City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For February 6, 2012
The council interviewed council member candidates beginning at 6:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor John Jaeger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Jaeger, Debbie Groom, John Giudice, Roy Schulz, Eileen Soldwedel, and Troy Wilson. Also present were Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning; Maintenance Supervisor, Duane Groom; and City Attorney, Stephen Bishop. In attendance in the audience were Matt Morkert, Century West Engineering: Rich Chittenden, Richard Kelly, and Alex and Phil Overton.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Matt Morkert from Century West was in attendance. Mayor Jaeger opened the public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant application. Matt Morkert explained to the audience and the council that when the creek rises because of rain or snow melt, the inflow and infiltration doubles at the sewer plant, doubling the cost of treatment and electricity. Therefore, he is recommending that we apply to CDBG for a one million dollar grant to replace three sections of sewer line to help alleviate this problem. We have already applied to DOE for money to design the project. The total project will be one million, four hundred thousand dollars for design and construction. If we are funded from CDBG, we would need about three hundred thousand from another funding source. Mayor Jaeger asked for comments from the audience. There were none. John Giudice made a motion to apply to CDBG for one million dollars for the sewer line replacement project. Eileen Soldwedel seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Mayor Jaeger closed the public hearing. Matt Morkert handed out a complaint or grievance procedure form that people can turn in within 15 days.
Matt Morkert reported that CDBG said that fencing was eligible for the current well and reservoir project. He got a quote from the Fenceman for $18,500 to put fences around the well and reservoir.
Matt Morkert told the council that it will cost $4,250 to finish the railing for the new sidewalk. TIB will pay 95%, and we will pay 5%. Debbie Groom made a motion to approve the change order adding $4,250 to the sidewalk project to complete the railing. Eileen Soldwedel seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. The Mayor signed the change order.
Matt Morkert said there is a TIGER 4 grant program that we can apply for to reconstruct Park Road. It is a 100% grant program and TIB will match 15% of the grant. John Giudice made a motion to apply for the TIGER 4 grant to reconstruct Park Road. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
The Safe Routes to School Grant is open again. The council discussed applying for a planning grant to look at options for loading the bus kids at the grade school. Matt Morkert will check into it and let them know if this is something that we can apply for. They also discussed the sidewalk from Line Street to Water Street.
Matt Morkert talked about asking TIB to reclassify Warren Street as an arterial before next year’s funding cycle. He will talk to Gloria Bennett from TIB and let us know what she says at the next meeting.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Alex Overton was in attendance to discuss getting an outdoor basketball court in Tekoa for her senior project. She talked about getting donations for the project. The council thinks this is a great idea.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. CHANGES TO BUILDING INSPECTIONS: Stephen Bishop said it is done.
B. JUNK VEHICLES: (John Giudice). He will have something next month.
C. PLANNING COMMISSION: Stephen Bishop said we will need an official zoning map to go with our zoning ordinance. There
was discussion about getting our planning commission together and having them develop a zoning map. They also talked about
how many people are on our planning commission. Stephen Bishop will look into it and let us know.
D. PDA: Stephen Bishop said that our PDA was set up to try to be a non-profit corporation. He called MRSC, and they said that
we can just repeal the ordinance to dissolve the PDA. Stephen Bishop will prepare the ordinance for the March council meeting.
E. COVERING DUMPSTERS: We received an estimate of $1,138.60 to put a cover over one recycling dumpster. John
Giudice said that Colfax has a similar dumpster that is not covered. They will table this for one month.
F. PIGEONS: John Giudice checked with the wildlife agent, and he said that it would be OK to dispose of the pigeons. Mayor
Jaeger asked if the council would have an opposition to using force to get rid of the pigeons. They were not in opposition. The
Mayor said that we will start disposing of the pigeons.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. UPDATE FEE RESOLUTION: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the updated fee Resolution No. 99-12.2, adding winter
rates to the community center charges. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. COST OF HEATING RESTROOM AND FIRE STATION: A cost comparison sheet was presented showing the cost to
heat the rest stop restroom and the fire station. Harold Huff went into the restroom and made it so the temperature can’t be
adjusted, so hopefully it will cost less in the future.
C. FEBRUARY 2O, 2012 MEETING ON PRESIDENT’S DAY: The council will not have a meeting on February 20, 2012.
VII. REPORTS:
A. MAINTENANCE REPORT: (Duane Groom) Duane Groom reported that the new well is not running yet. After discussion,
Mayor Jaeger said he will call Matt Morkert about the well. Duane Groom said he is still looking for a different backhoe.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: (Kynda Browning) Kynda Browning had nothing to report.
C. MAYOR’S REPORT: (Mayor Jaeger) Mayor Jaeger handed out a letter from Century West about damage done to two
cars from the street sweeper on the water line project. He said their option is to contact the insurance commissioner if they
would like to pursue it further.
Mayor Jaeger reported that we checked with Tom Wall to see if the insurance for Slippery Gulch could be under the city
insurance.
Mayor Jaeger would like to propose that any time we are spending money for anything, we postpone the decision until the
next meeting. This would give us time to think about it before a decision is made.
D. COUNCIL REPORTS: John Giudice said that he discovered that a former city employee had a pistol, so he retrieved if
from him and will put it in the city police safe. He talked about charging an hourly rate for the community center.
Roy Schulz gave the council a copy of the expansion feasibility study that JUB is sending out to get information about expanding
the airport. JUB will be attending the March chamber meeting.
Troy Wilson asked about the door for the community center. Roy Schulz said that the contractor will try to get up here this week
to give us a bid.
The council adjourned into executive session to discuss the replacement for the vacant council member at 9:30 p.m. The council
adjourned out of executive session at 9:45 p.m.
John Giudice made a motion to appoint Richard Kelly for the vacant council position. Troy Wilson seconded the motion; all
council members voted yes.
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE January 9, 2012, MEETING MINUTES: Troy Wilson made a motion to approve the January 9, 2012,
meeting minutes as presented. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: John Giudice made a motion to approve payroll check numbers 9757 through 9761,
EFT payroll checks, 941 payment, Department of Retirement, Association of Washington Cities and HSA Bank, for $17,526.56;
and check numbers 9762 through 9793 and EFT Department of Revenue, and Association of Washington Cities for $64,129.94 ,
including voided checks 9769 and 9781 as presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
IX. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting 10:11 p.m. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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