By BARBARA PROFFITT | April 19, 2023

The Pleasanton City Council met in regular session at the Community Center at 9th and Main on Monday evening in anticipation of city residents questioning the 1-cent sales tax initiative to repair and reconstruct roads.

The meeting began with an open forum on the sales with several residents speaking in regard to the matter. (See related article in this edition)

City Administrator Teresa Whitaker gave a brief update on several items; noting an upcoming cost increase to the city for housing inmates at the county jail. Whitaker noted a need to increase court costs and that, they would need to include a $50 fee for those who taken into custody and placed at the jail. Council member Aaron Portmann moved to approve ordinance 2050 amending a previous order for court costs to increase that amount to $1106.50, add the $50 fee for housing to arrestees being taken to jail; and add a $45 fingerprint fee. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote.

Whitaker then requested a 5-minute executive session for personnel matters and the council moved to enter into executive session. Following the executive session the regular meeting resumed with no action taken.

Council approved the consent agenda including the minutes of the last meeting; regular disbursements of $13,603.13; payroll disbursements of $21,333.48; and mandatory disbursements of $17,742.32.

Council then entered into a five minute executive session for legal matters with city attorney Burton Harding. No action was taken when the meeting resumed.

Police Chief Tristan Snyder reported on arrest for the last two weeks and then requested the council consider allowing the department to purchase a drug dog. Snyder provided council with information on the process noting costs from $5,500 to $12,500 depending on what the city opts to do. The council entered into another 5-minute executive session for legal matters with Snyder. Upon resumption of the regular meeting no action was taken on the request.

In other business, the council:

- Approved the ordinance requesting the one cent sales measure be placed on the November ballot.

- Agreed to waive fees for the community center for the PHS junior-senior prom this coming Saturday.

- Hired Candy Houtman as city codes/animal control/ public works employee at $15 per hour.

- Agreed to spend up to $5,000 on fireworks for Fourth of July.

- Approved closing city hall from 12 to 1 p.m. on May 18 for an employee luncheon.

- Tabled revisions to the dangerous dog ordinance; the code book and the planning and zoning regulations book.