--- date: "2006-03-08" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2006-03-08" source: "2006-03-08-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 8, 2006 Attended: Jim Hamsher, Mayor Tom McAuslan, Councilor Mark Wishard, Councilor Marvin Casebeer, Councilor Mike Springer, Councilor Roger McKinley, Councilor Don Strong, Councilor Bob Titus, Public Works Joe Hitz Larry Walters Butch Goslin Don Moss Mayor Hamsher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The roll was called, all members being present. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the February 22, 2006 meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes of February 22, 2006 as written, Marvin Casebeer/Mike Springer. The Council recognized Butch Goslin of Hank’s Sanitation who addressed them regarding his revoked authorization to dump septic waste into the wastewater lagoons. He was asked if he knew why authorization had been revoked, i.e., that none of the loads he had dumped into the City’s lagoons had been recorded or paid for since July 2005. He said he did. He then said he was ready to settle up with the City and hoped to get his authorization back. Tom McAuslan replied that he needed to settle up with the City whether authorization was reinstated or not. He agreed. It was noted that the Council had voted unanimously to revoke the authorization, however Mayor Hamsher interjected that he had abstained from voting due to his involvement in the issue. It was reiterated that the policy was being followed until the rate increase was put into place. After that no loads were being reported although it was apparent Goslin was stilling dumping waste into the lagoons. Goslin asked if the Council would reconsider. Roger McKinley said they had made a decision and were sticking to it. Goslin then gave the Council an accounting of his waste log for the time period of August 1, 2005 through January 4, 2006 and presented a check in the amount of $2,122.00 in payment. The Council recognized Don Moss of Don Moss Enterprises. Mr. Moss asked the Council to consider granting him authorization to dump in the wastewater lagoons. He asked if there was any way he could dump on a weekend in the case of an emergency. He explained that it is a very rare occasion that someone calls on a Saturday or Sunday and needs the service, but when it is freezing weather the tanks should be dumped immediately. He offered that he would be willing to pay an additional fee for the service. After some discussion, it was agreed that he could be provided a call list. MSP: To Minutes March 8, 2006 grant Don Moss dba Don Moss Enterprises permission to dump septic waste into the wastewater lagoons and to provide a letter of authorization to the DEQ, Mike Springer/Roger McKinley. Landfill: A written report was received by the Council. It was reported that the road is still muddy. Public Works: Bob Titus reported that wastewater cell #2 is losing water. He estimated that it had dropped 1 ½’ between February 6 and March 3. He said he had contacted the DEQ and that they would help determine how to fix the problem. It is likely that the cell must be drained and re-lined. Titus was instructed to stay in contact with the DEQ on the subject and to look into possible solutions. The Recorder reminded the Council that the Wastewater Treatment and Sewer Funds do not have the money to pay for repairs because all the reserves had been spent. In other business Titus said they had installed a 2” water meter at Depot Park. He was asked if the all the locks had been changed on the gate to the wastewater lagoons. He said yes. Jim Hamsher told the Council a structure had been built at the shooting range and expressed his concern that it might have required a permit and that whoever did it should have consulted the City first. The Recorder noted that she had asked Officer Wood about it and that he indicated he had contacted Building Codes and been told no permit was necessary. He also said he had been appointed Rangemaster by Chief Jaenig a number of years ago and had not been aware of any policy regarding management of the range. There was discussion of possible liability if the structure isn’t sound. It was agreed that the Council should contact Wood to clarify what the structure is used for. Well Drilling: Joe Hitz was asked if he had sent a letter to Water Resources regarding the well drilling amendment. He indicated he had. He said the City still needs to complete its Water Management and Conservation Plan and said he needs some input. He said the City must actually follow the plan once it is in place because in 5 years they will have to file a report to that effect. He asked if there is an emergency plan in place for water. It was determined that there is not. He said the City must show they have procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Bob thought Georgia might have attended a class on the subject. Hitz said he was working on a rough draft of the contract for well drilling but had some questions regarding road grading and whether or not the pumps should be set after drilling and testing. It was noted that City equipment and personnel be used as much as possible for grading. Hitz said a possible bid closing date of April 11 could be set. He suggested giving the contractor 45 days to complete the project after notice to proceed. If the project is not completed in that time the City could impose a fine, however he said the fine would have to be justified. He said that when determining how much the fine would be, they would have to make it reasonable, i.e., $250 per day (what the City would be fined if they don’t meet their schedule) plus administrative costs. Larry Walters asked Minutes March 8, 2006 who the project manager is. The Council said they are. He commented that he hoped they had a lot of extra time on their hands and suggested that usually an employee or other full time person served as project managers. The subject of the landowner agreements was brought up and it was determined that another two weeks had gone by and no one had contacted John Coombs to explain the potential problems with providing half price water to the school as part of his compensation. It was agreed that it must done legally or the contract would not hold up which is what Coombs wants to avoid. It was suggested that he be paid on a lease basis and then he could give the money to the school or pay their water bill with it. It was determined that no one had been in contact with Fred Winegar either. It was stressed that the landowner agreements need to be in place before drilling begins. Joe Hitz said he would contact Winegar. Jim Hamsher said he would contact John Coombs. It was agreed they would contact other members of the Council to set up meetings. They also said they would answer Joe’s questions at those meetings. Accounts Payable: The City Recorder gave the Council members an over-spending alert on the Sewer, Water, Wastewater Treatment and Road Funds. MSP: To approve the payables, Mike Springer/Marvin Casebeer. The Council was asked to consider the appointment of Larry Walters to the Budget Committee. Mr. Walters addressed the Council and stated his interest and gave them some background. MSP: To appoint Larry Walters to the Budget Committee, Mike Springer/Roger McKinley. Resolution 2006-02 to increase the sewer rate was considered. The resolution was read aloud. MSP: To adopt Resolution 2006-02 increasing the sewer rate to $40, Tom McAuslan/Mike Springer. The Council addressed correspondence from Sarolta Sperry and she was asked if she would like to speak. She expressed concern that the City Charter and Ordinances provide for review and updates but it appears nothing ever gets done. She suggested that Councilors have job descriptions so they know what is expected of them. She also noted that developing job descriptions for the employees remains on the list of things that need to be done and had been there since 2003. She said job descriptions are needed in order for efficient operation of the City. The Mayor said the Council has to focus on the water project for now. Sperry also said it would be beneficial if the Council would work harder to communicate with the public and keep them informed of what is going on. She was told that the public is welcome to attend Council meetings if they want to be informed. Mike Springer noted that he and the Recorder had begun working on the job descriptions and that they would continue. The Council the addressed a request for an explanation of who authorized the pruning of the tree in the park and why. Bob Titus was asked who did it and he said a volunteer, Mike Billman. When asked why, he said it was because Georgia Patterson wanted it done and that he had authorized it. It was agreed the tree looked bad and the Recorder Minutes March 8, 2006 said that besides the letter of complaint from the merchants, numerous citizens had commented and expressed displeasure at what had been done. Roger McKinley wanted to know just who the merchants were. Stan Horrell said he had been at the meeting of the merchants and said they felt the City could have found something more important to work on than that. While at least one Council member commented that the tree looks like hell, the general feeling was that there was nothing that could be done about it now and it was likened to crying over spilled milk. Mike Springer suggested a response be sent to the merchants. The Recorder declined to write the letter citing that she was as upset as everyone else over it and could not write an objective letter. Mike Springer agreed to write the letter. The Recorder was asked how the plans for the July 4 Fireworks were coming. She replied that she had received approval from the owner of the Oxbow to hold the event on the ranch property. It was agreed that the Council needs to continue working on the sewer rate structure, i.e., how multiple units and businesses are charged. The Recorder said they still need to revise and update the ordinance first and would provide them with a copy. They agreed to address it at the March 22 meeting. Roger McKinley asked what the City needs to do to sell the rock pit property. The Recorder advised they should get it appraised and offer it for sale. MSP: To secure an appraiser to estimate the value of the industrial site property, Roger McKinley/Mike Springer. There was more discussion of how water and sewer usage is billed. The Mayor said the Council would analyze the methods and come up with an equitable rate structure. 7:35 p.m. It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Jim Hamsher, Mayor Minutes March 8, 2006