March 15, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on March 15, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:
Mike McDonald
Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
James Zehner
Jane Kissinger
Georgia DeHaas

City employees present were Water Superintendent Curtiss, City Attorney Albers and Clerk Kennedy.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the March 1st regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman Kissinger second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS SIDEWALK WAIVER: Tony Sabatino explained that he is building an addition at 514 North B Street. He plans to put sidewalks in on B Street but would like to request a waiver on 5th Street. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to approve an indefinite sidewalk waiver on 5th Street for Tony Sabatino. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH COTTONWOOD: Fire Chief Williams has been in contact with Cottonwood Fire Chief Behler over the years about a possible mutual aid agreement. Chief Williams feels that the agreement is nice and could help to promote community good will. If the City is in favor, he would recommend sending only 1 vehicle and at the most 4 firefighters, depending if we have enough firefighters available that day. Chief Williams gave Attorney Albers a copy of the generic agreement he had brought with him. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Walker to have Attorney Albers draw up an agreement for the City’s review. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Chief Williams also gave a brief fire report for 2003, stating the department had 34 responses and only 10 within the City limits.

LARRY DASENBROCK: Mr. Dasenbrock was present to let the Council know that he was running for County Sheriff again and to thank the City for their cooperation during his current term.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Snowhaven Minutes of March 3, 2004 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Snowhaven’s last day was March 14, 2004.

WATER DEPOSITS: Councilwoman DeHaas and Councilman Zehner felt the deposit should be left alone. Councilman Walker stated that when you compare the average write offs of $1,200.00 to the amount the City bills, the write offs are very small. He feels the City staff should be complimented. MaryAnn Davidson explained that although she is concerned about her tenants she doesn’t want the City to lose money.

P & Z AND THE AREA OF IMPACT: Last March, the City wrote the County a letter asking them to consider allowing people that own property (instead of residing) in the Area of Impact to serve on P & Z as the area of impact representative. When Attorney Albers discussed this with Attorney Wright, Attorney Wright didn’t feel this was an option. Councilman Walker feels that another letter should be sent to the County as a final notice. Councilwoman Kissinger feels the City might get a better response by attending a Commission meeting and being listed on the agenda. A motion was made by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to have Attorney Albers send a letter to the Commissioners and letting them know the City would attend a meeting if they would like the City to. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BILLS: The bills were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds on motion by Councilman McDonald, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Payroll Fund $42,242.44
General Fund $46,448.25
Street Fund $23,008.49
Library Fund $ 3,473.81
Recreation Fund $ 2,464.43
Snowhaven Fund $13,785.90
Medical Insurance Fund $11,700.98
Water Fund $22,113.92
Sewer Fund $21,478.22
Sanitation Fund $31,542.91

SIDEWALK AT 608 W. NORTH 2ND DAVE STEWART: Dave Stewart received a letter from Clerk Kennedy letting him know that he had to put sidewalks in on North 2nd Street to where it connects with A Street. Mr. Stewart questioned the letter since he did install a sidewalk on North 2nd, just not all the way to the corner and that they City had originally told him he didn’t need to go to the corner. Councilman Lester feels the sidewalk on North 2nd needs to be completed and the small section on North A needs to be fixed. Councilman Walker doesn’t feel that the City has the burden to pay for the entire amount to have the sidewalk installed on North 2nd Street. He feels that the City could furnish the materials for the new sidewalk on North 2nd Street and Mr. Stewart should replace the sidewalk on A Street since it is in disrepair. Councilman Lester feels that he should have to repair and not replace the sidewalk on A Street since there are other areas in town that are much worse. Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester that Mr. Stewart provide the labor on the sidewalk on North 2nd Street and the City will pay for materials (cement and rebar). The sidewalk would need to connect with the existing sidewalk on A Street and a handicap access would be placed on North 2nd Street. Councilman Zehner was opposed to the City spending money on the sidewalk. Councilman Lester didn’t feel that the handicap access could be made to work correctly. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Councilwoman DeHaas - No
Councilwoman Kissinger - Yes
Councilman Walker - Yes
Councilman McDonald - Yes
Councilman Lester - No
Councilman Zehner - No

Mayor Vanderwall broke the tie, voting No.

Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester that Mr. Stewart provide the labor to install the sidewalk on North 2nd Street, the City would pay for materials (cement and rebar), and the sidewalk would need to connect with the existing sidewalk on A Street. Motion passed, Councilman Zehner voting No.

FIRE CHIEF RESIGNATION: Mayor Vanderwall read the resignation submitted by Fire Chief Dave Williams. Mayor Vanderwall thanked Dave Williams for his 24 years of service. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to accept the resignation of Dave Williams as fire chief, effective March 31, 2004 and to accept the recommendation of Dan Tackett as the new fire chief. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CROSS CONNECTION WORKSHOP: A cross connection workshop was scheduled for March 22, 2004 at 7:00 P.M.

SURPLUS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to declare the Animal Control pickup surplus. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
_____________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:



_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk