City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2025 7:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Patricia Wessel, Bob Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Gordon O’Brien and Leslie LaRose. Vacant: Ward 2. Pledge of Allegiance ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROPER POSTING A notice of the meeting and an agenda were posted at the three public places, and the local newspaper was notified. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to approve the minutes for the January 14, 2025 City Council Meeting, the Personnel Committee and Finance Committee meetings on January 14, 2025, and the Personnel Committee meeting on February 6, 2025. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Wessel seconded by Troxel to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Wessel seconded by Leslin to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. There were no Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Department Minutes available for review at this meeting. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER REQUEST FROM THALER OIL FOR A POTENTIAL LIQUID PROPANE STORAGE AND RELAY STATION IN THE CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK Fire Inspector, Dave Rosman discussed concerns and potential risks in constructing a liquid propane storage and relay station in the city industrial park. Some of the issues he mentioned if there were to be a catastrophic event with liquid propane are: the fire department does not currently have adequate equipment for such an event, they would need special training, evacuation requirements would be a one mile radius, where would people be evacuated to, it would be too close the fire station, and would there be concerns from the railroad. Motion by Wessel seconded by Leslin to deny the request by Thaler Oil to construct a liquid propane storage and relay station in the City industrial park. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FORMING THE AUGUSTA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN COMMITTEE A Municipal Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a long-term planning document that helps municipalities prioritize and manage their capital projects, such as infrastructure, buildings, and other large-scale physical assets. The purpose of a CIP is to ensure that the community's growth and development are well-supported by adequate and sustainable public infrastructure. The committee will be made up of 2 Council members and 5 citizen members. The following nominations are: Council members: Robert Chaffee and Brian Leslin; Citizen members: Sheena Bruder, Katie Warner, Pam Baader, Mary Francel, and Corey Bauch. Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to accept the nominations and appoint the members contingent upon acceptance. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE SPRING STREET LIFT STATION PROJECT The Clean Water Fund loan application with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was not accepted for the Spring Street Lift Station Project. Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to investigate other financing sources such as the State Trust Fund and local banks for short term loan with the option to refinance with the DNR Clean Water Loan for the Spring Street Lift station. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER PERSONNEL COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO EMPLOYEE CDL TUITION POLICY AND CDL EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE AGREEMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to refer to Personnel Committee for further review. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FINANCE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO REVISING THE CITY’S FEE SCHEDULE FOR CITY LICENSES, PERMITS, AND FEES Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to Table. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS None ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Augusta Industrial Development Corp. – Wednesday, February 12th at 6:00 pm b. Augusta Bridge Creek Joint Fire Dept – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 5:00 pm c. Library Board meeting – Monday, February 17, 2025 at 5:30 pm d. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committee – February 19, 2025 at 5:30 pm e. Strategic Plan Committee – Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm f. Monthly City Council meeting - Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm g. Augusta Senior Center Advisory Board Quarterly meeting – April 29, 2025 at 10:30 am ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk-Treasurer