1983 03 083585
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOSES LAKE
March 8, 1983
Members Present:Norm Johnson,Wayne Rimple,Charles Edwards,Harvey Vernier,Bill
Reese,and Bob Wallenstien
Absent: Norm Staat
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norm Johnson at 8 p.m.
Mr.Edwards moved that the minutes of the meeting of February 22 and February 23,
1983 be approved as submitted,seconded by Mr.Rimple,and passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
REGULAR BILLS AMOUNT
GENERAL $13,391.43
STREET 628.97
WATER/SEWER 5,949.50
WATER/SEWER CONSTRUCTION 49,535.08
SANITATION 21,748.22
CENTRAL SERVICES 5,283.66
BUILDING MAINTENANCE 23.69
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 13,101.14
FIREMANS PENSION 21.72
TOTAL $109,683.41
Mr.Edwards moved that the bills be approved as submitted,seconded by Mr.Reese,
and passed unanimously.
I.CITIZEN INPUT
None
II.CONSENT AGENDA
None
III.CONSIDERATION OF BIDS
POLICE VEHICLE
A letter was read from Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,which,stated that the bids
on the police vehicle had been tabled at the last meeting.He suggested that the
matter be brought off the table and all bids rejected.After that is done,staff
is requesting authorization to call for bids for a vehicle which conforms to state
specifications.
Mr.Edwards moved that the matter be brought off the table,seconded by Mr.Rimple,
and passed unanimously.
Mr.Edwards moved that the bids be rejected and staff authorized to call for bids
again for a police vehicle,seconded by Mr.Wallenstien,and passed unanimously.
IV.PETITIONS,COMMUNICATIONS,OR PUBLIC HEARINGS
COMMUNICATION - DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION -CAMPFIRE GIRLS
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A letter was read from Al McFadin and Sandy Estoos which stated that the Moses Lake
Campfire,Inc.would like to aid the beautification of downtown Moses Lake by
donating cement benches for the Post Office,Swartz's,and Menti Jewelers.These
business support the project.
Mr.McFadin stated that the Task Force endorses the project and the benches will be
similar to those already in the downtown area.
Betty Dart stated that the 20 Campfire groups wish to serve the community by plac
ing these benches in the downtown area.She stated that the money was earned
through various projects and that the Job Corps will deliver and anchor the benches
to the sidewalk in a manner approved by the city.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:2 March 8,1983
Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,stated that the city has an ordinance which
prevents the placing of obstructions on the sidewalk.This ordinance was amended
when the planters were placed on the sidewalk but no mention was made of benches.
He recommended that the ordinance be amended to allow for the benches.
It was the consensus of the Council that an ordinance be drafted to allow for the
placing of the benches.
Mr.Edwards moved that the Council send a letter of appreciation to the Campfire
Girls for their interest in improving the downtown area,seconded by Mr.Wallen
stien,and passed unanimously.
a>COMMUNICATION -PROCLAMATION -NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT WEEK
The proclamation declaring March 6 through 12,1983 as Girl Scout Week was read.
p3 COMMUNICATION -WATER/SEWER RATES
A letter was read from Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,which stated that a letter
had been received requesting a reduction in the water/sewer rates for senior
citizens.
A letter was read from Mildred Reiman which requested that the City Council con
sider a reduction in water/sewer rates for senior and disabled citizens.
Mr.Gavinski stated that the City Council has the authority under state law to
grant a reduced utility rate for low-income senior citizens.If the Council chooses
to grant a reduction,an ordinance must be drafted defining a low-income senior
citizen.He pointed out that all the rate increases since 1977 have occurred in
order to take care of debt service.He stated that if income is reduced in one
sector,it will have to be increased in another sector in order to take care of the
debt.He pointed out that since the city received additional funds for the waste
water treatment plant,the rates will bring in about $90,000 more than is necessary
to pay for the bonds.He also pointed out that there is an administrative cost
involved in reducing rates for senior citizens as forms will have to be prepared,
applications reviewed,and the computer reprogrammed and there is also no way of
knowing how many senior citizens reside in Moses Lake.He recommended that the
rates remain the same for all at the present time and the possibility of a reduction
be studied at a later date.
After some discussion it was the consensus of the Council that a study session be
held.
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Mr.Edwards moved that a study session be set for May 17 at 8 p.m.,seconded by Mr.
Wallenstien,and passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS - SAMMONS - RATE INCREASE
A letter was read from Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,which stated that Dave
Garrett from Sammons Communications requested time to discuss the proposed rate
increase.
Mr.Garrett distributed a copy of the three different proposals for rate increases
and explained each one to the Council.
There was some discussion by the Council on the different rates and services and
the areas of Moses Lake that are not presently served by cable TV.
The ordinance amending the franchise granted to Sammons Communications,Inc.,a
Delaware Corporation,its successors or assigns,to own and operate and maintain a
cable television system in the community of Moses Lake,Washington was read by
title only.
Mr.Edwards moved that the ordinance be approved with proposal #2 at $9.95.Motion
died for lack of a second.
