City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For March 16, 2015
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, John Giudice, Debbie Groom, Richard Kelly, Roy Schulz, and Troy Wilson. Also present were Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning; and Maintenance Supervisor, Duane Groom. In attendance in the audience were Matt Morkert from Century West, Bill and Diane Harp and Kristie Kirkpatrick from Whitman County Library.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Matt Morkert told the council that Phase II of the Sewer I and I Reduction project that was funded by CDBG and Department of Ecology is complete. John Giudice made a motion to accept Phase II of the Sewer I and I Reduction project as complete. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert told the council we are waiting on release of retainage from the Department of Labor and Industry for the USDA Generator project that was done by Power City Electric. He presented the application for payment No. 3 paying the release of retainage for Power City Electric. Debbie Groom made a motion to pay the final payment No. 3 to Power City Electric for $2,650.00 when the final release of retainage is received. Richard Kelly seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert presented USDA Outlay report No. 41 for $3,610.38 ($2,650.00 for Power City Electric and $960.38 for Century West Engineering). He reported it leaves $23,528.77 in the grant. Debbie Groom made a motion to approve Outlay Report No. 41 for $3,610.38. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert said MDM Construction fixed Seaman Road, but the dip on Crosby Street is a warranty issue instead of a performance issue. They will fix it when the asphalt plant opens in the spring. He presented a letter recommending acceptance of the project as complete. John Giudice made a motion accepting the second phase of the sewer I & I reduction project complete. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert showed the council a map of the TIB Park Road project and said they would like to start in early to mid-April.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Kristy Kirkpatrick was in attendance from Whitman County Library and presented Diane Harp, librarian, a certificate of appreciation. Eileen Soldwedel wasn’t in attendance, but she also had one for her.
Diane Harp reported on the results of the Healthy Youth Survey that was done by the Healthy Tekoa Coalition.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRESS FOR LOWERING FIRE RATING: Donovan Chase was not in attendance.
B. CHIP SEALING ROADS: Mayor Jaeger reported five roads will be chip sealed this summer: Howard, Sophy, Elizabeth, Truax and part of Lebo. It is anticipated the gravel will cost approximately $15,000 and the oil and chip seal will cost about $50,000. The city has saved the money to pay for this project from the street levy.
C. PARK STREET PROJECT/FLETCHER AGREEMENT: After discussion concerning the agreement to purchase property from Fletchers for the Park Street project, John Giudice made a motion to authorize Mayor Jaeger to sign the agreement with Fletchers, contingent on confirming the accuracy and completeness of the survey. Richard Kelly seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
D. .09 GRANT – DUE MARCH 20: The council reviewed the .09 grant to replace the roof on the old city hall and the library buildings owned by the city. After review, John Giudice made a motion to apply for the .09 grant for $21,424.00, ($16,067.67 from the grant and the city will match with $4,855.88 and Friends of Whitman Co. Library will donate $500.00). Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. TREE CITY USA ORDINANCE NO. 821/TREE CARE PLAN: We will approve this at the next meeting.
B. FEE RESOLUTION NO. 99-15.1: Fee Resolution No. 99-15.1 was presented to the council, changing the water and sewer base rate. After review, Debbie Groom made a motion to approve Resolution No. 99-15.1 as presented. Troy Wilson seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
C. STREET ROLLER: After discussion, Debbie Groom made a motion for Duane Groom to purchase a street roller for up to $15,000 (and more if necessary as approved by Mayor Jaeger). John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
D. OLD CITY HALL LEASE AGREEMENT: Mayor Jaeger told the council that the upstairs of the old city hall was leased for a hair salon.
E. NEW EMPLOYEE – SCOTT PUCKETT – WAGES AND BENEFITS: After discussion, John Giudice made a motion to increase Scott Puckett’s wages to $16.17 per hour and give him the $125.00 per month to pay the deductible for his insurance, retroactive to his starting date on March 2, 2015. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
F. GIS OF SEWER LINE PROJECT: After discussion, Troy Wilson made a motion to hire Century West Engineering to make a GIS of Tekoa’s sewer lines for $6,000.00. Richard Kelly seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, except Roy Schulz voted no.
G. COUNCIL ELECTION: Mayor Jaeger told the council they are all up for re-election this year except Roy Schulz and Eileen Soldwedel.
H. RADIO ADVERTISING ALONG WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES: Mayor Jaeger said the city will pay $50.00 for ads on the Colfax station.
I. CODE ENFORCEMENT: Mayor Jaeger talked about code enforcement.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAINTENANCE REPORT: (Duane Groom) Duane Groom did not have a report.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: (Kynda Browning) Browning did not have a report.
C. MAYOR’S REPORT: (Mayor Jaeger) Mayor Jaeger did not have a report.
D. COUNCIL REPORTS: Troy Wilson said he talked to Inland Cellular about a cell tower, and he was told they are negotiating with someone to purchase or lease property. The council told Troy Wilson that Inland Cellular can put the tower at the water tank, until they get a permanent place for the tower.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE February 2, 2015, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the February 2, 2015, meeting minutes as presented. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve EFT payroll 11592 through 11597 and EFT payroll checks totaling $18,544.79; and check numbers 11578 through 11591, 11598 through 11632 and EFT claims for $56,336.95 as presented. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 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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