RUSTON WAFFLER

Ruston regular council meeting August 16, 2010 7 pm:

Start with Bradley Huson amendment to the minutes. Cannot hear what is said at the meeting. They have been put on notice they, the Town of Ruston, is in violation of the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, but in a month and a half have done nothing except place two speakers out front out of which no sound emits. I also don't see any wheel chair/handicapped access. So one more meeting and I file a formal complaint with the Department of Justice.

STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief Don Torbet-
. Two calls in July.
. Le Franz engine going to auction.
. Road closures, construction zone safety, information better than in past.
. Working with Tacoma Water, how and when fire hydrants to be used in training.
. List of articles to be replaced to meet standards.
Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel-
. Two block parties, thankful for turnout.
. Officers very active lately, sometimes tied up in reports, trips to jail.
. Helpful if citizens use non emergency number unless 911 emergency.
. Suspending self for one day, accident. Set example for all officers.
. Officer assaulted OK recuperating, arrests made.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim- Concerned about handling of Casino harrassment. Seems to be a rush by the Town to close Point Defiance Cafe and Casino. Casino license was approved by Town Council and Casino made significant investment to open as Town's largest taxpayer.
Sherri-
. Article in TNT paper was positive for Town.
. Glad to see N 49th street extension.
. I am in difficult position. Received bill for unexpected costs $625 dollars. No mention of fees per hour. Wondering why fees not covered in connection fee?

AGENDA ITEM #1 - Community center rental rates
A lot of jibber jabber about alcohol, non profit, deposits, costs, allowed to make profit, minimum per hour, cleaning deposit. Obviously not prepared. Spent 28 minutes deciding nothing time better spent in a study session out of sight. Very hard to hear.

Note: Public is shut out of commenting and could save them from themselves and mistakes:
1. No mention of restrooms not available in Mary Joyce Community Center?
2. No mention of security or sweeps after events to prevent people taking advantage and hiding in building.
3. All of these Mayor/Council persons are relativly new to Ruston but they obstinately refuse to allow public input on agenda items. This is a continuation of the CABAL council whose interest didn't always coincide with the interests of the Town of Ruston.
4. Time to change this and listen to the citizens who take time and expense to fill their civic duty and attend meetings.

AGENDA ITEM #2 - North 49th Street Sewer Extension
Jerry Morrissette-
. Bring equipment back to site starting Wednesday extension to 3 homes.
. $93,368 changes, soil issues.
. $20,239 plus $2,000 allocated for 2 homes to west.
. Full amount $95,000 to pick up 4 homes.
. Original estimate $99,000.
. Recommendations , some not included.
. Option E is for full program.
. Option D need tonite $99,237.
. Sewer needs to go in at some time.
* Council, Jerry (now on stage), Mayor all looking at charts. Break up into three separate groups having discussions.
Note: Cannot hear a word they say.
Jerry continues at microphone:
. Three options.
1. Sign as now written.
2. Add two houses to West.
3. Do all houses within scope.
. Change order onto existing contract done by Jerry.
. Contractor indication we are going ahead with full project.
Jane- Motion to approve extension contract up to $95 thousand dollars with change order per Town Attorney approval. Second.
Passes 5-0.

Note: Seated next to Jerry at microphone so can hear him better. Speakers provided are silent. Request to have Council person speak directly into and move microphones closer is ignored.

MAYOR'S TIME
Bruce-
. Laughing at something (cannot hear).
. Reminder of CAR SHOW on 29th.
. Town Hall pressure washed for painting on 22nd.
. Thanks Hardins, Torbets and Browns for assistance.

COUNCIL TIME-
Bradley-
. Need 30 gallons of paint $150 plus 2 5-gallon buckets $300
. Need to notify residents on Winnifred street to move their cars 7:30am to 4 pm for CAR SHOW.
Jim-
. August 18th deadline to input on Resolution 477 Ordinance 1316 Ruston special election Ballot Issue Number One.
. Give to me and I will forward to David.
. I will notify Steve Fabre, owner, Point Defiance Cafe and Casino.
Lyle-
. Google Apps resolution order to website.
. Significant difference to costs, website.