Mr.Wallenstien moved that the ordinance be approved using proposal #3,seconded by
Mr.Reese,and passed with Mr.Vernier and Mr.Edwards opposed.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:3 March 8,1983
ORDINANCE - AMEND 1982 BUDGET - 2ND READING
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A letter was read from Walter Fry,Finance Director,which presented an ordinance
amending the 1982 Budget.
The public hearing was opened.There were no comments,so the public response was
closed.
The ordinance amending the 1982 Budget for the City of Moses Lake was read by title
,only.
Mr.Wallenstien moved that the public hearing be closed,seconded by Mr.Reese,and
passed unanimously.
Mr.Rimple moved that the second reading of the ordinance be adopted,seconded by
Mr.Reese,and passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE - AMEND 1983 BUDGET - 2ND READING
A letter was read from Walter Fry,Finance Director,which presented an ordinance
amending the 1983 Budget.
The public hearing was opened.There were no comments,so the public response was
closed.
The ordinance amending the 1983 Budget for the City of Moses Lake,Washington was
read by title only.
Mr.Wallenstien moved that the public hearing be closed,seconded by Mr.Reese,and
passed unanimously.
Mr.Reese moved that the second reading of the ordinance be adopted,seconded by
Mr.Rimple,and passed unanimously.
|V.ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Jj RESOLUTION -ESTABLISH NEW FUNDS
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A letter was read from Walter Fry,Finance Director,which presented a resolution
establishing new funds for Central Services,Building Maintenance,and 1983 Water/
Sewer Bonds.
The resolution to establish new funds to be entitled Central Services,Building
Maintenance,and 1983 Water/Sewer Bonds was read by title only.
Mr.Edwards moved that the resolution be adopted,seconded by Mr.Wallenstien,and
passed unanimously.
VI.REQUESTS TO CALL FOR BIDS
None
VII.REFERRALS FROM COMMISSIONS
ORDINANCE -REZONE -WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT -1ST READING.//p0
A letter was read from Rita Perstac,Community Development Director,which stated
that the City of Moses Lake has requested a zone change for property located in the
west half of Section 12,Township 18 North,Range 28 EWM from county Agriculture to
city Public.This is the site for the city's new waste water treatment plant.The
Planning Commission,at their February 24 meeting approved the rezone request and
, I forwarded their recommendation along with the Findings of Fact to the City Council.
Harold Schwab stated that he wished to thank the city for the letter he received
notifying him of this proposed zone change.He stated that he was concerned about
seepage from the waste water treatment plant getting into his domestic and irriga
tion water systems.He also wanted to know if the city has to prepare an Environ
mental Impact Statement.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:4 March 8, 1983
Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,stated that the city prepared an Environmental
Checklist.The Planning Commission considered the Environmental Checklist and
declared that the project had a non-significant adverse impact on the environment
and an Environmental Impact Statement was not required.Mr.Gavinski stated that
the waste water treatment plant will be using lagoons and some of the water will
percolate through the soil and some will be lost through evaporation.He stated
that there should be no contamination coming from the plant after the final process
is completed.
Bill Newell,Public Works Superindentent,stated that the lagoons will be lined and
aerated and there will be bacteria treatment.After that it will go through a set
of rock filters and then sedimentation basins.The water from there will go into
infiltration basins and from there into the soil.
Mr.Schwab also stated that he was concerned about the possible odor from this
plant.
George Knauss stated that he lived next door to the present sewage treatment plant
for 15 years and had noticed no odors coming from it.
The ordinance amending Section 18.09.020 of Chapter 18 of the Moses Lake Municipal
Code entitled Zoning was read by title only.
Mr.Edwards moved that the first reading of the ordinance be adopted and a public
hearing be set for March 22,1983,seconded by Mr.Wallenstien,and passed unani
mously.
t«\*LAGUNA POINT PRELIMINARY PLAT -EXTENSION OF TIME
A letter was read from Rita Perstac,Community Development Director,which stated
that Rod Stewart and Robert Col lop have requested a one year extension of time for
the Laguna Point Preliminary Plat,with the six conditions that were approved by
the Council on January 12,1982.The six conditions are:
1.Variance be granted for lots 7 and 14 because the lot depth is over
three times the lot width.
2.Ownership documentation is included.j !
3.Site plan to show location for gas,electric,cable TV or telephone
lines.
4.Two additional manholes are required on the sanitary sewer.
5.Show owner(s)of land west of lot 14.
6.A minimum of 1000 gallons per minute is required for the minimum fire
flow in residential areas.
This plat is for 24 single family lots located at the end of Laguna Drive in the
Westlake area of Moses Lake.The area is 7.88 acres in size,is zoned R-1,and the
average lot size is 11,700 square feet.The Planning Commission recommended to the
Council that the approval period for this preliminary plat be extended to January
13,1984.
Mr.Edwards moved that the Laguna Point Preliminary Plat approval period be extended
to January 13,1984,seconded by Mr.Rimple,and passed unanimously.
