Jesse Shade

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and consent items, which covered the minutes from the prior meeting and various vendor payments totaling $98,601.29. During the public forum, concerns were raised regarding yielding at yield signs and improper parking obstructing visibility. Old business involved reviewing an arborist's evaluation of a city tree; the council subsequently voted to approve the complete removal and stumping of the tree by McNeill. New business included approving additional training for three city employees and referring requests from residents to sell adjacent alleys to the planning & zoning board. Updates from the Afton Development Cooperation covered quotes for the grain bin gazebo project and a request to install room darkening curtains in the community center. The council also discussed and subsequently voted to remove the food pantry box and cease participation in that program. Finally, a livestock permit for 4-H project calves was approved, and Joe Ross was appointed to the Fairview Housing Board. Committee updates noted that the Rec Board meeting was rescheduled and the Landfill had begun work on a new building.

The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the previous meeting and a list of bills for payment totaling $33,847.18. During the organizational meeting segment, several resolutions were passed setting the time and place for 2026 regular council meetings, determining council payment dates, establishing pay for appointed meetings, authorizing employee numbers, duties, and compensation, providing for surety bonds, establishing City Attorney fees, designating The Afton Star Enterprise as the official paper for publication, and designating the day before Christmas as a holiday. Old business concerned a tree complaint for which the city awaited an arborist report. New business included approving an amendment to Casey's alcohol ownership partners, receiving an update from the Police Chief regarding the budget and vehicle acquisition plans, and approving the Planning & Zoning Board's recommendation to allow a resident to sell firearms from their residence under specified conditions. The council also reviewed and approved three Exterior Beautification Grant applications for $500 each, designated $5,000 in funds for FY 2027 Downtown Façade and Exterior Beautification grants, discussed guidance for a trailer park manager regarding city codes, and approved a large flagpole project contingent upon securing grants. Committee updates covered the Rec Board, EMC budget, Landfill construction, and Greenlawn meeting schedules.

This session served as a dedicated work session for the review of figures required for the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. No formal actions or decisions were taken during this meeting.

The council addressed a resident's complaint regarding a potentially diseased tree in an alley, requesting another evaluation by a different company, with follow-up scheduled for January. An exception for a fence installation was approved for residents at 511 E Filmore St. Local authority approvals were granted for Sidetracked LLC to serve alcohol at the Fairgrounds on January 10, 2026, pending insurance review, and for El Ranchito's annual alcohol license. Discussions with the Afton Development Corporation covered the replacement of the 'Welcome to Afton' sign and the community use of a school storm shelter, with follow-up assigned to two council members. The council modified employment handbook parameters, changing the scheduled hours for Regular Part-Time Employees from 20 to 20-35 hours per week, and adjusting pro-rated holiday pay for permanent part-time employees working 30 hours a week to 6 hours. A motion passed ensuring full-time employees on a 4-day, 10-hour schedule receive 10 hours for holiday pay, and maintenance employees were given the option of a Monday-Friday 8-hour schedule or a 4-day, 10-hour schedule. Terms for two members of the Greenlawn cemetery board were renewed, and a 3-year mowing contract was approved despite concerns over post-Memorial Day clean-up responsibilities. Appointments were confirmed for the Rec Board and the Planning & Zoning Board and Board of Adjustments. A 3-year proposal for audit services and the attorney fee contract for 2026, which included a rate increase, were approved. The council reviewed and dismissed a complaint concerning overtime worked by a maintenance employee during a Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm. Committee updates included positive financial results for the EMC's Creston Tower project.

The Afton City Council meeting included discussions on a fence dispute between residents, nuisance properties, and a complaint about a neighbor's dog. Updates were provided on the camera system, exterior beautification projects, a wastewater treatment facility inspection, the Annual Street Report, and the Annual Financial Report. The council decided not to purchase a vacant lot and approved utility clerk training. They also discussed abandoned properties, employee performance reviews, and potential improvements to the evaluation process. Updates were given from the Rec Board, Landfill, EMC, Fire, and Cemetery committees.