TOWN OF CATHLAMET

JULY 16, 2007

COUNCIL MEETING

 

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Richard Swart

 

The regular council meeting for the Town of Cathlamet was called to order by Mayor Richard Swart at 7:00 P.M. Monday July 16, 2007.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

ROLL CALL – Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Welker

 

Those Council members present were David Goodroe, John Hannah, William Talbott, Walter Wright and Danielle Erickson. Others present were Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Welker, Wahkiakum Eagle Editor Rick Nelson, LCEDC Director Richard Erickson, and Citizens Gene Witham, Steve McNicholas and Dean Snyder.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

The Public Hearing on the Six-Year Street Plan began at 7:02 p.m.  With no comments from the Public, the Hearing closed at 7:03 p.m.

 

PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

 

Mayor Richard Swart read a Proclamation in honor of Ms. Effie Wright and her generous donation of $10,000.00 to assist the Town in the purchase of property to be used for parking.

 

ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

Mayor Swart asked that the subject of recommendations from Town Attorney William Faubion regarding development fees be added to the Agenda as Item #7 under New Business.

 

Motion to approve the Agenda as amended was made by John Hannah and seconded by David Goodroe.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION

 

 

 

 

VOUCHER REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

The Voucher Review Committee for the August 20, 2007 meeting consists of David Goodroe and Danielle Erickson.  John Hannah will be the alternate.

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

David Goodroe made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, second by William Talbott.  The consent agenda consists of the Minutes of June 18, 2007 regular Meeting, June 21, 2007 Special Meeting, Vouchers for June and Treasurer’s report for June 2007. Council Member David Goodroe requested that the Minutes for the Special Meeting be changed to reflect that payment for soil stabilization and erosion mitigation work from Stouder Construction will come from Water and Sewer Reserves, not Timber Reserves. Motion to amend the Minutes of the Special Meeting was made by David Goodroe and seconded by William Talbott.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.  Motion to approve the consent agenda as amended carried 5 Yes 5, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

ORDINANCES

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Mayor Richard Swart read Resolution No. 249; a Resolution Adopting the Comprehensive Six-Year Street Plan.  Motion to approve Resolution No. 249 was made by David Goodroe and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Mayor Swart reported to the Council that the funding from the State Transportation Improvement Board to pay for Engineering Supplement #4 has come through and has been executed as authorized in the Special Council Meeting of June 21, 2007.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Mayor Swart said that he was removing Item #1, Authorization to Purchase Land for the Wastewater Treatment Program because the Town is not prepared to move further with the seller until the survey has be examined and analyzed.  The subject will be discussed at the next regular meeting.

 

 

Mayor Swart requested authorization to spend up to $1,500.00 for the purpose of having TCA Architecture evaluate the current Town Hall building for structural stability and design. Citizen Dean Snyder interjected his opinion that money spent on an assessment of the Town Hall building should go to local contractors.  Another citizen, Steve McNicholas suggested that professional licensed architects should be used to do the assessment because of the liability issues that may be involved including seismic considerations.  Motion to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,500 from the Current Expense Fund to pay for an assessment of the Town Hall structure by TCA Architecture was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Danielle Erickson.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

Authorization to purchase a hand-held Meter Reading Device was tabled until the August meeting in order to conduct further investigation into the options available. 

 

Council Member David Goodroe distributed materials from Intelligent Community Solutions, a company that provides services to communities including wastewater treatment, telecommunications and others.  Council Member Goodroe said that the ICS has held several informational meetings specifically relating to the Town’s current Wastewater Treatment Plant project.  Goodroe said that the company has offered to build the Town a new Wastewater Treatment Plant to be operated by them under contract for a period of twenty years in exchange for the right to develop waterfront property in the Town including the current sewer lagoons.  The proposition includes constructing a conference center, new marina, professional office space, and hotel.  Council Member Goodroe emphasized that if the Town agrees to the proposition, it would forever change the way of life for Cathlamet residents.  Mayor Swart told the Council that he would like to engage a qualified consultant to evaluate the offer and to represent the Town’s interests and explain any potential ramifications. LCEDC Director Richard Erickson explained potential benefits to the Town. The Council concluded that a committee should be formed to recruit a consultant that will be able to provide the Town with recommendations regarding the proposal.  Motion to approve formation of a process to recruit a qualified consultant to provide the Town with recommendations regarding the proposal was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Walter Wright.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions. 

 

 

Motion to approve the one-time water bill adjustment request from Hotel Cathlamet was made by David Goodroe and seconded by William Talbott.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

Motion to approve Phase II of the Columbia Ridge Estates as recommended by the Planning Commission was made by William Talbott and seconded by Walter Wright.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions

 

Mayor Swart told the Council that Town Attorney William Faubion has requested that the Council review fees used by Cowlitz County to compare with the Town’s current fee schedule and form a committee and decide whether or not the Town should adopt development fees.  Motion to refer Attorney Faubion’s request to the Revenue and Salary Committee to review the fees was made by John Hannah and seconded by Danielle Erickson.  Motion carried 3 Yes, 2 No.  Council Members David Goodroe and William Talbott cast the No votes.

 

MAYOR REPORT – Richard Swart

A copy of the Mayor’s report is included in the Minutes.

 

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Virginia Welker

A copy of the Clerk/Treasurer’s report is included in the Minutes.

 

TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT – William Faubion

 

PUBLIC WORKS – David Vik

A copy of the Public Works report is included with the Minutes.

 

 

PLANNING COMMISSION –

A copy of the Planning Commission report is included with the Minutes.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

PARKS & PROPERTIES – Danielle Erickson & John Hannah

 

Council Member John Hannah said that the plan for Erickson Park be addressed. Council Member Hannah proposed that all of the trees and blackberries be removed, bulldoze the park and replant with new trees.  Mayor Swart suggested that the Park Committee come up with plans for the park and submit them for review at the next meeting.

 

POOL – Walter Wright & William Talbott

 

Mayor Swart told the Council that the propane tanks at the Pool needed emergency repairs due to vandalism to them.  The Mayor said that he has an estimate from a fencing company somewhere in the area of $4,000 to enclose the tanks.  Motion to authorize Mayor Swart to seek estimates for a fence around the propane tanks was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Walter Wright.  Motion carried 4 Yes, 1 No, 0 Abstentions. Council Member John Hannah cast the No vote.

 

Motion to authorize Mayor Swart to resolve fencing problem at the Pool propane tanks as long as the cost was within $3,500.00 was made by Walter Wright and seconded by David Goodroe.  Motion carried 4 Yes, 1 No, 0 Abstentions. Council Member John Hannah cast the No vote.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Walter Wright & John Hannah

 

Council Member John Hannah asked what the plans were for the broken chunks of sidewalk that were removed from in front of the Pool.  Mayor Swart responded that a farmer has offered to take the debris to his farm.

 

STREETS & DOCKS – Danielle Erickson & John Hannah

 

Mayor Swart reported that the Broadway construction project will begin on July 23rd and should be complete by September 27, 2007.  The Mayor said that there had been a pre-construction meeting held earlier in the day and that everything looks to be on schedule.

 

WATER & SEWER – Walter Wright & David Goodroe

 

ANNEXATION – Danielle Erickson & Walter Wright

 

REVENUE & SALARIES – William Talbott & David Goodroe

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – David Goodroe & Danielle Erickson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS –

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION –

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Virginia L. Welker

Clerk/Treasurer