CITY OF REPUBLIC MARCH 17, 2008 REGULAR MEETING

Those present: Mayor Shirley A. Couse. Council Members: Jim Burnside, Linda Hall, DiAnne Hewitt, Dave Michel and Alex Wirt.

Employees present: Casey Giddings and Chief Nick Merritt.

Guests present: Kathleen McCoy, Sedate Bretthauer, Ben Butler, Gloria M. Butler and Brenda Starkey.

Mayor Couse called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and went into executive session at 6:01 p.m. for approximately 28 minutes for possible litigation issue. Council came out of executive session at 6:29 p.m.

Council reviewed the March 3, 2008 minutes. Linda Hall moved to approve the March 3, 2008 minutes. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried.

Ben Butler discussed with Council, the road known as South Clark Ave. and asked how the City would like to proceed with that issue. Discussion followed. Council members decided to meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday March 20, 2008 at the site to view and go over the next phase of issues on this road.

Mayor Couse opened the Public Hearing for vehicle grant at 6:45 p.m. Chief Merritt updated Council on the grant/loan from USDA for new vehicles. Chief Merritt is putting together the final paperwork needed to submit to USDA to find out the percentages of the grant portion and the loan portion. Discussion followed. No comments were received from the public. Mayor Couse closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m.

Mayor Couse called for a motion to approve Ordinance #2008-02, amending the 2008 budget for fund 109 Criminal Justice to reflect grant funds received. Linda Hall moved to approve Ordinance #2008-02. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried. Discussion followed. Motion carried.

Mayor Couse called for a motion for approval of attendance to the Emergency Management Division Training in Spokane. Linda Hall moved to approve the training if a Council member would be able to attend. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried. Mayor Couse asked Council for approval for herself and Linda Hall to attend economic development conference, Community Survivors, in Union Washington, there is a possibility for a scholarship and Mayor Couse will not ask for reimbursement on mileage. Dave Michel moved to approve Mayor Couse & Linda Hall to attend the above mentioned conference. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried.

Public Works Director Casey Giddings discussed with Council for approval to contact A & A Sweeping to clean the storm drains. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve up to $5,000.00 for cleaning storm drains. Linda Hall seconded; motion carried.

Grant Administrator Linda Hall asked Council for approval of payment of grant checks. Dave Michel moved to approve the payment of grant checks #730 through #735 in the amount of $17,188.99. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried. Linda Hall updated Council on the new benches and tables that had previously been approved and now are finished and ready for pick-up. Linda Hall asked for approval for the travel to and from Moses Lake to pick them up. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve the travel reimbursement as stated above. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried. Linda Hall discussed the I & I study for the sewer lagoons, the City needs to expend $25,000.00 for the balance of the cost of the study. Discussion followed and the funding can come from the Sewer Reserve fund. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approved the expenditure. Jim Burnside seconded motion carried.

Clerk/Treasurer Chris Stevens asked Council for approval for herself and Deputy Clerk Margo Sattler to attend the Washington Municipal Treasurers Annual Conference in Lake Chelan on April 9 through11, 2008. Alex Wirt moved to approve the above mentioned conference. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried.

Alex Wirt updated Council on the signs being done for the Sports Complex a/k/a the Louie Dragnich Memorial Sports Complex. Alex Wirt updated Council on the History Video of Republic, still awaiting more photos

Dave Michel discussed the playground equipment fund and the possibility of video cameras being purchased to place in the park to help with the reduction of vandalism.

Brenda Starkey discussed with Council regarding the City’s website. Discussion followed.

Alex Wirt motioned to approve payroll checks #102843-102850 in the amount of $4,060.00. Dave Michel seconded; Linda Hall abstained; motion carried. Dave Michel motioned to pay claims checks #19446-19473 in the amount of $29,120.89. Check # 19438 through #19443 was voided due to a check clearing error in the ASP system; clerk error. Check #19444 and 19445 for Consumer Deposit refunds/claims. (See warrant register) Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried.

Linda Hall moved to recess the meeting. Jim Burnside seconded; motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The meeting will reconvene 3/20/2008 at 6:00 p.m.

ATTEST: _________________________

SHIRLEY A. COUSE, Mayor

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CHRISTINE J. STEVENS, Clerk Treasurer