January 20, 2026 - Council Meeting

Council Meeting

January 20, 2026

6:00 pm

Present:          Council President: Betty Hoster, Council Vice President: Michael Johnson

Council Members: Cameron Emond, Janet Gross, and Chris Dye

Clerk Treasurer: Karie Holder, Deputy Clerk: Breanna Plantenga

Town Marshal/Street Commissioner: Jared Baer

Other: Chuck Watts. Brian Furrer, Larry Dickerson, Kenneth Burns

Council President Betty Hoster opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The January 6, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Town Marshal/Street Commissioner, Jared Baer, notified the Council that the Water Plant inspection went well. Justin Bowman is currently working toward getting his water license. Jared also notified the Council that the Community Crossing Grant bids will be given on Thursday at 10am.

Clerk Treasurer Karie Holder presented the APV Register for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the APV Register. Council member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Karie presented the December 2025 Financial Review for approval. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Review. Council member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Karie presented the 2025 Year End APV Register. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to approve the Year End APV Register. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Karie presented Transfer Resolution 2026-0120A for approval. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to approve the resolution. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Karie presented Encumber Resolution 2026-0120B. Council Member Janet Gross made a motion to approve the resolution. Council Member Cameron Emond second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Town Marshal/Street Commissioner, Jared Baer, announced that he has been in contact with someone about graveling town alleys, once the weather warms up.

Brian Furrer notified the Council that he is planning on building new homes, on the lots that he owns, on the South West side of town. Brian stated that he will be making a variance request with the county, and asked the Council for their support. Council Member Cameron Emond made a motion to approve a variance of 40 feet from the road. Council Vice President Michael Johnson second the motion. Brian then requested that the Council consider vacating an alley between two of his empty lots. Surveys have been done on the lots, and there are no utilities on his half of the alley. The Council discussed that they will need to make an ordinance to vacate the alley and speak with emergency services, to make sure there are no issues. Brian then notified the Council of some other plans that he has in store for Wolcott.

Chuck Watts, Wolcott Summer Country & Gospel Music Series, asked the Council to consider donating $3,000 to his event, opposed to the $250 donation that was approved at the previous meeting. Chuck explained how much it has cost to prepare for the event. After some discussion, Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to table the issue, until Clerk Treasurer Karie Holder can look at how much money the town has budgeted to donate. Council member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 3-0, Michael Johnson and Janet Gross abstained from the vote.

Kenneth Burns, Fire Chief, presented a quote to place emergency sirens in the county. The quote was from Darley Fire Equipment for $22,646.12. Council President Betty Hoster stated that Ken Smith, town engineer, will be dropping off more information about the siren project, the following day.

Meeting adjourned.