--- date: "2013-04-10" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2013-04-10" source: "2013-04-10-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- City of Prairie City CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 10, 2013 Attended: Alvan Cooley, Mayor Carole Garrison, Councilor Gary Waterhouse, Councilor Dennis Lynch, Councilor Les Church, Councilor Viola Rose, Councilor Butch Goslin, Councilor Georgia Patterson Chris Camarena Scott Moore Kevin Dahlen Mike Rose The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call was taken, all members of the Council being present. The minutes of the March 27 meeting were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes as written, Carole Garrison/Gary Waterhouse. All members voted in favor. Economic Development: Dennis Lynch addressed the Council and reported that he hasn’t heard back from anyone from the agencies he contacted. He said the Jacobs’ have expressed some interest in their property by the cemetery as an industrial site. He said he had not been able to meet with the Forest Service as intended. There has been no contact from Sally Bartlett although he did say she had given him some paperwork to fill out that he hasn’t finished yet. Museum: Carole Garrison reported that the job description for a Museum Director had been completed and asked the Council to approve it for advertising. She explained that it designates the position as a department head which is how it should be. The recommended wage is $12 to $14 per hour depending on experience and the position is a part-time seasonal one mid-May through mid- October. It will include a limited benefit package but no health insurance and will be included in the upcoming budget. MSP: To approve the job description for Museum Director as presented, Dennis Lynch/Les Church. All members voted in favor. Public Safety: Deputy Moore addressed the Council regarding “citizen cites.” He explained that when a citizen has a dog complaint about an incident that he has not witnessed, he gives the citizen the option of signing their own citation. The process does require the citizen to go to the courthouse to sign, but they usually have about 2 weeks to do so. By doing so, the citizen is taking an oath as to the truthfulness of their statement. Three such citations provided by Deputy Moore for recent dog complaints, including the one by Mr. Keeton, went unsigned and were returned to him by the court. Abatement: No report. April 10, 2013 Landfill: A landfill report was received. The council was asked to make a decision on whether or not to continue operating the landfill when the current trench is full. There was discussion of what could be done with the land if it was purchased by the City. It was noted that not much could be done for at least 15 years and more likely 30. Carole Garrison reminded the Council that the cost to purchase would be approximately $20,000 including the environmental study and that the City would have to submit a detailed plan for its use in order to purchase it through the Recreation & Public Purposes Act. If the City was to buy it just for resale, it would probably lose money. MS: To operate the landfill until the current trench is full or until September 2014, whichever comes first, Les Church/Gary Waterhouse. There was more discussion. It was noted that some closure procedures would need to begin right away. The motion was restated; MSP: To begin procedure for closing the landfill and operate it until the current trench is full, Les Church/Gary Waterhouse. All members voted in favor. Public Works: Georgia Patterson reported that they have begun cleaning at Depot Park and are getting ready for it to open. She said they will begin cleaning the sand filters soon. Accounts Payable: MSP: To pay the bills, Carole Garrison/Dennis Lynch. All members voted in favor. There was discussion as to why the Deputy uses the City’s unmarked vehicle occasionally for patrols. Deputy Moore explained the reasoning and invited anyone interested to ride along on a patrol. Resolutions: none Other Business: The Council was asked to consider the audit contract offered by Oster Professional Group. There was discussion about how long they have used the same auditor and the cost. It was suggested next year the City discuss looking around. There was other discussion regarding what auditors do. MSP: To approve the contract with Oster Professional Group, Les Church/Gary Waterhouse. All members voted in favor. The Mayor noted that no applications for the Budget Committee were received. The Council was asked to consider posting No Smoking signs in the City Park playground area. There have been complaints and it was noted that the chips and surfacing could be flammable. It was generally agreed that signs should be posted and that an ordinance should be passed to back it up. Georgia Patterson suggested signs should be posted at Depot Park in the playground area and the bath house. MSP: To put up No Smoking signs (within 20 feet of the playground) and adopt an ordinance, Gary Waterhouse/Dennis Lynch. All members voted in favor. Carole Garrison addressed the Council and said she wanted to make sure Joy Waterhouse was recognized for an article published in the Country Magazine featuring Prairie City. She also thanked Diane Clingman for designing, printing and framing the welcome certificates given to the most recent business owners in town. She said the City had received a compliment from County Commissioner Labhart regarding how nice downtown businesses look and what good care the volunteers take of the planters. Gary Waterhouse reported that the attorney should have the requested documentation from American Tower by the 11th. April 10, 2013 Dennis Lynch said the City Council should start thinking about the upcoming retirements in the next couple of years and decide how to proceed. The Mayor said the City Charter amendment still needs to be addressed because of the limitations it contains. There were comments made as to why it did not get passed by the voters and it was suggested that a workshop be held to address why and to get all members of the Council up to speed on its content. A one hour workshop was set for Thursday the 25th at 6pm. 7:10 pm It was moved and seconded to adjourn, all members voted in favor. ___________________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved by the City Council this ____ day of ___________________, 2013 and signed by the Mayor. _______________________________ Alvan F. Cooley, Mayor April 10, 2013