EKALAKA TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Town Office, 103 N Main Street

November 1st @ 5 p.m.

a) Call Meeting to Order @ 5:03 p.m.

a. Roll Call Council Present Libby, Melissa, Rex - Not present Andy

b. Employees Present

c. Appointed Officials Present Kamely & Buck

Public: Rich Brown, Courtney Higgins

b) Pledge of Allegiance

c) Public Comment Courtney Higgins would like to put some more trailers with the potential of buying a property he would like to do what is best for Ekalaka and what would be best to make town more money, Buck said best would be to build a trailer park.

d) Bid opening 1 bid received for a church pew, Libby moved to accept the bid for $27.50; Melissa seconded – no discussion. 3 aye and no nay

e) Minutes from last meeting(s): read, correct October 4th Minutes. Libby moved with amendments; Melissa seconded - no discussion. 3 aye no nay

f) Claims Approval Melissa moved to approve claims for $59,377.68; Libby seconded – discussion: claims elevated this month due to unaccounted for county payments. 3 aye no nay

g) Reports of Officers:

a. Public Works Director - none

b. Mayor: complaints of dogs barking, parking complaints – discussion of citations issued/originating from town attorney.

c. Attorney none

d. Council: complaints of resident using the gate on the Veterans Park, Kamely visited with the owner, and he took care of the problem.

h) Reports of Standing and Special Committees: Administrative (Clerk/Treasurer)

a. No applicants for PWD – council discussed increasing wages up to $28/hr depending on experience – including the possibility of a sign-on bonus.

b. DEQ – will visit Town to physically inspect in 2024

c. Water on/off – Kamely is keeping track of resident’s contact information and incurred expenses who turn their own water services on and off.

d. Red Truck – Brakes and Seals are the main problem – Fruits unable to fix.

e. White Pickup – become home for critters – Buck working on a vehicle.

f. Gravel – Kamely found paperwork showing our proof of ownership.

g. Corrective Action Plan from local Government Services

h. A/C replacement insurance money has been deposited.

i. School to work: Kendall Kittelmann has been an asset to Kamely - one hour each school day, entering deposits.

j. Thank you to Mark Wright for plowing after the first storm.

k. Library Credit Card – council agreed with Kamely’s suggestion to apply for Library’s own cc for their purchases.

l. Kamely added a dumpster in town for Out-of-Town/State Hunters who don’t have access to our dump – people have shown gratitude and generosity in donations.

m. Pool winterized and ready for off season.

n. Lead & Copper pope inventory ready for next year

o. Kamely is diligent about keeping ice clear in front of building – keeping it safe for town residents.

p. Iron Scrap Payment from Baker Metal and Recycling: $2,541

q. Inquiry regarding Survey Grant – Town income is outside of the limit.

r. Law Enforcement – none present

s. Streets – included above – Thank you, again – Mark Wright!

t. Library – included above

u. Fire Department/Committee

v. Parks

w. Pool – included above

x. Water/sewer – included above

y. Landfill – included above

z. Safety – included above

a. Presentation of Petitions and Communications:

Steven DeFord Zoning permit: Libby moved to approve Deford zoning permit; Rex seconded– no discussion further than location. 3 aye and no nay

Ekalaka Public Schools Zoning Permit: tabled until after election.

i) Unfinished Business

a. Community Plan

b. Pool Liner

c. Alex Lovec Central Ave Culvert: Libby moved to table, Rex seconded; no discussion. 3 aye no nay

d. Fire Department Building lease: Libby moved to table until EVFD presents their proposal, Melissa seconded; no discussion. 3 aye no nay

e. Nonresidential water hookups rate: Libby moved to table, Melissa seconded; discussion: will include increased rates in public hearing to be held in December. 3 aye no nay

j) New Business

a. Water, Sewer, and Garbage rates:

i. Kamely informed the council of the recent audit on Town’s Water, Sewer and Garbage rates. Sewer and Garbage will need to be adjusted.

ii. Melissa moved to schedule a public hearing for Municipal Rate adjustments in December, Rex seconded; No further discussion. 3 aye no nay

b. Security cameras Shop, Dump & Fire Hall

i. Kamely presented a quote for a 4G solar security camera that could be placed at the Dump site and other options for the shop and fire hall.

ii. Libby moved to approve a purchase for security cameras up to $1400; Rex seconded – no further discussion. 3 aye no nay

c. Cutting edges for blade

i. Rex moved to table until a quote is available; Libby seconded; no further discussion. 3 aye no nay

d. Substitute for Office

i. Kamely requested permission from the council to add interested people to the sub-list for the Town Office… Libby will sub next week (November 6 -7) while Kamely is out of town.

k) Announcements

l) Next Meeting Date: December 6th at 5 p.m. Town of Ekalaka office

m) Adjourn

a. Libby moved to adjourn at 6:53 p.m., Melissa seconded; no discussion. 3 aye no nay