TOWN OF CATHLAMET

October 19, 2009

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. on Monday October 19, 2009.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL – Clerk/Treasurer Tina Schubert

Present: Council Members Bob Rendler, Walter Wright, David Goodroe, William Talbott, Steve McNicholas and Mayor Richard Swart.

Absent: 0

Also present were Town Attorney Thomas Doumit, Clerk/Treasurer Tina Schubert, Gray & Osborne, Inc. engineer Ken Alexander, Public Works Superintendent David Vik, Wahkiakum Eagle reporter Rick Nelson, Assistant Fire Chief Fred Johnson, EMS Lieutenant Beau Renfro, Librarian Connie Christopher and members of the public.

ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

Mayor Swart asked to remove Ordinance No. 521 from the agenda due to the fact that it was not yet completed, and to change the numbering in New Business from 13c to 13 b.

Motion to approve the amended agenda was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Bob Rendler. Motion carried 4 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions. Council Member Wright had left the room momentarily and did not vote.

VOUCHER REVIEW COMMITTEE

1. Voucher Review Committee Report – William Talbott and Bob Rendler reported no errors and accepted the vouchers.

2. The Voucher Review Committee for the November 16, 2009 meeting consists of Steve McNicholas and David Goodroe. William Talbott will be the alternate.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda made by William Talbott , second by David Goodroe . The consent agenda consists of the Minutes of September 21, 2009 Regular Meeting, Special Meeting Minutes of October 5, 2009, Budget Workshop Minutes of October 12, 2009 , Payroll for September in the amount of $18,428.21, EMS Stipends for September in the amount of $3,449.22 and Claim Vouchers for October in the amount of $77,009.18. With no changes to the consent agenda the motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION

A group of Library volunteers appeared before the Council to express their support for the Cathlamet Blanche Bradley Public Library. Library Board Member Toni Hardy spoke as a citizen thanking the Town Council for their continued support of the Library. Blanche Bradley Memorial Library Foundation Treasurer Paula Holloway requested a joint meeting with the Town and Wahkiakum County to set up a funding strategy for the Library. Ms. Holloway noted that many of the Library patrons are county residents. Council Member Rendler recognized the many volunteers assisting the Librarian have made it possible for the many changes that have taken place. Mr. Rendler also noted that many of the volunteers are county residents who are helping to support the Library through their volunteer efforts. Council Member David Goodroe said that he acknowledged the budget, as prepared, included an increase in the salary fund for the Librarian to receive the requested raise. Council Member Goodroe said that he will check into the possibility of the BBML Foundation helping to pay for the extended Library hours, building repairs and the request for an increased salary for the Librarian.

PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Richard Swart read a Proclamation Declaring November 2009 as National American Indian Awareness month.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Public Hearing on the 2010 Preliminary Budget opened at 7:22 p.m. With no comments or objections from the public, the hearing closed at 7:23 p.m.

ORDINANCES

Town Attorney Thomas Doumit read Ordinance No. 523; an Ordinance Increasing the Regular Property Tax Levy for the first reading.

Motion to approve Ordinance No. 523 for the first reading was made by David Goodroe and seconded by Bob Rendler. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

RESOLUTIONS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. Engineer Ken Alexander gave his monthly report on current projects. Mr. Alexander said that he will prepare suggestions for the use of $100,000 in undeclared STAG grant funds and present it to the Town. Attorney Tom Doumit said that he is preparing utility easements for five property owners whose property is in line with the new Water Main project.

b. Mayor Swart summarized the response that he received from the Wahkiakum School District regarding the Town's request for relocation of the road easement to the proposed new Waste Water Treatment plant. The Mayor said that the District had offered a possible easement change in exchange for a reduction in utility rates over an extended period of time which was not acceptable to the Town. Mayor Swart said that there still may be a possibility for further negotiations

c. The augmented plan for the Town Hall Seismic Stabilization project was accepted by Council. There was a discussion of a possible floor plan change in which public restrooms would be built at the front of the building and an employee restroom and break area would be located in the rear of the building. Motion to approve the Seismic Stabilization Plan was made by Bob Rendler and seconded by David Goodroe. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

d. A discussion about a request for a handicapped parking space revealed that merchants are already familiar with the request and do not support it. Attorney Tom Doumit noted that the Municipal Research and Services Center had informed him that the Americans with Disabilities Act give the Town discretion in these types of decisions. Motion to deny the request for a handicapped parking space was made by William Talbott and seconded by David Goodroe. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions. Attorney Doumit said that since this was an official request, he would give an official response to the requestor.

e. Wind farm: Council Member David Goodroe said that the Town is waiting for State of Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife to inspect the site proposed to be used for the wind farm to see if there was a conflict with Murrelet Habitat.

f. Council Member David Goodroe told the Council that he still has no word from the Public Works Board regarding the grant he had applied for.

g. Council Member Goodroe said that he should get the results of the CTED Energy grant application by the end of October.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Motion to approve payment extension for utility customer Arthur Carr was made by David Goodroe and seconded by William Talbott. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

Motion to approve payment extension request from Karen Vivian was made by Bob Rendler and seconded by David Goodroe. Motion carried 5 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

b Mayor Swart told the Council that he is working on the Ordinance No. 494 re-write project with Clerk/Treasurer Tina Schubert and Attorney Doumit and hopes to have it ready for the first reading at the November Council meeting.

c. Mayor Swart told the Council that he expects to meet with PUD Manager David Tramblie about the inclusion of the 2008 Ford F-150 Public Works pickup in the depreciation schedule of the 2009-2010 Interlocal contract. Mayor Swart will report the results of the meeting to the Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

Attorney Thomas Doumit reported that the Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney's office is handling the Comprehensive Plan compliance requirements.

Public Works Superintendent David Vik told the Council that the next big public works project will be replacing the booms at the Town Dock.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – none

EXECUTIVE SESSION – none.

ADJOURNMENT – at 8:15 p.m.

Richard A Swart, Mayor Tina Schubert, Clerk/Treasurer