1968 10 071300
COUNCIL MEETING -REGULAR SESSION October 7,1968
8 o'clock PM -City Hall
The City Council met in regular session with the following councilmen present:
Monte Holm,Gordon Ebbert,Jack Eng,Otto Skaug,John Jones,Ernest Lindell
and Michael Boyle.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written on the motion of
Monte Holm,second by Michael Boyle.Passed unanimously.
BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID
GENERAL FUND .$3,560.08
LIBRARY 559.41
PARK AND RECREATION '3,085.80
STREET 4,138.20
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 2,286.92
WATER AND SEWER "8,618.37
SANITATION "8,780.08
Motion by Otto Skaug to draw warrants and pay the bills.Second by Jack Eng.
Passed unanimously.
There were no special bills.
Warrants No.1345 through 1428 in the amount of $31,028.86 were approved
for payment.
PUBLIC HEARING -1969 BUDGET ..
The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Jones.The City Manager noted that
this budget is $132 ,751 higher than the 1968 budget which is'brought about
because of the Urban Arterial projects in which we are participating and this
has seriously handicapped other departments.He said he anticipated that
the City will receive $48,000 as our portion of direct aid to cities from
State Government and if this is not appropriated we will be in trouble.
Under the General Government Sectionof the budget letter Ivlr.Waggener
stated that for achievement of realistic comprehensive planning functions
for the City he proposed the engagement of a consulting firm and had in
cluded $8,000 in the budget which would presumably be matched with
$16,000 of State and Federal funds.
Mr.Waggener also cited pressure problems with the well on the Peninsula
and the need to drill a new well there.There is also need for a new well to
serve the downtown area.
He said that expenditures are increasing more rapidly than revenue.That
services are constantly being decreased in order to balance the budget and
will continue to do so unless some other source of revenue shows itself.
The Mayor called for comments from visitors who have questions or comments.
There were no comments forthcoming from the visitors,except Clifford Friday
who asked if the water department was in a position to pay for the well or
would it come out of the general budget.
The City Manager said that the water department is "self sustaining.
There were no written protests.
Amotion was made to close the public hearing by Jack Eng. Second by
Dr.Lindell.Passed unanimously.The Public Hearing was declared closed.
1301 October 7,1968
ORDINANCE No.588 ADOPTING 1969 BUDGET
lot*Ordinance No.588 adopting the 1969 budget was read by its title "An Ordinance
Adopting the Budget for the City of Moses Lake,Washington for the Year of 1969
and Levying Taxes,for Municipal Purposes,According to the Assessed Valuation
as determined in the Year 1968",only.
Motion by Gordon Ebbert,second by Jack Eng to adopt the Ordinance
No.588 adopting the 1969 budget.Passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE -OPEN HOUSING -2nd READING
,£p?The Ordinance defining and prohibiting unfair housing practices in the
sale,offering for sale,rental,offering for rental,and financing of
housing accomodations;defining offenses and prescribing penalties
therefor was read by title only.
Mayor Jones commented that there are ordinarily two reading&of an
ordinance.That the first reading of this ordinance was two weeks ago at
the regular meeting of the City Council.That it could nowbe adopted and
become a law or it can be postponed for further study if that is desired.
He asked that visitors who have comments on the ordinance follow the
procedure outlined in the public hearing.The meeting was then opened for
comments.
MAX OTT stated that the people in Moses Lake have been living harmoniously
for the past twenty years and there has been very little difficulty withrace
relations.He said he had talked to the councilmen and they said that nobody
ever comes to the council meetings except about half a dozen people of the
black race.Then two or three weeks ago here comes the housing ordinance.
It was six weeks before the Inter-racial Commission and the City Council
was bullied or cowed and pressured to get the thing going on the housing
deal.The Commission is a legal body able to send a motion to the Council
to act on.Two weeks ago it was brought up for the first reading.The
first reading did not mean anything.The second reading,it canbecome a law.
The next thing is this business of the JC's taking a survey.The Council
should put this on the thing and get the opinion of the people in the town.
If we cannot do that it should be tabled for 30 days.
MAYOR JONES asked what the JC's are doing and was told by Mr.Ott that
they are taking a survey of the people in Moses Lake pertaining to things
that are going to happen in Moses Lake.A questionnaire is being cir
culated.The people will answer in their own manner.It is an easy way
for the Council to get a consensus of the way the people of Moses Lake think.
GORDON EBBERT asked if the people wanted to table the matter or follow the
JC's survey.
MAX OTT wanted to table it until the JC survey can be made.
CLIFFORD FRIDAY said his idea is the same as Mr.Ott.We do not need
to rush into it and does not see why the majority of citizens would go for
this.It cannot be to the benefit of the majority of the people.We should
wait to see what kind of survey they have.Don't see where these things
get started.Where does it come from?The people that live here have
been satisfied for a long time and he has never heard anyone complain
about housing.His position is that he might have rentals and does not
want to pay a $300 fine for a misunderstanding.Wants to be able to
refuse to rent to anyone.If you enforce it like the dog ordinance is
enforced,he would go for it.
CARLTON MOW 207 West 6th Avenue -said that the news item regarding
the JC plan is that they will go from house to house with a questionnaire and
try to complete the questionnaire.It does not say what the questions will
be.Said he would like very much for the Council to have this matter >
on the questionnaire.Then see how the people feel about it.Their in
tentions are to get all the people in Moses Lake.That way we will have
a pretty good idea of what the people feel about it.
L)
October 7,1968 1302
MRS.FRANK MAVER -S.Division Street -said that the JC's will take
out 615 questionnaires.That it is not fair and they should be taken to
everyone.
CLIFFORD ALEXANDER,representing the JC's,said that the survey started
out more or less as a survey to find out what the people in Moses Lake want
of the JC's as a community service organization.The questionnaire is made
up and ready to go and the project will start on Monday.All the forms and
literature he has suggested that everyone in the area be questioned,or
take a 10 or 15 or 30%survey.In order to take a 100%survey of the area
it would take more man power than the JC's have.So it was decided to
take a 15%survey.They will try to get every residential area,the
business district,and a few outlying areas with the survey.They will
run it as the City does their census work and sit down with the people and
ask the questions.If they cannot do that they will leave the form to be
filled out and returned.If the Council wants this questions included it
can be done.
MRS.MOW does not feel that a 15%survey would be sufficient to get
an opinion on any question.
The discussion was closed to citizens.
There were no written protests.
The Councilmen were asked for comments or questions.
OTTO SKAUG,noting that the questionnaire would be unsigned and only
a 15%count,said he felt it would have no merit.
MR.ALEXANDER of the JC's said that all the information by way of identi
fication that is on the survey is the address.
GORDON EBBERT asked the method of distribution and was told that it
would be house to house.
JACK ENG asked if it were to be any certain section and Mr.Alexander
said he was not sure but that the areas would be broken down and would
be consistent as to whether they will take every second,third or fifth
house.
JACK ENG asked if the members discussed the racial problem during the
regular meetings and Mr.Alexander said that this is the first time it has
been discussed.
JACK ENG asked if he had authority to say what would be placed on the
questionnaire as far as the open housing ordinance is concerned.
MR.ALEXANDER said that it can be put on the form.That a committee of
six members are working on the survey.
MAYOR JONES said the object of the survey is to find out what kind of
service the people want from the JC's.We have a regular procedure for
adopting ordinances.It is a tried and true one.He does not think that this
is quite in keeping with the way we usually determine the feeling of the
people.Let it be known that there is an ordinance to be considered.This
should do it but it usually does not.Publicity is not effective.Probably
we have been remiss in advertising.It should properly be brought to the
people that we are having a meeting on the subject and that they can file a
written protest or they can come here and state exactly how they feel.
It would not be a bad idea if we had people who felt both ways here to
night.Suggested that perhaps we should wait for another meeting before
considering this for the second time.Does not feel we need to go outside
the normal procedure to determine the feelings of people on the ordinance.
1303 October 7,1968
MAX OTT said that if you are interested in getting the opinion of the
people it is easy to do by inserting a note with the water bill.You will
get it back 100 per cent.The thing he objects to is that the Council
has gone out of its way to promote this thing over the wishes of the
people of Moses Lake.
MONTE HOLM cited that it would be costly to put a note in every
envelope.
MAX OTT thinks,it is going to cost more money if it is not done.
MAYOR JONES felt that one of these ordinances is necessary.We
have had slome uprisings here and they have been more serious,than
we like to have.The State has a Board Against Discrimination and if
you do not have a local ordinance and you want to complain,you have
to go to Olympia to do it.The principal reason for adopting an
ordinance in Moses Lake is so that you can fight your own problems here at home
without having to fight it in Olympia.If we have this ordinance
you can come down here and present your case to the Human Relations
Commission and it gets into court in Moses Lake.It is not one sided.
