January 7, 2020
Those Present: Matt Argyle, DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Marty Nate, Tee Steadman, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Doug Thompson,City Clerk Lynette Smith, Kevin Martin of Sunrise Engineering, Lisa Humphreys, Jessica Alleman, Valerie Ross of News Examiner
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 Matt Argyle. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Clerk Smith proceeded with reading the minutes from December 3, 2019 and councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion to accept the minutes as read. Councilmember Greg Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Matt Argyle for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of December 2019 in the amount of $15,195.10 in the general fund, $200,048.78 in the water fund, and $18,930.57 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $234,174.45. Councilmember Greg Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried.
The Council then proceeded with swearing-in the newly elected councilmembers. Clerk Smith read the Oath of Office to incumbent councilmember DeLoy Kunz where he accepted and was sworn in again for another four years to serve on the City Council. Next Tee Steadman was sworn in and accepted the oath of office to be a councilmember for four years. Matt Argyle was then released of his seat and Tee took his place. Councilmember Marty Nate made sure to thank Matt for his service to the City and his time over the last 8 years. The council then elected a Council President. Councilmember Marty Nate nominated Greg Kunz to be the Council President and councilmember DeLoy Kunz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: DeLoy – yes, Tee – yes, Greg – yes, Marty – yes. The council then proceeded with assigning the duties of each councilmember. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz will keep with his same duties which are the Sewer Department, Roads and Right of Ways, Traffic and Street Signage, Recreation 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. Councilmember Greg Kunz will continue to oversee the Water Department, City Buildings and be the Georgetown Irrigation Company Representative. Councilmember Tee Steadman will take over most of Matt’s duties with the Fire and Law Enforcement Departments along with being the City Liaison for Intermountain Gas, Rocky Mountain Power, Independent Cable Systems and Fiber Optics. Councilmember Marty Nate will keep with her same duties as previous with the Parks and Recreation, Cemetery Department, Public Safety, Public Affairs, Emergency Preparedness, be the SICOG Representative and will also be over the Planning and Zoning Committee. Councilmember Marty Nate approved all of the duties for each councilmember and Greg Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.
The signature cards need to be updated at each of the banks. Councilmember Greg Kunz made the motion to remove Matt Argyle from the checking and savings accounts at US Bank, Zions Bank and Ireland Bank and to add Tee Steadman as a signer on the accounts at the same banks. Councilmember Marty Nate seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Kevin Martin of Sunrise Engineering came before the council to give an update on the water project. He gave a report and brief overview to bring new councilmember Tee Steadman up to date. The PRV’s and connection at the river creek crossing will be finished in June/July. The chlorination building will be finished once power is available. Adam McKenzie will set up a meeting with the Mayor, Doug, Dennis and Sunrise to finalize the easement. Kevin has projected at least $40,000 – 55,000 will come in under budget on the project after all is said and done. The Mayor signed the 3rd pay application and change order for the installment of a new fire hydrant.
The Dog Ordinance was discussed, and the council was all in agreeance to remove anything about impoundment, quarantine or hosting a kennel because of the liability for the city and everyone involved. Lynette and Tami Cook will get the final copy to Adam for review before our next council meeting to do the final reading and publish in the paper to be able to be enforced. The Mayor expressed his appreciation to the committee for their commitment and time spent on revising the Ordinance.
Councilmember Marty Nate was concerned about if we needed to borrow some funds to fix the chlorinator building at the land application site. Lynette advised that from the hay lease proceeds and insurance claim that we should have no problem paying for the repairs at the building.
Councilmember Greg Kunz inquired if the new buildings going up around town have all purchased permits and Lynette and Doug reported that they all have that are required to have them.
Police Report: There were 27 contacts for the month of December. The car needs to get some snow tires on the back to prevent from running off the road or getting stuck after pulling someone over on the shoulder of the road.
Maintenance Report: Doug gave his report for the month of December stating he plowed lots of snow and has been using a lot of his compensation time, sick time, and vacation time in between storms and so the City doesn’t have to pay him out so much before he retires. The phone is still working and so he will keep and use until it quits or can give to the new hire. After the last meeting Matt Raczak announced that he was leaving the City and moving back to Boise so the City would be looking to hire for his position. Doug recommended that the City hire for his position first because he has spoken with PERSI and will work until April 30th and then will begin retirement. He recommended that when looking for someone that we should put out the announcement to IRWA and they will help us to look for someone that already has licensing and may be interested in moving to a smaller City. If we hire someone locally, Doug will then be the part-time guy to help the new guy and will carry his licenses and do the sampling for the City for a fee and then we can renegotiate his fee until the new guy gets his licenses and then he can continue to be the back up operator for the City. Doug also recommended that during the hiring process that we require them to pass a physical and be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs because it is a very labor-intensive job. After being hired they should also be on a probationary period to ensure that they are cut out for the job and all that is involved and be at a reduced pay until the period is over and after Doug has officially retired. Lynette will get announcements posted in the paper and around town that we are accepting applications with resumes through the 31st and then hope to have someone hired by March to have a couple of months with Doug around full time.
Office Business: There are 23 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of December. Clerk Smith also reported that we need to look at updating our Employee Policy to include the things that were suggested such as making sure that they are working towards getting all licenses, passing a physical before being hired and after being hired being on a probationary period. Lynette will email the current policy to all councilmembers to review and see if there is anything else they would like updated in the policy. She will also send a contact list to everyone to stay in touch with each other.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Greg Kunz that council adjourns from the January 2020 council meeting at 8:50 pm. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith
City Clerk-Treasurer