City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2024 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 Bruce Stabenow, Patricia Wessel, and Bob Chaffee. Also present were Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Sue Troxel, Brian Leslin, Gordon O’Brien, and 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 Chaffee seconded by Wessel to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Stabenow seconded by Chaffee to approve the minutes for the following meetings: January 9th Regular City Council meeting, January 17th & 31st City Improvement Committee meetings, and February 7th Joint meeting with Town of Bridge Creek, and Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Department. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Stacey Randall inquired about the amount of legal fees put forth on litigation for agricultural citations. APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Stabenow seconded by Wessel to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to approve the Police Department Annual Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to approve the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to approve the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to approve the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. Fire Department Report: none submitted. DISCUSS UPDATING/REPLACING LIGHTING INSIDE THE LIBRARY Deputy Clerk Wendy Kirchoff is currently working on a Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy grant. A grant that the library has been working on may not be equitable when comparing the effort to the amount of possible award. APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CITY IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO FILL VACANCIES Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to appoint Jake Smith and Mary “Tugger” Francel to the City Improvement committee to fill vacancies. Motion carried. UPDATE ON CITY IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE’S PARK IMPROVEMENT PLANNING The City Improvement Committee and Recreation Committee have been discussing improvements to the city parks, developing a park improvement plan, and applying for grants. The Senior & Community Center is also working on improvements and handicap accessible equipment at the Main Street Gym Playground by the Senior & Community Center. Senior Center Director Kasandra Thompson is working on a website and “Go-Fund-Me” page. The Committees currently have a commitment for funds to improve the basketball court and add a disc golf course at Millstone Park on N. Stone St. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT DIRECT PAYMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE PROCESSING ERROR Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to approve the Health Reimbursement Account Direct payment for employee health care services provided by Prevea that Health Reimbursement administrator Diversified Benefits has not paid due to a clerical processing error. The payment is not to exceed $223.41. Roll call vote: Ward 1, Absent; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, Absent. Motion carried. APPROVE LIQUOR AND BEER LICENSE APPLICATION FOR PROVISION PARTNERS COOPERATIVE, dba AUGUSTA CENEX COVENIENCE STORE Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to approve the Class “A” fermented malt beverage license and “Class A” Intoxicating Liquor license for ProVision Partners Cooperative, dba Augusta Cenex Convenience Store. Motion carried. APPROVE AGENT ON LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to approve the liquor license agent as follows: April Eisberner as agent for ProVision Partners Cooperative, dba Augusta Cenex Convenience Store APPROVE CIGARETTE LICENSE APPLICATIONS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to approve cigarette license application for ProVision Partners Cooperative, dba Augusta Cenex Convenience Store. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to approve the bartender license application for Mark Skinner, The Bearded Panther Bar. Motion carried. ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Joint City Improvement Committee and Recreation Committee meeting February 21st b. Regular City Council meeting– March 12th ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Stabenow to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk