Council - Regular Meeting

I remember this time. I wish it was that easy.

My daughter when she writes with a pen, she always has like ink everywhere. She prefers pencils. The right way. Yeah, the right way.

Good lord. Every Yeah, this one different.

Oh, that I didn't understand what you're saying.

That's All right. Call the meeting to order. Take a roll, please.

Morgan Johnson, first board, here. Lucas Stanbury, second board, present. John Lee, third board, here. Derl Wes for board here. We have a quorum. Mr. Mayor, thanks. Stand with your invocation and pledge of allegiance. If you bow your heads as you be with us tonight, help us make decisions that's best for the city and be able to communicate well. Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. So, looks like I know we have Casey.

Thanks. All right. Before we do the consent agenda, Joanna is going to explain um a little bit about why some of these guys are I'm getting the salaries there are just where you guys know.

So the only ones that are really differ very much are the mowers and that's because they start at 12 or is it 12 or 1250? I think it might be 1250 now. But every year they come back they get an automatic um 50 cents. So that's why some of them who've been here a while are at 1450. If you work at cemetery it's more it's just a set $15 an hour. It's harder to get people to work out there because of all the weed eating. And then um part-time police officers are just $20 for any part-time police officer. That's it. I think

good. Okay. All right. Can I have a motion to accept the agenda? Mr. Mayor, I move that we accept the agenda as presented. I'll second. Okay. All in favor? I I Okay, oppos. Okay. Public forum. Oh, consent. My bad. Motion do the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda as presented. Second. All in favor? I oppose.

Motion pass. All right. So, I have public forum. Jamie Whitney and Casey Brown. We were here today to discuss with you transportation. I brought up real quick what we do in the community and in the county. So, we have provided general public transportation services for uh 30 plus years here in Crawford County. Crawford's our largest county that we serve. In that middle section, you'll see a breakdown of the services uh by the communities that we serve. Gerard has had a very steady uh 5% of the total population that goes through our general public routes of which there are three. Um we are looking for some partnerships and communication uh how we keep them running in the future. Right now, we've managed to work some magic with some other partners and internally to be able to get us uh functioning and funded through the end of June for our uh Crawford County route, which serves our rural areas of the county. Um we're looking ahead from July 1 to June 30 of this upcoming year for our fiscal year to be able to guarantee that we can keep that on the road. Um, Gerard Medical Center has been a good partner for us for I'm not even certain how long at this point,

um, at least 15 years. And we're actively working with them, too. But part of the conversation with our other partners in the county was to make sure that we had conversations and communication with all of the municipalities we serve as well. Um, a route generally costs about $40,000 for the entire year in local match to operate. Um 5% of that would be about $2,000 for a year. And you can see I did not give you the wrership. We did pull up some totals. So out of the full wrership for the 2024 2025 year, and our year runs July to June, there were a little over 2100 rides that originated or ended or both here in Gerard. Um, and then so far from July 1 to the end of December, there were 618 rides that had occurred that either began or ended here in Gerard. Um, about roughly a third of those were connected to our Gerard Medical Center or to us as CCAP. So, we just wanted to uh get you guys a prize to what we're doing and how we're doing it and would gladly invite you to some conversations of how we can work together to make sure this is something here for our community members to access in the future.

This is something that we haven't done for quite the time that I've been in and out CCAP. I've worked for them over 20 years. Um I was gone 10 years before that. um in the capacity of we providing um general public transportation and and KAT approved transportation, we have never approached municipalities before and this has always been something that we have either taken care of um through other means that we've had or through other resources such as county funding. Um the problem with that is is that everybody's been cut every year including us. Um, we used to bring in our primary funding that we used to use um for this service was the community service block grant which we' build into the budget. That brings almost a million dollars down to over $200,000 in one year. So, um, that cut alone already told us that we couldn't sustain everything that we were building into that budget. We primarily use that one for the administration of our operations here. So with that said, um it's something that we felt it was only fair to bring to the municipalities as well as to the county governments as well as p private providers and vendors. Um since not only does general public move people from one location to the other, it also brings in money into that community. Every one of those people that we provide transportation routes and I can speak for the ones who were talking here are either going to the courthouse to spend money. They're going to the local stores or to pay their bills that they that they themselves cannot do without that ride. Also, we take them into uh Pittsburgh and I know Pittsburgh is not Gerard, but they still spend money and provide for the economic development of so regardless with all the money that we do asked to spend for the operation of that system, we also bring in a lot more money in the economy as well. So, all the operations, maintenance, gas, oil, whatever it may

take to operate that facility um is all done locally. It's not done outside of here. So, um, we also benefit the business community as a whole. So, um, we're approaching you right along with the the small communities that have, um, any size population that we transport to. We track all that information and we're going to be asking, um, them for support as well. Um, we provide this information and bring reports to you at least twice a year so you can see where your money's going. Um, about the number of riders, no reason to keep that experience. So we're very we're very old question. I just looking at the writership right now 82.6% 2025 year to date is Pittsburgh.

