CC Min 2023 03 28MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL
March 28, 2023
STUDY SESSION
Homestead Issue and Sleep Center Updates
Police Chief Kevin Fuhr reviewed 2018 and 2021 Case Law rulings as well as State and Federal
laws related to homelessness and parking restriction limitations. Eleven campers were identified
as residents in three locations on City streets. He provided specific references to MRSC online
toolkit used to reduce legal risks when enforcing parking restrictions. Staff are working on a
designated location for a safe parking area that has daily support services for guests.
HopeSource contracts with the City to operate the Open Doors Sleep Center. Regional Director
Brittany Bouchouari shared costs, demographics, benefits, and client successes since they have
been operating the sleep center.
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Mayor
Myers in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center with audio remote access. Special notice for
remote attendance and citizen comment were posted on the meeting agenda.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Myers; Deputy Mayor Martinez; Council Members Eck, Fancher, Madewell,
Swartz, and Skaug.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Myers led the Flag Salute.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Mayor Myers suggested swapping the order on Old Business agenda items (2) DOH Associates
Police Station Owner’s Rep Contract and (3) Sleep Center Location Negotiation.
Action taken: Council Member Eck moved to approve the Agenda as amended, second by
Deputy Mayor Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0.
CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATION
Overpopulation of Pets
Laurie Criscuolo, Moses Lake, is upset with the lack of regulations for backyard breeders giving
pets from their vehicles in commercial parking lots and the lack of education for the new pet
owners. She has worked with getting stray animals adopted to good homes. Mayor Myers
requested to have solutions discussed at a future Council Public Safety Committee meeting.
Development at Grape and Maple Drive
Don Temple, Moses Lake, expressed concern for adjacent homeowners to know about the
process for road easements and zoning changes near the new residential development.
SUMMARY REPORTS
MAYOR’S REPORT
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Community Coalition Event
Matt Palouch represents the Moses Lake Community Coalition who focuses on prevention of
youth substance abuse and mental health issues. He invited everyone to attend their Town Hall
meeting tomorrow night at the Civic Center from 7 pm to 9 pm. to discuss substance abuse and
what the community can do to help.
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board Member Appointments
The City received seven applications from solicitation of the vacancies. Park Board Chair
Charlene Rios and Parks Director Doug Coutts interviewed three candidates meeting the
eligibility criteria of residing in the City Limits. Mayor Myers concurred with their
recommended appointments for the terms expiring, or to request reappointment, in December
2023 and 2024.
Action taken: Council Member Eck moved to confirm appointment of Isaac Valdez, second by
Deputy Mayor Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0.
Action taken: Council Member Eck moved to confirm appointment of Rebecca Johnson, second
by Deputy Mayor Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) Recognition of City Officers Mengist and Buescher
Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete presented a certificate of Valor Award to Officer Josh Mengist and a
Meritorious Award to Officer Yoni Mengist to recognize their heroic response to an officer involved
shooting on July 10, 2022. Each officer also received a copy of their GCSO nomination letter.
Water Conservation Action Update
The Council Community Development, Municipal Services, and Parks (CMP) Committee
reviewed the preliminary update to the Code today for water conservation that will be
presented for Council adoption on April 11. Revision to landscaping regulations will be
presented to Council on April 25. City Manager Allison Williams listed several parks that
are complete, and a few near complete, with the transition to using lake water. Staff
partnered with a local church to xeriscape on Central Drive and are planning a zeriscape at
the Civic Center Park. She commended staff involved in transition efforts, for educating the
public, and tracking usage data. City Engineer Richard Law provided historical data on
studies showing a decline in the deep acquifer.
Comprehensive Plan Requests Deadline Extension
Staff has been delayed in publishing the annual notice on accepting requests for amendments
to the Comp Plan and requests approval from Council to extend the due date from March 31
to April 28, 2023.
Action taken: Council Member Fancher moved to approve the due date extension, second by
Deputy Mayor Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0.
CONSENT AGENDA
#1 a. City Council meeting minutes dated March 14, 2023
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b. Electronic Transfer: #217 - $2,252.73
Checks: 159989 - 160197 - $1,577,608.35
Payroll Checks: #65012-65024 - $7,706.91
Electronic Payments: Direct Deposit - $596,631.93
c. Good Faith 4 All Road Improvement Covenant
d. Gray & Osborne Well 34 Pumphouse Pilot Test Consultant
Action taken: Council Member Eck moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, second
by Council Member Fancher. The motion carried 7 – 0.
OLD BUSINESS
#2 Sleep Center Location Negotiation
ECONorthwest analyzed 14 sites identified for a potential permanent location to develop
a new facility. A shelter space to accommodate the homeless point in time count is
required in order for the City to prohibit camping in parks. The Ad Hoc Homeless
Committee recommends pursuing the Moses Lake Irrigation and Reclamation District
property. Community Development Director Kirsten Sackett provided a presentation
summarizing data in the consultant’s report. Eleven citizens provided comments to
Council regarding the pending decision. Council determined that it would be best to wait
until the County had a chance to complete implementation of their Homeless Task Force
and to coordinate efforts with all agencies involved, as well as with the public and
effected property owners. Therefore, continued use of the current site was a
consideration.
Action taken: Council Member Swartz moved to authorize negotiations to extend the lease for
the current location, second by Council Member Fancher. The motion carried 7 – 0.
Mayor Myers called a 5-minute recess at 8:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:02 p.m.
#3 DOH Associates Police Station Owner’s Rep Contract
Staff first presented the contract for approval in February and returned to Council with
additional information, as well as having the DOH staff present to provide input and
respond to questions on March 14. The staff report contains information Council
requested regarding the architect and engineering contract scope of work, fees, statutory
guidance, and comparable analysis for a staff position including benefits.
Action taken: Council Member Skaug moved to approve contract as presented, second by
Council Member Eck. The motion carried 6 – 1, Council Member Swartz opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
#4 2023 Budget Amendment Ordinance 3021
The amendment increases the 2023 budget resulting in additional expenditures of
$5,779,092 and estimated revenue of $1,501,105 across several funds. All items were
reviewed by the Council Finance Committee with the exception of the added increase in
the annual insurance payment from what they originally estimated. Staff reviewed the
three risk pools that the City is eligible to participate with, the stellar services with
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WCIA, and the current risk rating the City has from recent claims.
Action taken: Council Member Eck moved to adopt Ordinance 3021 as presented, second by
Deputy Mayor Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Police 2022 Annual Report
Police Chief Kevin Fuhr shared how proud he was of their statistics and proud of the work of
his employees. The entire Use of Force Report is included as well as a new section
recognizing community support. The completed report will be posted online by the end of the
month.
WSDOT SR 17 Project Delay
The state has reported that due to lack of project managers, they are postponing the 2023 SR
17 project to 2024. They have been scheduled to present the Vantage Bridge project to
Council in April. Staff is working on the design for Yonezawa and the state is able to waive
project review fees but unable to cost share in paving during the same construction season.
Director Recruitments
Two candidates for the Technical Services Director position will have final interviews on
Monday, April 10. Mayor Myers and Council Member Madewell volunteered to participate
on the Director’s panel.
A few applications have been received for the Municipal Services Director position. The
review of applications has been extended for three weeks. The Governor visited the City
today and staff hopes the support for growth with new aviation, energy, and manufacturing
will elevate the attraction of applicants.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Council Member Swartz, President of the Association of Grant County Cities and Towns
(AGCCT), and Council Member Eck will be present for the quarterly meeting later this week in
Royal City.
Council Member Fancher attended the Grant County Economic Development Committee
meeting last week. They are interviewing the community to gage feasibility of their organization.
Council CMP Committee meeting held earlier today also had discussion on infrastructure and
SEPA process.
Council Member Eck stated the Port of Moses Lake is doing well with continued storage of 747
Max planes, a new battery company prospect, and hosting visitors from Japan in July and
August.
Deputy Mayor Martinez joined the Watershed Council members at Vanguard Academy Charter
School to visit with students on their solutions to deal with lake algae. She was able to educate
them regarding tourism and our limited potable water resources. Fire Chief Brett Bastian and
Deputy Chief Pete Kunjara will be travelling to pick up a new vehicle. Fire also discussed
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research to have a special facility near the hazardous commercial areas during the Council Public
Safety Committee meeting.
Mayor Don Myers shared that they learned of maintenance issues that are being fixed under
warranty at the Grant Transit Authority Board Retreat. They are also looking at expanding the
maintenance facility so they can work on more than two busses at one time.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Myers announced postponement of the Executive Session. The regular meeting was
adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
______________________________________
Don Myers, Mayor
ATTEST____________________________
Debbie Burke, City Clerk
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Signature Certificate
Reference number: AYVDL-7D3FY-DVCJF-DVLV3
Document completed by all parties on:
01 May 2023 15:38:49 UTC
Page 1 of 1
Signer Timestamp Signature
Mayor Don Myers
Email: dmyers@cityofml.com
Recipient Verification:
Sent:26 Apr 2023 21:45:40 UTC
Viewed:27 Apr 2023 01:06:42 UTC
Signed:27 Apr 2023 01:07:57 UTC
✔Email verified 27 Apr 2023 01:06:42 UTC IP address: 166.198.252.136
Debbie Burke
Email: dburke@cityofml.com
Recipient Verification:
Sent:26 Apr 2023 21:45:40 UTC
Viewed:01 May 2023 15:38:33 UTC
Signed:01 May 2023 15:38:49 UTC
✔Email verified 01 May 2023 15:38:33 UTC
IP address: 63.135.54.162
Location: Moses Lake, United States
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