Harrington news

City Council meeting

Harrington mayor pro tem Nathan Luck has requested a correction to the most recent published account of the February city council meeting. At issue was the statement that the city clerk had obtained a credit card without council authorization. The discussion in the Feb. 12 meeting began with sitting mayor Justin Slack stating that the city does not have a credit card. In response to this, clerk Janice Cepeda was recorded in her minutes as saying, “The clerk informed council that the city does have an Amazon account now.” According to Luck and Cepeda, “that account is not a card, it is merely an account.” In this same discussion, Luck was confronted by citizen Marge Womach, who said that each member of the city council had signed “oath of office” forms that were not valid. Luck said he would get the papers previously recorded with the Lincoln County Auditor corrected and sent back over. According to these papers, Levi Schenk had taken the oath of office on Jan. 8, when in reality, according to the Feb. 12 council minutes, Schenk was sworn in on Feb. 14. The above activity begs the question: “Was Schenk a legal participant in either meeting?” This topic was revisited in the March council meeting in the form of a “Letter of Concern” by Womach to the council members.

Regarding the Feb. 12 minutes, Councilman Slack, stated repeatedly that no personnel issue can be dealt with in open meetings. It has become a habit for the chair to avoid answering legitimate questions by retorting, “that’s a personnel issue, and we can’t discuss any personnel issues in open meetings.” The clerk reiterated these sentiments, citing consultation with an attorney at the Association of Washington Cities, by stating, “Wages or salaries can only be discussed in executive session.” The clerk recently handed this writer a “partial quote” from an MRSC site which stated: “Salaries, wages and other conditions of employment applied to an individual ‘may’ be discussed in a closed session, ‘if’ related to the evaluation of qualifications or reviews of performance.” One of the regulating items for holding an executive session states: “To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to RCW 42.30.140 (4), discussion by a governing body of salaries, wages and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public.” (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g).

Mayor pro-tem Luck opened the March 11 city council meeting with council members Levi Schenk and Peter Davenport present, as well as Scott McGowan, maintenance supervisor. Visitors included Lynn Bailey, Denisa Holling, David Buddrius, Jill Barth, Dick Derr, Carol, Jesse Silhan, Marge Womach, Chris Meats, Stephen Hardy and Joe (a newer resident). Council members were told by Luck that AWC provides on-line classes; some meetings are required. Luck declined to read a signed letter from former city clerk, Bunny Haugan, which she had asked to have read into the minutes. Luck called for an executive session instead. According to state law, however, executive sessions are intended “to receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the request of such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall be conducted upon such complaint or charge;” (RCW 42.30.110(1)(f).

Lynn Bailey came to the meeting solely to let council know how upset the community is with the lack of notification regarding the raising of water, sewer and garbage rates, which recently had a 10 percent increase in the billing, which for Bailey was about a $25 increase. Council informed her that the decision-making took place late last year, and for a variety of reasons, the rate increase information was not sent to the public, although it was already programmed to be issued for the February payment. Bailey felt that it was illegal to increase the bill prior to notification that the rate would be raised. She also felt that it might be illegal to increase the rate with the citizens not being allowed to vote about the rate increase. Notification was made in the local paper when the resolution was passed and it was posted at city hall and the post office. Bailey said that many in town cannot afford the newspaper and that she depends on the food from raising a garden that requires extra water fees in the summer. If she can’t afford the current bill, how can she afford the increase? She also said the safety of her house will be in jeopardy without watering to keep her property green. All it will take is one spark from the railroad track. She also informed council that Spokane’s flat rate is $131, Davenport’s is less that $100, Sprague’s is $116, while Harrington’s is $160. Luck tried to explain that mandates from the state created part of the need for the increase and that each city has differing expenses. Harrington also has fewer businesses to generate extra income. Bailey also offered to bring citizens to picket city hall.