1980 12 013065
CITY OF MOSES LAKE
MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING December 1,1980
COUNCIL CHAMBERS 8:00 PM
Roll Call:Bob Hill,Don Swanson,Harvey Vernier,Norm Johnson,Steve Shinn,
Charles Edwards,and Barry Ziegler -present.
The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m.by Mayor Robert Hill.
The Mayor stated that this special Council meeting was specifically to conduct a Q
public hearing on the 1981 Budget for the City of Moses Lake./u
City Manager Joe Gavinski stated that the Budget as presented to Council reflects
all the changes that have been suggested by Council to date.The present budget
eflects a loss of nine positions.There are nine positions that are being lost
because of budget restrictions.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
Marilyn Bertram,representing the Humane Society,stated that three years ago
she came before the City Council for the humane hut.For 7k years they have
staffed the hut.They have saved the city quite a bit of money,they are dis
couraged.This is a Police Department function,a city function.She commended
the Chief of Police for the interest that he has shown toward the humane hut.
She stated that the Chief was very cooperative with them.The Humane Society has
assumed some animal control duties.She asked what the society's roll should be?
She thought that by the end of January there will be a dramatic cutback in the
hut to three hours a day.She stated that Margaret Larsen has donated all her
weekends to the hut for several years.The dog problem is increasing.They have
no authority to institute a spayed/neutered program.
There were no further comments from the audience,and the Mayor closed the response.
Mayor Hill stated that the Council is unanimous in their feelings of appreciation
towards the Humane Society.In answer to Mrs.Bertram's question,"What is your
roll to be",he responded that he hoped they would continue their roll as it is
now.He stated that Wenatchee had a program which we could look into.
Margaret Larson stated that in Wenatchee nine veterinary clincis had donated $50
each and set up a spayed/neutered program,however,they have since went bankrupt
and they are trying to put something else together.
Mr.Hill stated that the Council had unanimously hoped to have the hut started by
February 1981.The Council had depleted every fund in order to balance the budget,
and will be going into 1982 flat broke.They had to eliminate city employees,and
had to had to give up the animal shelter,however,they did not want to cut any
of the police department employees in order to protect the citizens of Moses Lake.
Mr.Johnson stated that the Council is looking forward to the coming years,with
hopes that revenues will pick up and the animal control shelter can be built.
Mr.Edwards that he is interested in reinstating some of the items that were,by
necessity,deleted.Each item would be considered individually.
Mr.Swanson stated that he hoped that the humane society would not get discouraged.
Mr. Hill stated that if there are revenues received in 1981 that are more than
anticipated,that perhaps one-half of the amount to construct the shelter could be
budgeted in 1981 and one-half in 1982.He had spoken to Mr.Robertson of the Job
Corps and they are still interested in building it.He thought perhaps a "shell"
could be constructed in 1981.Mrs.Bertram replied that she would like to at least
see a "shell"built.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:Page 2 December 1,1980
Mr.Ziegler stated that the Budget is "balanced",however,if the revenues do
pick up,he would be for reinstating the humane hut.
Mrs.Larsen asked if the Council was including the money from the federal govern
ment for the disaster.
Mr.Hill stated that even with the federal government picking up some of the r**)
expenses for cleaning the volcanic ash,that it was only part of the cost.
Mr.Gavinski stated that the City has received some money from the emergency
disaster fund from the federal government,however,the City spent over $1.3
million dollars and they are only picking up 75%of the cost.The City has
received federal money,but it is being forwarded to the state for the registered
warrants that have been written.The city will still have to pay the state for
the money they have loaned the city to pay for the clean-up costs.There are
also more expenses to come in taking care of the ash piles.
Mr.Hill stated that the Council will probably have to pass councilmatic bonds
to pay for the expenses that have not been paid resulting from the volcanic
eruption.
Virginia Hill,343 W.Northshore Drive,stated that some years ago when she used
to go to the humane hut it became obvious to her that the Police Department was
not interested in the humane hut. The Police Officers are not interested in
spending four,hours a day cleaning up the hut.The city would have to have an
animal control person there four hours a day.This is work that has to be done.
Since there were no further comments from the public,Mr.Edwards moved to close
the public hearing,the motion was seconded by Mr.Swanson and unanimously passed.
The next meeting of the City Council will be December 9,1980.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.!
ATTEST:
Act^h^City Clerk