August 2, 2022
Those Present: DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Trenton Morrell, Tee Steadman, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Maintenance Supervisor Shane Clark, City Clerk Lynette Smith, Cole & Duke Smith, Joe DeClark, Layne DeClark, Austin & Kirsten Waechtler, Doug Bradt, Kameron Whitaker, Gary H. Teuscher, CPA
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Mayor Steve Waechtler
The Council entertained a motion from councilor Greg 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 July 5, 2022, were read aloud by Clerk Smith. The Mayor made note for clarification about the police issuing tickets should read “…how come the County Sheriff’s Office can’t issues tickets…”. Councilor Trenton Morrell made the motion to accept the minutes as read with the stated correction. Councilor Greg Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The Mayor gave a recap on the Twin Creeks Day Celebration and said that it was a great event and was geared towards the kids. The fishpond was great and the Mayor’s family did the breakfast and fed about 120 people. He recommends next year of doing a dinner at 7:00 pm and entertainment to tie into the fireworks. The water dunking machine and foam was great and kids loved it. Lots of comments made throughout the community about the fireworks being amazing. The Mayor got all of the fireworks donated except about $175. Councilor Tee Steadman commented that he had people reach out about how to donate for the fireworks next year. The Mayor suggested setting up a fund for those to go and donate to throughout the year if they desire.
Kameron Whitaker came before the council and spoke about his findings with the County and annexing property into the City. The county expressed to him that it would be a good idea for the City and his property and there isn’t much cost to it besides having lawyers draw up the papers. Past Mayor and Councilmember Joe DeClark was present and suggested monitoring the water tanks to see how many more houses the system could hold. Shane said that monitoring has been happening already. Discussion on annexing or drilling a well instead; Kameron would help to put in all of the infrastructure needed to put in additional water lines if needed. There is an existing moratorium to not let any other homes outside of the City limits to hook into the water system, but if it were annexed in that would be different. There may need to be an entire new line coming from the canyon to help the situation if we were to annex more property or have more homes be built in the City limits. The City would like to take some time to discuss more about annexing property into the limits. Kameron was told he could hookup for water to his home and barn but if he wants sewer the home would have to be in the City limits.
Layne DeClark came before the council to discuss building permits and how he got a letter but his permit wasn’t fully expired yet. The council agreed that we had jumped ahead of ourselves. It was clarified that progress has to be being made in order to keep the permit going and if no progress has been made or started is when a new permit would need to be purchased. Layne reasoned that 120 days is too short of a time to build a house or additions, etc. The wording on the permit should be changed to accommodate that; a good example is that banks give one year on a construction loan to build a home and we should model after that.
Cody Coombs was invited to come to council to discuss the letter sent to him about his business operating not at his original place of business and he was not in attendance.
Austin and Kirsten Waechtler came before the council to discuss wanting to build a fence to keep kids and dogs in their yard. The Ordinance states that only a 3 ½ foot high fence may be built; but that won’t keep dogs in, especially when there is snow on the ground. They have observed that other hedges in town are taller than 4 feet. They want to put up a fence that is 5 feet tall all the way around their property eventually. Councilmember Tee Steadman said if they are trying to beautify their property and keep stuff in then it should be allowed to build a higher fence. The council suggested looking at changing the ordinance to 5 feet and in the meantime agreed that they can install a 5 foot fence all the way around their property.
Duke Smith came before the council to report back on his trip he made to Perry, Georgia for the Jr. High National Finals Rodeo and said that he had a good time and was very appreciative of the money he received from the City. The Mayor asked him if he kept his morals and standards to represent the City well, in which he did.
The Council then engaged in the budget workshop with City CPA, Gary H. Teuscher for the 2022-2023 budget year.
Councilor DeLoy Kunz is concerned that the trees and sprinkler system at a home on Stringtown is in the City Right of Way.
Councilor Tee Steadman brought up that there are some citizens living in their trailers and are hooked up to City services. The council said to send a letter explaining that they can’t be hooked up to services along with the Ordinance and invite them to council meeting to discuss their plans and why they’re living in it or how long they plan to live in it.
Police Report: There were 31 contacts for the month of July.
Maintenance Report: Shane gave his report for the month of July and stated that he and Alan have dug a grave and a cremation. They mowed the streets and had a visit from DEQ for an inspection with the Mayor and others. He fixed some water valves and put some dirt in at the bottom of the slide. Mick Merritt came and helped with some issues he was having at the sewer ponds. He got an estimate for boring under the road for the water line at the top of Stringtown at $3,900. He will tell them to get us on their schedule.
Office Business: There are 18 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of July. She wanted some more direction on the speed signs before ordering and how many and what were the requirements. The City will order 6 of them and Simplot will pay for 2 of them directly and then the County will also pay for 2 of them to give us 8 total. The Mayor also told her to order a nativity scene for the Christmas lights.
The Mayor informed the council that he has contacted the State Police about our issues with Bruce Esplin up the canyon, not letting anyone up there on the right of way to get to our water tanks.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Tee Steadman for the council to approve checks and vouchers for the month of July 2022 in the amount of $29,529.62 in the general fund, $6,140.00 in the water fund, and $64,652.60 in the sewer fund, with all funds totaling $100,322.22. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilor Tee Steadman that council adjourns from the August 2022 council meeting at 10:00 pm. Councilor Trenton Morrell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith
City Clerk-Treasurer