Uh, good evening. Um, I'd like to call the regular city council meeting to order for December 8th, 2025. Uh, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
First, I'd like to say this. The city council members are here to serve the city of peers. We expect respectful conduct at all times. Slander or inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Please be speak only when addressed, one person at a time. Each
speaker has a five minute time limit. We thank you for your cooperation. Uh, first I would like to get um approval of the minutes from our public hearing meeting from November uh 24 uh 2025. >> I'll make the motion.
>> Donnie makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Lynn seconds the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Uh next I would like to [snorts] get approval of the minutes for the regular city council meeting for November 24th. Uh make that motion. >> Carrie makes the motion.
>> I'll second it. >> I'll second the motion. All in favor removal of the agenda. Uh does anybody have any additions? >> Nope. >> Good. Good. You good? >> Okay. So, >> I'll make a motion to accept the agenda
as presented. >> Okay. D makes a motion to accept the agenda. >> I'll second. >> Sarah seconds it. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. Uh motion carried. Uh next we have um a public hearing for truth and taxation.
Um first >> [snorts] >> uh at let's see at 7:01 I would like to open the public hearing [snorts] for the truth and taxation >> and I'll make a motion to open it. >> D makes a motion to open it. >> Second it. >> Gary seconds. And all in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. A. Motion carried. As of August 25th, the proper notifications have been sent by the city of Piers and the official notices have been published for the truth and taxation date. This is a is
set to allow taxpayers to comment about the proposed [snorts] annual budget and levy that is required to go in effect January 1st, 2026. The proposed preliminary levy was initially set for 7 and a half%. After further review, it is
planned to be at five and a half percent. Does the council have any questions? Does the city administrator have any written comments to present? >> I do not. >> Does the public have any comments or
questions? Second call for comments and qu or questions. And then a final call for comments and questions. At 7:03, I request a motion to close the public hearing for the 2026 truth and
taxation and resume the regular city council meeting. >> I'll make that motion. Let me make >> motion to approve resolution 2025-1208-1 final budget and levy at 5.5%. >> Okay. Lynn makes the motion. >> I'll second it.
>> Donnie seconds the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Uh, next I would like to go to a motion to approve resolution 2025-1208-2 amending the park commission. Uh, me
for that. >> Can we have discussion? >> Uh, we've everybody had a chance to review it with the lawyer and see all the notes and everything. So, I'm not going to open it up. >> You have to open it up for discussion, John. Well, >> we follow the Robert's rule of order.
>> Uh, Laura, what >> that's the proper way to do things >> is that. So, you're That is a Robert's rule. It is. >> Can you Google it really quick, Laura? [snorts] >> Why would I lie to you, John? I have no reason to.
procedure that provides guidelines for running orderly, fair, and efficient meetings, ensuring every member gets a chance to speak. >> Okay. So, uh do uh who would any of the members want to speak? >> I would. >> Okay. Go ahead. Go for it. >> Um I wrote something out, so I'm just
going to read what I have and you can see I have it here. >> Sure. Um before we vote on these two resolutions that are being presented tonight, um in my opinion, the only reason um that we are being asked for these ordinance changes is so you can
place yourself on the park commission along with community members you want to work with is for personal reasons and not for the greater good of the city or the park complex. working with the basketball court and pack to add dinosaurs to the swimming area. We have
also made the necessary improvements to the clubhouse and campground that should have been done years ago, all while working within our budget and not asking for additional money. I'm also very proud to say that we were able to start paying back on the money that was borrowed from other city funds to build
the new 9. One would think that the mayor as head of our city would be proud and pleased with the work being done by this commission and would want to see this to continue, but instead he's asking to make unnecessary changes. We have terms in place for a reason as they support continuity and stability as well
as long range planning. We do have measures in place within our ordinances to remove members from their commissions or boards before their term is up. If not performing in the best interest of the city, we should be allowing preferences.
Again, I believe the only reason that these changes are being asked for are personal. I would ask the council to take all this into consideration before voting tonight. I believe our current council members who are serving on these commissions should be allowed to fill
their terms and community members should have the right to apply and sit on commissions. um filling expiring terms >> doing one at a time. So I should I guess I have to wait. But in in terms of uh
the annual on there I don't know if we can do both at the same time. We talk about both at the same time. >> Are you okay with that, Lynn, or >> Absolutely. So [cough] get it on >> on the on the annual term. Um, I think
community members should have a three-year or or we set a term that they should be on. I think all community members should be, [clears throat] but when it comes to the council, I think the council, they can be on it more than one year, but I think it should just be a one-year term. So, for example, my
reasoning is um Gary's on or you're on the park board for a three-year term, but you just got elected for four. So, it's never that you're except for your first time, somebody may never ever complete their whole term.
I don't mind whoever is on that board, but I think that as a council, it would suit the council better to be at one by one for each year because if if you're not on there, if I were to get put on for somebody and my term is up next year
and somebody runs and beats me, then that starts all over and it just seems like it's it's odd or it's a waste of time. that but that's what my feeling is in terms of council members having it doesn't mean that that same council member might not be on there for eight
years in a row. It just means that each year there's an opportunity that between the council would switch. >> However, with RIPD and our EDA that's not allowed. >> Well, that's too Yeah.
>> No, but we're still asking as a whole, right? We're not just talking about park commission. We're talking about boards as a whole. Those two commissions do not allow it. >> Lyn, it isn't the board. It's a committee for number one. So, which one? But the park, it's a park committee. We can't call it a The only the only reason
we can if you want to call it a board that gives the park committee permission to hire park employees and also to buy and sell land. >> I apologize. I made the wrong term. >> Right. So, it's a committee. All of our committees actually have one year have one year uh terms other than the EDA and
uh I think planning and zoning. The rest of them are all one all all one year. >> Not ripsad. >> Well, ripsaw's a little bit different, but it's still the same concept, >> isn't that? That's But that's Ripaw as a board. >> Yeah. >> We don't have control over Ripaw, I don't think.
>> I think Bob Gruber is the one that picks the picks the terms. >> No, no, >> I mean that's >> that's a county. Yeah, >> they say if they want what are there's three-year terms. >> Yeah. Yes. >> They say what they want. >> That's not part of
>> RIPAD doesn't. The county does. >> Oh, I don't know. >> The county, >> right? Yes. >> Yeah. So, the county sets the >> but they do what we have. >> Yes. [snorts] >> Um I was just going to say that uh as and I guess I can lump everything into kind of one too. I guess it all kind of
goes together, but um we we really don't have uh any major projects uh coming. Um they we pay we do pay the the park board members um to attend these meetings and that would help a little bit on the
budgets with the with the paying. Um, the other thing is is and actually with Dave Fischer being here, um, I don't know if I asked Donnie, he doesn't ever remember when the mayor wasn't on the park committee. The mayor's always served always served on the park committee >> as far as I remember.
>> Probably wasn't for a while. >> Oh, I thought he was always I that's years ago for me, though. >> So, anyway, so those are kind of my reasons. I I uh I actually I guess I had my three-year term and I stepped I stepped down um and I realized that it
was a mistake cuz what happens is is that uh um all the the community they come to me and ask me questions and because of the rules that we have when two people two just a general information when two council members
talk they can't talk about the same subject with the third council member you have to have a public meeting to do that. So what happens is as as mayor and I I would think Dave would agree with me as mayor if you don't know what's going down on the park down at the park um that's about 80% of what everybody talks
about. So before that and and unfortunately I think Lynn some stuff gets done that's isn't in necessarily in the minutes. Um there's some things that happen which you know what that's the human nature. So stuff h there's decisions made that
aren't in the minutes. So um that's I guess those are those are my concerns. I didn't think it was that it necessarily needed to be on there. I realize now a year later that it is important for the mayor and I would think that whoever if the next
mayor is sitting up here that they would that they would understand understand that uh as well. >> So I just have a couple things I wrote up for both of them. Um for the first one uh I appreciate the intent to improve
consistency and transparency with the annual appointments of the council members. continuity of the operational effectiveness. Annual reappoints could disrupt ongoing projects and reduce the ability of council members to fully apply their experience and knowledge. It
also adds additional administrative work for the council and city staff each year. U to balance some accountability and stand stability, I encourage considering alternatives such as staggered multi-year appointments with periodic performance reviews. This
approach would maintain oversight while allowing members to contribute effectively to long-term projects. Um, with a big project coming up, the new nine, you know, with next year is our first full year. Next one for uh
1208-3. I have concerns about annual terms for council members appointments. Frequent reappointments could disrupt continuity, hinder long-term projects, and add extra administrative work. There's also potential for political influence over assignments rather than decisions based on operational needs. I
encourage considering staggering multi-year terms with periodic reviews instead with balance oversight and stability. My main concern is that this could disrupt continuity and make long-term planning more difficult. And those are my thoughts on that.
