GRANTS AHOY

Ruston, WA regular council meeting August 3, 2009 7pm:

Absent Bradley Huson, Bruce Hopkins. Jim Hedrick appointed Mayor pro tem. Worth mentioning as to the strange behaviour of Wayne and Dan here and on CLAIMS AND PAYROLL. Jane nominates Jim Hedrick as Mayor pro tem.
A strange silence pervades and finally Jim Hedrick had to second himself as Mayor pro tem. No response from Dan or Wayne. Jim offers to have Wayne Stebner appointed Mayor pro tem. Wayne declines and Jim is seated as Mayor pro tem. Why was this made so difficult? Game playing by the Tacoma duo who also have gone silent on the annexation issue.
Town Attorney is late and Dan, jokingly, offers to be Town Attorney pro tem. After a phone call to David Britton he is on his way and meeting proceeds.

AGENDA - Jane adds agenda item #1 to allow mayor to proceed with contract negotiations with SAFEbuiltinc to be hired as building inspector and for Licensing.
David asks for EXECUTIVE SESSION for "potential litigation" before item #5 CHANGE THE HOURS OF THE STANDARD WORK WEEK FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES. This appears to be a result of the Town Hall closing on Friday as no overtime is allowed for Town Clerk or assistant Town Clerk. NOTE: Strange, very strange.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Only one, myself, responding to BUDGET (FISCAL) IMPACT STATEMENTS to be required on all future motions and resolutions. The point it would have been nice to have had this when they voted the Town's largest taxpayer's gambling operation out of existence. Cost to the Town $30 thousand dollars per year $150 thousand dollars over five years on an EMERGENCY MOTION bypassing second reading and not allowing public comments. Apparently the word was out Casino owners and employees were going to show up and comment at second reading. More on this later. NOTE: More than enough to pay for street light replacement?

BUSINESS -
AGENDA ITEM # 1 - AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO NEGOTIATE WITH SAFEbuiltinc
NOTE: Rather comical how serious it gets on issues benefitting the Town.
Jane - SAFEbuiltinc made a good presentation in preceding Study Session.
Wayne - Need due diligence, need to get other offers.
Jane - Not cost effective.
David (Town Attorney) rather have a resolution not contract negotiation.
Wayne - Why are we replacing current building inspector?
Jane - We have very large commercial buildings coming in need special expertise.
Wayne - Have we discussed this?
Jane - Yes, for one hour in Study Session before this meeting.
Wayne - Asking David: Good business practice to advertise?
Jim - Some urgency Commencement needs to get occupancy permit so new owners can move in. This is for negotiations only.
Wayne, to Dan: Do you know of urgency.
Dan - Need due diligence. Need to get references.Like the idea of permits being filed in a timely manner. New inspector would be impartial. This is for negotiating contract only. I am in favor of moving forward.
Passes 3-0.
AGENDA ITEM # 2 RESOLUTION NUMBER 450 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Jane motion, Wayne second.
Jane - How is this different from what we had before?
David - Village Properties, Rob White, Town Planner, owns the records and is an independent contractor. Town Clerk will get true and correct copies.
Dan - Original scope of assigned contract; Can we use for other purposes.
David - Hard to imagine any other purposes!
Rob - if modified could cause liability problems if used improperly.
Dan - Not beyond scope of original contract?
David - Right, that is what it was designed for.
Jane - to Rob; What if you died? Town needs to be protected.
Dan - Interpretation by Town Attorney OK.
Passes 3-0.

AGENDA ITEM 3 RESOLUTION NUMBER 452 FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT AMENDING RULE 22
Dan motion, Wayne second.
Dan - Motion to amend page two sub section G to say ANY ORDINANCE not just those using funds.
David - Less than a hairball.
Jane - change any to all.
Amendment passes 3-0. Resolution 452 adopted 3-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ON POTENTIAL LITIGATION 20 MINUTES

Regular Town meeting resumes 8pm:

AGENDA ITEM # 5 RESOLUTION 453 CHANGE THE HOURS OF STANDARD WORK WEEK FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES
Dan - Defer to next council meeting (August 17).
Wayne second, passes 3-0.

CLAIMS/PAYROLL -
Jane- Motion to accept, Jim second. No discussion.
NOTE: SUSPENSE HANGS IN AIR. WILL DAN AND WAYNE VOTE THEIR USUAL NO.
Jane YES. Wayne NO. Dan ABSTAIN. Passes 2-1.

COUNCIL TIME -
Wayne - Talked with MO, town electrician, regarding need to find funding for street light replacement. Need energy efficiency (to qualify for grants). Need to stop playing games and put out for bid. Need to look at Electric (utility) fund and Surplus Property fund to be used in emergency.
Dan -
. I agree with Wayne Stebner. Foolish from a liability standpoint not to act.
. (Goes into a long discourse on LA CONNER budget document, best ever.)
. Our budget is unreadable. Need to document where money comes from, goes.
. Need to improve public services.
. We have two Town employees who do a wonderful job. In my view we need to look at their compensation.
NOTE: Only two?
Jane - We need grant for street lights. We save 40 percent. Everything is changing.
Wayne - Referring to LID lights not fully tested.
Jane - MO doesn't want to do this. Totally against energy efficient lights.
Wayne - We need to find funding before RFP.
Jim - How about a study session August 17 6pm with MO?
Jane - Invite suppliers also.
Wayne - We need to get on this.
Jim -
. Fire Chief wants KNOX BOX on all commercial buildings. Emergency situation will have access. Commencement wants KNOX BOX for 62 units. Need letter they are doing this voluntarily.
. Fire Chief has stopped inspections, no inspections. Not authorized under Municipal Code. Need Ordinance in 2010.
David - Ratify by separate ordinance.
Jane - Why not KNOX BOX?
David - in ISP. I think Fire Chief has authority.
Jim - POINT RUSTON COPPERLINE condominiums in Tacoma KNOX BOX mandatory.

Adjourn 8:22.