Loading...
1971 12 14COUNCIL MEETING -Regular Session Council Chambers December 14,1971 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 regular council meeting of November 23,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Johnson,second by Hill.Motion carried.Minutes of the special session of December 1,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Hill,second by Boyle. Motion carried.Minutes of the special meeting of December 7,1971 were approved as written upon a motion by Ebbert,second by Lindell.Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS GENERAL STREET PARK LIBRARY URBAN ARTERIAL WATER/SEWER SANITATION EQUIPMENT RENTAL FIREMENS PENSION &RELIEF TOTAL AMOUNT PAID $13,237.09 2,589.89 1,002.31 3,152.59 27,383.21 5,696.65 7,375.39 2,350.52 43.50 Motion by Johnson that the regular bills be paid.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. 1673 Warrant;No's.1529through 1667in the amount of $62,831.15 were approved for payment. PUBLIC HEARING -CONTINUED -PROPOSED 1972 BUDGET /o/o MayorSkaug opened the continued public hearing carried over from the previous meeting of December 7, 1971.No response was forthcoming from the citizens attending the meeting.Mayor Skaug statedthat the budget has been submitted for Council perusal as complete except as to salaries whichis nowbeing dis cussed with certain unions, which prevent us from concluding that particular area of the budget tonight. Motionby Johnsonto continue the public hearing to the next regular council meeting cn December 28,1971. Second by Hill.Motion carried. Mayor Skaug commented,that Itis hoped that the City Council can conclude the public hearing that night by adopting the budget for 1972.' City Manager Waggener commented that a meeting is scheduled with the unions involved on December 16, 1971,and if an agreement cannot be reached before the next meeting,the Council could adoptthe budget with the presentsalary structure and have an amendment some time afterthe 1stof January andputthe re vised salary structure in then. ..' He also called the Cornell's attention to the fact that,if they recall,he mentioned several items that require changes within the budget andtheywill be looking at a budget including suchas several personnel items added through the Emergency Employment Act,and we will have to reflect that increase inthe budget eventhough the Citywill be fully reimbursed bythe government.Another is that the City had several areas of const ruction projects that we had no way of knowing whether they would be completed by January 1or not and need to have money in the budgetto pay them next year to avoid a shortage. Another item he wantedthe Councilto be aware of is,that we have been approached bythe State of Washington Safety Commission recommending that weaccept funding to purchasea video system-closed circuit TV.The principle purpose is in drunkdriving cases to be used with a fixed TV set running a 10 to 15 minute tape while booking people.This oneagain wewill haveto show in the 1972 budget.This is cooperatively withthe Washington State Patrol. It is the same Safety Commission that gave us funding on the Traffic Code.In this case the State Patrol will pay the matching funds.We have to include it in the budgetand will get 100%refunding on it.Thecost of the system is $4462.22,to be exact,and the reason for this is the problem in getting convictions on the breathalyzer t est regardingdrunkdriving cases. Whatusually happens is that a lot of drunkdrivers won't even come to court.When he sees his con dition, he will be ready to pay bail and not go to court to fight it.He emphasized again that it will be no expense of city funds at all,it will be paid for by the Washington State Safety Commission and the State Patrol.We will be required to maintain it.The educational instruction on the TV is about one- half day to operate it. He further stated^in view of the above additions,we will have At the next meeting a completely revised budget,perhaps exclusive of salaries,and we will show all the additional items and breakdowns as to exactly what changes were made in the budget. 1674 pi Council Minutes:2 December 14,1971 Councilman Ebbert asked if this comes under the same lawas the breathalyzerand nothave the picture taken.City Manager Waggener stated it will be automatically taken as they are being booked. Councilman Lindell commented that he would be in favor of having it if it will keep some of the drunk drivers tff the road. John Calbom,City Attorney,stated that it has been difficult for anofficerto come into court andtestify by trying to describe someones condition - it does not give a very good word picture.The latest trend is with the video tape procedure and thinks it is a very important tool for a police department to use and have available to assist in prosecuting in police court and upgrade our police department procedure. Councilman Moeasked if there is a time limit, and the City Managercommented that no purchase has been made as yet and that we would anticipate approval to purchase almost on a daily basis,but we are given the understanding when submittal was made that approval would be almost automatic and delivery estimated within 45 days. Councilman Hill inquired if they approached cities of certain sizes,and City Manager Waggener stated that it is unusualthat they requested the City of Moses Lake purchase this type of equipment and provide funding for it.Perhaps because of the heavy load we have in the area with the Washington State Patrol and also perhaps the fact that Police Chief Bjork serves on the advisory council to this commission. City Attorney Calbomcommented that we have been talking about this type of thing 7 or 8 years ago to assist in prosecuting;trying to tell someone how he looked under the influence is rather difficult to get that word picture across.Also it is protective of the defendant in that he has the right of being recorded,so if he is down there and not under the influence or at least not appearing to be under the influence it would probably result in an acquittal in court. Councilman Lindell inquired as to howdo they determine whether under the influence of drugs or liquor - a picture would not do this .City Attorney Calbom commented that under the State Statutes we do not have to distinguish whether it is either one. Motion by Johnson that we accept the management steps taken to acquire.this system.Second by Lindell.Councilman Ebbert inquired what steps had been taken regarding this.City Manager stated - submittal of an application to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission who administers federal funds for this type of project.Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO.543 -COMMENDING DR.RUBY Resolution No.543 was read in its entirety commending Dr.Robert H.Ruby for his service to the City of Moses Lake as a member of the Moses Lake Library Board of Trustees from March 1959 through June of 1971;as President of the Washington State Library Trustees Association for two years during that period;for recognition to the City of Moses Lake as an outstanding co-author and author of books pertaining to Indians of the Pacific Northwest;as an active member of the Grant County Histori cal Society and for his efforts in promoting construction of a new library building in Moses Lake. Motion by Boyle to adopt the resolution.Second by Johnson.Motion carried. Mayor Skaug presented the framed resolution to Dr.Ruby.Don Skinner,the present Chairman of the Moses Lake Library Board of Trustees,presented a silver tray on behalf of the Library Board of Trustees and the Library Staff. ..jO j ORDINANCE NO.632 -AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE,CHAPTER 46.(second reading) • The ordinance was read in its entirety amending Section 291 of Chapter 46 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code 46.61.947 =Penalties for parking and parking meter violations.,to read as follows:"Except as expressly provided,penalties for parking meter violations shall be twenty five cents ($0.25)when paid within one (1)hour of the time of violation,or one dollar ($1.00) if not paid within one (1)hour, or three dollars ($3.00)if not paid within five (5)days.All other parking violations except as ex pressly provided shall be subject to minimum penalty of three dollars ($3.00). Motion by Johnson to accept the second reading and adopt the ordinance.Second by Hill .Motion carried.Yes vote:=Hill,Moe,Johnson and Ebbert.No vote:=Skaug,Lindell and Boyle. i i 1675 Council Minutes:3 December 14,1971 ORDINANCE NO.633 -AMENDING 1971 BUDGET (Second reading). The ordinance was read in its entirety amending Ordinance No.618 entitled "An Ordinance adopting the Budget for the City of Moses Lake for the year 1971."It authorizes transfer of funds due to shortages,to the Police Department 1971'Budget in the amount of $3950;to the Library Fund =$5,000, and the Firemens Pension Fund =$1,000.Motion by Hill that this ordinance be adopted.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. ORDINANCE NO.634 -AUTHORIZING SALE OF LOT 9,BLOCK 9,CAPISTRANO PARK (617 So.Orchard) The ordinance was read in its entirety providing for conveyance of lands pursuant to Resolution No.542 ' and authorizing the City Manager and City Clerk to execute a warranty deed for Lot 9,Block.9/ Capistrano Park Addition to Moses Lake,Washington,to George A.Hopkins and Myra L.Hopkins, husband and wife and Bessie Kilcullen Jackson,a widow. yo/o Motion by Boyle to adopt the ordinance.Second by Lindell.Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO.544 -ACCEPTING GRANT FOR GRANT COUNTY AIRPORT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT A letter was read from the City Manager requesting Council approval of the accompanying resolution authorizing him to execute necessary documents for acceptance of the Federal grant for sewage treat ment works and other documents as necessary to process the Federalgrants.The offer of Federal grant is in accordance with action taken by the City Council on their regular meeting of August 24,1971,at which time the Council agreed to accept a grant not to exceed $156,080 from the Environmental Protec tion Agency conditioned upon the receipt of the remainder of the eligible grant not to exceed the amount of $228,690 from the Department of Ecology. The ordinance was read in its entirety.City Manager Waggener stated that just this day did he also receive documents from the Department of Ecology offer for the $228,690,so the entire funding is available to us in each instance,and will need to submit a copy of the resolution to note the accept ance.The one resolution (No.544)will suffice for both the Environmental Agency and Department of Ecology. Motion by Ebbert to adopt the resolution.