Laverne

February 2, 2009 Minutes

February 2, 2009 Town Meeting Minutes

The Town of Laverne Trustees met on February 2, 2009 in the conference room of the Municipal Complex. Mayor Waugh called the meeting to order and roll call was taken: Kyle Birch, Susan Davis, Aaron Elam and Gary Waugh were present. Dante Bevilacqua was absent. Others in attendance were: Bruce Ackerman, Sabra Brewster, Gene Widmeyer, Tim Badke, Melissa Hughes, Dan Crocker, Gabe Hope, Justin Carnagey, Dale Johnson, Merle Swineford, Jackie Wright, Michael Carnagey, Conyetta Lehenbauer, Gary Makinson, Jim Harkins and Janet Love.

Waugh made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2009 meeting. Birch seconded the motion and all present voted “yes”.

Elam made the motion to accept the REAP 2009 grants as presented by Justin Carnagey, Oklahoma Economic Development Authority. Davis seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”. The grants accepted were (1) $25,000.00 for a sewer jetter machine and (2) $24,999.00 for water meters and mains. Signatories for these grants will be the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Clerk.

Waugh made the motion to switch to the PWA agenda #5 so guest Bruce Ackerman could speak.

Dan Crocker was present to request approval of three volunteer firefighters. Waugh made the motion to approve Troy Bryant, Adam Riggs and Aaron Elam as Laverne Volunteer Firemen. Davis seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Birch, Davis and Waugh voted “yes”. Elam abstained from voting.

Conyetta Lehenbauer and Jackie Wright spoke about the importance of being NIMS compliant. Buffalo has taken the necessary steps but Laverne is not in compliance yet. Grants for emergency departments will not be given if the county is not NIMS compliant.

Discussion was shared concerning the Harper County Emergency Management Director and her job duties. Trustee Dante Bevilacqua joined the meeting at this time. Elam made the motion to approve $3,000 for 2009 Laverne Emergency Management Director Conyetta Lehenbauer with the agreement that she attend the monthly Town Board meeting and inventory the unused office that has emergency management information and equipment in it from when Bill Mulbery was the director. Davis seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”. Bevilacqua abstained.

Elam made the motion to table the consideration of purchasing vehicle(s) for the police department until the March meeting. Waugh seconded the motion and all five trustees voted “yes”.

Consideration of Michael Carnagey as a volunteer police reserve officer was tabled. Two new police officers have been hired so the need for reserve officers is not as vital as it was prior to hiring.

Red Flag policy was discussed and steps are being taken to create a policy.

Davis made the motion to approve the purchase of three domain names: townoflaverne.com, townoflaverne.net and townoflaverne.org for the Town of Laverne website. Gabe Hope and Jeff Howard will be maintaining the new website. Bevilacqua seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Bevilacqua, Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”. Our contract for domain name and website maintenance with Neighborhood Link will be cancelled.

A survey was mailed to local organizations to list areas of our community that need attention or improvements. The results were discussed and each Trustee will prioritize the areas to make a five-year plan of improvement. This matter will be discussed in the March meeting.

Code enforcement was discussed and steps are being implemented to cleanup our town. Letters were enclosed in the January utility billing to notify citizens. Pictures will be taken of nuisance properties and abandoned vehicles. Letters will be mailed requesting cleanup of these properties. Tickets will be issued with a $50 fine due the Town of Laverne for code violation. Municipal court will be offered for matters that are not alleviated in a timely manner. Court cost will be $25 and an administrative fee will be added for time and labor implementing this procedure. That fee has not been set.

Davis made the motion to approve the estimate of needs and request of appropriations for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation; Safe Routes to School grant of $125,712.00. Birch seconded the motion and all trustees voted “yes”.

Davis made the motion to approve payment of the January purchase orders as follows: General Fund #195, 232-272. Trash Fund #104-120. Street/Alley Fund #7-8. Grants Fund #10-12. Elam seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Bevilacqua, Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”.

Waugh made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Davis seconded the motion. All trustees voted “yes”.

February 2, 2009 PWA Meeting Minutes

The Public Works Authority Trustees met on February 2, 2009 in the Municipal Complex. Chairman Waugh called the meeting to order and roll call was taken: Dante Bevilacqua, Kyle Birch, Susan Davis, Aaron Elam and Gary Waugh were present.

Waugh made the motion to approve the January 12, 2009 minutes as they were written. Elam seconded the motion. A vote was taken: Birch, Davis, Elam, Waugh voted “yes”. Bevilacqua abstained.

Bruce Ackerman was present to give an update from Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority. He also presented the Competitive Utility Plan certificate to the trustees.

Waugh made the motion to switch back to the Town agenda to item #5. Elam seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”.

Red Flag policy was discussed and steps are being taken to create a policy.

Elam made the motion to approve $1400.00 for improvements to the economic development building on South County Line Road. These improvements will be permanent fixtures to the building. Bevilacqua seconded the motion and all trustees voted “yes”. MidCon Compression, LP leases this property from the PWA for $1100.00 monthly.

Waugh made the motion to enter into executive session to discuss the employment of Gabe Hope. Davis seconded the motion and all trustees voted “yes”.

Returning to open meeting, Mayor Waugh stated that no action will be taken.

Davis made the motion to approve payment of the January purchase orders as follows: Electric Fund #176-209. Water Fund #180-208. Sewer Fund #78-93. Waugh seconded the motion and a vote was taken: Birch, Davis, Elam and Waugh voted “yes”. Bevilacqua abstained.

Davis made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Birch seconded the motion. All trustees voted “yes”.