1971 09 14163
COUNCIL MEETING -Regular Session September 14,1971
Council Chambers 8:00 P.M
•Members present:Councilman 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 meet
ing of August 24,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Moe;second
by Hill.Motion carried.
REGULAR BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID
GENERAL $4,347.26
f STREET 3,276.47
PARK &RECREATION 3 120 82
LIBRARY '891.#38
URBAN ARTERIAL 148,485 94WATER/SEWER 8^70975
SANITATION 2,'451.83
EQUIPMENT RENTAL l!341.33
Motion by Johnson;second b"y Boyle that the regular bills be paid.Motion carried.
Warrant No's 1048 through 1143,inthe amount of $172,624.78,were approved <v-'
for payment.
BUSINESS DIVISION.MOSES LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -OVERTIME PARKING FEES
Aletter was read from the Business Division of the Chamber of Commerce,signed ///S~
by Gilbert Kaynor,Chairman ofthe Division,requesting to be placed onthe agenda
for this meeting in regard to the raising ofthe fees for overtime parking.
Mr.Kaynor and other businessmen representing the central business district
were present.Gib Kaynor asked the City Council to reconsider the raise in the
UJ overtime parking fee from 25$to 50$,and presented a petition with approximately
50 signatures representing the downtown district of Moses Lake, objectingto the
raise in the overtime parking fee for the following reasons:
1. We hope to continue to make Moses Lake the shopping
center of the Basin. We feel the increased fine for the first '
hour of from 25<r to 50$would antagonize our cut of town
customers.
2.If revenues are involved,we feel that the customer paying the
one-half cent sales tax to the city,is more than sufficient.
Mr.Kaynor stated that perhaps they were lax and admits the businessmen were in
error and should have been at the Council meetings when the ordinance was con
sidered by the Council,but that is neither here nor there -didn't know it had been
passed until published in the paper.We have to have a strong downtown shopping
area.We feel so keenly about parking that we are paying approximately $150
oer month for space on the Southwest corner of Third and Ash mainly used by.the bustessmen and their employeesjLhniltuosomedayandthatspacewill,no longer be available.We are doing65%ofZ retail fafes of Grant'county,and the one half cent sales tax would
more than cover the loss there is in revenue.
u Councilman Ebbert asked -you want to take it back to 25*?
Mr.Kaynor -Yes,or if you come up with an idea,maybe atoken thing.We
think this is important to everyone in Moses Lake.
Councilman Ebbert -You feel there should be some penalty?
rurr ^vnor-Sure there has to be.The merchants at their business meeting
best place to shop.
Councilman Ebbert -It was not a 25*penalty to add on to the fee we have,tt 9-14-71
was simply to take*care of the expenses.
Mr Kaynor -You put on one-half cent sales tax,-now the;customer Is paying this
and a lot are from out of town.It more than covers any deficitin revenue.
Mayor Skaug - I doubt if we are talking about revenue.Our thinking is to keep the
space open for shopping.,_
City Manager Waggener - A few of us had some discussion on this subject after
the Chamber Board meeting today.I think that everyone in city administration
certainly recognizes the value of our central business district and the danger of
deterioration,and in our planning endeavors when we start talking of communitydevelopment,the real heart is the central business district.It's problems are not
that readily resolved.It seems to me one of the real problems is'finding my way
to the police department in another city to pay the fine for the overtime pacing.Other communities have done this,and I am thinking of the possibility of puttingboxes,one or two per block,where overtime fees can be deposited in an envelopeandplacedintheboxrightatthespotandnothavetobotherwhereisthepolicedepartmentinordertopaythisfine.There would be some expense to this -theyarenotvandal-proof;they would have to be picked up every afternoon.Of course,
it is upto the Council if they wish to consider it.
Mr.Kaynor - I think it has its merits,but I still don't want to antagonize anyone.
Councilman Hill - I voted in favor,thinking it would be an advantage for the
businessmen to keep traffic moving and make space available in front of the
business places.
Mrs.Stepner - I would like to know why was this done?As a person living in
Moses Lake,if I would get a violation ticket and expected to pay the 50$,I would
not feel very happy.You have more opportunity to find what you want, say for
instance at Columbia Center,they have free parking. I think this is bad,I
think 50$is too much.
Councilman Lindell -But you would spend $3 or $4 to drive to another town?
Mrs.Stepner -Yes.
Councilman Lindell - I think we are looking at the wrong point,we can put a .
nickle in, and put in another nickle in the meter, - I manage to do it.
Neal Lucke-This parking meterthing is a problem.I can remember about 10 years
ago when the groceiy-stores were charging 10$for cashing checks. I think we have
something here that would be relevent.
/Kay Smith -How much additional revenue-would you gain by this 25$,and would
it be worththe antagonization?Wasn't the mainreason for additional revenue?
Mayor Skaug - It was to move traffic,and I know people will gamble on the 25$,
but will not gamble on the 50$.
D. A.O'Dell - As I look over the group I don't think any of the City Council
have a parking meter in front of their place,but we pay out thousands of dollars
a month to get people to shop here and this is keeping our people out,and I
think you should reconsider,or put meters in front of all your business places.
Mayor Skaug - I have parking all day in front of my store by people that ar*
-en*
September 14,1971 1639
Mr.Kaynor -This parking lot is never full and what we are afraid of is if someone
builds there,then we are out in the cold.We are trying for long range planning;
we are paying for this space and we feel that thi s the wrong attitude to take iH
raising the overtime parking fee.
Mayor Skaug -You are assured that the City Council will give it due consideration.
Councilman Ebbert -Digger O'Dell made a statement something about Kennewick
taking out the meters.Are you people in favor of taking out the meters here?
Mr.Kaynor -No,we are not,but we are not a city big enough to have a shopping
area as large as Columbia Center.
G.D.Jones - I have had people say that if they raise the fine,I will shop in
Ephrata where we need not pay for parking on Saturdays.It will draw some of our
local people out of town.
Councilman Lindell -Has there been any thought of purchasing,to put a parking
lot on?
Mr.Kaynor -In Port Angeles it was done jointly with the City -even in Seattle.
Councilman Lindell -Five or six years ago the Planning Commission tried to get some
thing like this and could not get any cooperation from the businessmen.
G.D.Jones -It would have eliminated three parking areas in the downtown area.
They were eliminating three in each block.That is why it went by the wayside
and the businessmen were against it.
Mayor Skaug thanked the businessmen,and also others that asked to be heard on
this subject.
EASTERN WASHINGTON BANK -REQUEST FOR VARIANCE ON 12-MINUTE METERS ///6-~
A letter was read from John F.Dietzen,Chairman of the Board of the Bank,stating
it would be appreciated if the Council would consider granting a temporary variance
on the 12-minute meters in front of their building at 229 South Ash Street.They are
constructing a new building which will have off-street parking.This building should
be ready in 140 days.
Councilman Boyle asked if there is any adjacent parking?
Councilman Lindell -About one-half block away.
Councilman Moe - I think these people were overlooked when this ordinance was
passed,I move for a six-months temporary variance,or completion of their building,
be granted.Second by Hill.Motion carried.Councilman Lindell and Mayor Skaug
abstained.
WHEELER ROAD PAVING -ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT 71-09
A letter was read from the Public Works Director,Richard Weaver,stating that /C
McAtee and Heathe,Inc.,have satisfactorily completed all work on this contract,
and recommended that the City Council accept the work and enter the thirty-day
lien period.
Motion by Hill to accept the recommendation and start the lien period.Second
by Lindell.Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO.538 SOLID WASTE PLANNING GRANT
A letter was read from the City Manager stating that the City Council on
June 21,1971 authorized him to make application for a Solid Waste Planning
Grant in cooperation with Grant County.The application approved by the j
Council on June 21 stipulated the method of city participation.Guidelines
subsequently ad pted by the Department of Ecology require that a resolution
be submitted by each participating city stipulating the method by which they
elected to participate in the County Solid Waste Planning Study.The resolution
is necessary to satisfy the current requirements by the Department of Ecology.
Resolution No.538 was read by title only.Motion by Lindell that the resolution
be adopted;second by Johnson.Motion carried.
/Pcfif
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1640 September 14,1971-^-^'
AMUSEMENT DEVICE ORDINANCE REVIEW -
v A letter was read from City Manager,Chester L.Waggener,stating that he
was submitting a letter from John Moberg regarding the City of Moses Lake
master license provisions for amusement devices.This issue has been dis
cussed previously with the City Council,but no definitive action taken
pending a decision by the Washington State Legislature.We have not licens
ed pinballs in Moses Lake for several years because of Attorney General
decisions ruling them illegal.The master license feature was originated to
invoke control over the licensing of amusement devices and to prevent persons ••"
whose character may be questionable from involvement in this particular business.
