City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 7:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Lisa Fugett, Brian Leslin, Robert Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were, Gordon O’Brien, Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Leslie LaRose Pledge of Allegiance ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROPER POSTING A notice of the meeting and an agenda was posted at the three public places, and the local newspaper was notified. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve the minutes for the following meeting: August 12, 2025 City Council meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Patricia Wessel stated that she is strongly opposed to the City enacting a municipal vehicle registration fee (local wheel tax) APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Leslin to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department submitted the Minutes from the July 9, 2025 meeting. The Bylaws of the Joint Fire department were amended to increase the emergency powers (for things such as repairs, etc…) from $10,000 to $25,000. COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Improvement Plan Committee Meeting – 8/14/25 Members reviewed the capital needs list which included public works inventory. The list included a 5-year budget plan. Wendel Companies was on site to assess the city’s buildings on 9/5/25. They will report their findings at the next CIP meeting. Augusta Industrial Development Corp –9/9/25 The committee continued discussions on marketing strategies and increasing residential housing. MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTA SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MEMORIAL PARK AND PRIOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY. School Board members, Gordon O’Brien and Bill Perrotti addressed the council about the property commonly known as the Memorial Park which lies between Colfax St. and S. Spring St. It is the desire of the school to develop the property into residential house. The Board requests the council to revise the Quit Claim Deed in order develop the parcels. The City transferred ownership of the Memorial Park to the Augusta School District in June 2023. As a condition of the transfer, the City retains a reversionary interest in the property if the School District no longer needs the property. The School Board members would like to discuss developing lots on Colfax St for residential housing. This topic will be addressed at the September 17th Special City Council meeting. APPROVE AUTHORIZATION FOR CITY CLERK-TREASURER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE FUTURE SPRING STREET LIFT STATION SITE CURRENTLY OWNED BY CHASTITY AND JONATHAN DRAKE Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to appoint City Clerk-Treasurer Cynthia Anderegg as authorized signer of all documents for the purchase of the future Spring Street Lift Station site currently owned by Chastity and Jonathan Drake. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE CDBG-PF GRANT - SPRING STREET LIFT STATION PROJECT WITH ANDERSON GRADIE CONSULTING Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to Table the items pertaining to the Administrative Services Agreement for the CDBG-PF Grant - Spring Street Lift Station Project for further information. Motion carried. The council will discuss these items at the September 17th Special City Council meeting DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AMENDING MOTION TO APPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE CDBG-PF GRANT - SPRING STREET LIFT STATION PROJECT WITH WEST CENTRAL REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Move order of items. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION #2025-0909 URBAN FORESTRY GRANT AND URBAN FORESTRY CATASTROPHIC STORM GRANT PROGRAMS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to approve the Authorizing Resolution #2025-0909 Urban Forestry Grant and Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant Programs. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER A MUNICIPAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE (LOCAL WHEEL TAX) The council will discuss this item at the September 17th Special City Council meeting. APPROVE ANNUAL GARBAGE HAULER’S PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025, TO JUNE 30, 2026 Motion by Chaffee seconded by Abley to approve the 2025 garbage hauler’s permit with Waste Management. Motion carried. The current contract will expire on June 30, 2027. Contract services began July 1, 2020. CONSIDER APPOINTING A MEMBER TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN COMMITTEE TO FILL THE VACANCY Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to Table until the September 17th Special City Council meeting. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS None ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – September 10th at 4:30 pm b. Augusta Industrial Development Corp – September 17th at 6:00 pm c. Special City Council Meeting - Budget – September 17th at 6:30 pm d. City Council Meeting – October 14th at 7:00 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk