Waitsburg City Council Minutes November 19, 2014

City Council members include: K.C. Kuykendall, Marty Dunn, Kevin House, Karl Newell, Debra Callahan and Mayor Walt Gobel. All were present with student representative Emma Philbrook absent.

*A retirement celebration for Public Works Director Dan Katsel was held prior to the meeting.

*Council approved a motion to forfeit the 1% property tax increase allowed annually, which would amount to approximately $1,400- $1,500.

*Karen McCall, from the Washington State Liquor Control Board, was present for a question and answer session with council and attendees. See full story on page 1.

*The first of two required public hearings to pass the 2015 budget was held and opened for public comment. There were no comments. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the proposed budget was conservative and fairly typical and has no increase in property taxes or utility rates built into it.

*Council approved a motion to vacate an alley at 209 W. 4th Street. The alley serves as the homeowner's driveway and similar alleys in the area had been previously vacated.

*Council approved a motion to adopt the solid waste management plan for Walla Walla county.

*Approved releasing the 5% retainage payment of $8217.68 for the Main Street ADA project.

*Mayor's Report: Mayor Gobel said that volunteers are still needed to help with Waitsburg Celebration Days in May and that the committee will meet again on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Waitsburg Business Center. Gobel noted that an application has been submitted for the governor to be her for the event.

*City Administrator's Report: McGregor's cleaned and painted the old mill turbine. Bases will be made which will allow the turbine to be displayed at the mill site.

Warren Land Company has submitted application to the city for a preliminary plat for a residential development of 114 lots, spread over about 44 acres, to be completed in five phases. The proposal will go before the planning commission who will determine whether or not it should come before the council.

The public art projects are progressing well.