City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
for May 18, 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, John
Giudice, Debbie Groom, Roy Schulz, Dave Tysz, Melinda Wilkins and
Linda Zehm. Also present were Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning; and
Duane Groom, Maintenance Supervisor. In attendance in the audience
were Keith Andersson, Donald Chatterton, Ron and Cathy Flock, Sherry
Klaus, Jerry and Connie Kruckenberg, Ula Moody, Monte Morgan,
James and Amy Rainey, Jerry Squibb, and Terry Thomas.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to
join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Layne Merritt was in
attendance from Century West Engineering. He discussed the Rural
Development Grant Application. There was discussion concerning
voting for a bond for the projects, and Layne Merritt said he will look
into it. After discussion, Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the
agreement with Century West Engineering for the USDA – RD
Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Reports. Debbie Groom
seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Don Chatterton
said he called Cathy McMorris’s office, and she said there is money
available for projects. He is concerned that our rates keep going up
for water and sewer, and other communities have rates that are about
half of what we pay. He thinks the council needs to put a lid on utility
rates, because it is detrimental to the real estate values.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. WATER RATES FOR INACTIVE ACCOUNTS: Mayor
Jaeger said that they are proposing charging everyone the surtax that
has water and sewer to their property (the $5.00 charge for water
and sewer to save for upcoming projects). The council is proposing
to charge the surtax for people gone for the winter and anyone who
has a vacant home not using water. The purpose for this charge is
that ultimately, everyone will benefit from updates, so they need to
pay for the improvements.
Ron Flock addressed the council with his concerns for this proposal.
He does not think people who are not using services should be
charged. He suggested voting for a bond for the improvements
instead of imposing the surtax.
Debbie Groom asked if we are out of compliance, and if we have
to do these projects. Layne Merritt said our sewer has to be
improved by 2017. The water system does not have anything
imposed on it, but there are issues with the reservoir.
Mr. Flock asked if you can put in your own well on your property.
Dave Tysz said that our water ordinance does not allow people to
put a well on their property.
Monte Morgan said that we have condemned property that would
be the same as a vacant lot, and they should not be assessed. He
also said the trailer park has had up to six lots that are vacant at a
time, and it will hit them hard.
Mayor Jaeger said that we need to take action on this at the next
meeting. He will put it in the newsletter again.
B. ORDINANCE FOR MOBILE HOMES: John Giudice and
Mayor Jaeger still need to get together to work on a revised
ordinance.
C. THEATRE AND GOLF COURSE LEASE AGREEMENTS:
Monte Morgan and Sherry Klaus were in attendance and talked about
the finances, the improvements, and the donated time for the theatre.
Debbie Groom said that we have to be fair and equitable to everyone in
the community concerning the water and sewer billing.
The golf course and theatre will be on the agenda for the June 1, 2009
meeting.
D. LEASE AGREEMENT FOR OLD CITY SHOP W/PDA:
Monte Morgan said his term is over, and they are working on getting
some younger people involved. He said they have a good relationship
with the current leasee for the old city shop building.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. PERSONNEL POLICY (Section 4): Copies of Section 4 of the
Personnel Policy Manual were given to the council to review. It will
be discussed at the next meeting.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS: Melinda Wilkins said someone
commented about the clean-up day, and there is a willingness to
pay fees to dump their garbage.
John Giudice said we received approval to move forward on
the .09 grant project. We will include Gabbard Electric on
our small works roster and get the project started. Melinda
Wilkins made a motion to have Gabbard Electric install the
four new meters and make the necessary electrical changes
at the old city hall for the cost of their original written bid.
Linda Zehm seconded the motion; all council members voted
yes.
VIII. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning reported:
~She will be gone for the June 1, 2009, council meeting. The
deputy clerk/treasurer will be in attendance.
~The water billing will be changed back to the end of the month,
and the garbage overage will be charged with the following month’s
water bill. Since Empire Disposal changed their billing cycle, it
makes our water bill go out too late if we wait for their bill.
City Attorney Stephen Bishop was in attendance and presented
Ordinance No. 777, repealing the water Ordinance No. 776 to the
council. The council said they will adopt Ordinance No. 777 when
the new water ordinance is ready.
IX. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Jaeger reported:
~He talked to Mr. Perringer about putting the wind gauge up, and he
will allow him to put it somewhere out of the way.
~He received another barking dog complaint, and he will take care
of it. Amy Papini Rainey was in attendance and turned in a complaint
about the Animal Control Officer, Duane Groom.
~He talked to Stan Kittock and said his job might not allow him to
continue to be the building inspector. He will let us know in the next
few weeks.
~We have a house in town that still has a septic tank, and it will need
to be hooked up.
Monte Morgan said the “Tekoa” sign in Tensed is in bad shape. He
will have it replaced.
Duane Groom reported:
~The sewer building is done, except there is no floor yet. They will
pour the floor by the end of the week. This fits in with the requirements
from DOE for the sewer plant.
~He would like to replace the five worst fire hydrants at an approximate
cost of $14,000. After discussion, Dave Tysz made a motion to go
ahead with the project and pay for it out of the water/sewer line
replacement fund. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
~He reported that American Leak Detection will be coming on Tuesday
to do leak detection for the water system. It will cost around $1000.
X. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE MAY 4, 2009, MEETING MINUTES: Linda Zehm
made a motion to approve the May 4, 2009, meeting minutes as
presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members
voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Debbie Groom made
a motion to approve payroll check numbers 7787 through 7789
for $2,718.91, and check numbers 7790 through 7803 for $15,836.34
as presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members
voted yes.
The council adjourned into executive session to discuss a personnel
matter at 8:50 p.m. The council reconvened from executive session
at 10:08 p.m.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: Debbie Groom made a motion to adjourn
the meeting 10:10 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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