City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For September 21, 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, Debbie
Groom, John Giudice, Roy Schulz, Dave Tysz, Melinda Wilkins and Linda
Zehm. Also present was Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning. In attendance
in the audience was Ernie Aguilar, Keith Andersson, Don Chatterton,
Anthoney Ferro Jr., Mark Gaines, Kristil Kirkpatrick, Ginny Pittman, Sean
Sarasar, Jerry Squibb, and Meg Sutton.
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 discuss applying for the Rural Development Grant and loan
for the water and sewer. We applied for a state grant to rehabilitate the
water reservoir. After discussion, Dave Tysz made a motion to apply for
two grants to rehabilitate the water and sewer system from Rural
Development and have Mayor Jaeger sign the application when completed.
John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
*Kristy Kirkpatrick was in attendance from the Whitman County Library.
She brought information on the upcoming levy election for the library this fall.
*Meg Sutton reported that there is a problem with barking dogs in Tekoa.
She said that either we follow the dog ordinance or we don’t. Mayor Jaeger
said that she has dogs around her neighborhood that bark often. Don
Chatterton said that one night the dogs barked for four hours straight. There
was discussion. The council said that if that is what our ordinance says, we
will do it. The council wants Mayor Jaeger to send letters stating this is their
official warning to the owners with the barking dogs.
*Don Chatterton was in attendance and said that he had a water leak in front
of his house, and it took 2 days to find the leak. He gave the mayor information
about a cost effective leak detector for $1499. Dave Tysz said that this kind of
leak detector does not work well. He recommended a different leak detector
that costs about $3000. Duane Groom will try one that is owned by Dave Tysz.
*Ernie Aguilar was in attendance to talk about the census. They are asking that
we form a complete count committee and gave us flyers and information to
distribute.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. SIGN ENTERING TOWN: Linda Zehm discussed the Chamber and
the City paying for new “Tekoa signs” for the three spots entering town. She
talked to Dan Hutton about having the kids at the school make them. The cost
is being researched, and she will have more information in the future.
B. LIST OF PROPERTY OWNERS WITH VACANT HOUSES: A list
of vacant homes was put together by Dave Tysz. It will be faxed to the county
to get names and addresses of the property owners. We will send letters to the
property owners stating that they will have to begin paying the water and sewer
surcharge.
C. GOLF COURSE LEASE: A comparison of the properties we own and
what we charge them were given to the council. Mark Gaines was in attendance
to discuss the rental agreement for the Tekoa Golf Course. He said the board
of directors would be willing to pay $50.00 a month for the lease, and we
would pay the water. Debbie Groom asked Mark Gaines about their budget.
Melinda Wilkins made a motion to change the Tekoa Golf Course agreement
so they pay $600.00 a year and the city will pay for their water service,
beginning January 1, 2010. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes. The council would like to visit all the lease agreements
on a yearly basis.
D. MOBILE HOME ORDINANCE: John Giudice presented a mobile
home ordinance that blends Garfield’s and our ordinance. The Mayor asked
the council to read through this preliminary ordinance. Stephen Bishop will
look at it and call Mayor Jaeger and John Giudice with input.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. AVISTA BILL BREAKDOWN FOR OLD CITY HALL: There was
discussion concerning how to bill the two businesses for electricity in old city
hall because there is only one hot water tank. The council would like Duane
Groom to look into getting a hot water tank for upstairs.
B. LETTER CONCERNING WATER LEAK DETECTION: This was
discussed earlier.
C. DOG PETITION: This was discussed earlier.
D. STREET LEVY BUDGET: Browning presented a preliminary street
budget to let the council showing what the street expenditures are anticipated
to be in 2010.
E. WATER BILLING: Mayor Jaeger told the council that the water billing
is done at the end of the month and the customer is charged for the upcoming
month. Their excess water use is billed at the end of the month.
F. ROOF LEAK AT JC CLUB: Mayor Jaeger said that there is a roof
leak at the JC Club. He will have it looked at and report back to the council.
VII. COUNCIL REPORTS:
~Linda Zehm said that they had a cemetery meeting, and they will be moving
a road and the rose garden. Mayor Jaeger said that we will be discussing the
cemetery at the October 5 workshop. He said that the workshop in
November will be about water and sewer rates.
~Mayor Jaeger said he will be appointing Dave Tysz to take over for Jerry
Squibb as the airport manager.
~John Giudice said that he noticed that the phone book lists a local police
department. He asked that the phone company be notified to let them know
that we use the Whitman County Sheriff Department.
VIII. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning reported that she
will be attending a CDBG workshop on the 13th of October in Moses Lake
and the IACC Conference in Wenatchee the 14th through 16th of October.
IX. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Duane Groom went over his report
and said that we have a contractor to do the airport pavement project. He
said it would be nice to have someone volunteer to take over cleaning the
bathrooms at the rest area.
X. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Jaeger did not have anything.
XI. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE August 17, 2009 MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz
made a motion to approve the August 17, 2009, meeting minutes as presented.
John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to
approve payroll check numbers 8021 through 8036, 8039 through 8041and
EFT 941 payment for $12,619.55; and check numbers 8037, 8038, 8042
through 8069 and 8075 through 8086 for $66,665.12 as presented. Linda
Zehm seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Debbie Groom made a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 9:35 p.m. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members
voted yes.
APPROVED:
____________________________________
John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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