City Council meeting

Minutes of City Council meeting on May 7, 2013.  Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm, prayer given, followed by pledge of allegiance.

Present were:  Clay Loosen, Harriette Nitzel, Doyle Province, Bobby Spencer, Kendra Baker (came in at 8:13 pm) , Richard Hightower, Edna Justice, Brent Wilkinson, and Gary Olsen; Kelli Spencer, Robbie from Mercy Hospital, Ernie Ernest, Bill Gauer, Dacia from Meachum & Associates,Harriette Nitzel, Dan Webber,  Marvin Sweigert, Terry Crawford, Pastor Carle King, Kaci  Cronkhite, Andy Barrett, Linda Barrett, Mary Larson, Donnie Dunn, Warren Rice, Officer Almaguer, Darrell Rice from the Watonga Republican, Fred Teply, Travis Lindley from Roman Nose State Park, and John Massey.  It was a full house.  There were not enough copies of the Agenda for all who attended.  

Item #1 was to approve the minutes of the last meeting.  There was a correction made, and the minutes were approved.

Item #2 was to hire Mark Huff as Building Inspector on a part-time basis, for a salary of $450.00 per pay period.  He is required to put in 1000 hours as a part-time employee.  He will keep track of his time and present regular time sheets to the City Clerk. Doyle Province wanted to make sure the City stays under the “Obamacare” requirements of a part-time employee so that the City isn’t required to provide health insurance.  As a part-time employee, Mark will be covered by the City’s liability insurance.  He is looking for his own liability insurance policy.  THIS POSITION DOES NOT INCLUDE DUTIES AS “CODE ENFORFCEMENT” – only as building inspector, insuring that electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes are complied with.  The Council wants to hire him in this position until the Dollar General and new Lumber Yard construction are completed. 

#3 – Bill Gauer gave an audit report of the City’s finances.  The City has over $2 million in unencumbered cash. 

#4 – A payment of $10.00 per EMT who assists on an ambulance call was authorized.  This will apply to EMT’s who are not on duty and on the City’s payroll at the time of the assist.

#5 – Bill Kelly was appointed to the Library Board.

#6 – Approval was given to advertise “for lease” the property currently farmed by B. Sawyer, which is located on the east side of the high school and Huff Lorang Park.  The lease price is approx.. $86.00 per acre. The notice will be published in the May 15 and May 22 issues of Watonga Republican.  (More about this later.)

 #7 – The City now owns the property formerly known as the Watonga Cheese Plant, in exchange for the City being responsible for demolishing and cleaning up the lot.  Some of it will not be torn down but can be used as storage for City assets.  Marvin Sweigert reported that he has someone who will take the brick and cinderblock.  He didn’t make it clear if they were going to be purchased or just given away.  When asked about the cost of demolition and cleanup, he just said it will be “reasonable”. 

#8 – the Council approved the purchase of some equipment  for Street Dept. as requested by Light and Water.  I didn’t have a copy of the agenda so don’t have the particulars of the equipment to include here, but that information is available from the City Clerk’s office. 

#9 – Kaci Cronkhite spoke to the group on behalf  of the Friends of Roman Nose State Park Associaiton.  Though Clay has previously denied in public that there are negotiations for the sale of the land to the State,  tonight he did admit that the City has received a request from the State to purchase the land and an appraisal.  The appraisal should be available to anyone who wants to see it but so far it is not being talked about or produced by the Mayor.  If you’re interested, you could go by the City Clerk’s office and ask to see it. 

                The interest of Friends of Roman Nose and of many of Watonga’s citizens is that the property remain a State Park.  FORN requested by letter to the Mayor that “strong legal language” be used in the event of sale or transfer of the park to insure that it remains a Park.  Travis Lindley, Park Manager, was present  and spoke to the meeting.  The question of whether or not the City is considering selling the property to the State or negotiating a sale was side-stepped but is is clear from conversations citizens have had with State tourism people that something is in the works.   
  
Under “New Business”, Clay reported that Robert Daugherty, the new Code Enforcer, is “not quite ready” to start that job as he is still waiting for letterhead, which is at the printer.  He was given the position over a month ago. 

Also mentioned was that it was time for the City’s budget to be put together, and Harriette mentioned that someone (didn’t say who) is coming in to give a quote on the City’s health insurance which is up for renewal. 

I didn’t stay for the Public Works Authority portion of the meeting, but the agenda listed “Consideration, Discussion and Action to approve invoices for the air conditioning unit at Mercy/Watonga Hospital” in the amount of $18,225.00.  This would be paid from monies the citizens voted to be borrowed in the bond issue passed last year, but someone has complained that the repairs should be advertised for bid.    

                I would be interested in anyone’s comments on these posts.  I believe it is important that all of the City’s business be transparent and that the public be informed.    

/Linda Barrett