WAITSBURG -- Council members present were: K.C. Kuykendall, Kevin House, Karl Newell and Mayor Walt Gobel. Debra Callahan and Marty Dunn were absent.

--Sheriff John Turner gave a quarterly update noting that deputy hours are currently 403 above contracted. Crime statistics for Waitsburg show a significant drop over 2013 numbers with the only increases in narcotics and motor vehicle thefts. Turner noted that vehicle theft, as well as vehicles recovered from other jurisdictions, was up county wide.

--Council members, Sheriff Turner and City Attorney Jared Hawkins discussed ramifications of I502.

--Approved City Clerk to apply for funds from USDA Community Facilities Loans and Grants program, geared to rural communities. If received, funds would be used for public art.

--Approved engineering agreement for Main/1st/Jay Streets water line project.

--Discussed 2015 budget. The only big increases are for public art and the water line project.

--Discussed replacement of pool liner options. Councilman House agreed to do further research on an epoxy product that would go directly on the pool, over existing paint and was significantly less expensive that other options discussed.

--Approved change in utility billing from 26th -25th of each month to the 1st through final day of each month.

--Appointed Emma Philbrook as new student representative.

--Drew art raffle tickets. Barb Miller won Jeffrey Hill's rooster painting and John Stellwagon won Hill's "Founding Fathers" clay model.

--Approved Ordinance 2014-1024 regarding placement of monuments in City cemeteries.

--Mayor's Report: Mayor Gobel shared that planning is underway for Waitsburg Celebration Days and volunteers are needed to help prepare for the 150th anniversary celebration. Those willing to lend a hand are asked to call 337-9177 and leave a message.

--Council Reports: Councilman Kuykendall updated council on the importance of the efforts of the Association of Washington Cities. Kuykendall shared that the fairgrounds would be closed to boarders over the winter and that he would provide a detailed financial update in the future. Councilman Newell commented on the success of the recent drug take-back day where over 8 lbs. of medications were collected.

--City Clerk Report: The watershed logging case was settled with the individual pleading guilty to a lesser charge, paying court fines and restitution to the City. Reported that a change in formula means the city no longer qualifies as "low income" and will not be eligible for low income programs from the state. Advised council to be thinking about whether or not they wished to seek an increase in property taxes next month. Earth work has been done at the Mill site to convert the area to a park and display boards are ready to be installed on the Mill kiosk. Notified council that Public Works Director Dan Katsel plans to retire Dec. 1. Updated council that all three public art pieces are in progress and look to be completed in time for the city's 150th anniversary celebration.