The city council met in adjourned session from the meeting of September 22, 2008 with the following present: Mayor Jack E. Rowden; Councilmen Gary Baughman, Mike Eshbaugh, Greg Gill, Kim Harper, and Bob Mason.

Others present were Outside Utilities Supervisor Dean Banker, City Clerk Thomas G. Hicks, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, City inspector Tony Martin, Electric System Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, Gary Knehans, Rick Wolters, and Ruthie Winget.

Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided.

The minutes of the meetings of September 8, 2008 and September 22, 2008 were approved as mailed.

Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Sherri Leonard’s report for the month of August, showing 49 new cases brought before the court and $4,871.50 remitted to the city.

Motion by Councilman Kim Harper, seconded by Councilman Greg Gill, that uncollectible utility accounts in the amount of $2,315.83 be charged off with every effort made to collect the accounts. Motion carried.

City Inspector Tony Martin presented his monthly activities report. The inspector also suggested the city update its ordinance on the age of manufactured homes that can be moved within the community. The current ordinance allows 1976 or newer to be moved after passing safety and visual inspections. Motion by Harper, seconded by Gill, that the city’s manufactured home ordinance be updated to match the regulations for Stevens County. Motion carried.

The city inspector asked for permission to get bids on a new pickup.

CITY CODES

Rick Wolters, chairman of the planning commission, presented a sample ordinance on travel trailer parks. The city’s current zoning ordinance refers to recreational vehicle parks as campgrounds. But, none of the city’s zoning districts specifically allow campgrounds. A travel trailer ordinance would provide a new type of zoning district. The sample ordinance was reviewed and debated. No action was taken to allow the city council time to study the document in more detail.

Gary Knehans, with Henkle Drilling & Supply Co., talked to the council about the dilemma with water well #9. He recommended that no attempt be made to get the abandoned tailpipe out of the well. He felt such action was too risky. Additional pipe could be lost in the well, or the well could suffer additional damages. Mr. Knehans will prepare a formal proposal to utilize a submersible pump to get the most production possible out of the well.

According to the city’s water conservation plan, water rates are to be evaluated in October. A brief discussion was held on the city’s current rates, established in December, 2004. No action was taken to adjust the rates.

Bids were opened for the sale of a reloading machine no longer used by the police department.

Sheryl Hayworth $ 150.00

1. J. Owens 700.00

Larry Purcell 405.00

Phillip Willis 251.00

Motion by Kim Harper, seconded by Gary Baughman, to accept the bid of A. J. Owens. Motion carried.

ELECTRIC

Electric System Supervisor Gary Rowden reported the cooling tower for engines #5 and #6 and the raw water tank for engine #3 need to be replaced. Motion by Harper, seconded by Gill, to approve the expenditures of $15,160.00 to SPX Cooling Technologies and $8,500.00 to Owens Welding for the repairs at the south power plant. Motion carried.

Claims against the city were presented and audited. Motion by Gill, seconded by Eshbaugh, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 1871 and 1872 be passed. Motion carried.

Motion by Harper, seconded by Gill, that the meeting go into executive session in regard to attorney and client matters. Motion carried. Mayor Rowden called the meeting into executive session at 7:17 p.m. with the meeting to reconvene in open session at 7:27 p.m.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:25 p.m.

Motion by Harper, seconded by Eshbaugh, that the meeting go into executive session in regard to real estate acquisition. Motion carried. Rowden called the meeting into executive session at 7:26 p.m. with the meeting to reconvene in open session at 7:31 p.m.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:31 p.m.

Motion by Eshbaugh, seconded by Baughman, that the meeting be adjourned to November 10, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried.