Dayton City Council December meeting update

DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. on December 3, 2024. Trump and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, and Shannon McMillen were present at City Hall. Michael Smith was not present.

Sheriff Helm kicked off the meeting by reading monthly statistics. He mentioned positive comments he’d received regarding the city’s new radar speed signs installed at both ends of Main Street.

Helm said the sheriff’s office is participating in “Toys for Tots,” and donations can be made at the drop box in the sheriff’s office lobby.

The emergency calls for last month were 290 Sheriff’s calls for the city and 103 for the county. The city had six fire calls, and the county had four. Emergency medical calls were 35 for the city and 15 for the county. Commissioner Ryan Rundell also mentioned the purchase of three portable Starlink units for use by emergency services or other departments when operating in an area with poor communications coverage.

The council quickly handled administrative matters before closing the regular meeting to open a public hearing on the Preliminary 2025 Budget. The public can contact the city staff to review the Preliminary 2025 Budget. The Preliminary Budget includes $15,605,558 in planned expenditures. Council members and city staff discussed the proposed water/sewer rate hikes needed to maintain services for residents and maintain lawns in the city’s parks and the cemetery. Su’euga said there were some things we cannot continue to ignore. The public hearing closed without any comment from the public, and the regular meeting resumed.

After the meeting resumed, the council approved a new 2025 Master Fee Schedule. The latest schedule aligns more with those in similar-sized, nearby cities. The council also approved an updated 2025 salary schedule for non-contractual employees.

McMunn announced her intention to attend the December 17 meeting using Zoom and to resign her position on the council beginning January 1, 2025. McMunn is moving out of state.

Council members decided to hold a workshop on the preliminary budget at 3 p.m. on December 10, 2024. The council will vote on the budget’s adoption on December 17, 2024.

Ryan Paulson, the Dayton Public Works Director, said that Anderson Perry continues flow testing to confirm feasibility of the proposed location for the wastewater treatment plant. He said he was working with the Port of Columbia to ensure the easements for the sewer lines along the railroad track would remain should the port sell the railroad property.

Paulson said a CCTV system has been purchased and will soon be installed at the city park to deter vandalism and mischief in the park. In addition to the speed monitoring signs on Main Street, he said he will install three button-activated crossing signals, starting at the intersection of Third Street and Main.

Dog licenses are now on sale at city hall. The price will increase after January 1, 2025.

City Planner Clark Posey said he was expecting a demolition permit for Ray’s Drive-In to be submitted soon. He said the McQuary’s Grocery and Woody’s buildings are both under new ownership.

The council meeting adjourned at about 7:28 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6 p.m.