Budgeted item costs city $26,500

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Thanks to a vote of support by the city council, the City of Burns once again has a bucket truck available for use in the city.
At their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 27, the council approved Resolution No. 09-501, which authorized the purchase of the truck for a sum of $26,500.

Audience member Herb Vloedman asked the council if they had compared the cost of renting or subleasing a bucket truck rather than purchasing one.

Mayor Len Vohs stated the purchase was a long-time deal, and had been budgeted for in the general equipment fund. Vohs added that bucket trucks they had rented in past were no longer available, and by having their own, it allows the Public Works Department to get some projects done.

The council also passed Resolution No. 09-502, which extends the city’s workers’ compensation coverage to volunteers of the city.

Councilor Dan Hoke had a concern about how they determine who is included in the coverage and how it’s monitored. City Manager Don Munkers explained that there is a list of people on the Volunteer Election Form, and that the coverage is pretty much mandated.

Darlene Hicks, representing the the Kids Club of Harney County, asked the council if they would be a sponsor for the 5K Walk/Run to be held June 20. She said the sponsorships start at $75, and that would include a logo on the event’s T-shirts.

The council expressed their support for the Kids Club but said because they were at the end of this year’s budget, there was no money left in that fund. “We’d like to help out, but we’re limited by the budget,” Vohs said. Councilor Linda Johnson said if the club could have someone present when they were doing the upcoming budget, the council could dedicate funds at that time. She added that when organizations approach the council for a donation, she would like to see a presentation and an offer to do some work for the donation. “It’s not a hand-out, but a hand-up,” Johnson said. “If one group just sends a letter asking for a donation, another comes in and makes a presentation, and then a third offers to work for it, I’m going to go with the third one.”

Councilor Bill Renwick said that even though the city had no money to give the club, he would make a personal donation of $10. The other council members, as well as Cemetery Executive Committee members Jan Cupernall and Dick Day, followed his lead and all made personal donations.

Vloedman voiced a concern about the 3 percent increase (from 4 to 7 percent) the city proposed  in their franchise agreement with CenturyTel. “That is pretty much a pass-through for CenturyTel,” Vloedman said. “The increase is coming back on the customers.” He also wanted the council to understand that while it is stated as a 3 percent increase, it is actually a 75 percent increase from the previous amount.

Munkers stated that the 7 percent franchise fee is more in line with comparable cities, and it’s not yet a done deal. “That was our proposal to CenturyTel. It’s not been agreed to yet,” he said.

In other business:

• Councilor Johnson said she was concerned about the number of ground squirrels at the Burns cemetery. She added the city had purchased a machine to combat the rodents, and she felt it was not being used on a consistent basis. Vohs said he had been at the cemetery recently, spoke with the caretaker about the number of ground squirrels, and “ It is being addressed;”

• Dan Jordan of Steens Mountain Insurance submitted a bid to become the Agent of Record of the city’s property, liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Vohs said they were reviewing the current policy and would let Jordan know of their decision;

• Johnson said the plans for the Yard of the Month were moving along. She had attended a Hines Common Council meeting and they were receptive to the idea. The selection committee will be made up of one Burns resident, one Hines resident and two or three members of the Sunrise Garden Club. The committee will select a Yard of the Month in Burns and one in Hines;

• Munkers asked the council to review the employee handbook and report back to him with any questions or comments so they could get it finalized by the next meeting.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at city hall.