---
date: "2025-05-14"
title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2025-05-14"
source: "2025-05-14-minutes-council-monthly.pdf"
---

City of Prairie City
Council Meeting
May 14, 2025

Attendance:
Mayor Ed Clark
Councilor Bradford
Councilor McClung
Councilor Davis
Councilor Patterson
Councilor Clark
Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder
Marvin Rynearson, Fire Chief
Rob Gaslin, CPA
Ben Richardson, Museum Director
Visitors:
Larry Johnson
Eddy Negus
Dave Traylr
Richard Friese
Chael Skupa
Bob Van Voorhis
Juann Rubio
Frank Ordway
Pam Gangler
Mary Brown
Frances Preston
Sue Malaney

  Mayor Clark called for volunteers as the event is quickly

Mayor Clark called the meeting to order at 6:08pm, the Pledge of Allegiance recited, and
the roll call was taken. Councilor Whale-Murphy was gone with an excused absence.
Recognition of Visitors: No one signed up for public comment.
th    of July Celebration:
approaching. Help Needed: Volunteers from council and public for parade, horseshoe pits,
judging, logistics, food, music, entertainment, and general organization.
Grand Marshal Selection:
List read aloud; suggestions included Blaine & Ann Huffman, Merritt & Marlene Woodley,
Lynn McDonald.
Decision: Approach Blaine & Ann first, then go down the list if they decline.
Theme Selection:

Multiple ideas discussed; "United We Stand" selected as event theme.
Specific help requested for event operations (e.g., horseshoe pits, parade, float sign-up,
porta potty arrangements, food/music coordination).
Law Enforcement:  Law Enforcement Funding (House Bill 3328)
Background: Grant County now eligible to use forest reserve/timber sale road funds for
law enforcement expenses.
Current Status: County added to eligible list via House Bill 3328 (effective May 7).
Funds may cover sheriff’s department/patrols, reducing city’s direct financial obligation.
Next Steps:
Workshop scheduled for May 21 to gather community input and discuss implications for
city budget.
The city will maintain the budget line for law enforcement but may not need to spend it.
Copies of the bill and related ordinances were distributed for council review.
Minutes: The minutes of April 9, 2025, were considered. MSP: To approve the minutes of
April 9, 2025, Councilor Patterson/McClung. All present voted in favor.
Resolution No 2025-04: A resolution to adopt the First Amended and Restated Employee
Handbook of the City of Prairie City.
Overview: Adoption of amended and restated employee handbook, reviewed by city
attorney.
Discussion:
The effective date is edited to July 1, 2025. MSP: To approve Resolution 2025-04 adopting
the First Amended and Restated Employee Handbook effective July 1, 2025. Councilor
Davis/Councilor McClung. All voted yes unanimously.
OPRD: Recreation Plan & Committee
Background: Grant funds to develop a city recreation master plan.
Contractor Update: HECO (engineering firm) to be hired (Catalyst unavailable). Mayor
sought consensus.
Plan Purpose:
Identify and prioritize recreation improvements (e.g., splash pad, dog park, trails).
Required for future grant applications for recreation funding.
Committee Formation:
Seeking 3 council members + 3 community members (business owners or residents).
Volunteers solicited; public notice to be issued.
Action Items:
Appoint/confirm committee members.
Schedule town hall meetings for public input.
Engineer to work with committee and community.
City Real Estate: (Asset Liquidation)
Proposal: Sell public works building and recycling building (underutilized by City).
Rationale:
Generate city revenue, return property to tax rolls, potential for a member of the public to
start a new business use.
Public works director confirmed buildings not needed.

Considerations:
Check for deed restrictions on public works building donated by Peachy DeWitt.
Estimated Values:
Public Works: ~$172,000 (commercial).
Recycling Building: $48,000–$60,000.
MSP: To begin process to sell both properties. Councilor McClung/Davis. All voted yes
unanimously.
Law Enforcement:
Deputy Sheriff Zack Mobley: The County received 229 calls for service (since the start of
year), possibly more due to reporting methods.
Reports distributed to council.
Accounts Payable: Gaslin read out loud the financial overview and went through the
appropriations review. The Council reviewed the check detail. MSP: To pay the bills
Councilor Patterson/McClung. All members voted Yes.
Fire Department (Fire Chief Marvin Rynearson)
Fire Season Outlook:
Extreme risk expected (drought, low soil moisture, increased escaped burns).
PPE upgrades underway.
Legion:  American Legion Hall Water/Sewer Issue
Background: 2008 council motion exempted Legion from water/sewer charges.
Recent policy: end all free water; Legion was to billed.
Proposal:
Continue honoring exemption by having city (general fund) pay water/sewer bill on
Legion’s behalf, via internal transfer (avoids “free” designation, maintains transparency)
Resolution:
Staff to draft resolution to formalize payment process and include legion as part of the
City’s water bill. All Council agrees.
Water Rate Resolution Changes:
Status:
All changes effective June; will appear on July 1 bills.
Adjourn: MSP: To adjourn the City Council Meeting at 7:26pm Councilor Scott
Clark/McClung. All in favor.
Approved by the City Council on this 14th day of May 2025, and signed by the Mayor.

Ed Clark, Mayor

Attested:

Shonalie Oakes, City Recorder