COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Mayor Hawkins called the meeting to order with Councilmembers Hunt, Turner, Price, Minder and Amenn present. Public Works Director Light, Deputy Walvatne, and City Clerk Gilleland were also present.
The Agenda was approved by motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Price.
The Minutes of Saturday, May 1, 2004, the Council Retreat, were approved by motion of Councilmembers Minder and Turner.
By motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Price, Payroll in the amount of $22,955.87, paid by checks #2640 through #2656, was approved.
Joan Amenn asked what contingency could be expected by those who have paid fees for and who have more animals at this time than the proposed kennel ordinance allows. She also asked about a grandfather clause for such cases.
Mayor Hawkins reminded Council about the Homeland Security Training on May 19th. Council needs to be pre-registered for the session. She also announced the AWC RMSA workshop set for May 12th, at City Hall, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Mayor Hawkins asked Council to set a couple of workshops to revise the Council Rules and Procedures and to finish the fee schedule. Several options were discussed. Council set the workshop for Monday, May 17th to begin at 7 PM. They would start with Council Rules. It was also decided that if Council couldn’t finish with the fees that evening, they would finish it up by meeting at 6:30 PM before the regular meeting on May 18th.
Mayor Hawkins reported she has had quite a few visits from citizens recently and they are unhappy with the Council’s lack of progress. She read the "Standards for Decision Making" and the Vision Statement decided upon during the Retreat. Mayor Hawkins created signs for the Council Chambers with these statements. She congratulated Councilmember Minder for the words in the Vision Statement.
Mayor Hawkins then provided a brief report on the Retreat for the benefit of the audience. The first priority has been set as creating a three to six year financial plan for the City. She will be working on establishing a committee for this goal during the next month. The other priorities were to look into the acquisition of the PUD Water Service Area, to develop a sewer feasibility study and plan, and to develop an economic development plan, to include theme standards for the town.
City Clerk Gilleland reported there is an opening on the AWC Employee Benefit Trust Advisory Committee; announced the May Cities & Towns Meeting Thursday, May 20th; and announced an event for the Farm Bureau on May 13th. If anyone is interested, she has information at City Hall.
Public Works Director Light reported on the repairs to the water system on 1st Avenue West and provided an update on the Generator grant process.
Councilmember Minder thanked the Mayor and the citizens for the Retreat opportunity and thanked the staff for the job they are doing for the City. The Retreat was a success. Councilmember Price echoed Councilmember Minder’s remarks.
Councilmember Amenn asked about a letter proposed last meeting regarding the latest initiative on taxes. Councilmember Amenn then stated the Farm Bureau is looking into getting a Farmer’s Market started in the area and they would appreciate input from the Council and/or citizens. He announced the SCT opening for a citizen representative and urged those interested to volunteer for the committee. He reported he has been meeting with Monroe and Sultan officials regarding potential funding of improvements to SR 2. He also reported the SCT wants an interlocal to formalize an easy process for the transition of UGAs at annexation time. Mayor Hawkins stated we have an interlocal. Councilmember Amenn stated they wish to expand the current agreement and make it more generic to fit all cities’ needs.
Regarding the initiative question, Mayor Hawkins stated is wasn’t a letter the Council discussed, it was a Resolution. She asked if the Council wished to set the issue for a work session or if they wished to take a stand at this time. Some discussion followed. Council consensus decided to wait until more information was available and the signatures had been collected, verified, and it was on the ballot.
Councilmember Hunt stated the Retreat was really refreshing. Councilmember Turner stated the same. It was well worth the time and effort.
NEW BUSINESS
INTERIM ZONING/KENNEL
Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the purpose of the proposed interim amendment to the zoning code regarding kennels in town, specifically in the residential areas. She reviewed the process the City has to follow to adopt an interim ordinance that amends the zoning code. City Clerk Gilleland stated the Council couldn’t give a first reading of the ordinance because it wasn’t specifically stated on the Agenda that it was an ordinance. It will be scheduled for the next meeting. Councilmember Amenn stated he would have to recuse himself because the proposal directly affects him. Mayor Hawkins asked Council for a consensus regarding the number of animals to be in the ordinance. Some discussion followed. Council agreed to leave the numbers the same as in the proposed ordinance.
OLD BUSINESS
REVIEW FEE SCHEDULE (Tabled)
By motion of Councilmembers Minder and Price, the fee schedule was removed from the table. Mayor Hawkins requested Council to go through the schedule, page by page with no discussion, to determine which fees the Council consensus identified as not needing to be changed at this time. This would shorten the review process for the future workshop. Councilmember Amenn disagreed with the proposed process. Council consensus was to do as the Mayor suggested and they proceeded through the schedule.
Dorothy Croshaw complained about getting a water bill for the museum building last month, stating the meter was supposed to have been turned off. The museum was closed and no water could have been used. Public Works Director Light stated the meter wasn’t turned off because the dirt was packed around the meter. He would have the meter dug out and turned off immediately. There could be a slow leak somewhere after the meter and it should be checked out.
Frank Linth stated his appreciation for the qualities of leadership exhibited by everyone tonight.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by motion of Councilmember Hunt at 8:30 PM.
ATTEST: ________________________
Colleen Hawkins, Mayor
___________________________
Hester Gilleland, Clerk-Treasurer