Council Present: Mayor Kevin Newland, and Councilmembers Earl Justice, Debbie Moore, and Keith Jensen.

Staff Present: Kaci Anderson.

  1. Open Meeting: Mayor Kevin Newland called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Approval of Minutes: Motion made by K. Jensen, seconded by D. Moore, and carried to approve the minutes for the regular meeting on February 13, 2020.
  3. Public Comment:
    1. A resident attended the meeting to share his reaction to complaints from his neighbors. Copies of personal references were provided. The Council discussed the complaints, including but not limited to, firearms, ATVs, noise, and chickens. Also discussed were options to deal with both complaints as they apply to current city code and ordinances. It was unanimously decided to issue warnings to both parties.
    1. Nicholas Odorizzi shared the car show is still scheduled for the second weekend in June. This year he would like to focus on veterans.
  4. Council Concerns: None.
  5. Reports
    1. Mayor’s Address: Mayor Newland discussed the following:
      1. Regarding work to receive an actual title for the airport property versus the documents after the land was granted to the Town, Mayor Newland is awaiting a response from BLM. He has been working with the offices of Senator Judy Warnick and Congressman Dan Newhouse. He noted the Town may end up having to actually purchase the land to receive a title, but he is waiting for more details.
      1. Mayor Newland has been continuing work with Sandi Duffey with Grant County Emergency Management regarding the flood study revision. The issue will eventually come to the Council for review and for a decision on whether to proceed with the appeal process, which involves various costs and fees, starting at $5,000. Mayor Newland noted a Century West employee formerly worked with FEMA and has relevant experience.
      1. A reminder that E. Justice needs to take Open Public Meetings Act e-training. K. Anderson will work with him to get that completed as soon as possible.
    1. Maintenance/Public Works Report: Mayor Newland discussed the following:
  6. S. Mortimer reports the hydrant was successfully repaired by H.D. Fowler. This saved the Town a significant amount of money, as opposed to replacing the entire hydrant. Good news!
  7. We have the tractor/lawn mower back from being serviced. It has new blades and is working well.
  8. As water tank cleaning was approved last year, they are scheduled to be cleaned the 22nd and 23rd of this month.
  9. Regarding weed control, Lyle has been burning vegetation at previously approved locations.
    1. Clerk/Treasurer Report:
      1. Motion made by K. Jensen, seconded by E. Justice, and carried to approve the Town’s current fiscal status and to pay the March 2020 bills as follows:
        1. March 2020 Bills
          Payroll checks 10377-10385 $1,134.20
          A/P checks 10386-10399 $17,411.88
          EFT payments $225.02
          Total $18,771.10
        2. Current Account Balances
          US Bank $154,556.16
          Grant County $111,658.32
          Total $266,214.48
  10. Old Business: None.
  11. New Business:
    • Approval of FFA/Horticulture Flower Pot Project: K. Anderson relayed the estimate provided by Roxi Mortimer, at $427. The Council and Mayor inquired why this cost is so much higher than previous years, in the $300 range. K. Anderson relayed: Roxi quoted 7 plants per pot at $3 per plant for 17 pots, plus two bags of potting soil at $35 each. Mayor Newland will count pots that actually are maintained and used so plants are not wasted. The Council also agreed the number of plants could go down one or two, to remain closer to the $300-range. Motion made by K. Jensen, seconded by E. Justice, and carried to approve the pots being filled and paid to Wilson Creek FFA, at the discretion of Mayor Newland.
    • Airport Lease: Mayor Newland discussed interest in renting the airport property from a crop-dusting organization for $100 per year. The Council felt that price was not sufficient. Motion made by D. Moore, seconded by K. Jensen, and carried to deny the offer.
  12. Adjournment: Motion made by K. Jensen, seconded by E. Justice, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 pm. The next regular council meeting is Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6:00 pm.



Filed under: Council Meeting Minutes