It would seem that the ordinance was pointed principally toward control of pinballs
withthe application questionable on other amusement devices. Atthis point f""
possibly a decision from the Council is necessary if they wish the present ordinance !
amended. If so,he will work with the City Attorney to present a proposed ordinance '
for their consideration.
Motion by Moe to lay this on the table for sixty days with no action during that
period.Second by Boyle.
Councilman Ebbert -Why?
Councilman Moe - I think the reasons are obvious.
Councilman Hill -i don't think it is pertinent to the motion.
Mayor Skaug - Laying it on the table is not debatable.Motion carried.Opposed
by Councilman Ebbert.
h ZONE CHANGE REQUEST FROM R-1 to R-3,LOTS 16 &17,BLOCK 1,LAKEVTEW
V TERRACE UNIT NO. 1.-HIIT.T.
A letter was read from the City Manager stating that the Planning Commission
at their last regular meeting of August 26,1971 considered a Zone Change Request
from R-1 to R-3 of the above mentioned property, and they recommend that the request
be grantedand that there be no access to Pioneer Way.He suggested that p->
the Council set a public hearing for their next regular meeting of September 28,
10*71
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1971.
Councilman Hill -The Pioneer Way frontage would still remain HS ?
City Manager Waggener -That the entire parcel be changed to R-3.
Motion by Moe that a public hearing be held on September 28th.Second by
Johnson.Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF POLICE JUDGE
A letter was read from the City Manager requesting that the City Council
confirm his re-appointment of Ray Greenwood as Police Judge for the City of
Moses Lake.The appointment is for a four-year term,expiring August 1,1975,
subject,however,to termination should the City of Moses Lake enter into an
agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County for the
establishment of a Municipal Department for the City under the Justice Act,
RCW3.46.
Moved by Skaug for confirmation of this appointment.Second by Lindell.
Motion carried.Opposed by Moe and Johnson.
WATER TANK REPAIRS -GRANT COUNTY AIRPORT
A letter was read from the City Manager,stating that the 1971 Water and Sewer
Budget provides $30,000 for reconditioning of five water tanks at Grant County
Airport.Because drilling and equipping of Well #10 was more expensive than
anticipated,suggested that reconditioning of the water tanks not be undertakenthisyear.Inspection ofthe tanks for structural deficiencies and the condition of•
the protective coatings onthe interior and exterior tank surfaces should however
be performed.This will allow us to intelligently budget for such repair work as
should be performed in 1972.He requested authorization from the City Council
to enter into an agreement and Contract with Stevens,Thompson &Runyan,Inc.,
for professional engineering services to be undertaken this fall outlined as
"Phase A Work"in the agreement.
9-14-71 wu.u."WJ"llia*1 *uuvll mquireu -wnamappens u it is determined tnat tne tanics snouid 1641
be repaired right away?
City Manager Waggener -We do anticipate probably pitting,that needs some
welding.This is an estimate on our part only.It is reasonable to expect that
all the tanks need some repair.I can't believe there is anything so serious it
cannot wait until 1972;do the engineering work this year and the rehabilitation
work next year.If something serious developst we will have to come back to
the Council for recommendations.If emergency repairs are .needed,it requires
an emergency appropriation.
Councilman Moe -What is the principal expense on Well #10?
City Manager Waggener - The principal expense is the excess artesian flow
~~~]that we had to be able to eliminate in some fashion,and had to construct a
fairly large storm sewer to accommodate the flow from Well #10 into the Lake.
!J The amount of this phase was $16,000 and $5,000 tied up in the grading on
Pennivy Street,which we hope to take action against the bonding company and
recover that through legal action.
Councilman Moe -What do you estimate it would cost us for Stevens,Thompson
and Runyan?
City Manager Waggener -They list a maximum figure of $7500 for investigation
work.
Councilman Ebbert -Stevens,Thompson &Runyan subcontract this,don't they?
City Manager Waggener -They will get a man here from one of the firms that
do actual work on tanks.The complex part is the probability there will be welding
on pitted areas,and welding builds up stresses and they need to be relieved in
those areas.
t
Councilman Hill -How many years ago was this done?'-
City Manager Waggener - To the best of our knowledge,they have never been
done from the time they were first constructed by the Air Force.What we are
requesting is not unusual.This type of inspection and rehabilitation on water
tanks is a common thing.This should have been done some years ago,had the
tanks been under our ownership initially.
Councilman Moe -The $7500 -is that in this agreement attached?
