City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For November 18, 2019
The council met at 6:00 p.m. for a budget workshop.
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, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, Wendy Sienknecht 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: Joni Hay Smith – building appraisal: She asked what our goals are for selling our properties and asked if we are just liquidating our property so we don’t have the insurance cost. The Mayor said we need to get out of the real estate business, so we need to sell some of our buildings. Browning will check with the auditor and the city attorney to see what price we have to sell the buildings for.
Rick Hastings SCJ Alliance – Palouse to Cascades Trail: Their firm was hired by the Department of Commerce for the Palouse to Cascades Trail. He gave a presentation on the trail.
Jennifer Olsen was in attendance and talked about the Healthy Tekoa Coalition.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
V. CORRESPONDENCE:Request for variation for service dog: There was discussion about allowing more dogs than our ordinance allows, but since two of the dogs are service dogs, they are allowed to have them.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. SEWER RATE INCREASES: Asher Davison – was not in attendance. It will be added to the December 2, 2019, agenda.
B. CITY OWNED BUILDINGS – Josh Sperber – Old City Shop: We have to wait until Joni Hay Smith gets the market value before we can discuss with him about purchasing the building.
C. INVEST CITY MONEY: Browning gave the council information concerning the state investment pool rates. The council would like to stay with the state investment pool.
D. CECIL PARK: The parcel number and deed were requested from the Fletchers to verify they own the property. Bethany Fletcher brought a copy of the legal portion of Cecil Park and the vacated street. Mr. Fletcher said all the railroad sidings are now owned by the trail, so they might be able to put a park at one of the sidings.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. BID OPENING FOR THE ANDERSSON BUILDING: Two bids were received - from Ladd Construction for $88,827.20 and from EC Hay and Sons for $15,000.00. There was discussion. Roy Schulz made a motion to accept the bid from EC Hay and Son for the demolition and removal of the building on 148 S Crosby Street for $15,000.00, and to begin as soon as possible. Bethany Fletcher seconded the motion, all council members voted yes.
B. 2020-2021 WHITMAN COUNTY SHERIFF CONTRACT: The 2020-2021 Whitman County Sheriff Contract was forwarded to the council to review. It has a 1% increase in 2020 and a 1% increase in 2021. Roy Schulz made a motion to accept the 2020-2021 Whitman County Sheriff contract as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
C. ORDINANCE No. 852 – AMENDING THE 2019 BUDGET: Alyssa Heagy made a motion to approve budget amendment Ordinance No. 852 as presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
After discussion concerning the cost of the demolition for the Andersson/Bretz building, Roy Schulz made a motion to move $13,500 from the current expense ending cash balance into the repair and demolition line. Wendy Sienknecht seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson reported there is a trail meeting being held in Rosalia tomorrow night.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT:
Browning informed the council on the following:
~Information from Eric Hanson concerning open public meetings act.
~Utility hook-ups rates in neighboring towns.
~Permit status – Steve Haxton.
~Elected Officials Essentials Training on December 7, if anyone is interested.
~We received an AWC RMSA Loss Control grant for $500.00, and it was suggested we put it toward sidewalk repair.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Wendy Sienknecht reminded everyone about the firemen’s auction on Friday night and talked about Small Business Saturday.
Roy Schulz asked what the firemen could use their auction money for and suggested they use it to buy turnouts.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. November 4, 2019, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Bethany Fletcher seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to pay payroll EFT checks in the amount of $10,878.61 and check numbers 14402 through 14430 in the amount of $49,990.58 as presented. Bethany Fletcher seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. Bethany Fletcher 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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