January 7, 2014 – Council Minutes
January 7, 2014
Those Present: Matt Argyle, Joe DeClark, Clerk Lynette Smith, Doug Thompson, Gary Thompson, Mayor Bob Van Cleave, Glenn Hunter, Ferrel Dilworth, Mable Whitmore
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Councilmember Gary Thompson
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Matt Argyle that the council accepts the published agenda. Councilmember Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Minutes from the December 10, 2013, regular council meeting were read. The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Joe DeClark the council approve the minutes as read. Councilmember Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Matt Argyle the council approve checks and vouchers for the month of December 2013 in the amount of $9,017.20 in the general fund, $5,513.39 in the water fund, $608,342.70 in the sewer fund with all funds totaling $622,873.29. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The council proceeded with the new business for the month by entertaining a motion from Councilmember Joe DeClark to swear-in the newly elected councilmembers. Councilmember Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. Clerk Lynette Smith proceeded by reading the Oath of Office to new councilmember Glenn Hunter and incumbent Mayor Robert W. Van Cleave. The council then entertained a motion from councilmember Glenn Hunter to nominate Joe DeClark as the Council President. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Joe – yes, Matt – yes, Glenn – yes. Duties were assigned to all councilmen as follows: Matt Argyle is to oversee Law Enforcement, Planning and Zoning, and be the City Liaison to the following companies: Intermountain Gas, Rocky Mountain Power, Independent Cable Systems and Fiber Optics. Ada DeClark is to oversee Parks and Recreation, Cemetery Department, Public Safety, Public Affairs, Fire Protection, Emergency Preparedness and be the Georgetown Irrigation Company Representative. Councilmember Glenn Hunter is to oversee the Water Department, City Buildings and be the SICOG Representative. Councilmember Joe DeClark’s responsibilities will continue to oversee the Sewer Department, Roads and Right of Ways, Traffic and Street Signage, Recreational Access Property and will be the City Liaison to the following companies: State and County Road Departments, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Five County Transportation Representative.
The wastewater project is still on shutdown for the winter. Council President Joe DeClark informed the council about changes with the irrigation on the project. The water lines will be running vertically instead of horizontally as per the original plans. Taylor Construction is putting together estimates for the change and is looking at replacing the existing concrete structures at the treatment lagoons verses remodeling them.
Mayor Bob gave a report on the grant writing class that he and Ferrel Dilworth attended last month. He reported that they saved the City a lot of money because they saved an extra night of the hotel and was able to get the tuition fee waived of $425 per person. He asked the council for some direction on grants to apply for and look into. They were told at the class that we probably wouldn’t have much luck in receiving a grant for the wastewater project because it is already started and underway. They will look into grants for street signs, an after school program similar to Montpelier’s and something available for updating equipment.
The employee policy is out of date for the per diem rates for those that are travelling for training. Councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion to update our employee policy to whatever the going rate is of the IRS for both meals and mileage. Councilmember Glenn Hunter seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Joe DeClark suggested that the City look into putting a bid out for a business to mow the City Park for the summer. That way they will use their own equipment and have insurance, etc. If this is something the City would like to pursue, he and councilmember Ada DeClark will discuss it further and look into it.
Councilmember Matt Argyle suggested that Ferrel Dilworth look into implementing the Enhanced 911 service in the City as it is being implemented into the county. He recommended that he speak with Lori Haddock at the county more about the service and also look into a grant for updating the City Shop to being more economically efficient.
Police Report: Officer Skinner has made 47 contacts for the month of December. Applications have been handed out for the Police Chief position and the job will close on the 15th of the month followed by interviews of the applicants.
Maintenance report: Doug Thompson gave his report for the month of December stating that he met with the circuit writers of IRWA, sent the EPA letter, ordered chlorine, plowed the snow and is on his second load of sand. He shutoff water at two locations, cleaned up around the fire station, put away Christmas lights and replaced the engine heater in the snow plow.
Office Report: Clerk Smith reported that there are 17 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of December.
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Matt Argyle that the council adjourn from the January 2014 council meeting at 8:10 pm. Councilmember Glenn Hunter seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith, City Clerk