City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For September 18, 2017
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, Alyssa Heagy, Dave Tysz and Troy Wilson. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning, was also in attendance. Audience attendees were Debbie Groom, Diane Harp, Threasa Raines, and Wendy Sienknecht.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION:
Mayor Jaeger opened the public hearing for the CDBG sewer I and I-planning grant. Matt Morkert talked to the council about the results of the I and I study. He said they monitored four locations and showed three places where we have the most I and I in the system. We applied for a grant for $750,000.00 from CDBG to replace these three areas and received the grant. Mayor Jaeger asked if anyone has any questions. Wendy Sienknecht asked if the manhole is on Warren Street, and Matt Morkert said it is at the football field. There were no other questions, so Mayor Jaeger closed the public hearing.
Alyssa Heagy asked if we got funded for the FEMA grant for the replacement of the sewer line along the creek. Matt Morkert said Whitman County was not a priority county, so we did not get funded. He talked to Department of Ecology about a brownfield grant. He said it would be a partnership with the railroad. Ted Blaszak asked him about looking into other grants. Matt Morkert said he will talk to the Department of Ecology more about the brownfield assessment.
Diane Harp talked about the Healthy Tekoa fall survey and said she emailed it out. She also talked about a sidewalk expression event, said Paper Tigers will be shown Saturday at the theatre, and the coalition is looking for help with the carnival. The chamber asked her to write a letter to support the camping at the gymkanna grounds. She announced there will be a forum for the candidates on September 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Empire Theatre.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Wendy Sienknecht asked about the chronic nuisance ordinance and said she doesn't like to pit neighbor against neighbor. She asked about the trail and if it will cost the city money, about the cement at the arena grounds, Cliff Melton’s trailer on Ramsey Street, and the noise of the trucks if there is a campground at the gymkanna grounds.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: Ted Blaszak said he received a phone call from the gaming commission in which it was discussed a possible pattern of false reporting to his office. The state would like Tekoa to host an orientation on gaming for the local communities and groups.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES: Ted Blaszak said he received a sample ordinance from Garfield. He would like feedback from the council. The Mayor will make changes for the council to review for the October 2, 2017, meeting.
B. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mayor Jaeger said they have the plaster off the ceiling and walls, and he talked about bids we received. He said we need to thank all the people who have been volunteering.
C. CLARIFICATION FOR WATER/SEWER CHARGES FOR EMPTY LOTS/BUILDINGS ON LOTS, ETC: Dave Tysz talked to other communities, and they said they don't charge for water, but they charge for the sewer, and our loans and grants are based on the number of connections. Mayor Jaeger explained the different houses and lots we have in town and would like to discuss it at our next meeting. There was discussion.
D. INFORMATION FOR NEWSLETTER - STREET LEVY: Mayor Jaeger said he needs help on what information the council would like in the newsletter for the street levy. After discussion, it was decided to list the streets to be chip-sealed and the cost for each. There were comments about the street lights and informing people they are paid out of the utility tax, transferred from the general fund.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. FEE RESOLUTION: This will be done next meeting.
B. CDBG SEWER PROJECT AWARD: This was announced during Matt Morkert's presentation. Mayor Jaeger reported we will have to match the CDBG money with $40,000.00.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: He reported we gave the council a copy of the letter sent to Mr. Andersson by the committee. Troy Wilson said when they went to help Mr. Andersson, their intent was to put bricks inside the building, but he did not want them inside his building. Ted Blaszak said he talked to Mr. Bishop’s office about the process and the timeline. There was discussion. He said the fastest way for the city to deal with the building is to go through the unfit building process.
Mayor Jaeger received a request from Alfred and Tessa Egizi asking to start a business in the upstairs of the old city hall building. After discussion, Troy Wilson made a motion to charge $25.00 a month for three months and raise it by $25.00 every quarter and until they pay $125.00 per month like the downstairs room. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Mayor Jaeger said he is still hearing concerns about cell phone service. Wendy Sienknecht said they will be putting up a higher tower and add data.
Mayor Jaeger is working on getting some cars off Ramsey Street.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning didn't have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Alyssa Heagy said they will be postponing the golf tournament until next May.
Ted Blaszak reported Mr. Keller moved his trailer off Crosby Street.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Wendy Sienknecht would like to know what our plans are with the railroad property. The mayor said we need to know what the brownfield study has to say before we can proceed.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE August 21, 2017, MEETING MINUTES: Troy Wilson made a motion to approve the August 21, 2017, minutes as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Troy Wilson made a motion to approve payroll checks 13041 and EFT payroll checks totaling $5,464.51; and check numbers 13042 through 13066 for $34,570.92 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Troy Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Dave Tysz 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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