The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted 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 of Tarkio employees – Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Animal Control Officer/Park Supervisor Chris Niles, Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, and Building Inspector Jesse Payne; Park Board members Ashlee Driskell and Danny Vietze; and city citizens Vicky Rogers, Melissa White, and Mike Klosek, Sr.

Clerk Kephart swore in the incumbent officials Mayor Jeffrey Agnew, North Ward Alderman Scott Poppa, and South Ward Alderman James Navin, Jr.

Mayor Agnew asked for the approval of the March 18 regular meeting, March 31 special meeting, and April 2 special meeting minutes as distributed. Walker made a motion to approve the minutes as distributed and the motion was seconded and approved.

There were two additions to the agenda: discuss the Clark family complaint about property lines and adjacent fence and approve sick leave bank usage.

Mayor Agnew asked for the approval of the appointments for: Pamela Blevins, Judge; Robert Sundell, Prosecuting Attorney/City Attorney; Danielle Kephart, City Clerk/Treasurer; Tyson Gibbons, Police Chief; Jesse Payne, Building Inspector; and Aaron Burke, Health Inspector. Poppa made a motion to approve the appointments and the motion was seconded and approved. All appointments were accepted.

Mayor Agnew asked the board to allow Scott Poppa to remain as acting president of the board. Walker made a motion to approve the appointment and Olson seconded. Three ayes and one abstain voted to approve the motion and the second. The motion passed.

Mayor Agnew selected the department heads for the 2026-2027 year. Appointments for 2026-2027 are as follows: Scott Walker, Parks Department; Jeff Olson, Street Department; Scott Poppa, Fire and Board of Public Works; and James Navin, City Buildings. Olson made a motion to approve the department head appointments and the motion was seconded and approved. Department heads are approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading for Bill 334.26 Ordinance 320.26 Conflict of Interest. Walker made a motion to approve Bill 334.26, Ordinance 320.26 and the motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading for Bill 334.26 Ordinance 320.26. Poppa made a motion to approve Bill 334.26, Ordinance 320.26. The motion was seconded and approved and Bill 334.26 Ordinance 320.26 was adopted.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading for Bill 335.26 Ordinance 321.26 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 205, Section 205.090 Terms of Impoundment (this change states that after five days of an animal being held in the pound, if the owner has not come forward then it can be adopted out). Walker made a motion to approve Bill 335.26 Ordinance 321.26. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading for Bill 335.26 Ordinance 321.26. Olson made a motion to approve Bill 335.26 Ordinance 321.26. The motion was seconded and approved. Bill 335.26 Ordinance 321.26 was adopted.

The board reviewed the proposed street matting project for 2026. Clerk Kephart will send bid packets out and get the bid notice sent to the paper. Bids will be opened at the May 13 regular council meeting.

Mayor Agnew relayed to the board that they would be going into closed session to discuss lifeguard wages for 2026 summer season.

Department Reports

Jeff Olson: City Buildings – They are still waiting on bids for the park shelter houses.

Scott Walker, Fire Department – New lighting will be going up on the outside of the building. The rural board has agreed to split this cost with the city. All the fire department members were CPR certified last month.

Scott Poppa, Parks/Pool – The crew working on the tennis court is tentatively scheduled to start on April 15, provided the weather stays warm enough. The park board will have a special meeting on April 20 to go over possible wage increases for pool employees.

Street Department – Quimby’s report was given:

• Repairs/Equipment – Victor Phillips came to do the 3,300-hour maintenance on the front loader. A hydraulic fitting broke on the front loader that caused it to be down for several days while the crew waited for the new one to come.

• Weather Event – There was a very heavy rain event Friday the 2nd. It washed a lot of debris into piles. They continue to work to clean this up.

• Brush Pile – This area is being used as it should be at this time of year. So far there have been no issues with items that are not allowed to be dumped.

• Dog Pound Building – They have moved and packed a lot of dirt in this location. Quimby is going to get someone to come check and see if they are even close to being level enough. He is also going to move the old roller that is located at the gravel lot to this location to use in helping compact the soil. Scott Poppa asked how much it would cost to put a bigger overhead door in the new building. It was designed with only a 10-foot-wide door. This would be difficult to move larger equipment like the pickup in and out. A 16-foot-wide door would cost $800 dollars more (this includes installation and opener).

• Trees – They will be taking down a couple of bad trees in the near future.

Tarkio Board of Public Works – There was nothing to report.

Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – There was nothing to report.

Chris Niles, Animal Control – There are no animals at this time. The dog pound inspector came for the yearly inspection. Everything passed and they were informed the city would be building a new animal control building.

Chief Gibbons, Police Department – Inclement weather sirens were tested last month and are in working order. The annual K-9 golf tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 29. A missing teenager was located and reunited with his family.

Clerk Kephart, City Financials – There was nothing to report and no questions were asked.

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. A discussion was had about possible wage increases for pool employees this summer.

Olson made a motion to close executive session. The meeting moved back into open session and was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. The next regular city council meeting will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Tarkio residents are encouraged to attend.