Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
October 13, 2009 – 7:00 P.M.

A regular meeting was called to order on this date by Mayor Pierce.  Present:  Council Members Peck, Mallory, Burkhart, Stieneke, Administrator
Eikmeier, City Attorney Miller, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.  Absent:  Council Member Leach.

Administrator Eikmeier introduced a resolution that would establish the process and timeline for the disconnection of storm water and ground water
connections in the west half of Ament Addition.  The process would give homeowners until July 1, 2010 to voluntarily make the disconnections or have
a contract in place, or to request that their property be included in an assessment district where costs of the disconnection would be spread over a 10-year
period.  If the homeowner takes no action by the deadline, their property would automatically be added to the assessment district.  He indicated that 11
homeowners have already voluntarily disconnected at their cost, which leaves an additional 19 properties connected to the sanitary sewer.  Because of
the concentrated number of cross connections in the Ament Addition, the City chose to start there to correct the problem.  All areas of town will be addressed
and any cross connections found will be handled in this same manner.  A motion was made by Burkhart, seconded by Mallory to adopt Resolution No. 09-21,
a resolution to establish process and timeline for storm water and ground water disconnections in Ament Addition.  Discussion followed.  When asked where
connections could be made, Administrator Eikmeier said that it is up to each individual.  During televising, some drain tiles were dry, so they may not need to
connect to the storm sewer.  Some may choose to drain to a garden or ditch, but must keep in mind that they must not drain their water onto someone else’s
property.  There is also the possibility that draining to a back yard or garden the water would end up back in the house.  If a homeowner chooses to be
included in the assessment district, the costs would be divided over a 10-year period, with interest, which usually is 1-1½ % more than what an individual
could borrow.  In answer to questions regarding codes that were in place at the time the addition was built, the Administrator said that whether or not cross
connection inspections were required or done 40 years ago, the city still believes that service connections are the homeowners responsibility.  A resident pointed
out that houses built in the 70’s also have the problem, so apparently inspections weren’t being done at that time.  Mayor Pierce indicated that there was no
storm sewer in the addition to connect to at the time, but that has been corrected with the new storm sewer installed by the city.  The city has to start
somewhere.  Administrator Eikmeier has also received questions as to whether there are grants available to help with the costs.  He has been and continues
to research that question, but isn’t encouraged by the process, as grants are usually income based if they are available at all.  Some residents feel a lot of water
is coming off the by-pass and school area that is causing problems in the addition.  The Administrator said that there is some runoff, but that isn’t the problem. 
The big issue is the groundwater in the addition.  He encouraged anyone with questions about the process to contact him and he could arrange meetings with
the engineer, street superintendent, plumber or anyone else that would be of help.  The Mayor then called for a vote on Resolution 09-21. 
AYES:  All.  NAYS:  None.   

A motion by Burkhart, seconded by Mallory, unanimously approved the following under “Consent Business”.

City council minutes of September 22^nd and September 24^th.

Bills totaling $186,153.87.

         THREE RIVERS BENEFIT       CLAIMS THRU 9/25/09           6,771.63

                                    OCT. ADMIN. FEE                 372.00

         USPS                       POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILLS       561.36

         CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT   FILE GARNISHMENT-M. FIEDLER      25.00

         CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH.    SEPT. TAX DRAW                1,191.59

         MARK NAPIER                MOTEL; MEAL-OKOBOJI CONF.       105.87

         SHIP                       REFUND POOL PASS DONATIO         50.00

         BAKER & TAYLOR, INC.       BOOKS & AUDIOS                1,190.39

         GE MONEY BANK/AMAZON       DVD'S                           351.21

         HY-VEE, INC.               SUPPLIES                          6.38

         CAASA                      REGISTRATION-DOMESTIC VI         20.00

         GE CAPITAL                 OCT. SKIDLOADER PAYMENT         365.05

         IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP   ELEC. - 8/1/09-8/31/09           39.03

         MASTERCARD                 COMPUTER ANTI-VIRUS              29.99

         PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE       POSTAGE FOR METER               500.00

         PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FIN.   POSTAGE METER RENT-7/1-9/1       96.00

         PITNEY BOWES, INC.         POSTAGE METER LABELS             48.98

         MARY JO RUPPERT            CONFERENCE EXPENSES             493.76

         CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT   VOL. ALLOW.-8/23/09-9/20/09     775.00

         TERRY RUSCHMANN            MOTEL-EMS RECERT. TRAINING       75.80

         TOM DAVIS                  BAL. ON ACCT.-234 E. WILLOW      59.53

         KEITH SPIKES               REFUND DEPOSIT-DIDN'T MOVE IN   100.00

         ABLE EDUCATION             CPR RECERTIFICATIONS            195.00

   ALLIANT ENERGY             NATURAL GAS                   2,360.47

   ALPHA WIRELESS             REPAIR WIRE ON LIGHT BAR        130.50

                                    MAKE/INSTALL SIREN ANTENNAS     278.00

                                    1/2 COST NEW RADIO MIC           38.50

         AL'S CORNER OIL CO.        DIESEL                           71.71

         ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES   SHOP RAGS; MATS; MOPS; TOWELS   250.31

   BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS   QUICK COUPLER; FILLER HOSE      195.21

         PHILIP BIEBER              WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         BLACKTOP SERVICE CO.       HOT MIX FOR PATCH-HARRIS ST.  1,211.76

         BLAINE'S WATER CONDITION   SOFTENER SALT; LAB WATER         78.68

   BOMGAARS                   OPERATING SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT    912.11

   BROWN SUPPLY CO.           CASTING FRAME/GRATE-ST.SEWER    423.63

                                    MATERIAL-LAKE ST. WATER       2,177.80

   CORY BRYANT                WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVICE  CHAIN SAW; FILTER; SPOOL; OIL   335.78

SOIL CONDITIONER RENTAL         100.00

                                    4 DAYS RENTAL ON SEEDER         560.00

                                    SHARPEN 5 CHAINS                 30.00

         CARROLL DISTRIBUTING       OXYGEN SENSOR FOR GAS MONITOR   161.87

         CARUS CORPORATION          CALCIQUEST                    2,404.40

         STEVE CASEY                SEPT. CELL PHONE                 40.00

         CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC.    ADJUST OVERHEAD DOOR; BULBS     182.35

   CAEDC                      2ND QUARTER PAYMENT           5,250.00

         CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS        AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIES              94.38

   CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH.    INS. SETTLEMENT-6/18 STORM    1,761.02

         CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER   PAINT; BRUSHES; MORTOR MIX      454.81

   CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF    SERVE NOTICE-M. FIEDLER          52.00

         CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE   OCT. LANDFILL FEE            11,556.01

         CHEROKEE CO. WORK SERVIC   CLEAN SHOP TOWELS                 7.67

   CHEROKEE LUMBER, INC.      PREMIX CONCRETE FOR SIGN POSTS   19.45

         CHEROKEE REGIONAL CLINIC   PHYSICAL-VOLUNTEER FIREMAN       79.00

                                    PHYSICAL-A. DIXSON               79.00

         CHEROKEE REG. MED. CENTER  EMPLOYEE SCREENING-A. DIXSON    103.00

   CHRONICLE TIMES            MINUTES; FALL NEWSLETTER        638.95

   EMILY COOK                 WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         JESSICA COOK               WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         THE COURT FOCUS            OCT. SUBSCRIPTION                13.00

         CREATIVE SERVICES          20 FLG WORK SHIRTS              235.80

                                    SOCCER SHIRTS/JERSEYS/SOCKS     916.71

   CRAFTS N THINGS            SUBSCRIPTION                     36.97

         DPC INDUSTRIES, INC.       CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERM.     1,456.88

   DARREN'S CLOTHING CO.      WORKSHIRTS; SEW ON PATCH        129.00

         DEMCO, INC.                SUPPLIES                        234.34

   ELIZABETH DAWSON           WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         DENNY'S SERVICE            REPAIR FLUSH VALVE               66.50

                                    REPLACE STOOLS-AMENT ADD.       384.46

         DIAMOND CEMETERY LETTERING ENGRAVE 15 BRICKS @ POOL        375.00

         DIAMOND VOGEL PAINTS       SOCCER LINE PAINT               203.04

         DEMI DUNN                  WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         EATING WELL                SUBSCRIPTION                     24.97

         EMC                        COVER FOR ELECTRICAL FILTER      90.00

         EDUCATION STATION, INC.    SUPPLIES                         51.71

         ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING     HEADLIGHT FLASHER-'09 TAHOE      94.97

                                    INSTALL CHARGE GUARD-K9          97.57

                                    MOVE EQUIPMENT TO TAHOE       1,434.23

         FAREWAY STORES, INC.       CONCESSIONS; SUPPLIES           258.28

   ED M. FELD EQUIP. CO.      FIRE EXTINGUISHERS; SUPPLIES  1,592.65

   FOX ENGINEERING            CONST. ADMIN.-UV PROJECT      3,614.59

         FREMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.   POLYMER                       2,013.65

         FSH COMMUNICATIONS         PARK PAY PHONE (2 MONTHS)       110.00

         GCC ALLIANCE CONCRETE IN   CONCRETE-LEAK; MANHOLES       1,100.75

   GODFATHER'S PIZZA          CONCESSIONS                     342.00

   GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE     COMPUTER MOUNT; PRINTER         400.00

