City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For February 3, 2020
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, Alyssa Heagy, John Jaeger, Mary LaSalle, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht, BJ Sperber and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in attendance.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Duane Groom gave an update on the community center. He also talked about the care center flushing sanitary wipes into the sewer system. After discussion, it was decided Mayor Wilson will write the Tekoa Care Center and Tekoa Retirement Apartments a letter asking them not to put the wipes in the sewer system. Alyssa Heagy made a motion to change the fee resolution to add a fee for flushing wipes. $500 for the first time after a warning, $750 for the second violation and $1000 for the third and subsequent violation. John Jaeger seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Dennis Fuller was in attendance from Century West to talk about the sewer plant. He presented a preliminary schedule for the updates to be completed.
Matt Morkert was in attendance from Century West and said we are number four on the list to receive money from DOE for a lift station. We will know for sure in June. He presented an agreement for engineering services for the DOE project, so they can design it and order the pumps, so the project can begin on time when the money is released. Dave Tysz made a motion to approve the agreement with Century West Engineering as presented. John Jaeger seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert said bids were opened for the TIB Park/Crosby Road project. The bids came in higher than our estimate. The lowest bid came in at $724,040.30, and Century West's estimate was $549,615.00. They talked to TIB, and after discussion, they said they would give us $125,000.00 more for the project. Dave Tysz made a motion to accept the bid for the TIB road project in the amount of $724,040.30 to Versatile Industries. Also, accept ad alternate 1 for sewer line replacement with a loan from RCAC for $87,802.99, ad alternate 2 for $50,085.39 and ad alternate 3 for $86,284.74 for water line replacement to be paid out of the water reserves. John Jaeger seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, contingent on TIB concurrence.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Bill Harp was in attendance and asked about what is happening with Ted Blaszak's house. Mike Bogenreif will check it out.
Niki Lehn had some questions about the Park Street project.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. TIB PARK ROAD PROJECT: This was done earlier.
B. DOE SEWER PLANT UPGRADES: This was done earlier.
C. CITY OWNED BUILDINGS: Joni Hay Smith gave the council a list of comps for the buildings we asked to have appraised. She gave us appraised prices. John Jaeger was concerned about our selling the old city shop, since we received money from the .09 grant. Browning will find out from the attorney the procedure to sell the old city shop.
D. EMERGENCY WHITSLE: Wendy Sienknecht found out that we don't have an emergency plan at this time. We have two whistles in town, and she thinks a warning whistle is the best option if there is an emergency. Mayor Wilson said we fall under Whitman County's emergency plan. There was discussion. Wendy Sienknecht will look into it and come back with information.
E. FIRE PIT: Alyssa Heagy presented a draft fire pit ordinance. There was discussion. They will discuss it further at the March meeting.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. CONTRACT WITH CENTURY WEST FOR DOE SEWER PROJECT: This was done earlier.
B. WHITMAN COUNTY SHERIFF CONTRACT: Mayor Wilson met with Brett Meyers, Whitman County Sheriff, about adding 10 hours more per week to their contract. There was discussion about adding the hours. The council would like to think about it for another month because of the cost.
C. DEPUTY CLERK REPLACEMENT PROCESS: After discussion it was decided to advertise and hire on March 1st. The salary will depend on experience.
Mayor Wilson went into executive session at 9:58 for 5 minutes, on acquiring property. We adjourned out of executive session at 10:03.
D. .09 GRANT: Browning told the council that the .09 grant is available again. We will do this next month.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson reported the Bretz building has been started.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: She did not have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Wendy Sienknecht thanked the mayor for his newsletter article.
Roy Schulz said there is airport money available. There was discussion.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. January 6, 2020, 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 pay payroll check numbers 14525 through 14533 and EFT checks in the amount of $26,396.14, check numbers 14504 through 14512 from 2019 in the amount of $7,353.68, and 14513 through 14552 and EFT checks in the amount of $72,647.88 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. Dave Tysz 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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