February 23, 2026

Summary

The Council held its regular meeting covering standard opening items and a full slate of new business. Major topics included the resignation of a council member and a new process for filling the vacancy, oversight of the ongoing water and lagoon infrastructure projects, a potential change to the water connection ordinance for camper lots, the building code appeals process, a low-pressure sewer line strike, and a proposed fleet vehicle usage policy with GPS tracking. Several items were discussed for information only or tabled for future meetings, and the Council held two executive sessions with no action taken.

Key items

• Minutes: The February 9th minutes were approved by motion.
• Citizen participation (agenda items): Resident Troy Johnson asked about the water project map and phasing on Rosemary Drive, noting nine houses that could potentially be tied in for efficiency. Council explained that the contractor (Hinger) was allowed to set its own phasing for cost reasons and advised him to contact the contractor’s office directly.
• Dog kennel proposal: Standing in for Chief Merson, Brett presented a plan to build a new dog kennel behind the fire station — a roughly 24’ x 10’ concrete pad for three or four kennels, a covered metal roof, a six-foot vinyl privacy fence, heated dog houses, trenched power and water with a frost-free hydrant, and automatic waterers. A price list is expected at the next meeting. The existing kennel would be deconstructed.
• Council resignation: The Council formally accepted the resignation of Councilwoman Connie Caps, effective February 28th (cited family health reasons), and declared the vacancy by motion. Council members and the mayor thanked her for her service.
• Vacancy-filling policy (Resolution 148): The mayor proposed a formal process to fill council vacancies: publicly announcing the vacancy, opening an application period of no less than 14 days, holding public candidate interviews (waivable by majority vote in limited circumstances), and mayoral appointment subject to council confirmation. After discussion about extending the period to 30 days, the Council kept the 14-day minimum. Resolution 148 was adopted by motion.
• Water and lagoon project oversight: In a workshop-style discussion, the mayor sought council direction to investigate hiring a part-time construction project management resource to act as a liaison between engineers, contractors, and the city and protect the city’s interests. It was noted that funding for project management already exists in the project budget and that city staff are stretched thin. Council was generally supportive of investigating candidates and pulling together a job description. No formal vote was taken.
• Water connection ordinance: The mayor discussed potentially allowing residents living in campers to opt out of connecting to the water system, based on a preliminary review showing roughly 50–60 low-usage camper lots that could be swapped for house lots near the distribution line. The discussion drew debate, with concerns raised about fairness to other residents, USDA approval requirements, and how “permanent resident” is defined and proven. Council agreed to gather more data (including a drive-around lot survey and a USDA opinion) and revisit at the next meeting. Discussion was tabled; no decision made. There was also discussion clarifying limits on relocating meters from their mapped locations.
• Building code appeals process: The mayor sought input after a citizen inquiry, noting the Council currently serves as the board of appeals but the process has not been used in years. Options discussed included keeping the Council in that role or forming a separate appeals board of knowledgeable citizens (with a council liaison). Members agreed any process should require appellants to appear in person and should be formalized and published. No action taken; to be revisited at a later meeting.
• Low-pressure sewer line strike: The mayor noted a prior sewer line strike was contained. Mike Page raised liability concerns and a possible request for indemnification related to his locating work. Because supporting documents were not in the council packet, discussion was tabled to the next meeting.
• Fleet vehicle usage policy / GPS tracking: The mayor proposed developing a vehicle use policy and investigating GPS tracking (and possibly dash cams) for non-emergency city vehicles, citing safety, liability, and insurance reasons. Emergency/police vehicles already have audio/video tracking. Staff will gather pricing and report back in a future meeting. No action taken.
• Executive sessions: The Council entered two executive sessions — one for legal matters and one for non-elected personnel matters. Both returned with no action taken.
• Final citizen participation: Resident Cindy raised numerous concerns and allegations regarding past interactions with city staff and officials, code enforcement, building inspection, policing, ambulance response, and other matters.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by motion.

Follow-ups

• Dog kennel price list to be presented at the next council meeting.
• Filling the council vacancy under the newly adopted Resolution 148 process.
• Investigating candidates and a job description for a part-time project management resource for the water and lagoon projects.
• Water connection ordinance: gather lot survey data and a USDA opinion, and revisit at the next meeting (roughly two weeks out), with urgency noted before Hinger sets meters.
• Building code appeals process: to be discussed again, likely in a later meeting.
• Low-pressure sewer line strike / Mike Page indemnification request: documents to be circulated and item discussed next meeting.
• Fleet vehicle policy and GPS tracking: staff to gather pricing and recommendations and report back in the next meeting or two.