Council Minutes March 2023
March 7, 2023
Those Present: DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Trenton Morrell, Tee Steadman, Mayor Stephan Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Shane Clark, Ada DeClark, Joe DeClark, Nathan Crane, Tim & Merg Neuman, Kevin & Marty Nate, Addison Ochsenbein of Sunrise Engineering
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Mayor Stephan Waechtler
The Council entertained a motion from councilor Tee Steadman to approve the added agenda items of Nathan Crane to discuss building options on the land next to him and Addison Ochsenbein from Sunrise Engineering. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried. The council entertained a motion from councilor DeLoy Kunz to approve the published agenda and was seconded by councilor Trenton Morrell. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The minutes from February 7, 2023, were read aloud by Clerk Smith. Councilor Tee Steadman made the motion to accept the minutes as read. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Ada DeClark came before the council to discuss the Easter Egg Hunt. She would like to do a May Day Celebration on May 1st instead due to the amount of snow we have this year and will hold the easter egg hunt then and will get the 2nd Ward Young Women’s group to help. She will get some other local donations for bikes and prizes if the City would be willing to donate $400 towards the celebration. Councilor Trenton Morrell made the motion to donate $400 for Ada to put on a May Day celebration and was seconded by councilor Tee Steadman. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Cemetery Winter Fees – Clerk Smith did some research and heard that some cities were charging an extra winter fee for cemetery open and closings but found out that the City of Bancroft and Chesterfield actually closes down their cemetery in the winter and the funeral home keeps the bodies until a later date for the funeral when the snow has melted. They are typically closed from December until April depending on the year and snow load. The council discussed adding a fee or closing the cemetery for the winter months. The concern is when the snow gets so deep and not being able to see where the headstones are or some winters we have struggled with the frost setting in so soon and making it so hard to dig. The council decided to table it and determine on a year to year basis whether to close it down and in the meantime see if the funeral homes will work with us to postpone where we have so much snow this year.
Nathan Crane came before the council to discuss options on the property next to him. It is for sale and he’s wondering if there is potential to build on the property for himself or anyone else in the future. The property is partially in city and partially in county but his lane to his house is so narrow that it restricts anyone being able to get back there anyway. The railroad right of way is for recreation use but years ago the city was told that the road could be used for anything the city wanted, so eventually a road and water line could be put down there but that is years out for that to happen. There is no potential for water to the property unless a whole separate line is installed and cannot be added on to the end of his water line now. The short answer is anything can be done for a fee but the water and road is restricting any growth on that property now.
Addison Ochsenbein from Sunrise Engineering stopped by to bring some material for the council to review regarding developer’s agreements that the city could adopt along with the planning and zoning subdivision ordinance.
The business license ordinance draft was handed out to the council to review and citizens in attendance. The draft was tabled until a future council when they have had time to review and can determine better if this is something we really want to implement or not.
The planning and zoning subdivision ordinance draft was also tabled until a future meeting when the council can review. The city will look at adopting the county’s subdivision ordinance with some adjustments that don’t apply to us but may be needed for future growth. Also suggested to implement a committee to review and bring to council.
The police contract was discussed and councilor Trenton Morrell reached out to the other cities involved in using the Sheriff’s department and the Mayor of Bloomington said that they aren’t ready to sign a contract and the Mayor of Paris hasn’t been able to get a meeting with the Sheriff to discuss so they’re not ready either. Mayor Roy Bunderson is working on putting together a meeting with the Mayor’s throughout the county with the Sheriff’s Office and see about a contract with them to enforce each cities ordinances since all the citizens pay taxes to the Sheriff’s Office. It was decided to move forward in doing our own thing and to contact our applicants and see if either is still available or interested in the job.
Councilor Greg Kunz inquired about how many fire hydrants are along Stringtown and if we need to install another one with more homes going in. It was determined that there are 3 along the lane that should be sufficient for our needs.
Joe DeClark came to tell the council to continue to look for other water source options and to not give up. The railroad right of way was a lot of work to get and has no water rights but he remembers there being lots of water down by the sewer ponds when we installed the new project and see if there is a way to pump that back up to the rest of the system through that right of way. He also reminded everyone about an easement for the cabin’s up the canyon and there is a water line through there but DEQ made them all drill a well instead of hooking on to the system so to keep that in mind if anyone new ever owns those and finds the easement with their property and tries to connect.
Clerk Smith gave a quick recap of the meeting that she, Shane, Tee and Greg had with TJ Budge over zoom for the City’s adjudication. Tee took home the Twin Creeks books to read some history about Georgetown but we need to find evidence of the first time anyone remembers water being used in the city from packing it from the creeks or somehow before it was distributed through the pipes, through an affidavit of someone’s memory or if we can find any documentation or letter about that. We need to find some history of when the spring was developed and our measuring device at the spring to be able to defend the water that we have. We need to get this information to TJ before October so he can file the claim for the City.
Police Report: No report for the month of February.
Maintenance Report: Shane gave his report for the month of February and stated that he and Alan have been plowing snow, snow and more snow. The Mayor helped them get up to the water tanks. They’ve also helped citizens get their water unfrozen if possible or find alternate solutions. The water at the church has a temporary fix running a hose from the fire hydrant and the Mayor got a call today to see about help paying for the labor trying to get the lines unfrozen. The Mayor will wait to get an itemized bill and see if we can turn it into our insurance.
Office Report: There are 19 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of February. The new coupon books have arrived and Lynette will send out a letter with them telling everyone about the water increase beginning in April and reminders to not park in the roads to aid with winter maintenance and a brief explanation of the adjudication coming up.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Greg Kunz for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of February 2023 in the amount of $14,069.71 in the general fund, $28,364.23 in the water fund and $45,911.60 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $88,345.54. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Greg Kunz that council adjourns from the March 2023 council meeting at 9:30 pm. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith
City Clerk-Treasurer