Yes. And 5.1 only 5.1 is drawing. Yes. Yeah. And that's the col if you're looking at is that what you were talking about where you pick up and drop off. Yes. So that that number I rattled off for Thank you. Um so the 5.1% that's tied to Gerard. So that's they're tied. So that are right either originated in Gerard or ended in Gerard. Okay. Just wanted to clarify that. Yep. We would love to hear from you guys in the future if you've got any questions because we would love to keep this on the road. Believe that there's a lot of folks that make a lot of use of it.

So, can you guys I know you kind of highlight a little bit, but what's changed where you're doing this approach? I mean, is it just the cuts or is it just I guess where the funding what was the funding before that you were always pretty much able to do it

to operate general public in general? 70% of the funding for the entire project comes from federal and state funding. The other 30% has to come from local match and that can be from whatever source. It doesn't have to be municipal government only. Doesn't have to be county government only. It could also be for private vendors. before in the past with the the amount was a lot lower like I told you earlier and we had grants that we could build that into those monies were removed over the years and then of course we went into the pandemic years and ARPA money came down and all that extra funding that came on and the state covered that and the federal government found it all and then it was all cut. So then we were left hanging with what are we going to do with the funding? What reserves we were allowed to build up in that time? Those also were sucked dry within a matter of a year and a half to two years. So we watched about seven $800,000 go away to operate that this program throughout the six counties that we have it. So now we're dependent upon the fact that the 30% local match which I mentioned needs to come from the local whoever. It doesn't like I said it doesn't matter if it's the municipal governments or it's a private vendor. We are looking at alternate alternative ways. I don't want to go into too too heavy in the weeds, but we are looking at alternative ways to fund the program through u non-emergency medical transportation. We've made application for that and that's pending. We're looking at other ways to do that which would help us in the transport out to the medical center but other ones it does not. Um and then we're also looking at trying to sell

reimagining some advertising to literally buses. So that's become quite a quite a venture in itself too and we've learned a lot through that process. So, um, that's kind of where we're at with that. How many drivers do you have right now? Well, when we're in operation, we're right at around 15. Um, but now we've suspended some routes throughout the the six counties that we've had. So, I think we're down to four, four or five, something like that. I think we're at seven. We got the two packs, the gusts, and yeah,

I thought we laid off a couple more since they But anyway, it doesn't matter. five to seven and there those are spread out uh throughout the four counties that we're serving right now. So because the other counties we had to suspend. The biggest one is Crawford County. Um like uh Casey alluded to, we're looking at five buses and that's not counting the transportation we provide for PSU and PSU pays for theirs. So that's a kind of a separate program we operate that different than a little everybody else's. But with the the rest of them, three of them predominantly are general public that stick primar two of them in Pittsburgh area, but they do go throughout the county and one is primarily out county. And then there's the two back buses that operate

um all just primarily in Pittsburgh. So those do a circular route. If I needed a ride, how long would it take to get a ride?

So you got you can call seven up to seven days in advance of whatever appointment to schedule it. And the only way we turn you away is capacity. We ask $1 donations per ride, but we do not turn anyone away for an inability to pay. The only reason we will say no is we've already got a full bus. But again, we just wanted to provide you with the information. I knew that this is a brand new process for you guys and the consideration to make. Um, we will however be knocking on your door later on and giving you more information about that and having a discussion about it. But again, this is our new effort. This is something we've been doing for the a little over a year now.

Um, primarily hitting the counties up and then now we're going to municipalities. So, it's been fruitful in some counties and some others a little more resistant and that's fine. Again, we're not trying to tell you you have to to do that. Obviously, it's a it's a chosen service for your community and um we do we've made a huge caution to like uh Pittsburgh, for instance. Without those services, it we get thousands of rides that we turn down every year. So, that could mean a lot in revenue for the community that it holds. And we we don't hold that over anybody's head, but we know we do want to tell you about the implications of doing that. And that is something we're going to be rec uh including on our reports is the turndown uh rate that we have because I was astounded by the numbers that we uh ended up producing with that. So because that means a lot for the economy in general. So

have you hit up Pittsburgh yet? Pardon? Have you went and talked to Pittsburgh yet? Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Pittsburgh is funding one full pack route. Say if you look on the second page there. So, they had committed for the current year $30,000 towards a packed route and they actually gave an increase of $10,000 which secures one of the two pack routes that's currently operating there. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you guys. Thank you much. Appreciate All right. So, regular business item A, executive section for contractual to discuss website rebuild proposal negotiations. Mr. Mayor, make a motion going into executive session for contractual to discuss website rebuild proposal negotiations. recommend 20 minute executive sessions to include mayor, council, city attorney, city administrator, city clerk, and Matthew Brookshire on call.

