City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For May 6, 2019
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, Lee Burchfiel, Bethany Fletcher, John Giudice, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer, Kynda Browning; and Eric Hanson, City Attorney, were also in attendance. Audience attendees were Keith Andersson, Cindy Blanchette, Kyle Dombroski, the Fletcher Family, Greg Keller, and Carol Sturman.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilson asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: There was none.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Greg Keller was in attendance to talk about his dog that bit someone. He asked the council for mercy. Cindy Blanchette, Greg Keller’s daughter, said she is looking into getting dangerous dog insurance, so Mr. Keller can keep the dog.
Mike Bogenreif, code enforcement officer talked about the dog and the RCW concerning a dangerous dog. He said in order for Mr. Keller to keep the dog, he would have to do the following:
~ purchase dangerous dog insurance
~ have a “Beware of Dog” sign at his home
~ muzzle the dog when it is out of the yard
~ build an extra fence inside the yard to keep the dog from getting out through the gate
~ have additional training for the dog.
Mike Bogenreif said if the council allows him to keep the dog, he would be checking in the next week to be sure all of these items are completed.
Roy Schulz asked how many incidences there have been with the dog. It was reported there have been three times. Roy Schulz said he is concerned about the proximity of the Keller home to kids walking to school.
Wendy Sienknecht talked about how the city disciplined her dogs when there was an altercation with Ula Moody’s dog.
Kyle Dombrowski, a dog trainer, was in attendance and said he will work with Mr. Keller to help him with his dog for an hour a week. Mayor Wilson asked how many sessions it would take to train the dog. Kyle Dombrowski said between four to six sessions.
John Giudice said he is concerned about our liability if the dog bites someone else.
Dave Tysz made a motion to allow the dog to stay if Mr. Keller follows the rules that were laid down: purchase dangerous dog insurance, have a “Beware of Dog” sign at his home, muzzle the dog when out of the yard, build an extra fence inside the yard to keep the dog from getting out the gate, and have additional training for the dog. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes, except John Giudice and Roy Schulz voted no.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. BRETZ BUILDING (executive session): Mayor Wilson announced the council would adjourn into executive session at 7:28 p.m. for 15 minutes until 7:43 p.m. for a legal matter. Mayor Wilson reconvened the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
B. COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL RATES: Wendy Sienknecht presented a suggested fee sheet for the community center and said they are adding a rule sheet and a cleaning sheet. She said they are still looking at June 3, 2019, as the deadline to have this prepared and ready for adoption by the council. Alyssa Heagy would like to put this to the citizens as well, and have it added to the newsletter. Mayor Wilson said it will give the public an opportunity to give feedback.
C. AIRPORT FUEL STATION: Troy Wilson said he called the Port of Whitman but had not heard back from them. Wendy Sienknecht said the WASHDOT has a $5,000 to $7,500 grant available every year and we should look into it. Roy Schulz said a gentleman is coming from WASHDOT on April 22nd.
D. WATER/SEWER RATES FOR SUPER USERS: We will talk about this at the May 20, 2019, meeting.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. COUNCIL ATTENDANCE AT AWC CONFERENCE IN SPOKANE: Browning presented the information to the council for the AWC conference in June to see if any of them would like to attend.
B. BID FOR TIB PROJECT: The bids were opened, and they came in over the budget. The engineer will talk to TIB and see if they will give us the increase for the project. We will discuss it further at the next meeting.
C. CEMETERY PROJECT: Roy Schulz told the council the cemetery committee approved paying for someone to help get the cemetery ready for Memorial Day. After discussion, Roy Schulz said his understanding is the endowment will pay for electricity, but he needs to find out how much money they have. He will report at the next meeting.
D. SMITH PROPERTY: Adam and Abby Smith were in attendance to talk about a property line issue with their house that was owned by Terry Thomas. Abby Smith presented documents showing the short plat and said the issue comes with the unimproved road that borders the golf course and their property. There is a two-inch encroachment according to the survey they have. She also presented a deed from 1900 where a 30-foot strip of property was given to the county, and it says it reverts to the grantors if not used as a road. She is asking the city to consider who owns this property and asked the council to consider vacating the 30-foot unimproved road. There was discussion about if and when the unimproved roadway was annexed into the city. Eric Hanson is concerned because the original deed states it reverts back to the original property owners if it isn’t improved. After additional discussion, Eric Hanson said he will research the situation and find out who owns the property.
E. ANNUAL REPORT: Browning presented the 2018 annual report for the council to review and approve. After reviewing it, John Giudice made a motion to approve the 2018 annual report as presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
F. BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE NO. 851: Browning presented budget amendment Ordinance No. 851, transferring money from the current expense fund to the cemetery fund, the fire department fund, the criminal justice fund and paying the water fund for the fire hydrants from the street fund and the fire department fund. It moves money from the current expense beginning balance and the extra money from the city-county assistance to the operations fund. It also transfers $4,527.60 from street repairs to the street levy fund. After review, Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 851 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: The mayor said we are on track to have the county do the chip sealing this year. We received a price from the county.
He reported the legislature approved one million dollars to replace the deck and fence the trestle, and he will write a letter of support.
He said he was invited to the SOARS program at Freeman for their yearly get-together and will not be able to attend, so he asked if someone else would like to go.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: The clerk/treasurer did not have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Wendy Sienknecht asked if we can repair the sidewalks by Stateline Processors. She also asked about a priority list of sidewalks needing repair, prepared by Rob Brownfield.
Wendy Sienknecht asked if there was sewer line to the house by the trail. It was explained we are applying to the state to get a permit to go across the railroad property. She also asked if the resident is being charged for garbage.
Dave Tysz talked about the Bill Stoneham property next to him.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. April 15, 2019, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to the April 15, 2019, minutes as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to pay EFT payroll warrants and payroll check numbers 14041 through 14053 in the amount of $17,397.73 and warrant numbers 14040 and 14054 through 14079 and EFT warrants in the amount of $129,746.64 as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m. Alyssa Heagy 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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