Tekoa Washington

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, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht, Carol Sturman, and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in attendance. Audience attendees were Keith Andersson, the Fletcher Family, Debbie Hall, Steve Haxton, Fran and Pete Martin, and Jennifer Olson.                      

II.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III.  PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION:

Jennifer Olson was in attendance to talk about the Healthy Tekoa Coalition.

Debbie Hall from Neighbors’ Watch announced their next meeting will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Éclair’s.

Matt Morkert from Century West Engineering was in attendance.  He talked about the funding for the Park Road Project from TIB and possibly replacing water and sewer lines from Main to Park and from Park to Huffman before the project.  We need to do the section from Park to Main and replace the water and sewer lines. He said if we don’t have enough money in reserves, we could apply to the Public Works Trust Fund for a loan.  Dave Tysz made a motion to approve the TIB consultant agreement contingent on TIB concurrence, work order no. 2 and work order no. 3 with Century West Engineering. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.  The council asked for additional information about the Public Works Trust Fund to borrow money for the project.

There was discussion about putting in a trench drain at the bottom of Howard Street, north of Warren Street. Mayor Wilson will check on the trench drain to put across the street to catch the water.

IV.  COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.

V.  CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.

VI.  OLD BUSINESS:

A.  LEASE AGREEMENT FOR RUHL PARK:  Roy Schulz made a motion to have Bishop Law Office write up a lease agreement for Ruhl Park between the city and Park District.  Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.

B.  OAKLAND BUILDING: Mayor Wilson spoke to Mr. Bretz, and said he is up in the air at this point, because Mr. Andersson is still on the quit claim deed. Mr. Andersson was in attendance and said he will talk to the county.

C.  COUNCIL VACANCIES:  Browning said it is in the newsletter and the Whitman County Gazette.

D.  AIRPORT FUEL TANK: Wendy Sienknecht said the fuel tank is owned by the city.  The council asked Browning to check that the gas tank is covered under our insurance. They also asked if we have to certify the gas tank.

E.  NEW WALL IN CITY BUILDING FOR COMMODITIES: Mayor Wilson said he is under the understanding we are putting a wall in. The council agreed to go ahead and put the wall in the council chambers for the commodities.

F.  EMPIRE THEATRE LEASE AGREEMENT: Fran Martin sent an updated lease agreement for Empire Theatre for the council to review. Wendy Sienknecht said that we did a lease in 2017 and would like to postpone it until the December 17, 2018, meeting.  Fran Martin said there is a clause in there for the use of the community building, since theatre volunteers gave over 425 hours to the reconstruction of the building. She is asking to get it free for a show, but when they have a dinner, they would pay the $25.00. 

G. WATER PAYMENT PLAN AGREEMENT -PROPOSAL: Mayor Wilson gave a proposal to the council for a utility payment plan. They will review it and talk about it at the second December meeting.

VII.  NEW BUSINESS:

A.  FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR 2019 BUDGET: Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 845 as presented adopting the 2019 budget.  Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 846, amending the 2018 budget.  Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing.

B.  STEVE HAXTON - BUILDING INSPECTOR TRAINING: Mayor Wilson told Steve Haxton he needs to get signed up for the building inspector training.

C.  STEVE HAXTON - PROPERTY:  He talked about his sewer line that had settled over his water line. The neighbors above them had their sewer lines plug up and their lines were under his driveway. Dave Tysz said the city messed up a long time ago, so he is willing to help pay to have the line pipe burst. Carol Sturman made a motion to pay up to $3,000 to have Steve Haxton's pipe fixed. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.

D. TRESTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - PERMIT APPROVED:  Mayor Wilson talked to the ranger, and they approved putting the lights on the trestle.

E.  EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN:  Mayor Wilson said he will work on this, since there is money available from the state.

F.  TIB GRANT APPLICATION APPROVAL: We received the TIB grant from the state.  Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the TIB grant as presented for $639,812.00 for Crosby Street and Park Road.  Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.

VIII.   REPORTS:

A.  MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson said if the council wants to put something in the newsletter, he would welcome them doing that.

He told the council the maintenance crew tried to burn the pile and there was an air stagnation, so they couldn't do it.  He said it will probably be spring before it can be burned.

B.  CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning did not have a report.

C.  COUNCIL REPORTS: Wendy Sienknecht said there is a stop sign near Ruhl Park that needs to be moved.

D.  COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:  There were none.

IX.  CONSENT AGENDA:

A.  MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the November 19, 2018, minutes as presented.  Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.

B.  APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to pay payroll warrants 13783 through 13794 and EFT payroll warrants in the amount of $19,844.83; warrant number 13795 through 13812 and EFT warrants in the amount of $8,841.38 as presented. Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. 

X.  ADJOURNMENT:  Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Carol Sturman seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

APPROVED:

________________________________                                                                                                                   Troy Wilson – Mayor  

ATTEST:

______________________________                                                                                                               Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer