By Heidi Beguin
The regular meeting of the Hay Springs City Council was held on Tuesday, February 13, and called to order at 7 p.m.
Council members present included Keith Kearns, Chuck Toof, and Dave Agnes. Luke Marcy and mayor Glenn Muhr were excused. City clerk Samantha Orr was also present.
Since there were no Public Concerns, president Keith Kearns moved a couple bits of New Business to the beginning of the meeting. Jess Heesacker was present to ask the board to consider approval of an SDL (Special Designated Liquor License) for the Chamber of Commerce cribbage tournament on March 13. This was approved and passed.
Sandy Heesacker was also in attendance to ask the board to consider approval of an SDL for Sacker’s on April 6. The reason for this was a golf course fundraiser. This request was also approved and passed.
Kearns then went through the current city rates and fees, asking for input as they are being updated. Both Jess and Sandy offered some things to think about on the current fees.
During the Street Report, Wrangler Youel handed out ‘wish list’ sheets to each of the councilmen. He asked that they think about what they would add to a wish list of things that could be done to beautify the town. If an item was listed on more than one list, that would become a priority.
The wish list could be something that summer help takes on, or Wrangler himself would make a point to get it done.
Mike Haver was present to bring a situation about payment of a water bill to the attention of the board. Haver’s stepdaughter had been renting from Austin Reed, who refused to respond to Haver’s calls for reimbursement of a water bill, which Haver paid more than 14 days after she had moved out, which at that time becomes the landlord’s responsibility.
After a brief discussion, it was pointed out that small claims court would probably be the best option for Haver to proceed.
The final point of the night was whether or not to accept the resignation from mayor Glenn Muhr, as of April 1, 2024. Although the board did not want to, they agreed to accept it and Keith Kearns will serve as mayor in the interim.
Of note, former Mayor Muhr was sworn in at that position on Monday, December 19, 2022.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is on March 12 at 7 p.m.