SEWER CONNECTION

Ruston Town Council meeting February 22, 2011 7pm:
Short and sweet. Deb Kristovich absent.
AGENDA approved as amended 4-0. Could not hear amendments as they sit on an elevated stage to the back out of earshot. By deduction:
Ordinance 1329 Sewer Bond Anticipation Note (first reading)
first reading bypassed to be heard as second reading.
Resolution 484 Town of Ruston Agreement to provide Security Services to Metro Parks to be heard at a future meeting.
MINUTES No minutes available at this time.
STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief Don Torbet
.Completed training house burn.
.Agreement among fire fighters training better than all class training.
.No accelerants were used.
.Enough fire hoses to protect neighor houses and garage.
.Eight call last month.
.Three fire fighter applications. Doing background checks.
.Be at full strength soon.
Lyle-Question on adjoining house?
.Yellow house paint missing. Not sure if caused by pressure washing or training burn.
.Lead agency was Bates.
.Not aware of any claim made.
Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel
.Having issues with 911 calls.
.People calling office and not leaving a message. Hear about days later.
.People should dial 911 if an emergency in progress.
.Non emergency call 253-798-4721.
.Office phone 253-761-0272.
.Non emergency call residents on vacation, garage door open and vehicle in driveway. Turned out to be son of owner moving furniture. They were very greatful for police investigation and neighbor watching out for absent owner.
.Go cart caught on fire leaky gas line.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim-Cannot hear all council persons. Have had several months to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Speakers placed at front of stage are not functioning.
Sherri-Thanked fire department for training burn. Saw truck in meridian unloading huge beautiful tree. Thanked Bradley for his assistance and volunteer maintenance.
BUSINESS
Ordinance 1329 Sewer Bond Anticipation Note (first reading)
Bradley motion Jim second to bypass first reading passes 4-0
Bradley motion Jim Second to pass Ord. 1329 as second reading.
David Thompson, K and L Gates, bond counsel:
.This is a long term low interest USDA loan from the Department of Agriculture.
.Town must get private financing for construction.
.Tonight you are approving a promissory note to US Bank to pay cost of contract.
.No interst will be charged until money used.
.Interest rate variable at 84 percent of prime rate.
.Basically approving long term financing.
.Bond approval expires March 1st.
.Need to get this done before deadline and deliver to bank.
Jane-this is a 24 month loan?
.Bank will extend.
Jane-have to setup a note fund? How much?
.No pre pay just for accounting purposes.
Lyle-Interest on short term loan two year maturity. How is interest accrued?
.Interest rate changes month by month. Each draw payable over 60 months.
Jim-Administration fee? Fixed rate not available?
.Not sure if allowed.
Bruce-Commercial note?
(Please note I cannot hear all that is said even though in the front row. Please verify details or questions with Mayor or Council person. Doing the best I can.)
Mayor-We are waiving first reading therefore must pass 4-0.
Passes 4-0.
To read entire Ordinance 1329 on Town website click here.
Resolution 483 - Recognizing a Tree Dedication Ceremony Honoring Past Mayor Phil Parker
Lyle-
.Pre dedication ceremony by Patty Mannie.
.Appreciate time and effort by Bradley to pick tree and location.
.Mayor Bruce Hopkins also dedicated his time.
.Thanks to both of them.
.Three people in Town on Committee: Karen Picket (former council person under Mayor Phil Parker), Beth Torbet (President of Business District) and Don Torbet (Fire Chief)
>Deb Kristovich arrives to welcome from mayor.
Bradley-Uncomplimentary comment (not printed)
Passes 5-0.
Resolution 484 - Town of Ruston Agreement to Provide Secutity Services to Metro Parks
Moved to future Council meeting I presume.
CLAIMS/PAYROLL passes 5-0.
MAYOR'S TIME
.Council person Bradley Huson thank you for assistance in tree planting.
.Sewer project moving extremely quickly.
.Great legal advice, bank cooperation.
.Bank of America refused loan so migrated Town business to US Bank.
.to Lyle hardin, you are my hero, for providing extensive time and technological services to Town.
.Will be able to post comments on Town Website.
.Have an application for Planning Committee.
COUNCIL TIME
Bradley-nothing.
Jim-
.Need to renegotiate rate for Court Clerk
Mayor-Collective Bargaining agreement.
.Also garbage rates, times, pickup.
Mayor-Getting equipment.
Jane- inaudible, low voice.
Lyle-nothing
Deb-nothing
ADJOURN AT 7:40pm. Motion passes 5-0.
Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, Carol Morris
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, John Parker
Electricial Engineer, Mo Fesharaki
Engineer, Jerry Morrissette
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COMING ATTRACTIONS

Briefly MOTION FOR ORDER OF DEFAULT was cancelled via Web - Issue resolved on 2-4-11.

The much vaunted new online system for filling PRR (Public Records Request) seems to have gotten sidetracked. Thirty day delays seems to be the norm. Four PRR requests are in progress and will be reported upon on completion.

Particular interest is the dues paid by the Town of Ruston to AWC (Association of Washington Cities) who is footing the bill for these anti Point Defiance Cafe and Casino lawsuits. Ironically there was no benefit to the Town of Ruston for these actions in fact their largest taxpayer was forced to close its primary business. Why AWC is involved at all is a good question?

Four current PR Requests follow:

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COMMENCEMENT

Latest on the Commencement condominium project here from the News Tribune byline John Gillie: Staff Writer.

The Commencement condominium Project brought down the wrath of the Town and made it possible for a group of newcomers to take over the Town government. Six years of harrassment followed. Victims also were the Point Defiance Cafe and Casino and 30-45 of it's employees as well several holdover council persons, the Mayor and the Town Clerk.

Notwithstanding the Town gratuitously accepted the $4.3 million dollars they received for the land sale of the lower parking lot at the old Ruston School. This money supports the Town to this day making possible new street lights and the upgrade of the Town's 80 year old sewer system.

It looks like it may be coming to an end as a settlement may be possible with the new Council and the passage of Ordinance 1328 repealing Ord. No. 1316 referendum regarding Social Card Games. Ordinance 1326 previously repealed the gambling tax increase after the Town lost a lawsuit concerning same.

The legal fees on the Point Defiance Cafe and Casino must be staggering and I will report on them as soon as my Public Records Request is fulfilled. The law firms involved are a who's who of law firms stretching from Spokane to Tacoma to Seattle. All because two Ruston citizens who eventually ended up on the Town Council ostensibly, disliked their sign.
Calls for a "bedroom community" soon echoed in the Town hall.

Much more to come!!! Stay tuned. Rectitude sometimes comes at a high price unless, of course, it is not your own money! Then it is free.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, Carol Morris

ANSWER OF DEFENDANTS

Fabre et al. v. Town of Ruston
Pierce County Superior Court No. 10-2-15875-3

ANSWER OF DEFENDANTS EVERDING, ALBERTSON, HUNT AND HUSON TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Apparently defendants named above have hired the Seattle Law Firm CHRISTIE LAW GROUP. ANSWER signed by Robert L. Christie and Jason M. Rosen. Pages 1-11 follow: