CITY OF GOLD BAR

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, May 17, 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

Mayor Hawkins requested the Agenda be amended to allow a brief presentation by Stacey Anderson regarding her son, Jaden Reilly, who has been chosen to participate in a student exchange program to Australia.  She requested the presentation be inserted into the Agenda when Ms. Anderson arrives.  By motion of Councilmembers Price and Amenn, the Agenda was approved as amended.

MINUTES APPROVAL  (None)

VOUCHER APPROVAL

By motion of Councilmembers Price and Norris, claims vouchers in the amount of $27,579.36, paid by checks #12390 through #12426, were approved for payment.  Councilmember Amenn requested to see the voucher for Ronn Seward.  Mayor Hawkins stated vouchers are available for review in City Hall.  He also requested additional information regarding the sweeper repairs.  Public Works Director Light provided the requested information.

CITIZEN COMMENTS/AGENDA ITEMS

No comments were offered.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Hawkins announced the Council Retreat on Saturday, from 9 AM to 4 PM, to be held at the Gold Bar Elementary School library, and provided information regarding the proposed schedule for the Retreat.

Mayor Hawkins reported she has contacted the City of Sultan and their workshop regarding the Salmon Forum will be essentially the same presentation we received from Martha Neuman.  Mayor Hawkins spoke with Connie Dunn, Public Works Director for Sultan, and Mayor Tolson.  The Sultan Council has not expressed any particular problems with the proposed Plan.  Our Council is invited to attend their presentation. 

Mayor reported she attended a meeting with city representatives from Snohomish, Monroe, and Sultan.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of forming a regional justice system with a court, judge, prosecutor, and possibly a jail.  She provided some background information and stated she will have more to report on this planning effort at a later date.  The planning could eventually include emergency management.

Mayor Hawkins reported SB6050 has been signed, to be effective August 1^st.  The first disbursement to the cities included in the bill should be in October.

Mayor Hawkins stated she has no additional information at this time regarding the County Council attempt to recoup indirect costs for the law enforcement contract.  She is still gathering information regarding the issue.

Mayor Hawkins reported we received a bill from the County for approximately $89,000 for the megahertz system.  Staff pulled out the contracts and cover letters and discovered the system was not rolled into the contract.  Staff and Council missed this information during review.  Mayor Hawkins stated there are potential loopholes in the contract and the State Constitution.  She is working on an argument regarding the issue and will keep Council informed.  Some discussion followed.  Councilmember Amenn requested a Council consensus to hold a workshop on the Sheriff’s Contract.  No consensus was given.

PRESENTATION: Jaden Reilly

Stacey Anderson introduced her son, Jaden.  Jaden is a 5^th grade student at Gold Bar Elementary and he has been invited to study in Australia this summer.  Ms. Anderson provided background information regarding the program.  Tuition for the program is $4,500 and sponsors are needed to help defray the costs.  Donations will be greatly appreciated.  Information and donations may be made at City Hall.

STAFF REPORTS

Public Works Director Light reported on a recent meeting of the transition team regarding DEM.  They are looking at assets and interlocal agreements.  He also attended a meeting in Monroe with cities in the valley to look at alternatives that did not include the County.  He will keep the Council informed as the issue continues to be discussed.

Public Works Director Light reported TIB small cities funding would be about $2 million.  He provided background information regarding the Small Cities program.  We will be informed when the grant funds are available.

Councilmember Amenn asked if the Annual Report was completed and requested a copy.  City Clerk Gilleland explained the Annual Report will be completed by the deadline of May 29^th and copies would be distributed to all of the Councilmembers as soon thereafter as possible.

Chief Ruchty reported the deputies shut down another meth lab.  He reported on enforcement activities on First Street.  Chief Ruchty also stated the Sheriff’s Office supports Gold Bar’s efforts regarding the contract for services.  Chief Ruchty explained the process involved with drug related abatement procedures.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilmember Hill thanked Chief Ruchty for patrolling First Street and for other activities around the City, especially the meth lab enforcement.

Councilmember Amenn voiced his opinion regarding Council actions taken on contracts and other issues up for review and adoption. He complained that he doesn’t have enough time to review and research issues.  Mayor Hawkins called Councilmember Amenn out of order for disparaging remarks directed at other Councilmembers and the audience.

Councilmember Turner thanked the Chief for the enforcement efforts in town.

NEW BUSINESS

GRANT CONTRACT:  UGA Fiscal Analysis

Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed DCTED planning grant, in the amount of $10,000, stating it dovetails with the sewer feasibility study.  After discussion, by motion of Councilmembers Hill and Turner, Council approved the grant contract and authorized the Mayor to sign it.

CONSULTANT AGREEMENT:  UGA Fiscal Analysis

Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed planning consultant agreement with Berryman and Henigar for the above-mentioned grant.  By motion of Councilmembers Amenn and Norris, the Mayor was authorized to sign the consultant agreement.

LOAN AGREEMENT:  Sewer Feasibility Study

Mayor Hawkins provided background information regarding the proposed Public Works Trust Fund agreement for the Sewer Feasibility Study that has been approved by the Public Works Trust Fund Board.   Councilmembers Price and Turner moved to approve the loan agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.  Councilmember Amenn asked if he could receive contracts when the attorney receives them so he could have time to review them.  He also asked about loan repayment.  Mayor Hawkins stated the repayment issue could be dealt with at budget time.  City Clerk Gilleland provided information regarding potential options for repayment.  After discussion, Councilmember Amenn moved to table the issue.  Motion died for lack of a second.  The motion to approve carried.

OLD BUSINESS

RESOLUTION:  Salmon Forum (Tabled)

Mayor Hawkins attempted to provide information regarding background to the Salmon Forum, the endangered species act, and why the Plan was formulated.  Councilmember Amenn interrupted the Mayor a number of times and was ruled out of order. 

Mayor Hawkins called a five-minute recess.  Councilmember Amenn was requested not to interrupt the meeting again when it reconvened.  The meeting reconvened within the stated time. 

Mayor Hawkins stated she would continue her attempt to provide the background information.  She requested Council to adjourn the meeting if the interruptions continued.  She then proceeded with the information for the Council.

Some discussion followed.  Councilmember Amenn was again allowed to voice his objections to the Plan.  Councilmember Amenn would not release the floor to others for discussion.  Mayor Hawkins requested adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned by motion of Councilmember Amenn.

(Clerk’s Note:  Due to the premature adjournment of the council meeting, the Resolution was not voted on and the Agenda Items listed below were not addressed.)

SELECT WATER COMMITTEE

COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (Tabled)

CITIZEN COMMENTS/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

ATTEST:                                                                                 ________________________

                                                                                                Colleen Hawkins, Mayor

_________________________________

Hester L. Gilleland, City Clerk-Treasurer