^MUNICIPAL TRACT #6 -VARIANCE REQUEST
A letter was read from Rita Perstac,Community Development Director,which stated
that the city is short platting its property near the intersection of Lakeside
Drive and"D"Street.Because this plat fronts on a dedicated but unimproved street,
the city is required to bring the street between plat boundaries up to current city
standards unless a variance is granted by the Council.The city is requesting a pi
variance to delay street improvements to the existing gravelled street associated
with this plat.The Planning Commission recommended to the Council that this variance !
request be granted with a covenant to run with the land that if and when Lakeside
Drive,D Street,or Cascade are paved and utilities are put in that the city will
carry out their responsibilities to pave and put in the utilities.
Mr.Wallenstien moved that the variance request be granted with a covenant to run
with the land for street and utility improvements,seconded by Mr.Reese.
There was some discussion by the Council on the possibility of oiling D Street
which would require some expenditure on the part of the city and also a change in
policy.
The motion passed unanimously.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:5 March 8, 1983
VIII.OTHER ITEMS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
None
X. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
AWC NOMINATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEES
Mr.Johnson stated that he had received a letter from Kent Swisher,Executive
Director of the AWC,which stated that a Resolutions Committee and a Nominations
Committee will be appointed from elected officials and requesting that names be
submitted of anyone who is interested.
SALES TAX .,
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Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager stated that the city had received $108,727 for the
months of November and December.That is about a 14.6%increase over last year;
however,this includes the sales tax on food.
WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT ,.
Joseph K.Gavinski,City Manager,stated that the city had received money from they^j
Environmental Protection Agency for the new waste water treatment plant.These
funds came to the city though the efforts of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Re
habilitation District,Representative Sid Morrison,and Councilman Harvey Vernier.
He wished to express his thanks to these people.
He stated that a ground breaking ceremony will be held on March 21 and further
details will be forthcoming.
He stated that he had distributed a newspaper article to Council which shows that
Coeur d'Alene had to raise their commercial sewer rates by about 700%to pay for
their new waste water treatment plant.However,their water rates were untouched
and so was their residential sewer rates.
He also presented some additional information on the new water/sewer rates for
comparison purposes to the Council.
He stated further that an article in the paper stated that the 5-bay garage pro
posed to be eliminated from the existing waste water treatment plant site would
cost approximately $347,000.He stated that was an error since that cost included
items other than the 5-bay garage.The actual decrease will be approximately
$55,000 for the elimination of the garage.
The regular meeting was recessed at 9:45 p.m.and the Council met in an executive
session to discuss real estate matters.The executive session was adjourned at 10:15
p.m.and the regular meeting was reconvened.The regular meeting was adjourned at
10:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON
)
In the matter of:
3589a
Variance Request for Municipal )Findings of Fact,Conclusions,and
Tract #0 )Decision
This matter,having come on before the Moses Lake City Council for action on the
8th day of March,1983,now makes the following:
I Findings of Fact
1.The City of Moses Lake has submitted a short plat for its property located
near the intersection of Lakeside Drive and south "D"Street.
2.The property is zoned Public.
3.In accordance with Section 17.13.050 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled
"Variances,"the Municipal Tract #6 Preliminary Short Plat was submitted with
the request for a variance of the following section of the Moses Lake Munici
pal Code:
Section 17.17.030 A 2:The subdivision shall front on an existing
street.There shall be adequate access to all parcels.Streets shall
be improved to city standards.
4.The variance request is to allow the city to delay street improvements until
the surrounding streets are improved.
5.The Planning Commission,at their February 24,1983 meeting,recommended to
the City Council that the variance on the street improvements on the Municipal
Tract #6 Preliminary Short Plat be approved with the stipulation that a
covenant run with the land that if and when Lakeside Drive,D Street,or
i Cscade are paved and utilities are put in that the city will carry out its
responsibilities to pave and put in the utilities.
Conclusions
1.The City Council of the City of Moses Lake is vested with the authority and
has the jurisdiction under the law to entertain and grant a variance request
on land within the city's corporate limits if the criterion required by law
is met.
2.There appears,after the Planning Commission meeting and after the public
meeting before the City Council on the issue of granting a variance for
street improvements for Municipal Tract #6 Preliminary Short Plat,no opposi
tion to granting the variance.
3.Since the area is zoned Public and the City of Moses Lake is cognizant of the
need for the orderly development of land within its corporate limits so as to
serve the welfare and best interests of the entire community,the City
Council of the City of Moses Lake believes that approving the variance for
the Municipal Tract #6 Preliminary Short Plat would serve the best interests
of the residents of the City of Moses Lake and bear a substantial relationship
to the public welfare of the entire community.
Decision
I 1.The variance on street improvements for the Municipal Tract #8 Preliminary
I Short Plat is granted with the stipulation that a covenant be prepared to run
LJ with the land that if and when Lakeside Drive,D Street,or Cascade are paved
and utilities are put in that the city will carry out its responsibilities to
pave and put in the utilities.
Dated this 5th day of May,1983.
CITY OF MOSES LAKE
N6rman Johnsort/Mayor