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO.545 -CONVEY PROPERTY TO WASHINGTON STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT //•*£? A-letter was read from the Washington State Highway Department stating they are in the process of acquiring lands for a frontage road on the north and south sides of SR-90 Dodson Road Interchange to Mae Valley Interchange.The City of Moses Lake has an easement to the city dump across a portion of lands owned by R.Hansen,et ux,identified as that portion of the SE*SWi Sec.30, T 19 N, R 28 E.W.M.lying southerly of existing SR-90. The Highway Department wishes to acquire title to an ' easement the City holds to a strip of land 80 feet wide,and feels it would be in the best interest of both the City of Mos es Lake and the State of Washington that Council convey a portion of said ease ment to the State of Washington for a consideration of benefits as set forth in the accompanying Quit Claim Deed. The resolution was read in its entirety authorizing the transfer of title for the benefits derived. Motion by Johnson that Council grant the transfer of easement title by accepting the resolution. Second by Lindell.Motion carried. Councilman Hill asked what if perhaps five or ten years from now they might cut us off from the entry. City Manager Waggener stated they have no authority to do that legally,there would be no purpose of giving frontage road and then deny access to it. RESOLUTION NO.546 -APPLICATION FOR FUNDING -LARSON PLAYFIELD Aletter was read from the Park &Recreation Director,Bill Skeels,statingthat the Interagency //JJ2 Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC)attheirNovember 23,1971 meeting,approved our application //<i7 for 75%matching funds for acquisition of the Milwaukee Railroad property adjacent to Larson Playfield. It will probably be several weeks before all the details are worked out with both the Railroad and the IAC.The cost sharing is as follows:Total Project Cost =$31,200;Local Share:=$7,800 and the *|[IAC Share:= $23,400.Without waiting forfinal acquisition,he requests.Council authorization to submit an application for development funds for the afore-mentioned strip of land,as well as the portion of LarsonPlayfield that has not been developed as yet.He anticipates $5500which, if matched by the IAC,would give the City $22,000 for development.Proposed development includes:sprinkler system, joYo 1676 W« Council Minutes:4 December 14, 1971 grass,picnic area,Pony Leagu/slow pitch field,and a parkinglot.Council approval of the accompanying resolution is a necessary requirement with the application for funding by the IAC. Resolution No.546 was read in its entirety authorizing the City Managerto make application for funding assistance for development and to execute all contract documents necessary to complete the project if approved for the development of property identified as the addition to Larson Playfield. City Manager Waggener stated that a similar resolution was presented previously and ap proved by Council for acquisition of the land.Resolution No.546 is for application for development funds. He also stated that we will have to submit considerable detail for development. Councilman Ebbert asked if that $22,000 will put in everything listed.Bill Skeels commented that plans are to go as far as that amount of money will take us.We have preliminary estimates of the •costs and it is a fairly realistic estimate,and that is the amount of money we could find to match with. City ManagerWaggener noted that if we get this amount of money on the basis of the estimate, that we can complete it,and if we cannot complete with these funds,we can use our own crews to finish up if necessary. Bills Skeels stated that we have been quite sure ofgetting funds before,but not too sure of getting funds for this project,but it is certainly worth trying for it. Motion by Ebbert to adopt the resolution.Second by Lindell.Motion carried. ARTERIALS AND "TOPICS"STUDY City Manager Waggener stated that the City Council authorized some months ago to enter into an agreement with Redford Engineers to have a "TOPICS'"study completed for the City of Moses Lake, and thought that it would be desirable to give information of all the arterial studies we have been re quired to make.As far as the "Topics" study, felt that the City Council should have a preliminary report on it before asking the Council for acceptance on it. Richard L.Weaver,City Engineer,presented each member of the Council with a study entitled "Traffic -City of Moses Lake"recently completed by Redford Engineers of Bellevue regarding needs and classification studies required before submitting a prospectus for State and Federal funding to improve our streets.Guidelines were also given by the funding agencies,'such as traffic counts, surveys,checking right of ways,etc.He presented maps indicating the various streets affected, such as Fifth Avenue =installation of traffic signals;Third Avenue =replace three traffic signals and add one on Third and Beech;connection across the swamp and hooking Division and Aider Streets to gether;realignment of Richard Street with Valley and Stratford Road;channelization project on Broadway= = a new left turn system. He went on to comment that since completion of construction on Fifth Avenue,traffic studies seem to show us odd traffic movements through 4th and Division and 5th and Division forming a "Z"pattern, and the question in our minds,is the traffic being created by Alder and going out Division;is the major traffic trying to go across town or downtown.We plan to go back to Redford Engineers with the traffic data as to what is happening—is Alder Street the arterial or is Division Street the collector. Urban Arterial Board money has been disseminated;it is all gone,there won't be any money.The 5/8$gas tax will go into trust funds to pay off bonds.We are in the middle of resubmission to meet the requirementsof needs and classification study requirements for federal gas tax money.Up until recently federal gas tax money was not available to us."TOPICS"(Transportation Operations Program to Increas Capacity and Safety)is eligible for federal gas tax money assistance.Again surveys were required and again needs and classification studies required.We are setting up our own system as well, and also we are attempting to take the 1/2C gas tax money and put it together with the federal system, that has been approved,and finance this project outlined in the "Topics"study.Probably would - ask for Council approval of the "Topics"study tonight except for review of all the data. Councilman Hi 11 asked if the light at Grape and Valley Road was included in the request for funding,( and City Engineer Weaver stated that it is still in there,and also included the Fifth &Division light. Councilman Johnson asked about the replacement of three signal lights on Third Avenue,and Weaver stated because of accident problems;it seems people are missing them.The current federal and state standards require a standard head for each lane.This would bring the lights on Third Avenue up to standard. U ¥ Council Minutes:5 December 14,1971 City Manager Waggener commented that it is probably difficult for the Council to comprehend at times the.many man hours involved by the Engineering Department to compile these multiple studies.-It is this sort of thing that we cannot ignore.When the request comes into submit this kind of study,we must do it. FEASIBILITY STUDY -BBCC PARTICIPATION -State Vocational Training for Social Rehabilitation Program for residents d State Institutions about to be paroled.• Mayor Skaug stated that the City Council is being asked to respond to the Washington State Planning and Community Affairs Agency at Olympia regarding a feasibility study applied for by the Big Bend Community College.The $25,000 federal grant for the study is for vocational training and rehabilita tion program and housing for prisoners who are about to be paroled.Mayor Skaug noted that the State re quest a response by December 20th,although notification regarding the proposed study was received December10, which does not allow much time for consideration.J-'^. It was the consensus of the Council that more information is needed,and suggested a conference be held with the College and State officials before they could consider forming an opinion. Motion by Hill to check Item 2 of the form submitted ("We have a question or interest in the above ".., , project and wish to confer with the applicant"),asking for further information regarding the matter. Second by Johnson.Motion carried. EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT ACT -ADDITION OF THREE PERSONNEL POSITIONS APPROVED UNDER TITLE 6. City Manager Waggener stated that the City has hired five people under Title 5 of the Emergency Employment Act,and now funds are available under Title 6 to be allocated to the City of Moses Lake, and asked Council authorization to make application to fill three positions.One is that of Assistant City Engineer.This position requires a college graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering and be a registered professional engineer.In order to obtain applicants with the afore-mentioned require ments,propose to make application for a waiver of the local county residence requirement in order to employ from the Puget Sound area.If the request is not granted,we could consider hiring an Engineer Aid from within Grant County.Another position would be an additional secretary within the administra-/Z J-J - j tion office.Presently we have two secretaries;if one should be ill,or both at the same time,we arereallyintrouble.The additional secretary would be important,particularly if we go into Planning,j because we definitely need more secretarial help.The other position is within the Park Maintenance Department.With additional roadside landscaping and weeding of the new plantings and possibly j additional construction work in the parks,an extra man is needed in that department. I He explained that under EEA funding must be included in the budget,but the City is reimbursed 90% and that includes salary and fringe benefits.Fringe benefits may not exceed 15%.The 10%required by the City can be matched by supervision and other in house contributions,rather than by cash,so we should have no cash outlay.The salary basis is set by the City. Motion by Moe that authorization be given the City Manager to enter into contract agreement with the Employment Security Department for the three positions.Second by Boyle .Motion carried. Before adjourning the meeting,Councilman Hill inquired about the outcome of the Airport rental fees regarding Big Aero Industries.City Manager Waggener stated that the City received payment on December 1,1971.*•\ Motion by Hill to adjourn,second by Johnson. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M. City Clerk,Charles Davenport &€* Mayor,Otto M.Skaugua 1677 -7/1 -'