8:25 EXECUTIVE SESSION reconvene 8:45.

CERTAINTY IN RUSTON

Ruston, WA regular council meeting Monday August 2, 2010 7 pm:

PUBLIC COMMENTS-
Jim- Time to reinstate Casino banked card games and $30 thousand dollars per year to Town of Ruston in taxes. Time to restore 35-40 jobs lost due to illegal actions by the Town. Point Defiance Cafe and Casino is on Pearl street a major thoroughfare with traffic in and out not affecting residents. Time to do what is right.
Note: Unable to comment on Ordinance 1316 but have plenty for next council meeting.
Beth- Cole building is a fire hazard. What is status?
Edith- Big gravel truck (sewer project) went down Winnifred street with one wheel driving on center median. Needs to stop.

Agenda item #1- Jerry Morrissette - Budget amendment for the Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project
Jerry- Request authority to hire Geo Tech. Need to identify soil issues with sewer project in contract plus policy to protect Town.
In original budget always intended to be. If you approve this will have paperwork by next meeting to revise budget. We will monitor contractor and invoices coming in.
Provided budget $12,945
Traffic control $ 1,000
Ten percent for overrun
Total $15,350 additional GEO TECH services.

Agenda item #2- Ordinance 1316 Amending Ch. 502 of the RMC to prohibit Social Card Games within the Town of Ruston... (second reading)
Jim-
. I am prime sponsor of this to bring certainty to Town and to the Casino.
. Public testimony tonight, public process this time (Note: There was no public testimony.)
.Have taken public testimony twice.
.Voters decide, let the chips fall where they may.
. Tax was not proper route moratorium is proper.
. We are not eliminating any activity going on at current time.
. Not losing any revenue.
. Close business in heart of business district. Don't need any vacant business spaces.
. I am voting for this tonight.

Note: Specious argument "Not losing any revenue." At $30 thousand dollars per year lost in taxes after illegal tax increase passed forcing gambling business to close down Town is losing $30 thousand dollars per year in gambling taxes or $60 thousand dollars over last two years. This loss does not include huge legal fees or settling any claims against the town or class-action lawsuits for damages.

David-
. As currently drafted Section one goes away with previous section.
. Need to move to strike Section one and pass as amended.
Lyle- Leave when amended after election in in November.
David- Need to take tax increase off of books.
Bradley-
. Voting for it.
. Progress on raising gambling tax on agenda February through April.
. Testimony taken from Casino and Town.

Note: Not exactly. Testimony at trial showed only one nine minute monologue involving only one former council person during a study session no public comment allowed. One of Judges closing points was that there was no public input at all and none by the Point Defiance and Casino. Only reference to a letter to the council and E-mails.

Jim- strike section one and renumber all remaining sections.
Ord. 1316 passes as amended 5-0.

Agenda item #3- Resolution 477 - Requesting that the Pierce County Auditor call a special election for the Town of Ruston, to be held on November 2, 2010, and place Town of Ruston referendum measure No. 1 on the Special election ballot

David- Volunteers, statement. Tonight is deadline to get this done.
Lyle- Cost to Town for special election? Vote required a simple majority.
passes 5-0.

Agenda item #4- Resolution 478 approve Jerry Morrissette budget request for $15,350 for additional Geo Tech services (added to agenda)
Jim- Spending money requires budget approval.
Jerry- Contracting directly with Geo Tech we oversee. Engineering budget previously provided for.
passes 5-0.

Note: Ironic but $15 thousand dollar request was half of annual gambling tax previously paid by Point Defiance Cafe and Casino.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL TIME-

Note: waste of time? Can only hear some of the speakers some of the time. Public comments at microphone come in loud and clear. Hopkins some of the time. Hedrick and Hardin are clear. Hunt and Huson speak low and softly difficult to hear at times. Britton too far back cannot hear. Don't take anything literally but did the best I could.
Town provided speaker which made sound better but still not up to normal hearing as required by ADA.
ADJOURN 8:08.
-30-

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Engineer, Jerry Morrissette