On August 10, the Wykoff City Council met in regular session. All council members were in attendance (Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, Mary Tjepkes and Mary Sackett) as well as City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare. No visitors had signed up to address the council on non-agenda issues.
Wade Baker gave a report on the fire department. He stated that the department crew’s annual testing will be happening in September. He also informed the council, “Our tanker has a leak. We’ve already fixed it once… It seems to be a recurring thing…” He said the city will likely need to consider replacing the tanker, if the condition continues to worsen. Baker also stated that two persons have shown interest in joining the fire crew, but they do not yet meet the guidelines, since they just moved to town, and the bylaws require that someone be a resident of Wykoff for at least one year before joining the crew. Baker said that rule was put in place to avoid spending money on gear for a new firefighter and then having that person leave soon thereafter. He asked if there might be an exception made to allow these two individuals onto the crew sooner. No formal action was taken at this time, although some council members openness to considering this idea.
Regarding the Zoning Board, it was announced that Randy Mensink has submitted his resignation from the board. In describing the search for someone to fill the vacancy, Becky Schmidt stated, “I have been advertising, and I’ve gotten zero response… we’re two members short.”
Lyman Hare gave an update regarding the “Silver Street property.” He said his initial understanding was that the plan was to bring in modular homes, and he said there was apparently a misunderstanding about the size of the units, and how many could be placed on a lot.
Mary Sackett stated that the project has been approved, by the Zoning Commission, pending a letter from the city attorney. There was discussion about whether the council needed to take further action, but Schmidt said, “It’s been approved, pending the letter from Luhman.” She said she would attempt to follow up to obtain that letter on August 11.
Regarding the Jailhaus, Schmidt stated, “If we’re going to be open this winter, we really need some good windows in there.” She suggested replacing the windows now, and waiting until next year to put in a patio area. Therefore, she said she’ll table her request for the patio. The council voted to replace the Jailhaus windows as Schmidt proposed.
Schmidt said that, following a couple of speeding complaints from citizens of Wykoff, she spoke with Sheriff DeGeorge. Schmidt reported that DeGeorge indicated he will assure that his officers patrol Wykoff more frequently, to help address this, and other issues that may arise. There is currently an electronic speed-readout sign on Gold Street at the southern edge of Wykoff.
Mayor Williams brought up an issue, informing the council that a dumpster may be too close to a fire hydrant in the alley behind the liquor store. Wade Baker said that while it’s true that there is a regulation about how close items may be to a fire hydrant, he believes the intent of that regulation refers to non-movable items, such as if the dumpster were affixed to the ground. But he said, because the dumpster is on wheels, it can be easily and quickly moved aside if needed.
The council set the date for their annual “budget workshop.” It will be on September 16 at 7 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, September 14, at 7 p.m. The public, as always, is welcomed.
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