City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For November 19, 2018
A budget workshop was held at 6:00 p.m. to go over the preliminary budget.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro-tempore Troy Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council members present at the meeting were Wilson, John Giudice, Roy Schulz, Wendy
Sienknecht, Carol Sturman, and Dave Tysz. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning was also in
attendance. Audience attendees were the Fletcher Family, Debbie Groom, Bill Harp and
Fran Martin.
It was announced Mr. Jaeger resigned as mayor as of October 31, 2018.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson asked those present to join him
in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION:
Jennifer Olson introduced herself as the new Healthy Tekoa Coalition Coordinator.
Debbie Hall from Neighbors Watch announced their next meeting.
Matt Morkert from Century West Engineering was in attendance. He said the sewer project
is done. He said they ran into an issue on Main Street. The old sewer and water lines were
laid on each other, so it didn't meet Department of Health or Department of Ecology
standards. The water line was replaced to correct the situation at a cost of $17,000. We
went over the $750,000 grant amount by $62,000.00. A change order for $17,264.69 was
presented. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the change order as presented. Carol Sturman
seconded the motion; all were in favor. John Giudice asked how much is in city limits, and
Matt Morkert said all of it is outside the city limits.
Progress payment no. 3, including a change order, for $356,028.44 with a deduction for overtime
work was presented by Matt Morkert. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve progress payment
no. 3 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Matt Morkert explained they did an amendment for $9,730.00 for the overtime on the project.
The insurance company will pay for the inspector and soil remediation. Roy Shultz made a motion
to approve the amendment for $9,730.00 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
Matt Morkert said we were awarded the Park and Crosby road project from TIB. He also talked
about the city paying to replace the water and sewer line where the project will be located.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. DIANE GALLER PROPERTY: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson told the council Kelly Rambo
leveled the building at Diane Galler’s property, and Cliff Smith is hauling the siding away. The
fire department will burn the rest of the building to use it as a training opportunity.
B. OAKLAND BUILDING: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson said he has not been able to reach the
Bretzes. He will try to contact them.
C. RESOLUTION AND DEED FOR PARK DISTRICT FOR SWIMMING POOL,
PARKING LOT, GYMKANNA GROUNDS, AND LEASE AGREEMENT FOR
RUHL PARK: Browning read Resolution No. 18-09 deeding the Whitman County Park District
No. 6 the property for the swimming pool, the parking lot at the swimming pool and the
gymkanna grounds. John Giudice made a motion to approve Resolution No. 18-09 as presented.
Dave Tysz seconded the motion, all council members voted yes. The Quit Claim Deed giving
the Whitman County Park District No. 6 the property for the swimming pool, the parking lot at
the swimming pool and the gymkanna grounds was read. John Giudice made a motion to
approve the Quit Claim Deed as presented. Wendy Sienknecht seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
D. BACK WALL OF LIBRARY: Kevin Turnbough was in attendance and said we received
an estimate to repair the back wall of the library. Kevin Turnbough talked about other ideas to
repair the building.
E. CITY EMPLOYEE SCHEDULE: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson said he talked to the
maintenance crew, and they have a list of projects and their working schedule posted on the
door in the shop. They will continue to put their projects on the door.
F. RESIDENT COMPLAINTS: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson said Mike Bogenreif gave the
person with the trailer on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, a ticket, because he is living without
a sewer. There was discussion. It will be discussed in December.
G. SPACE FOR PORT OF WHITMAN FIBER PROJECT: Mayor Pro-tempore Wilson
said he hasn't had time to view the basement at the old city hall. They talked about the Port of
Whitman using part of the city council chambers. There was discussion about the wall in the
council chambers.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. DISCUSSION/APPOINT NEW MAYOR: Troy Wilson said he is willing to fulfill Mayor
Jaeger's term. John Giudice made a motion to appoint Troy Wilson as mayor. Carol Sturman
seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. Mayor Wilson was sworn in. Dave Tysz
made a motion to appoint Roy Schulz Mayor Pro-tempore. John Giudice seconded the motion;
ll council members voted yes, except Wendy Sienknecht voted no.
B. COUNCIL MEMBER: We will advertise for a new council member. The council will start
the December 17 council meeting at 6 p.m. so they can interview the candidates.
C. COST OF LIVING RAISE: John Giudice said 2.5% to 2.8% is the amount of increases
for eastern Washington. After discussion, Roy Schulz made a motion to give the employees a
2.5% increase, beginning January 1, 2018. Wendy Sienknecht seconded the motion; all council
members voted yes.
D. 2019 TAX LEVY RATE PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION: Mayor Wilson opened the
public hearing. John Giudice made a motion to accept the tax levy Resolution No. 18-08 with no
increase. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
E. CITY HALL HEATING SYSTEM: We received a bid from Ackerman to replace the heating
system for the city hall. There was discussion about the different options.
F. ONLINE BILL PAY: Mayor Wilson said most cities now have the ability to pay their bills
online. Most of the cities charge the fee when you pay. The goal is not to cost the city anything.
We will get more information concerning this.
G. WATER/SEWER/GARBAGE LATE PAYMENT PLAN FOR RESIDENTS: Mayor Wilson
said the citizens of Tekoa have talked to him about shutting water off. We can set up late payment
plans for residents. We need a policy to handle this. The mayor will write something up for this.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Wilson did not have a report.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning did not have a report.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: There was discussion about the bowling alley. John Giudice made
a motion stating the city will not purchase the bowling alley. Dave Tysz seconded the motion;
all council members voted yes, except Roy Schulz voted no.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were none.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the October 22, 2018,
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 warrants 13671
through 13683 and EFT payroll warrants in the amount of $26,107.30; warrant number 13684 through
13719 and EFT warrants in the amount of $204,602.61 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion;
all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 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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