City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For November 21, 2016
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, Ted Blaszak, John Giudice, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, Carol Sturman, David Tysz, and Troy Wilson. Kynda Browning, Clerk/Treasurer, was also in attendance. In attendance in the audience was Keith Andersson, Duane Groom, Diane Harp, Wendy Sienknecht, and Heidi and Kevin Turnbough.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor John Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: There was none.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Diane Harp was in attendance and talked about the Chamber of Commerce and a prevention summit that she attended in Yakima. Wendy Sienknecht was in attendance and talked about concerns she has with the Community Center building and the waste water treatment plant.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. SALARIES/EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE - EXECUTIVE SESSION: The council adjourned into executive session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss employee performance. The executive session ended at 6:17 p.m. Mayor Jaeger’s recommendation is that we pay the full medical for all four full-time employees and not increase any wages, except increase Tara Chittenden’s wages to $15.00 an hour. Duane Groom and Kevin Turnbough both spoke about the proposed wages. After discussion, Ted Blaszak made a motion that for 2017 we give the employees a 2% increase, except Tara Chittenden will get a raise to $15.00 an hour, beginning January 1, 2017. In future years salary increases will go up by the COLA index to be selected on an annual basis. The health insurance is being capped at the 2016 rate, so the benefits package will be frozen where it is now. David Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Roy Schulz abstained from voting.
B. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT/ACTION: Alyssa Heagy reported there will be a Neighbors on Patrol meeting in January.
C. ANIMAL ORDINANCE: Stephen Bishop will look at the animal ordinance so we can put it on the December agenda.
D. TANNER LOTS FOR SALE: Mayor Jaeger talked about selling the Tanner lots. David Tysz asked about selling a land fill. Stephen Bishop said he is not aware of any restrictions, but the buyer would have to resume the restrictions for not digging up the landfill items.
E. STREET LEVY: The Mayor said we need to talk to people to see why they did not pass the street levy. He is suggesting we put this item on the December agenda and run the street levy on the February ballot.
F. COHN TRUST: Ted Rasmussen has the document for the trust.
G. AWC INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND RESOLUTION: AWC Interlocal Agreement Resolution No.16-07 was presented to the council. After review, Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Resolution No. 16-07 as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
H. CHANGE CEMETERY ORDINANCE SO ALL PLOT MONEY GOES TO CEMETERY FUND: We will do this at the December meeting.
I. VARIANCE FOR SHOP ON CORNER OF BYRON AND MADISON ST: This will be on the December agenda.
J. EMPIRE THEATRE LEASE AGREEMENT: The lease agreement with the Empire Theatre was changed so it automatically renews itself. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the lease as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. 2017 PRELIMIARY BUDGET: The council went over the preliminary budget and asked questions.
B. MEETING WITH RIVERKEEPERS/DOE (CDBG PLANNING APPLICATION): Mayor Jaeger reported that Kynda Browning and he met with the Department of Ecology and Riverkeepers concerning our sewer plant. It was decided at the meeting that we should apply for CDBG funds for a planning grant for the sewer plant.
C. WATER/SEWER FUND RATES: Mayor Jaeger is suggesting we reduce the water rate by $3.00, and increase the sewer rates by $4.00. We will present a resolution at the December meeting.
D. 2016 BUDGET AMENDMENT/FUND RATES: We will do this in December.
E. FIRE RATING: Mayor Jaeger said we will meet with Donovan Chase, Fire Chief before we discuss this.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: There was none.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: There was none.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Dave Tysz went to the RTPO meeting and said he is going to look into the electric car charger.
Troy Wilson asked for a copy of the employee handbook so he can update it.
Ted Blaszak and Alyssa Heagy went to a meeting concerning the trail and talked about it. Alyssa Heagy talked about a bike trail through the city.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE October 17, 2016, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the October 17, 2016, meeting minutes as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve payroll checks 12569 through 12579 and EFT payroll checks totaling $23,068.82; and check numbers 12580 through 12619 and EFT checks for $63,516.39 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
___________________________________
John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
|