City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 7:00 P.M. Council President Sue Troxel called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were council members Mayor Jason TePaske (via Phone), Sue Troxel, Patricia Wessel, Bob Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were Scott Williamson, Leslie LaRose, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Gordon O’Brien and Kasandra Thompson. 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 Wessel to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wessel seconded by Leslin to approve the minutes for the December 10, 2024 City Council Meeting and the Personnel Committee meeting on January 6, 2025. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Wessel seconded by Leslin to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin 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 Leslin to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The following Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department Minutes were available for review: November and December 2024. Fire Chief Ken Zich retired as chief after 31 years of service to the Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Department. The new Fire Chief is Wayne Williamson. DISCUSS THE SEWER SLUDGE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requests that the City Wastewater Department create a 5-year plan for managing wastewater sludge. Sludge is the byproduct of the wastewater treatment plant that is stored until the sludge is applied to land and incorporated in various ways. Public Works Superintendent, Scott Williamson informed the Council of the preventative maintenance plan that is in place per DNR requirements. CONSIDER APPOINTING WARD #2 ALDERPERSON TO FILL VACANCY Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to Table discussions on filling the vacancy and rely on the election process at the Spring Election in April. Motion carried. No candidate nomination papers were filed by January 7, 2025, in order for a name to be placed on the Spring Election ballot (4/1/2025) for the Ward 2 Alderperson position. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER PERSONNEL COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO EMPLOYEE CDL TUITION POLICY AND CDL EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE AGREEMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to Table until the February 11, 2025 City Council meeting. 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 Leslin seconded by Chaffee to Table until the February 11, 2025, City Council meeting. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CITY OWNED BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to form a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Committee for long-term solutions for city buildings. Advertise on the city’s Facebook page and website to contact City Hall for anyone interested in being nominated to the CIP Committee. Appointments will be made at the February 11, 2025, City Council meeting. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS None ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Library Board meeting – Monday, January 20, 2025 at 5:30 pm b. Augusta Senior Center Advisory Board meeting – January 28, 2025 at 10:30 am c. Monthly City Council meeting - Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm d. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committee – February 19, 2025 at 5:30 pm e. Strategic Plan Committee – February 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm f. Personnel Committee – February 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm g. Personnel Committee – February 11, 2025 at 6:15 pm h. Finance Committee - February 11, 2025 at 6:30 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk-Treasurer