Ruston, WA regular council meeting Monday, October 19, 2009 7:00 pm:
Jim Hedrick appointed Mayor Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Bruce Hopkins.
Another donnybrook with Dan berating a fellow council member and Town Historian/blogger Karen Pickett who dared to counter some Jobs for Justice propaganda. An arsenic laden salvo aimed at the heart of the town. As their time on the council nears its end they appear to be getting edgy as their anti Point Ruston podium will fade away and we can go back to being the Ruston I knew for 75 years.
But wait a cabal write in campaign aimed at the Mayor and a citizen running unopposed. A dedicated citizen and a dedicated Mayor devoted to working for the Town's survival. Implausible yet they, the Tacoma cabal, have dedicated tireless adherents looking to oppress the small town spirit so unique to Ruston. Plausible if you don't exercise your right to GET OUT AND VOTE. MAIL IN THAT BALLOT marked to salvage what is left of Ruston.
Agenda amended to remove Item 3 Appointing Ruston Police Sergeant Jeremy Kunkel as Chief of Police for the Town of Ruston
Arguments waged back and forth but support appeared to be unanimous for this Resolution No. 456 with the major impediment being the absence of the Mayor. The Town Attorney put the Resolution on the Agenda at the request of the Mayor without realizing the Mayor would be absent. Will be presented at the next regular council meeting Monday November 2nd and passage a foregone conclusion. Passes 5-0 as amended.
STAFF REPORTS
Don Torbet, Fire Chief
Police and Fire Departments will cooperate on handing out candy to children on Halloween at the Town Hall 5-8 pm. Coffee will be provided for adults in attendance.
Fire Department volunteers will receive swine flu shots Thursday night.
Jeremy Kunkel, Police Chief
Getting darker earlier use headlights. Anytime you use windshield wipers turn lights on.
Interviewing for a full time position.
Received grant money from Department of Justice reimbursement for training
NOF means Notice of Practice
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Terry Knapp - hoped Jeremy Kunkel would be approved tonight. Been nine months since we have had a police chief in Ruston.
Dan Wombacher - owns lot on Commercial street, need flexibility. Zoning not required by Planning Commission unless substantial impact. Can us segregation to separate out. Mayor should take care of. No subdivision, not in State regulations.
Jim Wingard - objected to Dan's report titled "Environmental Issues in the Town of Ruston" previous meeting. Felt they were over the top.
Karen Pickett- Evil message (refer to previous comment) needs to be dealt with. Has great concern. Need to research issues not promote it. Need facts.EPA has soil samples, Jobs for Justice involved, area outside plant not remediated. Has pictures on website, RUSTON HOME.BLOGSPOT, of JFJ spinning out tires creating a dust cloud then getting out and taking pictures. Pictures on Karen's site show JFJ taking pictures with car running. Need to research before meeting.
Beth Torbet - Hope for EPA to be here to address issues, prioritizing properties. Why not test Point Defiance Park not just Ruston, prioritize. Dan's comments should have been cleared with EPA before being presented to Council. Many properties are lower than standards set.
BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 1297 BUDGET ANENDMENT
Bradley motion to approve, Jane second. Passes 5-0.
Agenda Item 2 - Environmental Issues in the Town of Ruston (Albertson)
Dan - Kevin Rochlin of EPA invited Nov 2nd for Study Session to begin at 6pm. Citizens for Healthy Bay to also be here. Have heavy schedule.
. talks about thalidomide.
. person who works for company suspect.
. arsenic known carcinogen
. Independent lab found 20 time state standard
. need answers from EPA
. Rochlin bring data from past
. protect residents from known hazard
. Nothing more tonight, updates only.
. no motion
. Study Session starts at 6pm
Jane - need to put in Town newsletter
Karen - I will put in newsletter
Jim - High time EPA reaches out to community.
. Own 2 houses in Town.
. What was done in community.
. EPA has not done "due diligence"
Ordinance No. 1298 International Fire Code (first reading)
David - thought already adopted. 2006 International Fire Code adopted by State of Washington. Cannot force to submit to fire inspection without warrant.
Ordinance No. 1299 Creating a new Chapter 5.10 of the Ruston Municipal Code relating to Utility Tax Rates (first reading)
David - directive from Mayor. Electric, gas, telephone. Clear statutory requirement, fixed rate.
Jane - need to change quarterly to monthly. Money to general fund. Need to not pay tax to Tacoma. Needed in Ruston.
Dan - raising utility tax rate in Ruston to Tacoma level. Will raise to max.
Jim - need fiscal statement.
Wayne - We are doing little to control sky high budget. Need to balance budget first.
Dan - need to see fiscal statement.
Jane - easy to do. Need for budget.
Jim - Don't like new taxes with no new services.
Jane - money going into funds cannot use for fire, police. Tax needs to go into general fund to use for services.
Dan - dedicated funds, cannot use money, backwards. Should not raise taxes until need shown.
Jim - we are using utility fund for street lights.
Jane - cell phone taxes do not go into a fund.
. charge on bill goes into fund
. State law states use.
. can loan money from fund with interest.
. need to get money into general fund.
. Town deficit not that great.
Dan and Wayne - erupt with laughter.
. not a handicap burden with taxes.
Dan - meeting with David and the Mayor.
David - special tax can go into general fund.
Wayne - feels sorry for people on fixed incomes.
Jim - talk to Mayor need budget recommendations.
First reading, public comments allowed next meeting.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL - Dan abstain, Wayne no, passes 4-1.
MAYOR'S TIME absent
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - tapes of meeting not good quality. Cannot hear Mayor and Counsel. Defective microphones?
. speaks in support of Police Sergeant Jeremy Kunkel, doing excellent job.
Bradley - two telephone calls regarding lights at Commencement.
Jim - Use 'dark sky' maintenance
Note: Stack hill now Commencement. They sure do like to keep Ruston in the dark.
Jim - regarding Resolution 456 put behind us. I support Sergeant Kunkel but the Mayor needs to be here. Need to clean this up. Jeremy has been on force for 10 years. He is highly dedicated and appreciate job he is doing.
Dan - (on high horse) I voted to resolve issue tonight. On agenda at request of Mayor. Strenuously object to council persons remarks. Revealing private conversation harmful.
. Public comment misrepresented danger of arsenic. Her and her blog have done damage and harm to reputation of the town. Note: anger with vehemence.
. Wayne Stebner had guts to say publicly we need the Tacoma Fire Department. Citizens came to meeting showing an appalling lack of civility.
. Website (now taken down) had anonymous comment accusing Wayne Stebner of having a sexual relationship with member of Tacoma Fire Department.
Note: a blockbuster statement had not heard before. Will attempt to clarify and debunk clearing the air at next meeting.
.In deposition admitted to posting anonymous comments on her blog.
Jane - I owe Sergeant Kunkel an apology. I think Jeremy has done a wonderful job. Support him 100 percent. Want Mayor to be here.
David - my fault. I put it on agenda with Mayor absent.
ADJOURN 7:59 pm
Special note: Hearings on ASARCO and fallout went on for years. Every time a new person comes into the town things get stirred up again. If this is being done to harm private development and hurt the Town it is most appalling. If this is being done out of ignorance it is even more grievous especially from a council person who should know better. This is a byproduct of shutting out the citizen's of Ruston from commenting on BUSINESS issues. A tremendous knowledge of the town sits in the audience waiting to be heard but they choose not to listen. Ignorance is bliss the old saw goes.
NOT ONE PERSON IN RUSTON HAS EVER BEEN HARMED BY ASARCO IN THE LAST 120 YEARS. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DID STUDIES ON RUSTON AND NEARBY REIDENTS FOR YEARS. I WAS BORN IN RUSTON TWO BLOCKS FROM THE PLANT ON 51ST AND SHIRLEY AND SPENT MY FORMATIVE YEARS PLAYING IN THE SO CALLED CONTAMINATED SOIL. I AM APPROACHING 76 YEARS AND HAVE YET TO SHOW ANY ILL EFFECTS. A PREVIOUS BLOG SPOKE ABOUT A RETIRED SMELTER WORKER NEARING 100 YEARS OF AGE WHO WORKED 37 YEARS IN THE FURNACE ROOM AND IS HEALTHIER AND SMARTER THAN ONE COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO FAR WE HAVE ASPERSIONS, INNUENDO, STAGED FAKE PICTURES, ACCUSATIONS, ALL UNFOUNDED. LET'S CUT TO THE CHASE. WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS. THIS SAME COUNCIL PERSON HAS IN THE PAST REFERRED TO ASARCO AS THOSE "HIDEOUS BUILDINGS". SURPRISING AS HE IS PRIVY TO THE INNERMOST HISTORY OF ASARCO, HIS FATHER-IN-LAW HAVING RETIRED FROM THE SMELTER.
TO GET TO THE TRUTH ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENTS AND NOT ONE-SIDED DIATRIBES. THIS TOWN IS UNDER ATTACK AND THE CITIZENS MUST RISE TO ITS DEFENSE.
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
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
-30-
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
TARGET POINT RUSTON
Ruston, WA Town Council meeting October 5th, 2009 7pm:
Short and sweet with a negative diatribe on POINT RUSTON entitled ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE TOWN OF RUSTON?
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Wingard - noted almost automatic approval of items requiring budget revisions with the lone exception "raises for town employees".
Kevin Moser - commented on the glare from street lights on STACK HILL. Need to eliminate glare, not considerate of town. Likes street lights on 49th street better where light is downward directed. Used up his allotted two minutes.
Dan- motion to allow time to finish, Jane second. Passes 5-0.
Kevin continues -
Provided handout of four different types of street lights.
Wayne - You need to talk to me on this.
Bruce - street lights are out for bid now. Deciding between 100 watt bulbs or 70 watt bulbs, out for research. You have access to town electrician.
Jane - lights from Commencement light up my deck.
Dan - surprised neighbors have not complained?
Bruce - they (Point Ruston) paid for lights. See no need to change no homes affected.
Note: PROGRESS IS BAD, STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN WHEN POSSIBLE? Couldn't be could it?
JJ - Lights needed for security purposes.
Beth - follow through like Point Ruston.
Note: I thought SAFE STREETS encouraged outdoor lighting? Apparently Ruston hasn't got the word. Extra lighting deters burglars and vandalism elsewhere.
BUSINESS
Agenda item one - ORDINANCE 1297 BUDGET AMENDMENT
Wayne - budget why are we shifting.
Bruce - so money comes out of budget not electrical reserve fund
Wayne - why not $6 thousand dollars instead of $12 thousand dollars?
Karen - will be further expenditures
Wayne - would like to approve all expenditures individually
Jane - lining up items
Bruce - access ability there anyway. We cannot know exact dollars
Wayne - I am only one vote.
David - fund transfer requires public comment
Note: big brouhaha takes place whether it is one fund or two funds?
Jane - only one fund
Karen - Karen - budgeted out of 401, Electrical fund, paying out of 402 (Electrical reserve fund). Like checking and saving accounts.
David - excess funds
Bruce - not moving funds, just allocation source. Pay out of reserve fund.
Dan - just have public comment. Nobody will comment anyway.
Jane - need to cover
PUBLIC COMMENT ORDINANCE 1297
Kevin Moser - Saves money to have MO working hourly. More cost effective than bidding out.
First reading complete.
Agenda item two - Environmental issues in the town of Ruston (Albertson)
Dan - concerned about arsenic in Town.
.arsenic extremely toxic. Source of many cancers, names several.
.soil samples taken outside Point Ruston
.EPA standards 230 ppm
.testing shows, 300 ppm and 460 ppm
.Who in Ruston is monitoring?
.EPA fact sheet, in almost all cases, shows material leaving site below levels
.Shows picture of large dust cloud, cause for concern
.Gate is in Tacoma
.Why training for creating hazardous waste
.Nobody checking
.need EPA regulators to show up at council meeting
.Independent lab in Seattle did testing on readings from public street
.need explanation
.Why I put this on agenda Have not talked to Kevin Rochlin of EPA. Talked to Citizens for Healthy Bay.
.happy to have EPA and Citizens for Healthy Bay give 1/2 hour presentation to council
.am concerned about contamination off of Point Ruston
Wayne - We need Department of Ecology too.
Dan - forced to agree, regret it
Jane - called all government agencies. EPA, Federal Government, in charge.
Need this project to go forward.
Note: public comments not allowed on agenda items so here is my two cents for next meeting.
. sounds like another JOBS FOR JUSTICE hit job
. Ruston is not the right venue to vent your spleen.
. Public streets in Tacoma?
. Tacoma annexation duo has plenty of contacts in Tacoma
. Appears to be a last minute hatchet job by departing soon council member
. no documents provided
. no proof provided
. no witnesses identified
. In my Introduction to Law class it was made clear HEARSAY is inadmissible in a court of law
. But all Dan's comments appear to be HEARSAY!!
. I have yet to determine a reason for all this vitriol except to hamstring the town of Ruston leading to it's demise
Agenda item three - Meter Deposits (hopkins)
Bruce - Only one deposit required. Holding $11 thousand dollars in noncollectable utility bills from 2006. One utility deposit given back after ten years.
Note: Aren't unclaimed deposits required to be turned over to the state after three years?
Jane - change our laws. hold owner liable not tenant.
Wayne - why was meter not pulled?
Karen - not legal to pull meter November 15th to March 15th during winter.
All - on and on, landlord tenant, no pay no rental, make landlord responsible. do not accept deposit if overdue, etc., Note: It appears they don't have a clue!!!
Bradley - a voice of reason has had enough. Let's table this for a future study session.
Note: Wow, way to go or this could of went on all night in their now familiar chasing your tail routine or the circular firing squad. Thank you Brad from those of us who have another life.
MAYOR'S TIME - nothing
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - worried about going above $40 dollar monthly sewer charge for residents
Bruce - BofA wants money in bank despite guarantee by Federal government and three percent interest.
Jane - need to spread our money around for safety
Bruce - Need to set investment policy. Remember Bof A owns Merrill Lynch holder of many suspect loans. need to address our own policy, self financing.
Jim, Bradley - nothing
Dan - three percent loan may be good years from now.
. Need to fund up front.
. When will Copperline condos be occupied?
. When is Point Ruston money coming in?
. If funding gap what happens?
. Need to see Point Ruston building plans
Bruce - need to focus on being able to get by on our own.
. facing services cuts nobody will like.
Dan - takes off on spiel on COMMENCEMENT
Bruce - They want temporary occupancy permit.
. I go down there two or three times a week.
. Dialog schedule meeting.
. reward at end of project.
. for now we need to survive seven to eight years on our own.
Jane - wants Point Ruston timetable. When is revenue coming in?
. need to know what is in front of us.
. thanks Kevin Moser and volunteers for work on Mary Joyce community center
. in talking to Kevin Commencement not completing anything in center
David - send Notice of Violation
Wayne - people moving furniture in. We need a stop work order.
David - violation of permits
Bruce - elevator is signed off.
Note: For God's sake don't try to help out getting things completed. Throw as many obstacles in their path as you can. It's not like Ruston needs the money or anything.
ADJOURN 8:07
Note: Another council meeting another step backwards!!!
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Short and sweet with a negative diatribe on POINT RUSTON entitled ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE TOWN OF RUSTON?
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Wingard - noted almost automatic approval of items requiring budget revisions with the lone exception "raises for town employees".
Kevin Moser - commented on the glare from street lights on STACK HILL. Need to eliminate glare, not considerate of town. Likes street lights on 49th street better where light is downward directed. Used up his allotted two minutes.
Dan- motion to allow time to finish, Jane second. Passes 5-0.
Kevin continues -
Provided handout of four different types of street lights.
Wayne - You need to talk to me on this.
Bruce - street lights are out for bid now. Deciding between 100 watt bulbs or 70 watt bulbs, out for research. You have access to town electrician.
Jane - lights from Commencement light up my deck.
Dan - surprised neighbors have not complained?
Bruce - they (Point Ruston) paid for lights. See no need to change no homes affected.
Note: PROGRESS IS BAD, STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN WHEN POSSIBLE? Couldn't be could it?
JJ - Lights needed for security purposes.
Beth - follow through like Point Ruston.
Note: I thought SAFE STREETS encouraged outdoor lighting? Apparently Ruston hasn't got the word. Extra lighting deters burglars and vandalism elsewhere.
BUSINESS
Agenda item one - ORDINANCE 1297 BUDGET AMENDMENT
Wayne - budget why are we shifting.
Bruce - so money comes out of budget not electrical reserve fund
Wayne - why not $6 thousand dollars instead of $12 thousand dollars?
Karen - will be further expenditures
Wayne - would like to approve all expenditures individually
Jane - lining up items
Bruce - access ability there anyway. We cannot know exact dollars
Wayne - I am only one vote.
David - fund transfer requires public comment
Note: big brouhaha takes place whether it is one fund or two funds?
Jane - only one fund
Karen - Karen - budgeted out of 401, Electrical fund, paying out of 402 (Electrical reserve fund). Like checking and saving accounts.
David - excess funds
Bruce - not moving funds, just allocation source. Pay out of reserve fund.
Dan - just have public comment. Nobody will comment anyway.
Jane - need to cover
PUBLIC COMMENT ORDINANCE 1297
Kevin Moser - Saves money to have MO working hourly. More cost effective than bidding out.
First reading complete.
Agenda item two - Environmental issues in the town of Ruston (Albertson)
Dan - concerned about arsenic in Town.
.arsenic extremely toxic. Source of many cancers, names several.
.soil samples taken outside Point Ruston
.EPA standards 230 ppm
.testing shows, 300 ppm and 460 ppm
.Who in Ruston is monitoring?
.EPA fact sheet, in almost all cases, shows material leaving site below levels
.Shows picture of large dust cloud, cause for concern
.Gate is in Tacoma
.Why training for creating hazardous waste
.Nobody checking
.need EPA regulators to show up at council meeting
.Independent lab in Seattle did testing on readings from public street
.need explanation
.Why I put this on agenda Have not talked to Kevin Rochlin of EPA. Talked to Citizens for Healthy Bay.
.happy to have EPA and Citizens for Healthy Bay give 1/2 hour presentation to council
.am concerned about contamination off of Point Ruston
Wayne - We need Department of Ecology too.
Dan - forced to agree, regret it
Jane - called all government agencies. EPA, Federal Government, in charge.
Need this project to go forward.
Note: public comments not allowed on agenda items so here is my two cents for next meeting.
. sounds like another JOBS FOR JUSTICE hit job
. Ruston is not the right venue to vent your spleen.
. Public streets in Tacoma?
. Tacoma annexation duo has plenty of contacts in Tacoma
. Appears to be a last minute hatchet job by departing soon council member
. no documents provided
. no proof provided
. no witnesses identified
. In my Introduction to Law class it was made clear HEARSAY is inadmissible in a court of law
. But all Dan's comments appear to be HEARSAY!!
. I have yet to determine a reason for all this vitriol except to hamstring the town of Ruston leading to it's demise
Agenda item three - Meter Deposits (hopkins)
Bruce - Only one deposit required. Holding $11 thousand dollars in noncollectable utility bills from 2006. One utility deposit given back after ten years.
Note: Aren't unclaimed deposits required to be turned over to the state after three years?
Jane - change our laws. hold owner liable not tenant.
Wayne - why was meter not pulled?
Karen - not legal to pull meter November 15th to March 15th during winter.
All - on and on, landlord tenant, no pay no rental, make landlord responsible. do not accept deposit if overdue, etc., Note: It appears they don't have a clue!!!
Bradley - a voice of reason has had enough. Let's table this for a future study session.
Note: Wow, way to go or this could of went on all night in their now familiar chasing your tail routine or the circular firing squad. Thank you Brad from those of us who have another life.
MAYOR'S TIME - nothing
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - worried about going above $40 dollar monthly sewer charge for residents
Bruce - BofA wants money in bank despite guarantee by Federal government and three percent interest.
Jane - need to spread our money around for safety
Bruce - Need to set investment policy. Remember Bof A owns Merrill Lynch holder of many suspect loans. need to address our own policy, self financing.
Jim, Bradley - nothing
Dan - three percent loan may be good years from now.
. Need to fund up front.
. When will Copperline condos be occupied?
. When is Point Ruston money coming in?
. If funding gap what happens?
. Need to see Point Ruston building plans
Bruce - need to focus on being able to get by on our own.
. facing services cuts nobody will like.
Dan - takes off on spiel on COMMENCEMENT
Bruce - They want temporary occupancy permit.
. I go down there two or three times a week.
. Dialog schedule meeting.
. reward at end of project.
. for now we need to survive seven to eight years on our own.
Jane - wants Point Ruston timetable. When is revenue coming in?
. need to know what is in front of us.
. thanks Kevin Moser and volunteers for work on Mary Joyce community center
. in talking to Kevin Commencement not completing anything in center
David - send Notice of Violation
Wayne - people moving furniture in. We need a stop work order.
David - violation of permits
Bruce - elevator is signed off.
Note: For God's sake don't try to help out getting things completed. Throw as many obstacles in their path as you can. It's not like Ruston needs the money or anything.
ADJOURN 8:07
Note: Another council meeting another step backwards!!!
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Thursday, September 24, 2009
MUNDANE TOWN
Ruston, WA regular council meeting Monday September 21, 2009 7pm:
All present and accounted for noting the return of Dan
STAFF
Jeremy -
.attended leadership conference
.cleaning crew coning from Remann Hall
.coroner report - natural death
.Senator Patty Murray getting back to us on GRANTS.
Wayne - scale trucks - answer none
Jim - 66 verbal warnings, 6 parking
Don -
.8 calls August, 2 fire related rest medical aid
.attended summit on swine flu
.combination of four flus - 2 human, 1 aviary, 1 animal
.will not take lives but will make you very, very sick
.expect 40-50 percent of workforce out
.each individual will miss work one week
.expect media blitz including Governor Gregoire
.IMPORTANT: WASH HANDS
PUBLIC COMMENT
JJ -
LID
.spent $1 million on design, road construction
.cost increase from $11 to $14 million dollars plus water and power
.60 percent in Ruston
BALTIMORE STREET
.weight restriction
.no affect on cost (sorry Wayne) for Point Ruston
.weight allowed equal to weight of fire truck
.bringing two groups int Ruston
DON -
.heard 21 to 24 gunshots at 1245 am
.If town knows about them should give out information if does not conflict with law enforcement
BUSINESS
Agenda item # 1 - Discussion of increase of engineering costs for Mo Fesharaki
Wayne - take care of next meeting
Jane - have printout of flag and pole costs
note: Why not electrical outlets for XMAS lights etc.,
Bruce - we can sell advertising if not used
Ordinance 1295 - Adopting building permit, plan review and building department services fee schedules (second reading)
Wayne - amend to remove $90 dollar lawn sprinkler inspection fee
passes 5-0 as amended
Ordinance 1296 - Maximum load limits on N Baltimore street between Ruston Way and N Commercial street (second reading)
Removed from agenda
Resolution No, 455 - USDA
Jane - met with difficult time. Requires a revenue bond. Went through several times. Basically not a bond guarantees payment to USDA.
Wayne - cannot discriminate for any reason. Requires an audit, sooner not later.
Jane -
.loan requires a construction loan. When work is completed USDA loan kicks in.
.USDA interest rate is 4.5 percent, can go lower but not higher
.need sub contractor to monitor loan draws
Bruce - Money is guaranteed. Banks get 3 percent on construction loan.
Dan - cost overruns charged to Ruston?
Bruce - covered.
Dan - change orders, weather delays? Could get slammed.
Bruce - economy is down contractors hope to use less than $4.9 million dollars
Bruce - we could go back for more money if needed.
Dan - paying back over $10 million dollars over loan period
Bruce -
.over $125 thousand dollars for engineering our contribution
.We could put in $600 thousand dollars to lower loan
David - Claims will start first day. Need to budget for.
Jane - we can payoff loan sooner.
Jim - Need loan reserve account $26 thousand dollars per year for 10 years to meet criteria
passes 5-0
Agenda item #5 - October Domestic Violence Awareness month
Jane - authorize mayor to sign proclamation
passes 5-0
MAYOR'S TIME
.need to put into budget licensing cost for new online accounting system
. $55 dollars per month thereafter
.Can look at utility bills past 24 months
.can pay electronically. 18 cents charge per card usage
.thanks Jane for help in new accounting system
.need to put into budget for online training with accounting firm
.On the radar - garbage, Commencement will require compacting waste, new hauling containers
.Point Ruston will come online. Need to upgrade truck or?
.curb painting N 49th and Winnifred this weekend
.Commencement meeting room kitchen fully functional
.thanks Kevin Moser for tremendous amount of work effort, moving cavinets
.will be available December one for Town meetings
.we have need for neighborhood watch
.thanks Jane and Wayne for donating time on sewers
.handoff of USDA check will be big occasion
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - will we be able to blog on Town website? Answer NO.
Bradley, Jim and Dan - nothing
Jane - don't be surprised in Norm Dicks releases a public announcement
ADJOURN 8pm (one hour)
NOTE:
.notice how facilely they add budget items when it pleases them?
.notice how they never increase their utility taxes?
.notice how they couldn't increase employee wages because it was not budgeted for?
.Is this the heighth of HYPOCRISY? We would love an explanation!
.Whatever happened to the budget (fiscal) inpact statements Dan and Wayne were pushing for?
.another amazing theme is how much they use the COMMENCEMENT trust fund for whatever?
.Never mentioning how they hated it and fought tooth and nail to stop it or delay it?
.Only one word comes to mind over and over: HYPOCRITES.
.Almost item for item the workload increases on the already overworked and underpaid Town employees without a murmur. Do they in totality have a conscience.
.These comments are here because they moved PUBLIC COMMENTS to before the agenda to keep comments on BUSINESS off the recorded record.
.Hope you serve coffee at meetings after December first from your new kitchen donated by the COMMENCEMENT.
.and while you are at it move EXECUTIVE SESSIONS to 6 or 6:30 before the meeting.
.Hard to find time for this as I am now into HUSKY blogging.
.will link to Karen's comments when available. Lots of comments there.
.Getting harder to hear the lower voices so please attend at the new expanded council meeting and get it straight from the horses mouth. Still plenty of seats at the Town Hall also.
.I apologize to the horses and I might have mentioned the wrong orifice.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
-30-
All present and accounted for noting the return of Dan
STAFF
Jeremy -
.attended leadership conference
.cleaning crew coning from Remann Hall
.coroner report - natural death
.Senator Patty Murray getting back to us on GRANTS.
Wayne - scale trucks - answer none
Jim - 66 verbal warnings, 6 parking
Don -
.8 calls August, 2 fire related rest medical aid
.attended summit on swine flu
.combination of four flus - 2 human, 1 aviary, 1 animal
.will not take lives but will make you very, very sick
.expect 40-50 percent of workforce out
.each individual will miss work one week
.expect media blitz including Governor Gregoire
.IMPORTANT: WASH HANDS
PUBLIC COMMENT
JJ -
LID
.spent $1 million on design, road construction
.cost increase from $11 to $14 million dollars plus water and power
.60 percent in Ruston
BALTIMORE STREET
.weight restriction
.no affect on cost (sorry Wayne) for Point Ruston
.weight allowed equal to weight of fire truck
.bringing two groups int Ruston
DON -
.heard 21 to 24 gunshots at 1245 am
.If town knows about them should give out information if does not conflict with law enforcement
BUSINESS
Agenda item # 1 - Discussion of increase of engineering costs for Mo Fesharaki
Wayne - take care of next meeting
Jane - have printout of flag and pole costs
note: Why not electrical outlets for XMAS lights etc.,
Bruce - we can sell advertising if not used
Ordinance 1295 - Adopting building permit, plan review and building department services fee schedules (second reading)
Wayne - amend to remove $90 dollar lawn sprinkler inspection fee
passes 5-0 as amended
Ordinance 1296 - Maximum load limits on N Baltimore street between Ruston Way and N Commercial street (second reading)
Removed from agenda
Resolution No, 455 - USDA
Jane - met with difficult time. Requires a revenue bond. Went through several times. Basically not a bond guarantees payment to USDA.
Wayne - cannot discriminate for any reason. Requires an audit, sooner not later.
Jane -
.loan requires a construction loan. When work is completed USDA loan kicks in.
.USDA interest rate is 4.5 percent, can go lower but not higher
.need sub contractor to monitor loan draws
Bruce - Money is guaranteed. Banks get 3 percent on construction loan.
Dan - cost overruns charged to Ruston?
Bruce - covered.
Dan - change orders, weather delays? Could get slammed.
Bruce - economy is down contractors hope to use less than $4.9 million dollars
Bruce - we could go back for more money if needed.
Dan - paying back over $10 million dollars over loan period
Bruce -
.over $125 thousand dollars for engineering our contribution
.We could put in $600 thousand dollars to lower loan
David - Claims will start first day. Need to budget for.
Jane - we can payoff loan sooner.
Jim - Need loan reserve account $26 thousand dollars per year for 10 years to meet criteria
passes 5-0
Agenda item #5 - October Domestic Violence Awareness month
Jane - authorize mayor to sign proclamation
passes 5-0
MAYOR'S TIME
.need to put into budget licensing cost for new online accounting system
. $55 dollars per month thereafter
.Can look at utility bills past 24 months
.can pay electronically. 18 cents charge per card usage
.thanks Jane for help in new accounting system
.need to put into budget for online training with accounting firm
.On the radar - garbage, Commencement will require compacting waste, new hauling containers
.Point Ruston will come online. Need to upgrade truck or?
.curb painting N 49th and Winnifred this weekend
.Commencement meeting room kitchen fully functional
.thanks Kevin Moser for tremendous amount of work effort, moving cavinets
.will be available December one for Town meetings
.we have need for neighborhood watch
.thanks Jane and Wayne for donating time on sewers
.handoff of USDA check will be big occasion
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - will we be able to blog on Town website? Answer NO.
Bradley, Jim and Dan - nothing
Jane - don't be surprised in Norm Dicks releases a public announcement
ADJOURN 8pm (one hour)
NOTE:
.notice how facilely they add budget items when it pleases them?
.notice how they never increase their utility taxes?
.notice how they couldn't increase employee wages because it was not budgeted for?
.Is this the heighth of HYPOCRISY? We would love an explanation!
.Whatever happened to the budget (fiscal) inpact statements Dan and Wayne were pushing for?
.another amazing theme is how much they use the COMMENCEMENT trust fund for whatever?
.Never mentioning how they hated it and fought tooth and nail to stop it or delay it?
.Only one word comes to mind over and over: HYPOCRITES.
.Almost item for item the workload increases on the already overworked and underpaid Town employees without a murmur. Do they in totality have a conscience.
.These comments are here because they moved PUBLIC COMMENTS to before the agenda to keep comments on BUSINESS off the recorded record.
.Hope you serve coffee at meetings after December first from your new kitchen donated by the COMMENCEMENT.
.and while you are at it move EXECUTIVE SESSIONS to 6 or 6:30 before the meeting.
.Hard to find time for this as I am now into HUSKY blogging.
.will link to Karen's comments when available. Lots of comments there.
.Getting harder to hear the lower voices so please attend at the new expanded council meeting and get it straight from the horses mouth. Still plenty of seats at the Town Hall also.
.I apologize to the horses and I might have mentioned the wrong orifice.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
-30-
Friday, September 11, 2009
BABEL MANIA
aka Ruston, WA Town Council in irregular action. Ever lose your keys or your mind? Ever forgetful of their own ordinances and resolutions they often meet up with themselves, never getting anywhere and always with a surprised look. Did WE really? Constructing their very own TOWER OF BABEL in Ruston. Leaderless they wander in the vast mindless spaces in their very own small world.
When recently a council person had three unexcused absences he should have been replace via an resolution he introduced and had passed aiming at another council person but ending up ensnaring himself. If only law and order applied to the Ruston, WA Town council. Apparently they are immune from their very own ordinances and resolutions.
But most unruly they cannot remember what they just did! With all five less than four years experience as council persons they have a very limited knowledge of past goings on in the Town council. Nor will they allow any public comments during the BUSINESS discussions unless it is a favored person inside the cabal. To be enlightened might also shine a light on the confusion they prefer.
Ruston Town Council meeting September 8, 2009 continued:
Agenda item no. 6 - PEARL STREET ZONING
Jim - Do not amend until 2011. To do so now would be cost prohibitive. We need to move on $5 thousand dollar flags and eliminating employee raises.
*Three of the present council members voted affirmatively for Pearl Street zoning to commercial with three story height limit when they were on the Planning Commission but having restored the height limit they are now voting for residential. This was after spending $35 thousand dollar grant to study Pearl Street Zoning and then Bob and Wayne amending it back to being useless. They still want all the grants they can apply for though.
MAYOR'S TIME
.USDA loan for sewers goes out 30-45 days.
.Thanks Jane Hunt for dedication and work over the weekend.
.Getting up to speed on accounting system.
.Town clerk prepared budget previously on past instructions.
.New budget will be different format.
.Will be able to review building permit online, pay utility bills online and review your account and status online.
.Volunteer fire department very helpful in working on new Mary Joyce Community center.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - concerned Tree Committee not getting proper marching orders. Do they need approval not to meet?
Ginger Kryger - Committee is dormant only two members left.
Bruce - Need to add members, bring up to staff level.
Wayne - need to put hold on trees because of street lights.
Bruce - contractor sees no issues nor problems.
Bradley - Thanked Ruston Voluntary Fire Department for unbelievable response when false alarm went off at 3am. Alarm company unable to reach anybody but assured by Ruston Volunteer Department Fire Chief Don Torbet not a problem. VERY IMPRESSED!!!
Jim - nothing.
Dan - absent.
Jane -
.Starting budget process soon.
.Dan A excused or not excused?
.Anecdote- printer repair man detained twice by Point Ruston security and Ruston Police approaching him. Comment was you have good security.
Note: Yes at but what cost? Using half the town budget and with eight officers almost enough for one per block. Is it legal to detain people without cause? Enter Ruston at your own risk.
Adjourn
Final note: It doesn't seem to matter who gets elected/assigned to this council. The mantra never changes. Inhibit all progress where possible. Expect the Town employees to work for subsistence wages. Money is always available off budget for pet projects (flags, flower gaskets).
But no money in budget for Town employee raises. Of course, flags and flower pots increasing light standard costs were budgeted, weren't they? Hypocrisy reigns.
Look for BUDGET FISCAL IMPACT statement they voted for in recent meeting for the flags and flower pots at the next meeting September 21, 2009. Good luck. Nothing ever changes and when it does it is reluctantly. Sad. Long range planning apparently is a no no when you have to constantly vote for the whim of the day.
But it is schocking and unconscionable to subsidize this town on the backs of the Town employees while refusing to raise your own utility rates! And hypocritical to the extreme.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
-30-
When recently a council person had three unexcused absences he should have been replace via an resolution he introduced and had passed aiming at another council person but ending up ensnaring himself. If only law and order applied to the Ruston, WA Town council. Apparently they are immune from their very own ordinances and resolutions.
But most unruly they cannot remember what they just did! With all five less than four years experience as council persons they have a very limited knowledge of past goings on in the Town council. Nor will they allow any public comments during the BUSINESS discussions unless it is a favored person inside the cabal. To be enlightened might also shine a light on the confusion they prefer.
Ruston Town Council meeting September 8, 2009 continued:
Agenda item no. 6 - PEARL STREET ZONING
Jim - Do not amend until 2011. To do so now would be cost prohibitive. We need to move on $5 thousand dollar flags and eliminating employee raises.
*Three of the present council members voted affirmatively for Pearl Street zoning to commercial with three story height limit when they were on the Planning Commission but having restored the height limit they are now voting for residential. This was after spending $35 thousand dollar grant to study Pearl Street Zoning and then Bob and Wayne amending it back to being useless. They still want all the grants they can apply for though.
MAYOR'S TIME
.USDA loan for sewers goes out 30-45 days.
.Thanks Jane Hunt for dedication and work over the weekend.
.Getting up to speed on accounting system.
.Town clerk prepared budget previously on past instructions.
.New budget will be different format.
.Will be able to review building permit online, pay utility bills online and review your account and status online.
.Volunteer fire department very helpful in working on new Mary Joyce Community center.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - concerned Tree Committee not getting proper marching orders. Do they need approval not to meet?
Ginger Kryger - Committee is dormant only two members left.
Bruce - Need to add members, bring up to staff level.
Wayne - need to put hold on trees because of street lights.
Bruce - contractor sees no issues nor problems.
Bradley - Thanked Ruston Voluntary Fire Department for unbelievable response when false alarm went off at 3am. Alarm company unable to reach anybody but assured by Ruston Volunteer Department Fire Chief Don Torbet not a problem. VERY IMPRESSED!!!
Jim - nothing.
Dan - absent.
Jane -
.Starting budget process soon.
.Dan A excused or not excused?
.Anecdote- printer repair man detained twice by Point Ruston security and Ruston Police approaching him. Comment was you have good security.
Note: Yes at but what cost? Using half the town budget and with eight officers almost enough for one per block. Is it legal to detain people without cause? Enter Ruston at your own risk.
Adjourn
Final note: It doesn't seem to matter who gets elected/assigned to this council. The mantra never changes. Inhibit all progress where possible. Expect the Town employees to work for subsistence wages. Money is always available off budget for pet projects (flags, flower gaskets).
But no money in budget for Town employee raises. Of course, flags and flower pots increasing light standard costs were budgeted, weren't they? Hypocrisy reigns.
Look for BUDGET FISCAL IMPACT statement they voted for in recent meeting for the flags and flower pots at the next meeting September 21, 2009. Good luck. Nothing ever changes and when it does it is reluctantly. Sad. Long range planning apparently is a no no when you have to constantly vote for the whim of the day.
But it is schocking and unconscionable to subsidize this town on the backs of the Town employees while refusing to raise your own utility rates! And hypocritical to the extreme.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
-30-
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
FLAGS FIVE GRAND, EMPLOYEES ZERO
Ruston Town council meeting Tuesday Sep. 8th, 2009 7pm:
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mainly concerning Pearl Street zoning 52nd to 54th whether to make permanent change to residential. One for residential, four favoring commercial. Memories are very short on this council with Wayne now the senior council person. Remember a while back after spending a $35,000 grant to study this it was approved commercial 51st to 54th on Pearl street by the Planning Commission. All this was wasted when the bedroom community cabal duo, Wayne and Bob E., managed to amend out two blocks and lower the height limit basically emasculating the grant. Wasted grant and wasted effort town of Ruston vs. the cabal getting us to where we are now.
The present council isn't a lot of improvement doing over the do over. There is no long range planning here sticking to their campaign pledge of four years ago to turn Ruston into a bedroom community and annexing it to Tacoma.
One other comment requested accounting of legal costs of Point Defiance Cafe and Casino vs. Ruston eliciting a very still silence. All other comments received numerous responses from mayor and Council persons. One public commentator asked why and got response "too technical". My guess exceeding $50 thousand dollars and we haven't even gone to court yet. Will file FOIA public records request.
BUSINESS
STREET LIGHTING - COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
Wayne - can new pole standards hold flags and flower pots?
Mo -
.They are 150 feet apart not capable of handling banners.
.Increased costs above 50 pounds plus cross arms to hold.
.Cross arms approximately $4 hundred dollars. Beefing up poles increases to $5 hundred dollars.
.Design changes needed.
Jane - to Mo. can you provide pictures of what poles look like?
* look at new street lighting on Karen's blog RUSTON HOME.
.Possible to hang flag and picture of flower pot?
.Cross arm must go up at installation?
Wayne - need to advertise out request two bids.
Mo - Will need to write new specs, advertise.
Wayne - Costs? Need to move on this. Any council comments.
Mayor - $20 thousand dollars additional costs.
Mo - Nothing on 51st street.
Beth - Community would support, find dollars.
Mo - Would be higher. Different poles adding 250 pounds weight.
Jane - Add flag no weight?
Mo -
.Cost of concrete poles is higher to handle more weight.
.$5 thousand dollars added cost just for flags.
.There are standards we have to follow.
Jane - Agree with Wayne. We should have talked about this four months ago.
Bruce - we have incurring extra engineering costs.
Wayne - Makes motion to two require two separate bids, with without flags.
Jane - Second.
David - Expending added costs not valid on motion.
Mayor - Come back next week.
Mo - Get one bid on Pearl street, one on rest else higher costs two bids.
*Dipsy-do, got hit in the head with a screwball! As usual chasing their tails in an endless game of round and round we go.
RESOLUTION No. 454 - Building Department Services
Jim - One firm, need to terminate others?
Bruce - Will do tomorrow.
Jane - Benefit Town tremendously.
Jim - Lots of development, need Professional Services.
Wayne - In support of, can not support not getting more bids.
Bruce - Set fee schedule, no benefit RFP.
Wayne - Need to go out for bids. This is not right.
*Gee, way to slow things down Wayne who is functioning on his own sans Dan.
Bruce -
.Not random act. This was done systematically.
.We need automation, fund accountability. We need to know what is coming in going out, currently unknown, unacceptable.
Jane - They do a good job. Other towns quite happy.
Passes 4-0.
Ordinance 1295 - Building Department Services Fee Schedule
(first reading)
Ordinance 1296 - maximum Load Limits
Wayne - What is purpose.
Rob - Stop truck traffic over Burlington Northern trestle.
Wayne - If OK with BN. We need road rebuilt to new standards, new curbing.
Jane - We don't want a school bus dropping into tunnel.
Don T -
.My understanding not a weight issue, not engineering situation.
.Do not see a problem. Tacoma brings Ryder trucks.
Bruce - Need engineering approval.
Don T - Go a different agenda.
ITEM 5. Salary Provisions for Collective Bargaining Agreement
Bruce - Negotiator accepted council provisions except salary.
Jim - Passed last week on overtime hours.
Bruce -
.Can't talk on this, ongoing negotiations.
.Need council guidance to go back to negotiation.
Jim - Can we exclude some employees.
Bruce - Negotiations are torture session. Don't have right to call EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Jane - other commercial rate.
Bruce - Next step arbitration.
Jim - Go back to union with different numbers.
Jane - We can't approve, not in budget. Can't agree with this.
*But of course the flags and flower pots were in the budget???? Right? Wrong.
Wayne - make motion to approve so I can vote against.
Mayor - COL, 2 1/2 percent of 1.7 percent?
Jim - Hiring freezes all over, come back in 2011 and revisit.
Jane - second.
Passes 4-0.
*Does this really make sense. Stiff the Town employees for four years. All sorts of money for flower pots and flags though. Ongoing vendetta against town clerk goes on. Shameful. Just last month they voted to have fiscal, budget impact statements but none have been forthcoming.
All for now. Sorry for my short hand notes. More and better reporting on Karen's blog Ruston Home re: Council meeting. Finish later.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Mo - Town Electrician
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mainly concerning Pearl Street zoning 52nd to 54th whether to make permanent change to residential. One for residential, four favoring commercial. Memories are very short on this council with Wayne now the senior council person. Remember a while back after spending a $35,000 grant to study this it was approved commercial 51st to 54th on Pearl street by the Planning Commission. All this was wasted when the bedroom community cabal duo, Wayne and Bob E., managed to amend out two blocks and lower the height limit basically emasculating the grant. Wasted grant and wasted effort town of Ruston vs. the cabal getting us to where we are now.
The present council isn't a lot of improvement doing over the do over. There is no long range planning here sticking to their campaign pledge of four years ago to turn Ruston into a bedroom community and annexing it to Tacoma.
One other comment requested accounting of legal costs of Point Defiance Cafe and Casino vs. Ruston eliciting a very still silence. All other comments received numerous responses from mayor and Council persons. One public commentator asked why and got response "too technical". My guess exceeding $50 thousand dollars and we haven't even gone to court yet. Will file FOIA public records request.
BUSINESS
STREET LIGHTING - COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
Wayne - can new pole standards hold flags and flower pots?
Mo -
.They are 150 feet apart not capable of handling banners.
.Increased costs above 50 pounds plus cross arms to hold.
.Cross arms approximately $4 hundred dollars. Beefing up poles increases to $5 hundred dollars.
.Design changes needed.
Jane - to Mo. can you provide pictures of what poles look like?
* look at new street lighting on Karen's blog RUSTON HOME.
.Possible to hang flag and picture of flower pot?
.Cross arm must go up at installation?
Wayne - need to advertise out request two bids.
Mo - Will need to write new specs, advertise.
Wayne - Costs? Need to move on this. Any council comments.
Mayor - $20 thousand dollars additional costs.
Mo - Nothing on 51st street.
Beth - Community would support, find dollars.
Mo - Would be higher. Different poles adding 250 pounds weight.
Jane - Add flag no weight?
Mo -
.Cost of concrete poles is higher to handle more weight.
.$5 thousand dollars added cost just for flags.
.There are standards we have to follow.
Jane - Agree with Wayne. We should have talked about this four months ago.
Bruce - we have incurring extra engineering costs.
Wayne - Makes motion to two require two separate bids, with without flags.
Jane - Second.
David - Expending added costs not valid on motion.
Mayor - Come back next week.
Mo - Get one bid on Pearl street, one on rest else higher costs two bids.
*Dipsy-do, got hit in the head with a screwball! As usual chasing their tails in an endless game of round and round we go.
RESOLUTION No. 454 - Building Department Services
Jim - One firm, need to terminate others?
Bruce - Will do tomorrow.
Jane - Benefit Town tremendously.
Jim - Lots of development, need Professional Services.
Wayne - In support of, can not support not getting more bids.
Bruce - Set fee schedule, no benefit RFP.
Wayne - Need to go out for bids. This is not right.
*Gee, way to slow things down Wayne who is functioning on his own sans Dan.
Bruce -
.Not random act. This was done systematically.
.We need automation, fund accountability. We need to know what is coming in going out, currently unknown, unacceptable.
Jane - They do a good job. Other towns quite happy.
Passes 4-0.
Ordinance 1295 - Building Department Services Fee Schedule
(first reading)
Ordinance 1296 - maximum Load Limits
Wayne - What is purpose.
Rob - Stop truck traffic over Burlington Northern trestle.
Wayne - If OK with BN. We need road rebuilt to new standards, new curbing.
Jane - We don't want a school bus dropping into tunnel.
Don T -
.My understanding not a weight issue, not engineering situation.
.Do not see a problem. Tacoma brings Ryder trucks.
Bruce - Need engineering approval.
Don T - Go a different agenda.
ITEM 5. Salary Provisions for Collective Bargaining Agreement
Bruce - Negotiator accepted council provisions except salary.
Jim - Passed last week on overtime hours.
Bruce -
.Can't talk on this, ongoing negotiations.
.Need council guidance to go back to negotiation.
Jim - Can we exclude some employees.
Bruce - Negotiations are torture session. Don't have right to call EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Jane - other commercial rate.
Bruce - Next step arbitration.
Jim - Go back to union with different numbers.
Jane - We can't approve, not in budget. Can't agree with this.
*But of course the flags and flower pots were in the budget???? Right? Wrong.
Wayne - make motion to approve so I can vote against.
Mayor - COL, 2 1/2 percent of 1.7 percent?
Jim - Hiring freezes all over, come back in 2011 and revisit.
Jane - second.
Passes 4-0.
*Does this really make sense. Stiff the Town employees for four years. All sorts of money for flower pots and flags though. Ongoing vendetta against town clerk goes on. Shameful. Just last month they voted to have fiscal, budget impact statements but none have been forthcoming.
All for now. Sorry for my short hand notes. More and better reporting on Karen's blog Ruston Home re: Council meeting. Finish later.
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
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Mo - Town Electrician
Friday, August 21, 2009
NEVER NEVER LAND
Ruston Town Council meeting August 17, 2009 7pm:
Ho hum, another EXECUTIVE SESSION everyone out into the street except for our exalted rulers and the Tacoma cabal, of course. Almost routine now with the plethora of lawsuits and the anti-personnel environment which pervades this council.
Study session preceded regular session "Discussion of Town Street Lighting".
Caught the last half hour but the session rambled off into SEWERS et al. Let's face it these study session seem to lead nowhere but promises and "let's go find a GRANT"! In the real world it's "What did we do"? Voted our largest taxpayer out of business because we didn't like his sign. Gosh, we wouldn't need a GRANT if we were still getting the $30 thousand dollars each year in gambling taxes $150,000 five years.
Duh, were not dumber than dumb just less smart. But we'll pull the wool over the eyes of those GRANT people and cover our losses. Good luck on that one: Attention GRANT people!
But wait it gets worse. The POINT DEFIANCE CAFE AND CASINO lawsuit was bumped and has to be rescheduled two months down the line. You don't hear a peep in the council or from the Mayor on the exploding expenses on this lawsuit. No budget impact statement no financial analysis statement, just silence. Apparently the Town of Ruston's legal expenses on this lawsuit are buried in CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS and routinely approved. Legal costs to the Town estimated at $50 thousand dollars so far and an additional $20 thousand dollars for the do over.
The only peep you will hear is from the RUSTON INSIDER. DO YOU CARE, DOES ANYBODY CARE? The DECIDERS in the Town apparently are in play with this huge expenditure, apparently off budget, and so far have refused an almost zero cost to the Town settlement and brushed off the arbitration process and spend whatever it takes on the road to bankruptcy. TACOMA OR BUST has been their ultimate goal and nobody stands in their way.
What has all this to do with the regular council meeting well I only stayed through GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS and then departed there being only one issue on the agenda:
BUSINESS Resolution 453 To change the hours of the standard work week for Town Employees
Yah more like MONKEY BUSINESS. Employees plural is disingenuous. this is aimed at only one employee the Town Clerk/Treasurer who has been subjected to the wrath of the cabal for three and one half years after she correctly quoted a very vengeful council person and was forced to remove the correct quote and insert a false entry into the minutes of that meeting.
One GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Lyle Hardin - Thanked the Council for allowing him to go the AWC (Association of Washington Cities)Budget Session and especially Jane Hunt for getting him enrolled on a scholarship, coordinating and arriving on time.
Also has friend Associate Engineer who will provide lights, we install, doing project now.
Why don't the LAME DUCK TACOMA DUO give up and retire early. We need the new Ruston friendly attitude on the Council which is coming soon but not soon enough.
EXECUTIVE SESSION potential litigation
Sound familiar? Vellein's into the street wet and cold.
Here is a link to Karen's Council Meeting August 17, 2009 post.
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
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
-30-
Ho hum, another EXECUTIVE SESSION everyone out into the street except for our exalted rulers and the Tacoma cabal, of course. Almost routine now with the plethora of lawsuits and the anti-personnel environment which pervades this council.
Study session preceded regular session "Discussion of Town Street Lighting".
Caught the last half hour but the session rambled off into SEWERS et al. Let's face it these study session seem to lead nowhere but promises and "let's go find a GRANT"! In the real world it's "What did we do"? Voted our largest taxpayer out of business because we didn't like his sign. Gosh, we wouldn't need a GRANT if we were still getting the $30 thousand dollars each year in gambling taxes $150,000 five years.
Duh, were not dumber than dumb just less smart. But we'll pull the wool over the eyes of those GRANT people and cover our losses. Good luck on that one: Attention GRANT people!
But wait it gets worse. The POINT DEFIANCE CAFE AND CASINO lawsuit was bumped and has to be rescheduled two months down the line. You don't hear a peep in the council or from the Mayor on the exploding expenses on this lawsuit. No budget impact statement no financial analysis statement, just silence. Apparently the Town of Ruston's legal expenses on this lawsuit are buried in CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS and routinely approved. Legal costs to the Town estimated at $50 thousand dollars so far and an additional $20 thousand dollars for the do over.
The only peep you will hear is from the RUSTON INSIDER. DO YOU CARE, DOES ANYBODY CARE? The DECIDERS in the Town apparently are in play with this huge expenditure, apparently off budget, and so far have refused an almost zero cost to the Town settlement and brushed off the arbitration process and spend whatever it takes on the road to bankruptcy. TACOMA OR BUST has been their ultimate goal and nobody stands in their way.
What has all this to do with the regular council meeting well I only stayed through GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS and then departed there being only one issue on the agenda:
BUSINESS Resolution 453 To change the hours of the standard work week for Town Employees
Yah more like MONKEY BUSINESS. Employees plural is disingenuous. this is aimed at only one employee the Town Clerk/Treasurer who has been subjected to the wrath of the cabal for three and one half years after she correctly quoted a very vengeful council person and was forced to remove the correct quote and insert a false entry into the minutes of that meeting.
One GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Lyle Hardin - Thanked the Council for allowing him to go the AWC (Association of Washington Cities)Budget Session and especially Jane Hunt for getting him enrolled on a scholarship, coordinating and arriving on time.
Also has friend Associate Engineer who will provide lights, we install, doing project now.
Why don't the LAME DUCK TACOMA DUO give up and retire early. We need the new Ruston friendly attitude on the Council which is coming soon but not soon enough.
EXECUTIVE SESSION potential litigation
Sound familiar? Vellein's into the street wet and cold.
Here is a link to Karen's Council Meeting August 17, 2009 post.
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
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
-30-
Thursday, August 13, 2009
FALSE ALARM
The case of FABRE VS. TOWN OF RUSTON was not heard today. Apparently the judge had a divorce case or Steve Fabre, Point Defiance Cafe and Casino, vs Ruston and chose to hear the divorce case.
This left a lot of subpoenaed witnesses cooling their heels in the corridor. Some had to take the day off and in one case the Town of Ruston will have to pay per diem as well as mileage.
The best I can ascertain is the case is on hold and next week they are on call subject to half hour notice. Very hard on witnesses who have been subpoenaed. How they can accomplish all this I do not know but motions and jury selection precede the trial.
Interestingly the four council persons associated with the cabal never showed up? Inside information or? Kind of fishy and very expensive to both sides.
Stay tuned.
This left a lot of subpoenaed witnesses cooling their heels in the corridor. Some had to take the day off and in one case the Town of Ruston will have to pay per diem as well as mileage.
The best I can ascertain is the case is on hold and next week they are on call subject to half hour notice. Very hard on witnesses who have been subpoenaed. How they can accomplish all this I do not know but motions and jury selection precede the trial.
Interestingly the four council persons associated with the cabal never showed up? Inside information or? Kind of fishy and very expensive to both sides.
Stay tuned.
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