The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited at 6:00 p.m. City Clerk Danielle Kephart did roll call. Mayor Jeff Agnew and Councilmen Scott Walker, Jeff Olson, Scott Poppa, and James Navin were all present. Visitors present were: city employees – Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Officer Tyler Dorrel, Park Superintendent/Animal Control Officer Chris Niles, Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, and Building Inspector Jesse Payne; Tarkio Board of Public Works employee Danny Martin; Park Board member Ashlee Driskell; City Auditor Kenney Hales; and citizen Mike Klosek, Sr.
Mayor Agnew asked for the approval of the April 16 regular meeting minutes as distributed. Walker made a motion to approve the minutes as distributed and the motion was seconded and approved. The motion passed.
There were no additions, deletions or continuances to the agenda.
Kenney Hales discussed the city audit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Overall, the audit looked good. Mr. Hales had no concerns.
The city received two sealed bids for the 2025 street matting project. Mayor Agnew presented the bids as follow:
• Keller Construction entered a bid of 460 tons of asphalt at the rate of $150.00 per ton, equaling $69,000.00. To paint the parking lines on the specified streets, the cost would be $4,500.00. Total bid price from Keller Construction is $73,500.00.
• Approved Paving, LLC entered a bid for 400 tons of asphalt at a rate of $168.75 per ton totaling $67,500.00. To paint the parking lines, the cost would be $4,000.00. Total bid from Approved Paving, LLC is $71,500.00.
Poppa made a motion to accept the bid from Approved Paving, LLC, in the amount of $71,500.00. The motion was seconded and approved. The motion passed.
The city received one bid for a new skid steer for the Street Department. The bid is from Keim Farm Equipment for a 2025 Case International Skid Steer for $64,500.00. Olson made a motion to accept Keim Farm Equipment’s bid. The motion was seconded and three aye votes and one abstain vote approved the motion and the second. The motion passed.
Mayor Agnew asked for approval of Resolution 79.25, appointing Debbie Fletcher to the unexpired term of Sara Lester to the Tarkio Housing Authority Board. Poppa made a motion to approve Resolution 79.25. The motion was seconded and approved. Resolution 79.25 was adopted.
Alderman Poppa spoke to the board about the possibility of a tax abatement for Grebe Farm Supply. Years ago, when Ag Partners put up their new building, the city did a tax abatement, with terms of up to $20,000.00 or six years. Alderman Poppa suggested the same be done for Grebes. The council agreed. Clerk Kephart will get the ordinance and paperwork ready and bring back to the meeting in June.
Department Reports
Jeff Olson, City Buildings – The new doors are in at the community building. There is a decent scratch on one of them that will be repaired. The tuck-pointing work on City Hall will begin on Thursday, May 15. Alderman Olson will be reaching out for an updated bid on the shed at the Sycamore RV Park.
Scott Walker, Fire Department – There was nothing to report.
Scott Poppa, Parks/Pool – The Park Board voted to increase pool party rates to $200.00. The daily admission and pool pass prices will stay the same. A Star Guard certified training will come train our lifeguards. There is still a leak in the pool. KC Gunite will be sending a technician to do a dye test to see where this leak is located. The park board is still doing concessions at all the high school and youth summer baseball games to help raise money for the pool repair costs. The Par 3 golf tournament is May 31.
James Navin, Jr., City Streets – Quimby’s report:
• Repairs/Equipment – The skid steer had to be worked on again. It had a code and was reducing power.
• RV Park – One site is reserved for use. Weeds in gravel have been sprayed.
• Potholes – The patch used for cold weather has all been used. Cold patch is being ordered this week for summer use.
• Alley – Resident continues to express concerns about water that flows down an alley. The city crew has worked on this alley in the past and are trying something a bit different now to see if it helps.
• Gravel Parking Lot – The crew was asked to remove more gravel and dirt from the parking lot south of the baseball field that is being made into a second baseball field.
• Weeds on Main – Weeds on Main Street have been sprayed.
• MIRMA – Quimby attended a safety seminar put on by MIRMA in Cameron on April 1. This will help with the city’s insurance costs.
• Curbs – Several curbs and ditches have been cleaned in the last month.
• Washout – Work was done on a washout at 13th and Pine. The crew has worked here before and added more rip rap hoping to slow erosion.
•Tree Removal – A tree on the northwest corner of 9th and Elm was removed.
Danny Martin, Tarkio Board of Public Works (TBPW) – There was a small leak on 3rd and Broad that has been repaired and the road will be getting fixed. The TBPW is in the process of trying to get some grants to help with surveys and other work that needs to be done.
Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – The airport is in need of a new lawn mower. The board will be looking into some different options for this.
Chris Niles, Animal Control – The animal control building passed its state inspection last month. Lots of clean-up work has been done in and around the building.
Chief Gibbons, Police Department – With the new public safety tax, Chief Gibbons has started coming up with equipment needs and the costs for the police department. The 5th Annual K-9 Golf Tournament will be Friday, July 25.
Clerk Kephart, City Financials – Clerk Kephart will be gone for court conference May 16-26. There was nothing financially to report.
Walker made a motion to enter into executive session per Chapter 610.021 Section 3 hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee, etc. The motion was seconded and approved.
Olson made a motion to close executive session per Chapter 610.021 Section 3. The motion was seconded and approved.
Walker made a motion to approve the bid from Sector for new in-car cameras, equipment, and installation for the police cars. The bid would be for a term of one to three years, with the cost totaling $94,190.00. The motion was seconded and approved by all.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. The next regular Tarkio Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Tarkio City Hall. Citizens are encouraged to attend.
