Loading...
1971 06 21W. 155$ COUNCIL MINUTES -Regular Session June 21,1971 Council Chambers 8:00 P.M. Members present:Councllmen,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 previous Council meeting of June,8,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Johnson, second by Boyle.Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID GENERAL $4,939.10 STREET 218.53 PARK 705.69 LIBRARY 59,70 URBAN ARTERIAL 4,692.21 WATER AND SEWER 442 .29 EQUIPMENT RENTAL 303.74 FIREMENS PENSION &RELIEF 8.00 Motion by Lindell that the regular bills be paid.Second by Johnson. Motion carried. Warrant No's.626 through 678 in the amount of $11,377.26 were approved for payment. ORDINANCE -ADOPTION OF 1970 EDITIONS OF THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE -(2nd Reading)/DS& A letter was read from Richard Weaver,Public Works Director,indicating there are more changes brought about by the adoption of this Code other than fee schedule changes and some building practices.Further checking on this matter shows cancellation of Ordinance 507 and adoption of the Uniform Building Code would destroy the Gas Board of the City of Moses Lake.The new Code would change fees and,under Volume II-Mechanical Code,create a Board of Appeals. Mr.Dave Mathews,Chairman of the Gas Board and local manager for Cascade Natural Gas Corporation,feels that the adoption of the Uniform Building Code Manual II is the best way to proceed,and suggested that the Gas Board meet to evaluate the proposed new Code in detail and make their recommendations. The Public Works Director,therefore,requested that the second reading of this Ordinance be delayed until this report has been presented,and anticipates the report will be available at the next City Council meeting. Motion by Hill to delay the second reading of the Ordinance until the next regular Council meeting.Second by Lindell. Councilman Hill -Other than a few questions by Mr.Moe two weeks ago,we could have passed this ordinance and found ourselves trapped -what of future problems arising in this area.It concerns me a little,-if Mr.Moe hadn't asked the questions - how do we prevent this in the future? City Manager,Waggener -I would suggest that the reason this came up is *' definitely our problem,obviously at the staff level,and I think one of the things that you as City Council,regarding an ordinance making a major change, you need along with the cover letter,a summarization of whatthat ordinance really does.This puts the burden on us too,and perhaps guilty occasionally of pushing something a little bit too rapidly.I think,from all indications,we are lucky on this one.You are certainly entitled to a better summarization from staff than you have received. The question was called for - Motion carried. ' r 1599 June 21,1971 \i PORT OF MOSES LAKE -REQUEST REGARDING WATER SERVICE TO LANDSCAPED AREA AT WEST ENTRANCE TO GRANT COUNTY AIRPORT. A letter was read from Dan B. Dunn,President,Port of Moses Lake,stating that the Port is most concerned over the need to preserve a green belt area at the west entrance to Grant County Airport.The property in question is still under the control of the General Services Administration,which has taken no action regarding maintenance of the lawn and landscaped areas.In previous years the maintenance of this area has been funded bythe Moses Lake Develop ment fund, which is now depleted.Therefore,the Port proposes to undertake maintenance of this area themselves by furnishing manpower and equipment necessary and requests the City of Moses Lake join them in this undertaking /—j by providing the water for irrigating the lawns and landscaped areas.I .I , Aletter was read from City Manager Chester L.Waggener,stating that provid ing water service to the area at no charge presents very serious problems. According to Ordinance No.573,which provided for issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds to purchase the water and sewer system at former Larson Air Force Base,the City covenants and agrees with the owner and holder of each of the bonds that "it will establish,maintain and collect rates and charges for water and sanitary sewage disposal services",and further "that it will not furnish water and sanitary disposal service to any customer whatsoever free of charge and will promptly take legal action to enforce collection of all delinquent accounts." His letter further explained that under RCW 35.92.010 -Authority to Acquire and Operate Waterworks,-Classification of service rates stipulates "Provided that the rates charges must be uniform for the same class of customers ' or service . No rate shall be charged that is less than the cost of the water and service to the class of customers served."Because of the provi sions of the State Statute and of our Bond Ordinances,the City of Moses Lake has been required to charge for water and sewer service to all of its own facili ties including public buildings,parks and street landscaping.Pony-League and j—| Little League Baseball,when utilizing other than city-owned fields,have like wise been required to pay for water service.) The agreements the City has entered into with the Washington State DepartmentofHighwaystomaintainlandscapingwithinthepublicrightsofwaysoWigaTestheStateformaintenanceforhighwaysthroughtteCityonlytothetravelledroad- wHh th rl'"w I"8 reSP°nsibilit^*t the remainder of the right of way restogZTJ*r?»ff U/6d f°r th°Se landsc*Pecl areas is charged to the City ofMosesLakeStreetFund. He also noted in his letter that the site in question is 3.0 miles from the corporate limits of the City and consists of property controlled by GSA,which intends to sell the property to private ownership,and considers the property to be of commercial value.Inasmuch as the property in questions serves as an entrance to properties controlled by the Port of Moses Lake and Big Bend Community College,perhaps they should consider cooperatively leasing the landscaped areas from GSA so they can legally purchase water to irrigate thesite,since there is no legal basis on which the City of Moses Lake can pro vide service free of charge to non-public property located three miles outside the corporate limits of the City of Moses Lake,or for that matter to any location. Councilman Hill -asked ifthe City Attorney,John Calbom,has any comment? City Attorney,John Calbom-confirmed the reasons and references set forth by the City Manager. Clyde Owens, Port Manager,was present,and explained the maintenance averages about $200 per year, and that the Moses Lake Development funds used previously were funds left over from various donations for the dedication of the Grant County Airport in 1966.With the funds depleted, the group dis organized. Councilman Hill suggested to Mr.Owens that perhaps the service clubs could be approached -although they are "nickeled and dimed to death"but perhaps they would consider it. wl June 21,1971 "~1600 Clyde Owens -agreed that the service clubs are approached constantly, but we aretalkingabout a few dollars and we do have a limitation.We have not gone to anyone,nor have we gone to Big Bend Community College because we know their finances. Councilman Moe - I think it would be a nice gesture for the City to be able to dothis but according to Ordinance No.573 and the State Statute,he made a motion to deny water service fo the area free of charge.Second by Boyle. Councilman Ebbert asked -do we have meters out there? City Manager Waggener -we have handled it on an acreage basis. Councilman Ebbert -If the City can't do it someone ought to do it,and I think the service clubs should be approached. Mayor Skaug -Perhaps $50 a piece from each service club. The question was called for -Motion Carried. Councilman Hill - A year or two ago something came up about one of the service clubs watering some of the trees GSA would not water.. Clyde Owens - Nothing came of that - we lost a lot of shrubs in there and some of the main trees. PUBLIC HEARING - SIX YEAR COMPREHENSIVE STREET PROGRAM J/7 7 The Mayor opened the public hearing on this particular matter.A letter was read from Richard L.Weaver,Public Works Director,stating that he is sub mitting the Six Year Street Program for the years 1972 through 1977 and listing , priority numbers for the projects based on need,and also referencing projected revenues and expenditures for those years. City Manager Waggener explained that the Six Year Street Program has not yet gone to the Planning Commission and for that reason continue the hearing until the next Council meeting on July 13,giving the Planning Commission an opportunity to review it and offer their comments back to the City Council. Motion by Johnson to delay the public hearing as suggested by the City Manager.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. PROPOSED PURCHASE OF MILWAUKEE R.R.PROPERTY ADTACENT TO LARSON PLAYFIELD Aletter was read from Wm.R.Skeels,Parks and Recreation Director, request-/u?u ing permission to have a formal appraisal made of the property between West Broad way and Larson Playfield.This property is currently owned by Chicago,Mil-7//^ waukee,St.Paul and Pacific Railroad Company and is approximately 1,040 feet long and 100 feet wide.This appraisal is necessary in order to submit an Inter- Agency Committee application for 75 percent matching monies to purchase this property. The property presently is undeveloped,and proposes to plant lawn and trees , in order to provide several picnic units to make the area usable and provide a green belt as well as add acreage to an existing park. The estimated price of this property is in the neighborhood of $31,200,of which if our application is approved,75 percent ($23,400)will be paid by the State and Federal funds,with 25 percent ($7,800)paid by the city. Acquisition of this property would make a very attractive addition to the existing Peninsula Park and Larson Playfield complex. Councilman Ebbert asked -is there $8,000 in the Park Fund? City Manager Waggener -generally it would come out of the general fund. One of the things we have allowed for last year regarding the anticipation of the lease and/or purchase of Cascade Park.Certainly part of the $15,000 out of the sale of Dogwood could go for the purchase of this site.The Rail road have not guaranteed they would sell at the appraised price,but we would 1601 June 21,1971 $f> like to have an appraisal,and if we can get it at a reduced figure from what the Railroad had at one time originally requested,approximately $30.00 per front foot,it would be to the City's advantage to avail itself of the property. If the appraisal is lower,we can go back to the Railroad and try to negotiate. Councilman Hill - I think it should be pointed out as a matter of interest that it is about four times bigger than Dogwood.Dogwood was three-tenths of an acre.Should we acquire this,we are acquiring 8 to 10 times more property. Mayor Skaug -the acres wasn't the question -it was the trees. Motion by Hill that permission be granted to have a formal appraisal made of this property.Second by Lindell. Councilman Moe -the property in question can only be utilized as a Highway Service type thing? City Manager -That is right. Bill Skeels,Park &Recreation Director,commented that a private appraisal will need to be made before we can get matching funds. Motion carried. APPLICATION FOR SOLID WASTE PLANNING GRANT A letter was read from City Manager Waggener,and also submitted an application for a local Solid Waste Management Planning Grant,and made reference to pertinent excerpts from Chapter 70.95 of the Revised Code of Washington regarding solid waste management.This legisation was passed in 1969 with minor amendments in 1970. He stated the State will attempt to deal directly with the County rather than work with each individual city.The County Engineer was appointed by the County Commissioners about a year ago as Solid Waste Coordinator for Grant County.We know they are about to submit an application,and we are quite concerned that the City of Moses Lake be a cooperative agency and suggested that we enter into an agreement where the city would parti cipate in a city-county plan,particularly since approximately 40%of the rural population in the county is definitely outside our immediate area. The application is for $80,000 and have no idea whether the State will grant it or noto It talks about Planning Objectives,for a Policy Guidance Committee and an Executive Committee to enter into the execution of the plan,and en visions engaging a consultant involving $50,000,which seems to be a reason able figure for a solid waste study.It provides for matching monies from our staff,the County and the City of Ephrata,so we can match in time for our contribution for the overhead of $8,000 available from local governments. Should time contribution not be allowable,then between the County,Ephrata and Moses Lake would need to come up with $8,000 cash. The Commissioners anticipate no problems and approved the project study at their meeting today.We would request authorization from the Council to participate in the application for Solid Waste Managment Planning Grant with the City of Ephrata and Grant County. Obviously one of the things anticipated is the consolidation of many of the garbage dumps around the county.We have no way of knowing whether our garbage dump would be abandoned and another site proposed.The State will insist on consolidation;it will not allow"continued use of the 22 separate sites currently existing in the County. n June 21,1971 16^ According to Chapter 70.95 of the.Revised Code of Washington that (1)each city shall either prepare and deliverto the county its own solid waste manage ment for integration into the comprehensive county plan (2)enter into an agree ment withthe county and participate in preparing a joint city-county plan for solid waste management;or (3)authorize the county to prepare a plan for the city's solid waste management for inclusion in the comprehensive county plan. We recommend entering into an agreement with the county.The county is willing to provide the plan and represent the other cities with the two larger cities participating in the plan.If we prepare our own plan,according to the interpretation by the Department of Ecology,the disposal site would have to be within the corporate limits ofthe city and that is not realistic.We do not have any choice but do it cooperatively with the county. Motion by Hill to authorize the City Manager to sigh the accompanying appli cation on behalf ofthe Cityof Moses Lake.Second by Boyle. Councilman Moe asked -How is the money spent? City Manager -In Item 10 of the application -this also shows contributedservicesamountingto$8,500 in lieu of cash.If this time contribution by staff is not accepted,we do need to come up with the-cash,divided among the participants. Councilman Hill -Where will the Public Works Director find 10%of his time to give to this ? City Manager Waggener -We discussed this,thinking we could not afford Rich Weaver spend any time on it,but the importance of our garbage rates , as to where the fill site is located,frankly we could not do anything but have him afford the time on it. Councilman Moe -We discussed some time ago Grant County using our site y and at that time I think we discussed a future location midway between ^"Ephrata and Moses Lake,-what effect will that have on our rates? City Manager Waggener -Part of the study will show how it will affect our rate structure.We are looking probably toa total county operation with the communities paying them for disposal service at the sites. Councilman Moe -Would it be reasonable to our assuming,if our rates show an increase,E,phrata would show an increase also? City Manager Waggener -Yes,and I think the county rates would increase also. One of the points that,after this plan is completed and approved,it is very probable that all sites would have to be closed and sites would have to comply with the Solid Waste Plan.Ephrata and Soap Lake have used a combination burn and cover method.In fact 20 of the 22 sites in Grant County do that.We do no burning at our site,it is strictly a land fill. Question was called for.Motion Carried. REQUEST TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT A letter was read from the Finance Director-City Clerk, Charles Davenport,'0/^7 stating he has prepared and submitted a list of surplus equipment,and requests Council's approval of the publication of notice to receive bids on same,to be opened July 7th and submitted for Council's consideration at *]! their regular meeting of July 13'th»1971. Motion by Johnson that permission be granted.Second by Hill. Councilman Lindell asked -if each Department in the City has checked the list -whether any department could use any of the equipment in another department ? rsos City Manager Waggener - Yes they have.The typewriters are at'the?p6int where they are not usable for the use they must be given.The calculator is an old type,and maintenance costs are rather high on it,and this is true as you go down the list.In regards to the Ditto Machine listed -we have tried to concentrate on use of the Xerox Machine and avoid the high labor costs connected with Ditto. Councilman Ebbert -You do not need that little Cub Tractor? City Manager Waggener - We don't think so - we think it is a duplication of use.Also our people at the shop tell us it is prime for some maintenance problems -1957 model. Motion carried. REQUEST TO PROCEED WITH'TOPICS'STUDY p A letter was read from the Public Works Director,Richard L.Weaver, stating that the'Traffic Operations Program To Increase Capacity and Safety" (TOPICS}Program is Federally sponsored,State administered,for the reconstruc tion or modification of critical intersections in urban areas.Work authorized for funding under this program includes traffic studies,traffic signal installation and channelization at critical intersections.The funds available for this program are on a fifty/fifty basis. He requests that the City Manager be granted approval to proceed with a TOPICS Study for the City of Moses Lake.The Federal requirements on this Study required that a qualified consulting firm be retained.He has discussed a TOPICS Study with representatives of the Bureau of Public Roads and State Aid Division of the State Highway Department and believes that the TOPICS program for Moses Lake can be accomplished at a cost of approximately $3,000 because of the traffic study done by Redford Engineers and the State Highway Department on Third Avenue at the request of the Urban Arterial Board in 1970. He further stated in his letter that it is the intentionto use the haIf-cent Urban Arterial monies as matching funds for the Federally provided TOPICS funds which will,in effect,double the purchasing power of our one-half cent gas tax monies. He anticipates the results of the study to show the need for and program the construction of traffic signals on Division Street and Fourth and Fifth Avenues;on Third Avenue at Alder,Division,Ash and Beech Streets;and a possible traffic signal at Grape and Valley Road. City Engineer Weaver -stated he discussed this program in considerable detail with Mr.DeWert,who handles it on the State-level,so he has a good knowledge of how it will be handled,if approved.He also noted there is only one TOPICS project going in the whole State and that is in Seattle,because there was initially so much red tape involved,it wasn't worth trying to get it.The State Aid Engineer in Olympia and in Wenatchee assured him they are trying to loosen up the red tape and get some of the money.where it was intended,and so it looks like it is now worth going after. Not too many of the cities are convinced yet and not too many of the cities are applying,and as a result there are several million dollars available. Councilman Lindell -How much money are we talking about for a signal for example at 4th and.Division,the total amount? Ci1y Engineer Weaver -About $20,000.I would anticipate a total TOPICS Program of $150,000,with one-half from the City and one-half from the TOPICS Program. Mayor Skaug - Are we committed to construction after this study has been made? City Manager Waggener - Only committed after making application for a construction grant. Councilman Ebbert -Each Light? City Manager Waggener -Would include themall in one project. n June 21,1971 I604 Councilman Hill -When should the application be in ? City Engineer - I would like to have it in by the end of the month. Councilman Lindell -The $3,000 that it would cost us,would this come out of the one-half cent gasoline tax money? City Manager Waggener -Yes,and if approved the city's share could be only $1500. Motion by Ebbert that we proceed with the TOPICS Study for the City of Moses Lake.Second by Lindell. Motion Carried.Councilman Hill cast an opposing vote. SPECIAL MEETING JULY 6,1971. The Mayor informed the Council that a special meeting has been scheduled for July 6,1971 at 8:00 P.M.for consideration of bids and award the bid for paving of Wheeler Road,and that the Council consider only the bids submitted at that time.He noted the sewer and underground work has all been done from SR-17 out to the Airport. MISCELLANEOUS '0 Councilman Hill asked that he would like to go on record to commend our Law Enforcement Agencies operating in Grant County this past week-end throughout Grant County. Motion by Hill recommending that a Resolution be drafted and adopted and sent to Sheriff Ralph W.Hall,commending the Law Enforcement Agencies operating in Grant County the week-end of June 18-2 0,1971 enforcing the injunction regarding the proposed "Rock Festival".Second by Johnson. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M. .)JM MAYOR,Otto M.Skaug ATTEST::