City of Tuscola City Council met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Kleiss called the virtual council meeting to order with Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Aldermen Slaughter and Morris were absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Kleiss thanked all for taking the time to orient themselves to the process of a virtual meeting.
Public Comment -- None
Consent Agenda Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda for 4/13/20:
1. The minutes of the March 9 council meeting and the minutes of the March 16 emergency meeting.
2. Financial report for February 2020
3. Payment of bills from 3/6/20 - 4/8/20 totaling $254,153.16
4. Request to hold the Pace for Petey run on October 3, 2020 Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Truitt seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop.
Shoemaker moved to approve the consent agenda for April 13, 2020. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop
Mayor Mayor Kleiss advised council to follow the Douglas County Public Health Department for updates on the coronavirus. Today's report was no new positive cases; county total at 11, Kleiss added. Right now we don't seem to be trending upwards thanks to the social distancing. City Clerk - No Report City Treasurer Treasurer Long reported Red Barn Veterinary Service and Eddie Boutilier are delinquent on their TIF loans. City Administrator Administrator Hoel updated council on the city operations during the COVID 19 emergency:
• Staff is continuing to take care of all essential tasks.
• The library is closed; tourism and social media operating from home; Anna doing a great job.
Fire Department operating as normal and has higher response rate due to virus. : Police Department still staffed. Limiting overtime.
• Public Works doing sewer and water checks and essential tasks as needed.
• The office is staffed on a rotating basis each morning in order to answer calls, emails, take care of finances. Hoel reported IDOT is requiring a bond from the city for the route 36/Love's Travel intersection. Hoel has a request for quotes out now and will follow up once received. The bond expense is included in the city's maximum expenditure of $1.8 million on this intersection.
The staff will proceed with the consulting contract with ME Simpson for the large water leak detection discussed several meetings ago. The amount of the contract is $7,350.
This will begin as soon as possible. Mayor Kleiss announced he is extending the emergency ordinance relating to the COVID 19 for another 30 days through May 10, 2020, Kleiss noted the emergency ordinance can be terminated at any time during the time period. Shoemaker moved to extend the Declaration of Emergency to May 11, 2020. Truitt seconded. Alderman Morris came online at 7:40 pm. Attorney Bequette asked if we would be holding the April 27 council meeting. Administrator Hoel and Mayor Kleiss felt only if needed. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop.
Woodyard & Henson have forwarded an audit engagement letter that will cover the city's annual audit for the next three years. The cost is $16,000/year one; $16,000/year two; $16,500/year three. Waldrop moved to approve the audit engagement with Larrson, Woodyard & Henson for the city's annual audit over the next three years. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop.
Administrator Hoel announced Mike Elsberry has been performing water/sewer duties gfor the city since Dwayne Van Cleave's retirement. Mike has the necessary water and sewer licenses to do all aspects of the job. Jamey Mauzey has now returned to work in that department and is able to take over many of the water/sewer responsibilities. In order to keep Mike Elsberry on staff and operate under his licenses, Hoel recommends a flat salary of $2000/month be paid to Elsberry. Hoey moved to approve a salary of $2000 per month for Mike Elsberry, effective immediately. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop.
The motion to adjourn was made by Truitt and seconded by Morris. VOTE YEA* Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Truitt, Waldrop
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFnFg9ZLD0jOl8svMAgRp-_IfLSHPCdpddjCq9SOHak/edit
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