Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stanhope council rejects two claims, ends energy rebates and accepts clerk's resignation
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Stanhope City Council voted 3-2 against paying two claims, voted unanimously to discontinue the city's energy rebate program, accepted the city clerk's resignation and approved switching the town's only full-time employee to monthly pay.
The Stanhope City Council met Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at the Stanhope Community Building and recorded several formal votes and administrative actions.
Mayor Kelly Wirtz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. During the consent-agenda vote the council recorded a split result on payment of claims: a roll call showed two votes in favor and three against paying two claims, so those two claims were denied for payment pending further investigation. Council Member Beau Jensen moved to approve the consent agenda; Council Member Doug Sogard seconded the consent motion.
Council members also voted unanimously to discontinue the city's energy rebate program after a motion by Council Member Kempton Young that Council Member Doug Sogard seconded. The motion passed with all members recorded as in favor.
The council accepted the resignation of City Clerk Vickie, whose last official day was listed as July 31; the minutes note that Vickie will assist until a replacement is found. Council Member Kempton Young made the motion to accept the resignation and Council Member Doug Sogard seconded; the motion carried.
On payroll, the council approved a change to pay frequency for full-time staff. Public Works employee Tim Dally is the only full-time city employee at present and agreed to be paid once a month; Council Member Kempton Young moved the change and Council Member Beau Jensen seconded the motion, which was carried. The council agreed to discuss the precise payroll date with Tim before implementation.
Other items on the agenda included:
Votes at a glance
- Consent-agenda payment of two claims: motion to pay claims failed on roll call, 2 yes, 3 no (two claims denied pending further investigation). Mover: Beau Jensen; second: Doug Sogard. Outcome: failed as to those two claims.
- Discontinue energy rebate offers: motion carried unanimously. Mover: Kempton Young; second: Doug Sogard. Outcome: approved.
- Accept resignation of City Clerk Vickie: motion carried. Mover: Kempton Young; second: Doug Sogard. Outcome: approved.
- Change payroll for full-time employees to monthly: motion carried. Mover: Kempton Young; second: Beau Jensen. Outcome: approved (implementation date to be set with employee).
Other discussion and follow-ups
- Park improvements: Patron Grant Young raised capital-improvement ideas for a city park; Mayor Wirtz asked Grant Young to consult the park committee and return with a formal proposal.
- Water shut-off at Stanhope Community Apartment Complex: Resident Peggy Phipps asked the city to pay for a water shut-off. Council members requested more information and put the matter on the agenda for the Sept. 9 meeting for further consideration.
- Mosquito spraying: Council agreed to keep mosquito-spraying charges on the utility bill for now while staff obtains additional information; no change was adopted at this meeting.
- Midas-related items: The council discussed truck-route definitions, possible street restrictions for ATV/UTV use and parking fines; members agreed to review these topics at a later date.
- Vacated property: Mayor Wirtz described a vacated parcel extending from Ohio Street west about 500 feet with specific lot dimensions and directed staff to place a public bid item on the next agenda.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Council Member Jill Haman, seconded by Council Member Mindy Hetland; the council adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
