Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2006

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Mayor Mary Barber.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

Roll call:          Robert Ortman – Present

Warren Simpson – Present

Ed Vanek – Present

Vickie Carroll - Present

Steve Reedy – Present

Laura Clark – Present

Mary Barber – Present

Aaron Reedy – Present

 

Gary Reef was present from the VFW.  He presented flags to Mayor Barber to be flown throughout the Village.

 

Mary asked if any visitors wished to speak.  Michael Best from GGC Engineers was present to introduce himself.  He wanted to know if Council had any questions regarding the contract.  Aaron said the Village Solicitor reviewed it and had a couple things to follow up on.

 

Warren made a motion to approve the August 2006 minutes with the correction that the laundry nuisance was at 2184 Main St., and not the house across the street.  Ed second.  All yea.

 

Steve made a motion to approve the August 2006 financial statement.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance 2006-17, An Ordinance to amend the 2006 appropriations ordinance and the Declaration of an emergency.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Robert made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2006-17, An Ordinance to amend the 2006 appropriations ordinance and the Declaration of an emergency.  Steve second.  All yea.

 

Laura made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance 2006-18, An Ordinance to amend the 2006 appropriations ordinance and the Declaration of an emergency.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Laura made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2006-18, An Ordinance to amend the 2006 appropriations ordinance and the Declaration of an emergency.  Warren second.  All yea.

 

Laura made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Resolution 2006-19, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the Declaration of an emergency.  Robert second.  All yea.

 

Ed made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-19, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the Declaration of an emergency.  Steve second.  All yea.

 

Robert made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Resolution 2006-20, A Resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor and the declaration of an emergency.  Ed second.  All yea.

 

Warren made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-20, A Resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor and the declaration of an emergency.  Laura second.  All yea.

 

Report from Fire Chief – Jim Hite submitted his report - see attached.  Jim said we should be getting an e-mail from the county regarding the sirens.

 

Report from the Service Committee:  Robert said they met Wednesday, September 6th.  Laura, Ed, Steve, Mary, Ernie and Robert were present.  Ernie discussed the need for further cleaning at the cemetery and suggested using county prisoners in the PAW program.  Committee then went to the cemetery to locate a burial plot for a village citizen.  They were successful.  Bob Black had checked on fire extinguishers for the municipal building.  He said 3 of our smaller ones need replaced with larger units.  Jim Hite suggested the rechargeable kind.  The committee also discussed issues with the pest control solution around the building.  Orkin has made some suggestions that the committee will consider.  \

 

Report from the Safety Committee:  Ed said they met September 4th.  Mary, Steve, Warren, Robert, Jim Hite, Josh Friesner, Pauline Ety, Walter Gabriel and Sonny Dupler were present.  They discussed planning for the Fire Department.  They discussed the upcoming vote on the 3-mill levy.  There was a misunderstanding about the amount of cash available in the Fire Fund.  Aaron straightened that out. 

 

Report from the Finance Committee:  On Laura’s request, Aaron said the Finance Committee met Monday, August 14 @ 7:30 pm.  Aaron, Laura, Steve and Warren were present.  They discussed the current financial situation of the Fire Department and made instructions to present Ordinances 2006-17 and 2006-18 to Council tonight.

 

Report from the Rules Committee:  Didn’t meet. 

 

Report from the Regional Planning Representative:  Robert said nothing that concerned the Village, but Bremen made a presentation on their downtown revitalization project.

 

Old Business –  Ed mentioned the nuisance letter that was sent to the Walnut Creek Sewer District.  He said the letter stated the grass needed to be cut to 3”, but it should actually be 6”.

 

Mary asked Council about the $575 overage charge from the furnace installation, on Whitey’s bill.  Will we pay?  If not, why?  Ed said it was a question of who authorized the completion of that option.  Ed wants to know who authorized it.  Ed said we voted on the base amount, not the museum option.  Mary said she would call Whitey and find out who authorized it.

 

Mary said she went to the Walnut Creek Sewer District meeting to get information for the insurance company regarding the contract.  Lowell Hite told her that he met with Farmer’s Home and he said that they did not want the contract to go for 99 years.  He said they proposed a 5-year contract.  Mary opposed that idea.  She does not want to put playground equipment in and risk losing the land after 5 years.  Mary said she called Farmer’s Home herself regarding the situation.  They told her they have no record of speaking with Lowell Hite about the situation.  Mary said it’s okay – it’s just water under the bridge.

 

Mary would like to go with Plan B – to repair the current playground equipment that is around the municipal building.

 

Aaron asked if Council wanted to continue spraying for mosquitoes.  Robert made a motion to spray 2 more times.  Laura second.  All yea.

 

New Business –  Robert said he hopes the community yard/garage sale is a success and that everyone participates.

 

Steve made a motion to adjourn.  Laura second.  All yea.  The time is 8:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

_______________________________

Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk