1973 02 27COUNCIL MEETING -Regular Session February 27,1973
Council Chambers 8:00 P.M.
Members present:Councilman Robt.E.Hill,Norman W.Johnson,Gordon M.Ebbert,Otto M.Skaug,
Ernest V.Lindell and Michael Boyle.Councilman Moe was not present.
Invocation:Rev.Dean Welch,Evangelical Methodist Church.
Mayor Skaug called the meeting to order and called for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting
of February 13,1973.Motion by Hill;second by Lindell approving the minutes as written.Motion carried.
REGULAR BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID
FUND
GENERAL .$4,585.81
STREET 7,233.45
.URBAN ARTERIAL 1,108.63
N i WATER/SEWER 3,409.05
SANITATION 7,618.95
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 644.49
£*•Motion by Johnson;second by Boyle,to approve the bills for payment.Motion carried.
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O *..ORDINANCE NO.665 -AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE RELATED TO OUTSIDE STORAGE AND DISPLAY (2nd reading)
The ordinance was read by title only.Larry Hibbard,Community Development Director,statedthe content \QS7
of the ordinance is identical to Ordinance No.654 which is being repealed by this ordinance.Ordinance '
No.654 contained clerical-type errors such as amending non-existing numbers of a section and in another
instance putting in new sections but using old numbers,and the construction of the ordinance was using an
erroneous method of repealing a paragraph.Therefore,this new ordinance to clarify.
'Motion by Hill to adopt the second reading and pass the ordinance.Second by Johnson.Motion carried.
ORDINANCE *•AMENDING WATER AND SEWER RATES - CITY WATER SYSTEM (first reading)
The ordinance was read by title only.The City Manager pointed out that other than an Increase in water
and sewer rates he explained provisions of Section 4 and 5 of the ordinance that are non-existing at the
'present time.
Councilman Hill stated that he voted against the five-year program,mainly objecting that it creates a
terrific increase in water rates,and referred to revenue sharing;knowing we would like to build a new ad
ministration building and police facilities with that,but it would be his recommendation to make a motion
that we decline this ordinance and utilize some of our revenue sharing money,and that way lower some of
the increase in water and sewer rates as presented.Second by Johnson.
Councilman Lindell -If this motion should pass,what would it do to the whole financing picture worked
out so far?City Manager Waggener stated,that we are looking at several months,and in the meantime
•**in another section of the Agenda,issuance of water/sewer revenue bonds that the interest is starting to
increase,and my own feeling is that it is not proper use of revenue sharing funds.Councilman Hill stat
ed - It falls in the guidelines.Whereupon City Manager Waggener remarked that utilities should be self-
sustaining ,that you have to have a rate structure for the services delivered and should be self-sustaining
out.of that revenue.
Councilman Ebbert -We have to go through the bonding procedure regardless in order to support this up
dating and repair work that is needed,and if the revenue sharing is chopped off next year we have to go
back to this thinking.
Councilman Hill - I feel it is unfair to put this on the public,and possibly could have been taken care of
over a number of years and possibly save several thousand dollars available now and utilize this money.
Councilman Johnson inquired - "Where do we stand on our \$sales tax?"City Manager Waggener commented
that we are dependent upon all these kinds of revenue through the State Legislature.-They will be wanting
to take it away from us.
Councilman Hill - I don't think this pertinent to the motion.The question was called.The motion lost.
In favor =Hill and Johnson.Opposed =Boyle,Lindell,Skaug and Ebbert.
Motion by Skaug to adopt the first reading of the ordinance;second by Lindell.Motion carried.Hill
opposed.
ORDINANCE -AMENDING WATERAND SEWER RATES - LARSON SYSTEM (first reading)
The ordinance was read by title only.The City Manager stated that basically foe ordinance is the same
as the city ordinance.The rates we established are separage for the City system and the Larson system,
and the increases differ;the city water increase is greater than the Larson system since their water rateoriginallywas higher and the rates do end up the same for water.The sewer systems differ in that of $3.00
flat rate for city,compared to $6.00 per month for the Larson system,for residential that is.He also
Warrant No's 3911 through 3965 in the amount of $24,600.38 were approved for payment.
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pointed out changes in the ordinance by calling attention to and explaining Sections 4 and 5,defining
chorgeable water,special commercial sewer rates and provisions concerning air conditioning and re
frigeration,and amending the fire protection charges.
Motion by Lindell that the first reading of the ordinance be adopted.Second by Boyle.Motion carried.
Hill abstained.
WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS
0 Aletterwas read from the City Manager stating thatthe proposal for financial assistance in issuance of
revenue bonds for the water and sewer capital improvements program provides for two alternatives:
(1)Submission of a proposal of purchase of bonds by our financial consultant.This proposal intended
to be consistent with the market for comparable bonds at the time of bond issue.(2)Preparation of
appropriate information for public offerings of bonds,the fee not to exceed one-half of one percent of
the amour.t of the bond issue,except that there shall be a minimum fee of $4,000 for each separate
offering of bonds.
Mr.Willard Vadman,Financial Consultant,was present,and he attempted to explain two methods
of selling of a bond issue.One would be by public sale,which requires bid advertisements,etc.,
and would take approximately two months to prepare all the brochures necessary for them to distribute
and a bid call could take place in approximately two months.The other method would be negotiated
bid where the City Council would negotiate the sale of the bonds and interest rate.By this method
he would possibly be able to have a firm commitment on the bond issue by the next Council meeting,
which would reflect the present interest rate market.He estimated,according to sales taken place
recently in Ellensburg and Bremerton,that the bond issue would carry an interest rate of somewhere
around 5?%under the present interest market.This could be advantageous if the interest rates were
to raise within the next two months,the time that would be required to do all the things necessary to have
a public sale.The advantage of a public sale is that it would insure the City Council of the best market
available for the sale of the bonds at the time of opening the bids,which would be a minimum of two
months in the future.
Councilman Ebbert asked Mr.Vadman - - Do you foresee any difficulty in the public sale of bonds in
reference to our past experience,and he stated that his concern is what the market level will be,
Moses Lake is a credit and I see no problem;your rates are more than adequate and would be in effect
most likely at the time of bid call.Either way your rates would be effective and you have to have the new
rate ordinance in effect in order to meet the coverage.
Motion by Boyle for preparation of information for public sale of bonds would be the avenue to take
and to instruct Mr.Vadman to proceed.Second by Johnson.
Mayor Skaug commented that perhaps instructions to Mr.Vadman be withheld until passage of the
ordinance is concluded.
Councilman Hill stated,that he thinks it is rather obvious the ordinance will be passed and no damage
done if Mr.Vadman has instructions to proceed.
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The question was called.Motion carried.
SOLID WASTE STUDY REPORT -HILL,INGMAN &CHASE,Consultants
The City of Moses Lake has an agreement with Grant County and the City of Ephrata,and an authorized
grant for a Solid Waste Management Study funded by the Department of Ecology.The consulting firm of
Hill,Ingman &Chase has been engaged to conduct this study.The county-wide solid waste disposal
program is being prepared to conform with state and federal laws.Dan Dietrich,Assistant County Engi
neer,and Chet Woods and Charles Diedrich of Hill,Ingman &Chase,were present to give an updated
status report.(A preliminary report had been presented to the Council in October,1972).A slide program;
was presented to the Council to explain the progress of the study.
The estimated cost of the garbage disposal sites being considered for Grant County would be approximate
ly $236,100 for 1974 and increase to approximately $318,400 by 1979.Their recommendation is for haul
ing garbage to approximately four disposal land fills instead of the 20 or more now operating of which three
are sanitary landfills and the others are burning dumps.Collections throughout the county are being con
sidered by placing portable disposal boxes 5 to 7 miles apart and then transported to the major disposal
sites.They recommended the disposal sites be controlled by the County.
Chet Woods stated their final report will be presented to the City Council in approximately 30 days for
their approval and then submitted to the Department of Ecology for their acceptance,before publication.
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BY-LAWS
tf\%v'Aletter was read'from Larry Hibbard,Community Development Director,regarding adoption of Revised"
\V Conference of Governments By-Laws,stated that the Conference decided to revise their by-laws to meet
1 organizational requirements for certification.The Conference was formed to act as the local clearing
house for certain federal funds coming into the area,and has acted in that capacity satisfactorily,but
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certification is now required before governmental agencies are eligible for many federal funds.
Sewer,water,open space,and numerous other programs require planning certification.Adoption
of the by-laws requires that they be signed by each county and cities of Moses Lake,Othello,
Ephrata,and Quincy.Each of the three counties has authorized their chairman to sign.The cities
are now being asked to sign and appoint a representative and alternate to the Conference.He re
commended the Council authorize the City Manager to sign the by-laws for the City and that a repre
sentative and alternate to the Grant,Lincoln,Adams Conference of Governrents be appointed.
City Manager Waggener stated that we had a Moses Lake Area Conference of Governments and the
State said that would not suffice,we must have more coverage than that,and now the proposed by
laws which sets up a membership fee structure to keep it operative.Larry has been working with and
putting in a great deal of time helping draft the by-laws and an opportunity to be well informed
on it.Due to the nature of the items to be covered on the.Agenda for this meeting,Council may wish
to delay action on this.The City Council concurred and a*sked to have it presented again at the next
Council meeting.
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REQUEST TO CALL BIDS FOR GASOLINE AND TIRES
A letter was read from Charles Davenport,City Clerk-Finance Director,stating that he requests
authorization to join with the School District and Port of Moses Lake for the purpose of bidding for
the City's vehicle gasoline,tire and tube requirements for the contract period of March 31, 1973 to
April 1,1974.Bids are scheduled to be opened on March 6,1973 at the Administration Office of the
Moses Lake School District.
Motion by Boyle that the request be granted.Second by Johnson.Motion carried.
PIONEER WAY PROJECT SIGNAL MODIFICATION
iTletter was read from Public Works DirectorWeaver,stating that the city has receivedauthorization ////
from the Urban Arterial Board on February 23,1973,to proceed with signal modifications on the Pioneer
Way Project.On February 26,1973,plans and specifications were received from Redford Engineers for
this work.Since these signal modifications are the only thing left to close out the Pioneer Way Project
so that it may be audited,he recommended the City Council approve the plans and specifications and
authorize the City Manager to call for bids to be opened April 4,1973.
Plans and specifications were presented to the Council,and the Public Works Director discussed the
corrections,specifically at 5-Corners,and the Council concurred that problems existed with the original
installation of the signals.
Motion by Hill to approve the plans and specifications and authorize the City Managerto call for bids.
Second by Johnson.Motion carried.
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Meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
Otto MySkaugMAY