City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For October 21, 2019
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Troy Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Wilson, Lee Burchfiel, John Giudice, Bethany Fletcher, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, and Wendy Sienknecht. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in attendance.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Eric Hanson, City Attorney, was in attendance and said we received authorization to demolish the Bretz/Andersson building. There was discussion about the tax auction that will be held on December 12, 2019. It was decided to have the mayor get bids to demolish the building.
Jennifer Olson was in attendance and talked about the Healthy Tekoa Coalition, the prescription take-back program, and the community survey.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Fred Wagner was in attendance to talk about the Tekoa Trestle. He talked about Cecil Park and asked the council to consider using it to dry camp near the trail. There was discussion. We will research and see if it is city-owned property.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. SUPER USER WATER/SEWER RATES EXTENSION: Mayor Wilson said we would like to postpone the fee resolution with the increases until January 1, 2020. Wendy Sienknecht asked questions about raising the water and sewer rates. There was discussion. Roy Schulz made a motion to amend resolution no. 99-19-1, changing it to January 1, 2020. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, except John Giudice voted no.
B. CITY OWNED BUILDINGS: Joni Hay is still working on getting the comps for the city-owned buildings.
C. TED BLASZAK PROPERTY: Mayor Wilson explained where Frank Keller’s house boat is and showed where the sewer line would go. He said there are other septic tanks in the city, and he wonders if we can allow a septic tank. There was discussion. The mayor will contact Ted Blaszak and talk to him about it.
D. INVEST CITY MONEY: Browning is waiting for the broker from RBC to return to get information.
John Giudice told the council he is having surgery and will miss the November meetings.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. 2020 TAX LEVY RESOLUTION: Tax Levy Resolution No. 19-06 was presented with a zero percent increase. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Resolution No. 19-06 as presented. Wendy Sienknecht seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. SIDEWALKS: There was discussion about the sidewalks and that they need to be repaired. The mayor talked about putting aside $5000 a year to repair sidewalks. There was discussion. They also said the walking bridge on Water Street needs repair.
C. 2020 PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARING: Mayor Wilson opened the 2020 preliminary budget hearing. Browning went over the preliminary budget. We will have a budget workshop at 6 p.m. on November 18, 2019. Mayor Wilson closed the budget hearing.
D. CECIL PARK: This was discussed earlier.
E. INCREASE FOR AWC RMSA: Browning told the council our insurance is increasing 12% for 2020, and more in 2021 because of the property valuation the insurance company completed.
F. COST OF LIVING RAISE – SICK LEAVE: Browning talked to the council about a cost of living raise and increasing the sick leave for the employees. After discussion, it was decided to update the policy manual with a sick leave bank and present it to the council at the next meeting. Wendy Sienknecht talked about salary comparisons with other cities. There was discussion. Alyssa Heagy made a motion to approve an increase of 1.6% for the employees. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, except Wendy Sienknecht voted no.
G. PORT OF WHITMAN AGREEMENT: Browning presented the Port of Whitman Right of Access Agreement for use of the room in the city council chambers. There was discussion about the length of the contract. John Giudice made a motion to approve the contract as written. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, except Wendy Sienknecht voted no.
H. CITY POLICY FOR CANNABIS: Bethany Fletcher said there is someone who wants to grow cannabis in the city limits. Eric Hanson will research this for the council.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson gave the council information about CERB. He was told they can assist us with funds for projects. He said the council needs to review it and let him know if they have ideas.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: She did not have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: John Giudice presented some items that he is concerned about.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. October 21, 2019, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to pay payroll and EFT checks in the amount of $7,668.65 and check numbers 14356 through 14369 in the amount of $22,771.23 as presented. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 p.m. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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Troy Wilson – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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