CITY OF REPUBLIC AUGUST 4, 2008 REGULAR MEETING
Those present: Mayor Shirley A. Couse. Council Members: Jim Burnside, DiAnne Hewitt, Dave Michel and Alex Wirt.
Guests Present were: Bruce McAuley, Fred Lee, Judy Jeffery and Brenda Starkey.
Employees Present were: Interim Chief of Police Bret Roberts and Casey Giddings.
Mayor Couse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council reviewed the June 2008 Treasurers Report.
Council reviewed the July 21, 2008 minutes. Dave Michel moved to approve the July 21, 2008 minutes. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried.
Fred Lee, insurance broker for AIA Insurance Company based out of Colville, introduced himself to Council and discussed his line of work and how he works with his clients. He will attend meetings as requested by his clients if there are any questions. Mr. Lee is the broker for several companies and privately owned businesses in the Republic and Curlew area. The City’s current broker is Wheat & Associates out of Spokane.
Public Works Director, Casey Giddings updated Council on the smoke testing of sewer lines that was completed the last week in July, 2008. Casey Giddings had pictures that he handed out so Council could view the process and see the results of the testing. Casey Giddings discussed with Council that there are some areas that do need attention and that Jill Parker of Evergreen Rural Water will be compiling a report for the City of Republic, addressing any problems, where they are located. Casey will be checking into the repair of areas that will need to be taken care of.
Interim Chief of Police, Bret Roberts updated Council on the new police vehicle and the equipment that is being installed. Interim Chief Roberts discussed the purchase of 3 tire rims for the snow tires in the shed. Republic Commercial Tire’s price came in at $120.00 each and Republic Tire and Auto $64.51 each plus mounting. The rims are for the Black & White patrol car. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve the purchase of the rims from Republic Tire and Auto. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried. Interim Chief Roberts discussed with Council about finding a battery for the Barta system. The system is quite old and possibly will need to be replaced. Interim Chief Roberts will do some checking on batteries and prices, if he locates them, and will bring the information to Council to review. Interim Chief Robert updated Council on the meetings he will be attending at the Kinross Mine on emergency management.
Alex Wirt discussed with Council about Mayor Steve Jenkins, from Bridgeport, WA. who had stopped by City Hall to visit with Mayor Couse and himself, about acquiring a letter of support from different small cities to go to the Legislature in support of lifting the State mandatory burn ban. Jim Burnside moved that a letter of support from the City of Republic be sent. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried. Alex Wirt updated Council on the solid waste issue and that he and Margo Sattler attended a meeting in the Ferry County Commissioners office on July 28, 2008 to further discuss the solid waste disposal issue. Alex Wirt undated Council that Rick Rose from USDA along with a group from Washington D.C. will be coming to Republic sometime in September to see the new patrol vehicle.
Jim Burnside updated Council on the status of the antique fire trucks that are presently housed and the Car & Truck Museum, there are some things left to do with paperwork that Jim Burnside and Randy Cooper are working on. Jim Burnside discussed the Gibraltar Center and stated that he would like to salvage the building and the dollars that salvage sale brings in will go toward community minded projects. Dave Michel moved to surplus the Gibraltar Center building. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried.
Council went into executive session at 7:40 p.m. on a real estate issue for approximately 5 minutes. Council came back in session at 7:45 p.m.
Council reviewed Building Permits: There were no new building permits to review.
DiAnne Hewitt motioned to approve payroll checks #102940-102955 in the amount of $31,974.70. Dave Michel seconded; motion carried. Alex Wirt abstained.
DiAnne Hewitt motioned to pay claims checks #19673-19692 in the amount of $14,364.11, Check #19650 in the amount of $19,239.50 for new patrol car and check #19671 & 19672 are consumer deposits/NSF checks/or claims (see budget check register). Dave Michel seconded; motion carried.
Alex Wirt moved to adjourn the meeting. Dave Michel seconded; motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
ATTEST: _________________________
SHIRLEY A. COUSE, Mayor
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CHRISTINE J. STEVENS, Clerk Treasurer