2014 11 25u
7552
MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL
November 25,2014
Council Present:Dick Deane,Bill Ecret,Karen Liebrecht,Jason Avila,Jon Lane,and David Curnel Absent:
Todd Voth
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.by Mayor Deane.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:Dr.Curnel led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.
PRESENTATION AND AWARDS
DOE -LARSON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT -AWARD
Llyn Doremus,Department of Ecology,presented an awardforoutstanding performance tothe Cityforperfect
compliancewith state regulations in2013 forthe Sand Dunes and Larson Wastewater Treatment Plants.She
mentioned that itis very difficult for a wastewater treatment facility to earn this award and commended the
employees that work inthis division.She pointed out that the Larson WastewaterTreatment Planthas earned
this award forthe last six years and Sand Dunes received itfor the first time in 2010 and every yearthereafter.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes:The minutes ofthe November 11 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 listingwhich has been made available to the Council forapproval
and is retained for public inspection at the Civic Center.As of November 25,2014 the Council does approve
for payment claims in the amount of $1,122,249.53;prepaid claims in the amounts of $100,248.30 and
M $19,753.99;claim checks in the amount of $2,159,044.05;and payroll in the amount of $316,972.08.
Accept Work -BioSolids Land Application Project -2014:Northwest Cascade,Inc.has completed the /£0<%
BioSolids Land Application Project -2014.The work should be accepted and the 60-day lien period entered
into.
Resolution -Abandon Easements -Forsgren Associates:Aresolution was presented which provides for the /O/-*?
abandonmentof easements located in Parcels 4 and 5,Commercial Binding Site Plan forComposite Moses
Lake Travel Plaza Major Plat.
Larson Wastewater Treatment Plant Final Maior Plat and Findings of Fact:The Municipal Services /£?£,
Department of the city of Moses lake submitted a final plat application to subdivide 45.91 acres into 3 lots.
The site is zoned Public, is located on Randolph Road,and includes the Larson WastewaterTreatment Plant
and the Grant County Animal Outreach facility.The zoning corresponds with the Comprehensive Plan Land
use Designationsof Public Facilities.The Planning Commission recommended that the finalplatbe approved
with conditions.The Council'sapproval of this decision incorporatesandadopts the Findings,Conclusion and
Decision of the Planning Commission.
Action Taken:Dr.Curnel moved that the Consent Agenda be approved,seconded by Mr.Avila, and passed
unanimously.
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS -None
CONSIDERATION OF BIDS AND QUOTES -None
PETITIONS.COMMUNICATIONS.OR PUBLIC HEARINGS
^J ORDINANCE -2014 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS -1st READING/PUBLIC HEARING JO?cT
An ordinance was presented which adopts the 2014 Comprehensive Plan Amendments.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 25, 2014
The ordinance adopting the 2014 Comprehensive Plan amendments and completing the periodic update of f*}
the Comprehensive Plan required by RCW 36.70A.130 was read by title only.
The public hearing was opened.
Larry Angell, Columbia Northwest Engineering,spoke in support of the request from Hayden Homes to
change 45 acres from General Commercial to 28 acres of Low Density Residential and 17 acres of High
Density Residential.
Action Taken:Mr.Lane moved that the public hearing be closed,seconded by Dr. Curnel,and passed
unanimously.
Gilbert Alvarado,Community Development Director,explained the process used to amend the
Comprehensive Plan.
Action Taken:Mrs.Liebrecht moved that the first reading of the ordinance be adopted,seconded by Dr.
Curnel,and passed unanimously.
/0<J</CLAIM FOR SEWER DAMAGES -HOCHSTATTER
Harold Hochstatter,2104 Marina Drive,explained to the Council the problem he had with a sewer backup into
his home and the fact that the City's insurance denied his claim.
The Council requested clarification of any action the City would be authorized to take.
Katherine Kenison,City Attorney,stated that the claim submitted by Mr.Hochstatter was forwarded to the
City's insurance company which investigated the incident and reviewed the claim and ultimately denied the
claim because there was no negligence on the City's part.She mentioned that the Council has no procedural {**)
role in the processing of this claim. If Mr.Hochstatter chooses to pursue the issue,he would need to seek
legal representation and file a lawsuit against the City, which would be defended by the City's insurance
carrier.
//3?AMBULANCE SERVICE
Chris Mortensen,President of the Moses Lake Firefighters,requested time before the Council to discuss the
sustainability ofthe Moses Lake ambulance service.
Travis Pulliman,Firefighter/Paramedic,2106 S.Perch,in the absence of Mr.Mortensen,stated that the
Moses Lake Fire Department is a full service Fire Department and provided information on the various
services provided.He mentioned that the concern with eliminating the ambulance service is that would
diminish the quality of service thatwould be provided.
Debbie Doran-Martinez,Executive Director,Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce,stated that Board of
Directors,after a review of the ambulance service feels that it is not in the best interest of Moses Lake to
discontinue the service.She mentioned that reducing the size of the Fire Department could affect the fire
rating for the City and felt that the negative impacts would outweigh any cost savings.
Jeremy Rodriguez,4096 Overbluff Drive,Yakima,President of the Yakima Firefighters Association,stated
thatYakima has private ambulance services and the majority of paramedicsare employed for abouttwo years
before they move on to a different ambulance service.This results in inexperienced paramedics providing
service to the citizens of the city. An ambulance service staffed by a city's fire department retains its
employees for many years and the experienced paramedics area valuable to the service.
Jeff Wainright,2910 W.Bridges road, Deer Park, FireCaptain with 25 years of experience,stated that they
have a private ambulance service and the service is not as efficient as service from afire department.(***)
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 25,2014
I J Rich Elliott,416 Willow,Ellensburg,manager of ALS services in Kittitas County,ahospital based service in
^^the Cle Elem area,and Kittitas Fire and Rescue,and Mayor ofEllensburg,mentioned that there are no private
ambulanceservices in Kittitas County.He provided hisreasons for preferring a Fire Department ambulance
service to a private company.
Chris McDonald,1916 AmeliaStreet,Walla Walla,stated that he has worked for both private and public
ambulance servicesand prefers the public service,duetolackoftraining andequipmentinthe private sector.
He pointed outthat a private basedservice isa for-profit company and a fire basedEMS isa service-based.
Jerry Aamold,1770 Warm Springs Drive,Wenatchee,former employee of Moses Lake Fire Department,
pointed outthat onceatrained paramedic leaves the City employment,thoseyears ofexperience are lost to
the City.
Shane Heston,Grant County Fire District 13 Fire Chief,statedthatthe MosesLake Fire Department hasone
of the best ambulance services in Central Washington.He pointed out the down sides to eliminating the
ambulance service.
Ken Meyers,6203 Kent Lane,Pasco,stated that they provide the emergency ambulance service and
mentioned that high performance CPR cannot be done bytwo people which iswhy a fire truck responds with
an ambulancetoa call.Hementionedthata Fire Department ambulance provides serviceat all callswhich
a private ambulance servicecannot do. He mentioned thatthe service provided by the Fire Department
cannot be exceeded by a private company because of the better training.
Eric Navarette,627 N.Arbutus, Pasco, stated that he worked for a private ambulance servicewhich putsthe
cost beforethe patient care. The Fire Department puts patient care first.Hewas infavor ofthe City keeping
the ambulance service.
(J Whitney Wytko,10333 Road 5.6 NE,teacher,was in favor of keeping the fire fighters and the ambulance
service.
Greg Markley,5725 S.292nd,Auburn, representing the Washington State Council of Firefighters,and
firefighter from Kent, stated that he is aidingthe Moses Lake Firefightersinunion negotiations and provided
information on the benefits of a fire department ambulance service.
There was some discussion by the Council.
Katherine Kenison,City Attorney,explained that a city is not legally required to provide an ambulance service
even though it is a very valuable service to its citizens.She mentioned that of the 143 cities and towns in
Eastern Washington there are currently only 9 that provide ALS services.She pointed out that it is very
difficult for a city to finance an ambulance service without negatively impacting other essential services that
a city provides.
Mayor Deane pointed out that the issue of the ambulance service will be discussed at a study session on
December 9.
VACATION RENTALS
Debbie Doran-Martinez,Vision 2020 andVacation Rental Dwelling Stakeholder Group,stated thatthe group
has reviewed the issue of vacation rentals and has recommended that the City proceed with drafting an
ordinance that addresses and meets the proposed criteria.
GilbertAlvarado,Community Development Director,stated thatthe PlanningCommission has been informed
that vacation rentals are under discussion and the criteria to be met would be discussed bythe Council.He
stated that the proposed ordinance will be provided to the Planning Commission prior to its submittal to
\^)Council.
Action Taken:Mr.Lane moved that staff be directed to draft an ordinance regulating vacation rentals,
seconded by Mr.Avila,and passed unanimously.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 25,2014
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
/O/O ORDINANCE -2015 BUDGET -2nd READING
An ordinance was presented which adopts the budget for2015.
The ordinance adopting the budget for theCity of Moses Lake,Washington for the year of2015 was read by
title only.
Action Taken:Mr.Lanemovedthatthesecond reading ofthe ordinance beadopted,seconded by Dr.Curnel,
and passed with Mr.Ecret opposed as he felt adoption of the ordinance should be tabled until after further
discussion of the ambulance service.
/Oyb RESOLUTION -ACCEPT DONATION -COVENANT CHURCH
A resolution was presented which accepts a donation of $117 from the Moses Lake Covenant Church to the
Police Department.A portion ofthe funds areto be used to provide Thanksgiving mealsto needy families.
The resolution accepting a cash donation of $117 from the Moses LakeCovenantChurch was read by title
only.
ActionTaken:Mrs.Liebrechtmoved that the resolution be adopted,seconded by Mr.Avila,and passed
unanimously.
REQUEST TO CALL FOR BIDS -None
REFERRALS FROM COMMISSIONS -None
OTHER ITEMS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
PLATTING DEEMED INSUFFICIENT AND DRIVEWAY VARIANCE -721 S.PIONEER
Justin Borst,Sigma Architecture,has been working with city staff on the proposed GESA Credit Union project
proposed to be constructed at 701 S.Pioneer Way.The proponent has submitted a request to defer
improvementsto Lark Avenueand also a varianceto deviate from the Community Streetand Utility Standards
for the driveway separation as proposed for the project.
Also as partof the request,the Council should considerthe provisions of MLMC 16.02.110,Platting Deemed
Insufficient.The subject site is a legally platted parcel. At the time the propertywas platted,the development
did not require municipal improvements that are now required with current plats. Municipal improvements
could include the extension or provision of City water,sewer,storm sewer,curb,sidewalks,street or other
provisions.Since the legally platted parcel does not meet our current municipal improvements standards, it
falls under the provisions of MLMC 16.02.110,Platting Deemed Insufficient.
Gilbert Alvarado,Community Development Director,mentioned that property platted years ago was not
required to install municipal improvementsthatarenowrequired with current plats andifthe Council approves
a waiver or deferral of those requirements,a covenant for future improvements will be required. The other
issue is the request to waive the driveway separation requirements.
There was some discussion by the Council.
Action Taken:Dr.Curnel moved that the deferral of the required improvements be granted with the stipulation
that a covenant be required for the improvements inthe future,seconded by Mrs.Liebrecht,and passed
unanimously.
Action Taken:Mrs.Liebrecht moved that the request fora variance of the driveway separation requirements
be granted,seconded by Mr.Avila,and passed unanimously.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS -None
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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November 25,2014
COUNCIL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
CITY MANAGER
Mr.Ecret pointed out that the current City Manager will be retiring soon and the Council should beginthe
search for a new City Manager and involve the current City Manager in that process.
Action Taken:Mr.Ecret moved that the City Manager be requested to develop the criteria and begin
discussing the process to find a new City Manager,seconded by Mrs.Liebrecht,and passed unanimously.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS -None
The regular meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
ATTEST
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Roo'ert Taylor,Pfrrance Director
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Dick Deane,Mayor
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