The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was done by Danielle Madron, City Clerk. Aldermen Blu Dow, Mike Klosek, and Andy Riley were present, Scott Poppa was absent. Visitors were Tarkio city employees – Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Animal Control Chris Hogue, Building Inspector Jesse Payne, Chief of Police Tyson Gibbons, Park Board President Ashlee Driskell; and Tarkio citizens Deb Beckman, Nan and Larry Stepp, Kelly Rohlfsen, Anne Amthor, Dallas Prather, and Teresa Smith.

The regular meeting minutes of May 12, 2021, were accepted.

Citizens of Tarkio attended the meeting to discuss the progress of city ordinance implementation involving property nuisances around the city. The Board of Aldermen, along with Chief Gibbons, explained that letters have been sent out to several property owners about getting their properties cleaned up and that citations have been issued to non-compliant citizens. Citizens suggested that copies of the city ordinances be sent to property owners and tenants so they are aware of what the ordinances consider a nuisance. The citizens in attendance expressed their willingness to help and said they have spoken with Tarkio Renewal about helping as well. They have ideas on volunteer groups that may be willing to help assist in taking care of some properties in disrepair. Citizens will be meeting with the mayor and aldermen at a later date to discuss further options to help.

A break was taken at 7:00 p.m. and the meeting resumed at 7:10 p.m.

Mayor Morehouse spoke on Section 215.040 Maintaining a Nuisance. [Ord. No. 138.13 §4, 3-19-2013] A. Responsibility. No owner, occupant or other person in possession, charge or control within the city limits shall cause, maintain or permit a nuisance as defined by the laws of the State or this Chapter. It shall be the duty of each owner, occupant or person in possession, charge or control of any property to maintain that property, together with one-half of the platted city right-of-way abutting thereon, or street or alley abutting thereon, as not to allow the accumulation of debris, refuse, rubbish, trash or nuisances as defined in or described by this chapter. Every owner, occupant or person in possession of any property within the city shall be responsible for maintaining all property under his/her control in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

Mayor Morehouse asked for the approval of Tarkio Park Board member appointments: Ashlee Driskell, president; Michael Klosek, vice-president; Jennifer Peregrine, secretary; Seth Spire, Summer Reeves, and Corey Martin, all through 2024. The appointments of all Park Board members were approved.

Department

Reports

Blu Dow, City Buildings – Dow will be contacting Tommy Dow about getting the west door seal at the Community Building fixed.

Mike Klosek, Fire Department – Klosek had nothing to report.

Andy Riley, Parks & Pool – ACCO has been at the pool doing several repairs recently and everything is working now. Riley was shown how to properly run the valves for the zero entry and mushroom water so they work properly. The pump that runs the slide may need to be replaced after this pool season and will be discussed at a later date. The Park Board paid for the Broken Spoke Clydesdales to come to the Tarkio Rodeo for entertainment and to be in the parade.

Scott Poppa, Street Department – Quimby’s report:

• Repairs/Equipment – There was one repair of note. The front loader had a small tear in a hose that had to be replaced. This hose was considered part of the exhaust so it was covered by the warrantee.

• Brush Pile – This area continues to be used frequently, but so far, people have been following the posted rules.

• RV Park – There is a bit of a sewer issue at one of the sites. This has been temporarily repaired until it can be permanently repaired. The crew continues to work on cleaning curbs and ditches. Several tubes have been ordered, but they have not been delivered as of yet because all are not in yet. The plastic tubes are available for delivery, but the metal ones have not been made yet because Metal Culverts is having a hard time with metal suppliers.

• Weeds – They have been spraying weeds on Main Street trying to keep them under control. They have also sprayed some ditches that are overgrown to control the tall weeds.

• Trees – A tree was cut on McNary Street that has been an issue for several years.

• New Building/Old Building: The new building is 100% functional. The demo of the old building on this site was started on June 7, 2021.

Timothy Morehouse, Mayor – They should be starting to pour concrete at the airport for the runway sometime next week.

Chris Hogue, Animal Control – There is one dog in the pound that is currently up for adoption.

Tyson Gibbons, Police Department – Officers have compiled a list of nuisances around Tarkio and have sent out several letters and citations to property owners and tenants. TPD is preparing for an Intox DMT course that will be held at Tarkio Tech at the track on June 30.

Danielle Madron, City Clerk – No financial questions were asked and there was nothing more to report.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next regular meeting will be July 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.