The Wykoff City Council held a regular meeting on September 9. All council members were in attendance (Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, City Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett and Mary Tjepkes). Kingsland School Board Chair Jackie Horsman addressed the council, stating, “As you probably heard, Kingsland is putting up an operating referendum in November, and I just wanted to give you some factual information.” She handed each council member a “Fact Sheet” about the referendum, and added, “Operating levies are strictly for learning, they’re not for buildings… We’re asking for $400,000 over the course of 10 years.” She explained that based on the most current home values available, the referendum would cost the average Wykoff homeowner about $10 per month. She explained that state funding does not include an inflationary adjustment, so the previous levy has left Kingsland as the lowest per-pupil funded school district in the area.
Rick Whitney (Peopleservices) updated the council on operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said smoke testing (to find leaks) could be done at a total cost of $1,400 for the entire town, or $100 per hour (plus materials) if the city prefers to only smoke test certain previously-known problem areas. The most recent overall smoke testing was done in 2011, so it’s very possible new leaks have developed since then. Whitney and Mayor Williams voiced an agreement that it makes more sense to test the entire town, and the council voted in favor of that. The council also formally approved a 1.8% increase in the service fee paid to Peopleservices.
Fire Chief Wade Baker addressed the council regarding equipment needs. He stated that the department’s hydraulic “Jaws of Life” tool is in need of a $1,500 repair. He also talked about the advantages of buying a new battery-powered Jaws of Life tool. The new units have much greater cutting power, and the battery life is enough to cut two cars apart. He said the only disadvantage is that a battery-powered tool would not be usable underwater, so most fire departments that upgrade also keep their old hydraulic tool as a back-up. The council voted to approve the $1,500 repair. The council also approved a liquor license for the fire department, as part of the Fall Fest Dance.
Baker also said the department’s washer should be replaced, as it is continuing to have breakdowns, and it takes a long time to get a large number of garments washed. Because the recommendation is for the crew’s garments to be washed after every use, Baker said a new and larger washer would be ideal. He said the total cost is around $5,000, but there may be 50/50 grants available, which would cut the city’s cost in half. The council asked him to look into this, and report back to the council.
Joe O’Connell spoke with the council about his price quote for requested improvements in the drainage in an area around Bartlett and North Silver Streets. His proposal includes installation of catch basins and cement work, as well as roughly 200 feet of drainage pipe. The council took no immediate action, but will see if the improvements can fit into the city’s budget during upcoming budgetary meetings. The council also discussed putting a barrier around the hydrant at the end of Fourth Street. Mayor Williams said, “That hydrant gets snow on it so bad every year, that after a snowstorm, you don’t even know where it is.” He suggested a temporary barrier for use only during the winter months. The council voted to approve this.
The council set a preliminary budget meeting for September 18 at 7 p.m., and a second budget meeting (with Mike Bubany) for September 25 at 7 p.m. Mayor Williams stated that the recent Clean Up Day went well, adding, “It was a lot of stuff…That’s good, that’s what it was for.” The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m.
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