RUSTON FOREVER

Ruston regular council meeting Monday June 15, 2009 at 7:40 pm:
Dan and Bradley absent.

First 40 minutes were spent in EXECUTIVE SESSION. Remember when the former mayor was excoriated over executive sessions by the cabal. Now they are pretty much a regular happening due to the plethora of lawsuits, ongoing litigation, and personnel matters.

STAFF REPORTS -
Fire Chief Don Torbet- Major investigation, big item, still underway will give report next meeting.
Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel- thanked Marla Miller for getting the town radar unit back into service. Thanks to Bruce and Lynette Hopkins for curb painting last few weekends will cut down on number of parking violations. Regarding Taste of Tacoma, NO PARKING signs will be posted. Town will pay for overnight officers.

PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Jim - worried that indemnification will cover private lawsuits filed and paid for by town of Ruston.
Sherri- Deployed military honored. Likes bright red striping (curbs). Praise for Bradley Huson, a civic treasure, for sponsoring a senior lunch.
JJ McCamment- Point Ruston office moved to Stack Hill model home until permanent moorage arranged at the Urban Village site.

ORDINANCE 1278 - Regulation of Private Alarm Services
Jane motion to adopt Jim second.
Wayne- voting no doesn't see any benefit to people.
David- modeled directly after City of Lakewood.
Passes 2-1 Wayne voting no.

ORDINANCE 1285 - Fireworks
Jane motion to adopt, Wayne second.
Jim- voting NO.
.Sentimental but have permit.
.Safe and sane fireworks only are permitted, good for youngsters.
.Illegal fireworks already illegal, police enforcement problem.
Don Torbet-
.Safe and same OK.
.Bottle rocket offenders should be incarcerated.
.Enforcement is difficult but we need to enforce current laws.
.If violation occurs permit can be pulled.
.Ordinance only applies to users of safe and sane fireworks. lawful use.
.Hope that you vote it down.
.People who operate lawfully should be allowed to do so.
Jane-
.We do not enforce current laws.
.Easier to do so if no safe and sane
Wayne- only six applicants for permits. People have spoken.
Jim -
.legitimate problem but why punish safe and sane users?
.Six people also number of proponents of annexation.
David- fourty (40) permits authorized this year.
Passes 2-1 Jim Hedrick NO.

(comment: SANE, this is Ruston, cabal rules only apply. More on that later. People have spoken!! Yes they have and they want safe and sane. No word on whether two and three year old violators will be arrested or just issued violation tickets. Yes, Ruston where children can be serious law violators. Lordy Lordy, when will we see November? Not soon enough. This logic is a real head shaker! Forty permits Wayne not six.)

ORDINANCE 1287 - Provide Indemnification of the Mayor, Council members and Town Employees.
Jim motion to adopt, Wayne second.
Wayne- this should have been done a long time ago.
Jim- five days to notify. Number of days not specified in ordinance. What do I do?
David- report to Town Clerk within twenty days otherwise Town in default. Ordinance was superior.
Wayne- new council members should be notified immediately.
Passes 3-0.

ORDINANCE 1288 - Amending Town's Traffic Code (second reading)
No discussion passes 3-0.

ORDINANCE 1289 - Amending Town's Parking Code (second reading)
Jim - section 2 one hour for commercial vehicles or normal course of business?
David- 2-3 pages cannot possibly cover all circumstances.
Rob- No police enforcement, zoning only.
PASSES 3-0.

ORDINANCE 1290 - Repealing RMC Chapter 1.10 Library Card Reimbursement
(1st reading)
Jane - How much does this cost us a year?
Bruce -
.No money back for cutting checks.
.No reimbursement to Town. Why are we doing it.
.Holdover from days when Asarco paid.
Terry- Tacoma library card for Ruston resident $50 dollars.

RESOLUTION 445 - Council Rules of Procedure
General Public Comments before business passes 3-0.

RESOLUTION 446 - Fourth of July Children's Parade
Wayne - How much is this going to cost us?
Jim- I will pay for permit.
Don Torbet- Volunteer fire department will handle signs and street closing.
Passes 3-0.

(Comment: Be against a children's parade and safe and sane fireworks in the same meeting? Wow, that is cold.)

MAYOR'S TIME -
Bruce-
.Spent last two weeks painting curbs. Lots of fun and hard work.
.Builds Town spirit. Curious residents come out and pitch in to help.
. lots of people to thank. Edie Tallman, Hardins, Fred Beisinger, Bradley.
. especially Steve Taylor, one devoted Town employee!
(Wrote as fast as I could but missed some names.)
.Donation from Michael Tallman for use of Whole Hog Compressor.
.Putting in new water line in park restroom (Canon Construction).
.Still need donations for Trencher and Plumbing ($1,700 dollars).
.Most difficult ...
.COMMENCEMENT -
.Looking to have our meetings in school room within next 45 days.
.They have a new model showroom online.
.Leaving behind kitchen area and all equipment (stove, refrigerator, et al)
.Moving temporarily into bedroom.
.Leaving bathroom intact.
.All walls removed, pillars to support.
.Local contractor to do work.
.All tile remains
.Ginger Kryger excited for Empty Bowl project.
.Can be rented.
.Stage will be available, wall removed.
.Will have once a month meeting for all Town employees in same room: Planner, Engineer, building officials, Chiefs.
.Bring all up to date on what we are working on.
.Meters in Commencement previously not billed.
.COMMENCEMENT wrote $4,000 dollar check to Town to cover basic electric charges.
.Money goes into Electric Fund.
(WOW. After the harassment from the Town and the Cabal non stop. These are fine people.)

NEW TOPIC
.Have had a vacant property inquiry.
.JJ provided parcel numbers for Town vacant land.
.Any can be surplussed.
.Chart is available in Town Hall.
.Asked Rob to take lead in number of developments.
.Consultants to go through Rob, one person point.
.Commencement wants temporary occupancy permit.
.Would have to be bonded to finish work.
OPTIONAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT SERVICES
.Should be automated.
.Billing information available.

COUNCIL TIME
Wayne- Nothing.
Jim-
.Can be available Saturday.
.No dogs in park. Posted no off leash.
Bruce- It is a misdemeanor.
.Need education.

(Comment:
Wayne apparently is the self appointed watchdog for minuscule items. Objecting to free permit for Children's Parade because library cards were no longer free. Yes Wayne, what about when you and members of your cabal wanted to hold "ballet classes" in the school auditorium? The same auditorium the Town had already leased to the Commencement for 500 years.

Remember the Town filed a lawsuit at your behest to terminate the lease? The judge found the lawsuit so egregious the Town was ordered to pay legal fees for both sides and the Commencement could stay as long as they desired.

Remember the total cost to the Town was in the $100,000 dollar range?)

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Karen Carlisle

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