Royal City Council to absorb Transportation Benefit District

ROYAL CITY – There will be a couple of important items on the docket for the Royal City Council at its meeting of Dec. 1.

On Nov. 3 a motion was approved to adopt Resolution 15-07 indicating the City’s intent to assume the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the City of Royal City Transportation Benefit District.

It’s a logical move, according to Finance Director Greg Pike. The council has been the board for the TBD. But City Attorney Katherine Kennison informed the council she learned recently it can simply absorb the TBD.

That will eliminate the need for separate books and separate bank accounts, Pike said. The council and the TBD board are the same people.

Pike said the final step in this process is a required public hearing. It will probably be held on Dec. 1.

The Royal City TBD has the authority to present, for a vote of the people, a sales tax increase for the benefit of streets.

According to Pike, there will be a public hearing on Dec. 1 for the final budget for 2016. It will total $2 million. It is balanced, and each of the funds within it are balanced, Pike said.

In other business on Nov. 3, the Council approved a consent agenda that included Council meeting minutes from Oct. 20, a payroll for Oct. 31 in the amount of $38,129.25 and claims for Nov. 3 in the amount of $28,797.82.

A motion was approved to authorize Mayor Kent Andersen to sign the 2016 agreement with Shane Heston of Trask Insurance to represent the City of Royal City in matters related to insurance coverage.

Darryl Piercy told the council that a right of entry form was presented to property owner Lloyd Sparks for approval to allow the City to conduct an asbestos assessment of the structure at 310 Acacia.

City is waiting for a response from Sparks. If Sparks doesn’t approve, the City cannot go onto the property, Pike said.

Piercy told the Council a building permit will be required for the new organic flour mill. It was exempt until the owners decided to make some modifications on the granary that was converted to a flour mill.

According to Pike, the Council discussed adopting a city-wide ban on recreational marijuana. The discussion has been on-going Pike said. He does not expect a decision any time soon.