The May meeting of the Garretson City Council installed the 2019-20 council and the committee assignments, allowed the new council to meet Code Enforcement Officer James Wipf, and did some preliminary platting for the TIF area.
The meeting began with the 2018-19 council. All were in attendance and the consent agenda was approved.
The first item on the agenda was a conditional use permit for a daycare and a fence variance for 601 Canyon Avenue. Homeowners Kevin and Amanda McInroy were requesting to install a fence on their corner lot, and due to the house placement, it would be out of ordinance in two areas. Amanda McInroy stated that she was planning to break up the back yard into two sections within the fenced area, one for her daycare children to play in and one for her dogs to run without interruption from children. They are planning for the fence to be wooden without gaps for full privacy and safety. The council approved the conditional use permit for the daycare, then moved into discussion regarding the fence. After a request from councilmember Greg Franka to move the south side of the fence to the north of the tree line on the property, the council approved the variance.
Next on the agenda was a variance request from McInroy’s neighbor at 609 Canyon, Bill Linsenmeyer. He was needing to replace his front stoop, and requesting to install a porch deck that wrapped around to the south side of his house. He noted that it would be a deck only without sides or a rail, but was requiring the variance because it encompassed more than the front of his house and would take half his front yard. After noting that the house to the north had almost no setback and there was no contest from the neighbor to the south, the council approved the variance.
The council then moved on to adopting a Conflict of Interest policy, which was recommended by the city attorney. City Finance Officer Anna Uhl noted that the City does have one for federal purposes, but not had yet adopted one for the State. The council approved the policy without further questioning.
They next addressed a proposed Code of Conduct policy, which was brought by Mayor Greg Beaner. He proposed it because of behaviors and issues that have been seen with other area councils in the past few years, such as the recent censure Brandon recorded against one of its council members after he posted in divisive and non-constructive ways on social media. The code not only encompasses social media behavior, but the public behavior of all staff members, elected board members, and elected council members. It also implements a process to follow if a member is found to be acting outside conduct rules. The expectations are that all will be required to demonstrate the highest standards of conduct, undertaking duties in a fair and impartial manner, and acting in the public interest.
After a request to add language regarding social media conduct, especially as regards to comments about city employees by staff or council members, and to change who to report to as “Mayor” instead of “City Manager,” the council approved the resolution unanimously.
The final piece on the 2018-19 council agenda was a final ordinance regarding the replatting from an easement on the property south of Crete Pros that had been requested in April. It was approved without discussion, and the council voted to go into Executive Session.
They then reconvened as the new council, with Ward II councilor-elect Tom Godbey first reading from the oath of office. Mayor Beaner then re-appointed Bill Hoskins to Ward I and Richelle Hofer to Ward III. The Gazette was named as the official newspaper for the City of Garretson legal notices, councilmember Dave Bonte was nominated as council Vice President, and councilmember Richelle Hofer was nominated as President. Mayoral appointments were as follows: Richelle Hofer to Personnel, Dave Bonte to Real Property and Zoning, Tom Godbey to Health and Safety, Greg Franka to Water/Sewer/ (continued on page 2- online subscription required)
