1980 05 272985
CITY OF MOSES LAKE
MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING -REGULAR MEETING May 27,1980
POLICE/COUNCIL FACILITY 8 p.m.
Members Present:Steve Shinn,Barry Ziegler,Harvey Vernier,Bob Hill,Norm
Johnson,Don Swanson,and Chuck Edwards
The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m.by Mayor Robert Hill.
Mr.Ziegler moved that the minutes of the meeting of May 13 be approved as submitted,
seconded by Mr.Johnson,and passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
REGULAR BILLS AMOUNT
GENERAL $14,663.06
STREET 210.27
ARTERIAL STREET 3.97
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 39,50o!54
WATER/SEWER 4,560.04
SANITATION 1,986.40
WATER/SEWER CONSTRUCTION 10,931.83
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 2,481.90
FIREMAN'S PENSION 31.00
LID #43 22,330.09
TOTAL $96,699.10
Mr.Swanson moved that the bills be paid,seconded by Mr.Edwards,and passed
unanimously.Warrants 1016 to 1099 were approved for payment.
Captain Bossun of the National Guard stated that there are 466 troops in Moses Lake
at the present time helping with the clean up operations.He gave a run down on
)the areas that the Guard were involved in and also stated that they would conclude )
{j their efforts by Thursday evening and head home Friday.^hrj
The Mayor expressed the city's appreciation for the efforts of the Guard.
ORDINANCE -VOLCANIC ASH REMOVAL
An emergency ordinance requiring owners of improved property to remove volcanic ash
was read in its entirety.
Glenn Mitchell,2312 Willow,wanted to know if the city would be any sort of help
on the large water bills incurred because of the ash fallout.
Mr.Hill stated that the Council is aware of this problem but no formal action will
be taken at this time.
Mr.Johnson stated that some people just got home today and he felt that some
stipulation should be made to cover this problem.
Mr.Hill felt that in most cases the people have had an opportunity to clean up
their property.
Joseph Gavinski,Acting City Manager,stated that the Building Official would
enforce the ordinance and would probably take this into consideration before citing
r~j anyone.
,.,I Mr.Swanson moved that the ordinance be adopted,seconded by Mr.Shinn.
Mr.Vernier wanted to know if the deadline could be extended to the following
Monday.Mr.Gavinski stated that it is hoped to get the second clean-up of the ash
on the weekend.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:2 May 27,1980
Ruben Edinger,818 Juniper stated that the additional weekend would be helpful.
Mr.Edwards stated that he would be in favor of a June 2 deadline.
The ordinance failed with Mr.Edwards,Mr.Vernier,and Mr.Johnson opposed and Mr.
Hill,Mr.Shinn,Mr.Ziegler,and Mr.Swanson in favor.
J ORDINANCE -NON-DEBATABLE EMERGENCY
A letter was read from Robert Gazewood,Finance Director,which presented an
ordinance declaring a non-debatable emergency.
The ordinance declaring a non-debatable emergency condition providing for the
preservation of order and public health,the restoration of city streets,roads,
and public facilities,estimating amount to meet the emergency and provide for
making expenditures therefor without notice or hearing was read by title only.
Mr.Shinn requested that the ordinance be read in its entirety.The ordinance was
so read.
Mr.Ziegler pointed out that the clean up costs were over $200,000 a day and he
felt that 12 days was more than enough time for homeowners to clean up their
property.
Mr.Johnson moved that the ordinance be adopted,seconded by Mr.Swanson,and
passed unanimously.
J ORDINANCE -VOLCANIC ASH REMOVAL
Mr.Edwards moved that section 1 be amended to read 1 a.m.June 2,1980,seconded
by Mr.Johnson.
There was some discussion by the Council on the cost and time factors involved in
the ash removal.
n
r\Mr.Edwards changed his motion to amend section 1 of the ordinance to read "improved |I
property (as defined in Section 2)",and keeping the May 30 date,seconded by Mr.I \
Johnson,and passed unanimously.
ill ORDINANCE -FRANCHISES0*
A letter was read from Joseph Gavinski,Acting City Manager,which presented an
ordinance which would delete that portion of city ordinance requiring that ordinances
or resolutions granting franchises be read in their entirety.
The ordinance amending Chapter 2.08 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled
"Mayor and Council"by deleting that portion of the ordinance requiring that
ordinances or resolutions granting franchises be read in their entirety was read by
title only.
Mr.Zeigler moved that the second reading of the ordinance be adopted,seconded by
Mr.Johnson,and passed unanimously.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Mr.Hill mentioned that Stan Bech,Community Development Director,would be leaving
employment with the city on Friday.Mr.Bech stated that he had enjoyed his
experiences in Moses Lake and that he had learned a lot here.
WATER CONSUMPTION
There was some discussion by Council on the water billing situation and requested
information be presented at the June 24th meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:3 May 27,1980
REPORT ON DISASTER CLEAN-UP
Joseph Gavinski,City Manager,stated that everyone in the city has worked very /^v
hard on clean-up.The ash is watered down,bladed into the center of the street,
and then hauled away.We will go through the city at least twice.The city may
have to get some high-water pressure trucks and flush the remainder down the drains.
Moses Lake is in a unique situation as the stuff that fell in Yakima was like beach
sand and they have no mud as we do.The film or residue that is left after it is
picked up will probably have to be washed off the streets with high-pressure water
^trucks.The city has not received any technical assistance at this point.Mr.
!Gavinski stated that the National Guard is planning on leaving this Friday.He
I stated that Yakima received 75%sand and 25%clay and silt from the erupting
^—'volcano and Moses Lake received 28%sand and 72%clay and silt,which is what is
causing our problems.All the roofs on city buildings have been cleared but it
will take several weeks to get it cleared off the streets.He mentioned that it
cost approximately $10,000 to clear the roofs.He stated that at the present time
there is no way to estimate costs of clean up since we have only just begun.Mr.
Gavinski reported that we have lost 5 police cars and 1 pick-up due to the volcanic
dust.
Police Chief Wetmore reported that the Police Department was on 12 hour days on
Sunday and Monday and on Tuesday everyone but Watch Sergeants on 8 hour days and on
Wednesday everyone was on 8 hour days with no days off.At the present time the
officers are working 6 days on and 1 day off and the office personnel are on
regular shifts.
Mr.Gavinski stated that the speed limit restrictions have been lifted at this time
but negligent driving citations will be issued if the dust situation gets bad.
Robert Gazewood,Finance Director,reported on the city finances and the possible
ways of paying for the clean-up.He recommended that the city issue registered
warrants to meet the costs of the disaster.
It was the consensus of the Council that an ordinance be drafted establishing
-,registered warrants as the method for financing the disater costs.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.and Council met in an executive session.
*rt E.Hill,Mayor
ATTEST: