November 10, 2020
Those Present: DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Marty Nate, Tee Steadman, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Shane Clark, City Clerk Lynette Smith, DeLoy Kunz was excused due to plowing snow
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Mayor Steve Waechtler
The Council entertained a motion from councilmember Marty Nate 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 October 6, 2020 were read aloud by Clerk Smith. Councilmember Marty Nate 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.
Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to go into Public Hearing for the purpose of increasing the building permit fees. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Greg – yes, Marty – yes, Tee – yes. There was no public at the meeting to voice any concern and Lynette reported that she had not received any comments written or verbally in the office concerning the increase in fees. Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to go out of Public Hearing and councilmember Greg Kunz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Greg – yes, Marty – yes, Tee – yes. Councilmember Greg Kunz made the motion to accept Resolution #2020-01 to set new fees for building permits; $50 for basic permits, $150 for additions, $250 for new constructions. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and a roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Greg – yes, Marty – yes, Tee – yes.
Councilmember Marty Nate reported on the recent election held in the Cultural Hall at the LDS Church on November 3rd. There were 401 registered voters and they registered 54 new ones. It was the largest turnout that we have ever had.
The date was set for the Christmas Lighting in the Park Event on November 30th at 6:00 pm. We will continue to serve hot chocolate, sloppy joes and smores. The Mayor will contact one of our horse drawn carriage drivers to see if they would bring Santa in. Santa will be there and will hand out treats; maybe every child just won’t be able to sit on Santa’s lap this year. Councilmember Tee Steadman said that Steadman Fencing will donate the meat for the sloppy joes. The Mayor reported that the Trunk or Treat had a great turnout and so we should definitely move forward with Santa coming because obviously our town wants it to continue.
Councilmember Tee Steadman asked about the COVID-19 Grant available to Cities. Lynette looked and there is up to $17,000 available for the City. Lynette will look more into and contact Alan Eborn for more help to qualify for the funds. Tee also asked the Council how to proceed with an agreement with the City and his neighbor for plowing the snow. He stated that he is willing to work with everyone. Lynette will contact Adam to see what we can legally do about preventing someone from pushing snow onto City or another person’s property. The Mayor said that sometime soon he and Shane will go and visit with the neighbor to come to a solution.
Councilmember Greg Kunz would like to update the headlights on the Firetruck. They are old halogen lights and he would like to put new LED lights and a spotlight onto the Firetruck. The Mayor also mentioned to update and check the tires and see if it has been serviced annually.
Councilmember Marty Nate asked about the new trailers along Main Street at a residence. She asked what their purpose was and it was explained that they are serving as a privacy fence and can also be used as storage units. She stated that they are located in a commercial zone and so it’s ok for them to be there but that they are also an eye sore. The Mayor also explained that they will possibly be painting and fixing up to look better in the near future. Marty also brought up the Zoning Ordinance update and asked the Council how to proceed. Lynette printed new copies for everyone of the Zoning Ordinance and Animal Control Ordinance. The Council is to review and bring back ideas to the next meeting.
Police Report: There were 31 contacts for the month of October.
Maintenance Report: Shane gave his report for the month of October and stated that they have been busy at the cemetery with more graves again. He has been winterizing the land app and put out the Christmas lights in the Park. He and Alan sat with Kevin Martin from Sunrise and a gentleman from Salt Lake to discuss a backup SCADA alarm system for the water tanks. It would be a simple system that will monitor levels, waterflow and if the chlorine is going in. It can send a call or a text for notifications and would cost around $34,000 and has about a 15-20 year life. The gentleman could dial in to monitor and offer support from Salt Lake. He was also willing to come and do a presentation to the Council if they wanted. Shane was advised to do some more research throughout the winter and maybe look at getting a second bid and plan towards spring to install a system and we could pay for it out of pocket. He has been approached about ideas for Eagle Projects and asked the Council their thoughts. It was suggested to install the sand diggers in the park and put up a map at the cemetery.
Office Business: There are 12 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of October. Lynette reported that the website was hacked while the system was upgrading but is back up and running now. She also said that she didn’t need to order a new printer after all because the City of Montpelier called and donated one that they weren’t using anymore. Shane is using it at his office and it works great. The Fall Cleanup day was great and both dumpsters were completely full. It helps to keep our city cleaned up and looking nice. We will plan on having another cleanup day in the Spring as well. The idea was discussed to come up with a new city logo to place a magnet on the City Service truck. Lynette will come up with some flyers and take to the Elementary school for the kids to have a contest to come up with a new logo and winner will receive a $25 gift card. Councilmember Tee Steadman mentioned that we need to move forward with installing a second door in the City Hall for Lynette’s safety.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Marty Nate for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of October 2020 in the amount of $15,622.25 in the general fund, $8,275.22 in the water fund, and $20,753.89 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $44,651.36. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Marty Nate that council adjourns from the November 2020 council meeting at 9:30 pm. Councilmember Tee Steadman seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith
City Clerk-Treasurer