1969 10 13COUNCIL MEETING -Regular Session October 13,1969
Council Chambers
Present were:Gordon Ebbert,Monte Holm,Otto Skaug,Jack Eng,John Jones,
Ernest Lindell and Michael Boyle.
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order.Minutes of the previous meeting of
September 23,1969 were approved as written upona motion by Michael Boyle.
Second by Otto Skaug.Carried.
BILLS >TOTAL AMOUNT PAID
1404
GENERAL FUND $2,701.07
LIBRARY 561.32
PARK &RECREATION 3,262.33
STREET 3,251.95
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 506.99
WATER AND SEWER 7,338.21
SANITATION 7,444.18
URBAN ARTERIAL 6.96
Motion made by Monte Holm to pay the regular bills.Second by Jack Eng.Carried,
SPECIAL BILLS
ARTERIAL STREET FUND
Marchand Construction Company $2,303.89
1017 West Gary
Moses Lake,Washington
Final payment for West Broadway Sidewalks,as per estimate No.2,Contract 69-01,
Final Revision.
Motion by Monte Holm to pay this special bill.Second by Dr.Lindell.Carried.
1967 WATER/SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND
Appleby Construction Company $2,158.27
1908 West Marina Drive
Moses Lake,Washington
Payment for Contract 6906 for City Shop Addition.Estimate No.3.
Motion by Gordon Ebbert to pay this special bill.Second by Michael Boyle.Carried.
Waitants No.3246through 3329 in the amount of $29,535.17 were approved for payment.
PUBLIC HEARING -LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR ALLEY IMPROVEMENT
FROM ALDER STREET TO ASH STREET PARALLEL TO BROADWAY.PROPOSED LID #24 .
The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Jones.Presentation was made /&?y
by Ron Baker,Assistant City Engineer.He explained that the proposal
for a 40-foot wide strip is for the extra width to allow parking in this
particular alley.It also requires a retaining wall in portions of the alley
to support some existing buildings and structures.Also storm drains would
he required in parts of the alley.The estimated cost would be $26,672 .00.
Two preliminary assessment notices were sent out;the first one was based
on a 30-foot alley and without a retaining wall.
Chuck Edwards,of the Coast to Coast Store,asked why retaining walls were
added on.Ron Baker stated it was necessary to assure support and rather
than have one party or several carry the cost,it was distributed among the
property owners.
Ken Moos -would the 10-foot extra be the increase in cost?Thinks it is
out of line..
1405 October 13,1969
Council Minutes (Cont'd.):2
Ron Baker -The construction cost went up about one-third of the
original estimate -Engineering increased about 12%and also 15%
was added for contingencies,also 4.5%sales tax was added.
This is just an estimate and have no way of guaranteeing it.If
the bid is 10%over the Engineers'estimate the L.I.D.cannot go
through.
Ken Moos -asked how many bidders would the City expect?
Ron Baker -probably not very many because of the small job,most
likely only local bidders.
Chuck Edwards -What assurance would we have that we are not
blocked off by the right turn only.
City Manager -as the improvement goes in on Alder Street it will
preclude a left turn going North on Alder Street.
Ken Moos -What assurance do we have we won't have parking
meters in the alley.
City Manager - The placement of parking meters on public right of
way ...at this time it is for off-street parking,but do not know
that anyone could give him an absolute guarantee that a City Council
ten years from now might think differently and install parking meters
in the alley.
Mayor Tones - The philosophy of parking meters is not to make money,
but to keep the traffic moving and for traffic control,and under exist
ing circumstances in the next few years,any particular reason the
City would have for putting meters in the alley would be to control
parking.
Letters protesting the L.I.D.assessment were read from Paul H.
Landis and Bessie B.Landis;Dr.E.V.Barnett and Mrs.E.V.
Barnett;and L.Vance.
Ron Baker stated the percentages involved 51%for the L.I.D.;
27%against it and 22%"no response".
Mayor Jones closed the Public Hearing portion and asked the City
Councilmen if they had any commments or questions.
Otto Skaug -How does Mr.Edwards feel about the right hand turn?
Chuck Edwards - If they are going to change it anyway eventually,
he withdraws his intention of opposing.
Jack Eng -The Milwaukee Railroad is another thing -what about the
cost to them?
City Manager -can only say that 100%of the cost is assessed
against the property on Broadway.The railroad owns the property to
the North.That makes the assessment high,instead of paying one-
half of the alley improvement,they are paing on all of it.It is my
understanding that Milwaukee Railway was paid some sum of money
to get the right of way,and probably the property owners on the Broad
way side were requested to handle this payment.Thiis was not f^
handled by the City and the amount was not involved in the L.I.D.-.
figure.
Dr.Lindell -asked can we get some response from those giving "no
response"?
City Manager -protest percentages are taken,and consider others
are for it.
Otto Skaug -how were the property owners contacted?
City Manager -by assessment notices .Some came back "address
unknown,"others have signed a petition.
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October 13,1969 1406
Motion by Monte Holm to postpone action until the first City Council
meeting in November and in the meantime possibly the "no response"
property owners can be contacted again.Second by Otto Skaug.
Otto Skaug commented that 51%vote is just barely enough.This is
a single piece of work,it might be incorporated with the Pioneer
Way work next year perhaps at a lower cost to these people,and
also more bidders then would be interested in this single piece of
work.The Mayor asked for a vote on the motion.Passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING -LONGVIEW TRACTS WATER SYSTEM.
j The Notice of PuMic Hearing containing the City's proposal was read./ /&l?
Mayor Jones again explained the procedure for a public hearing.Also
•J pointed out that written objections may be filed with the City and the
written objections are the only ones that can be officialy recognized.
The decision will not be made tonight to go ahead on the water system.
It will not be made until the City Council has an opportunity to read the
objections filed.
City Manager,Chester L.Waggener,made the presentation and
also showed slides of the existing water system and the proposed
plans by the City,if they should service the area.The existing
system has 2"and smaller lines,with two wells shown.It is almost
impossible to serve property at the end of the lines with adequate
pressure.The City proposes 6"and 8"lines running along the street
and could be connected to fire hydrants at a later date.The normal
city water rate would be charged,with the customary 25%surcharge
for property outside the corporate limits,plus an additional $2.00
per month surcharge per user to amortize the cost of the system over
a 20-year period.
Ralph Kenison,Attorney,submitted a petition which was drawn up
by some of the property owners in the Longview Tracts area.Approxi
mately 70 names signed asking the City not to come into the Longview
,I area to furnish water.These names represented approximately 118 lots
out of 150 lots total.The petitioners indicated that the City does not
extend water mains for water service to the Longview Tracts area for
the reason they fear the next step will be annexation to the City of
Moses Lake.
Fred Hinrich -stated,out of twenty-five people contacted,three were
for it and the others against the City furnishing water.
Ralph Kenison asked the City Council to consider this petition sufficient
notice of written protest.Mayor Jones thought it would.
Carolyn Pierson asked how much money would Mr.Dietrich be paid for
the system.She was informed the amount to be $8,000.She also
commented that no one had a franchise,and therefore,they did not
have a legal or moral obligation to pay Mr.Dietrich anything.
City Manager,agreed with Mrs.Pierson,but stated that the City is
not putting this package together on concern whether we are fair to
(Mr.Dietrich,but only wanting to secure all the customers.Our proposal
is to provide adequate soft water for the people in the area and the charge
is minimum.It is almost the same Mr.Dietrich would-charge the people
with minor changes to the system.
Fred Hinrichs -did not agree as to the charges.
Naola Brown - 126 Parkway Drive -stated they did not have adequate
water pressure,at times they cannot flush the toilet without adding water.
Also it is important to have fire hydrants which they do not have.In case
of a fire they have little protection.She definitely is in favor of the City
furnishing the water in the area.
1407 October 13,1969
City Manager -explained that fire hydrants would not be installed
immediately.The general policy of the City is to provide Fire Hydrants
and fire protection only within the corporate limits of the City.The only
way the City can provide fire jprotection is through agreeement with
Grant County Fire District No.5,or the area annexing to the City
of Moses Lake.He further explained that annexation cannot be forced
onto people of an area,the laws of the State of Washington does not
allow it,the people must request annexation.There is an area
that was forced to come into the City some years back,and this
particular area always casts a negative vote on any issue,and the
City of Moses Lake is not interested in annexing any area only to
get a negative vote on issues.
Max Craighead,101 Highland Drive -commented that he would like
to see the area get city water.For the difference in cost if any,the
City will assure us more than Mr.Dietrich.
Tack Black -has two lots in Longview Tracts.If the monthly costs
are to be in excess of $8.00 per month,could the cost be reduced
to possibly $5 or $6 per month through possibly federal help.
Mr.Waggener stated we could make application to HUD for matching
monies for the system,and shouldwe be successful the cost would
be less.In any event,heavy water users would pay more,others would
pay less per month.We do not have an exclusive franchise,if we should
serve the area,anyone can go in and compete with us.
Mrs.Clifford Denton -2711 Lakeside Drive,asked that her name be
removed from the petition,thought her husband signed the petition.
Commented there is considerable information they are not aware of.
They own eight pieces of property in Longview Tracts,and there are
many times there is not enough water to run a dishwasher or automatic
washer.Some of the lots they own have as many as four rentals on them
and they pay approximately $16.00 per month for water and only one has
a little green area for yard the size of clothes line space.
Lester Lybbert -Parkway Drive -stated he is for the city furnishing
water,it would be an asset to the area.
Frank Harrell,from the Grant County Health Department,stated it is
commendaUe that the Ci1y of Moses Lake would think of extending
their water mains outside the City.Year after year people from Longview
Tracts have complained about their water system.Something has to be
done,we have known all along and tried to get something done about it.
We know it is inadequate and a number of things out there are not good
health standards.
Charles Pierson -235 Olympic Drive -he is against the City coming in -
we have the State people and we should have some meetings with Mr.
Dietrich and the State and see what they have to offer.Does not wish
to rush into something right now.
Ralph Kenison asked if written protests must be in by October 21, 1969?p-
Fred Hinrichs -135 Highland Drive -commented that one-third of the
residents in Longview Tracts are Mexican and cannot read or write English.
Carolyn Pierson -235 Olympic Drive -stated that the Washington State
Utilities and Transportation Commission would not allow Mr.Dietrich
to double his rates.We have heard that Mr.Dietrich has reported he
will double the rates,but have no assurance what the State will allow
him to charge.I feel that perhaps this hearing has helped and that
possibly this period of submitting written protests can be extended until
more information is forthcoming from the Public Utilities Commission.
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October 13,1969 1408
City Manager -All we have is a comment by telephone from Mr.Dietrich.
The Utilities Commission also contacted the City.Mr.Dietrich received
orders from the Commission,and at the same time to propose a rate struc
ture,and that he has submitted his design and submitted his rate structure
I think you are entitled to more information.
Mrs.Craighead -101 Highland Drive -felt they needed a little more
time and a guarantee from Mr.Dietrich as to what we are going to get.
Bernice Gardner -203 Highland Drive -she did have the plans stating
what had to be done on the water system.The ends are to be connected
and larger piping is to be put out to the lots.If the people would be will
ing to double the rates they would run about $7.00 per month.The water
was tested by the Health Department and each time the report showed no
contamination.She definitely does not want the City to furnish the water.
Most of the people in the area are retired people and cannot afford to go
into the City.
Mrs.John Dietrich,Pasco,Washington,was present and commented that
the only problem is that according to the specifications it will take a
sizeable amount of money and we do not have the finances to do it,she
would just as soon sell the water system.
Max Craighead -101 HighlandDrive -suggested the Council put in
form of a motion to give them more time and set a later date to receive
written protests.
Michael Boyle made a motion that thhs portion of the public hearing
be closed.Second by Dr.Lindell.,Carried.
Monte Holm commented that the sad part of this situation is that the
impression is the City wants the area to annex,and the City does
not want to annex this area,it is not interested in pressuring them.
Otto Skaug thought individual protests should be submitted instead
of accepting the petition as a formal protests.
Michael Boyle also preferred to see individual protests submitted
since the petition submitted involves annexation and this is not the
question.The State will not allow us to force annexation -the people
in an area must request it themselves.
City Manager,Chester L.Waggener,said that apparently the property
owners need some time to meet with Mr.Dietrich or the State Utilities
Commission and frankly after this hearing,if they want City water,they
should request it.If Mr.Dietrich makes the improvements and sells at
a later date,however,the purchase price would be higher and actually
make it unrealistic.
Monte Holm made a motion to extend the time at their convenience.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Otto Skaug moved the original date remain the same,October 21,1969,
as far as written protests are concerned.The motion died for lack of
a second.
Dr.Lindell made a motion to extend the time to the second City Council
meeting in November.Second by Jack Eng.Opposed by Monte Holm.
Motion carried.^
Otto Skaug -in reference to annexation,it is superfluous to the question.
The petition as written does not constitute a valid objection because it
is not properly stated,it implies things that are not true -annexation is
not intended by the City.
1409 October 13,1969
Mayor John Jones moved to table the entire subject indefinitely.Second
by Dr.Lindell.Opposed by Otto Skaug and Jack Eng.Motion carried.
PRESENTATION -SAFETY CITATION BY INLAND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
/o/£The citation was presented to Sgt.Wayne Baker of the Moses Lake
Police Department on behalf of Moses Lake for no pedestrian fatali
ties for the year 1968.Mr.Roy Mundy made the presentation represent
ing the Inland Automobile Association.
V.F.W.CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION AWARD TO RALPH C.ROHWEDDER
/£?/<?Mayor John Jones presented the V,F.W.Certificate to Ralph C.
Rohwedder for his personal efforts in the V.F.W.National Safety
Program.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -REQUEST TO COVER PARKING METERS ON
"MOSES LAKE VALUE DAYS."
The Chamber of Commerce requested permission from the City Council
to cover the parking meters for Friday and Saturday,October 17 and 18,
for promotion of "Moses Lake Value Days."Motion by Monte Holm that
the request be granted.Second by Jack Eng.Passed.
PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO.2 -APPLICATION FOR FRANCHISE.
A letter was submitted by the City Manager stating the PUD #2 of Grant
County submitted an application for a 50-year franchise,and he has
requested Mr.Calbom,City Attorney,to review the franchise as proposed
and will hear his recommendations at a later Council meeting.This was
presented for informational purposes.
ACCEPTANCE OF VALLEY ROAD WATER LINE EXTENSION -VISTA CORNER #2 .
A letter was read from the Assistant City Engineer,Ron Baker,recommending
the water main as installed be accepted by the City for maintenance and
that the check from Mr.Maurice Pearson held by the City in lieu of a bond
be released.
Motion by Otto Skaug to accept the recommendation.Second by Michael
Boyle.Carried.
CLAIM FOR INJURIES -ELIZABETH A.KIISKI
The claim was noted by the City Council and referred to the City's Insurance
Agent.
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES -DISTRICT MEETING AT EPHRATA,
WASHINGTON,OCTOBER 14,1969.
The Council was reminded of the AWC District Meeting and hoped most
of the Councilmen would be able to attend.Mr.Waggener also mentioned
it was open to the public.
Meeting adjourned.
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n#mM(Jity Clerk,Charts davenport
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Mayor,John E .Jones
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