CITY OF GOLD BAR

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

Mayor Hawkins called the meeting to order with Councilmembers Price, Amenn, Norris, and Turner present.  By motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Price, Councilmember Hill was excused due to a work-related issue.  Chief Ruchty, Public Works Director Light and City Clerk Gilleland were also present.

AGENDA APPROVAL

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, the Agenda was amended to add the tabled item, Council Policies and Procedures, under Old Business.

MINUTES APPROVAL (None)

VOUCHER APPROVAL

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Norris, Payroll in the amount of $23,832.41, paid by check #2791 through #2808.

CITIZEN COMMENTS/AGENDA ITEMS

No comments were offered.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Town Meeting:  Mayor Hawkins reported the School gym is not available for the Town Meeting but the Fire Hall is.  Al Robinson, School Superintendent, stated the School may be available due to cancellations.  Mayor Hawkins stated she would check again.  Further discussion set the meeting for a Saturday, from 2 PM to 4 PM, and that it would be continued to a following Council Meeting for those that could not attend on a Saturday.  The topic will be to discuss the petition that was circulated regarding the Utility Tax increase and other water issues that have been brought up in recent months.  Mayor Hawkins explained that, although there were sufficient signatures on the petition, the petition has been declared invalid.  The reasons for the petition’s invalidity would be discussed later during this meeting.  Mayor Hawkins explained that Council had the choice of disregarding the petition and leaving the utility tax increase in place; holding a Town Meeting to gain citizen input before making a decision; holding an election regarding the tax; or repealing the ordinance outright.

Retreat:  Mayor Hawkins stated she would postpone discussion and planning for the Council Retreat until Councilmember Hill was available.

Gateway Park:  Mayor Hawkins invited all to the ribbon cutting ceremony for Gateway Park on Saturday, March 12^th, at 1 PM.  She reminded Council she was counting on them to provide two to three dozen cookies each for that day.  Mayor Hawkins reported there will be two live bands and she has lined up a couple of speakers for the event.   A brief discussion was held regarding the invitation list.

Water System:  Mayor Hawkins called Council’s attention to the memo she wrote regarding recent rumors spread around town and inaccurate statements reportedly made by Councilmember Amenn, his wife, and a neighbor on 13^th Street, Tammy Rockman, regarding the Water System.  Attached to the memo are copies of tests and reports indicating our water meets and/or exceeds all Health Department standards. 

Mayor Hawkins reported that she has been dealing with a number of phone calls and meetings with citizens in a panic regarding our water quality.  She stated that if it is true those named have been spreading inaccurate statements, they could face litigation from the City for interference with a business relationship.  In addition, citizens could file a legal action for emotional distress.  Mayor Hawkins is working on a comprehensive letter to all Gold Bar water customers to address the issues.

Mayor Hawkins then addressed inaccurate statements made at the last meeting by Joan Amenn regarding the City receiving a “failing grade” from the Department of Health because of insufficient water funds.  She also addressed the silt problem a resident on 2^nd Street brought up at the last meeting.  She urged all citizens to come into City Hall and ask their questions in order to get the correct information.

STAFF REPORTS

City Clerk Gilleland called Council’s attention to the Staff Memo in the packet regarding the City’s Administration vehicle.  She explained that the car was declared surplus last year, sealed bids were advertised for with a minimum bid of $4,500, and bids received were withdrawn.  Staff re-advertised the car and received no bids.  Attached to the memo is a copy of the Kelley Blue Book valuation, ranging from $3,275 to $6,195, and a letter from the School District offering $2,800.  Staff recommends keeping the car.  By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, Council elected to retain the car.

City Clerk Gilleland provided a brief report on the Cities Legislative Action Conference (CLAC) she attended in Olympia recently.  She attended on a scholarship from AWC because she is a member of the AWC Small Cities Advisory Board.  She urged Councilmembers to keep track of small city issues on the AWC website and to contact the legislators on issues that are of interest to us.

City Clerk Gilleland informed Council that AWC is offering training in April regarding public meetings and public disclosure.  The information is posted on the website.

Chief Ruchty handed out a report for the first month of the regional contract.  He went over some of the details regarding the statistics for calls for service.  Mayor Hawkins stated she continues to hear good things about the department and the coverage received under the new contract, not only from citizens, but from those outside our city limits.

City Clerk Gilleland, stating that the City Attorney advised her to formally address the petition issue at this meeting because she wasn’t at the last meeting, announced that as the Filing Officer of the City she declares the petition to be significantly defective due to the fact the ordinance in question was not attached to the petitions circulated.  The Council could voluntarily hold and pay for a special election, they could keep the ordinance, or they could repeal the ordinance.  Mayor Hawkins stated that her recommendation, as well as staff’s recommendation, would be not to call for an election because of the costs involved.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilmember Turner thanked Chief Ruchty and his department for handling the skateboarders on 3^rd Street.  He announced the pancake breakfast to raise money for the kids going to Washington DC.  Councilmember Turner reported that he had conducted his own survey of 2^nd and 3^rd Street.  He found that those he spoke with had not been surveyed and they had no problem with the water.  Councilmember Turner then respectfully requested Councilmember Amenn’s resignation from the Council.

Councilmember Amenn stated his wife’s comments at the last meeting came out of the Water Comp Plan.  Councilmember Amenn denied providing information to the people bringing their concerns to the Mayor and Council.  He has only discussed issues with his neighbors on 13^th Street.  Councilmember Amenn then asked Council if they would authorize him to pay Gold Bar’s dues to the Cities and Towns organization.  Council consensus authorized him to pay the dues.

Councilmember Price asked Chief Ruchty if it was proper to call 911, stating it is a non emergency, when there are skateboarders in the park.  Chief Ruchty stated yes, it was the right procedure to follow.  Some discussion followed.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION:  Adopt NIMS

Mayor Hawkins read the resolution by title, being a resolution adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed Resolution and the NIMS, referring to the presentation during a previous Council meeting.  By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, the resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION:  Garbage Rates

Mayor Hawkins read the resolution by title, being a resolution establishing garbage collection fees.  Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed resolution.  By motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Turner, the resolution was adopted.

ORDINANCE:  Critical Areas (First Reading)

Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed ordinance, the UGA expansion, the GMA Plan update, and the sewer feasibility study and how they all tie in together.  The City was denied the Public Works Trust Fund loan for the study because we had not yet formally adopted our new Critical Areas Ordinance.  She pointed out the comments from various agencies entered into the record included in the Council packets and the City Attorney.  She suggested Council may want to consider adopting the more stringent buffers recommended by the State in order to avoid a challenge to our ordinance and to not jeopardize the funding of our loan for the feasibility study. 

Councilmember Norris pointed out that the buffers were the same as Snohomish County had at the time the Planning Commission was reviewing the document and that they were increased from the previously adopted ordinance.  He also mentioned if the City adopted the more stringent buffers, it would severely limit development.  Some discussion followed.

City Clerk Gilleland gave a first reading, by title only, to an ordinance replacing Chapter 18.08 (Sensitive Areas) in order to protect and regulate critical areas as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act, including critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and wetlands, providing for severability and establishing a effective date.

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, the ordinance was accepted for introduction and first reading.

OLD BUSINESS

COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROEDURES (Tabled)

This item remained on the table.

CITIZEN COMMENTS/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Bert McClellan complained that the new type garbage truck used by Rabanco allows paper to fall out and blow all over.  Mayor Hawkins will contact Rabanco.

Al White thanked John for taking care of the problem on 1^st Street.  He then asked what the weather is doing to our water table.

Al Robinson, Sultan School District, wanted to clarify the School District is not sending the 8^th grade class to Washington DC.  It is a private effort.  Regarding the City Vehicle for sale, the School District could use the car and they are willing to discuss the price.  He received a call from a State Representative asking about school impact fees.  He wanted Council to know that he will be requesting a report of building activity on an annual basis from the City.  He then stated he had been contacted by a resident on 2^nd Street about the silt in the water.  He stated the District was very satisfied with the water provided by the City and they have complete faith in the water system.

Councilmember Turner asked about the progress on the new school.  Mr. Robinson stated he would give a complete report at the next Council meeting.  Mayor Hawkins stated it would be set as an Agenda Item.

Vicky McDaniel asked Chief Ruchty what is the major item called in to 911.  Chief Ruchty replied it was probably assists to the Fire Department.  She then asked if she could have a copy of the Critical Areas ordinance.  Mayor Hawkins stated there are copies available in City Hall.  Ms. McDaniel asked for clarification regarding the Cities and Towns organization.  Is Council agreeing to allow Councilmember Amenn to represent the City at the meetings?  Mayor Hawkins clarified he was just going to pay the dues.  Councilmember Amenn stated he would not be representing the City. 

Tracey Cotterill asked about the jail contract.  Is it retroactive and are the costs shared with other arresting agencies?  Mayor Hawkins explained where we were in the process of contracting for jail services and that, to her knowledge, if other agencies are involved, the costs are shared.

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

ATTEST:                                                                                 ________________________

                                                                                                Colleen Hawkins, Mayor

____________________________

Hester Gilleland, Clerk-Treasurer