OMAK CITY COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

October 5, 2009

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Gagne called the regular meeting of the Omak City Council to order at 7:00 PM and everyone joined in the flag salute.

COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL PRESENT:

Michael Foth Larry Schreckengast, Police Chief

Steve Clark Kevin Bowling, Fire Chief

Lew Goebel Jim Miller, Public Works Director

Donna Short Craig Raymond, Building Official

Leanne Leifer Ralph Malone, City Administrator

John Sackman Kathy Lobdell, City Clerk

Dino DeCesari

CONSENT AGENDA:

Mayor Gagne noted that under New Business, item 1, the date for the public hearing on 2010 revenue sources is incorrect on the agenda. It should be October 19, 2009. Member Goebel moved, seconded by Member Clark, to approve the consent agenda with the agenda correction, consisting of minutes from the September 21, 2009 meeting; claims check numbers 20208-20266, in the amount of $210,474.82; (claim check numbers 20154-20207 are voided due to a numbering conflict in past wire transfers) and September 2009 payroll check numbers 16366-16495, in the amount of $225,035.39. Motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ordinance 1656 – 2nd Reading – Amend 2009 Budget for Ross Canyon and Okoma Drive Project Revenues

Member Short moved, seconded by Member Goebel, to approve Ordinance 1656. City Administrator Malone told Council that this amendment to the 2009 budget recognizes an additional $165,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for the Okoma Drive Sidewalk Project. Also, there are additional Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funds in the amount of $19,138.76 to be reimbursed in 2009, along with an increase of $30,000 from TIB for the Ross Canyon. As there were no questions from Council and no comments from the audience, Council voted and approved the motion

NEW BUSINESS:

Announce Public Hearing on 2010 Ad Valorem Taxes on Real and Personal Property

Member Short moved, seconded by Member Foth, to schedule a public hearing on the 2010 Ad Valorem taxes for Monday, October 19, 2009, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. City Administrator Malone noted Omak is expected to be eligible for $727,000 in property taxes in 2010, a $7,000 increase from 2009. This is per the 1% increase allowed by law and there will be documents presented at the next meeting for adoption.

Ordinance 1653 – 1st Reading – Amend 2009 Budget to Appropriate Additional Funds For

Various Expenditures in 2009

City Administrator Malone noted these are amendments to the budget recognizing unanticipated expenditures and over-expenditures in the 2009 budget, as well as un-recorded revenue. These amendments are necessary to calculate true fund balances for the 2010 budget. He reviewed the various line items in the amendment. Council discussed one of the amendments regarding an increase in the Storm Drain Repairs and Maintenance line item due to expensive repairs to a storm drain pump, and vandalism to another pump that require a special wiring harness to repair it.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Staff and Council Committee Reports:

Member Clark, Chairman of the Sanitation/Public Health Committee, told Council they had met again and had received an inquiry from a citizen regarding Fall Clean-up. He was asked if a City resident could haul their own yard waste to the Landfill, if they took proof of residency in the form of a receipt from the utility department. The Committee has decided against this request since there could be materials unloaded that are not classified as yard waste. They are also continuing their review of the Nuisance Ordinance, reviewing several options for changes. Attorney Howe has noted there needs to be some language changes that deal with the City’s ability to enforce an abatement, and he will forward suggested changes.

Member Goebel, Chairman of the Airport Committee, announced that Fed Ex has made an official offer to rent the renovated office space at the Airport for $200 per month, effective January 1, 2010. The DNR is not interested in the space. Fed Ex has asked for a three year contract, renewable in three year increments, based upon fair market value each time. The Committee had also met regarding the repair issues to the Public Library. They agreed to authorize an expenditure of $3,500 this year to complete roof repairs. When Member Short moved to accept the Committee’s repair proposal, it was noted there are funds available in the Library fund to accomplish the repair, and no vote needs to be taken. Any expenditures for repairs done before receipt of the energy efficiency grant would not be reimbursable, so the Committee wanted to keep the cost of minimal repairs down at this time.

Building Official Raymond reminded the Council that the Planning Commission has scheduled a workshop and public hearing at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 7th, for text amendment revisions to the zoning code. Council can expect to see the documents before them soon.

Fire Chief Bowling told Council the first round of grants had been released by Homeland Security, and, although Omak did not make the first cut, he is encouraged by the fact that we have not received a denial yet either. He added that a salesman is bringing a new fire truck to the Fire Hall on Wednesday, cautioning them it is not one that Omak purchased, and invited them to stop by to see it.

Police Chief Schreckengast informed Council that Sergeant Isaac is completing the background checks on the two police officer candidates this week. He told Council that former Councilmember Bill Schackette had passed away over the weekend.

Public Works Director Miller asked Council if they had any questions regarding his departmental report. When asked about the pole lights for the Ross Canyon intersection, Mr. Miller stated they are on backorder for four to six weeks. Member Leifer asked about the street striping and signage on the Ross Canyon/Ironwood intersection. PWD Miller told Council that he had found out that a large portion of the Federal recovery money has been used for street repairs, and that has placed a strong demand on products and materials for that industry. He is staying on the contractors to complete the striping, and the signs are also on back order. Council also discussed the tree trimming notices and were told it looked as if many residents had complied with the notice, and those who had not may be held up by a backlog on the part of contractors who can trim the trees.

City Administrator Malone explained that the Treasurer’s Preliminary Budget Councilmembers were given at this meeting is basically the wish list from department heads. He and Mayor Gagne will be working with them to pare down some of the figures. The narratives that will be included in the resulting Mayor’s Preliminary Budget will have strikethroughs on the original requests if any changes are made to maintain sustainable costs in the budget. He reminded Council he had estimated revenues conservatively in the 2009 budget, and it looked as if the City may receive up to $170,000 more than anticipated, and the expenditures are relatively lower than expected. He noted that the Equipment Rental 501 Fund and the Equipment Rental Capital Purchase Fund 508 have gaps in them because a spreadsheet calculation still needs to be done to determine the costs of operating the City’s equipment, which is spread throughout the funds based upon the function of the equipment. He cautioned Council that even though the City has significant fund reserves, we will probably loose some ground in 2010. The challenge is to decide how to provide services to Omak’s residents while sustaining a balanced budget. He noted the schedule of Budget Workshop/Public Hearings will be on Monday November 9th and Monday, November 23rd this year.

When asked by Member Goebel if the revenue lid proposed by the Iman bill would affect our revenues, Mr. Malone answered yes.

When asked by Member Foth if the burn ban is still in affect, Fire Chief Bowling affirmed it is still in place. Member Foth also mentioned he had asked that some grandstands in the park be brought over for the Omak/Okanogan High School football game, and was told that would be no problem.

As there was no further business before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM.

_______________________________ __________________________________

Kathy Lobdell, City Clerk Cindy Gagne, Mayor

October 5, 2009