--- date: "2007-09-12" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2007-09-12" source: "2007-09-12-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 12, 2007 Attended: Stan Horrell, Mayor Bill Harrington, Councilor Pam Woodworth, Councilor Jim Wood, Police Department Lyn McDonald, Planning Bob Titus, Public Works Georgia Patterson, Public Works Chris Camarena, Public Works Tim Coe Jim Munyon Tanni Wenger Ray Wenger Sandy Murray Linda Harrington Mona Lindsey Kathy Smith Delores Young Gary Knight Mike Simpson Kim Neault Mayor Horrell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The roll was called, Roger McKinley and Frank Primozic being absent. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the August meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes, Pam Woodworth/Bill Harrington. Mayor Horrell recognized Tanni Wenger. She addressed the Council and expressed her dissatisfaction with being given short notice that water service would be turned off temporarily at her place of business. She explained that she was given only a few minutes notice and that the water would be back on by noon. She said the water was not turned back on until after 4:00 p.m. however. Because of the nature of her business (salon) she had appointments that had been booked far in advance that could not be accommodated due to the water being unavailable and estimated that she had lost at least $165 in revenue and at least one client. She questioned why she could not have been given notice the day before in order to make arrangements. She said that Bob Titus had apologized for the disruption. The Council generally recognized and understood her frustration and asked Titus why it had happened. Titus said he just overlooked it. He was asked if public works has a policy regarding procedure and he said yes but did not say what it was. Bill Harrington said the City should 1) make sure it never happens again, 2) apologize to her clients in writing, and 3) compensate her. Harrington also cautioned that the City does not want to set a precedent by doing so however. Sandy Murray asked what the public works policy is regarding giving notice of interruption of service. Titus said “in a timely Minutes September 12, 2007 manner.” Mayor Horrell said they would be reviewing any policy and putting it in writing soon. The Council asked Mrs. Wenger if she had a remedy in mind and it was suggested that perhaps she could be given a credit for $165 on her water/sewer bill. MSP: To compensate Mrs. Wenger by crediting losses on her water/sewer bill, draft apology letters to her clients, and send Wenger a copy of the policy to hopefully prevent future problems, Bill Harrington/Pam Woodworth. Mrs. Wenger thanked the Council and gave them a summary of her lost revenue. 6:50 Linda Harrington addressed the Council on behalf of the PCCA and asked that the City help to maintain the covered wagon located outside of town. She explained that the community association would like to have public works install and removed the wagon cover coinciding with the open and close of the museum, typically May 15 and October 15. It was noted that the PCCA receives revenue for the advertisements on the wagon and she was asked if the PCCA would be willing to compensate the City for the service since it is outside the city limits. Harrington said they wanted it done for free and had not collected on the ads for quite some time. Mayor Horrell offered that he would volunteer his time. The question was also raised as to who would be responsible for repairs. Harrington said the PCCA would pay for all repairs. MSP: To assist with covering and uncovering the wagon in conjunction with the open and close of the museum, Pam Woodworth/Bill Harrington. The Council then recognized Tim Coe who addressed them regarding a number of concerns. He questioned the public works department’s procedure for implementing water rationing and asked if it couldn’t be regulated better. He also questioned why the City has 3 full time employees in the public works department and wanted to know if it is justified. He was told that the City is updating and implementing job descriptions and will be better able to answer the question once they get a handle on it. Coe expressed concern over a vacant lot located at 10th and McCallum and stated that besides being an eyesore, there is standing water that becomes stagnate and breeds mosquitoes. He said that he cannot even sit outside in the evening because the mosquitoes are so thick and cited a potential risk of West Nile Virus because of it. The Council authorized Officer Wood to investigate the property as a nuisance. Also of concern was the number of properties that are allowed to accumulate junk and why they aren’t cited. It was explained that the City’s policy has been to only address written complaints of that nature. 7:10 The Council recognized Kathy Smith. She explained that DR Johnson had agreed to allow her to locate Dixie Town on his property located south of 7th Street. She thanked the Council for their consideration of her request to locate on the industrial site and stated that she hoped to work closely with them regarding events. She said the Dan Bishop had suggested talking to the City about leveling an adjacent piece of property owned by the City that would serve as a parking area. Bishop indicated that the mill would use their equipment to do the work and that the area could accommodate about 100 cars. The Council agreed to take a look at the property and take it into consideration. Minutes September 12, 2007 Planning: Lyn McDonald addressed the Council and said that a public hearing needs to be held and an ordinance passed in order to adopt the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. She said that the hearing must have at least 20 days notice and suggested the Council hold it at 6:00 p.m. prior to their meeting on October 10. It was explained that the hearing should be very structured and designed to accept public input. The ordinance would then be presented for adoption at the regular meeting. The next step will then be to take the document to County Court for their approval before submitting it to the State. It was agreed that the public hearing would be set for October 10 at 6:00 p.m. 7:20 p.m. Public Safety: Officer Wood reported that the Fire Department has a new member that is also an EMT, and that the Cascade System has been installed. He reported that there had been a dog shooting in the week prior and that the County had responded to the call. He indicated that the DA has not yet made a decision regarding the incident. He said that it is a class C felony to discharge a firearm in the city limits but also said there is a provision in the statues that gives a person the right to kill an animal if it is chasing livestock. Kim Neault, the owner of the dog, said she had taken her two young sons for a walk with the dog. She explained that the dog had gotten away from her 4 year old and that the dog went one way and her children went the other way toward a pond. As she went after the children she whistled for the dog and then heard a shot. She expressed concern that if her son had followed the dog he could have been shot. The neighbors in the area said the dog was not chasing or trying to attack any livestock. Neault said the neighbors are also very concerned over the shooting because there are seven children living in the area. 7:35 The Council addressed the firearms policy adopted in 2006 that allows a reserve to keep a firearm if they stay on for 18 months. There was some concern by the Council that the City should not be buying guns and giving them away. It was explained that it costs $1,000 to $2,000 to volunteer as a reserve and the policy was adopted as an incentive. It was agreed that not enough Council members were present to make a decision regarding the policy. A member of the audience expressed concern and suggested that if the Council changes the policy they should at least grandfather in the current reserves. 7:45 Landfill: A written report was turned in. Public Works: Bob Titus reported that the City does not have to renew the mining permit at $635 after all. For $50 application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee the City can get an exemption and still take 5,000 cubic yards of material out of the pit. MSP: To have Bob Titus apply for a variance to take rock up to the limit, Pam Woodworth/Bill Harrington. Well Drilling: Mayor Horrell said he had received a letter from Russell Ricco’s attorney regarding Ricco’s requests, but had not yet talked with the engineer. He also said he would look into the availability of Faiman Springs. Accounts Payable: MSP: To approve the payables, Bill Harrington/Pam Woodworth. Abatement: It was noted that tickets had been issued to the owner and the renter at 417 N. McHaley. A hearing is to be held on September 17th to address a motion to dismiss on behalf of Minutes September 12, 2007 the owner, John Bastian. It was explained that he had tried to evict the renter when he first started piling junk on the property, but encountered legal difficulties when the renter was diagnosed with a terminal disease. Bill Harrington said he would try to attend the hearing. Police Services: It was agreed that a special meeting should be scheduled with the Sheriff to discuss options, including vehicles and reserves. Job Descriptions: Bill Harrington said he had three of the job descriptions ready for review by the Council. It was agreed that they would look over the contract for the curator to see whether or not she meets the criteria for a contractor or should be an employee. It was suggested that the Council could deal with the job descriptions at the special meeting with the Sheriff. Bill Harrington presented a revised property use form for approval. MSP: To approve the property use form, Pam Woodworth/Bill Harrington. Harrington presented a revised complaint resolution form for approval. It was suggested that a line be added to the first page to include “elected official” in the check mark area. MSP: To approve the form with the addition of “elected official” Stan Horrell/Pam Woodworth. It was agreed that the Council would wait until all members are present before voting to fill the Council vacancies. 8:25 p.m. It was moved and seconded to adjourn. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Stan Horrell, Mayor Minutes September 12, 2007