City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For November 19, 2009
A public hearing was held at 6:30 p.m. to consider applying for the
CDBG application. Mayor Jaeger opened the public hearing for the
CDBG grant application. Layne Merritt handed out the Public Hearing
Handout from Community Development Block Grant to everyone in
attendance, including the council. There were no non-English-speaking
residents in attendance. Water and sewer projects have been the
projects that have been applied for the most in the past. We are looking
at the general purpose grant. We can apply for up to a million dollars.
The readiness to proceed with the project seems to be the biggest driver.
He explained the different grants that can be applied for. The city did an
income survey in 2003, and it showed that we had the appropriate
number of low- and moderate-income residents to apply for the grant.
He asked for input from the audience on projects they have in mind for
the community to apply for that would benefit the low- and moderate-
income. There were no comments from the audience. Layne Merritt
said it was recommended that we apply for a grant to replace the
trusses on the water reservoir, because it is in bad shape and well
no. 2 has collapsed, and that reduces the production by 80 gallons per
minute. The other objective is to rehabilitate that well. Those two are
the major points of focus. The grant will be for about $600,000.
The design work will be done before we apply for the grant so that we
are shovel-ready. Any other competing needs will come before the
council to be considered. Layne Merritt told the audience that we have
Grievance Procedure Resolution No. 257. Anyone who has a grievance
can be heard by the council within 30 days. The grant has to be in by
January 21. The public hearing was closed at this time.
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, Debbie Groom, John Giudice, Roy Schulz, David Tysz, Melinda
Wilkins, and Linda Zehm. Also present was Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda
Browning; and Maintenance Supervisor, Duane Groom. In attendance in
the audience were Keith Andersson, Donovan Chase, Layne Merritt,
David Merry, Heath Pilleg, Ken Renstrom and Eileen Soldwedel.
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 to talk about the CDBG application. He discussed it before
the meeting in the public hearing. The council asked questions about the
proposed agreement for engineering for the truss replacement and the
new well. There was discussion concerning the projects. Roy Schulz
made a motion to hire the engineer to design the projects so they will
be shovel-ready, apply for the Community Development Block Grant
to replace trusses in the reservoir and rehabilitate well no. 2. Dave Tysz
seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Mike Bogenreif
asked if this project will make it, so we don’t have to spend any more
money for the design on these projects. Layne Merritt said if it is a few
years down the road, there could be a few updates that need to be done.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
There were none.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. SIGN ENTERING TOWN: Linda Zehm said she didn’t have
anymore information at this time. She will let the mayor know when
she gets the designs.
B. LIST OF PROPERTY OWNERS WITH VACANT HOUSES:
An updated list was given to the council. Mayor Jaeger said he will write
a letter and send it to the property owners after this meeting.
C. MOBILE HOME ORDINANCE: A copy of the ordinance that
Stephen Bishop put together last month was reviewed by the council. John
Giudice made a motion to approve Mobile Home Ordinance No. 779 as
presented. Melinda Wilkins seconded the motion; all council members voted
yes.
D. ROOF LEAK AT J.C. CLUB: Duane Groom reported that the roof is
fixed.
E. SHERIFF CONTRACT: Debbie Groom made a motion to adopt a
resolution to approve the sheriff contract as written. Linda Zehm seconded
the motion; all council members voted yes. Mike Bogenreif and John Giudice
abstained from voting.
F. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: Donovan Chase gave the council a
budget for the fire department for 2010.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. SIDEWALK AND PAVED ROAD REQUIREMENT FOR NEW
DEVELOPMENTS: We currently do not have any specifications. We will
look into this in the future.
B. SUR-CHARGE IMPOSED ON VACANT PROPERTY: Mike
Bogenreif made a motion to begin January 2010: to charge owners of a
building or home that is not inhabited the same sur-charge as those who pay
it with their monthly water/sewer bill. The money will go into the savings
account for water and sewer projects. John Giudice seconded the motion;
all council members voted yes.
C. SHOVEL-READY CDBG PROJECTS – USE SUR-CHARGE
FOR ENGINEERING: This was done during the professional consultation.
D. ADDITIONAL SUR-CHARGE FOR 2010 – MAYOR
PROPOSING WE INCLUDE $2 ADDITIONAL WATER AND
$2 ADDITIONAL SEWER FOR OPERATIONS: Ordinances No. 766
and No. 765 establish the water and sewer sur-charge of $5.00 per year for
water and $5.00 per year for sewer. Mayor Jaeger asked that we put a
moratorium on the $5.00 sur-charge, and he asked them to consider a
$2.00 rate increase for water and $2.00 for sewer to be put into the water
and sewer budget, because we are now forced to use our reserve account to
pay for the daily operations. Linda Zehm made a motion to increase the water
and sewer base charge, each $2.00 more per month, beginning with the end of
the January water and sewer billing, and postpone the $5.00 sur-charge increase
for water and sewer for 2010. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
E. EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION: The
council adjourned into executive session at the end of the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
to discuss employee evaluations for 40 minutes. The council reported that they
will need an extra hour for discussion. The council reconvened the meeting at
10:25 p.m.
F. DECEMBER 7 MEETING WILL BE A REGULAR MEETING
AND BUDGET HEARING AT 6:30 P.M.: Mayor Jaeger said we cannot
have a regular meeting, but we will have a budget workshop and at 6:30 p.m.
They will discuss the current expense budget for 2010 and salary proposals.
G. CONGRATULATIONS TO EILEEN SOLDWEDEL: Mayor Jaeger
congratulated Eileen Soldwedel for being elected as the new city council
member.
H. PUBLIC HEARING FOR TAX LEVY RESOLUTION: Mayor Jaeger
opened the public hearing. Browning explained the resolution. There were no
comments. John Giudice made a motion to approve Tax Levy Resolution 09-5
increasing the property tax 1% for 2010. Mike Bogenreif seconded the motion;
all council members voted yes.
VII. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: She had nothing.
VIII. COUNCIL REPORTS:
~Dave Tysz said he is learning about the airport. He said there is money for
grants to improve the efficiency of the heat in the buildings.
~Mike Bogenreif is still working on the trail of the old railroad right-of-way.
~Roy Schulz said he talked to Wilbur Ellis about their putting the de-icer on the
city streets. We will discuss this for next year.
~Melinda Wilkins asked Duane Groom what is the requirement for him remove
snow. He said it is discretionary, but usually when there are 2-3 inches of
snow.
~Mike Bogenreif said we need to put in the newsletter that motor homes need
to be removed from city streets.
IX. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Duane Groom had nothing to report.
X. MAYOR’S REPORT: The mayor has nothing to report.
XI. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE OCTOBER 19, 2009 MEETING MINUTES: Mike
Bogenreif made a motion to approve the October 19, 2009, meeting
minutes as presented. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Mike Bogenreif made a
motion to approve payroll check numbers 8158 through 8173, 8176
through 8178, 8204 through 8226, 8249 and EFT 941 payment for
$19,428.62; and check numbers 8174 through 8175, 8179 through
8203, 8227 through 8248 and voided check no. 8208 for $49,095.64
as presented. Debbie Groom seconded the motion; all council members
voted yes.
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Debbie Groom made a motion to adjourn
the meeting 10:27 p.m. Mike Bogenreif seconded the motion; all
council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
____________________________________
John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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