City of Chenoa City Council met Jan. 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Wilder, Commissioners Buchanan, Bell, Reinhart, Daiker, Attorney Mann, Treasurer Rowold and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5353 Commissioners Buchanan and Bell moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 11, 2021 and the Minutes of the Executive Session of January 11, 2022 be approved. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5354 Commissioners Bell and Buchanan moved and seconded the Motion to approve to add Juneteenth National Independence Day to the City of Chenoa Employee Handbook Chapter 1 Regarding Holidays. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5355 Commissioners Reinhart and Daiker moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.
IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Comments from the Floor
Zack Lopeman asked the council for permission to use the downtown Street, City Hall, and barricades for the 4th of July Community Sale on April 9th. It will be done the same as in the past. The council agreed this would be fine. Zack asked if the council is wanting groups to come to a meeting to formally ask for donations from the Silliman money. Mayor Wilder said that would be nice but it has not been formally discussed and made a policy yet. Zack confirmed with Mayor Wilder that it could be requested in comments from the floor. Mayor Wilder said they will start discussing the budget in late February so it will be a good time coming up soon to ask.
Amending the City of Chenoa Employee Handbook Regarding Holidays
Mayor Wilder said at the last meeting they discussed Juneteenth being added to the handbook as a holiday. They had Attorney Mann draw a resolution up for that. The council had no further questions regarding changes to the handbook.
Penalty Fee for Illegal Dumping at City Dump
Commissioner Bell said the code states a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $750 under the general penalty which he feels is too low. He said it is cheaper with the minimum penalty to just dump at the dump compared to getting a dumpster. Commissioner Daiker said he thinks they should add a charge of the disposal plus the fine. Commissioner Bell said he was thinking of starting the first offense at $350 or $400. Chief Cornwall said he has personally never cared for the general penalty on the police side as it leaves it open for each individual officer to have to make a call on what the penalty should be. If it has a set amount for each offense it is clear and fair across the board. He thought $350 is a little steep but it may not be if they are dumping more than just one item. He said he knows there are other towns that have this structure set up for fining that they could look at. Attorney Mann asked how they cite it. Chief Cornwall said they are getting cameras out there to see who is doing it. Zack Lopeman, going off of what Commissioner Daiker was saying, suggested charging for the labor, disposal cost, and the penalty so they are always covering their cost. Chief Cornwall said that does make it harder as they would have to go to the city to find out the cost before they can write the ticket. Commissioner Daiker asked if they could write a ticket and send a bill for the rest later. Chief Cornwall said it would be better to just have a ticket as they probably won't be putting liens on properties for unpaid bills like they would for mowing. Council agreed to have Attorney Mann start drafting up changes to increase the penalty fee.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
Treasurer Rowold gave the council a summary packet and said overall they are looking good. The last page is what he is working on to show the restricted money and he may make changes before next month’s summary.
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Daiker
None
Commissioner Reinhart said he is stepping down from city council effect January 31 due to moving out of state for personal reasons. He thanked the community giving him the opportunity to serve them for the past three years. He appreciates the people that came to his events like Coffee with the Commissioner like Les and Cheryl Stevens. He thanked Mayor Wilder for his leadership and guidance the last three years even when they did not always agree. He thanked George and Teri Krinder for being great neighbors and said everyone should think of them every time they look at the beautiful ceiling in City Hall. He thanked Zack Lopeman for sitting with him waiting on election night and all his words of encouragement. Zack was always asking questions on what he was going to do in the town and has never stopped. He said he has always been one of the few that has always been in one of those chairs and asked him not to stop. He thanked Commissioner Bell for all the times talking in the garage before he decided to run for council. He thanked the Cerdas for being true friends and putting campaign signs in front of the Fitness Center after John said he would not. He thanked Keenan Wilson for believing in him and redoing an entire building for his crazy idea. He thanked Pastor Jeff from the Baptist Church for all of his love and support. He thanked the council for everything they have done together for the community even with the disagreements along the way. He thanked the ladies in the office for all they have done and the team of guys for making it all work. He said in the three years he was here shut offs went from 30 to 40 a month to less than 10 which was not easy to do. Infrastructure repairs, meter updates and repairs have been done along with there not being a town wide boil order in almost three years. He thanked Jay Bell for all of his experience, guidance, and advice. He said change is not always bad. It has not been a walk in the park but being the Water and Sewer Commissioner has been an honor.
Commissioner Bell
None
Commissioner Buchanan
None
Mayor Wilder said, on behalf of everyone at this table, he can not thank him enough. He said he has done a lot in that chair and those shoes are not going to be easy to fill. He thanked him and wished him the best wherever he ends up.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/1_25_22.pdf
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