City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For April 6, 2020
Remote meeting
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Troy Wilson called the remote meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Wilson and the others in attendance by roll call were, Alyssa Heagy, John Jaeger, Mary LaSalle, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht, BJ Sperber and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in attendance. Richard Kelly, Matt Morkert, Fletchers and Jennifer Olson were logged in remotely.
We did the flag salute with a flag at Wendy Sienknecht’s house.
II. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Matt Morkert from Century West Engineering reported the TIB Crosby Street and Park Road project is still a go, and there will be a pre-con meeting next week. Browning explained RCAC is concerned with our budget and doesn’t want to loan us the money for the sewer line replacement under Crosby Street. Dave Tysz is concerned about us spending money for the sewer line, because he thinks one of the manholes causing problems at the sewer plant should be fixed first. It was explained that the DOE loan we applied for will make it so we by-pass that manhole. We will put the lift station on reserve at this point so we can use the money in the sewer reserves to pay for the sewer line replacement under Crosby Street at a cost of $87,802.99 and the water line is $50,085.39. We will eliminate replacing the water line between Park Street and Huffman Street. Alyssa Heagy made a motion to approve the construction contract with Versatile Industries for the TIB project on Park Road and Crosby Street and the water and sewer line replacements on Crosby Street between Main Street and Park Street. Roy Schulz seconded the motion. The council was poled by the Mayor: Alyssa Heagy said aye, Dave Tysz said aye, BJ Sperber said aye, Wendy Sienknecht said aye, Roy Schulz said aye, Mary LaSalle said aye and John Jaeger said aye.
Dave Tysz talked about what other projects we need to do in the future.
Matt Morkert talked about the Consultant Supplemental Agreement for the TIB Park/Crosby Road project that was presented to the council to review. John Jaeger made a motion to approve the Consultant Supplemental Agreement as presented for $154,582.00. Roy Schulz seconded the motion. The council was poled by the Mayor: Alyssa Heagy said aye, Dave Tysz said aye, BJ Sperber said aye, Wendy Sienknecht said aye, Roy Schulz said aye, Mary LaSalle said aye and John Jaeger said aye.
III. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Jennifer Olson reported on Healthy Tekoa Coalition and Neighbor’s Watch and said she will try to hold a Zoom meeting for both.
IV. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. TIB PARK ROAD PROJECT - RCAC LOAN: This was discussed earlier.
B. DOE SEWER PLANT UPGRADES: Matt Morkert reported we put this on hold until next year.
C. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Wendy Sienknecht said she gave the council a handout about the Honeywell Instant Alert System last month. After discussion, Dave Tysz made a motion to purchase the Honeywell Instant Alert System. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion. The council was poled by the Mayor: Alyssa Heagy said aye, Dave Tysz said aye, BJ Sperber said aye, Wendy Sienknecht said aye, Roy Schulz said aye, Mary LaSalle said aye and John Jaeger said aye.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. SUMMER HELP: Mayor Wilson said he is concerned about hiring summer help because of the lack of revenues with the virus. At this point, he will not advertise for summer help.
B. PAST DUE FEE AND SHUT OFF FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATION: Mayor Wilson said with the virus, we should not charge late fees or shut off utilities at this point. Wendy Sienknecht made a motion to not charge late fees for March and April. Mary LaSalle seconded the motion. The council was poled by the Mayor: Alyssa Heagy said aye, Dave Tysz said aye, BJ Sperber said aye, Wendy Sienknecht said aye, Roy Schulz said aye, Mary LaSalle said aye and John Jaeger said aye.
C. ANDERSSON BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT: Steve Haxton sent a list of concerns about the Andersson building. Mayor Wilson said he will have Duane Groom and Kevin Turnbough put up the fence around the building. There was discussion and we will look into the cost of Bollard posts. He said it will cost up to $3000 for a barrier on the alley. He will get prices and proceed with securing the building, and we will put a lien against the property for all of our expenses.
D. CAMERA FOR THE MANHOLE BY THE SEWER PLANT: There was discussion about a camera in the sewer line from the care center and replacing a manhole when we put in the new lift station at the sewer plant.
E. DON HAY INVOICE FOR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT DURING DEMOLITION: Don Hay is asking the city to pay an additional $2,500 for damages to the equipment he rented because a beam damaged the equipment. After discussion, John Jaeger made a motion to pay the additional $2,500 to Don Hay. Roy Schulz seconded the motion. The council was poled by the Mayor: Alyssa Heagy said aye, Dave Tysz said no, BJ Sperber said aye, Wendy Sienknecht said no, Roy Schulz said aye, Mary LaSalle said aye and John Jaeger said aye. The motion passed.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson said the wind keeps picking up, so they haven’t been able to get the burn pile done. He said they are putting it into smaller piles, and we will notify the person with the asthma concerns before we burn.
Mayor Wilson reported URM has abandoned our store in Tekoa so he wrote a letter to Representative Mary Dye. He was told URM is not supplying stores that aren't members. Mary Dye's assistant talked to URM. There was discussion. Mayor Wilson asked the council to write to them to try to get something done.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning said she is concerned about the revenue for the rest of the year because of the shut-down in the state, and we might need to amend the budget.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Alyssa Heagy said people can still purchase merchandise from our businesses online. She also said that they will be having a virtual run for Every Woman Can.
BJ Sperber reported he has been approached about the care center, because they can't keep the people inside because it is now an assisted living center. Mayor Wilson asked the council for ideas. He said he will contact the care center.
Dave Tysz asked if we could purchase the Andersson building so we could to sell it. Browning will research it.
Wendy Sienknecht wanted to thank everyone for voting for the Honeywell System.
Mary LaSalle has had generous clients pre-pay for haircuts since she can’t work and she was denied unemployment under the current COVID-19 pandemic act for Federal assistance to small businesses. She is grateful for the community.
John Jaeger asked if anyone is still living in the trailer on Ted Blaszak's property. It was reported it has a cover over it. Mayor Wilson said he talked to Mr. Blaszak about the cars, which are mostly on the railroad right-of-way, and Mr. Blaszak doesn’t know anything about them.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. March 23, 2020, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to pay payroll check numbers 14609 through 14621 and EFT checks in the amount of $20,486.46 and check numbers 14622 through 14638 and EFT checks in the amount of $28,608.26 as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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Troy Wilson - Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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