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1971 05 251586 COUNCIL MINUTES -Regular Session May 25,1971 Council Chambers Members present:Councilmen,Robt.E.Hill,W.B.Moe,Norman W. Johnson,Gordon M.Ebbert,Otto M.Skaug, Ernest V.Lindell and Michael Boyle. Mayor Skaug called the meeting to order.Minutes of the regular council meeting of May 11,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Hill, second by Johnson.Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID GENERAL $9,957.54 LIBRARY 275.00 PARK 10,305.10 STREET 15.75 URBAN ARTERIAL 2,766.94 EQUIPMENT RENTAL 426.82 WATER AND SEWER 1,077.88 SANITATION 7,220.28 FIREMENS PENSION &RELIEF 16.00 $32/061.31 Motion by Boyle that the regular bills be paid.Second by Lindell. Motion carried. I SPECIAL BILLS-None I Warrant No's,452 through 531 in the amount of $32,061.31 were approved for payment. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ADVANCED TRAINING FOR PATROLMEN -POLICE DEPARTMENT y/?/2 The following members of the Police Department have recently completed the course of instruction at Olympic College in Bremerton,Washington in Advanced Law Enforcement Investigation:(all have graduated with honors) Patrolman WiHard Self Patrolman Douglas Edwards Patrolman Ralph Rogers Patrolman David McNabb The prerequisite for acceptance into this training is the completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Training School,which all four officers have previously completed.These officers have received credit from.the Olympic College toward an associate degree. Patrolman Delmer L.Kramer,recently completed a 3-week Police Traffic Super vision Seminar at Big Bend Community College in cooperation with the Washington i i | Law Enforcement Officers Training Commission.Officer Kramer graduated 1 with honors from this course and has earned credits with the Big Bend ^J College towards his associate degree. Diplomas were presented to the officers by Mayor Skaug,and he congratulated them on their achievement and interest in their work. / CONSIDERATION OF BIDS -PIONEER WAY,PHASE II-A (Landscaping) Bids were opened for this project on May 19,1971,at 2:00 P.M.Two bids were received,one from Stanek's Inc.,Spokane,Washington for $40,100 and one from Loftus Landscaping Inc.,Kennewick,Washington for $46,651. Both bids were over the Engineers'estimate of $25,556. /OI9 1587 May 25,1971 A letter was read from Robert L.Woerner,Landscape Architect,stating he reviewed his estimates in detail,and found they are not far .off.The bids were high because it is a matter of everybody being busy.He recommended that the job be readvertised,with some modification of specifications to re duce the maintenance by the contractor.The date of completion can be made December 1,1971.This gives the contractor the option of doing the work now or in the Fall. City Manager,Waggener,stated,that in checking with the Urban.Arterial Board,he was informed there will be no problem regarding the holding of funds until the Fall. Motion by Moe that the bids be rejected and the job be readvertised for this Fall work.Second by Boyle. Councilman Hill -Did not some local people have a chance to bid? City Manager,Waggener,-Yes,but they are right in the middle of the farm season. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO.530 -GRANTING EASEMENT TO PUD -LARSON PLAYFIELD n The resolution was read in its entirety.It gives the PUD an easement i ^QK regarding construction and maintenance ofan electrical distribution system .-'on Larson Playfield,also known as Peninsula Park in Section 28,Township 19, Range 28,E.W.M.Grant County,Washington. Motion by Johnson that the resolution be adopted.Second by Moe.Motion carried. RESOLUTION -AUTHORIZING SALE OF REAL ESTATE TO MILLER HOMES,INC. (LEE STREET PARK) \QH This item was carried over from the previous council meeting of May 11,1971. Councilman Johnson -This property,I clearly understand is a park," and would move,that the property be withdrawn from the property listed for sale with the Realtors.Second by Moe.Motion carried. Councilman Hill - I wonder if it would be worthwhile,since it is a small park, it might be worth it,in selling some other property,use proceeds from it to expand this park.If feasible,the Council should look into matter seriously to enlarge this park. n* -g PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ORDINANCE NO. 132. This item was carried over from the previous council meeting of May 11,1971. Mayor Skaug noted that any amendment would require two readings in the month of June and the time in itself would almost preclude any possibility to act under the new amendment to the ordinance.So whatever action taken tonight wo uld be dictated upon the terms of the present ordinance as it reads. Moved by Moe that the Council table any action regarding Ordinance No.132. Second by Lindell. Councilman Hill -Personally,I disagree with the motion,we ought to take a stand,one way or another. Mayor Skaug called for a vote.Voting in favor of tabling action =Johnson, Moe,Skaug,Lindell and Boyle.Opposed -Ebbert and Hill.Motion carried. REQUEST BY LIONS CLUB FOR PERMISSION TO SELL "SAFE AND SANE"FIREWORKS, A AND FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY AT McCOSH PARK,JULY 4,1971. i A letter was read from Dave Mathews,Moses Lake Lions Club Fireworks Chairman,stating that the club requests permission to sell Safe and Sane fireworks at two locations;the Vista Village Parking Lot and the Tri-State Stores Parking Lot from June 28,1971 to July 6,1971.In addition,they request permission to put on a public fireworks display at McCosh Park on the evening of July 4,1971. n Miy 25,1971 Aletter was also read from Russ Beeman,Moses Lake Fire Chief, in regard to the request by the Lions Club.He stated the Fire Department examined the proposed site,but recommended the permit be denied for the reason:(1)That fireworks constitute a "Fire Nuisance.(2)So-called "Safe and Sane" fireworks are still extremely hazardous from the standpoint oftheir ability to ignite .combustible material.With the many open areas in our City that are overgrown with grass and weeds,and during the summer months are tinderdrytheuseoffireworkswouldcauseanextremefirehazard.(3)Reports show that five fires were started by fireworks in 1970.Had it not been for an immediate response from the fire department,three of these could have been a considerable amount of building loss.(4)Manpower and equipment responding to unnecessary fires caused by fireworks indicates $43.75 cost to the City in overtime paid to personnel,and approximately $30.00 per mile for each fire truck responding to the fire. Upon questioning by Councilman Moe -Russ Beeman,noted that in his letter he referred only to the Tri-State location,but was an error on his part,he also meant to include the Vista Village Parking Lot location.The locations are O.K, and do not enter into his basis of recommending denying the request. Motion by Hill that the request by the Lions Club be denied. Councilman Ebbert -does that include the fireworks display they want to put on at McCosh Park? Councilman Hill -No,will restate my motion -That the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks be denied. The motion died for lack of a second. Motion by Boyle that the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks at the two locations be denied,taking into consideration the basis of the Fire Chief's letter stating the reason for the very dry conditions that exist this time of year.Second by Lindell. Councilman Hill -It may not be pertinent to the motion,or pertinent to City Administration,but as I recall,last year,the Herald quoted two County fires were caused by fireworks,but then again if we are selling fireworks, and taking into consideration County costs.We are still paying for it in one way or another. Councilman Ebbert - Are we going to stop fires by stopping the sale of fire works here?They can buy them elsewhere. Mayor Skaug -We can relate this to drug abuse,and every step is a positive step,and this can be related to such a condition. Councilman Boyle -Stated he wished at this time,on his motion for the basis,use the existing State Safe and Sane Law as the basis of his motion, exercise discretion and consider each application instead of using the City Ordinance.This change in motion was accepted by the Second,Lindell. Councilman Moe -Do we have any information as to loss in dollar value that these fires accounted for ? Fire Chief,Beeman -There was no loss to property,all took place in vacant lots where there was cheat grass,but there could have been property loss had we delayed in response becausetwo of these fires were actually almost upon two buildings. Councilman Boyle - At what degree does a match burn?Answer by Beeman - at 200 to 300 degrees.Boyle -Then you would consider sparklers much more dangerous in the hands of children. Councilman Moe -Then we should not allow the sale of matches.r Councilman Ebbert -Proper Supervision -That is the Lav/we need.Let them shoot fireworks under proper supervision; 158$ 1589 May 25,1971 Mayor Skaug called for a vote on Councilman Boyle's motion. In favor of denial = Boyle, Lindell and Hill.Opposed to the motion of denial = Johnson, Moe, Ebbert and Skaug.Motion was lost. Mayor Skaug =The particular loss of this motion does not give assent or approval to the request,it takes further action upon the part of the Council. Motion by Johnson that the request be granted to the Lions Club to sell Safe and Sane fireworks on the specified locations and also allow the fire works display .Second by Ebbert. Councilman Boyle -With all due consideration,I think this is a very unfair motion.Last year the same thing was brought up on two separate motions. Would prefer the motion be amended to separate the two requests. Councilman Johnson agreed to omit the display in his motion -"to give per mission to the Lions Club to sell Safe and Sane Fireworks at their two loca tions as specified. Voting in favor -Moe,Johson,Ebbert and Skaug.Opposed -Boyle,Lindell and Hill.The motion carried. Motion by Boyle that the Lions Club be granted the request regarding the fireworks display at McCosh Park on July 4,1971.Second by Ebbert. Motion carried. EAGLES LODGE REQUEST TO SELL "SAFE &SANE"FIREWORKS 0 H.R.(PeeWee)Beachamp,representative of the Eagles Lodge,was present. Mayor Skaug called on him,asking him if there was anything he wished to bring before the Council,since he had requested to be heard at the meeting of May 11,1971,and time did not allow it. Mr.Beachamp stated he approached Jack Newton,of Jacks Bargain Barn in March sometime to reserve the same location the Eagles Lodge had last year to sell fireworks.Jack Newton put him off time and time again since then, stating members of the Lions Club had approached him shortly after the 4th last year,that they would like preference to a fireworks stand location in Jacks Bargain Barn Parking Lot.It wasn't until the Lions request was made known in the local paper that they had located elsewhere,that Jack Newton . granted the Eagles to allow their fireworks stand at the same location that had been approved by the Fire Department last year.Mr.-Beachamp also stated the Eagles Lodge have all the necessary papers to again sell fireworks at the same location -they were only waiting to get permission from Jack Newton. Mayor Skaug commented that the Council should take into account the late announcement of the Eagles particular acquisition to use the site,and should not be held against their particular petition.However,does the City Council wish to act on his permission?The stand at that time last year had been approved by the Fire Department. Councilman Hill -Wasn't there some question as to the particular location last year? Mr.Beachamp -The initial application was made for Fifth and Pioneer Way,and we relocated to Fifth and Chestnut,and the Council approved the request on the second hearing. Councilman Moe -Does it make any difference to you if we wait until the next Council meeting? Mr Beachamp - I would like to have it acted upon tonight.The Lodge hastodevearXglinedupsinceMarch17th,but lack Newton held it up,and I have just been waiting. n n Lj / 1590 May 25,1971 Motion by Mayor Skaug that this request by the Eagles Lodge be granted contingent upon the survey of the site bythe Fire Department and the build ing meet with their particular approval.Second by Ebbert. Councilman Hill - The only coment I would like to make -according to protocol,normally it should be put on the Agenda,-others will appeal likewise and expect to be heard without being placed on the Agenda. Mayor Skaug -Yes,agreed,that is the formal procedure,being placed on the Agenda is desired,"but does not preclude anyone be denied the right to be heard the evening of a meeting. Councilman Lindell - I agree with Mr. Hill one hundred percent.Let him go through normal chanels.He still has adequate time before the next meeting,-should give him plenty of time to get set up. Mayor Skaug - I meant for the Councilto give approval contingent upon meeting Fire Department requirements. Voting = In favor to grant the Eagles Lodge request to sell Safe &Sane fireworks at Jacks Bargain Bam Parking Lot -Skaug,Johnson,Ebbert and Moe. Opposed - Boyle, Lindell and Hill.Motion carried. STREET ILLUMINATION - PUD NO.2 OF GRANT COUNTY Aletter was read from City Manager,Chester L.Waggener,stating that //7 the.Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County contemplates conversion of incandescent street lights throughout the City to mercury-vapor fixtures. He requested authorization from the Council to have the light fixtures converted to mercury-vapor.Conversion will be done throughout the year, with the change in billing to begin on January 1,1972. Moved by Johnson to grant the City Manager authorization to have the light fixtures converted to mercury-vapor by the PUD.Second by Boyle. Motion carried. Motion to adjourn by Johnson,second by Moe.Meeting adjourned at 9:07 P.M. MAYOR,Otto W.Skaug