Heated debate at Tulelake City Council meeting

Tulelake, CA— New Internet Service for Tulelake

The majority of the work being done by the Department of Pubic Works has been completed that was paid for by the parks grant the city of Tulelake received. The final area being worked on was by the Tulelake Library in Mike Bunch Park on Main Street. The sprinkler system has now been installed according the Director of Pubic Works Brett Nystrom.

Grindings from STIP Overlay Project have been piled up on BLM property behind Roper Park on B Street. By having the city of Tulelake keep them, it saved on the final cost of Rocky Mountain hauling them away and the city of Tulelake can use the grindings for other purposes through-out the city of Tulelake.

An annual contract for the outside water districts was discussed and errors made in the wording of the contract will be corrected in a future meeting that was brought to the attention of the Tulelake City Council. Then all parties can sign it for the fiscal year 2014/2015 water agreement with the outside water districts. The terms have not changed and are the same as they have been for years past.

Council member Tom Cordonier brought up a question about the placement of the meters being outside the city limits and he was concerned if something happened to the meters as to who was responsible for them? Since the water districts 10-A DISTRICT AG ASSOCIATION will read its own meters now instead of city employees time be spent reading them.

The same question about the placement of the meters outside the city limits were discussed about the THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA meter locations too. It is more cost effective to have them placed outside of the city limits, but like Murphy’s Law anything can happen and it does not hurt to have a contingency plan if something should arise. As it was pointed out, it has never happened before, but as the Mayor, Randy Darrow expressed. It could, so it would not be a bad idea to prepare in case it did, happen.

Josh Egalite, owner of SteetNet Internet presented to the city council the possible idea of placing a dish on the water tower for Internet service in Tulelake. A member of the public Leah Ross pointed out where she felt the tower was in line of site and would make a good place to have the dish installed. But it was also pointed out that the water tower has enough stuff that has been placed on it over the years. Where the city of Tulelake is still in the process of removing those things that were installed years ago by the debunk cable provider and is still be being discussed by the City Attorney to have them removed and either have the cable company pay for the removal or charge them for the removal.

The city is still in the process of having the tower painted soon and it was pointed out that if SteetNet Internet were approved that when the tower was being painted their equipment would have to be removed during that time. A better suggestion was made to have the equipment by SteetNet Internet be placed on the existing cell phone tower located by Tulelake Volunteer Fire Department by getting a lease with present cell phone operator of the tower now US Cellular One. The city council asked for Josh to seek more information and then come back with that information in the future— no action was taken by the city council at this time.

Hiring a peace officer for the Police Department by Tony Ross, no action was taken at this time by the city council.

The possible development of a BMX Dirt Track behind Roper Park was discussed and suggested a better place might be out by the Tulelake Volunteer Fire Department by both Tony Ross and Debbie Mathews. The council suggested coming back when more information is made available about the insurance costs and liability issues of concerns for the BMX Dirt Track.

However, it was discovered that the area where the city is piling the grindings is actually BLM land and that BLM contacts could be made for a decision by BLM as to the approval of a BMX Dirt Track in that area behind Roper Park on B Street. Where local businesses or non-profits could be involved to support such an endeavor for the BMX Dirt Track in Tulelake as another option for cyclist to have a place to ride their bikes. Those not involved in other activities they have no interest in doing or being involved in doing in the city of Tulelake.

The final item on the agenda was the protocol of rising and lowering of the flags at City Hall, the Police Department and Veterans Park. There was discussion with no action taken at this time by the Tulelake City Council.

During the Department head updates Debbie Mathews wanted to thank Jenny Coelho for the great Tulelake City Banner News letter that was mailed with all of the water bills this month.

A heated debate between the Chief of Police, Tony Ross and the city council and Jenny Coelho over the Tulelake Police Department budget and how it has been administered and kept track of the expenditures. Where Tony Ross presented to the council his version of how he would like it to be done. Where it is better for him to know when he is going over budget on items and where Susan Lloyd, CPA Finance Director of Tulelake in the past have disagreed with Tony Ross on this very same issue over the past year.

It was suggested by the council, that Tony Ross and Susan Lloyd get together and see if they can work out their differences and the Mayor, Randy Darrow agreed. Tony Ross mentioned he would send Susan Lloyd an email on the subject of his budget figures. Susan Lloyd was not present at the meeting. Jenny Coelho made the effort to try and meet Tony Ross halfway. During this discussion Tony Ross gave the impression that he was not going to do it any more. After 10 years of trying to get others to agree with him from the time when Iva Rogers was Mayor according to Tony Ross himself at the Tulelake City Council meeting.

Council Member Jerry King made the statement directed at Tony Ross, “Oh you mean it is your way or the highway?” Where Tony Ross responded by saying, No! It was up to the council” As Jenny Coelho did her best to come to a neutral understanding and was willing to still and try to work with Tony Ross, but it was still up to Susan Lloyd to make that decision, according to Jenny Coelho Tulelake City's Administrative Clerk.

James Garland of Tulelake News
http://tulelakenews.com
Cell (530)-708-7852
Email: tulelakenews@yahoo.com

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