Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
October 9, 2007 – 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting was called to order on this date by
Mayor Henrich. Present:
Councilman
Varce, Mallory, Stieneke, Leach, Peck, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.
Absent: City Attorney
Miller.
Ramona Nitz, chairperson of the
Planning & Zoning Commission, was present regarding the
recent Board of Adjustment case. She
explained that when she first became a member of
Planning & Zoning she reviewed a report from a recent conference showing
that the average
number of variances approved by most cities is 5%.
A good share of time the neighbors feel
city ordinances should protect them. Ramona
said that from January 2002 to present, the
Cherokee Board of Adjustment has approved 55 of 58 variance requests.
Planning & Zoning
recommends ordinances to the council for approval and they feel the ordinances
should protect
the citizens. State Law says that
unnecessary hardship is the only way a variance should be
granted and Ramona feels this law should be taken more seriously. In another matter, Ramona
said that she had addressed the council about 18 months ago regarding the
property at 100 E.
Willow (the former Wilson School). Before
the new owner took possession, the minutes of
Planning & Zoning show that he stated there would be no outside storage.
It remains unsightly
and something needs to be done.
Ben Jobe, owner of Jobies
Pastime Lounge, 114 S. 4th, commented on the vacant lots being
offered for sale at tonight’s meeting. He
said he has twice tried to purchase the vacant lot
next to his business and Schoon Construction has tried once, but the city
wasn’t willing to sell it.
The city is doing nothing to improve the lot and it just looks bad.
M/S/P Stieneke, Varce, approved
the third presentation of Ordinance No. 525, establishing
landscaping and screening standards and ordered its publication.
M/S/P Varce, Mallory, adopted Resolution No. 07-18
authorizing the sale of the property at 312
W. Locust and set the minimum bid at $200.
M/S/P Varce, Stieneke, the
council adopted Resolution No. 07-19 authorizing the sale of the
property at 317 E. Main and set the minimum bid at $100.
M/S/P Varce, Peck, adopted
Resolution No. 07-20 authorizing the sale of the property at 343
E. Cedar and set the minimum bid at $100.
M/S/P Varce, Mallory, the
council approved the following under “Consent Business”.
City council minutes of September 25th.
Bills totaling $175,164.77.
JAMES EBERT
RETIREMENT
1,500.00
VERNON FICK
RETIREMENT
1,600.00
DISPLAY SALES CO.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
14,860.00
(REIMBURSED
BY CHAMBER)
JOSEPH DAUM
MEALS-1ST
WEEK OF ACADEMY
42.29
NATHAN JAMES
MEALS-1ST WEEK OF ACADEMY 53.59
CHRONICLE TIMES FALL
NEWSLETTER
225.00
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
124.86
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE
COMPUTER REPAIR
75.00
CHEROKEE STATE BANK
NSF CHECK-J. HOYLE
122.00
SHAWN GEORGE
DEPOSIT BALANCE-1006 BIRCH 38.12
ALAN KELLEN
DEPOSIT BALANCE-208 1/2 LOCUST
23.65
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
295.17
MARY JO RUPPERT
CONFERENCE EXPENSES
255.33
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH.
SEPT. TAX DRAW
1,279.12
DEBRA TAYLOR
MILEAGE-NICCA MTG.-SPENCER
46.56
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
OCT. ADMIN. FEE
396.00
CLAIMS THRU 9/14/07
1,808.59
STEVE CASEY
MOTEL; MEALS-WASTEWATER
93.43
NORTHWEST IOWA LEAGUE
NW IA. LEAGUE MTG.-STORM LAKE
45.00
JOSEPH DAUM MEALS/GAS-2ND/3RD
WK.-ACADEMY 100.56
VERNON FICK
RETIREMENT
650.53
NATHAN JAMES
MEALS/GAS-2ND/3RD WK.-ACADEMY
89.12
CHEROKEE FIRE
DEPARTMENT VOL.
ALLOW.-8/25/07-9/16
590.00
MASTERCARD
ANTI-VIRUS;FUEL;MEALS;MOTEL
151.96
POLICE
OFFICER AD-ARGUS LEADER 627.14
PITNEY BOWES
POSTAGE FOR METER
500.00
PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FIN. POSTAGE
METER LEASE-6/30-9/30 67.00
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE
SMALL CLAIMS-M. CHINN
50.00
DAVE DEEDRICK
MEAL/MILEAGE-SRHA MTG.-9/24
68.00
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
270.55
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS DAYCARE OVERCHARGED
FOR EVENT SIGN
15.00
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 9/28/07
191.80
AMAZON CREDIT PLAN
DVD'S
924.07
JOSEPH DAUM
MEALS-4TH WK. OF ACADEMY
21.56
BRETT GANNON
MEALS DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS
23.25
NATHAN JAMES
MEALS-4TH WK. OF ACADEMY
21.78
IOWA ASSOC. OF MUN. UTIL. REGISTRATION-IAMU
CONF.
430.00
ALLIANCE CONCRETE, INC.
CONCRETE-PLAYGROUND CONS
1,569.75
ALLIANT
ENERGY
NATURAL GAS
3,316.85
ALPHA
WIRELESS
2 ANTENNAS FOR LOADER
17.50
AL'S CORNER OIL CO.
FUEL
176.93
EMILY
ANDERSON
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES RAGS;
MATS; MOPS; FRESHNERS
39.62
TOWELS; MATS
36.04
4-WK. UNIFORM SERVICE
268.21
AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS CO.
FUSES FOR PUMP @ BEECH LIFT
456.86
BLAINE'S WATER CONDITION SOFTENER
RENT; WATER FOR LAB 75.00
BOMGAARS
SUPPLIES; TOOLS; EQUIPMENT
1,608.15
MARY
BORGHEIINCK
MILEAGE-STORM LAKE WORKSHOP
40.94
BROWN CHEV. &
BUICK SWITCHES;
FUEL SYSTEM REPAIR 604.67
SCOTT
BROWN
SOCCER OFFICIAL
24.00
BUGH WELDING
REPAIR CHECK VALVE-BEECH PUMP
154.00
BUILDERS
SHARP. & SERVICE MOWER PART
3.45
AMANDA
CALLAHAN
PART REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
JODI CARLSON
PART.REIMB.-WSI TRAINING
40.00
JESSICA CEDAR
PART.REIMB.-WSI TRAINING
40.00
CENTRAL BANK INSURANCE
EMPLOYEE BLANKET BOND
730.00
ALLIE CHASE
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS DEGREASER;LOCTITE;BRAKE
CLEANER 47.55
CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER WATERPROOFER;BOLTS;BITS;FLANGE
166.65
CHEROKEE
COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUS FOR SWIM TEAM
563.81
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF
PRIZES-ADVENTURES IN FUN
111.50
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE POOL
GARBAGE; LANDFILL FEE 11,603.95
CHEROKEE REG. MED. CENTER HEARING
SCREENINGS
34.00
CHESTERMAN
COMPANY
POP
113.86
CHRONICLE TIMES
MINUTES; FINANCIAL REPORT
458.62
CITY OF CHEROKEE
POOL PASSES-ADVENTURES IN FUN
300.00
CALVIN CONLEY
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIS MECHANICAL
SYSTEM SUPPLIES 165.18
THE COURT FOCUS
OCTOBER SUBSCRIPTION
12.00
CREATIVE SERVICES
SOCCER T-SHIRTS
680.05
LIFEGUARD SWEATSHIRTS 110.60
GIFT CERTIFICATES-ADV. IN FUN
80.00
EVENT SIGN (4)
30.00
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERMANG.
854.25
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP
REPLACE METERS-WELLS 11 & 12 6,734.82
DARREN'S CLOTHING CO.
3 PR. JEANS FOR K. WILLIS
114.00
NICK DAUM
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
SHELBY DILLA
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
DISCOVER
SUBSCRIPTION
49.96
DIAMOND VOGEL PAINTS
15 GAL. WHITE TRAFFIC PAINT
188.40
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
72.12
DEMI DUNN
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
CODY EGE
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
SOCCER OFFICIAL
80.00
FAREWAY STORES INC. CLEANING SUPPLIES; FOOD
237.37
FARNER-BOCKEN
COMPANY POOL
CONCESSIONS
46.40
ED M. FELD EQUIP.CO.,INC. EXTINGUISHERS;SEALS;TESTING
1,404.50
W.
E. FLEET
FUEL
143.17
FREMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. POLYMER
1,258.90
FSH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
PARK PAY PHONE
55.00
KATIE GRAVENISH
SOCCER OFFICIAL
24.00
JUDY GRIENKE-MILLER
USED BOOKS
48.21
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE
TONER; ROLLERS; REPAIRS
392.50
HACH
CO.
LAB CHEMICALS
362.58
HALLETT MATERIALS
PLAYGROUND DRAINAGE MATERIAL
124.89
CINDY HATCH
SUPPLIES & PRIZES
94.04
HILLYARD
CLEANING SUPPLIES
116.44
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD.
SERVICE;AIR FILTERS;TIRE REPAIR 63.77
STAN HOUSTON EQUIP. CO.
GAS DETECTOR OXYGEN SENSOR
156.95
HY-VEE DRUGSTORE
BATTERIES; 1ST AID SUPPLIES
17.16
HY-VEE FOOD STORES
FUEL; CONCESSIONS; SUPPLIES
232.53
ILLINOIS
MUNIC. LEAGUE CITY
MANAGER AD
10.00
INGRAM BOOK COMPANY
BOOKS
35.17
IOWA ASSOC. OF MUN.UTIL. REG.-WASTEWATER
CONF.
215.00
IOWA D.O.T.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE
3,727.36
IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP
ELECTRICITY
43.53
IOWA ONE CALL
AUGUST LOCATES
61.20
IOWA RURAL WATER ASSOC.
REG.-FALL WASTEWATER CONF.
75.00
IOWA TELECOM
PHONE SERVICE
868.41
JEBRO,
INC.
OIL FOR DURA PATCHER
460.00
KAYLEE JOHNSON
PART.REIMB.-WSI TRAINING
40.00
SOCCER OFFICIAL
72.00
MARK JOHNSON
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
TYLER JONES
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
K-MART #9222
SUPPLIES
107.96
KEYSTONE
LABORATORIES NITRATE;LEAD;COPPER
TESTING 653.26
KNOER
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CLEANING/MAINT.
SUPPLIES
325.40
KUEHL & PAYER, LTD.
ENG.-AMENT STORM SEWER
3,432.50
ENG.-E. MAIN WATER LINE
4,613.98
L. G. EVERIST, INC.
QUARTZ CHIPS FOR DURA PATCHER
199.71
L & S PEST CONTROL
PEST CONTROL
48.00
L & G PRODUCTS, INC.
EROSION CONTROL MAINT.
590.73
NATHAN LA FLEUR
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
LETSCHE BIKE/RADIO SHACK PRIZES;
BATTERIES; CHARGER
428.20
LUBECK
OIL COMPANY
FUEL
485.43
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. GRAVE
DIGGING
135.00
SEWER REPAIR-HAYWARD ST.
832.76
PUMP SEWAGE-SPRING LAKE
217.50
CLEAN DITCHES-N. 11TH
11,137.50
MORGAN MAHNKE PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD
TRAINING 40.00
MANGOLD ENVIRON. TESTING OIL
& GREASE; TKN; TDS
520.00
MARSHALL CAVENDISH, INC. BOOKS
137.07
MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES READ
X-RAY 37.00
KAYLA MESSEROLE
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
ELECTRICITY
22,890.56
JULIANNE
MILLER
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
WALLY MILLER, JR.
AUGUST/SEPT. LEGAL FEES
2,490.00
MODERN
HEATING & COOLING REPAIR
WINDOW A/C
96.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES
VEHICLE SUPPLIES
156.56
DILLON
MOYE
SOCCER OFFICIAL
72.00
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC.
COUPLINGS;SADDLE;CORP STOPS
388.22
NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC KIDS SUBSCRIPTION
15.00
NELSON'S SHARPENING
KEYS FOR FORD TRUCK
45.00
NEUTRON INDUSTRIES, INC. SHOWER
& RESTROOM CLEANER
182.04
NORTH CENTRAL CORRECTIONS PLAYGROUND
CONSTR. LABOR 1,158.80
NORTHSIDE TIRE
REPAIR TIRE-CHEV. DUMP TRUCK
29.00
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS OCTOBER
INTERNET SERVICE
91.85
NORTHWEST
IOWA LIBRARY WORKSHOP
FEE
16.00
NORTHWESTERN MASONRY
SAND MIX-9TH/BLUFF STORM SEWER
38.00
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE
REPAIRS; PARTS
2,147.91
OLD
DOMINION BRUSH GUTTER BROOMS; MAIN
BROOM 657.12
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
CITY MANAGER AD
167.83
ORIENTAL TRADING CO.
PRIZES-ADVENTURES IN FUN
416.58
ALLIE PARKER
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE
SUPPLIES
1,014.08
PETTY
CASH
POSTAGE;DVD'S;SUNDAY PAPERS
168.37
MATT
PITTS
PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD TRAINING
40.00
PITNEY BOWES, INC.
INK FOR POSTAGE METER
73.98
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
2 ROLL STAMPS
82.00
THE PRAIRIE PIRATES
DVD
17.50
PRIME STRIPE, INC.
SOCCER NETS
152.95
PRUETT LAWN & LANDSCAPING 25#
GRASS SEED
37.50
RASMUSSEN'S CORP.
VEHICLE SERVICE
38.54
REGION 3 IAWWA
REG.-IAWWA WORKSHOP
35.00
REHAB SYSTEMS, INC.
VACUUM CLEAN BEECH WETWELL
1,875.00
REINERT MACHINE SHOP
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPAIRS
54.29
KEELEY REYNOLDS PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD
TRAINING 40.00
ROBINSON'S FURNITURE
NEW VINYL FLOORING-RESTROOMS 1,569.33
DAN ROLLISON
CELL PHONE-9/21/07-10/20
40.00
RON'S REPAIR, INC.
REAR BRAKELINE & FLUID
87.00
SANFORD MUSEUM
PRINT COLOR FLYERS; SUPPLIES
50.54
SANITARY SERVICES
SEPT. GARBAGE PICKUP
16,894.65
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.
PLAYGROUND PREP/DRAINAGE
1,077.71
SCORE AMERICAN SOCCER CO SOCCER
SOCKS
361.34
SHARE CORPORATION
CASE VANDALISM MARK REMOVER
133.90
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR CO.
ELEVATOR SERVICE CONTRACT
165.85
SIOUX SALES COMPANY
BATTERY;AMMO;SHIRT;MOUTHPIECES 191.55
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT
HEALTH BACTERIA SAMPLES
78.00
SOUTH DAKOTA MUN.
LEAGUE CITY MANAGER AD
50.00
SOUTH SIDE SUPPLY
WIPER BLADES; RADIATOR HOSE
31.78
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE
WINDOW CLEANING
111.00
BAILEY STONEKING PART.REIMB.-LIFEGUARD
TRAINING 40.00
THOMAS GALE
BOOKS
62.94
TOP NOTCH REPAIR, LC
TIRE REPAIR; 2 NEW TIRES
251.00
TREASURER, STATE OF
IOWA SEPT. SALES TAX
5,426.07
UAP DISTRIBUTION, INC.
5 GAL. ROUNDUP FOR GUTTERS
75.05
BRANDON UITDEFLESCH
SOCCER OFFICIAL; POOL CLEANUP
114.50
UNITED
PARCEL SERVICE SHIPPING
CHARGES
130.55
UNITED
STATES CELLULAR CELL
PHONES-9/22/07-10/21/07 100.31
UTILITY SERVICE CO. INC. CONTRACT
PAYMENT-MHI TOWER 12,172.00
VERIZON WIRELESS
CELL PHONE-9/21/07-10/20/07
67.73
WAYNE
PRINTING
ENVELOPES
162.00
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE
COPY MACHINE LEASE
101.85
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.
GAS; OIL
6,470.04
JARON
WILSON
SOCCER OFFICIAL
24.00
EMILY WOLTMAN
SOCCER OFFICIAL
24.00
WOODALL ELECTRIC
PHONE JACK;CHECK WATER PROOF
75.00
Renewal of class “C” beer permit – Cherokee County Store.
New class “C” beer permit – Godfather’s Pizza.
Change order No. 1 for Lundell Construction for the E. Main Street water main project.
Payment No. 1 to Lundell Construction for $80,431.75 for the E. Main Street water main project.
Certificate of substantial completion for the E. Main Street water main project.
Payment No. 1 to Schoon
Construction for $32,889.28 for the Ament Storm Sewer project.
John Cook reported that the
Bacon Aquatic Center/Gillette Park project is nearly complete.
The contractor is going over the final punch list.
The last ramp for the playground has been
shipped and will be installed as soon as possible along with the wood fiber
ground cover.
The city received word this week that the I.D.O.T. has given final
approval for additional
grant funds to be used to install additional storm sewer intakes and retaining
wall extensions
in the park area.
Councilman Mallory asked the
council to consider delaying any decision on a city manager
until after the November 6th election.
Since they have waited this long, it may be good to
wait to see if there will be new council members.
Also the delay would allow the council time
to look at the budget. A motion was
made by Councilman Varce, seconded by Leach, not to
delay any decisions, as new council members wouldn’t take office until January
1st anyway.
