The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The Fleming Town Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 14 at the Fleming Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sue Einspahr at 6:32 p.m. The following council members were present: Stefan Betley, DeeAnn Christopher, Nancy Glaspie, John Stone, Ken MacCrone and Levi Lowe. Also present were Joelle Gapter, Bill Langridge, Keith Beck, Michelle Asfeld, NextEra Energy Resources team members: Sara Cassidy, Tricia Hale, D.J. Gleason, Nathan Keiser, Russ Lloyd, Desa Inskeep, Laura Pena, Derek Hood, Corey Kramer, Michael Fryrear and Brandon Smith.

Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda, all voted and the motion passed.

Parks and Recreation: Tricia Hale, a representative from NextEra presented the Town Council a check for $25,000 for the splash pad.

Einspahr talked about some activities for the North Park. A rough estimate to remove the existing cement and pour a new cement pad, add new fencing and ADA sidewalks would be around $170,000 to $175,000. Lowe added that a canopy over the cemented area would be appealing.

Media Relations Coordinator Report: Gapter informed the Council there is now a Facebook page for the Town of Fleming. The Facebook page will be another way people can be informed about what is occurring in Fleming. She is also looking into a grant to revitalize the North Park.

Consent Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda, all voted and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Gorman emailed the Council his report since he was unable to attend the council meeting. The General Fund contains $141,943.05, Electric $141,957.53, Water $108,603.72, Sewer $108,191.26, for a NOW Account total of $500,695.56. The MMA balance is $2,545.27 and the CTF balance is $13,691.76 for a total of $516,932.59 in all accounts. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s emailed report, all voted and the motion passed.

Clerk’s Report: Asfeld asked the Council for a donation to the Fleming Focus to purchase stamps. A motion was made and seconded to donate $750.00 to the Fleming Focus, all voted and the motion passed.

At 7:09 p.m. the Council took a 10-minute recess.

Electric Report: Beck reported on several electrical issues. Thursday (July 8), the electrical issue was caused by an overload to the system. Sunday (July 11), there was an electrical issue at Miles RV. Tuesday (July 13), lightening caused a fuse to blow.

Water Report: Beck received an estimate for $78,000.00 from Maguire Iron, Inc. to paint and make upgrades to the North Water Tower. He also received an estimate for $58,000.00 to paint the South Water Tower. Beck would like the North Water Tower painted with the necessary upgrades done in 2022/2023.

After a little discussion on Beck’s water certification, a motion was made and seconded to appoint David Beck, who works at the Water Treatment Plant in Sterling as Fleming’s Certified Water Operator in charge and continue to look for a long-term solution, all voted and the motion passed.

Sewer Report: No report.

Streets: Beck mentioned Hickey has been grading the streets.

Health and Safety: The Council had a discussion about the foxes that live around town. One thought was getting the word out to residents to not feed the fox and don’t feed pets outside.

Action Items: The Planning & Zoning Committee met to review Section 2-Board of Zoning Adjustment and Section 7-Fences, of 5-2020 Zoning Ordinance. The use of electric fences was discussed at the Planning & Zoning Committee meeting. P&Z is not in favor of the use of electric fences inside the town limits, however, Stone presented a variance request to use an electric fence on his property to protect his chickens from a fox.

An emergency approval was granted until a Public Hearing can be held in August. Betley discussed two changes he would like to see on Section 2-Board Zoning Adjustment, Subtitle 2-02 Membership and Organization-(A) Members shall be property taxpayers of the Town of Fleming. Adding (F) Electronic Meeting Policy. A motion was made and seconded to accept the recommendations of P&Z changes to 5-2020 Zoning Ordinance, Section 2-Board Zoning Adjustment on the first reading, all voted and the motion passed.

At 8:01 p.m. Betley stepped down and took a seat in the audience. As a resident who lives on North Railway Street, he would like to see the name of the street changed to just Railway because there is no longer a South Railway. On official documents, his address is referred to as East Railway Street. When packages are shipped to his house, UPS and FedEx say there is no such address as North Railway Street. A motion was made and seconded to change the street name to Railway on the first reading. All voted, except Betley who removed himself from the council for this conflict of interest, the motion passed.

At 8:08 p.m. Betley takes his seat on the Council.

After a discussion of Section 18, Pens and Coops, of Ordinance #4-2020, on second reading, a motion was made and seconded to eliminating the wording ‘with a cement floor.’ Stone abstained. Lowe, MacCrone, Christophe and Glaspie all voted yes. Einspahr and Betley voting no. The motion passed.

Lowe would like to make some adjustments to Ordinance #1-2016, Intermodular Containers. He would like to change (A) 3 so that it reads, must sit at least 5’ away from main dwelling/house. Remove (A) 4 and (A) 6. These changes will be referred to P&Z.

There was a little discussion about the easement on the NW corner of 106 S. Lincoln. Einspahr will visit with Beck about the easement.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the resignation of the Town Librarian, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the wording change in the Treasurer’s Job Description, all voted and the motion passed.

The Fall Festival donation was tabled until the August meeting.

Betley addressed the participation in electronic meetings. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Electronic Meetings Policy, all voted and the motion passed.

Discussion Items: Lowe informed the Council that he has the login information to the Government Surplus website.

Stone brought up Ordinance Enforcement. He would like to see ordinances enforced as would many other residents in his neighborhood.

A motion was made and seconded to give Beck $500 bereavement pay, all voted and the motion passed.

Upcoming Meetings: The next town council meeting will be Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Fleming Community Center with a Public Hearing starting at 6:30 p.m.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:07 p.m., all voted and the motion passed.