City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For January 2, 2018
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, Wendy Sienknecht, Carol Sturman, Dave Tysz and Troy Wilson. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning and City Attorneys Stephen Bishop and Eric Hanson were also in attendance. Audience attendees were Robert Drollinger, Fletcher family, Diane Harp, Alyssa Heagy, Mary Marsh, and Josh Sperber.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Mary Marsh talked about Slippery Gulch. She would like the City of Tekoa to be their non-profit organization and have them work under the city with a financial partner agreement. There was discussion. The council asked Browning to get more information. Carol Sturman made a motion to table this until the January 22, 2018, meeting. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Diane Harp talked about the Healthy Tekoa Coalition. She listed the different programs they teach.
Stephen Bishop and Eric Hanson from Bishop Law Office were in attendance and talked to the council about the procedure for the unfit dwelling. Eric Hanson talked to the council about the unfit building and said there was a hearing held by the unfit dwelling committee. They issued an order finding the property unfit and stated Mr. Andersson had thirty days to appeal. Mr. Andersson submitted a letter saying how he intended to deal with the situation. Eric Hanson recommended the city treat the letter as an appeal. He said there is a judgment lien on the property. According to statute, anyone who has a lien that has been filed in the auditor’s office must be given notice of the action. There is a judgment that is filed in the office of the court clerk, but not filed in the records of the auditor. He is recommending we obtain a litigation guarantee that would provide assurance that there are no lien holders of record in the auditor’s files. He thinks we should have at least $50,000 worth of coverage. Under the ordinance, it wouldn’t become our property; we would just demolish the building. There is an assessment that goes in the tax rolls. The city would recover its costs from the tax assessments. The tax assessments would have priority over all lien holders except property tax. Mayor Jaeger asked if a contractor takes it down and leaves the bricks, can we sell them. Stephen Bishop said we can dispose of it, but we should give the lien holders notice before we dispose of the brick. John Giudice made a motion to pay $600 to have Bishop Law Office obtain a litigation guarantee. Troy Wilson seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Stephen Bishop said it can be expensive, and that it will likely be costly. Mayor Jaeger said it has a common wall with the building next to it. There was discussion about common walls between the buildings.
Carol Sturman asked if we own a building and someone leases it, do we have to make sure they have a business license. Stephen Bishop said it wouldn't be our responsibility.
Alyssa Heagy gave a letter to Mayor Jaeger concerning the Neighborhood Watch program. They would like the city council to conduct research for a new chronic nuisance ordinance. She would like people on the council to be on a committee to come up with a new ordinance, and meet with the Neighborhood Watch committee to put something together.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mayor Jaeger said it will continue to be on the agenda.
B. APPEALS COMMITTEE ADDITION: Bob Hill, the building inspector from Rosalia, was suggested along with Charles Brownfield.
C. ARENA: Mayor Jaeger said we will be sending a proposed letter out to members that were part of the arena committee to get feedback. There was discussion about the animals at the arena. The council asked Browning to get proof of insurance for the Fair Association.
D. OLD CITY SHOP LEASE: Three proposals were received: Golden Grain Artistry, Panhandle Truck & Equipment Repair, and Robert Drollinger would work on custom bumpers and custom art and make medical devices. Mayor Jaegers said he is looking for a motion to accept one of them. Carol Sturman made a motion to accept Panhandle Truck & Equipment Repair. Jason Fletcher seconded the motion. Wendy Sienknecht said she is uncomfortable doing this tonight. John Giudice said if it is an incubator, it should be a start-up business. There was discussion. The mayor called for the vote. Troy Wilson, Carol Sturman, Jason Fletcher, and Dave Tysz voted yes. Wendy Sienknecht and John Giudice voted no.
E. ORDINANCE VACATING ALLEYS AND STREETS AT FOOTBALL FIELD: This will be done at the January 22, 2018, meeting.
F. BUILDING INSPECTOR: (Dave Tysz) Dave Tysz said there were three great applicants for the building inspector position: Steve Haxton, Robert Heagy, and Robert Drollinger. They are recommending Steve Haxton for the job. Mayor Jaeger said he is hiring him.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. CLEAN SIDEWALKS: The mayor is proposing if the maintenance crew has time to clean the snow off the sidewalks, they will do it. He is recommending Bill Harp to clear the sidewalks when they don’t have time. Wendy Sienknecht said she looked at a list of volunteers. She asked if he just picked someone, how he chooses them. It was explained that as mayor, he has sole power to hire and fire.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 18-01 - INTERFUND TRANSFER: John Giudice made a motion to approve Resolution 18-01, transferring the utility tax from water and sewer, to the general fund for 2017. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Jaeger did not have a report.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning didn't have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE DECEMBER 18, 2017, MEETING MINUTES: Troy Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes for the December 18, 2017, meeting as presented. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Troy Wilson made a motion to approve payroll checks 13222 to 13229 and EFT payroll checks totaling $19,405.61 and check numbers 13230 through 13241 and EFT checks for $12,773.08 as presented. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Troy Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. John Giudice seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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John Jaeger - Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning - Clerk/Treasurer
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