Photo by Rich Wicks
The Wykoff City Council met in regular session on January 11. Council members in attendance included Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, and new member Ryan Breckenridge. New council member Barbara Fate was absent. City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare also attended.
Lynn Kidd addressed the council, saying, “I’m here to protest the sign downtown, it says business district, two-hour parking.” He pointed out that since it says “business district,” it must also apply to the side streets. He shared his opinion that some businesses (such as the hair salon) may often have customers who stay beyond two hours. He said he’d like the signs taken down, since he feels the rule isn’t fair to all, and will not be enforced.
Council member Rich Gleason responded, saying, in part, “It was basically to help the customers at the bar, customers at the gift shop, so it’s two-hour parking.” He added, “It was put up with good intent, I don’t think we should change it.”
Becky Schmidt stated that the city has no intention of requesting that sheriff’s department officers strictly enforce the rule. She added, “The one thing it has done is, the people who have the apartments upstairs are no longer parking on the street. They’re in the parking spots that have been provided by their landlord… But it has done what it was meant to do.” No action was taken.
Lyman Hare brought up a request regarding the Zoning Committee. He explained that when a citizen submits a permit request, two members of the Zoning Committee must go out to view the applicable property. He asked the council to consider approving a $5 stipend for each of the two who go out, each time. After discussion, the council agreed this would not represent a significant cost to the city, and the council voted to approve this request. The council also approved new members on the Zoning Committee, Mary Sackett and Philip Grabau.
The council considered a request from John Baker, to remove a tree from the southwest corner of the community center pavilion. Mayor Williams said a large crack in the tree is clearly visible, and he said the tree must come down. The request was approved, and the council agreed that Baker can contact an appropriate professional for the job as needed.
The council discussed the annual list of yearly appointments. Barbara Fate was added to the Personnel Committee and Park/Rec Committee. Breckenridge will serve on the Sewer & Water Committee, and wil serve as the council’s representative to the Zoning Commission. Gleason was approved as mayor pro tem, and Emergency Management director. The bulk of the appointments stayed “as is” from last year, including Dwight Luhmann as city attorney.
The council reviewed the city’s Code of Conduct, and approved the new Computer Use Policy. Schmidt said she’ll ask all city staff to sign, acknowledging receipt of the policy. The council also considered the Administration Fees, and approved the list with no changes from the previous year.
Regarding the ice rink, Schmidt informed the council that the city attorney suggested the city should have a formal agreement with Wykoff Commons, including liability insurance information, since the area of the ice rink includes property owned by the city, and property belonging to Wykoff Commons. She said Luhmann is working on drafting such an agreement.
The council heard a report that the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) recently experienced a “power bump” which resulted in some repairs needed. Schmidt pointed out that the City has insurance, but because there is a $1,000 deductible, this repair will be entirely paid by the city.
Becky Schmidt was approved to become a first responder for the city. A planned discussion about the “ballfield housing development” was tabled until next month.
The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, February 8, at 7 p.m.
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