TOWN OF CATHLAMET

NOVEMBER 19, 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 November 19, 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, Town Attorney William Faubion, Wahkiakum Eagle reporter Rick Nelson, and Citizen Dean Snyder.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

The Public Hearing on the 2008 Preliminary Budget opened at 7:02 p.m.  With no comments from the public, the hearing closed at 7:03 p.m.

 

The Public Hearing on 2008 Property Tax opened at 7:04 p.m.  With no comments from the public, the hearing closed at 7:05 p.m.

 

PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

 

ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

Council Member David Goodroe requested that the Fire Dept. siren issue be added as Item #4 in Unfinished Business.

 

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

 

 

CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION

 

Citizen Dean Snyder told the Council that there is a fifth wheel trailer parked at a residence on Maple St. which is blocking the sidewalk.  Mr. Snyder said that it is a safety hazard because people cannot see around it and are forced to walk into the street to get around it. 

 

VOUCHER REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

The Voucher Review Committee for the December 17, 2007 meeting consists of Walter Wright and David Goodroe.  William Talbott will be the alternate.

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Council Member Walter Wright said that there were errors in the last months Minutes, specifically on Page 2 where it listed his position in the Cathlamet Fire Dept. as Assistant Chief instead of the correct title of Captain.  Council Member Wright also said that the $37,000.00 for the study on emergency communications in the County was not a loan.

 

John Hannah made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended, second by Danielle Erickson.  The consent agenda consists of the Minutes of October 15, 2007 regular Meeting, Vouchers for October and Treasurer’s report for October 2007.  Motion carried Yes 5, No 0, Abstentions 0.

 

 

ORDINANCES

 

Town Attorney William Faubion read Ordinance No. 496; an ordinance designating the new Fire Hall meeting room as the official meeting place of the Town Council for the second, third and final reading.  Motion to approve Ordinance No. 496 for the second, third and final reading was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Danielle Erickson.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions

 

Ordinance No. 497; an Ordinance approving the 2008 Preliminary Budget was read by Attorney Faubion for the first reading.  Motion to approve Ordinance No. 497 for the first reading was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Danielle Erickson.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

Ordinance No. 498; an Ordinance Adopting Standards for Access Permits on State Managed Highways and WSDOT Standards for Access Permitting on State Managed Highways under Chapter 468-51 WAC and Chapter 468-52 WAC was read by Town Attorney William Faubion for the first reading.  Motion to approve Ordinance No. 498 for first reading was made by Walter Wright and seconded by William Talbott.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions. 

 

Ordinance No. 499; an Ordinance Amending the 2007 Budget was read by Town Attorney William Faubion for the first reading.  Motion to approve Ordinance No. 499 for the first reading was made by David Goodroe and seconded by William Talbott.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Town Attorney William Faubion read Resolution No. 253; a Resolution establishing the 2008 Property Tax. Motion to approve Resolution No. 253 was made by John Hannah and seconded by Danielle Erickson.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Motion to approve the contract with Elochoman Valley Partners for janitorial work at the new Fire Hall was made by David Goodroe and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

Mayor Swart told the audience that the Town Council has expressed an interest in engaging a consultant to develop a process for creating a public, private sector development primarily along the waterfront.  Mayor Swart said that the Town authorized a submission for a grant from CTED and the grant was not funded.  The Mayor said that Melissa Taylor of CWCOG has convinced some of the CTED managers to meet with a small contingent of town and county representatives to discuss the proposal and perhaps identify ways to either strengthen the grant request or answer any questions about how to make the proposal more competitive.  The Mayor said that this is an encouraging sign because of the willingness of CTED to come and discuss what the town is trying to accomplish.  Mayor Swart told the Council that he recommends the Town meet with the state and find out what might be available for future funds and wait until the Town has secured the land for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Council Member David Goodroe told the Mayor that the $3,500.00 offered by the Port District #1 and the $10,000.00 from the Town was not conditioned upon a match.  Mr. Goodroe said that this money was allocated for the first steps of a Memorandum of Understanding and that the Council had discussed the possibility of a grant to cover the other $40,000.00 which is why he had recommended a benchmark to the Council of $10,000.00 to reevaluate how the town was spending its money and what it was for.  Council Member Goodroe said that in a meeting with the developer it became evident that the potential development clock has slowed down quite a bit and he is encouraged by that. Mr. Goodroe said that he feels the Town is still in the position of trying to figure out exactly what it should prepare for under development scenarios and that the consultant that was authorized by Council in September has the needed experience to accomplish this.  Council Member Goodroe asked the consultant to speak to the Town and clarify the situation after he has spoken to the potential developers and determined what the mechanisms are and send a list of dates that they would be available to meet with the Council.  Council Member Goodroe said that it should only cost around $1,000.00 for the consultant to research the developers intentions and report back to the Town.  Council Member Walter Wright told the Council that a member of the Planning Commission had indicated that they should be involved in the study.  Mayor Swart said that a member of the Planning Commission told him that he did not understand the need for bringing in an outside consultant.  By consensus it was agreed to have the Mayor contact CTED and arrange a meeting to discuss the issue. Council Member David Goodroe invited members of Council to attend a meeting with the Longhoni & Foster consultants when they come to town in December.  Council Member John Hannah said that he would like to see the Town Attorney examine the consultant contract before the study is conducted. Council Member Goodroe said that he would provide a copy of the contract to the attorney.

