May Council Minutes
May 4, 2021
Those Present: DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Marty Nate, Tee Steadman, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Shane Clark, City Clerk Lynette Smith, Paul Miller, Layne DeClark, Tim and Merg Neuman, Brent Kunz, Katana Sorensen
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Councilmember Marty Nate
The Council entertained a motion from councilmember Greg Kunz to approve the published agenda and was seconded by councilmember Tee Steadman. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The minutes from April 14, 2021 were read aloud by Clerk Smith. Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to accept the minutes as read. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to leave the regular meeting and go into public hearing and the motion was seconded by Greg Kunz. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: DeLoy – yes, Tee – yes, Greg – yes, Marty – yes. The Mayor read through the current Resolution #001-2011 from May 3, 2011 and the proposed Resolution #2021-01. Councilmember Marty Nate clarified that the increased fee of $500 wouldn’t begin until after the building permit expires after the initial 120 days, then another $500 for 6 months would be charged after that. The floor was then opened for public comments.
- Layne DeClark commented that 120 days is a short time frame to get a house built and we have a short building season of good weather here anyway.
- Tim Neuman asked about part year residents and snow birds that want to park an RV for summer months on their property if they would be charged the $500 fee as well.
- Councilmember Marty Nate suggested adding an Amendment to Ordinance #100 for part year residents for that purpose and clarified that this Resolution is pointed mostly at those that are trying to live in an RV while building a permanent home.
- Brent Kunz asked about the building permit fee for re-roofing his home and how much that would cost. He was told that he would not need a permit for that and his fee would be $0.
- The council wanted the 6 months’ time period added back into the Resolution to reside in during building and that upon request an addition 6 month period could be granted for a $500 fee.
Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to leave the public hearing and go back to the regular meeting. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion and a roll call vote was taken and is as follows: DeLoy – yes, Tee – yes, Greg – yes, Marty – yes. Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to approve Resolution #2021-01 for an increased fee of $500 for temporary use permits with the added in 6 month corrections. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and a roll call vote was taken and is as follows: DeLoy – yes, Tee – yes, Greg – yes, Marty – yes.
The Animal Control Ordinance Draft was discussed again and Paul Miller stated that he has done more research and found the original ordinance was done in 1957 and pigs were banned then when we had around 8 dairies in operation and were more of an ag community. We’re not as deep into ag anymore and so he feels that pigs should still be banned in an R-1 district. He also stated that 150 ft from your neighbors is still not enough distance to get away from the smell when they’re not properly cared for. He feels if you have County property and enough acreage to hold pigs then that is fine. The Council discussed adding a section in the Ordinance for it to be a Conditional Use Permit to have pigs and a minimum acreage or to have pigs you have to meet a certain criteria. It was questioned why the need for the changes to the Ordinance now and councilmember Marty Nate stated that it needs to be its own Ordinance so that it’s easier to find vs. now it is embedded within the Planning & Zoning Ordinance. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz made the motion to send the draft to the City Attorney for him to put into Ordinance form and to add a section for criteria for having pigs. The motion was seconded by Tee Steadman. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Layne DeClark came before the council for approval of his building permit. He is purchasing the trailer house that has been at the Country Corner and said that he checked with the County about his plans and Wayne Davidson thought it should be ok if it were in the County jurisdiction and so being in the City should be fine too. The council just expressed that it needs to follow the requirements of being on a foundation, re-pitching the roof, new siding, 1,000 sqft of living space and it is done in a timely manner and looks good then he has their approval.
Brent Kunz had a question for the Council about addressing the fire hazard at Adrien Smith’s, which is next to his home. He would like the place cleaned up along with the trees being trimmed that are in the City Right of Way as they also produce a hazard for visibility right now. Shane and Alan will find a time to take care of the trees. Lynette will get a letter sent to Adrien along with Dave Denton and Lewis Young about cleaning up their properties too, or we will have Adam the City Attorney send a letter so they take care of before fire season is upon us.
The Senior Parade will be on either the 24th or 20th of May since the kids are graduating on the 27th. It will be at 6:00 pm and hot dogs after at the Park. Hayley White is helping Marty to coordinate the event and will find out how many seniors we have. Marty will send letters to the seniors to invite them to the parade and post flyers around the town and she and Hayley will get the food gathered as well.
Councilmember Tee Steadman would like to know who will go and visit and follow up with the citizens that are currently living in RV’s in the City. The Mayor and Marty will get together in the next week and go pay them a visit.
Councilmember Marty Nate reported that she has contacted Tyler Williamson to add some vinyl lettering to the large window in the City Hall for some signage. It will cost about $180.00.
Police Report: There were 28 contacts for the month of April. Officer Martinez was notified of a sale on ammunition that is special just for law enforcement and so we loaded up on ammo to last him the rest of his career here.
Maintenance Report: Shane gave his report for the month of April and stated that he and Alan have been busy at the cemetery digging graves and seeding the grass and building them up to be ground level now the winter frost is gone. The water SCADA system will be fixed next week. They will be working on getting the seepage tests ready for the next month. They have been starting summer work and getting things ready and have mowed the Park. The Mayor suggested to see if the youth in the wards and the single adults branch would be interested in some service projects to help get the cemetery prepared for Memorial Day and helping to clean up afterwards. Jake Smith contacted Shane about a Senior Project and Shane gave him a couple of ideas but thinks Jake will be building a board for up at the Cemetery with everyone’s names listed with a map.
Office Business: There are 15 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of April. There is a conflict with the next meeting date for the 1st of June and so it will be rescheduled for June 2nd or the following week. Lynette will stay in touch with everyone about when it will be.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Greg Kunz for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of April 2021 in the amount of $14,432.21 in the general fund, $6,276.54 in the water fund, and $18,565.77 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $39,274.52. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Greg Kunz that council adjourns from the May 2021 council meeting at 10:00 pm. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith, City Clerk-Treasurer