Roll call was:
AYES: Varce, Stieneke, Leach
NAYS: Mallory, Peck
Rich Cook, search committee
member, reported that the committee continues to meet about
every other week. After going
through the advertising phase, they have received 20 applications
from 12 states. They recently met
with a city manager from an area community who questioned
whether the search is really something the city and committee want to do on
their own. Rich
then introduced Clarence Krepps, from Kuehl & Payer, who is extremely
skilled and experienced
in the search process. He has 24
years of experience as a City Administrator, 18 of which were
spent in Storm Lake, and has been involved in over 300 placements.
Rich feels it is important
to get it right this time. Mr. Krepps outlined the process he uses in recruiting
applicants for a
city manager position, which includes determining qualifications the council
wants; having the
council and department heads fill out questionnaires; visiting individually with
the Mayor and
council to discuss likes/dislikes of former administrators and issues in the
community. The next
step would be to advertise, which would be done through an International City
Management
website as well as several other avenues. He
also starts making calls, which usually gets the
best feedback. The firm does
background, criminal and civil checks, checks education
qualifications and assembles references. Qualified
applicants are given questionnaires that they
must fill out and return. Mr.
Krepps then brings a report to the council on 4-8 candidates
(no names attached) and how they fit the council’s qualifications.
Once the candidates are
narrowed down to three for the interview process, the council determines what
should be included
in an employment agreement. Mr.
Krepps then works through the agreement with the individual
candidates before the interview. The
interview process is quite intense and includes one-on-one
meetings between the candidates and department heads, who then rate the
candidates. That
report is then given to the council for their consideration.
Mr. Krepps reported that he has not
failed, except once, to get a candidate hired on the day of the interview.
If the council
authorizes him to proceed by October 15, he will have an ad on the website by
October 19.
He allows about 45 days of market exposure.
He completes the council/staff interviews by
November 30 and candidate resumes must be submitted by December 3.
He would expect
to conduct interviews December 28 and 29 or January 2 and 3.
A city manager should be on
board by February 4, 2008. Mr.
Krepps doesn’t object to having new council members involved
in the process, even before they would officially take office, but that would be
up to the present
council. The cost for this process
is $13,500. The
city would be responsible for the candidate’s
expenses. For an additional $800,
his firm would conduct a 6-month evaluation.
Councilman
Varce mentioned Mr. Krepps’ one failure to hire an individual and asked what
kind of guarantee
the city would receive. Mr. Krepps
said that there is a 15-month guarantee on the effectiveness
of the candidate, but it doesn’t apply to a political situation. If
the candidate doesn’t perform
as expected, the process will be repeated at no additional cost, except for
out-of-pocket
expenses. He also recommended that the council set goals for the new
city manager so that
at a 6-month evaluation there is something to measure.
Councilman Peck asked Mr. Krepps
how many cities our size have an Administrator/Clerk.
Mr. Krepps didn’t know off hand, but
said that when he was a manager/clerk he didn’t actually do clerk’s work,
that work was done
by the deputy clerk. When he was
administrator in Storm Lake he made sure that he initialed
all contracts, agreements, etc. so he could keep a handle on where the money was
spent.
Councilman Peck also asked whether Mr. Krepps could justify a manager for
a city our size.
When told that the city’s budget was about $7 million, Mr. Krepps asked the
council how many
businesses of that size operate without a Chief Executive Officer.
Someone at the top needs
to be in charge. Mr. Krepps
recommended that if the council wants to proceed with this process
to do so as soon as possible because of the election and holidays in the next
few months. Mark
Buschkamp, search committee member and former city administrator in Nebraska,
said the
council must move forward. He is
100% in support of hiring a city manager and cited the need
to update the 20-year old comprehensive plan; update personnel polices; have
someone to
review RFP’s and contracts; coordinate the sharing of personnel and equipment;
leadership;
setting priorities; insure there is someone for citizens to go to; equitable
delivery of services;
working with lobbyist; promote Cherokee. He
feels a good manager would pay for their salary
through efficiency and new revenues. He
asked whether a Community Development Block Grant
has been considered for a senior citizen center in conjunction with community
center improvements.
Linda Burkhart, 929 Harris, recommended having a group of regular
citizens involved in the process.
Jim Nelson, search committee member, said that the up front cost to hire
a search firm would be
a good deal compared to the severance cost the city realized from the past two
administrators.
Councilman Leach feels that if the search committee is recommending this
process, the council
should take a good look at the information and make a decision at the next
meeting. M/S/P
Varce, Leach, set a special meeting for Tuesday, October 16th at 7:00
p.m. to make a decision
on the hiring process.
The council was asked to consider an appointment to the
Board of Adjustment. Kurt
Clabaugh’s
term ended on 9/14/07. Councilman
Varce said that Ramona Nitz made some valid points
regarding the Board of Adjustment. He
said he was one of the council members who attended
the conference Ramona mentioned earlier in the meeting.
The statement was made at the
conference that on average only 5% of variances are granted.
He feels it should be mandatory
that Board members be trained properly. Councilman
Varce said he has nothing against current
Board members, but thought the council had decided to advertise positions on the
boards and
commissions to give all citizens the opportunity to express an interest in
serving. M/S/P Varce,
Mallory, authorized advertising for 30 days the Board of Adjustment position as
well as an
unfilled position on the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Mark Napier, Water Superintendent, was present to update
the council on the status of shared
water service lines on Summit St. Although
the necessary easements have been obtained,
the project hasn’t been done due to other projects and the unavailability of
contractors. He
has also found that the service lines are in rock so they may not be able to
bore the new lines
as planned. If this is the case,
the easements may have to be revised. He will talk with the
contractors this winter on how best to proceed.
M/S/P Stieneke, Leach, authorized Mark to
dig up the curb stop on Sumner St. in order to repair a leak in the manhole.
Steve Casey, Wastewater Superintendent, was present to
review disinfection options at both
the city and industrial wastewater treatment plants.
Because of new Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidelines, if
a city’s wastewater doesn’t meet a certain bacteria limit, which
Cherokee can’t, they must install equipment that will disinfect the wastewater
before it enters
the river. Steve brought this to
the council sometime ago, but until final regulations were in
place the council didn’t want to proceed.
However, knowing this requirement was inevitable,
funds are being set aside to pay for the improvements.
In order to renew the NPDES permit
in April 2008, the city must give the DNR a compliance schedule that has a date
that the city
will have disinfection equipment installed and operating at both plants.
Steve has rough
estimates on the cost of the equipment, but not on engineering and installation.
The total
project, for each plant, could cost $250,000.
(The industrial plant is funded strictly by Tyson Foods).
He does feel, however, that by the target date of 5/31/09, there should
be sufficient funds to
cover the costs. Because
engineering is required for this project, Steve recommended using Dave
Fox, Fox Engineering, as he was involved in the recent wastewater plant
improvements. Mayor
Henrich reported that Mark Buschkamp, CAEDC, has recently come to the city with
prospective
businesses that would have stronger wastewater than our plant can currently
handle. As we
don’t know what would be needed to upgrade our plant to handle this
wastewater, Mayor Henrich
and Steve suggest having Fox Engineering do a study on this issue while he is
working on the
disinfection requirements. A motion
by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Peck, authorized Fox Engineering to proceed
with the disinfection requirements for the city and industrial plants
and a study of the city’s wastewater plant for future expansion.
Motion carried.
The following reports were reviewed:
1. September Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts: General-$117,381.89; Police Forfeiture-
$3,548.07; County Library-$3,126.67; Road Use-$42,820.43; Employee Benefits-$43,406.05;
Emergency-$2,302.46; Local Option Sales Tax-$33,876.27; Hotel/Motel Tax-$15,523.39;
Tax Increment Financing-$10,752.53; Revolving Loan-$299.34; Library Memorial-$85.77;
Park & Rec. Cap. Improvements-$275.08; Debt Service-$35,219.21; Road Use Equipment-
$112.89; Cherokee Signs-$45; Cherokee Housing Grant-$58.79; Oak Hill Perpetual Care-
$865.22; Water Utility-City-$65,237.30; Water Utility-Industrial-$6,371.05; Water Bd./Int.-
$17,232.12; Water Improvement-$5,308.16; Water Reserve-$823.38; Water Tower
Maintenance-$933.74; Water System Maintenance-$8,319.33; Sewer Utility-City-$79,192.25;
Sewer Utility-Industrial-$23,630.91; Sewer Bd./Int.-$32,792.75; Sewer Improvement-
$5,416.66; Aviation Authority-$1,279.12; Solid Waste-$16,560.91; Landfill-$10,952.59;
Storm Water Utility-$7,326.18; Self Insurance-$428.93.
2. September General Fund revenue/expense report.
3. September
Police report.
M/S/P Stieneke, Leach, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35
p.m.
News media – Ken Ross, Chronicle Times.
Dennis Henrich – Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer