City of Chenoa City Council met July 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on July 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Myers, Price, Moreland, Lopeman, Attorney Mann, Treasurer Rowold and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5545 Commissioners Price and Moreland moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 27, 2023, the Minutes of the Executive Session of June 27, 2023 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.
#5546 Commissioners Moreland and Price moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the City of Chenoa - Section 2(c)(1) and Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending Probable or Imminent Litigation. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5547 Commissioners Price and Moreland moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Return to Open Session. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Lopeman negative.
#5548 Commissioners Myers and Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to use Blue Force Consulting for Grant Research and Grant Writing for Upgrades to the Water System for the City of Chenoa up to $3,500. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5549 Commissioner Myers and Mayor Shane moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Sign a Three Year Contract with Onsolve in the amount of $7,092.00 for the Code Red Program. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5550 Commissioners Lopeman and Myers moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.
IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Discuss Sewer, Drainage, Garbage and Surcharges on Address without an Active Water Account When water is shut off the water and sewer is not charged to the bill. The garbage is not charged as long as the cans have been picked up which is the agreement with Republic Services. Commissioners Moreland’s concern is the charges still be applied like surcharge, drainage, and garbage, if cans are not picked up, once water has been turned off for nonpayment. He would like the account to be closed and cans picked up the week after water has been shut off with no payment to turn it back on. This will stop people from acquiring a larger bill and more for the City to have to go back and collect. The idea was brought up of suspending the account instead of closing it. City Clerk Rhoades said suspending the account would be better than closing it for tracking purposes as the account number would be the same instead of changing. The council also discussed charging the deposit again if the account is closed in order to open a new account once the full balance has been paid to get the water turned back on. The council agreed to put more work into the procedure for this and discuss at the next meeting.
Discuss Clearwell Financing
Commissioner Myers said they do not want to use all of the money they have so feels they should get a loan for part of it. Heartland is doing between 3% and 5% for loans for Government. Graymount was at 5% for a 10 year loan. The council agreed to look into both banks to compare what they can do for different lengths on loans. They also will reach out to the lady that was at the last meeting with refinancing the bond to see if she can do anything for them. They plan to keep trying to get a grant as well.
Designating a New Ordinance Compliance Coordinator
Mayor Shane said this is not to change the duties of the Commissioners. This is to have a person to help with follow through of ordinance violations. The council agreed to have the Finance Commissioner monitor and help with the process of ordinance violations.
TIF Agreement Transfer with HomeTeam Eats and OB’s Cervezaria
Scratched from meeting.
Extending South Veto Street to the 400 Block
They will need an engineer for plats which will cost $750 to $1,000. They discussed having the Business District pay this fee and would look into if that is an option. They agreed to move forward with getting an engineer to do the plats and have Attorney Mann draw it up for the next meeting.
On Call Employee Requirements and Employee Job Descriptions and Time Sheets New timesheets were made up to allow more room for the employees to write what they do each day. Parks will need to be added as it is the only department that was not on the previous ones. It was presented that the on call person gets $20 a day to carry the phone while they are on call. If they are called out by the Commissioner they get 1 hour minimum pay. This will be for whatever is needed in the City , not just water or sewer. They no longer get 2 hours for numbers as they get paid for how long it takes them. They discussed what defines an emergency for the person to be called in for other than numbers. They agreed to work more on what the employee should be called in for. The council agreed to discuss with the employees before a decision is made.
Comments from the Floor
Nicole Burke with Hometeam Eats stated that she came last October asking for TIF funds. She was asked by John Cerda to remove all of their equipment from the facility due to disagreements on the work that has not been completed yet per the Health Department. The mayor asked them to sign all of their equipment to Ob’s which she does not agree with. She is still looking for a facility in the City if any one knows of one. She feels the Mayor should treat everyone the same. She also did not find his actions appropriate when going to OB’s and speaking with her husband and herself.
Tim Jolly said he supports Hometeam Eats and feels the City needs to continue to help them with the TIF.
Marci Curtis asked why the hole has been filled in her yard and the problem is not fixed. Commissioner Lopeman said that was a part time employee misunderstanding which hole on Seventh was to be filled. That hole should not have been filled as the tile has not been fixed yet. She asked why tiles that are broken can sit for three years but water mains get fixed right away. She has a finished basement that gets filled with water because the tile is not fixed. Commissioner Lopeman said the previous Commissioner purchased material that is not allowed by our code. He is working on a plan to get this repair done. He wants to get Seventh to Ninth flowing first, unplug Seventh, and get the repair done. He wants to get this done right the first time. It was decided that the hole would get opened back out. Marci asked for a time frame on this. Commissioner Lopeman said he would like to get it done as soon as possible but will have it fenced off properly. She asked why the council is appointing people to City committees that do not live in city limits, County, or pays taxes. Mayor Shane said the person she is referring to has a lot to offer and is willing to help with the Economic Development Committee. That Committee is just an advisory group that is meant to help the entire area.
Carrie Holzhauer asked to block off Green and Veto from Lincoln to the Finish Line for a car show on August 12. The council had no concerns and would provide the barricades.
Dalton Campbell anything can be done with the Mayor getting in and putting his finger in employees and business owner’s faces. Commissioner Moreland said the council is not to speak on that in open session. If there are concerns with the Mayor or any Council Member they need to be brought to the City Attorney.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
None
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Moreland said they have fixed a service line break and have one more to do later this week. The aerator has been dropped in the pond and the floor of the clearwell will be poured Monday.
Commissioner Lopeman said the guys have been working on filling the water main break holes and getting the hot patched. They worked on the 4th of July prep and backhoe and jet vac repairs.
Commissioner Price said they have been putting a lot of work into the parks. They have new soap dispensers at the main park bathrooms, water heater at the concession stand at the football field, gravel parking lot at new restrooms, and a lot of clean up. The pool is doing well with bringing in $4,000 with being closed 3 days this last month.
Commissioner Myers said he has just been working on grants and looking at what needs done with ordinances.
Mayor Shane apologizes if people think he is not doing a good job. He is passionate about making good changes and is learning. He is trying to help everywhere he can.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/7_11_23.pdf
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