         HACH CO.                   LAB SUPPLIES                    475.12

         HALLETT MATERIALS          ROAD GRAVEL-COUNTRY CLUB RD.  1,159.55

         HOLZHAUER MOTORS LTD.      SERVICE '08 EXPLORER             24.99

         HYGIENIC LABORATORY        WATER TESTS (2)                  22.00

         HY-VEE, INC.               2 SMALL FRIDGES FOR SAMPLES     299.98

         INGRAM BOOK COMPANY        BOOKS                             6.58

         IOWA ASSOC. OF MUN. UTIL.  CONFERENCE REGISTRATION         440.00

         IOWA DEPT. OF NATURAL      ANNUAL WATER USE PERMITS        135.00

         IOWA ONE CALL              AUG. LOCATES                     66.60

         IOWA TELECOM               PHONE SERVICE                   935.82

   JERRY'S TREE SERVICE       TRIM TREES; TREE REMOVAL      1,400.00

   JANITOR'S CLOSET, LTD.     TISSUE; PAPER TOWELS            170.65

   K-MART #9222               CLEANING SUPPLIES; WHISTLES      39.20

   KIPLINGER'S                SUBSCRIPTION                     23.95

         KNIFE RIVER MIDWEST, LLC   8.81 T. COLD MIX PATCH        1,030.77

         KUEHL & PAYER, LTD.        ENG.-LIFT STATION/GRINDER     3,625.00

         LOVE TIRE (KENT WENCK)     AUG./SEPT. INSPECTIONS          900.00

         LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO.   GRAVE DIGGING                   285.00

                                    FLANGE/PIPE-AERATION TANK     1,285.72

                                    TV SEWER LINES-AMENT ADD.       470.00

   MID-IOWA SALES CO.         LITHUM GREASE; LEATHER CLEANER   27.44

   MID AMERICAN ENERGY        ELECTRICITY                  25,667.59

   MILLS & MILLER, INC.       ROAD SALT                     7,105.18

   WALLY MILLER, JR.          SEPT. LEGAL SERVICES          2,287.00

         MOTOR PARTS SALES          AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIES             123.94

   MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC.     S/S REPAIR CLAMPS             1,325.00

         NELSON'S LOCKSMITH SHOP    UNLOCK SHELTER; MAKE KEYS        30.00

         NELSON ELECTRIC            REPLACE BALLASTS                194.11

         NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS   OCT. INTERNET SERVICE            39.95

         NOVELTY MACHINE & SUPPLY   REPAIR SEAL IN PORTABLE PUMP  1,278.49

         O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL   REPAIR ECU FUSE LINK-SWEEPER    103.48

                                    REPAIR BRAKE LINE-'98 TRUCK     310.66

         OLD DUTCH FOODS, INC.      CONCESSIONS                     119.10

         ALLIE PARKER               WSI REIMBURSEMENT                40.00

         PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS   OFFICE SUPPLIES                 339.11

   PETERSEN MFG. CO., INC.    MEMORIAL BENCH                  366.75

         PETTY CASH                 OPERATING/OFFICE SUPPLIES       163.20

   POWERSPORTS, INC.          SHARPEN 6 SAW CHAINS             30.00

         RAPID AMERICAN PRESS       RECORD BOOKS; NEWSLETTERS       923.55

   RASMUSSEN'S CORP.          ELEMENT; SERVICE EXPLORER        44.84

   REHAB SYSTEMS, INC.        CLEAN TANK                      700.00

         REINERT MACHINE SHOP       OXYGEN & ACETYLENE FOR TORCH     74.51

         RHOADSIDE BLOOMING HOUSE   MULCH FOR DOWNTOWN NODES      2,100.00

         SANITARY SERVICES          SEPT. GARBAGE PICKUP         21,016.45

         SANITATION PRODUCTS, INC.  CURTAIN SHIELD FOR SWEEPER       66.46

         SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.    LAKE ST. WATER MAIN PROJ.    19,508.00

         SCORE AMERICAN SOCCER CO   50 SOCCER BALLS                 380.49

         SHARE CORPORATION          RUST CONVERTER; SOAP            192.83

         SIRCHIE FINGER PRINT LAB   EVID. BAGS; FINGERPRINT ITEMS   124.11

         SIOUX COMMERCIAL SWEEPIN   CRACK SEALING-VARIOUS AREAS   5,206.41

         SIOUX SALES COMPANY        BOOTS; UA KITS; MOUTH PIECES    264.50

   SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH  WATER SAMPLES                   117.00

   SPORT SUPPLY GROUP, INC.   SET OF SOCCER GOALS           1,720.93

         STANDARD & ASSOCIATES      POST TEST FOR APPLICANTS        160.50

         STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE     WINDOW CLEANING                 116.00

   SUPERIOR LAMP, INC.        36 GREEN TRAFFIC BULBS          179.24

         TEST AMERICA LABORATORIES  COPPER; OIL/GREASE; TKN TESTS   813.12

         TIRE SERVICE CENTER        TIRES; REPAIRS; SERVICE CALL    375.14

   TOYNE, INC.                BRASS BALLS; RUBBER SEAT         22.22

         TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA   SEPT. SALES TAX               5,888.90

