Council approves warrants after debate over raw-water charges and legal invoices

Council members spent time reviewing the consent calendar warrants and unpaid invoices. Member Atland raised multiple questions about charges for raw water and irrigation at Howard Park and an invoice line of $4,852.83 that he said did not reflect ongoing irrigation activity. He also questioned large legal fees charged by Whitebrenner and asked why legal costs had increased rapidly relative to previous years.

City staff explained Echo Urban's December invoice reflected work through the 15th of the month after the contractor stopped work; staff said the December invoice will be reduced accordingly. Staff also said Whitebrenner has supplied additional line-item detail when requested and that some invoices roll forward on the warrants list until formally resolved.

Council asked for a detailed accounting of the Train Depot Park expenditures and when the RCM capital improvement plan (a contract paid in part with roughly $79,000 up front) will be delivered. Staff said the RCM master-plan contract is not yet complete and will be followed up; council members requested a status report.

A motion to approve the warrants was made and carried on a voice vote despite objections from council members who said policy had not been followed in how some items had been posted to the agenda.