LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met December 19th.
Under announcements, Mayor Darlene Riede told of the need to get a new heater “when we can.” She told of receipt of the tax payment of Prop. 218 water infrastructure payment for $61,000-+ and for the “extremely overdue water bills of $58,000 for a $121,000 total.
The 5-year water rate review by Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group out of Clovis, CA is a preliminary progressive rate structure done for free. It will consist of notices, pubic hearings and community outreach. System components consist of 346 residential services, most unmetered and 10 commercial services, 5 metered, 5 unmetered,served by two water storage tanks.
A Trigger for Rate Study included the August 2023 Ad Hoc/Townhall meeting and the entire water distribution system replacement project in process with the appropriation and match requirement, partially funded through the property tax assessment with its progressive increase over 40 years. The Rate Study needed to address escalating costs and possibly funding match loan repayment. Next steps are P&P to prepare a draft Work Plan and final Work Plan for approval by end of March but possibly sooner. Bill Mertton stated the Water State Control Board’s annual permit cost is $26,785 “just to have water in this town.”
By vote, Darlene Riede was elected as Mayor and Dorie Gayner as Vice Mayor. A new Fundraising Committee was Dorie and Sue McIlravy. Later in discussion, it was questioned whether Lindsay McIntosh would be included and a concern was Lindsay’s 7% in writing the grant.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Assistant Chief Robert DeMartini told how the Tree Lighting went well with Joe Dines and his lift which were a “big plus,” and the Rotary and firefighters including Sierra Valley Fire. The local department has had 206 calls this year; the record is 244. Chief Shawn Heywood went through the IOS inspection which went very well, reported Robert, and that affects insurance rates.
Phyllis DeMartini discussed investing in high yield accounts. It was explained how on wildland fires, the engines have been paid since 2016 and provided for two new fire trucks. The Loyalton Fire Department receives $53,000 from Sierra Valley Fire District and $10,000 from the City and discussion was held over charges against those totals. Fundraising like the Spaghetti Feed go to buy equipment. Council member Joy Markum continued to state “The City really doesn’t have any money.”
PUBLIC WORKS
Under advisement of wastewater treatment plant operator, Justus Lundy, the mayor told of a 2001 Dodge ¾ ton truck with 85,000 miles being sold by a private party for $12,500. By concensus, Bill, Darlene and Dorie approved with Sue at first abstaining until she realized it could have a plow and it was approved by concensus.
ACTION ITEMS
The State of Emergency Water Distribution System and Town Hall Meetings held the first Thursday of the month were reaffirmed. Under question, it was stated with the City loader and plow and new truck the contract with Sierra Valley Cogen would be used only for 6-feet of snow.
The final audit was approved by unanimous vote.
A Pressure Washer Pump for the wastewater treatment plant was approved for $1,093.30 to clean out the manholes, “to make sure they are running,” according to the mayor.
Discussion and possible action regarding tree removal by Mountain Gardens and Yardscapes, Justus’ parents, for $855.38 at the wastewater treatment plant was on the agenda, but during announcements, it was stated, “tree removal done,” and no action was taken.
A Business License was approved for East Fork Roofing out of Reno which sparked chatter about the City Center's own leaking roof.
Under announcements, Mayor Darlene Riede told of the need to get a new heater “when we can.” She told of receipt of the tax payment of Prop. 218 water infrastructure payment for $61,000-+ and for the “extremely overdue water bills of $58,000 for a $121,000 total.
The 5-year water rate review by Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group out of Clovis, CA is a preliminary progressive rate structure done for free. It will consist of notices, pubic hearings and community outreach. System components consist of 346 residential services, most unmetered and 10 commercial services, 5 metered, 5 unmetered,served by two water storage tanks.
A Trigger for Rate Study included the August 2023 Ad Hoc/Townhall meeting and the entire water distribution system replacement project in process with the appropriation and match requirement, partially funded through the property tax assessment with its progressive increase over 40 years. The Rate Study needed to address escalating costs and possibly funding match loan repayment. Next steps are P&P to prepare a draft Work Plan and final Work Plan for approval by end of March but possibly sooner. Bill Mertton stated the Water State Control Board’s annual permit cost is $26,785 “just to have water in this town.”
By vote, Darlene Riede was elected as Mayor and Dorie Gayner as Vice Mayor. A new Fundraising Committee was Dorie and Sue McIlravy. Later in discussion, it was questioned whether Lindsay McIntosh would be included and a concern was Lindsay’s 7% in writing the grant.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Assistant Chief Robert DeMartini told how the Tree Lighting went well with Joe Dines and his lift which were a “big plus,” and the Rotary and firefighters including Sierra Valley Fire. The local department has had 206 calls this year; the record is 244. Chief Shawn Heywood went through the IOS inspection which went very well, reported Robert, and that affects insurance rates.
Phyllis DeMartini discussed investing in high yield accounts. It was explained how on wildland fires, the engines have been paid since 2016 and provided for two new fire trucks. The Loyalton Fire Department receives $53,000 from Sierra Valley Fire District and $10,000 from the City and discussion was held over charges against those totals. Fundraising like the Spaghetti Feed go to buy equipment. Council member Joy Markum continued to state “The City really doesn’t have any money.”
PUBLIC WORKS
Under advisement of wastewater treatment plant operator, Justus Lundy, the mayor told of a 2001 Dodge ¾ ton truck with 85,000 miles being sold by a private party for $12,500. By concensus, Bill, Darlene and Dorie approved with Sue at first abstaining until she realized it could have a plow and it was approved by concensus.
ACTION ITEMS
The State of Emergency Water Distribution System and Town Hall Meetings held the first Thursday of the month were reaffirmed. Under question, it was stated with the City loader and plow and new truck the contract with Sierra Valley Cogen would be used only for 6-feet of snow.
The final audit was approved by unanimous vote.
A Pressure Washer Pump for the wastewater treatment plant was approved for $1,093.30 to clean out the manholes, “to make sure they are running,” according to the mayor.
Discussion and possible action regarding tree removal by Mountain Gardens and Yardscapes, Justus’ parents, for $855.38 at the wastewater treatment plant was on the agenda, but during announcements, it was stated, “tree removal done,” and no action was taken.
A Business License was approved for East Fork Roofing out of Reno which sparked chatter about the City Center's own leaking roof.
