Download call to order - City of Omak

OMAK CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2009
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Gagne called the regular meeting of the Omak City Council to order at 7:00 PM and everyone
joined in the flag salute.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL PRESENT:
Michael Foth
Steve Clark
Lew Goebel-absent
Donna Short
Leanne Leifer
John Sackman
Ralph Malone, City Administrator
Kevin Bowling, Fire Chief
Craig Raymond, Building Official
Jim Miller, Public Works Director
Don Eddy, Jr., Police Sergeant
CONSENT AGENDA:
Member Clark moved, seconded by Member Sackman, to approve the consent agenda, consisting of
minutes from the May 4, 2009 meeting and claims check numbers 19463-19542, in the amount of $690,683.40.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Ordinance 1649 – 2nd Reading – Amend 2009 Budget to Recognize Revenues and Expenditures
In the Management and Operation of the Stampede Arena
Member Short moved, seconded by Member Leifer, to approve Ordinance 1649. City Administrator
Malone reminded Council this ordinance recognizes the revenues generated and the expenditures to be paid
regarding the Management Agreement the City has with Omak Stampede, Inc. for the arena grounds. This
Agreement is part of the arrangements for the L.O.C.A.L., tax-free municipal bonds. He added he feels this will
be revenue neutral in the operation of the facility. It was clarified that the City will receive revenue from ticket
sales for events sponsored by the Omak Stampede, Inc., and admissions tax revenue from all events held in the
arena. After some discussion, and no comments from the audience, Council voted and approved the motion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 40-2009 – Approve Cost Proposals Numbered 10 and 13-Stampede Arena
Grandstand Project
Member Foth moved, seconded by Member Short, to approve Resolution 40-2009. City Administrator
Malone stated this Resolution recognizes two cost proposals necessary for the arena project. Number 10 is in
regards to additional exit lighting, fencing and gravel for the ramp locations under the two sets of new
grandstands. Number 13 is a smaller item and relates to additional material needed in the excavation for
installation of a sewer manhole. After some discussion, and no comments from the audience, Council voted and
approved the motion
Resolution 41-2009 – Approve Arena Grandstand Contract Change Order #3-Garco Construction
Member Short moved, seconded by Member Clark, to approve Resolution 41-2009. City Administrator
Malone told Council this is a Change Order that incorporates Cost Proposals 10 and 13 in Resolution 40-2009,
and 11-1 in Resolution 35-2009, approved at the last Council meeting. This Change Order increases the total
contract amount by $32,950.57. Mr. Malone noted the total expended in contingency funds for this project is
$176,606.75, which includes contract increases and costs outside of the contract for transformers, insurance,
legal fees and materials. This is well within the $220,000 set aside in contingency funds, and even with an
additional $25,000 estimated in cost overruns before the project is complete, he expects the project to come in
within the budgeted amount. He added that the scheduled completion date is July 1 st. As there were no more
questions from Council, and no comments from the audience, Council voted and approved the motion.
Resolution 42-2009 – Approve One Year Renewal of Court Interpreter Contract – Raul Martinez
Member Clark moved, seconded by member DeCesari, to approve Resolution 42-2009. City Clerk
Lobdell explained that Mr. Martinez has served as Omak Municipal Court Hispanic language interpreter for two
May 18, 2009
OMAK CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2009
years and has performed very professionally, always available when needed. Mr. Martinez has agreed to a one
year extension of his contract, to May 7, 2010, with no monetary changes. After some discussion, and no
comments from the audience, Council voted and approved the motion.
Resolution 43-2009 – Approve 2009-2010 Operations Agreement with NCW Narcotics Task Force
Member Clark moved, seconded by Member Leifer, to approve Resolution 43-2009. Sergeant Eddy
told Council he understands that Chief Schreckengast wishes to continue Omak’s affiliation with the Drug Task
Force. He noted that the cost had increased from $4,200 to $6,300, but felt that was the first raise in cost since
the inception of the Force. Sergeant Eddy explained that every law enforcement agency in the County, plus
those at the State and Federal level, is involved with the Drug Task Force. He applauded their assistance in
many instances for his department. After some questions and discussion from Council, and no comments from
the audience, Council voted and approved the motion.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Staff and Council Committee Reports:
Airport Committee
Member Clark, on behalf of Member Goebel who is Chairman of the Airport Committee, explained the
discussions they had participated in with City administration regarding fees at the Omak Airport. Public Works
Director Miller stated his employees and City staff had participated in an electronic “webex” link with engineers
from USKH. This was initiated to better understand, and build a more insightful project management process for
the upcoming airport asphalt repair project, as well as all other public works projects. Member Clark discussed
the impending Airport project which will address flooding problems with a few of the private hangars at the
Airport, the easements being prepared for better access, and windsock replacement. He explained that the City
has an ongoing contract with the Department of Natural Resources for use of the helipad area, and, since the
DNR does improvements each year to that area, the Airport Committee will recommend approval of that
contract at no expense to the DNR. This contract is scheduled to come before Council at the next meeting.
Member Clark spoke of the notice the City received from Empire Airlines that, as of June 20th, they will
no longer be flying into the airport for FedEx packages. FedEx parcels will be trucked in from a different location,
but still sorted in the private hanger they lease at the Airport. Empire Airlines will therefore no longer need the
leased space they have in the terminal, at a cost of $75 per month. It is possible that FedEx personnel, or
Ameriflight (UPS) or DNR, would be interested in that space. The Airport Committee recommends that the
lease be increased to $200 per month, but not prior to Empire Airlines leaving. Member Clark added that there
had been some discussion regarding the City’s inability to monitor landing fees for all the private planes that use
the Airport. As there are no City personnel on the premises 24/7, PWD Miller is checking into some type of
security camera system that can be set up. Member Short moved, seconded by Member Foth, to approve the
Airport Committee’s recommendation to increase the office space lease at the Airport from $75 per month to
$200. After some discussion, Council agreed to not take any action until the City receives an official notification
from FedEx as to their plans for terminating their lease for office space. Member Short withdrew her motion,
and Member Foth withdrew his second. Member Clark noted the DNR and BIA are asking to place a temporary
trailer onsite for their crews, and connect to the existing drain fields for septic services. They will bring their own
potable water.
Fire Chief Bowling told Council that City engineers from USKH are currently doing a feasibility study to
determine the best way to increase the door height on the Fire Hall to accommodate a larger ladder truck. Once
that is completed, they will do the design work and he may come back to Council for funding. Chief Bowling
noted that he and City mechanic, Jim Rehm, learned from their recent trip to the Portland Exposition, that
Washington State Bridge Laws do not allow a single-axle, 75 foot ladder truck. The vehicle must have a tandem
axle. He is writing a grant for the new ladder truck for $500,000 and now must add another $150,000 for the
tandem axle. At a 5% City match, that puts our cost at $32,500, which he felt was still reasonable.
When asked about the recent shooting in east Omak and local gang activity, Sergeant Eddy named
several known gangs but noted there was not enough money here to support the larger gangs. He added that
the smaller gangs associated with them are the drug providers in this area.
PWD Miller reviewed the projects his department is about to activate. He noted the schedules for these
projects will be published in the Chronicle, the City’s website, and the next newsletter. He spoke of asking his
May 18, 2009
OMAK CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2009
departments for a “wish list”, the possibility of funding through the National Rural Water, monitoring the effluent
temperature at the Sewer Plant, the amount of compost sold and its popularity, the fact that there it is predicted
to be less than a 5% chance of flooding this year, and the need for the City to have portable generators for
emergencies. He complimented Assistant Public Works Director Chad Short and mechanic Jim Rehm for
saving the City $5,000 by repairing a helisieve at the Sewer Plant, keeping it operational until it can be replaced
as part of the pending sewer plant upgrade project. He told Council he was contacted by Librarian Sharon
Reddick with a roof problem and, upon further investigation, has determined there is a need for a new roof at a
cost of $10,000, suggesting an energy audit is indicated to seal the roof and add insulation to the building at the
same time. City Administrator Malone stated that, due to a reduction in the contract amount paid to the library
district in 2009, there are residual funds in the Library Fund that will cover the cost of a new roof, if that is
Council’s wish.
Member Clark applauded the quick, four minute response from all City departments last week to the
Airport. A pilot was unable to drop his landing gear, but was eventually assisted by local airplane mechanics
and a disaster was averted.
City Administrator Malone stated Larry Neely’s attorney had contacted him with a request regarding the
right-of-way acquisition for the Ross Canyon Project, and Mr. Malone had forwarded it to Attorney Howe. Mr.
Malone was pleased that the lines of communication were opening.
Member Foth stated the City sweeper trucks were hosing out their tanks on Jasmine near the Creek,
and asked PWD Miller if some of that may get into Jasmine Creek. PWD Miller stated this is not a
recommended practice and he will check into it.
Mayor Gagne reminded Council about the request for a new library roof. PWD Miller offered to compile
more information and report back to Council. Mayor Gagne noted she had asked Council to consider a few
dates to schedule a retreat. The Park Board has requested the presence of a Council Park Committee member
at their next meeting on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM, in City Hall.
As there was no further business before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
_______________________________
Kathy Lobdell, City Clerk
__________________________________
Cindy Gagne, Mayor
May 18, 2009