CITY OF REPUBLIC NOV. 5, 2007 REULAR MEETING

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

Guests Present were: Bruce McAuley, Cynthia Larson, Lee Chavez, Frank Jezerski, Ellen Picken, Kate Meginley, Jerry Kirkam, Brenda Starkey and Cleve Ives.

Employees Present were: Casey Giddings and Chief Nick Merritt.

Mayor Couse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council reviewed the October 15, 2007 minutes. Alex Wirt moved to approve the October 15, 2007 minutes. DiAnne seconded; motion carried.

Council reviewed a financial request from the Washington Open Fiddle Contest for the 2008 budget. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve the amount of $1,178.00 as financial support and to authorize Mayor Couse to sign the agreement. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried.

Mayor Couse discussed the Proclamation to hire a Veteran. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve Mayor Couse signing the Proclamation for Hire a Veteran Month. Linda Hall seconded; motion carried.

Grant Administrator, Linda Hall updated Council on the next phase of the sidewalk/pathway project. There was a walkthrough of the project with Don Hendricks, Keith Martin from DOT; Kurt Holland from Varela & Associates; Mayor Couse; Council members, Linda Hall, Alex Wirt, and employees, Casey Giddings and CJ Stevens. There was discussion of some changes being made to the original plan.

Mayor Couse opened the Public Hearing for Levy Certification for property taxes and EMS at 6:45 p.m. There was some discussion. Mayor Couse closed the Public Hearing at 6:51 p.m.

Clerk/Treasurer, Chris Stevens discussed setting the last payables for the year 2007. Linda Hall moved to set the last payable date for the 2007 year as December 21, 2007. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried. Chris Stevens discussed the new operating system that is needed for the operation of City business, financials, payroll, receipting & utility billing. There is an amount of approximate $13,000.00 plus tax that will be paid up front for the first portion of the system and the balance of approximate $28,000.00 plus tax is to be paid over a period of five years with no interest and $3000.00 rebate off the end dollar amount. Alex Wirt moved to authorize Chris to contact the Vision Municipal Solutions and order the new system. DiAnne seconded; motion carried.

Chief Merritt discussed the Inter Local Agreement between the City and County, Mayor Couse stated that she would like it sent to the City Attorney for approval and then bring back to Council for signing. Alex Wirt moved to table the agreement until City Attorney has reviewed. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried. Chief Merritt has been invited to attend an award presentation. Chief Merritt will be receiving the award from Lt. Governor Brad Owen. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve Chief Merritt attending the award presentation. Linda Hall seconded; motion carried. Chief Merritt discussed the Emergency Management Drill that took place the first week of November.

Mayor Couse discussed with the people present that the ORV committee would be tabled to the next regular meeting November 19, 2007; Mayor Couse asked that the people wanting to be on the committee should write a letter of interest or an email, to City Hall. Mayor Couse discussed the IACC Conference that herself, Linda Hall & Alex Wirt attended, the conference went well. Mayor Couse asked for Council confirmation so she can appoint Jayne Jurgensen to the RPDA Board. Linda Hall moved to approve Mayor Couse appointing Ms. Jurgensen to the RPDA Board. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; Alex Wirt abstained, motion carried.

Alex Wirt also discussed the IACC Conference and updated Council on a meeting that he attended at the County Commissioners office in regards to the EMS issue. Alex Wirt discussed the permitting issue of ingress and egress to State Highways within the City Limits. Alex will be researching this issue.

Public Works Director, Casey Giddings discussed the Council a personnel issue regarding medical insurance for dependants. Casey discussed benefits that had been cut from the employee’s, the cuts were more intended for new hired persons (2001). In February 2002 it was proposed that the dependants of employees, would not be covered after graduating from high school. Casey asked Council to review the fact that he is considered an old hire and would like the City to pick up the insurance for his dependant. Alex Wirt moved to clarify that the minutes of February 2001 and February 2002 motion and actions by the Council relating to employee benefits applies prospectively only and that employees such as Mr. Giddings employed prior to that are not affected by those policies and Mr. Giddings spouse & dependant are capable of being covered by the City medical insurance. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried. Casey Giddings discussed a main trunk sewer line just west of town along the state highway. Casey Giddings and Linda Hall will do some research and talk to DOT and see what the next steps will be.

Mayor Couse turned the meeting over to Alex Wirt, she then left the meeting due to discussion of a garbage increase, at 8:12 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tempore, Alex Wirt discussed the issue of a 3% increase in the garbage rates and asked for a motion to adopted Ordinance #2007-12, amending chapter 13.04.320 of the Republic Municipal Code that assess fees rates and charges for solid waste collection and disposal inside the city limits of the City of Republic. DiAnne Hewitt moved to approve Ordinance #2007-12. Linda Hall seconded; motion carried.

DiAnne Hewitt motion to approve payroll checks #102736-102750 in the amount of $28,205.70. Alex Wirt seconded; motion carried.

Alex Wirt motioned to pay claims checks #19192-19229 in the amount of $28,392.66. Check #19183-19191 for Consumer Deposit refunds/claims. (See warrant register) DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried.

Linda Hall moved to adjourn the meeting. DiAnne Hewitt seconded; motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

ATTEST: _________________________

ALEXANDER W. WIRT, Mayor Pro Tempore

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CHRISTINE J. STEVENS, Clerk Treasurer