City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For December 17, 2018
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Troy Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Wilson, John Giudice, Wendy Sienknecht, Carol Sturman, and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in attendance. Audience attendees were Mike Bogenreif, Eric and Wendy Bretz, Jacob Donnerberg, Bethany Fletcher, the Fletcher Family, Debbie Hall, Alyssa Heagy, Jennifer Olson, and Fred and Della Wagner.
Potential council members were interviewed. The council adjourned into executive session to discuss the candidates at 6:40 p.m. for 20 minutes. The council reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Wilson told the council a letter was received from Jason Fletcher resigning his position. The council voted for the vacant positions, and Bethany Fletcher was chosen for Troy Wilson's position and Alyssa Heagy was chosen for Jason Fletcher's position. Mayor Wilson swore them in.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Jennifer Olson gave a report for the Healthy Tekoa Coalition.
Debbie Hall from Neighbors' Watch announced their next meetings, which will be held at Eclairs’ on Tuesday's at 11:00 a.m.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. LEASE AGREEMENT FOR RUHL PARK: City Attorney Eric Hanson wrote a lease agreement between the City of Tekoa and the Whitman County Park District No. 6 for Ruhl Park. John Giudice made a motion to approve the agreement with Whitman County Park District No. 6 to lease Ruhl Park. Wendy Sienknecht seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. EMPIRE THEATRE LEASE AGREEMENT: Carol Sturman asked that we table this until we can do more research. Wendy Sienknecht is contacting other towns to see about their lease or use agreements. She will send out the information she receives to the council members.
C. EMPIRE THEATRE USE OF COMMUNITY CENTER: They would like to discuss this in February.
D. HEATER FOR CITY HALL: Mayor Wilson said we talked about different options last month. We have a very aged heating system in this building and it should be updated. Strom Heating and Nolan will give us a bid along with the bid we received from Ackerman’s.
E. LIBRARY BACK WALL: Mayor Wilson said Kevin Turnbough talked to him about hiring someone local to help tear down the back wall and then build a new wall. Dave Tysz said he thinks it’s a good idea. Mayor Wilson is thinking Dave Ackers. Dave Tysz made a motion to pay up to $12,000 to tear down the back wall and pay an employee $20.00 an hour to do the work. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2018 BUDGET AMENDMENT: Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. John Giudice made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 847, amending the 2018 budget for the CDBG Sewer I and I, increasing the budget to $810,000.00. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN: The six-year transportation improvement plan was presented. Browning will type it up and present the changes at the January meeting.
C. COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2019: The council would like to have meetings the following dates in 2019, if needed: Tuesday - January 22, Tuesday - February 19, March 4 and 18, April 1 and 15, May 6 and 20, June 3 and 17, July 1 and 15, August 5 and 19, September 16, October 7 and 21, November 4 and 18, and December 2 and 16.
D. EXPRESS BILL PAY INFORMATION: Mayor Wilson said using a vendor like this is safer for the customer to pay with their credit card. After discussion, it was decided that Browning will check to see if there are other options available.
Mayor Wilson said he would like new big map and dry erase markers.
The council adjourned into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss a legal issue at 8:07 p.m. The council reconvened at 8:12 p.m.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson reported that he is still working on the emergency preparedness plan. He said there are grants available.
Mayor Wilson asked Wendy Sienknecht where the stop sign is that needs to be fixed. She said it is on the corner of Alder and Crosby.
He is still getting information for the trench drain by Cara Devinny’s house on Howard Street.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning did not have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: There were none.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Eric Bretz was in attendance and talked about his property on the corner of Main and Crosby. He said they would like to make it into recovery housing. After discussion, Mayor Wilson said the building needs to be taken care of immediately, because it has been three years since this process started, and the crack on the southwest corner is getting bigger. It was decided they will have until our meeting on February 19 to have the beam banded on the southwest corner and southeast corner torn down to the first level. The mayor said they will have to make progress every two weeks, and Steve Haxton will review their progress.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. MEETING MINUTES: Dave Tysz made a motion to approve the December 3, 2018, minutes as presented. Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Dave Tysz made a motion to pay payroll warrants 13813 and 13814 and EFT payroll warrants in the amount of $7,744.42; warrant number 13815 through 13832 and EFT warrants in the amount of $251,949.51 as presented. Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Dave Tysz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m. Carol Sturman 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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