City of Tekoa COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES For December 4, 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, Jason Fletcher, John Giudice, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht, Carol Sturman, Dave Tysz and Troy Wilson. Kynda Browning, Clerk/Treasurer, was also in attendance. In attendance in the audience were Keith Andersson; Matt Corn; Jonathan, Hannah, Lydia, Bethany and Moziah Fletcher; Duane and Debbie Groom; Bill and Diane Harp; Alyssa Heagy; Cliff and Tonya Melton; Monte and Cheryl Morgan; Matt Morkert; Threasa Raines; and Fred Wagner. There were several other people in attendance that did not sign in.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Swear in council members: Kynda Browning swore in the new and re-elected council members: Jason Fletcher, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht and Carol Sturman.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Diane Harp talked about the Healthy Tekoa Coalition. Alyssa Heagy talked about Neighborhood Watch and ways they will be recognizing people in the community. Matt Morkert from Century West Engineering said he looked at the sewer project with Duane Groom to get a plan together. The SEPA and NEPA were presented. The SEPA is exempt and the NEPA review was done with the water line projects. Concurrent notice of significant impact will be advertised in the paper. We received a letter from TIB, and the Park Road project received 56 points, but another project was funded receiving less points; we will look into this. He is thinking we will apply to DOH for the Crosby Street water line project before we apply to USDA.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Fred Wagner was in attendance to talk about the trestle. He is the secretary for the TTTA and said he talked to the State Parks Department. They will be able to keep the lights on the trestle for this year, but they will have to have a permit in the future.
Matt Korn talked about the community center. He said Wayne Hardy told him he is thankful they are making the theatre and community center handicapped-accessible.
Wendy Sienknecht read a letter about the lights and the safety of putting the lights on the trestle.
Monte Morgan talked about the TTTA and people making them sound like lawbreakers to the youth. He said they had permission to be on the trestle, that they had an email from them at the time, but they have changed their opinion.
Mayor Jaeger said he looks at the national scene and our nation is divided. He doesn't want our city to be divided. He would like us to get the personalities out of this thing, and we need to work together, and our council will do that for the people.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mayor Jaeger said he appreciated what Matt Korn said. Magnum Construction bid on the project originally, but said they won’t be able to do the project now. He had two people come and look at the project. Iron Mountain Construction said he will bid on the door between the two buildings. He talked about the handicapped-accessible ramp, and said they will need additional information.
B. January 2, January 22 (6:00 p.m. HS), February 5, February 26, 2018 Meeting Dates - list attached for all of 2018: We will look at the additional dates at the December 18, 2017, meeting.
C. TIB GRANT: Matt Morkert went over this earlier.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. 2018 FINAL BUDGET HEARING - ORDINANCE ADOPTION: Mayor Jaeger opened the public hearing. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 841 as presented. Mayor Jaeger asked for discussion. John Giudice said we need to talk about the salary increases. Dave Tysz said 3% seems high, but getting qualified people is hard. John Giudice said the information for this area shows an average is 2.5%. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve an increase of 2.5% for salary increases for the four employees. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. It will be presented at the next meeting. Mayor Jaeger closed the public hearing.
B. ANDERSSON BUILDING TIMELINE: Mayor Jaeger said Keith Andersson has until Friday to request to meet with an appellate committee. He is setting January 8, 2018, as the week for the meeting with the committee. Keith Andersson asked for the names of the people for the appellate committee. Mayor Jaeger asked if they would like anyone else added. Dave Tysz suggested Carol Fisher be added to the list.
C. COMMUNITY MEETING/WASTEWATER PLANT PROPOSAL-January 22, 2017 at the High School Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.: Mayor Jaeger said we will meet in the high school with the Riverkeepers and DOE.
D. IRON HORSE ARENA: Mayor Jaeger is proposing to get the names of all the lifetime members of the Iron Horse Arena and after he gets something back from them he will make a recommendation to the council. There was a question about the building and other equipment at the arena. Bill Harp said different people purchased things for the arena. John Giudice said he thinks it comes to the city, since we lease the property.
E. OLD CITY SHOP LEASE AMOUNT: Mayor Jaeger received a letter from Cliff Melton he said he will be moved out of the building by December 31, 2017, and thanked the city for their support over the years. Mayor Jaeger asked for direction from the council. He said he asked anyone interested to let the city know how it will improve the community, and he would like them to use the whole facility. Wendy Sienknecht said she would like to talk about this. There was discussion about it being an incubator. Mayor Jaeger said we were charging $125.00 a month when Mr. Melton used the building. Roy Schulz said the .09 money is to increase the viability. There was discussion about using it as a viable business instead of an incubator. John Giudice said he doesn't think there is enough information. We will discuss it at the next meeting.
Mayor Jaeger gave the council a list of the committee members for different things. Wendy Sienknecht asked John Giudice how they used to do committees. He said they used to have a committee of three for each thing listed. There was discussion.
F. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER HANDBOOK: The Mayor and Council Member Handbook was given to all the council members. Mayor Jaeger told the council pages they should look at, that apply to their roles as council members.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Jaeger said we have two people who have applied to be the building inspector. Dave Tysz asked if they have to have qualifications. Mayor Jaeger said the two who applied have qualifications.
Mayor Jaeger asked the council to contact Kynda Browning before the meeting if they find errors in the minutes, so they can be corrected before the meeting.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning didn't have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: There was nothing.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: John Miller said he is the treasurer for the TTTA and wanted to let everyone know that not all the comments on Facebook and email are the opinion of everyone on the committee.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE NOVEMBER 20, 2017, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve payroll checks 13173 through 13182 and EFT payroll checks totaling $19,444.63 and check numbers 13183 through 13197, and EFT checks for $7,232.33 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 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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