Rio Dell City Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 15th, 2005

 

All members were present for tonight's meeting which began at 6:30.  The consent calendar was passed as a block with items which included approving the minutes from the previous meetings, approving the check register and extending once again the local water emergency through Dec. 6, 2005. 

 

The special call items were next.  The first two items were payments related to the water project.  2005/1115.06  Approve pay request #4 to SJ&B Group in the amount of 265,949.10 for water infrastructure rehabilitation project and 2005/1115.07  Approve pay request #3 to Granite Construction in the amount of $95,045.40 for water infrastructure rehabilitation project.  An update on the project was given by City Manager Jay Parrish.  Parrish stated that 50% of the water line replacement project was complete.  The installation of the water tank would begin this week and the anticipated completion date was on target, set for 02/24/06.  Council Member Melissa Marks had a question regarding the supporting documentation that the council members are given.  There were notations made in an area that showed the percentage completed as over 100%.  Hale Hale, from public works, stated he would get her some additional information.

 

The council moved on to item 2005/1115.09  Accept proposal from Arcata Economic Development Corporation and authorize Jim Test, AEDC Executive Director to act as project manager to assist the City of Rio Dell in the coordination and oversight of the EPA Brownfield grant.  There was no explanation as to what the Brownfield grant was.  The motion was passed after the council was informed this was the only proposal submitted but Jay Parrish reassured the council that the company was capable of the task since they assisted the city previously.

 

Next came two water bill adjustments.  Whenever an adjustment is over $100, it is required to go before the council.  Charles Marks normally receives monthly billings of $26 but recently received a bill totaling $415.  It seems there was a previously undetected water leak which caused the excessive usage.  The leak was repaired and Mr. Marks was applying for an adjustment of 50% of the overage, which totaled $194.50.  The council approved the request with Melissa Marks abstaining from the vote.  The second adjustment had similar circumstances with an undetected leak.  Council Member Julie Woodall questioned why there was no receipt turned in to the city which showed the repairs having been made.  Jennifer Doyle had informed the city that she had lost the receipt for the licensed contractor that she hired to make the repairs.  Karen Dunham confirmed to the council that the water meter readings showed that the repairs had been made.  There was still hesitation to make an exception to the rule of needing receipts.  The council decided to approve the adjustment with the condition that a receipt be produced.  The council felt that a duplicate receipt from the contractor would not be too hard to obtain.

 

There were no public presentations tonight.

 

Reports from city staff was next.  The City Manager, Jay Parrish, reported on his recent trips and conferences.  He was recently in Mt. Shasta attending a conference regarding State Comp.  He then spent 3 days in Denver Colorado where he collected the $200,000 EPA Brownfield grant and attended various meetings regarding its' use.  I am not clear on the intent of the Brownfield grant but there was reference to a hazardous waste site study and economic development.  Parrish stated that only 200 grants went out nationwide and the City of Rio Dell appears to be the smallest city to receive the money.  He thought that perhaps the former 6 gas stations in Rio Dell as well as other hazardous waste sites might have contributed to the awarding of the grant.

 

Public Works Director, Jim Hale, gave his update to the council regarding the departments projects.  He stated that the department was on schedule.  Hale announced the recent gift of the Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department's emergency rig to the city.  The Fire Department is going to be purchasing a new rig and that prompted the generous gift.  Hale pointed out the very valuable work done by the fire department and their emergency rig and he thanked them for their wonderful gift.  Hale also reminded the council members and the audience to donate when they can to our Fire Department.  They have the money to buy the rig but of course the more donations, the less the Fire Department has to spend of their own resources.

 

The Chief of Police and the Accounting Supervisor were not present.

 

Mayor Bud Leonard asked if any council member had anything they would like to add.  Council Member Melissa Marks asked Jim Hale about his progress looking into the water hook-up fee's.  Hale stated he would get her the information he has.  Marks then asked City Manager Parrish about the city's efforts at better communication with the citizens.  Parrish said they are still looking into it.

 

Council Member Julie Woodall asked Jim Hale about the water issues.  Hale knew she was referring to the discolored water that people have been getting intermittently.  Hale stated the water would continue to be discolored at various times as the work to switch over the system progressed.  Public Works is trying hard to minimize the problem but it is inevitable with the system work being done.  Hale did advise that if a residents' water is particularly bad, they should call City Hall.  Public Works will come out and flush the residents system after taking a meter reading so the account is not charged.

 

The council then adjourned into the closed door session.  The session included the following:

                                        

2005/115.12  Real estate negotiations-effluent site

2005/115.13  Potential litigation-Roberts vs. Rio Dell

2005/115.14  Potential litigation-nuisance abatement

2005/115.15  Personnel matter-Police Dept

2005/115.16  Litigation-Rio Dell vs. Enes

2005/115.17  Potential litigation-Ostrow vs. Rio Dell

2005/115.18  Potential litigation-Concerned Citizens vs. Rio Dell

 

The Mayor returned to the council chamber at 8:23pm and announced "no action taken."  Which referred to their closed door session.

 

The next council meeting will be December 6th, 2005 at 6:30 in the Council Chambers of City Hall.  Come and attend if you can.  See you there!

 

City Council Rio Dell California

Agenda for this meeting

 

Home