--- date: "2014-01-08" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2014-01-08" source: "2014-01-08-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- City of Prairie City CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 8, 2014 Attended: Gary Waterhouse, Mayor Carole Garrison, Councilor Les Church, Councilor Viola Rose, Councilor Butch Goslin, Councilor Dennis Lynch, Councilor Chris Camarena, Public Works Director Ray Wenger, Public Works Kathy Smith, Museum Director Lyn McDonald, Utility Billing Clerk Mike Springer Levi Voigt Deann Negus Kevin Dahlen Jordan Dahlen Bryan Askew The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call taken, all members being present. The minutes of the December 11 and December 17, 2013 meetings were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes as written, Carole Garrison/Les Church. All members voted in favor. The Council recognized Mike Springer who addressed them regarding the application for beneficial use of well #3. Springer said in looking into the matter, he came across a document that says the City has until 2050 to complete the process so it is not as crucial to get the application submitted immediately as first thought. He did not recommend waiting that long however as it would probably get forgotten about. He did say that by waiting a year or two the City would have the option of incorporating one or more of the other well sites that permits had been issued for. He expressed concern that no one really seems to know the status of the other sites and undeveloped wells. If the City were to move forward with the beneficial use application on well #3, they would be giving up pursuit of the other ones. There was discussion of the various well locations and whether or not there is a map depicting them. It was agreed that the locations and status of the sites should be identified be established within a 30 to 60 day time frame. Springer said wells #2 and #3 can be used to the capacity water resources allows in the meantime. He again urged the Council not to wait too long as fees could change as well as the implementation of new restrictions. Chris Camarena suggested getting it done within two years. Springer noted that before a final certificate is issued, wells have to be finished and incorporated into the water system. There was other discussion and questions about the wells drilled near Faiman Springs. The conversation went back to identifying the location and status of the other permitted well sites. Chris Camarena said he would gather the information he can find and Springer said he could put an assessment together in 90 days. MSP: To have a 90 January 8, 2013 day or sooner review and from there move on with no deadline yet, Viola Rose/Carole Garrison. All members voted in favor. Springer also presented a bill for progress work on the claim of beneficial use in the amount of $960.00. In other business, Springer said the water rights for the well at Depot Park still need to be developed. He said he had outlined the steps in a letter to the former Public Works Director but wasn’t sure how far she had gotten in the process. Because the property belongs to the County, it is important to know if they will be applying for the water rights themselves or if they will authorize the City to be the applicant. There was also the question as to who would pay the fees of approximately $1,000. It was agreed that the process needs to be completed and that Depot Park is in need of additional water for irrigation. Chris Camarena said Public Works will pursue the issue. There being a number of visitors, the Mayor asked if anyone wanted to speak. No one stepped forward. Museum: Kathy Smith gave the Council a written museum report and briefed them on a grant she would like the County to pursue to do repairs to the depot building. The grant is due in April and she said she would be addressing the County Court in January about applying for it. She also said the project management class she took has been very beneficial to her. Carole Garrison pointed out that a copy of the CAP grant that was meant for the County is in the files at the museum. Law Enforcement Services: The Mayor reported that the County has supposedly agreed to sign the finalized dissolution agreement. The contract with John Day will hopefully be ready by the February 12 meeting. Landfill: Written report received. Abatement: Dennis Lynch brought up the abatement issue regarding the (Gill) house with a blue tarp on the burned out roof and said the tarp is all but gone. He wanted to know if the City plans to follow through with the abatement process. The Mayor said Butch Goslin had been appointed to look into their progress and asked him about it. Goslin said the City doesn’t want to go there because they would probably in for a lawsuit. The Mayor referred to the Nuisance Ordinance and said that the process had been initiated due to complaints about the building by members of the public. When asked by the Mayor to look into the matter, Goslin refused. There was discussion of the difficulty in enforcing the ordinance when the owners claim to have no means to fix the house. It was also noted that they had been given a lot of leniency but still refused to cooperate. It was again stated that the public had come to the Council insisting that the City enforce the Nuisance Ordinance, but also agreed that there is no effective means to enforce it. Public Works: Chris Camarena presented a draft of a Safety Manual for the Council’s review and adoption. He said it is very important the Council familiarize themselves with it and endorse it by adoption. There was question of whether or not there is a draft resolution available and Camarena said he would find out. Accounts Payable: MSP: To pay the bills, Carole Garrison/Dennis Lynch. The Recorder said she had also provided the Council with a mid-year Revenue & Expense Report for their review and that a copy of the 2013 Audit was in their inboxes. January 8, 2013 Other Business: The Mayor reminded everyone that the amended City Charter was now in effect. Per the charter, a president of the Council is to be elected each January. The Mayor nominated Carole Garrison. Garrison said she would consider it, although had some concern over possible time limitations due to her husband’s health issues. There were no other nominations. Dennis Lynch seconded the nomination. Waterhouse, Church, Rose and Lynch voted in favor. Goslin voted no. The Council members were asked to sign and turn in their annual acknowledgement forms stating they have received, read and agree to abide by the previously adopted City Council Meeting Procedural Rules and City Council Policies of Conduct and Communications policies. All members signed and turned in the forms. The Council was asked to consider the application from Kevin Dahlen for the vacant council position. There was a question about another application that had been received after the agenda deadline and whether it should also be considered. Butch Goslin made a motion to have Kevin Dahlen sit in on Council, Viola Rose seconded. Goslin was asked if he meant to appoint Dahlen to the Council? Goslin said yes. Dahlen was asked if he was part of any community volunteer programs; he said no. He was also asked his reasons for wanting to be on the Council because of concern of people getting on the Council for negative reasons or because they are totally against something, but Dahlen said he was simply volunteering to fulfill the vacant position and said he wanted to help the community.The Mayor called for the vote. Garrison, Church and Waterhouse voted against; Goslin, Rose and Lynch voted in favor. The appointment failed. It was agreed the other application would be considered at the February meeting. Dennis Lynch asked if Omega Morgan had given the City a donation. No one was aware of any donation. The Recorder said the new charter calls for an ordinance prescribing the manner for a person to be nominated to run for mayor or a council position, and that the City Attorney said he would have one ready for adoption at the February meeting. . 7:15 pm: It was moved and seconded to adjourn, all members voted in favor. Submitted by: ___________________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved by the City Council this ____ day of ___________________, 2014 and signed by the Mayor. _______________________________ Gary Waterhouse, Mayor January 8, 2013