Grace City Council Report July 2
Adapted from the minutes recorded by City Clerk Shelley Reeves
Bills in the amount of $365,138.72 and payroll in the amount of $16,377.69 were reviewed for payment approval. Councilmember Tillotson moved that the bills be approved as reviewed. Councilmember Toone seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Barthlome reported that Fire Chief Peck is following the county and issuing a burn ban for the city effective July 1st. The fire department responded to Bancroft to assist with the house fires on June 20th and 21st.
Cameras for the office were discussed. The bid from Teton Smart Security was for $4207.00 for 2 cameras for the outside and one with a microphone for the inside, with installation and licensing. Councilmember Lowe moved to approve the purchase. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion.
Insurance for the employees’ families was discussed. The quotes came in quite high and the employee portion would cost the employees a significant amount of money each month. If the city offers insurance to the employees’ families, then the employees would no longer be eligible to get insurance for the insurance marketplace which has more affordable options. It was decided not to offer the employees’ families insurance at this time. There was discussion about offering a health savings account to help the employees with medical expenses. The decision was to offer $200.00 per month per full time employee that Clerk Reeves will keep track of on a spreadsheet instead of an official health savings account that can be lost due to nonuse. Councilmember Tillotson moved to offer the employees $200.00 per month that can be used for medical expenses for themselves or their families beginning in October. The money can be banked and up to one year’s worth, $2400.00, rolled over into the next year. Councilmember Toone seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Toone moved to approve 3% cost of living adjustment to the employees. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Lowe moved to cap account #2060.5 due to nonpayment. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Crookston reported that GSE is moving along with the sewer project. The walls on the new building are coming up and they are putting pipe on the west side of 4th North. He was by someone that was willing to put siding on the gables on the park bathroom. They will donate their time if the city will purchase the materials.
Garbage cans were discussed. The garbage cans are failing to hold up. Shane looked into what some other cities were using and found a company that was recommended by a couple of other places. The cans are $60.00 each, which is about half the cost the city has been paying, but you have to order a truckload of 351 cans for $21,987.45. This will be discussed with the budget, but the city will need to order some more before the end of the budget year to get through before a big order can be placed.
Mayor Barthlome thanked the employees for all of their hard work. She reminded the council about the budget work meeting on July 9th at 6:00 p.m. She had a high school student ask if she could redo the volleyball court at the park for her senior project. There was a discrepancy with a citizen about where their property ended and the city property began. Mayor Barthlome suggested that the city have a surveyor come and put in pins so that there isn’t any question.
Kelly Christensen asked about the status of his setting permit. Superintendent Crookston reminded Mr. Christensen that he had returned it to him to get some measurements that were missing when it was turned in.
Jake Wright asked the council about charging for the RV dump. He talked to some other cities that charge and they just do it on an honor system but they make quite a bit of money in the summer from it, and it helps pay for the treatment of the waste that is dumped. No decision was made, it will be discussed at a future meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:17
