April 13, 2026

Summary

The Council interviewed candidates for a vacant Council seat and appointed Shannon Smith by unanimous vote. The remainder of the meeting consisted of department reports and updates on the ongoing water system project, along with action on pay applications, vouchers, adoption of an updated building code, and the annual mowing contract. Discussion also touched on tiny homes, a potential guest/hotel tax, water connection policies, and issues with the new public water fill station.

Key items

• Council appointment: The Council interviewed four candidates (including two named Dan and Dan Grassi, plus Shannon Smith). Candidates discussed property taxes, code enforcement, city revenue, and the water project. One candidate confirmed he would resign from the POA board if appointed to avoid a conflict. The Council voted unanimously to appoint Shannon Smith. She will be sworn in later (the clerk was not present to administer the oath).
• Pay Application No. 10: Approved for the water project — total of $45,347.71 (approximately $38,251.50 to BG Consultants and roughly $3,679.61 to Heinen/Heading, per figures read aloud; some numbers were unclear in the transcript).
• Vouchers: Approved in the amount of $58,864.48 (figures read aloud, some ambiguity).
• 2018 IRC adoption (old business): Council voted (motion made, seconded, and passed with “ayes”) to adopt the 2018 International Residential Code, upgrading from the 2006 code, excluding the arc-fault interrupter requirement due to reported reliability issues. The change applies only to new permits, not already-approved permits. The building inspector explained arc-fault vs. ground-fault interrupters.
• Mowing contract: Approved renewal with the local lawn care company (referred to as both “Vanmark” and “Van Black”) at $500 per mowing / up to $1,000 per month, April 1–November 30. A question was raised about the $1 million insurance requirement.
• Mayor’s report:
  • City now uses a part-time building inspector; Paige has assisted with sewer/water tank inspections (checking gravel and setbacks only, no structural/electrical/plumbing work).
  • Researching a possible guest/hotel tax — noted such revenue must be used for tourism, not the general fund.
  • Water project: Tower flushing began; water quality not yet acceptable for POA deliveries. Flowpoint scheduled for April 23 to set up credit card payments/training; target of April 24 for citizens to begin using the new fill station.
  • Lagoon expansion expected to break ground this month; plans to advertise for a part-time project manager (funded from project funds).
  • Proposed a town hall on Saturday, May 16 (date to be confirmed at the next meeting).
• Building inspector report: Reported 13 evening/weekend inspections since becoming the sole inspector, with no complaints. Discussed tiny homes and “expandable”/container-style homes seen near Pittsburg, noting spec sheets and insulation as concerns.
• Nuisance/code enforcement (Paige): Seven certified letters sent (nine total certified), four prior issues resolved, current court cases closed, two new citations for May court. All property owners entered into the water meter/billing system. Updated sewer emergency flyer with a new phone number (Matthew’s old cell number) mailed to ~312 properties, with wallet cards included; number also posted on the website.
• Police/public safety: Brief report; discussion of a possible gun range (public vs. private use, insurance requirements) as a potential tourism/partnership opportunity.
• Fire department: Mostly EMS calls last month; brief mention of mutual-aid cancellations.
• Sewer report: Usage figures reviewed (clubhouse ~3,200 gallons; bath house #2 ~7,500; ~14,000–15,000 at other locations). No detail available on sewer hauls.
• POA/current board comment: Board member Wayne Scott stated the POA board is working to improve communication and transparency and reduce reliance on the city for minor issues.
• Water fill station concerns: Discussion of the fill hose height/length, cross-contamination rules (hose cannot go inside tanks), durability of the air-gap device, and the unsecured keypad/card-reader door (no spring hinge, risk of weather damage). Staff (Mike Page and Flowpoint) investigating solutions.

Follow-ups

• Water connection policy items tabled for a decision at the next meeting: tracer wire requirement (and whether the city provides the wire), whether a certified plumber must connect from meter to house, line burial depth, gravel specs, a homeowner shut-off valve, and meter-damage liability/waiver.
• Timeline for connecting to existing POA lines and decommissioning the water plant to be decided by the next meeting.
• Tiny homes — to be discussed further; the Mayor said he will present written material at the next Council meeting; possible PNZ involvement.
• Container/expandable homes — Mayor may invite a vendor to speak; no decision made.
• Town hall date (proposed May 16) to be confirmed at the next meeting.
• Swearing-in of newly appointed Council member Shannon Smith to occur at a future date/meeting.
• Fill station fixes (hose reach, air-gap device, keypad door) under investigation.