Second. Okay. All in favor? I opposed. Much pass. Okay.

Or are you just So the only way it I'm guessing 400 400 400 I got you guys. No matter where you think it's a priority.

the contract.

He's okay with it. Scientist paper. development as a USDA.

No, he'll push that sign that contract say part but cont.

So they've given us approved So if I build

I was going to call Sandy and ask But I was I understand my world. Oh yeah. 10 10 15 cats.

So it's like

I'll probably call you Usually we have our team on Tuesday and Friday. So no team. She should be available tomorrow.

Eric's taking a lot of

the balls on the on the GIS. You got everything from the state of snow. We just need to sit down with you guys and say, "Well, I miss that

meeting." I'm almost done with it. I just had a couple more hours. Sometimes you do things. So I just want to check my number one. KW

have a contract out 100,000

I mean the well remember how much we estimated anything over00 in the basement probably Well, I'm not

So, like I said, used to be 250,000, but I got sold this year,000. is going to be address. Hey, like those pictures. Why don't you just move your

Oh, you were there first. I just said

just like last Right It's too Nowhere Facebook run from the city. I don't know.

I think Jesse might make it up when he's in the car.

I actually work for the park. had the ranger wire. So you got a kid out of college. So there no two lights. They stopped that the day got him a new vehicle. He was installing his last drone.

I was driving down the road from point A to point B. Caught on fire because of the wiring. I pull up the floor.

Yeah, they finally decided last year. He's going first. And now they're going to come in the morning. in

Homestead.

Hey, what's up Yeah, they're all project. Every time we put a new line, we're fixing three leaks on the existing line down the road increased water pressure so much. So, almost You got the house.

I was just attack. I know we don't know what Yeah. Start call. What was starting by Holly by December will be out your name everywhere. It's not

all this thing. Find this girl. We'll get started. I didn't No, maybe we want to watch.

Step it up a little more. I was going to I don't have a working

someone took a You deserve it. No, we shouldn't. Anyway, it's okay. That's why

that's what she has because she's

good. Okay. So I want to make a Mr. Mayor, I move we go into executive session for contractual discuss website rebuild proposal negotiations to session to include the mayor, council, city attorney, city administrator, city clerk, and Matthew Brookshire on call. Okay. All in favor? Oh, sorry. Go ahead. I always forget about that. Okay. All in favor? Opposed? Okay. much.

Maybe maybe

So you you were done with that. Okay, you're good.

All right, we're good. All right, call the meeting back to order. All right, so now we're on item B, Midwest Engineering Update. Couple things that we need to get project kind of keep it on moving forward in a progress um manner for the waterline is we need the contracts executed signed. Um and then when we do that the contractor will be allowed he'll have an executed contract agreement and the contractor will be allowed to start getting submittals and ordering materials. So it's kind of a key thing. We are seeing about I don't know six seven week delivery time on pipe right now and we got a lot of pipe that needs to be coming and delivered. So that that's the main thing on the water line. I did see from the uh attorney who's working on the easements they did work Johanna started to get some of the easements in. So working through that getting the easements together start getting them out signed. So those are the two main things on the water line. KWA grant uh grant the stainless steel side. All the construction trapped up. Um inspections have been done. Final acceptance from the engineer has been delivered to Jackie and Johanna. I was waiting on one more lean release from the contractor. I thought I would have it today. They did not give it. So we'll have to wait until next two weeks till you guys meet again. get all the lean releases and then once he um provides all lean re lean releases you guys can release release the 2% t retainage on that project and it'll be closed out.

Um we are working with Jackie on amending the KOA grant to fit what needs to be done at the water treatment plant for the rest of the funds that's left on that end. So hopefully within 30 days we'll have um a letter from KWO saying that we can amend the grant uh money and use it for um some improvements in the water treatment plant. Plus we got the interconnect and possibly the booster pump. I remember if you guys decided on a booster pump or not. Just an interconnect with 11. Yeah.

And so we'll have to working through some things on that. The main thing is we just need to get the letter from KWO saying they're okay with the changes in the project and that we can shift the money to um to some more improvements on the water treatment plant since you guys are going to have an excess of funds left there. So uh they it sounded like KWO was fine with it. They just wanted a documented scope change and I think Ben already did that.

Yeah, Ben turned that in. Yeah. on Friday. But I mean, we still have to wait for the letter saying that they are officially okay with it. You do not do anything moving ahead unless it is documented with the funding agency because somebody will tell you one thing and somebody will come along and tell you another thing. So, till we get a letter saying that they're okay with that, we're going to, you know, and Ben and I will push that through. Um, other than that, that's kind of where we're at on it. One more question. Uh-huh. I know we discussed some changes on waterline sizes and especially north end of town. That's all been taken care of. Well, we met with Jackie and Eric twice now. I should be finishing up that estimate tomorrow. Okay.

I tried to get it done tonight. I'll be honest. I was on vacation for part of last week and I did not get it done. So, um, and we met with Eric last week and I told him that I was going to try, but I'd be on vacation. So, I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow. Um, I just know we had discussed it several weeks ago. Yeah. Heard anything about?

Nope. We've had two meetings. So, next time you guys meet for session, you'll have an estimate and then we'll put a map showing you all the areas that we want to do the upgrades. And there's a couple areas. We're going to give you guys some options. Um because you could go this way or you could go that way. So then you guys can figure out how you want to use the money and then go from there. But um the main thing is the agreement. Um we need that. So, can you tell us the status or like what's Oh, yeah. He emailed it to you today. I forgot. Okay. The sign KW No. What did you The signed USDA form? No.

Okay. I mean, we're kind of we've already awarded the bid, so technically I don't know if you can push changes through the contract at this point. There's some I guess we'll work through those then. But contractor cannot order any materials until that contract is executed. So um

and Dan said as far as USDA side we can issue the notice to proceed once that gets done. So what's the time frame before you get started? Originally we're waiting on the contract execution in the USDA form. How long did that take? That's Steve's side. But then after that then how long it take like the seven eight weeks to order the stuff? No, no, no. We we I mean he's going to start getting me materials. He's going to start getting me some middle this week. Okay. But they cannot order anything unless they have an executed contract.

I mean, they're they're they're taking on the liability of ordering it with no signed contract. So, no contractor in their right mind's going to start ordering things until the contract gets signed. So, if that whenever that gets done, hopefully what's the time? A couple months then before you start.

No, I mean, they they've still got the April 1st target date is what we're still targeting for unless I hear something from them. when we come back in two weeks with the changes to the the project, I'll get an update from the contract and see if we're still looking at the August 1 target date. I mean, as soon as we get the submitt, which I'll have to run through, Jackie, but I mean, it don't take but two or three days for me to go through. Um, do you think it would be useful for council to go ahead and make a motion that um, Nick can execute that contract as soon as we have the signs form in case you already made a motion to

it's just a matter of the sign document that's required by the attorney says that he has reviewed the performance which was provided You can't date the form performance and payment bond. You have to date them in a certain order. So I usually wait for the attorney to review it. They sign the form. They say, "Yeah, the performance and payments bonds are correct. Everything looks good." Then um I date the agreement, date the bonds, and then when you're gone. But I can't do that until the attorney looks at them because I don't know what date. I can't date them too soon. I can't date them afterwards. I make sure I understand sure I understand I got between 20 and I got between 20 and there's an issue. So I converted it from there's an issue. So I converted it from PDF to word PDF to word and I labored through this thing. I make and I labored through this thing. 30 hours. It's not just a performance, it's agreement. I've done my research. So Dan Fisher is the USDA authority in Kansas and he says, "Yes, we're certifying the entire package." So I think those issues that I see with those contracts, inconsistencies, undefined terms, missing parts of the agreement,

omissions in the agreement. It appears it was kind of certain places. So I think for the city that's So when they send that back to you, do they send so they either agree to do it or they fix it and how long does that like what's the time frame? I will look at it tomorrow. I did not catch the email before I left. That's fine. But so what's the time frame like? Like theoretically you would look I'll be honest. Theoretically this is usually a 10day 10day process of opening bids, awarding it. We usually have contracts signed, we move on. Okay.

Um the contract was not written by us. It is written by it's EJCDC standard documents which EJCDC is engineer joint council. Um so it's a typical standard document that's used on nationwide engineering projects. Um I deal with this contract every single project. Um I'll go through and I'll look at the emissions right off the top of my head. I mean, we get it from the engineering joint council as a package. There's not a whole lot that we change or modify to it. We just add in like project name,

you know, what liquidated damages would be, contract times, the bid bid form. So, I'll look through it, but it's it's standard language. It you guys have the right to change it. Um, but you know, it's vetted by engineer attorneys, multiple. They have a whole committee that that vets this whole document nationwide. So, we'll go through it. I'll see what the changes are. Um, if I have any questions, I'll get a hold of you guys, but I'd really like to get it all wrapped up within two weeks so we can get the contractor moving forward and then we still be able to start April 1. Theoretically.

Yeah, theoretically. I mean, we got to get order materials ordered and see what the order time is on them. The longer we keep on waiting, you know, the longer it takes. So, um, I'll try we'll move it as far as fast as we can on our end and get it to you guys and keep you guys in the loop. Um, but that's like I said, that's the first I've heard that there wants to be changes made to it. So, so Holly, I had a question. Sorry, I'm keep grilling you, but So, the contract we're talking about, who's who signed it? Was that what the contractor signed it? Yeah, they left the contract and had the contractor sign

there's lots of so it is a standard agreement however it can change it has been significant So the the the strikeouts that he's seeing on it is when you do a USDA rule development project, they have a USDA rule development bulletin that they put out every year. And it depends on when you sign your letter of conditions, what bulletin your project falls under. So your guys's fell under a bulletin that was like in 2022 because that's when you guys got your letters and conditions. And one of the requirements is USDA will go through the contract and they'll say you have to put this in. This is automatic language you have to put in. If you want to be funded by this project, you have to put this language in the contract. And if you they there's things that they modify and they want taken out of the contract and so it's stricken out in the contract that is mandated by USDA. If you want their funding, you have to play by the rules by that bulletin. So that's what he's seeing on the strikeouts or the addin. When you do the contract, we're not allowed just to take stuff out of the contract. If it's taken out, it has to be struck through so you can see what's struck through. If anything's added to the contract by the USDA bulletin, it the text has to be bold so you could see what was added to it. So yeah, there is a lot of strikeouts and added to, but that's not dictated by us as the engineer. That is a requirement of getting the funding from USDA, and you have to adhere to the bulletin. You cannot adhere to the bulletin and not receive their money. But if you want their money, you have to adhere to the bulletin. So, I will go through, I will check it, I will go with Dan Fiser. We'll move on from there. But I'll be honest, the contractor just signed the agreement at the pre-construction meeting. And we just held the pre-construction meeting. What? The beginning of January. Yeah. Just right after Christmas, we had the pre-construction meeting. So, the agreement, the contractor brings the agreement signed to the pre-construction

meeting with them and then we deliver it to you guys saying that, yeah, they've executed. Once you guys agree, they've executed all the parts, then the city signs it. And that's the part we're at right now. The contractor has signed all of his parts, the city now needs to agree and the city now needs to sign the agreement and then get it sent into rural development and then get everybody issued copies. So, for the funding, this is all funding. Y entire contract.

Okay.

Quite a bit. And then so his concern is contract wants to wait till this is done to order. Yeah. He can't I mean he he has no signed contract. So I mean if he orders any materials and you know ordering the pipes going to be at least 1.5 to $1.7 million. I mean I wouldn't want to be a contract and order $1.5 million worth of materials but not have an agreement signed with the city knowing that I was going to get reimbursed for it. So he has not ordered any materials because we have not given him any signed agreement at this point. Well then he get awarded the bid.

Uhhuh. They get awarded the bid for a certain amount and then we sign the contract and then we issue a notice proceed and that starts his contract times. We have not got an executed agreement between both parties and we have not issued the notice to proceed yet because you don't have a signed agreement between both parties yet. So that's that's where we're at. I'll look over it and I'll let you guys know. Okay. Any other questions for tonight? Thank you. Thank you very much. Do we need to do anything where we can just sign that off? It's between said no, right? Steve has to approve USDA form for saying he approves the bonds and the agreement,

right? Oh, yeah. I sense Right.

The loser pays all the attorneys for the other side. One of the other examples is they talked about purchase policy and it's just a mistake in the agreement. We got to follow our purchase policy. So just numerous things like that. There's lots of agreements where they don't fill in the blanks. It's sloppy. The bottom line is we need to get this thing going. Whatever we got to do, our purchase policy should match because we wrote our purchase policy based on federal grants.

What do we need to do to fix it? Okay. So then when they come back, what do we need to Hopefully

as a council. Is there anything we can do to make this year of a two-year deal? I know. Yeah. And then by August theoretically, right? Theoretically, it was Yeah, true. The one she's talking about.

All right. So, nothing. Okay. So, then then if they come back and before we meet again, I can just You can sign it. Yes. Okay. Make sure we're doing the right thing. Okay. And then they can order. Did they say I meant to ask her, but I think she was a little perturbed. So, what's the what's the actual timeline? I mean, I get that, but I don't understand. We're a city. We went through this whole process and she's acting like we're not going to pay or the contract is not going to get money. I don't I guess she thinks everything she sticks under pages of agreement fine print.

I remember it was about that.

It's thick and it's just taken a while to get through it and so it's it's a lot. I want to make sure protected so I did so but I wanted to make sure there's just I think what happened Oh yeah. So what happened was I think this engineer changes here because Johan, didn't we have extra money or

Yeah. And when coming out stop ordering some of the pipe now. Jackie can start doing the piece that on the well that he's doing, but as far as the distribution line, we won't be able to do anything with that until this agreement in the USDA form is finished. That's the bulk of the money is from that and that's the bulk of it. Yes. But the interconnect that's KW and that's kind of moving along still cuz we already have that money, right, Jackie? Because it was we already spent some of it but we but we have some we can still keep moving. We still have extra and that's for the interconnect. We had to do a change order because we're not doing the treatment plant. We're just doing a rehab of the current one we have. Yeah.

Um they accepted it and then they came back and said that was kind of a big change in the scope. So they wanted it in writing and I think I sent that Saturday. I think I came in and did that Saturday cuz I got it late Friday. So and then they had had KWO had it again by Monday. They seemed fine with it. I I'm not sure she was aware of that part. cuz she was acting like we had to rewrite the scope. We've already done that. Well, I'm like, Darl, if we can start moving on something, if we have money, we have money somewhere. We save some, so we can start still working. Jackie's been working on those pieces at the well. He's already spent some of it. USDA

and we've already spent some of that money at the well on pumps. We still don't have the US.

When I asked Dan on Friday, he told me it was done, but he seemed very confused about it. He had just got back from vacation, and he said it was done, and I'm like, "Oh, good." And he's like, "I think it's done." Yes, it's done. Oh, I better go back and check and make sure. But he never called me back and I know that's why I'm saying I'm not sure. Yeah. Yeah, cuz he said we could issue the notice to proceed as soon as we get the agreement signed. So, I will double check with him. Like I said, he had just got back from vacation and he thought it was all finished. Holly seems to think it isn't. So, I'll call Dan again. He didn't call

or actually Jackie, you need to call him anyways, don't you? So, do you want when you call him so we're not overwhelming him?

Okay. All right. The motion to call. We'll call him again. He's He's real easy to get along with. answers, but I I think he's also got a lot on his plate, right? All right. Anyone have anything else on that? Okay. All right. So, now we're on to item C. Discuss opening the golf course on February the 27th. Pending weather. It's supposed to be super super nice this weekend. Um, they opened for training day. I can't remember what day it was. And they brought in like $500. you guys fine with us opening Friday if it's really nice. Yes.

So I do have a question and this has always been I guess to me it's the new guys too. Maybe we can enlighten everybody. So the golf course technically is never closed and me right and me. So we're talking about clubhouse correct? Yes. Can we open the clubhouse on Friday? and also to the membership that entitles them members members only to use the golf course when weather permitting and we don't have it closed for some sort of safety and or um right want to tear up the grounds. Correct. Correct. So I guess we have two employees out there all year round on the golf course grounds.

Yeah. But I guess what I'm saying is um can we make it where maybe we don't have to, but is it something where we officially open the clubhouse, but then other than that if members go out there, it's just going to be a member only play. Correct. Yes, that's how it's always been. Yeah. So, this will be our official clubhouse open. Yes. So, it'll be our official clubhouse open. Everybody says golf. So, I should have written clubhouse on the agenda. No. And I'm not saying it was I just want to make sure because I know the that's a question we get sometimes, right?

That's why the chain came up a long time ago because it was more about when we didn't want the course to be tore up closing it, not so much to prevent people from playing on nice days. Correct. Okay. So, yes. Can we open the clubhouse on the Friday standard hours? You need a motion. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Mr. Mayor make a motion that we uh open the our golf course clubhouse on February 27th pending the weather. Second motion. Okay. All in favor? I. Yes.

Opposed. Okay. Motion passed. All right. Item D. approved January 2026 judges report showing total collected of $5,037 with a total to the city of $4,758.

Policec Mr. Mayor, a motion we approve the January 2026 budget report showing total collected of 5,000 $37 with a total to the city of $4,758. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Okay, motion passed. Thank you, Jesse.

All right. Okay, we're on item D. discuss the um brush pile. Do you want how we do you want to discuss it?

So So what I don't know how much you're aware of this um so I've had some people um come up and say something to me and I've always wondered and now I know why but why it was only open from 8 to 4, correct? Right. And then at night it can't be open because there's not enough light out there and there's no cameras. People were dumping illegally illegal stuff and um we could never catch them because license plates, make model, make the car or whatever truck or whatever. So, um, what I was thinking, I don't know if this is even possible, looking at maybe opening up one Saturday a month where people can dump stuff and not dump stuff, dump brush brush

and then brush only and then don't dump stuff out there brush pile. And then we're also when we if we decide to do this and put that out, we're also going to say other places in the county where they can go dump other stuff. They're not allowed to out there. Correct. Yeah. Because county you can once a month and our kids, right? Are we not is the brush not open at all on Saturday?

Saturday. Can you just have whatever officers on shift start doing it on Saturday or

so once a month or you going to do it every I don't know that was just I would because we got to have time if it burned down you know what I mean down right it's a safety issue so maybe one Saturday a month then because that would give them way more time to manage equip

which is also not supposed to be dumped out there. And you also said there's some other stuff right out there need to be cleaned up. Like there's some other stuff that you said to bring a bulldozer like there's a bunch of stuff didn't burn it and then fix it down. probably sorted it out and made a separate.

So after it gets cleaned up, start opening it one Saturday a month. Is that is that doable? That's the one he took to Iowa. Is that the one he took to Iowa? I know a bus that broke down a couple weeks ago.

It all happened at once. Yeah. Okay.

Okay. So, like the first day of the month. Do we need to wait and start this like in April? It gives you time to do that. I would say April probably because that just getting the equipment back will be I mean it just got tipped to the taken to the mechanic.

Has the gate helped with the dumping, Jesse? Has the gate helped with dumping? Are you getting less holes? More than likely people don't can't carry stuff and they don't want to carry stuff through a during the day too there'll be light on so I think cameras are there yeah there's not a light it's too dark so you can't see license plates that's why it's closed that's right somebody told me that are they going to have to rent back they know we would have to in the back.

We could, but I just knew a guy that had just do it. So, should we should we do should we do this? They probably wait till May because we don't know when we're going to get that back. Okay. All right. Sure. Okay. And if not, we can change it if it's if you think broke down. It's the way it is. It's out of control. All right. So, I guess somebody want to make a motion to open it up on the first Saturday

of April. First Saturday of the month for brush. What do you What's What do you think? Mr. Mayor, I move that we open the city brush pile on the first Saturday starting in April from 8:00 a.m. to 6 pm. Second. Okay. All in favor?

I oppose. And motion pass. All right. The next thing is item F. Discuss landscaping. landscaping around the square. So, what we're looking at doing, I've been trying to get bids or estimates for a month um is tearing all of that stuff out and then redoing it where there's less plants and everything is like only like you know just tall where it doesn't block views of the corners. It'll be low maintenance, drought tolerant. Um I'm meeting with the Americans landscaping some other tomorrow and then the other two This is these are in the garden. Let's look at estimates um by the midweek and then we're going to kind of go from there. I have no idea how much this will cost different phases, but we're going to look at tearing it all out and including we're going to do all the stuff around the city hall too.

Now I know Mr. Mayor whenever uh couple years ago I think there was a group of businesses that were talking I think Bailey Cares was part of that maybe next spoke with GN Bank. Okay. Did you have any discussion with them? Well, no, just that. No. See, like what I was thinking was you do either like per month or per year and have signs put up whatever corner we're supposed to take care of. I don't know what that sign.

Yeah. I was wondering I was just from what you were saying was this was this in parallel to that like that same angle or just Well, ideally it would all be together, but I think we need to start from scratch. I think the biggest complaint or concern now was visibility at the corners when you're trying to turn. I mean, if you're on a not an SUV or something, are they going to reuse the

I don't know. We talked about rehoming them up here. Some of them of some of them Those evergreen things will have and I don't know if you can't say those. I have no idea. Those are pretty. Those ones are pretty low to the ground, aren't they? Are you talking about the tall and trash? They're traffic obstructions.

No, I agree. They're traffic obstruction. What are they? Are they trans? I don't know. That's what I'm wondering because if they were, we could maybe put them up here. You know what I mean? Because we can move some up here to save money. We're going to And we may have um this we may um buy the stuff ourselves, kind of design it, and then have organizations that will come. I know. And put rocks. We don't have to pay irrigation either. We're still four years left on that.

Yeah. Yeah, that was Huh. No, we have a down we pay on a downtown debt. That's what it's for. I think it was probably part partial grant. So, yeah, there's still four years left on that. Never mind. So, I don't know if that's an opt I mean And if you put them on a cement, it probably I'm guessing it will cost a lot more than trying to put rock. And so we're trying to do something that's low maintenance and a lot of plants that's going to look nice. It's not overgrown in a big giant concrete.

Yeah. So hopefully I'll have stuff. Um, of course, like I said, we might have to do it in phases depending on cost because I have no idea how much stuff I cost. I do that myself when I do it. So we'll have three estimates and kind of go from there. You have anything else on that? All right. So, item G, executive session for now, I'd like to personnel discuss seasonal applicants. Just want to do 10 minutes. Fine. Yeah, I I think that's it shouldn't take. Okay. Mr. Mayor, I move to go into executive session for all the personnel to discuss seasonal applicants. 10-minute session to include mayor, council, city attorney, public works director.

Second. Okay. All in favor? I motion Yes.

How much time go back?

Do that a lot. He's in the bathroom. It's been a long to start doing bathroom breaks. Who's 12 seconds to go to the bathroom? Who's the president? I know. That's what I was thinking, too. Do we even know it's you or Daryl? Daryl. There he is.

All right, call the meeting back to order. So, we're on item H, consider personnel policy amendment.

Um, this isn't really changing the content of the personnel policy. It's the nepatism policy and it refers to um direct supervisors can't supervise their spouse but it also mentions in the policy immediate family member and immediate family members actually include significant others or partners that live together. So, just to clean that up, I took out married and it just says the immediate family member. Make a motion, right?

Uh yeah, since it's personnel policy, we usually have you guys Yeah, that's what I figured. Mr. Mayor, make motion that we change the personnel policy and make the amendments per Joanna's recommendation. Nice. I second. Okay. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Motion passed. Item I, executive session for non-elected personnel to discuss police chief pay. That had been removed. Oh, that been moved. Sorry, my bad.

Okay, I printed this out earlier today. All right, so now government body comments. Okay, Morgan. I would just like to thank all the city employees and first responders for all the hard work they do day in and day out for the city to run smoothly. And that's about it. Mr. Mayor

Lucas, Mr. Mayor, I want to echo Morgan uh thanking the employees, city personnel and the work they do day in day out. Also just wanted to remind uh citizens that water project is still moving and we're trying to do what we can with what we have available. It sounds like tonight we're making progress and I'll be excited when we start getting shovels in the ground and the work done. But then also to remind the citizens that a lot of the work being done is going to be disruptive. So, we're gonna have a lot of am I going to say this is it's going to be a mess, but we're going to do the best we can uh projectwise to to clean it up and keep it to put it back like it was. Uh, also, I know that the northeast of the country is getting hammered with a big winter storm. We're cold here, but I'm thinking spring, hoping the weather gets better, and that way we can start, as you can tell from our uh agendas. We've started to hire a lot more individuals for the part-time work. And this is a reminder that the activity center does have facilities available with the wait room. And I know that Johanna recently purchased a cable machine for that facility. So, right now it's mostly free weights. Well, it's all free weights, but that's 100%. But with the cable machine, we can make it accessible for hopefully more individuals.

And are you saying the machine's not there yet? No, it's not there yet. Okay. But you might want to mention Gerard Area Community Foundation because Yes. Like to thank the Gerard Area Community Foundation for uh that grant. So, that is something that we're looking forward to this hope. I mean, I'm sure it'll be in the spring. Correct. Johanna will have it probably in I would say. Yeah.

Yeah. We've been working with the school on that. Um and then again we're going to have the uh we have the skate park which is always well say as I say which is always fun but I meant say we have the skatepark which has facilities available and we also have I believe the restrooms there Jackie that we're going to have to service again at the skate park. So, that will be something that it's not ready yet, but that'll be spring, too. Correct. He can't hear you. Yeah, we'll be opening up. There's a few more cold days, but we're going to be opening them up soon.

Okay. Uh and again, like we've said multiple times, if you guys have if citizens have any questions, you can come talk to your council representative. Nick, Mr. Mayor, is very uh approachable. And that's all I have. Thank you. All right, John. Uh, it's getting warmer, so we're about ready to start having softball and baseball. And so, I just want to let everybody know that there's kids out there now playing around and I see people at the ballparks now. And so, just watch your speed and and watch out for kids. And that's that's about all I have right now. Okay, Darl.

Uh, thank the employees, uh, city council members also. We never get thanked either. So, and everyone in the city hall and I think Clifford and Jackie are doing good job as far as I can tell. So, that's good. And um that's about all I have. Just enjoy the good weather. We got the next couple of days. Have a good evening. All right. Okay. So, a little update on the roads. We are meeting with the I'm allowed to say this, right? County Commissioner. Yeah. Yeah. The county commissioner tomorrow to look at they're going to help us out a little bit. Um so Jackie, Johanna, and I and Eric

probably Eric G me within tomorrow. Kind of move this street our plant. They're coming up with a plan moving that forward. Like to thank Cliff and like department for changing the lights out in front of city hall back to white or yellow, whatever you want to call them. They're not colored anymore. I think that looks much better. Do you want to add something? Yeah. Um it's a question. Have you talked to Borne about the lights out at the golf course in the clubhouse? We haven't got to him yet, but we are going to get Okay, it needs done. Pardon? It needs done. Yes. And he has not forgot us. Okay. Sorry. All right. Okay. And then the meeting times next month are going to start at 5:30. Yep.

Right. That starts Yep. First of next meeting. Okay. So, does everybody be aware of that? They're 30 minutes later. Okay. Um, all right. I have a motion to adjurnn. Mr. Mayor, I motion we adjourn. Second. Okay. All in favor? No. Motion pass. Make sure watching this Silie.