On December 16, the Wykoff City Council met in regular session. Council members in attendance included Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, and Mary Tjepkes. City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare also attended. Mary Sackett was absent. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held via remote technology (Zoom meeting).
One item that generated significant discussion was the issue of accessibility at Wykoff’s Community Center. As has been discussed at previous council meetings, there is a long ramp that allows wheelchair access to the building, but some citizens have complained that this ramp requires a long walk to the side door on the southeast corner of the building. During the November election, Becky Schmidt heard a number of elderly citizens asking for a shorter ramp to the front door.
Schmidt stated, “I spoke with WHKS about our access because we had so many complaints during the election, about our handicapped access being too far away from the main doors. They will not let us put a slope there or fill that cement in. However, they will let us put one step in there, but it would be at the cost of the city.” She suggested that if the city chooses to do this, it perhaps could wait until the spring. Schmidt added, “But I really do think we need a better access to the community center.”
Schmidt explained that a shorter ramp is not possible, since there isn’t room to build a ramp that would be compliant with ADA rules about ramp incline. There had been discussion about putting in a “concrete loading zone” on the boulevard, but the county has not agreed to this idea. The boulevard area is technically under the authority of the county, as part of the roadway through town. Gleason asked if some type of appeal process is available, but Schmidt was not aware of such. After discussion, the council agreed to invite county personnel to come to an upcoming council meeting, so the city and county can find a solution that will be agreeable to all.
Mike Sogla, owner of Main Street Properties, was in attendance via remote technology, as the council discussed the matter of water billing for Main Street Properties. Schmidt explained that for a long time, the water meter servicing these properties did not have the correct equipment, which has led to incorrect usage readings, and therefore, incorrect billing. When she found out about the problem, and attempted to correct the billing issue, the software program made the changes retroactively, which resulted in a water billing around $7,500. She said after fixing that glitch, it still appears there is roughly $3,000 to $5,000 in unpaid water usage fees caused by the error.
Schmidt asked the council to decide how best to address the issue. Gleason and Mayor Williams voiced their opinion that, since the issue was due to an error by the city, it would be best to forgive any old debt caused by the error, and “start fresh.” The council voted in agreement with this plan.
Regarding unpaid charges due to the city, Schmidt stated, “Certifying unpaid charges… we ran our final report. We have one person in town who hasn’t paid their water bill since April or May. We’re not allowed to shut water off because of COVID, per the state attorney’s guidelines. However, that does not stop us from certifying it onto their taxes.” The council voted in favor of this plan, in the amount of $759.77.
The council voted to formally approve the polling place for 2021. The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, January 11, at 7 p.m.
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