Meeting Minutes

All 5 Trustees Present                     Citizens Present: 14

Town of Augusta Calendar of Events

April 4 (Tuesday) 6 am – 7 pm        Election Day — VOTE      New Polling Place:  St. Paul UCC in Defiance

April 11 (Tuesday) 6:30 pm             Tell It Like It Was by Jan Mallinckrodt and Jennifer Speckhard

April 17 (Monday)                             Augusta Bulk Item Pick-up

April 20 – 29 (Thursday – Saturday)  Plein Air Art Festival – check out:  https://www.augustapleinair.com/events/category/2023-plein-air/                                                                                                April 29 (Saturday)       11:30 am  Award Presentations;     12 – 5 pm   Final Sale for Artists’ Paintings

May 1 (Monday)             6:30 pm   Election Results          7:00 pm  Regular Town Board Meeting 

May 13 (Saturday) 12 – 1 pm          Spring Vaccination Clinic for Dogs and Cats, Old Augusta Firehouse (for more information check out “EVENTS” on the website or call 636-239-2745)

May 15 (Monday)                              Mail-in Deadline for “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest for ALL AGES

OLD & NEW BUSINESS

*  The Spring Augusta Bulk Trash Pick-Up is scheduled for April 17, 2023.

*  Three Town Board candidates are on the ballot for the April 4 election:  Joe Buchheit, Ellen Knoernschild, and Laura Miller.  Vote in Defiance at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

*  The lease between the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Augusta at the Visitor’s Center was presented, discussed, and approved for renewal.  There was an increase in the monthly rent from $200 – $300.

*  The Donation from Friends of Augusta to the History Museum was read by title only (it was on the Town website for viewing) and went through the process to be approved.

*  Conditional Use Permit for 5593 Chestnut was approved.

*  Rezoning from Commercial to Residential at 5501 Locust was approved.

*  Deck was built behind the White House Cafe’ with tables and chairs set up.

PUBLIC WORKS

*  Potholes are being repaired.  Randall Oaks had an illustration outlining the potholes to be repaired.  More asphalt needs to be ordered.  Thanks to Tom Whelan for volunteering to assist with the pothole repairs.

*  Street sweeper starts cleaning the town streets on April 5th.

*  Before anything can be done with the mailboxes behind the Post Office, the mailbox owners need to be contacted.  Randall Oaks received a quote for $800 from Town & Country for a 18 mailbox cedar frame.  The mailboxes are not included.

PARKS COMMITTEE REPORT

*  Randall Oaks presented diagrams of new ideas for the playground.

* Parts of the playground are expected to be completed by the September Harvest Festival.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT

* The April 29th Request for street closures on Walnut from Public to Jackson from 8 am – 5 pm was approved.

 * There are 78 assigned booths and a food truck available for the event.

MUSEUM REPORT

*  Museum will be open April 23 from 12 – 4 pm.

*  Museum now has a WiFi hotspot installed.

*  Tell It Like It Was this month is hosted by Jan Mallinckrodt.

*  One of the shutters needs repair.  Damage was caused by high winds.

ZONING & PLANNING REPORT

* Three sign permit applications were denied:  2 for the Hostel and 1 for the Kickstand.  The denials can be submitted to the Board of Appeals.

OPEN TO CITIZENS                                                     

* Don Simon discussed reinstating the Land Use Permit for the Hostel.

Town Website and Photo Contest report  by Gay Eskew:

“Best of Augusta” Photo Contest scheduled deadline is May 15, 2023.  It is for all ages; anyone that can hold a camera.  Additional information is on the town website under “Photo Contests.”  Publicity for this contest is in the Boone Country Connection, through word of mouth, and notification of previous winners and entrants.  It will also be on the website and some simple posters will be printed up and distributed around Augusta.  Prizes are from Halcyon Spa and Quaint, Cozy & Quiet Airbnb.  Entry forms may be obtained on the website:  www.townofaugustamo.org.

The Town Website only has Events listed that are within the Augusta town limits.  For a complete listing of all of the Plein Air events, including those outside of Town, please go to the Plein Air website.

TREASURER’S REPORT

*  Report was approved.  Checks were approved.

*  Total Income & Sales Tax Revenue submitted by Ellen Knoernschild.

*  Capitol Improvement report submitted by Ellen Knoernschild.

COLLECTOR’S REPORT

* Eff 3-15-23 $433.50 Feb Collections

*  1 Short Term Rental Application ($200) Indian Creek Capital

* 16 Business Licenses (@ $25) for Halcyon (2), Augusta Glass Studio, Mike Delay, Hoffman Augusta Gallery, Hoffman Gas Station, Gator Tours, Mount Pleasant Winery, Kickstand, Augusta Winery, Augusta Wine & Beer Garden, Augusta Emporium, Augusta Clothing Store, and Hoffman Community Collective (3)

FARM REPORT  none submitted

TREE COMMITTEE REPORT:  none submitted

Complete Town Board Meeting Minutes are in the Augusta Library.

All 5 Trustees Present                     Citizens Present: 18

Town of Augusta Calendar of Events is at the end of the Minutes.

NEW BUSINESS

* Bulk Trash Pick-Up scheduled for April 17, 2023.  Discussion was held.

*  The Short-Term Rental bill was approved as an ordinance to repeal Ordinance 2023-01.  (A copy is on the website.)

*  The Bill to Vacate and discontinue a portion of the street located at 255 Washington St. was approved as an ordinance.

OLD BUSINESS

* Hoffman wants to install Lighting on the Town Hall & Visitor Center to conform to other lighting in Town. The Town of Augusta will be responsible for paying the electric.

*Laura Miller led the discussion about the selection of a new computer for the Town.

OPEN TO CITIZENS

* Kristen Cavanaugh asked about the bright lights on the parking lot at Mt Pleasant Winery. Lights are left on 24/7 and very annoying at night for the comfort of our residents.  She requested that the Hoffman Company would look into this concern.

PUBLIC WORKS

*  Motion approved for up to $3,500 for the History Museum roof to include inspection for structural damage, painting, and repair.

*  Motion approved to allocate $5,000 to raise the canopy at the Town Park with tree trimming by Tree Brothers.

*  Laura Miller brought up a new idea for partnering with a company to train street sweepers.  Discussion held.

* Randall Oaks gave an update on potholes and their repair with a detailed map.

* Randall Oaks presented the idea of mailbox uniformity on Chestnut Street by the Post Office.

* Randall Oaks gave an update on the FEMA Floodplain requirements.  Discussion followed.

MUSEUM REPORT

*  The Museum received a $10,000 donation to be used toward a new restroom at the History Museum by Alan & Kathryn Frazier. This will be an annual gift to the Museum.

*  Town & Country will help with planting in the garden this spring.

PARKS COMMITTEE REPORT

* Trying to find a date and time to meet.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT

* 62 artists have signed up for the Plein Air; 13 are new to the event.

 * The Chamber is still looking for lodging for at least 20 additional beds for Artists.

ZONING & PLANNING REPORT

* Recommended to deny the sign permits for the Hostel and Kickstand.  The Board approved the denial.

* Rezoning Application was approved for 5501 Locust Street to change from Commercial to Residential.

* Two separate Right-of-Way variances were approved by the Board of Adjustments for 255 Washington Street for Crown Properties Randy Greene and for 295 Washington Street.

* Two Conditional Use permit applications were received for Short Term Rentals for 229 Lower and 5593 Chestnut.

FARM REPORT  none submitted

TREASURER’S REPORT

*  Report was approved.  Checks were approved.

*  ARPA Funds update given by Ellen Knoernschild.  There is $29,793.82 remaining.

COLLECTOR’S REPORT

* Eff 1-17-23 $9912.46 Dec Collections;  Eff 1-23-23 $1134.80 RR Utility Tax Dec 2022

* 5 Business Licenses (@ $25) for Hoffman Gallery Augusta, White House Cafe’, Lindenhof B & B, Botanical Tea Room, and Pitman Funeral Home.

*  Land Use permits (@ $50) for Mark Lutz at 229 Lower Street.

*  2 Sign Permit applications (@ $10) for Ziglin Signs.

*  2 Conditional Use permits for Short Term Rental (@$500) for Charles & Esther Nobe and Bill & Debbie Shaefer.

* Rezoning Application ($1,000) for Crown Properties.

TREE COMMITTEE REPORT:  none submitted

Town Website and Photo Contest report  by Gay Eskew:

*”Best of Augusta” Photo Contest–I’m checking on a couple of places that I can be to promote the Photo Contest during the Plein Air.  A number of years ago, I spoke with members of the Plein Air committee about having a photography category.  They were interested.  There is a new committee in place now.  We could plan a “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest during the Plein Air and/or at the Harvest Festival.  I could probably have something in place to print out photographs from cell phones by September.  The Kids’ Contest could be in October, which is fine with the Augusta Elementary art teacher, Sarah Bayless.

*The first stated focus for the photos is highlighting the “uniqueness of Augusta.”

Complete Town Board Meeting Minutes are in the Augusta Library.

TOWN CALENDAR

March 11 (Saturday) 7:00 pm              Augusta Ramble Concert:  Ivas John Band (Tickets $12)

April 3 (Monday)                                    Town Board Meeting

April 17 (Monday)                                  Augusta Bulk Item Pick-up

April 20 – 29 (Thursday – Saturday)  Plein Air Art Festival – check out:  https://www.augustapleinair.com/events/category/2023-plein-air/

May 13 (Saturday) 12:00 – 1:00 pm     Spring Vaccination Clinic for Dogs and Cats, Old Augusta Firehouse (636-239-2745)