We are interested in adopting an ordinance like this for the protection
of people like yourselves.Everyone in the City should read this
ordinance and certainly should have every right to come down here
and say what they want to about it.We do not want to rush into
anything so fast that you feel you have not had the privilege of being
heard.
MAX OTT - About a month ago they used Tack as an example of having
been discriminated against in Moses Lake.He said he did not think
that Jack has been discriminated against.Said he does not want this
thing ramrodded through as the next federal congress will probably
repeal it on the federal level.
MAYOR JONES said he is trying to protect the other guy,too.
JACK ENG -Everyone know who I am and how long I have been here.
When we first came into this town there were two places I looked for
accomodations for my wife and one child.They had a vacarcy but said
they were full.That happened to me twice.Whoever told you that,
Max,did not know the truth.There is discrimination every day here
against other nationalities.They will not say anything about it.I
am speaking for myself and not for the colored people in Wheeler or
Pasco or Seattle.I was not rushed into this.It is in my heart that
it is the right thing to do.If you have not been in their shoes you do
not know what it is to be discriminated against.Because you have skin
of a different color they do not want you to live next door.If you were
to go to Africa everybody is black and you come along and ask for a house
they will not take you.Then how would you feel about it.You will
object to it.There is good in all people.The councilmen are very
dedicated people.The ordinance was advertised and it is going to
be a permanent ordinance and we should take a good look at it.Two
weeks'delay would make everybody happy.Take a good look at it
and search your hearts.Could you live with it if that fellow was
white and not black and look Almighty God in the face and say that
is the way it should be.Every so often I do run against it.Unless
you are in the minority you do not know the meaning of it.Catholics
might know a little bit of discrimination.
I I
October 7,1968 1304
DR.LINDELL commented that this is the largest number of visitors we
have had for a long time and asked how many have taken the time to read
the ordinance.Eight or nine said they had.He asked where the information
was obtained that the ordinance was not available.
MR.MOW said he talked to a dozen people.
OTTO SKAUG wanted to know if the people had read the ordinance and
what credence could be imparted to a report from people who had no
inkling of what is embodied in the ordinance.It is not all bad because
no specifics were mentioned.He thought it should be clarified as to
what is repulsive to the dissenters.Copies have been available.If
no more than one half dozen have been picked up there was no indication
of how they felt about it.
DAVE JONES said he felt that the council was a little previous because one
the members of the Human Relations Commission told him.about the meeting.
Even he is misinformed.He said you made some changes in it.He said he
had read the rough draft and one member of the Human Relations Commission
told him about it.
JACK ENG explained the reading and changes and back to commission and
they OK'd it.
MAYOR JONES said it was recommended for acceptance from the Human
Relations Commission.
DAVE JONES asked "Why hurry?"
The City Manager said that the State Board Against Discrimination was
working up a piece-of legislation to present to the Governor at the next
legislative session.That he has contacted people in various agencies and
no one has any knowledge of any legislation or proposed legislation.They
are being awfully quiet about it.
DAVE JONES said that ordinances are easy to get on the books and it is
hard to get them off.We do not need to be in a hurry.
MAYOR JONES said we should perhaps give ourselves a little longer to
look at it.He does not want to give anyone the impression that we have
rushed into this.Several drafts have been submitted to the Council and the
Council had it in their hands for a month and re-submitted it to the Commission
for changes.They went over it again and brought it back to the Council
and accepted our changes.We have not rushed into this thing.It is pretty
much the feeling of the councilmen that it is not the kind of ordinance that is
going to hurt anyone.It is not as tough as other cities have adopted.
GORDON EBBERT said he did not think the JC survey could accomplish what
we are after.We want everyone to know what is encompassed.A house
to house canvas would not catch everybody.Would be in favor of post
poning this thing long enough for people to understand the thing on a
proper basis .Thought it should be taken to the people.
Motion by Monte Holm to postpone further consideration of this ordinance
until the next regular meeting.Second by Dr.Lindell.Passed unanimously.
Otto Skaug commented that the council had just accepted a two million dollar
budget with little or no comment and yet there is no overwhelming demonstra
tion outside of the half dozen people speaking against the ordinance.He
thought it was unconvincing.
1305 October 7,1968
RESOLUTION -SANITATION FUND AMENDMENTS
/ol 0 This Resolution,increasing the 1968 budget maintenance and operation
classification for the Sanitation Division was read in its entirety.The
increase is necessary to pay the increased rates on the new contract.
Motion by Otto Skaug to accept the Resolution.Second by Jack Eng.
Passed unanimously.
MICK HANSEN -REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT SELF-SERVICE GASOLINE STATION
r^/i Aletter from Mick Hansen was read requesting a change in City
\v Ordinance 139 to allow the building of a self-service service station on the
West half of the vacant lot to the West of Boyles Plaza.The property is '
now owned by Russell Hansen.A letter was also read from Otto Jensen,
Chief of the Moses Lake Fire Department,expressing the opinion that
the operation as described by Mr.Jansen would be no more hazardous
than the operation of an ordinary service station.He recommended that
complete plans showing the location of pump island,type of building,
location of remote controls and the method of storage tank installation
should be provided before recommendations could be made.He also wanted
to know if it were the type of operation where the operator has constant
view of the pumps.He would object to the station progressing into a coin
or card operated pump where there is no constant attendant.
Mayor Jones said if the ordinance were removed from the books then we would
be open to any kind of operation.It should be amended.The Fire Prevention
Code states that any dispensing type may be permitted if it is under the
control of a competent attendant.It was the consensus of opinion that there
was no rush about this and that it was not for this specific site and that
there needs to be public information on the matter about what action is
planned.
Motion by Otto Skaug to request the City Manager to draft an ordinance
on this matter.Second by Monte Holm.Passed unanimously.
DORSE OMAN -APPEAL FOR WATER CONNECTION
i ..•}A letter from Dorse Oman was read in which he requested permission to
"install a water meter for the purpose of bringing water from the City
line on West Pioneer Way near the intersection with Orchard Drive,
across property owned by him to Marina Drive,thence through an eight
inch pipe used in the past for carrying irrigation water from the lake to the
traversed property and then to the new home he is building on the lake.He
intends to install the size water meter currently in use by the average home
owner but to lay two inch plastic line to the house.He would be willing
to enter into whatever agreement required to protect the City in the event a
future line would be established by the City down Marina Drive and it
was found this proposed line interferred.
The City Manager said that the City should be adequately protected and
that the frontage connection costs should be assured and made a matter
of public record.A letter was also read from Jerry D.Copeland,
Assistant City Engineer,stating that any irrigation pipe should be used
only as a conduit for approvedwater pipe and should be deep enough to
prevent freezing. Anormal sized water meter for home owners,if
placed on Broadway Avenue,would probably not allow enough flow to
afford satisfactory pressure without the use of an extensive storage
and booster pump system.He suggested that Mr.Oman should enter
into an agreement with the City indicating his willingness to participate
in any future water line that may be installed adjacent to his property
as a result of platting, Local Improvement District,or other reasonable
cause for extension of such line.
Motion by Monte Holm to grant permission to Mr.Oman to install this
water line and that he will have to participate in the cost of a water line
when it goes in that area.Second by Dr.Lindell.Passed unanimously.
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October 7,1968 1306
REQUEST TO ESTABLISH A DAY CARE CENTER AT 915 HILL STREET .
A letter was read from John Taylor,Building Inspector,stating that the
Building Division has no objection to the use of the Church at 915
Hill Street for a Day Care Nursery as long as the rules and regulations
set by the State Health Department and the State Fire Marshall are adhered
to by the occupants.An excerpt fromthe Planning Commission Minutes of
September 16 were also read stating that the Commission recommended
their approval of the request to the City Council.The Center will be
operated as a daytime nursery for children of working parents and limited
to a maximum of 10 children at any one time and also limited to the ground
floor level.
Motion by Jack Eng to grant the request.Second by Michael Boyle.Passed
unanimously.
GRANT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN -PRELIMINARY MEETING
J£03
A letter from Esvelt and Saxton,Consulting Engineers,was read,stating
that their firm has been conducting a water and sewer survey of Grant
County for the past several months in order to establish a comprehensive
plan for future water and sewer development in the County.The study is
now complete and they wish to meet with City Council,Port Districts,
Water Association members and.all other interested parties for the purpose
of reviewing the sections of the study involving the City of Moses Lake
and surrounding area,including the Grant County Airport.They are requesting
use of the Council Chambers for October 15 atSPM.The request was
granted.
NOTICE OF CLAIM -FLOYD RICHARD HOWARD By IRA M.HOWARD
The Claim of Floyd Richard Howard,by Ira M.Howard,was read and noted
by the council.
Meeting adjourned.
£^&£fc_
ATTEST:
jZity Clerk