 

 

Council Member Wally Wright suggested moving the possible solar heating option for the Pool higher on the priority list of 2008 Pool projects.  Mayor Swart said that he was told by the USDA director that a solar heating system would be considered a major capital improvement and would be eligible to apply for grant implementation in 2009.  Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Welker called attention to the fact that the Pool was $22,000.00 over budget for 2007. Council Member David Goodroe expressed his interest in investigating the differences in the efficiency and cost of a heat pump compared to the solar option.  Council Member John Hannah agreed that both options need to be investigated.

 

Mayor Swart told the Council that he had received a call from Assistant Fire Chief Fred Johnson telling him that due to other obligations, the committee to investigate solutions for the Fire Hall siren has not met.  The Mayor asked that absent a report from the committee, if there were any motions regarding the current siren situation. Council Member David Goodroe made a motion to allow the siren to be used for actual fires and second tone-outs. John Hannah seconded the motion.  After discussion, it was decided to amend the motion to approve up to $1,000.00 for technical changes that will allow the modification. Motion to amend the motion to include up to $1,000.00 for technical costs was made by David Goodroe and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion to amend the motion carried 4 Yes, 1 No, 0 Abstentions. Council Member William Talbott cast the “No” vote. Motion to approve the original motion as amended carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Developer Todd Nicholson approached the Council with a request to add a four lot short subdivision adjacent to the Marina Estates.  Mr. Nicholson said that his investigation indicated that the Town does not currently have a short subdivision ordinance and that this would be an obstacle for his development. Mr. Nicholson was referred to the Planning Commission by Council Member David Goodroe.  Town Attorney William Faubion said that he will create a short plat ordinance at the direction of the Council and told Mr. Nicholson that the Planning Commission will make recommendations regarding approval of the short plat.

 

In response to the Planning Commission recommendation of removing parking restrictions on weekend parking on Main Street, the Council agreed that more research should be conducted.

 

Mayor Swart noted that the Planning Commission had indicated they were not ready to make recommendations as to the creation of four new parking spaces in front of Town Hall until after remodel plans are approved.

 

Motion to approve the contract with Long Bell Security for a sprinkler alarm system was made by Walter Wright and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

Council Member David Goodroe suggested that the Town accept the offer from the Fire Department to burn the house at 135 Columbia for a fire fighting training exercise.  Mayor Swart requested a timeline for the event.

 

Motion to accept the proposed lease between Jerry DeBriae and the Town of Cathlamet for the new Fire Hall was made by David Goodroe and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

MAYOR REPORT – Richard Swart

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

 

Mayor Swart requested an Executive Session regarding personnel, property acquisition and potential litigation.

 

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT – Virginia Welker

 

TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT – William Faubion

 

Attorney William Faubion told the Council that Superior Court Judge Mike Sullivan requested permission to spend the night at the new Fire Hall when he is in town for Superior Court.  Attorney Faubion said that the Town could enter into an interlocal agreement with Wahkiakum County to accomplish this.  Attorney Faubion suggested charging the County $200.00 for two nights per month and an extra $50.00 for additional nights as needed.  Motion to approve entering into an interlocal agreement with Wahkiakum County for overnight use of the new Fire Hall sleeping quarters for the Superior Court Judge was made by David Goodroe and seconded by John Hannah.  Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

 

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

 

 

POOL – Walter Wright & William Talbott

 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY – Walter Wright & John Hannah

 

 

STREETS & DOCKS – Danielle Erickson & John Hannah

 

WATER & SEWER – Walter Wright & David Goodroe

 

ANNEXATION – Danielle Erickson & Walter Wright

 

REVENUE & SALARIES – William Talbott & David Goodroe

 

REVITALIZATION – David Goodroe & Danielle Erickson

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS –

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION –

 

The regular meeting of the Town Council was recessed at 9:20 p.m. The Executive Session began at 9:26 p.m.  The Executive Session ended at 10:07 p.m. with no action taken.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Virginia L. Welker

Clerk/Treasurer