February 14, 2017 Council Minutes
February 14, 2017 ***February 7, 2017 meeting was moved to 2-14-17 due to lack of quorum
Those Present: Councilmembers Glenn Hunter, Ada DeClark, DeLoy Kunz, Matthew Argyle, Mayor Robert VanCleave, Samantha Cooper and Doug Thompson.
Meeting called to order: 7:05 pm Invocation: Councilmember Ada DeClark
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Hunter that the council accepts the published agenda. Councilmember Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Minutes from January 7, 2017 regular council meeting were read aloud by Clerk Cooper. The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Hunter that council accepts minutes as read. Councilmember Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
The waste water proposal prepared by Keller Associates was reviewed.
More discussion was held about the need for an additional city maintenance worker to assist Doug. There is concern that the position may be hard to fill as it will be part time. When the position’s duties and pay are determined, a posting will be made to accept applications.
Councilmember Kunz indicated he has been approached by several people about residents pushing snow across the road and not cleaning up their mess. This winter has left a lot of snow, with few places to put it. However, the city has an ordinance relating to snow removal (Ordinance #58).
Section 2 of the ordinance states:
“Any person removing snow from private properties onto the traveled portion of the public streets shall, in addition to any penalties provided herein, be responsible for all reasonable costs incurred by the City of Georgetown to remove the snow placed in the traveled portion of the public streets from private properties.
Additionally, Section 3 of the ordinance states:
“Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and for each day of violation or failure to comply may be punished by a fine not to exceed $300.”
It is important that if residents find it necessary to move snow across the road that they clean up after themselves. Failure to do so may be met with consequences.
Councilmember Argyle brought up the possibility of flooding when the snow begins to melt. He asked about offering sand and sandbags. These items are being made available free of charge by the county to all county residents.
Councilmembers discussed looking at options for improving the city’s water system without taking out a large loan. Doug will be putting feelers out to get a feel for ways to accomplish this by using funds on hand, one section at a time.
Police Report: Officer Martinez made 20 contacts for the month of January.
Maintenance Report: Doug has been moving snow and rebuilt the plow. He has been looking at cost options for replacement vs repair. One company offered $35000 trade in value on the city’s old backhoe towards a new or used backhoe.
Office Business: There were 24 delinquent water and sewer accounts.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember DeClark that council approve checks and vouchers for the month of January 2017 in the amount of $7530.95 in the general fund, $4246.66 in the water fund, $3317.18 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $15094.79 Councilmember Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried.
Chair entertained a motion from councilmember Hunter that council adjourn from the January 2017 council meeting at 8:35 pm. Councilmember DeClark seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.