TOWN OF WILSON CREEK
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING + PUBLIC HEARING & BUDGET HEARING
November 10, 2022 – remote/online meeting via Google Meet

Council Present: Mayor Robert Herron, Councilmembers Scott Mortimer, Jerrod Johnson, Raymond Kelby, Karl Hinze. Council Absent: Councilmember Debbie Moore.  Staff Present: Kaci Anderson.

Public Hearing

  1. Open Meeting: Mayor Robert Herron called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Citizen Complaints Against Councilmember: Council resumed the public hearing from the previously held special meeting on October 19, 2022. K. Anderson reported she spoke with the complainants earlier in the day and they had nothing further to add. Mayor Herron asked for public comment; there was none. Council heard briefly from Councilmember J. Johnson’s attorney, Doug Anderson. The public hearing ended at 6:07 pm.

Regular Council Meeting

  1. Executive Session [RCW 42.30.110(1)(f)]: Motion made by K. Hinze, seconded by R. Kelby, and carries to enter into executive session at 6:08 pm for approximately 15 minutes to evaluate a complaint against a councilmember. Councilmember J. Johnson did not participate in the executive session until he was invited in at 6:19 pm. Open session resumed at 6:20 pm.

Motion made by K. Hinze, seconded by S. Mortimer, and carried, with J. Johnson abstaining from the vote, to approve the council’s determination of the following:

  1. There was no proof of a code of conduct violation by Councilmember J. Johnson;
  2. The matter being discussed is of a private nature between private citizens and is not within the council’s concern, jurisdiction or authority; and
  3. Written notice shall be sent to both the complainant(s) and the respondent.
  4. Approval of Minutes: Motion made by S. Mortimer, seconded by K. Hinze, and carried to approve the minutes for the regular meeting on October 13, 2022, and the special meeting & public hearing on October 19, 2022.
  5. Public Comment:
    1. Mayor Herron updated Doug Anderson on the council’s decision.
    1. Karen Kaufmann asked about the reservoir building being torn down and people who appear to be living in RVs in town. Mayor Herron provided an update on the reservoir building demolition and tentative plans for repair. He also confirmed people in RVs are there temporarily as they work on a construction project near Moses Lake.
    1. Visitors questioned policy regarding councilmembers missing meetings.
    1. R. Kelby inquired about the cell tower. K. Anderson reported they requested an application form last month but she hasn’t heard or received any further information.
  6. Council Concerns and Issues:
    1. K. Hinze questioned the ballot drop box that was installed in town. K. Anderson confirmed the council did decline to enter into an agreement with the county to install a drop box on town property. The drop box that was installed is on property owned by the county in the city limits.
    1. S. Mortimer provided a cost estimate from HD Fowler for a worst-case scenario cost per hydrant that is stiff. Motion made by K. Hinze, seconded by S. Mortimer, and carried to approve the expense to HD Fowler to repair stiff hydrants in town.
    1. It was reported there are street lights turning off an on in front of the Harvest Moon and Post Office.
    1. J. Johnson stated he noticed a large truck filling with water. K. Anderson confirmed they contacted Town Hall to report the number of gallons and they have been invoiced.
  • Reports
    • Mayor’s Address and Maintenance/Public Works: Mayor Herron asked S. Mortimer’s opinion regarding the amateur radio repeater. Council discussed power use. S. Mortimer stated it needs to be discussed with the fire commissioners. Gayle Price expressed concern about safety and liability of having private property installed on Town land. Council confirmed that it’s not a tower or pole being installed but a box that would be installed inside the building.
    • Clerk/Treasurer Report
      • Bills, Checks & Electronic Withdrawal: Motion made by S. Mortimer, seconded by R. Kelby, and carried to approve the Town’s current fiscal status and pay the November 2022 bills as follows:

Accounts Payable

PAYROLL: Check #11033 – 11039…………….. $      2,950.93

CLAIMS: Check #11040 – 11051………………… $      8,358.82

EFT payments …………………………………………………….  $      2,158.41

TOTAL …………………………………………………………………..  $    13,468.16

Bank Account Balances
U.S. Bank 10/31/2022 …………………………………….. $  354,714.47

Grant County 10/31/2022 ……………………………  $  113,539.55

TOTAL …………………………………………………………………..  $  468,254.02

  1. Budget Hearing: K. Anderson reported no further changes to proposed budget other than those proposed at the preliminary hearing.
    1. Ordinance 444: 2023 Budget: Motion made by K. Hinze, seconded by J. Jerrod, and carried to approve Ordinance 444: 2023 Budget as presented.
    1. Resolution 2022-01: 2023 Levy & Property Tax Increase: Motion made by S. Mortimer, seconded by K. Hinze, and carried to approve Resolution 2022-01 as presented.
  2. Old Business:
    1. Amateur Radio Repeater – R. Odorizzi: This item was previously discussed during the Mayor’s Address. Council unanimously decided to table the issue until a response is received from the fire commissioners.
  3. New Business: None.

Adjournment: Motion made by R. Kelby, seconded by K. Hinze, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 pm. The next regular council meeting is Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 6:00 pm.

2022-11-10-minutesDownload
Filed under: Council Meeting Minutes