The Severy City Council held a routine business meeting to kickoff the new year, on Monday, Jan. 6.
In new business, the council approved to hire William McClendon with McClendon Law Firm to serve as attorney for the City of Severy, at $300/ month plus an additional $100 fee per hour for projects outside of the normal monthly duties.
The council then accepted McClendon’s resignation as city treasurer and approved the appointment of Madelyn Lee as City Treasurer.
Clerk Tessa Riggs stated that a verbal resignation was received from the code enforcement officer on Dec. 11, 2024. A company that the City of Howard utilizes for code enforcement was slated to be at the January meeting; however, due to inclement weather, postponed until the next meeting. The topic was tabled until the February council meeting.
With hopes of maintaining water plant personnel, the council approved giving a $3/hour increase to those who obtain a Class 2 water license and a $2/hour increase for those who obtain a Class 1 wastewater license.
The council held two executive sessions for personnel (employee evaluations), totaling 25 minutes, with Attorney McClendon. Water Superintendent Paul Schmidt joined for the final 10 minutes. No action was taken after returning to open session. An additional executive session was held for legal matters with Clerk Riggs and McClendon. No action was taken.
Water Superintendent Schmidt reported on the water plant, noting that the project is near completion. The hope is for the water plant to be complete by early spring. He also noted that part-time employee Ty Ledford was on track to take the water certification test in late March, at the annual water conference. Schmidt later shared that the whistle project at Market Street and S Road was underway. The council approved spending up to $10,000 on a whistle for the project.
Discussion was also held regarding obtaining sealed bids for railroad property that was recently surveyed. The council made a motion to move forward with the project and directed McClendon to gather additional details.
The December meeting minutes, bills (including a payment to Waste Connections of $3,765 and chemicals for the water plant for $3,075.36) and the treasurer’s report (noting deposits of $8,709.06) were approved as presented. McClendon noted that the end-of-year report would need to be published before the end of the month.
With just three council members present, the council opted to postpone the discussion of raises until the next meeting.
Councilmember Ron Robert ran the meeting in Mayor Donna Wiss and Council President Marc Warren’s absence. Council member Kevin Klepper was also absent from the January meeting.
