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

Mayor Hawkins requested Council delete the proposed Executive Session regarding Potential Litigation due to conflicting legal opinions and to substitute an Executive Session on Contract Negotiations. By motion of Councilmembers Price and Amenn, the Agenda was approved as amended.

By motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Price, claims vouchers in the amount of $37,142.66, paid by checks #12072 through #12115, and Payroll in the amount of $23,139.82, paid by checks #2719 through #2736, for a total of $60,282.48, were approved for payment.

No comments were offered.

Mayor Hawkins reported both bidders for the purchase of the City’s car have withdrawn their bids. Staff will re-advertise. Mayor Hawkins reminded Council about the workshops planned for November 8^th and 9^th to discuss 2005 budget expenditures.

Mayor Hawkins reported she received information that Councilmember Amenn has contacted the chairman of City Attorney Olbrechts’ department. Among other things, Councilmember Amenn implied that the firm was "getting the boot" because of poor service. Mayor Hawkins stated she has been in contact with the City Attorney and assured him that was not the case and offered to send a rebuttal to the firm regarding the issue. The Mayor is attempting to negotiate with the City Attorney to continue his services for the City for longer than originally anticipated.

Mayor Hawkins turned the gavel over to Mayor Pro Tem Price and left the room during discussion and action regarding the payment of additional attorney fees. Mayor Pro Tem Price read a memo requesting additional fees of $1,397.69 to defend Mayor Hawkins in the recall effort. By motion of Councilmembers Hunt and Turner, Council authorized the expenditure as requested. Councilmember Amenn abstained. Mayor Hawkins returned to the meeting.

Mayor Hawkins announced City Hall would be closed Friday, November 12, 2004, for the additional Holiday Council granted to the employees.

City Clerk Gilleland updated Council on the Comprehensive Plan, stating she has finished an initial review, has made some changes, and will be getting copies to the Council soon.

Chief Ruchty handed out a report containing statistics for several months. His goal is to provide this type of information on a monthly basis.

Councilmember Turner thanked Frank Linth and Century 21 for the meth lab workshop and reminded everyone that the food bank needs cash donations for the Holidays.

Councilmember Hunt reported that she is not doing the Toy and Food Drive this year. Mayor Hawkins stated she is working on the issue and is trying to get something going.

Councilmember Amenn stated he would continue to look into what he perceives as problems with the use of the City Attorney, legal billings, and other issues that he read from a statement.

Councilmember Price stated it appears the park is coming along but he noticed a thorn tree in the park. It could cause problems. Public Works Director Light will check it out.

Mayor Hawkins provided background information to a citizen request for installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Evergreen Way and Timber Lane. By motion of Council-members Amenn and Price, the Council approved the installation of the stop sign. Councilmember Price thanked the citizens involved for putting together such a good presentation request.

Mayor Hawkins provided background information and read the resolution, being a resolution accepting the construction work for Well #3 Emergency Generator Improvements. By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, the Resolution was adopted.

Mayor Hawkins explained that the engineering contract for Gateway Park does not provide for construction management services provided by the engineers once the project is in construction mode. The proposed contract, in the amount of $16,800, does add to the project cost. Bill Reynolds, the City Engineer for the project, provided additional information. After discussion, by motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Turner the contract agreement was approved.

City Clerk Gilleland read the resolution as requested by Councilmember Amenn, being a resolution authorizing a twenty three percent increase in the regular property tax levy for 2005. Councilmember Amenn made a motion to hold another public hearing regarding revenues. The motion died for lack of second. By motion of Councilmembers Price and Hunt, the resolution was adopted. Councilmember Amenn voted no.

Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed letter to area agencies and organizations advising them that Councilmember Amenn does not represent the views, opinions or decisions of the Gold Bar City Council. The Agenda Bill contained a request for Council to approve the proposed letter, to authorize all Councilmembers listed to sign it, to authorize the letter be sent to agencies, and to approve the removal of Councilmember Amenn from representation of Gold Bar at the Snohomish County Tomorrow meetings. Councilmember Amenn requested that his name be added to the letter as well and he would sign it.

It was moved and seconded by Councilmembers Amenn and Turner to approve the letter for signature, including Councilmember Amenn’s name and signature, and to send it to the agencies and organizations. Motion carried. By motion of Councilmembers Turner and Hunt, Council voted to remove Councilmember Amenn from representing the City at the Snohomish County Tomorrow meetings. Councilmember Amenn abstained. By motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Price, Council appointed Councilmember Turner to represent the City at the Snohomish County Tomorrow meetings.

City Clerk Gilleland gave a second reading, by title only, to an ordinance levying the general taxes for the City of Gold Bar for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2005, on all property, both real and personal, in said City which is subject to taxation for the purpose of paying sufficient revenue to carry on the several departments of said city. City Clerk Gilleland pointed out that she has inserted correct amounts into Section 1. By motion of Councilmembers Price and Hunt, the ordinance was approved for second reading and adoption. Councilmember Amenn abstained.

The item remained on the table.

Frank Linth thanked all those that participated with the meth lab workshop. There was an excellent turnout. Another presentation will be at the Sultan Library tomorrow at 7 PM.

Bert McClellan complimented the work performed on the generator at Well #3, stating that the generator appears to be a good quality product. It is one of the quietest generators he has ever heard.

Tami Rockman asked if there were many meth labs in town. Chief Ruchty says we don’t have that many problems here.

Vicki McDaniel thanked Frank Linth for the meth lab workshop and announced that she has raised $63 for the City’s Animal Control expenses by accepting donations for home-made dog treats. She turned the cash contributions over to the City Clerk.

Mayor Hawkins recessed the regular meeting to Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations for approximately 15 minutes. No action would be taken after the session. The meeting reconvened at the stated time.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by motion of Councilmember Amenn.

ATTEST: ________________________

Colleen Hawkins, Mayor

____________________________

Hester Gilleland, Clerk-Treasurer