City Manager Waggener -On Page 6,Article 5,"Obligation of the City",
Item 1 and 2,and notes "the combined cost of items 1 and 2 shall rot exceed
$7500."They will do it on time and material basis,then if it runs more,then
they set this amount as a maximum.If their time is less,then we benefit.I
don't want to indicate it will be less,I don't know,nor do they.
Councilman Ebbert -This $30,000 recommended in the budget,does it include
the $7500?
City Manager Waggener -The $30,000 was a calculated guess and it had been
contemplated the $30,000 would include the engineering and rehabilitation work,
but it was only an estimate.
Motion by Boyle to grant the City Manager authorisation to enter into a contract
and agreement with Stevens,Thompson &Runyan,Inc.Second by Lindell.
Motion carried.
STATUS OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING .
Charles Davenport,Finance Director,stated there are certain basic steps /V^jpA?
to be taken into consideration regarding programming of the Systems/3
computer,to do it either by contract basis or in-house.The contract basis
offers more speed in getting records on to the system,but it is very costly
to place this type of programming into operation.The in-house has two
benefits.It is less expensive and allows for ease in modification of programs
at a later date.Some cities have contracted their programming have spent
$15,000 to $18,000 and found after it is on the system for a while and later go
back and modify,they have to call back a contracted programmer to explain it
to them.We have selected the in-house and have been proceeding along that
path.We realized at the beginning that it would take.more time to fully mechanize
our records,but it is a less expensive method.We have in operation approximately
40 programs which are the majority of the financial activities and as soon as
possible we will be supplying meaningful information to all interested parties.
1642
September 14,1971
He then proceeded to show flow charts of the programs we have in operation,
such as payroll,purchase orders,utilities,etc.,and eventually will have
a Summary Report which will show total cost of labor,equipment and material
used.This Summary would come to the Council and will show how much money
is spent in each department,say for instance for financial records,criminal
investigation,etc.,This he feels is basically the best report and will enlighten
the Council how the money is being used,and feels this is a"tremendous step.
AWC REGIONAL MEETING
r\0^Mayor Skaug remindedthe Council of the AWC Regional Meeting to be held
in Ellensburg on October 20th.
MISCELLANEOUS '
In regard to the inquiry made by Councilman Hill about possibly obtaining a
public address system for the Council Chambers,the City Manager noted that .
we have a real problem,especially for people to hear what is being said that
are standing or sitting toward the rear of the room.We had a sound engineer
come in several years ago and we tried to put in an amplifier speaker system,
but a speaker system to carry through this type of microphone will result in
annoying howling.To get a(system that will eliminate this would require
a microphone possibly between each two people.It has been our opinion over
the years that perhaps additional effort could be made to speak a little louder
rather than speak directly into a microphone.
Councilman Johnson -When you had the testing,where were the speakers located?
City Manager -We tried them up close and also in each far corner.
Mayor Skaug -How does our present system pick it up now,for Instance
Mr.Kaynor speaking tonight?
City Manager Waggener - I think Mr.Kaynor speaking tonight could be
relayed from the speaker very clearly.I think the problem is,when you get
into a discussion among yourselves,you will have to speak louder.
Councilman Moe - I think you mentioned at one time that Council Agendas
were mailed to water customers.
City Manager -Yes,they have been,from a telephone directory listing,but
rather spasmodically.
Councilman Moe -It would be very interesting to receive,with the Agenda,
the list of those people getting the Agenda in the mail.
City Manager Waggener -Yes,when we do get them out,we can get a copy to
you,no problem at all.
Councilman Moe -Also would like to mention the display of automobiles and
trailers.I don't believe the display had any effect in keeping the traffic moving
and I think the City Council has to grant the request to park there.I think in
this particular instance permission was not granted. The trailer took up several
parking spaces and the truck was on the same side of the street.
City Manager Waggener -This was done when I was out of town.The one you i j
mention is the only one that was granted that I was not aware of and the Department . '•,
Head involved thought there was no problem.••](•I
Councilman Moe - It brings to mind the abortion display - it isn't consistent.v •;
Another is the Rodeo display.•
City Manager Waggener -That one and the United Givers would normally have a space.
This is more of a community thing or service and should have no objection." We
certainly do not object to bringing such requests before the Council for your con
sideration.
Meeting adjourned -10:00 P.M.
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n
September 14,1971 1643
,Otto Mtt Skaug
LJ'
ATTEST:
Lty Clerk,CharleSKDavenport
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