LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met November 20th with a lengthy agenda which was cut short when Mayor Mark Marin stated, “The water and sewer guy (John Cussins) wants to wait for a report.”
What City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc noted as should have been under announcements, but was discussed later, Council member Joy Markum wanted the council to write a letter to Caltrans for the Merttons taking over their easement on Main Street. Kathy remembered Chamber of Commerce Mike Welbourn was going to write the letter. Joy stated, “Let’s just write it. I will write it.”
The mayor then stated he’d talked to law enforcement who “cannot write tickets.” He stated stop signs aren’t the right size and lines are not on the street. Council member Nancy Rogers added they “don’t have money.”
In financials approval, the mayor questioned Streets maintenance and rehabilitation of $4,000, Total Highway Users Tax total contracted services, asking “What did we do?” Bookkeeper Tracy Smith explained it was monthly money from the state, “Strictly for roads and streets.” Total received from government was $11,138 gross profit; net income was $9,873. The mayor said they’d try and find money to fix the signs. Tracy told the cost of Streets total utilities costing $10,106, calling it “not cheap.” The mayor added insurance costing $3,705.
The mayor stated, with 17% of property taxes, “The city will never survive.” He told how the county previously, “Did everything and the city gets 17%. The county did everything but water and sewer, but now does nothing any more.” He stated he knows the reasons why and citizens “should be up in arms if you want to stay incorporated.”
In the audience, Gus Donowho suggested telling the county and asking them to take the plowing. The mayor replied they “got shot down.” Gus urged, “Somebody bring it up.” Joy was “under the impression they’d been told the contracts are in city hall.” Even incorporated, she stated, they still belong to the county. Phyllis DeMartini suggested getting the 17% increased and Joy wanted to “get the community behind us.” Mayor suggested a community meeting.
The council approved $81,231.90 in bills. Not on the agenda, the mayor wanted three signatures in case one person “goes down.”
The council was to approve reconciled statements which Tracy left to get and returned with two large binders which she placed before council members. Joy said they “can’t do it justice.” Tracy stated, “You never did this before. It’s called internal controls.” Nancy moved to approve them but there was no second. Tracy talked of “manipulating the bookkeeper” These statements, she said were by Plumas Bank. “You guys have a problem approving but not the reports I feed.” She called it “frustrating.” She told how Mary of RCAC had talked about it and “I’m in control. Nobody’s checking me.” There were questions of just getting the information and how it can be sent by e.mail. In the audience, newly-elected council member Sarah Jackson stated it’s “easily made digital.” The motion failed, Tracy picked up the binders and left the meeting.
The Council will put the cemetery fence back out to bid since the lowest bidder did not include removal and Kathy was appalled at a second bid of $17,000 for a 60-foot fence.
It approved Rotary to move a cargo container on city property.
A business license was approved for Donald James Tidwell for Nordic Wolf Services, general handyman/repair.
The Council approved a letter of resignation from bookkeeper Tracy Smith, dated November 2nd.
What City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc noted as should have been under announcements, but was discussed later, Council member Joy Markum wanted the council to write a letter to Caltrans for the Merttons taking over their easement on Main Street. Kathy remembered Chamber of Commerce Mike Welbourn was going to write the letter. Joy stated, “Let’s just write it. I will write it.”
The mayor then stated he’d talked to law enforcement who “cannot write tickets.” He stated stop signs aren’t the right size and lines are not on the street. Council member Nancy Rogers added they “don’t have money.”
In financials approval, the mayor questioned Streets maintenance and rehabilitation of $4,000, Total Highway Users Tax total contracted services, asking “What did we do?” Bookkeeper Tracy Smith explained it was monthly money from the state, “Strictly for roads and streets.” Total received from government was $11,138 gross profit; net income was $9,873. The mayor said they’d try and find money to fix the signs. Tracy told the cost of Streets total utilities costing $10,106, calling it “not cheap.” The mayor added insurance costing $3,705.
The mayor stated, with 17% of property taxes, “The city will never survive.” He told how the county previously, “Did everything and the city gets 17%. The county did everything but water and sewer, but now does nothing any more.” He stated he knows the reasons why and citizens “should be up in arms if you want to stay incorporated.”
In the audience, Gus Donowho suggested telling the county and asking them to take the plowing. The mayor replied they “got shot down.” Gus urged, “Somebody bring it up.” Joy was “under the impression they’d been told the contracts are in city hall.” Even incorporated, she stated, they still belong to the county. Phyllis DeMartini suggested getting the 17% increased and Joy wanted to “get the community behind us.” Mayor suggested a community meeting.
The council approved $81,231.90 in bills. Not on the agenda, the mayor wanted three signatures in case one person “goes down.”
The council was to approve reconciled statements which Tracy left to get and returned with two large binders which she placed before council members. Joy said they “can’t do it justice.” Tracy stated, “You never did this before. It’s called internal controls.” Nancy moved to approve them but there was no second. Tracy talked of “manipulating the bookkeeper” These statements, she said were by Plumas Bank. “You guys have a problem approving but not the reports I feed.” She called it “frustrating.” She told how Mary of RCAC had talked about it and “I’m in control. Nobody’s checking me.” There were questions of just getting the information and how it can be sent by e.mail. In the audience, newly-elected council member Sarah Jackson stated it’s “easily made digital.” The motion failed, Tracy picked up the binders and left the meeting.
The Council will put the cemetery fence back out to bid since the lowest bidder did not include removal and Kathy was appalled at a second bid of $17,000 for a 60-foot fence.
It approved Rotary to move a cargo container on city property.
A business license was approved for Donald James Tidwell for Nordic Wolf Services, general handyman/repair.
The Council approved a letter of resignation from bookkeeper Tracy Smith, dated November 2nd.
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