CITY OF GOLD BAR

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

 

 

CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

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

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

Councilmembers Turner and Norris moved to approve the Agenda.  Councilmember Amenn stated he thought tonight would be a continuation of the town meeting and he didn’t see it on the Agenda.  Mayor Hawkins stated that subject would be covered under the Agenda topic for utility tax discussion and under Citizen Comments on Agenda Items.  Councilmember Amenn asked to table the zoning code ordinance because he hadn’t had time to review it and he wanted to hold a work session on it.  No second to his request was made.  Councilmember Amenn had a number of questions regarding the vouchers and suggested the presentation on the Salmon Forum Plan be placed on the Agenda prior to Voucher Approval so Ms. Neuman wouldn’t have to wait through the voucher process.   Councilmembers Norris and Amenn moved to amend the Agenda by allowing the presentation before Voucher Approval.  Motion carried to approve the Agenda as amended.

 

MINUTES APPROVAL (None)

 

PRESENTATION:  Martha Neuman, Sr. Planner

SNOHOMISH BASIN SALMON CONSERVATION PLAN

Martha Neuman provided information about the Plan, including a brief history of the project, why it was done, who participated, what are the recovery efforts outlined, and what commitments, if any, are being asked of jurisdictions involved.  There are no particular projects specifically for Gold Bar to commit to.  Discussion followed.

 

Mayor Hawkins provided information regarding the proposed resolution endorsing the Plan included in the packet.  She does not expect adoption tonight but wanted Council to have time to review it.  Mayor Hawkins stated there is a copy of the Plan in City Hall.  It is also on the County’s website.  The resolution will be introduced in May for adoption.

 

 

VOUCHER APPROVAL

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Hill, claims vouchers in the amount of $85,074.12, paid by checks #12359 through #12389, were approved for payment.

Councilmember Amenn had a number of questions regarding the vouchers.

 

CITIZENS COMMENTS/AGENDA ITEMS

Samantha Hockett asked about the proposed Water Committee to be formed by Council.  Mayor Hawkins explained the purpose of the committee.  Mayor Hawkins announced that there is a sign up sheet for the committee on the counter at City hall and information has been posted.  Some discussion followed regarding the PUD water system and operations.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Hawkins again reported that a citizen water committee was being formed and that the sign up sheet is in City Hall.  She also reminded everyone that we still have a vacancy on the Planning Commission.  Anyone interested in serving on the Commission should send her a letter of intent, describing their relevant experience that would make them an appropriate appointment to the Commission.

 

Mayor Hawkins reported she sent a letter to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) requesting the proposed $10,000 grant to research the financial sustainability regarding a sewer system.  This grant would coincide with our sewer feasibility study.  She received word that we were approved for the grant and the grant contract with a scope of work would be before the Council at the next meeting.  Mayor Hawkins also reported the Public Works Trust Fund request has been resubmitted and we have been assured approval for the loan this time.

 

Mayor Hawkins reported on the DEM issue.  The County wants to dissolve the current DEM and take it over.  She called Council’s attention to the information she provided in the packet regarding the issues involved.  Some discussion followed.

 

Councilmember Amenn asked about the Wild Sky information provided in the packet and if the Mayor was endorsing the issue.  Mayor Hawkins stated she is not endorsing the issue but provided the information for those that may be interested in it.  Mayor Hawkins would like to bring representatives from both sides of the issue to a meeting for a brief presentation.  Some discussion followed.

 

 

STAFF REPORTS

Public Works Director Light reported on the Highway 2 Coalition work group efforts to obtain a grant for a route development plan and to study safety issues.  Councilmember Amenn asked why the City didn’t use Dick Johnson to repair the street sweeper.  Public Works Director Light explained the sweeper had reached the state of disrepair that required precision repairs. A shop specializing in that equipment can only do this type of repair.  Some discussion followed.

 

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilmember Turner stated we really need to get City Hall taken care of.  It needs to be pressure washed and stained.  Discussion followed regarding volunteers and potential liability issues.  Staff will research the liability issue.

 

Councilmember Amenn thanked all those that participated in the town meeting.  He then asked why the City is mowing this summer.  Public Works Director Light stated it makes our main street look good and it could be a fire hazard if it isn’t done.  Many citizens complain if it isn’t done.  Some discussion followed.

 

NEW BUSINESS (None)

 

OLD BUSINESS

DISCUSSION:  Utility Tax Ordinance and Petition

Mayor Hawkins explained this item was on the Agenda as a follow up to the town meeting and the petition against the Utility Tax Ordinance.  Council has the option to voluntarily set the issue on a special ballot, at a potential cost to the City of up to $8,000.  Other options are to repeal the tax, do nothing and leave it as it is, or table the issue for discussion until later.  Some discussion followed.  By motion of Councilmember Amenn and Norris, Council tabled any discussion on the issue for one month.

 

ORDINANCE:  Council Compensation (2nd Reading)

City Clerk Gilleland gave a second reading to an ordinance amending the council compensation section of the Gold bar Municipal Code.  By motion of Councilmembers Price and Hill, the ordinance was accepted for second reading and adoption.

 

ORDINANCE:  Amend Zoning Code (2nd Reading)

Councilmember Amenn requested the ordinance be read in its entirety, stating he would withdraw his request if Council agreed to table the ordinance to give him additional time to review it.  Councilmember Amenn then moved to table the ordinance.  The motion died for lack of a second.  Before reading the ordinance, Mayor Hawkins called a five-minute recess.  The meeting reconvened and Mayor Hawkins read the twelve-page ordinance in its entirety.  By motion of Councilmembers Price and Turner, the ordinance was accepted for second reading and adoption.

 

COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (Tabled)

This item remained on the table.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Ron Jellison commented that property values drop if a city disincorporates and suggested everyone should give that some thought and work together to prevent it.  If we have to pay more taxes, that may be not what we want to do, but necessary to keep our town going.  Samantha Hockett commented regarding the town meeting and her interpretation of what was said at the meeting.

 

Councilmember Hill stated when she reviewed her notes from the last meeting, we were supposed to discuss the Snohomish County Tomorrow issue.  Mayor Hawkins apologized for the oversight and it would be on the next agenda.

 

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

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                 ________________________

                                                                                                Colleen Hawkins, Mayor

_________________________________

Hester L. Gilleland, City Clerk-Treasurer