th. Motion by McElheran and second by Marthaller the vouchers $231,791.23, #29336-29369, be paid, the August 15, 2021 payroll of $46,136.92, #29321-29335, Direct Deposit Run, EFT #202131-202132, be approved and the meeting be adjourned at 8:04 pm. Motion carried. Minutes approved ____________________ ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ Clerk