Mayor Hawkins called the meeting to order with Councilmembers Turner, Hunt, Amenn, Price and Minder present. Public Works Director Light, Chief Ruchty, and City Clerk Gilleland were also present.

Mayor Hawkins requested the Agenda be amended by adding a Resolution amending the Council Bylaws regarding "Call for the Question" as Item #2 under New Business. By motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Minder, the Agenda was approved as amended. Councilmember Amenn objected to the amendment.

By motion of Councilmembers Minder and Turner, the Minutes of September 7, 2004 were approved.

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Hunt, Claims Vouchers in the amount of $64,153.99, paid by checks #12034 through #12071, were approved.

Marilyn Komnick explained that she is representing the Sultan Food Bank. The Sky Valley Food Bank is based out of Monroe. The Sultan Food Bank serves the entire valley and they are struggling right now. Donations are down and the number served continues to increase. She provided statistics regarding numbers served. The Sultan Food Bank raises money with Tree Farm sales, a drive for National Hunger Day and they sell items at Winterfest. They will be having a concert in January or February with Bronn Journey participating. She wondered if Gold Bar could put a food barrel and/or a donation jar in City Hall. Any new ideas and volunteers would be appreciated. Some discussion followed and there was no objection to having a barrel and jar placed in City Hall for donations.

Dan Flynn, with Cecil Paul Co., presented information, including statistics on potential economic impacts for Snohomish County, regarding the proposed NASCAR track in the City of Marysville, located south of the Arlington Airport. Mayor Hawkins received a letter from the Mayor of Marysville with a proposed Resolution for Council to consider. She read the title, being a resolution supporting establishment of a model recreational amenity including a speedway and family recreation area for the north Snohomish County region. Discussion followed and Council consensus was to find out how many other cities in the County have agreed to support the NASCAR site before they act on a resolution.

Councilmember Amenn presented information regarding the Puget Sound Regional Council and the possibility of obtaining a Rural Corridor Grant for SR2. He asked Council to (1) join PSRC for approximately $491 annual dues; (2) choose a representative and alternate to attend the PSRC meetings; and (3) choose a representative and alternate to drive the process for the grant. During discussion, Councilmember Amenn offered to donate the dues to join PSRC. It was moved by Councilmembers Turner and Price to join PSRC if Councilmember Amenn donated the dues. Motion carried. Councilmember Price volunteered to represent the City and by consensus he was appointed as the City’s representative.

No comments were offered.

Mayor Hawkins requested Council to consider granting the employees two additional paid holidays to reward them for all their hard work during this year. She suggested closing City Hall Friday, November 12 (the day after Veteran’s Day) and Friday, December 31 (for New Years Day). By motion of Councilmembers Minder and Turner, Council granted the additional paid holidays.

Mayor Hawkins reported the Auditor requires a formal appraisal for the Mooring property. She contacted a number of firms and the lowest proposal was $2,250. After some discussion, Council consensus authorized the Mayor to proceed with pursuing the lowest quote for formal appraisal services.

Mayor Hawkins reported that she and City Clerk Gilleland met with a gentleman associated with AWC that has developed a financial model, using excel, that we can use to forecast our financial situation. The initial use of the model, using figures from our existing budgets, indicated we have a great deal of items that need to be cut and the future is bleak. Mayor Hawkins stated she has asked Councilmember Turner, Linda Schonewald, and Tracy Cotterill to work as a financial committee with Public Works Director Light, City Clerk Gilleland and the Mayor to work on a 3-6 year financial plan for the City. The committee will work with the financial model provided by AWC.

Mayor Hawkins reported City Clerk Gilleland reviewed the current budget and presented line item adjustments needed to cover the Attorney’s fees to date. Line items stripped include office and other supplies, animal control pound fees and Children’s Day. It is possible that we will have to approve interfund loans or registered warrants at the end of the year to cover additional attorney’s fees, payroll and other operational expenditures. Councilmember Turner stated he would donate his Council check for Children’s Day and next month’s for office supplies. Councilmember Hunt stated she would donate her check for Children’s Day. Councilmember Price also donated his check. Some discussion followed.

Public Works Director Light announced the generator would be in place Thursday with startup the following Wednesday. The construction fence at Gateway will be installed tomorrow, the pre-construction meeting is on Friday, and the project should start Monday.

City Clerk Gilleland reported her back surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, September 28^th. City Hall hours will be changing back to 8 AM to 5 PM, starting tomorrow.

Chief Ruchty reported he has some leads on the church arson. He is working on developing reports for the Council and will be getting some stats for the October meeting. Mayor Hawkins stated that Councilmembers have asked for the deputies’ work schedules but she has decided provision of those schedules would not be a good idea. The schedules should be kept confidential. She also has been briefed by Eric Andrews, our Fire Chief, about the fire and that he called to her attention that Gold Bar does not have an interlocal with the Fire Marshall for services. She has asked Chief Andrews to provide the necessary information for implementing the interlocal agreement with the Fire Marshall.

Councilmember Turner stated school has started and urged everyone to attend the schools’ sporting events and support the Turks.

Councilmember Amenn directed his comments at the Mayor.

Councilmember Minder voiced his disappointment with Councilmember Amenn’s comments, stating four Councilmembers are willing to work together and Councilmember Amenn should attempt to work with them instead of being an obstructionist.

Council consensus set Monday, October 4^th, 2004 to hold a Revenue workshop.

Mayor Hawkins read the proposed Resolution, being a Resolution amending the council bylaws to allow calling for the question upon three minutes of discussion, even if a councilmember has the floor. By motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Turner, the Council adopted the Resolution.

Vicki McDaniel voiced her concern regarding the lack of funds for animal control. Staff assured her that the City would still be able to deal with a potentially dangerous dog situation.

Frank Linth announced a Meth Lab Awareness workshop has been scheduled. It will be held at the Gold Bar Elementary School. He urged all to attend. Citizen awareness and assistance is important to law enforcement in their fight against this drug.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Turner.

ATTEST: ________________________

Colleen Hawkins, Mayor

___________________________

Hester Gilleland, Clerk-Treasurer