>> Okay. So Jared, do you got any thoughts though? >> Um, I kind of my thoughts are a little mixed. I I kind of see Donnie said how
um he makes good point, you know, having three-year terms doesn't always make sense because like one of the council seats is a two-year term. Um and yeah, one of one of the three-year um terms is, you know, dur starting in
someone's last year in office and then I don't see the point in reducing the number of people on the park committee. I feel like some of this is a little bit of a power struggle between some people. And if you really wanted to get
different point of views, because you made that comment about getting younger or different points of view, you would change all of the members, not just um bringing someone back who had left the committee and keeping certain
people. you would search out completely new board members and things like that. Um, it's just a lot of concerns. I feel like we shouldn't change too much. I think the people who are on the current park committee are
doing a fabulous job. I really like Lynn's um project on finding new equipment for the park playground down at the park. I think that's fabulous and I really would hate to see that fall fall apart and fall away.
Um, I just I mean I guess I two and maybe agree to the -3, but I really I really don't like changing the member count and
I guess the council terms it's kind of a a neutral I I don't really doesn't really matter to me. >> Okay. Well, let's uh I guess um >> we have I listened to Lynn and Gary and we've
worked I've worked with you guys before. So, just thank you for listening for us. Um I think like I've been on the park board for where we bought that property. It's kind of like watching your baby grow and I'd
like to see the project through and I think our whole committee would like to do that. Um just I feel I feel like you know changing and changing and changing whatever I mean that's your your decision to make whatever but I'm thinking that the continuity Gary talked
about Lynn um you know Sarah too to some degree I think the biggest thing is that we need to have people when we go down there they know where we're coming from and I think the comfort level when I go down there and talk to the employees and I know them all now. You know, we had a
rough year. We lost our greenskeeper. We lost our um main guy in the clubhouse. Fortunately, Andy and Mark stepped up huge. We had a fabulous year. We made money. We're paying money back. We bought stuff. I just would like to see the committee see it through. That's all
we ask. Again, that's your decision, but um I know that's just Well, thank you. Do you want to say anything or just here for Okay. [laughter] Todd. >> Okay. Todd. Yeah. [clears throat] >> And again, thank you all for listening.
Everybody's got good input and got good reasoning. But like Donnie, you know, when you were on the park board, you um having [clears throat] consistency for a few years is always a good thing when you're changing everybody up all the time.
Now we got to catch everybody all up on um these terms have worked for years. It's never been a problem if somebody if a council member is on the uh park board or planning and zoning board or whatever and they get off the they get voted out
or they res quit as being a council member, you appoint somebody else. That hasn't never been a problem to do, right? I'm not I'm not saying that that person can't stay at that job, >> but I'm just saying that there shouldn't
be a term. It should for the council, not for you or [clears throat] not for, you know, community [snorts] members. They would have their regular terms. I'm saying for the council wise, that doesn't mean that I've been on planning and zoning for the last 20 years. That doesn't mean that I could still be on
there next year and get reappointed. Mhm. >> It just is a matter of that then there isn't the issue that somebody says I want to get on there and I say no I'm on my I'm I got another term left. >> Yeah. The issue the issue is >> a peers thought.
>> So the what is the difference >> committee and commission because my understanding is the committee they're still put out there as threeear terms. commission. Um if if you're put as a commission, anybody can go on and off every year.
And this thing is a huge asset to the community. There's this is a $800,000 to a million dollar a year revenue business. And to change people in and out every year, that's taking a risk. >> So they but the the community people would have three-year terms. It's just
the it's the council, not the and that. So our argument the argument isn't with uh with the the the citizens appears >> because the council saying >> yeah so you're that >> but just the council members are going to be one year at a time
>> right >> it's more so um let's say John stayed on and he's up for election this coming fall and if he doesn't get in, he's out and it starts over. If he had one year
left, then that new mayor coming in with the new mayor then take that position. >> That's the way it's been for years. And it's never >> Well, it's changed now because of the what was brought up that it changes because you have to to have somebody leave a three-year term. They there's a
process you got to go through to you know, if we would have changed it. I'm just telling you, Todd, you didn't you you didn't see the whole thing with every >> What process has to change, John? Explain that to me, too. >> Well, I suppose they could resign if they didn't want to resign, but you did have to stay on there. If if I was mayor and my term was up in two years and I
had a three-year position, I could stay on the park board for another year. I guess, you know, I guess that would be the only difference. Typically, if somebody >> You would be the park board. You would be the council representative, right? >> Not if I'm not on the council anymore. That's right. I never even thought about that. That changed that whole that
changes the whole dynamics. No, it wouldn't because I'm still I'm still I still live in peers. I'm still a citizen. So, it wouldn't change actually. >> But you're appointed as a mayor. As a you're appointed as a council, right? >> Yeah, but you're appointed too. >> But but as a community as a community,
>> as a community member, you're appointed as a part because every board within the city has two representatives from the council. Correct. >> Yeah. And so that's what you would be. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. >> Yeah. So, uh, just to I just want to clarify something and that's why Lynn
was saying what she said before. Um, technically the park board if it's a actual board hire and fire employees and also buy and sell land. So, right under under
not be considered. This has writt been in there for years. The committee shall not be cons or lease land, employ personnel, or enter into contracts or leases or any similar powers authorized by a park board by state law. So,
>> would you be making them committees? >> Yeah, there actually is a committee right now. The lawyer said we could change it over to a committee. that but I thought there was a difference from committee to commission too. >> No, >> I don't know that. >> Nope. >> Our ordinance calls it um established
the parks commission referred to as the committee. >> Yeah. And that's been there for a long time. >> Well, I [clears throat] just go back to the consistency. Um things are working great down there right now. And to ruffle the feathers, >> give the staff down there a chance to to
give the staff a chance to the the council. >> No, I think it does affect the citizens appears because it's it's a lot of lot of I mean everybody's relying on that thing to work. >> Oh, no. I I'm saying the the the terms don't the terms don't affect the citizens. I'm not saying the decisions
we make, every decision we make affects the people of peers. What I'm saying is that uh you have a you you we're not changing the terms of like Rick. So, like Rick's got a Rick has another year on his three-year term and then the next time
people to five, the terms all stayed the same now. So, so that was where the debate is. The debate isn't in the terms for for like you and Rick and uh and and Neil and anybody else. It's so you're
>> No, I know. I don't know. I know you >> end of the year, right? >> Yeah. >> What are the plans there? >> Uh, we'll we'll talk about I I actually I don't have problem taking applications. I guess if Laura wants to take applications if we're leaving it leaving it the way it is, then I'll take
applications for them. >> I think that's a good idea, >> right? I do too. Thank you. Yeah. Thanks. Okay. So, let's go to um the motion for resolution 2025-1208-2. amending the park commission. We can vote vote it up and down. It It'd
be nice to get a motion, >> right? And that would be going from 7 to 5. >> Yep. >> Well, we have to either way we have to do the motion and then if it doesn't >> Yep. That'd be the fair way of doing it. >> Okay. So, I'll make that motion because otherwise then >> Yep.
>> they vote no or yes and then it's either made or declined, right? >> Yes. And then I'll second the motion. So, let's just we'll do a let's just do a regular count. >> Roll call. >> Yeah, roll call. So, we'll start you Gary. >> Nay. >> Donnie, >> I'll do a yes. >> Yeah, I'll do a yes. And Sarah,
>> no. >> And then Lynn, >> no. >> Okay. So, it's three to three to two against. So, we'll leave the park commission at uh at 7. And that that would be the uh resolution 2025
uh-1208-2. So the next resolution is establishing annual terms for the council members uh for the committee boards and commissions. That is resolution uh 20125-1208-3. So um if I could get a motion for that.
I'll make the motion again. >> Okay. And then um could I get a second for that motion? Uh I'll second the motion. So, uh let's uh let's do we'll do a roll roll count on that, too. So, uh Gary, nay. Donnie.
>> Yep. >> Yes. For me. Uh, let's see. 2025-1208-3. >> Stays at a three-year term. >> That stays at a three-year term. Yep. >> Okay. Perfect. >> So then, uh, the next item we have, and
thank you for all your comments, you guys. >> Thank you guys for listening. >> Yep. The next one we have is um motion to approve Gary makes a motion. >> I'll second it. >> Al seconds a motion. Um all in favor say I.
>> I opposed. Motion carried for that. Um then now we have the treasur's report. Are you up to it? K. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you. >> November's ending balance was 3,270,21.91. Okay. If I get a motion to approve that. >> Make that motion.
>> Gary makes a motion. >> I'll second. >> Sarah seconds a motion. Um, all in favor say I. I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carried. Uh, next. Uh, K, we have the claims. >> Claims for November total in $358,3718.
>> Okay. If I could have the motion to approve the claims. >> Make that motion. >> Uh, Gary makes the motion. >> I'll second. >> He second the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. A motion carried to approve the claims uh report for November.
>> Ripsad uh annual designation and appointment. We we also have Jim Gerwing. Uh Kay would be a four-year term and then Jim would be a two-year a two-year term. Um if I could get a motion to approve those.
>> I'll make that motion. Sarah makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Donnie second the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Uh. Motion carried. Uh, then we have uh the park commission
update which is Lynn. >> Yep, I can do that. Um, our meeting was relatively short. Um, talked about the fact that we will be starting on the work down there. Um, supposed to be starting January 5th. They're hoping to finish January 8th and that would be
with the um kitchen exhaust um and that system and then the air conditioning portion of it and then flooring should start shortly thereafter. And that was pretty much what we talked about. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Uh then we have the public works update.
Rick, you're on the hot seat first time. [clears throat] >> [snorts] >> Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. I'd [snorts] like to introduce myself. My name is Rick Whacker. I've been a resident of Piers pretty
much my whole life and a little more than a couple years ago. [laughter] Uh, really excited to take on the role as the director of public works. It was a harsh first snowfall that we
got and we've all been working pretty hard to stay on top of it all while gearing up for this week's storm. Uh skating rinks are just about ready. Just need to add a little more water to smoothing them out and should have
lights on and fully operational shortly. Nice. for the last blizzard we had was a big task to [cough] overcome and you did a good job. >> Thanks. Right. Uh if there's no more questions.
I'm sure you all saw in the packet that the county is looking for the city's approval on the upcoming bridge project in 2027. >> So I guess I'm just wondering if we can get that up. >> Opposed motion. Motion carried. Rick.
Thank you. All right. I guess that's all I have. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you so much. >> Have you on board? >> Yeah. >> And just so the citizens understand to our portion of that bridge project for the bridge piece of it is the sidewalk. >> That's what we're approving. >> Yep. Yep.
>> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh Laura, >> uh I don't have much. We the city received the other half the property taxes. So, that came in at $242,59852. Um, that just came last week. Other than
that, we're just kind of buttoning everything up for the end of the year, which is right around the corner. >> 22nd open for uh approvals for designations for the upcoming year. Um, and then um as and I kind of wanted to touch on this
all. We talked about it. So um the park the advisory group is going to be referred to as a park committee um from from now going forward. So everything will be posted with that in all the information because we're not a board in that and I think we'll look at at some
point we'll look at the other boards too and see if they're actually committees as well instead of uh instead of boards. Um and then I wanted to thank technical things going out there. Really fabulous rally uh for that. And um I was
going to uh I was going to actually now that I saw Dave sitting here um we should put out applications I think we talked about for uh the park uh park committee and Dave you're welcome to apply for that if you'd like to. >> I did already and I did put out
applications before. Okay. So, we can just [snorts] use that one. I was Oh, okay. We got it. >> Okay. >> The application has it on there to where you can choose. >> Oh, did you mark Did you mark park comm Oh, I didn't know. Okay. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Go ahead.
>> Okay. That's all I got. Um, if anybody else has any comments at all. >> No. >> Sarah, you good? >> No, I'm good. >> Are we good? Okay, Donnie, you got >> I'll make a motion to adjourn at 7:35. Uh Donnie makes a motion to adjourn at 7:35. >> Second. >> Sarah seconds a motion. All in favor say
I. I. Opposed. A motion carried.