City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
for March 16, 2009
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, Mike Bogenreif,
John Giudice, David Tysz, Melinda Wilkins, and Linda Zehm. Also present were
Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning and Stephen Bishop, City Attorney. In
attendance in the audience were Bob Lindgren, Eileen Soldwedel and Jerry
Squibb.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to
join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Layne Merritt will come to the
April 6, 2009, council meeting to discuss the proposed water and sewer
projects.
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
A. WATER METER ORDINANCE: The council reviewed the
proposed changes to the Water Ordinance No. 776 and Fee Resolution
No. 09-1. Stephen Bishop, the attorney for the City, will review the
ordinance and put in the proper form for the code book. The council
will review it for the April 6 council meeting.
B. WATER RATES FOR INACTIVE ACCOUNTS: This will be
discussed when the “snow birds” come back.
C. ORDINANCE FOR MOBILE HOMES: John Giudice presented a
proposed mobile home ordinance that combines the Tekoa ordinance and
the Garfield ordinance. The council will review it, and it will be discussed
at the April 6 council meeting.
D. J.C. CLUB: Mike McHargue returned the J.C. Club agreement with a
few changes. Browning will type up the new agreement with the changes.
E. .09 GRANT: John Giudice and Debbie Groom are putting the grant
together for submission to Whitman County. After discussion, Melinda
Wilkins made a motion to amend the short terms goals to add to No. 10:
encourage business entrepreneurs whenever possible. Mike Bogenreif
seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
F. SPRING CLEAN UP: Mike Bogenreif reported that he is trying to get
some kids who would like some community service time to volunteer their
help with the clean-up.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
A. WELL REHABILITATION: Duane Groom was not in attendance.
B. PERSONNEL POLICY: The council reviewed Chapter 2 of the
Personnel Policy Manual. There was discussion about “exempt” and
“non-exempt” employees. Stephen Bishop recommended that we get a
copy of Palouse’s manual for reference.
VI. COUNCIL REPORTS:
~Linda Zehm reported that Teresa House is waiting for the weather to
improve before she works in the cemetery. She will talk to Dan Hutton
about the shop kids making a picnic table for the cemetery. She asked
that Duane Groom look at the lawn mower.
~Melinda Wilkins asked Mayor Jaeger if he authorizes the maintenance
crew to plow snow, and he said he did. She is also concerned that businesses
are overusing salt to melt the snow and ice, and it is eating away the sidewalks.
VII. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT:
~Browning reported that Bob Adams, a retired Spokane County surveyor,
will be giving the City a bid on surveying the water tank property and the
property at the sewer plant.
~She also reported that she transferred money to the State Investment Pool,
so that we only have the insured amount in American West Bank.
VIII. MAYOR’S REPORT:
~Mayor Jaeger reported he received a letter from WSU concerning engineering
students assisting with a project in Tekoa.
~He reported that Monte and Cheryl Morgan and some other volunteers will
work through the senior citizen group concerning help with paying utility bills.
IX. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
~Bob Lindgren was in attendance and questioned the utility tax he is now
receiving on his wireless phone bill. The council said that the company might
not have been billing him until he upgraded his phone.
~Eileen Soldwedel questioned the criteria for property tax exemption.
X. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE MARCH 2, 2009, MEETING MINUTES: Linda Zehm
made a motion to accept the March 2, 2009, meeting minutes as presented.
Melinda Wilkins seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Mike Bogenreif made a motion
to approvepayroll check numbers 7662 through 7664 for $2625.29 as
presented, and check numbers 7665 through 7682 for $2632.31. Linda Zehm
seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Mike Bogenreif made a motion to adjourn at
8:20 p.m. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
____________________________________
John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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