         UNITED PARCEL SERVICE      SHIPPING CHARGES                 72.20

         USA BLUE BOOK              VALVE; TUBING; LEAK CHECK       156.29

   UNITED STATES CELLULAR     CELL PHONES                      99.47

         VERIZON WIRELESS           CELL PHONES                      98.88

   WATCHGUARD VIDEO           BATTERY FOR WIRELESS MIC         49.00

         WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE     COPY MACHINE LEASE              110.80

         WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.     GREASE; HYD. OIL; GAS         4,394.66                                   

         WINTHER STAVE & CO.        PROG. PAY. 2008-09 AUDIT      5,500.00

         ZIEGLER, INC.              SPEDOMETER PARTS-BLADE          235.82

Renewal of class “C” liquor license-Cherokee Bowl; class “C” liquor license-Danny’s Sports Spot; class “B” beer permit-Godfather’s Pizza.

Review of Library Board minutes of Sept. 2 and Board of Adjustment minutes of Oct. 7.

Approved a tax abatement application for 1001 S. 2^nd.

Approved payment #6 to Grundman-Hicks for $26,755.45 for the wastewater ultraviolet project.

Approved payment #7 to Haselhoff Construction for $7,219.36 for the community center project.

A local individual has volunteered to fund the carving of a military monument at Oak Hill Cemetery.  The monument will be carved from a dead tree on the
property.  A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Peck, authorized the monument carving with the stipulation that no city funds are involved.  Motion carried.

A motion by Peck, seconded by Stieneke, unanimously authorized closing Main Street from 5^th to Euclid on December 3^rd from 6 pm to 8 pm for the
annual Christmas parade. 

On a motion by Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Randy Bedtram to fill a vacant term on the Planning
& Zoning Commission.

On the recommendation of the Committee, a motion by Stieneke, seconded by Peck, approved Redevelopment Incentive Grants for storefront renovations
to Hairology for $2,550 and The Gasthaus for $2,300.  Motion carried.

Administrator Eikmeier gave a brief history of four properties being considered for condemnation – 331 E. Cedar, 335 E. Cedar, 301 S. 6^th, and 220
W. Locust.  Each of these structures has been vacant for several years.  He said all owners of record were contacted this past spring asking for voluntary
improvements to the properties.  Certified letters were sent in August again indicating that the properties required immediate repair.  No improvements have
been made to date and only one property owner has provided a contract for roof repair, which only minimally begins to take care of the problem.  City crews
may be able to demolish 3 of the 4 structures.  One is a two-story structure, which would most likely have to be done by a contractor.  The city will proceed
with having fire, health and structural inspections done on each property.  This will be brought back for council action on October 27^th.

The council reviewed the following reports.

1.  September Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts as follows:  General-$123,425.78; Police

     Forfeiture-$581.87; County Library-$3,250.70; Road Use-$41,296.69; Employee Benefits-

     $39,547.11; Emergency-$2,145.08; Local Option Sales Tax-$38,437.02; Hotel/Motel Tax-

     $30,513.20; T.I.F.-$25,976.08; Revolving Loan-$127.76; Library Memorial-$229.46; Park &

     Rec. Capital Impr.-$569.12; Debt Service-$55,086.32; Road Use Equipment-$.90; Cherokee

     Signs-$255; Doherty Addition-$1,654.60; Emergency Set-Aside-$1.59; Aquatic Center Proj.-

     $54.19; Community Center Project-$3.17; Fire Rescue Truck-$.37; Oak Hill Perpetual Care-

     $29.68; Water Utility-City-$63,820.62; Water Utility-Indus.-$16,594.49; Water Bd./Int.-

     $6.17; Water Improvement-$5,015.14; Water Reserve-$43.43; Water System Maint.-

     $9,120.85; Sewer Utility-City-$82,610.13; Sewer Utility-Indus.-$22,041.25; Sewer Bd./Int.-

     $32,699; Sewer Improvement-$1,666.67; Aviation Authority-$1,191.59; Solid Waste-

     $21,702.54; Landfill-$11,727.64; Storm Water Utility-$6,850.71; Self Insurance-$23.11.

2.  September General Fund revenue/expense report.

3.  September Police reports

4.  September department reports.

Administrator Eikmeier reported complaints about Hy-Vee truck traffic using Spruce St. and Riverview Drive.  Apparently GPS is directing truckers via this
route.  The City is working with Hy-Vee and the D.O.T. about installing signage to help alleviate this problem.

A motion by Peck, seconded by Burkhart, adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.  Motion carried.

News media – Paul Struck, Chronicle Times.

Pam Pierce – Mayor

ATTEST:

Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer