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Stanhope council approves consent agenda, agrees to pay half of apartment concrete costs and sets Halloween plans
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Stanhope City Council approved the consent agenda, set Trick-or-Treat for Oct. 31 and allowed Envision to use the Community Center parking lot, agreed to cover half the material cost for concrete at a local apartment project and approved routine IT and fundraising plans. Council discussed, but did not vote on, a proposed modest electric rate increase.
The Stanhope City Council on Sept. 9 unanimously approved its consent agenda, set community Halloween activities and agreed to cover half the material cost for concrete work at a local apartment project while discussing a proposed modest increase to the city’s electric rates.
Mayor Kempton Young called the regular session to order at 6:00 p.m. and Council Member Mindy Hetland moved to approve the consent agenda, a motion seconded by Council Member Jill Haman and approved by roll call. The consent agenda covered approval of the meeting agenda, the Aug. 12 minutes, payment of claims and financial reports for Aug. 1–31, 2025.
Polly Hayes raised logistics for Trick-or-Treating; the council set Trick-or-Treat for Oct. 31 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. and allowed Envision to use the parking lot across from the Community Center for a Trunk-or-Treat event. Hayes provided fliers to the council and said Envision will print them in October.
In an update on city property, Rick Young reported that the Medical Arts building and the Depot are now city-owned. Young said the Medical Arts building currently generates $400 per month in rent from two existing businesses and the council discussed recruiting a new business tenant for the Depot and the Medical Arts building.
Mayor Young told the council that the owners of 400–410 Parker have contacted him and are preparing a plan to address the buildings’ condition; Young said the owners are fulfilling their obligations on that issue.
On utilities, Mayor Young said the city’s electrical rates have not changed since 2014 and recommended a 3% increase in 2026 followed by 2% in subsequent years to keep the utility fund fiscally sound. The council discussed the proposal but did not take a formal vote on rate changes at the meeting.
Council debated concrete work for a new apartment project and agreed to share material costs. Council Member Mindy Hetland said it would be fair for the city to pay half the cost of concrete materials while relying on volunteers for labor. Beau Jensen moved to approve paying half the material cost with no labor payments; Doug Sogard seconded the motion and the council voted unanimously to approve the measure.
Grant Young proposed holding a dance at the fire station as a fundraiser for Stanhope Fire and Rescue, with cover charges directed to the department. Hetland moved to approve the event, Jensen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Council also approved an update to the city computer’s Norton software (motion by Jill Haman, seconded by Doug Sogard). Mayor Young noted a job advertisement had been published for a new city clerk with a Sept. 22 application deadline; Jori will assist at the city office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at no cost to the city.
During Mayor comments, Devon Hensley addressed questions about a loan taken by the city last year; the minutes record the amount as “600,00,” which is not specified precisely in the record. The council adjourned at 7:38 p.m. following a motion by Jill Haman and a second by Mindy Hetland.
Votes at a glance: the consent agenda, the concrete-materials cost-sharing for the apartment project, the fire department fundraiser and the Norton update were each approved by unanimous roll call. No formal vote was recorded on the proposed electric rate increases.
