JOE'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

TUESDAY  SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

The following are from my notes taken at the council meeting.  They are not intended to be minutes of the meeting.  My comments are in italics.

This was a special meeting, called to cover agenda items that did not get handled at the previous regular meeting.  Mayor Hill was not in attendance initially, as she was presiding over the start of the Planning Commission meeting which was held at the same time in a different area of City Hall.  All council members except Richard Norris were present.  Norris had called in his absence earlier and was excused.

In the Mayor's absence, Robert Amenn called the meeting to order.  After the flag salute, Lonn Turner asked that a minute of silence be observed for the September 11 victims.  This was done.

The agenda was approved.

NEW BUSINESS

1)         Discussion of Events Committee and Gold Dust Days

Lonn Turner said he was working with Dennis Blanchett on this.  They were working with the Show-N-Shine gal (Andrea Dinsmore ) and would need about $ 400 for advertising in a car club magazine.  They expected to close Lewis between 3rd and 5th Streets for the show, leaving one lane open for emergency vehicles.  Lonn said he had been in contact with gem collectors and mining organizations about the event.  The expected date is July 26-28 due to car club availability.  Lonn is getting hold of arcade companies and talking to Sultan for vendor charges.  He expects the city to make money on this.

Dorothy asked if there was going to be a committee for this.  Lonn answered that he had been working on it and is accepting volunteers.

Robert asked if he was willing to do a press release.  Lonn answered it could use his name for sure, maybe Dennis would also agree.

Lonn said he would have to schmooze with the new school superintendent when he/she arrives.  Also, WSDOT said no crosswalk on US2, so the US 2 Park would not be usable.

Robert asked if local businesses were included.  Lonn said that he and Dennis were to visit all the local businesses, all of whom would benefit from the event.

Jerry asked if there were any type of gold-related ideas.  Lonn said there was a guy who had a sluice box and pans and would show kids how to pan gold.  Jerry said maybe we could have multiple "gold" events. 

Al White said to check with the Boeing prospectors club.  Lonn assented.

Robert said that Lonn was making a fantastic step in the right direction.  He went on to say that an event for every major holiday would be good, e.g. Halloween, tree lighting on Christmas, etc.  He said there was support on the council for citizens to step up.  He noted a potential Haunted House, supporting some non-profit with $ 1 donations could be set up. 

Lonn noted that the school has been doing a Halloween night, he likes the idea.  Robert said the city could amplify the school efforts.  Lonn said the city could maybe back Leon for his Easter Egg Hunt.

2)         Discussion of Speed Bumps on 1st Street

Jerry reported that he went to Bothell and Kirkland with John Light ( who was attending the Planning Commission meeting ) and looked at calming devices.  Bothell has islands coming out into the streets, which slowed traffic well.  Kirkland used speed bumps, that he was originally against speed bumps, but now think they work well if wide and well marked.  He said that traffic slowed and stayed slow.  The speed bumps were 6-8 feet wide, slowly rising to their height.  They were marked so well, you slow down ahead of them, no way to harm your vehicle.

Lee Gerry asked at what speed did they drive over the humps, Jerry said 25-30 mph.  Ollie Ericson ( ?? ) said that 1st and others are designated arterials and questioned the effect on emergency vehicles.  Lonn noted that he had spoken with Eric Andrews ( Fire Chief ) about this and the humps would be no problem.  Ollie then said humps would be requested on all streets.

Cheryl Crumpler asked when the bridge on 1st Street is to be worked on.  Lonn said the engineers were doing their thing.  Robert said the work was originally to start in September, now it will be later.  Lonn then read from a Herald column by the Car Talk guys of PBS that noted that speed bumps do not harm suspensions when cars obey the speed limits.  Lonn said he wanted to have a Town Meeting on this, putting door hangers on the doors of affected residents.  Mayor Hill then arrived and took over the Chair.  Cheryl then said to put door hangers on the doors of all residents as more are affected than just the people living on the affected streets.

Mayor Hill then asked to set a date for the Town Meeting.  Robert said he had tried to talk with the citizens about this.  He said that the policing model makes it difficult to enforce speeding laws and that speed bumps were the best solution at this time.  Robert noted that the council had consensus on speed bumps.  Lonn said that he was not for or against them. 

3)         Discussion: Creation of Security and Safety Council Taskforce; Jerry Wood and Lonn Turner to explore policing issues.

Robert said that twice before businesses and citizens came out with policing issues and that hopefully, the Chief will fix the problems.  He noted that Lonn and Jerry should get together and see if the problem is citywide.  Crystal said citywide what. Robert said policing issues, speeding on Pickle Farm Road, May Creek Road, First Street.  He went on to say that if Gold Bar had a police force dedicated to the city, they could sit and control speeds.  He noted that Creekside citizens felt the response times on 911 not fast enough.

Crystal asked what Robert was proposing, Gold Bar force only, add a Deputy, adjust contract ?  Robert said he has a personal concept, all of the three were fine solutions, just what will do the job.  Jerry said he thought that two things will help, school starting will help and an extra officer would help.  Crystal asked if the council wanted a two-year analysis of crime.  Essentially all of the council said yes, they expect a report at every meeting.  Robert said this issue has been at the council for months.  Lonn said to prepare data before a regular meeting.  He went on to say that the new contract didn't change anything, that presence changed when the Sheriff moved out of Creekside.  Robert noted that it was a big area for one man to cover, with meth labs, drugs, and domestic violence being the major responses.  He suggested renegotiating the contract and maybe he has found $ 100K for an additional officer.  Lonn asked if the new officer would be dedicated to Gold Bar, Robert said it was our choice.  Crystal said she had been in discussion with the Sheriff for an additional officer and that should be considered for the new budget.

Robert said if an additional officer, then go to a vote for a levy, and do this by November in order to utilize that election.  Crystal said there was no way they could get this done in time for the November election.  The City Attorney said you had to file 45 days before the election.  Robert said there was quite a bit of angst over policing and if we wait, it may evaporate.  He noted that the Fire Department asks for a levy lift every two years, and noted Sultan's levy proposal. 

Crystal asked how did the agenda change from a committee formation to proposing an election.  Robert said he would be glad to work on this.  Crystal said there were no actions to be taken at this special meeting.  Lonn said he was OK with working with Jerry.  He thought we ought to wait to see what shakes out with the Sultan levy.  He noted that a levy costs money and we have a shortage of time.  He said that when we had a police to sheriff change, it was very whooie ( is that a word ?? ).

Robert said to have a report on this by next council meeting.  Lonn said there were no guarantees as the meeting was only one week away.  Crystal said maybe we should put it on the next agenda for discussion.  Robert said with action.  Things seemed to work out after that, although I am not sure what exactly was agreed upon.

OLD BUSINESS

1)         Discussion:  Financial Audit Committee

Crystal noted that the committee members had not yet been appointed.  Dorothy noted that she did not want to head the committee, but she would help.  Crystal noted that the committee had no head, no members and no scope.  Robert said that it did have a scope.  Crystal said that the scope was not sufficient, that this would be set for some future meeting.  Robert said that the next meeting would be OK.

2)         Set two additional council meetings per month for September through December.

Crystal noted that the additional meetings would need to be on Tuesdays or Saturdays.  Robert suggested a meeting to set meetings for budget, UGA, John Light to present the city's strategy for the next meeting, and that confirming that with a unanimous vote would be good.  He also noted that the Water Safety Committee is to report soon.

Crystal said she was at a loss, no City Clerk, and to hold off on the budget.  The Water Safety meeting had not yet been set, hold a special UGA meeting or else multiple special meetings.  Robert said to discuss utility rates, property taxes, and compensation package.  Crystal asked if any others had comments, none did. 

Robert said we could send a preliminary budget and asked if the council wanted two additional meetings per month or special meetings.  Dorothy said there was no budget data, to have meetings as needed.  Lonn said meetings as needed.  Robert said OK.  Jerry mentioned revenue raising, utility rates, asked for any others.  Robert said compensation packages and PERS.  Dorothy asked if Jerry had a proposal for a PERS alternate.  Jerry said yes, something to share at another time.

3)         Set the Council Meeting agenda for the second meeting in September

Crystal then said to adopt the Sept 19 agenda as proposed.  Lonn said a finalized solution to 1st Street was on the next agenda.  Robert said yet, and talked a bit.  Lonn said finalized not a good word.  Robert said finalized no longer correct, change to come up with items.  Lonn said to cover speeding.  Robert asked when will we decide to put speed bumps in place.  Crystal and Robert had a discussion that I could not follow.  Lonn said to have a town meeting, that a council meeting was not a town meeting.  Robert said he agreed previously to have a town meeting, take testimony, go with speed bumps if no better solution, and to do it the next council meeting.  Crystal mentioned the financial impact.  Dorothy said that Lee Gerry offered to pay for two speed bumps on 1st Street.  Crystal said something I did not get, Lonn said the council room was not big enough for a town meeting.  Robert said to have a pilot program of $1,000.  Jerry said there was a need for a meeting so the citizens know what they have found.  Robert said to do it by the next meeting, Jerry said to come up with the paperwork by next meeting.  Dorothy said the decision was made to vote on it at the first meeting in September.  Robert said to have John Light give his recommendation and the council vote on it the next meeting.  Jerry said try it, if it doesn't work, remove it.  Crystal asked if that meant to finalize the effort at the next meeting.  Dorothy made a motion to finalize the solution for 1st Street at the next meeting.  Lonn said he opposes that decision in favor of a town meeting.  Jerry said make it "work toward" or "try to" finalize it.  The motion passed 3-1.  

4)         Council policies and procedures (tabled)

Dorothy said to take this item off of the agenda, and made a motion to remove it.

Lonn said he wanted another retreat to iron out worries and woes and to revise our vision statement.  Crystal said the facilitator could not make the previous spring time retreat and that the council had budget questions over the $ 1,000 fee and the rental costs.  Lonn said to look at the retreat again in the spring.  The motion to remove this passed 4-0.

The motion to adjourn passed 4-0.