For the Winlock Council Meeting of October 26, the meeting was to have a public hearing for the Property Tax Revenues. Taking a recess from the Council Meeting, the full attendance of Council Members moved swiftly into the hearing.
Under the topic of the hearing, Councilwoman Barbara Pederson stated that she thought it would be best to put the increase on "cruise control" due to the recent increase of the sewer taxes. With no further comment from council or audience, the public hearing was closed and the scheduled council meeting could begin.
As the meeting resumed, the council addressed the matter from the previous meeting of the stamp for the shut off notices. No further discussion was given under the matter of old business, the council then proceeded into Mayor Comments.
Mayor Lonnie Dowell brought up the issue of the First Street Bridge money being reclassified for an alternative project. This money would have to be found and spent for an alternative project by December first. Following this statement, Councilman Aaron Mummert resigned from the council. "I am indebted to the citizens for voting me in." After this comment, he rose from his seat and walked away.
As there were no more council comments, Police Chief Jerry Brockmueller reported to the council that there had been "17 calls of service in the past two weeks."
At this time, he brought forth the new officer and introduced him to the council. Also in his report, Brockmueller notified the council that the force was up to four full time officers. After this report and no public comment was given the council moved into the agenda items.
The first item of the agenda was the "Property Tax Resolution." This topic opened for the council's discussion as they talked of what they could do with the money. After a few minutes of discussion, Councilman Sam Patrick made a motion to bank the money. Seconding this motion was Councilwoman Sarah Gifford.
With no opposition, the motion passed.
Second item on the agenda was "Shannon Criss and Carla Siemer Regarding Law Enforcement." At this time, these two woman came to the microphone and addressed their thanks to the police officers patrolling the school.
Next on the agenda was the matter of "Oil Tank Interlocal Agreement for Discussion." Mayor Dowell notified the council that this agreement was not ready for signature at this time. Councilwokman Gifford spoke up that she believed it would be a better idea to get rid of the idea and not discuss it any further. After a few more minutes of discussion on the matter, the council agreed to table the idea until more information could be given.
For the fourth item on the agenda, the council discussed the "Rate Increase - Notification to Customers - Pending Ordinance." This ordinance would be to explain what's going on with the increase. The council notified the audience that this would be mailed out within a week. With no public questions, the council moved to the fifth topic of the agenda.
Under the fifth item, the topic was to discuss the "Master Contract Usage Agreement - Authroizing Mayor to Sign." The discussion of the council was too allow onto website to enterprise services and allows to buy new things for the city. Gifford moved to approve this matter, Pederson seconded, with no opposition, the motion carried unanimously.
The final matter of the agenda was the "Disbursement of Grant Funds." With very little discussion, Paderson moved to approve, Patrick seconded and again, the motion carried.
Next for the night was the Consent Agenda. Under this matter, Gifford moved to approve the consent agenda. As Pederson seconded this motion of approval, the motion carried. As there was no further matters for the council to discussed, Gifford moved to adjourn. Winlock's next meeting will be Monday, November 9 at 6:30 pm.