City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For August 21, 2017
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro-tempore Troy Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Wilson, Ted Blaszak, John Giudice, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, Carol Sturman, and Dave Tysz. Kynda Browning, Clerk/Treasurer, was also in attendance. In attendance in the audience were Keith Andersson, Robert Drollinger, Carl and Janis Fisher, Bill and Diane Harp, and Bob Lindgren.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro-tempore Troy Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Diane Harp said the Healthy Tekoa Coalition will be having a parenting workshop on September 13, 2017. She also said the Chamber of Commerce will be having a community forum for people running for the council or school board. She also discussed people having a place for people to camp overnight. After discussion, Ted Blaszak made a motion to send a letter to the park board from the council that encourages them to revisit the camping policy at the gymkanna grounds. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Janis Fisher was in attendance and said they capped their sewer off to an old abandoned house. They would like to leave the water connected so they can use it for a garden in the future. She does not feel they should be charged for water. There was discussion.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT: Ted Blaszak received an ordinance from Stephen Bishop for chronic nuisance properties that allows neighbors to take owners of chronic nuisance properties to small claims court, and presented it to the council. He asked the council to review it and to have it on the September agenda.
B. UNFIT BUILDING STATUS REPORT: David Tysz said he talked to someone about taking Keith Andersson’s building down, and they estimated it would cost $150,000. He suggested to Keith Andersson that he sell it to someone for a reasonable price. Keith Andersson said he will talk out in the open about the property, and it already has a lean on it for $30,000. He said he is waiting to get the paperwork from the unfit dwelling committee, since he hasn’t received anything in writing. There was discussion. Troy Wilson asked if he would clean up around the building if he had volunteer help. Keith Andersson said he would. Troy Wilson, Ted Blaszak and Dave Tysz volunteered to be there at 10 am on Saturday to help. There was discussion. Browning explained the council needs to appoint an appeals committee for the unfit dwelling. John Giudice made a motion to ask Ken Wolfe, Steve Haxton, Robert Heagy, William Tate, Lee Zimmerman and Michael Mishalane to be on the appeals committee. Ted Blaszak seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
C. CEMETERY: The endowment agreement went to the committee members to review it.
D. WATER CHARGES: Troy Wilson said he asked what the actual cost would be for the city to pay the electricity and chlorine for the water to pump if/when a line breaks. Browning told the council the actual cost is .0002247 a gallon. After discussion, Ted Blaszak made a motion to charge the actual cost to pump and chlorinate the water for Monty Morgan for his line break. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; there was discussion. All council members voted yes, except Carol Sturman abstained from voting, and Dave Tysz voted no.
Harry Wheeler asked to have his overage for water forgiven since he had a water line break over the winter. The council said they will consider it when he fixes it.
There was discussion concerning the charge to cap off water and sewer lines to property, and if we want to continue to do it. There was discussion. Dave Tysz will give us information for the next meeting.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. WASHINGTON SURVEYING AND RATING BUREAU: Browning reported we received information from the WSRB that the rating in Tekoa will drop from an 8 to a 7, beginning December 1, 2017. The letter thanked Donovan Chase and Duane Groom for all their help in completing the information for the new rating.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: There was none.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning didn't have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Ted Blaszak said the Tekoa High School library is looking for volunteers or donations for a before-school program. He asked Browning to send a letter to the Tekoa Fire Department, Sheriff Department and Tekoa Ambulance for their help with the National Night Out and a letter to Diane Harp for her work to organize the eclipse party. He also asked about getting the information for the street levy together and said he would like it to go out with the end of September and October newsletters.
Ted Blaszak said the governor’s office might be able to get a grant for the trestle. They need a partnership with the city, and he would like to be the liaison for the partnership. Alyssa Heagy made a motion to appoint Ted Blaszak to be a liaison to the governor’s office representing the City of Tekoa regarding only the trail and trestle. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members were in favor.
Ted Blaszak got some complaints that Mr. Keller is parking his trailer on Crosby Street, and it blocks the clear view triangle. He will ask him to move it to the side street.
Alyssa Heagy reminded everyone the Every Woman Can golf tournament is coming up at the end of September and gave details about it.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Keith Andersson said two winters ago the water froze in his building because it was improperly installed. He asked to have his meter lowered.
Robert Drollinger said he is glad the council has volunteered to help Keith Andersson with his building. He said there are grants available to fix the building.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE August 7, 2017, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the August 7, 2017, minutes as presented. Ted Blaszak seconded the motion; all council members.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve payroll check 12996 and EFT payroll checks totaling $5,593.84; and check numbers 12996 through 13015, including voided check 13011 for $35,136.96 as presented. Ted Blaszak seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55p.m. Ted Blaszak seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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Troy Wilson – Mayor Pro-tempore
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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