Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
November 10, 2009 – 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting was called to order on this date by Mayor Pierce. Present: Council Members Peck, Leach, Mallory, Burkhart, Stieneke, Administrator Eikmeier, City Attorney Miller, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Pierce
opened a public hearing on a request to vacate the alley east of the property at
611 Clark Street.
The Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended that the alley be vacated.
Administrator Eikmeier gave a short history of
this 8’ strip of land that was originally dedicated as an alley by the
subdivider. Tim Stoneking was present on behalf of his son
Kyle who owns the property at 721 Park. Kyle currently shares a driveway with a
neighbor and if he were to build a garage at
the rear of his property he would have no way to access it if the alley is
vacated. The Administrator then explained that this
undeveloped alley is only 8’ wide so in order to develop it as an alley another
8’ of property would have to be acquired from
the adjoining property owners that face Park Avenue. Bob Vannatta, 611 Clark
St., said that he is the one who requested that
the alley be vacated so that he could acquire the property. He has been
maintaining it for 58 years and feels he should own it.
He said years ago he was told by then Public Works Director Barney Hester that
the city was going to open the alley. However,
they discovered that it was only 8’ wide and none of the property owners on the
east side wanted an alley, so it was not developed. Administrator Eikmeier
suggested that he have the Street Superintendent take a look at the feasibility
of developing this alley.
Mayor Pierce closed the hearing at 7:12 p.m. A motion by Stieneke, seconded by
Burkhart, tabled this matter until more information
is available. Motion carried.
Administrator Eikmeier made a
brief overview of the General Fund budgets. He reported that the City could
lose approximately
$5,900 in homestead credits as a result of the State’s 10% cuts. General, Road
Use, Local Option Sales Tax, and Hotel/Motel Tax
funds are all on track with budgeted amounts.
The council reviewed reports on
the 2009 aquatic center season. Administrator Eikmeier said there are areas
that can be handled
better next season. Several areas accounted for the decrease in attendance and
revenues: the cooler weather had a major impact
on operations; open hours need to be more consistent, weather permitting; and
early closings weren’t communicated to
administration. Next season all management will properly communicate the goal
of the aquatic center to all staff that the center
was built and is operated to provide a service to the citizens and visitors of
Cherokee; and decisions on early closings or not opening
will be made by the Pool Manager and Recreation Director. It was reported that
concession sales improved over last season, but
there is more work to be done. Council Member Stieneke asked about a couple of
the water toys that didn’t work properly
throughout the season. Administrator Eikmeier recommended they try to have a
manufacturer representative here next spring
to check them out. John Cook said they have talked to Neal Kuehl regarding one
of the toys and the inoperability of the other
toy has to do with the sand filter. John also reported that he continues to
hear great comments about the aquatic center from
people visiting family in the area.
Under “Consent Business”,
Council Member Stieneke asked about employee cell phones vs. radios and asked if
all employees would
eventually have radios. The Administrator said that the City must update their
radios in the near future and this will be reviewed
at that time. Stieneke also asked whether employees attending out-of-town
meetings could use the pickup recently purchased
by the Water Dept., rather than the City paying mileage. Administrator Eikmeier
said this is the intent, however, the brakes are
currently being repaired. A motion by Leach, seconded by Burkhart, unanimously
approved the following under “Consent Business”.
City council minutes of October 27th.
Bills totaling $163,197.58.
UNITED STATES CELLULAR REFURBISHED CELL PHONE 85.57
HEATHER JAMES BALANCE OF DEPOSIT-102 LINN 42.48
DUSTIN KRUSE BALANCE OF DEPOSIT-212 N. ROOS. 55.25
KAYLA STEPHENSON BALANCE OF DEPOSIT-628 N. 1ST 22.81
BAKER & TAYLOR, INC. BOOKS & AUDIOS 715.83
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT BOOKS 96.72
USPS POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILLS 557.59
JIM CLABAUGH PAID BILL TWICE-920 W. W 300.86
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH. OCT. TAX DRAW 5,118.23
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD SUBSCRIPTION 130.00
EASTERN IOWA COMM. COLLEGE WASTEWATER CONF. REGISTRATION 100.00
CHEROKEE STATE BANK ACCT. CLOSED-G. ROGGE 103.06
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT CLAIMS THRU 11/06/09 5,909.35
NOV. ADMIN. FEE 372.00
GE MONEY BANK/AMAZON DVD'S & BOOKS 61.04
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOL. ALLOW.-9/28-10/1 330.00
GE CAPITAL NOV. SKIDLOADER PAYMENT 365.05
IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP ELEC.-9/1/09-9/30/09 37.55
MASTERCARD LETTERHEAD STATIONERY 77.87
AVIATION FUEL 50.79
PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE POSTAGE FOR METER 500.00
PITNEY BOWES, INC. POSTAGE METER INK CARTRIDGE 81.98
CHEROKEE COUNTY RECORDER RECORD GAP RELEASE-J. PETERSON 9.00
RECORD EASEMENT-G. DOHERTY 19.00
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE SMALL CLAIMS-E. OLIVER 85.00
DEB MASSEY BALANCE OF DEPOSIT-207 UNION 52.95
STEVE CASEY MEALS; MILEAGE-SEWER CONF. 425.99
CREATIVE CUTTERS REDEVEL. INCENTIVE GRANT 2,400.00
JOSEPH DAUM GAS FOR PATROL CAR-DES MOINES 44.54
AFLAC CORRECT PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS 203.86
SANDRA HANSEN OVERPAID FINAL-463 GILLEASE 18.42
CHEROKEE STATE BANK NSF CHECK-S. LEE 48.87
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES BUDGET WORKSHOP REGISTRATION 30.00
AHLERS & COONEY, P.C. AMEND INTEREST RATE-SEWER BDS. 887.25
ALLIANT ENERGY NATURAL GAS 936.22
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES SHOP RAGS; MATS; MOPS 91.11
AUTOMATIC BUILDING CONT. FIRE ALARM CHECK/CONTRACT 1,050.00
BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS DUCTILE IRON ABRASIVE WHEEL 162.04
BLAINE'S WATER COND. LAB WATER; SOFTENER RENT 136.29
BOMGAARS OPERATING SUPPLIES/MATERIALS 1,336.04
BOOK WOMAN SUBSCRIPTION 30.00
DAN BROSAMLE SOCCER OFFICIAL 40.00
BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVICE EYE BOLT 1.95
CARUS CORPORATION CALCIQUEST 1,444.20
STEVE CASEY OCT. CELL PHONE 40.00
CENTRAL BANK INSURANCE EMPLOYEE BLANKET BOND 730.00
CENTRAL IOWA DIST., INC. INDUSTRIAL CAR WASH & WAX 165.00
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS BULBS; OIL; FILTERS 108.89
CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER PAINT 52.98
CHEROKEE COMM. SCHOOL TENNIS COURT REPAIR 171.20
CHEROKEE COUNTY ASSESSOR 10 LOT LINE MAPS 25.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF SERVE NOTICE-E. OLIVER 20.00
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE NOV. LANDFILL FEE 11,556.01
NUISANCE ABATEMENT-436 E.CEDAR 35.05
CHEROKEE CO. WORK SERVICE CLEAN 30 SHOP RAGS 3.90
CHEROKEE REG. MED. CENTER PULM.FUNCTION TEST-FIREMAN 59.00
CHEROKEE POLICE RESERVES 2 RESERVES TRAINING @ W.I.T. 160.00
CHRONICLE TIMES MINUTES; HEARING; YARD WASTE 382.93
HYD. FLUSHING SCHEDULE 135.00
COMFORT INN & SUITES MOTEL-WASTEWATER CONFERENCE 131.98
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIST MECHANICAL SYSTEM SERVICE 104.60
THE COURT FOCUS NOV. SUBSCRIPTION 13.00
COOKING LIGHT SUBSCRIPTION 24.00
CREATIVE SERVICES EVENT SIGN (5) 37.50
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC. CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERMANG. 866.26
DAVE DEEDRICK MEAL; MILEAGE-SRHA MTG. 78.00
DAVIDSON TITLES, INC. BOOKS 353.54
DEMCO, INC. SUPPLIES 96.28
DIVISION OF LABOR ELEVATOR INSPECTION 125.00
DIAMOND VOGEL PAINTS FIELD LINE PAINT 126.90
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT BOOKS 95.10
DUGAN'S INDUS. SEWING REPAIR SEAT/RECOVER-'03 GMC 75.00
CURTIS EGE SOCCER OFFICIAL 30.00
CODY EGE REF. SOCCER 20.00
FAREWAY STORES, INC. SUPPLIES 69.25
FARMER'S GRAIN & FEED BIRD FEED 34.25
ED M. FELD EQUIP.CO. EXT.;SCBA TEST/TANK;HOSE REP. 1,538.39
FREDERICK WELDING & SALE BELT 58.13
GALE BOOKS 157.18
GCC ALLIANCE CONCRETE CONCRETE 1,054.00
JUDY GRIENKE-MILLER MOTEL; MILEAGE; PARKING-CONF. 545.13
GRAVENISH SERVICE TIRES;ADJUST BRAKES;CK.BATTERY 559.76
HACH CO. LAB CHEMICALS 264.98
HIWAY TRUCK EQUIPMENT MONROE SANDER AS PER QUOTE 8,523.00
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD. ALIGNMENT-'08 EXPLORER 45.88
HY-VEE DRUGSTORE BATTERIES 4.99
HY-VEE, INC. SUPPLIES 1.07
INGRAM BOOK COMPANY BOOKS 3.59
IOWA D.O.T. CALC.CHLORIDE;GRADER BLADES 7,205.08
IOWA LAW ENFORC. ACAD. EVALUATION OF MMPI-2 405.00
IOWA MUN. ATTORNEYS ASSO. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP 25.00
IOWA ONE CALL SEPT. LOCATES 59.40
IOWA RURAL WATER ASSOC. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP 275.00
IOWA TELECOM PHONE SERVICE 934.71
MARIE JONES VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL 60.00
K-MART #9222 BOWL CLEANER;TISSUE;WHISTLES 47.70
KAITLYN KEITH REF. SOCCER 40.00
NICK KEITH REF. SOCCER 40.00
VANCE KREUTZ REF. SOCCER 40.00
KUEHL & PAYER, LTD. ENG.-SEWER IMPROVEMENTS 6,725.00
LAKE ELECTRIC SUPPLY REPAIRS - CAMPING 315.82
BRYAN LAFLEUR REF. SOCCER 30.00
LETSCHE BIKE/RADIO SHACK COMPUTER MOUSE 14.99
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. GRAVE DIGGING 712.50
6" PVC PIPE CAP 20.46
CRUSHED CONCRETE 266.05
VALVE REPAIRS 2,604.90
REPAIR AERATOR TANK 3,258.75
RENT SKYTRAL-LIFT OFF CO 75.00
MIDLAND SCIENTIFIC, INC. LAB CHEMICALS 181.16
MID AMERICAN ENERGY ELECTRICITY 26,058.17
DAWN MILLER VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL 50.00
MILLS & MILLER, INC. ROAD SALT 4,349.95
WALLY MILLER, JR. OCT. LEGAL SERVICE 4,525.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES VEHICLE SUPPLIES 160.87
MUNICIPAL SERVICE/SUPPLY SEALTRODE BAG; ELECTRODE 404.37
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC. BLUE MARKING PAINT 140.40
METER PLATES;CHAMBERS;PADS 391.80
VALVES & VALVE BOXES 2,800.00
REPAIR CLAMPS - AERATION 851.51
MARK NAPIER WORK BOOTS 75.00
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FED. RANGER RICK SUBSCRIPTION 33.90
NORTH CENTRAL LABS LAB CHEMICALS 283.10
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS NOV. INTERNET SERVICE 39.95
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL BRAKES;LIGHTS;BATTERIES 2,199.22
MATT PARROTT & SONS CO. W-2 FORMS; ENVELOPES 117.22
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS SUPPLIES; COPIER CONTRACT 664.92
PETTY CASH POSTAGE; SUPPLIES 175.29
POPULAR MECHANICS SUBSCRIPTION 12.97
PUMPKIN BOOKS BOOKS 384.87
RADAR ROAD TEC CALIBRATE RADARS 210.00
REDBOOK SUBSCRIPTION 18.00
REHAB SYSTEMS, INC. VAC CLARIFIER/BEECH/UNITED 2,100.00
REINERT MACHINE SHOP INSTALL HOSE END; FLAT IRON 33.87
BETTY RESCH STORIES 2000 BOOKS 183.00
MARY JO RUPPERT MILEAGE; DVD’S; SUPPLIES 47.37
SANITARY SERVICES OCT. GARBAGE PICKUP 21,181.55
SARGENT DRILLING HIGH SERVICE & WELL TEST 3,500.00
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO. REPAIR LEAK-S. 2ND 396.27
SIOUX SALES COMPANY CASE AMMO; UNIFORMS/GEAR 1,500.90
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BACTERIA SAMPLES 143.00
SPORT SUPPLY GROUP, INC. VOLLEYBALLS 128.08
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE WINDOW CLEANING 95.00
SYNTEX INDUSTRIES RED HOSEBED COVER 228.17
TEEN INK SUBSCRIPTION 35.00
TEST AMERICA LABORATORIES TESTING 749.81
TIRE SERVICE CENTER ROTATE TIRES ON J.D. LOADER 82.50
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA OCTOBER SALES TAX 5,627.73
USA BLUE BOOK LAB CHEMICALS 88.19
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE SHIPPING CHARGE 46.66
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CELL PHONES-9/22/09-10/21/09 96.58
VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONE-10/21/09-11/20/09 151.75
WATCHGUARD VIDEO WIRELESS MIC BATTERIES 49.00
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE COPY MACHINE LEASE 110.80
WIGMAN COMPANY PIPE; FITTINGS-AERATION TANK 737.51
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.LT DIESEL FUEL; OIL 2,866.28
WILSON'S TV & APPLIANCE REFRIGERATOR; SURGE PROTECTOR 538.95
WOODALL ELECTRIC UNHOOK BLOWER; MOVE SENSOR 180.00
TROUBLE SHOOT/REWIRE ALARMS 564.50
TROUBLE SHOOT LIFT STATION 112.50
WORTHINGTON DIRECT 32 CHAIRS-COMMUNITY CENTER 1,033.83
PEG WURTH SUPPLIES 22.48
ZEE MEDICAL SERVICE CO. FIRST AID SUPPLIES 25.19
ZIEGLER, INC. FREIGHT ON PARTS 9.40
Reviewed Library Board minutes of October 7th.
Renewal of class “BW” beer/wine permit for Family Table; renewal of class “E” liquor license for Liquor on the Corner.
Payment #7 to Grundman-Hicks for $83,284.60 for the ultraviolet disinfection project.
Appointment of Peg Hinkhouse to the Redevelopment Incentive Grant Committee.
Mark Buschkamp, CAEDC, was present to review the annual
report. The report touched on office updates, marketing efforts,
updated website, use of Twitter and Facebook, postcard mailing targeting alumni,
business visits, Hwy. 20 status, and M.H.I.
meetings.
On the recommendation of the Business Development Incentive Grant Committee, a motion by Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, approved a $2,000 grant to Jobie's Pastime Lounge for storefront improvements. Motion carried.
Duane Mummert, Park Supt., was
present to recommend a geese population control hunt on Nov. 21-22 and Nov.
27-29. This has
been done for the past several years to control the Canadian geese population in
Spring Lake Park and has worked well. On
designated hunting days, the park is closed to the public. Council Member
Burkhart asked if there were other alternatives to
controlling the population as she is concerned with hunting in the City limits.
Duane said they have tried wire so the geese won’t
nest and have tried destroying the nests. The DNR can oil the eggs, but they
are short handed and this is a problem everywhere.
A motion by Peck, seconded by Leach, authorized the hunt for Nov. 21-22 and Nov.
27-29. Motion carried.
The County recently authorized
their employees to participate in an employee-paid dental plan. so the City was
approached by
the Wellmark BCBS agent as to whether they would also like to participate in a
similar plan. This would be a voluntary,
employee-paid plan where payroll deductions would be made to pay the premiums.
A minimum of 2 employees is required to
participate. A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, unanimously authorized
offering the employee-paid dental plan to
the City’s full-time employees.
The Mayor and City Council welcomed in-coming Mayor Mark Murphy and Council Member Dan Morrow.
The Council reviewed the following reports.
1. October Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts as follows: General-$336,327.75; Police
Police Forfeiture-$567.65; County Library-$.58; Road Use-$54,219.45; Employee Benefits-
$166,539.12; Emergency-$9,212.84; Local Option Sales Tax-$38,494.69; Hotel/Motel Tax-
$6.76; T.I.F.-$82,888.35; Revolving Loan-$127.31; Library Memorial-$241.10; Park & Rec.
Capital Improvement-$8.26; Debt Service-$224,821.42; Road Use Equipment-$.82;
Cherokee Signs-$840; Emergency Set-Aside-$1.45; Aquatic Center Project-$49.43;
Community Center Project-$1.51; Fire Rescue Truck-$.34; Oak Hill Perpetual Care-$393.18;
Water Utility-City-$63,290.26; Water Utility-Industrial-$18,798.27; Water Bd./Int.-$5.64;
Water Improvement-$5,010.63; Water Reserve-$39.67; Water System Maint.-$9,213.27;
Sewer Utility-City-$78,718.78; Sewer Utility-Industrial-$21,469.33; Sewer Bd./Int.-
$32,699; Sewer Improvement-$1,666.67; Aviation Authority-$7,319; Solid Waste-
$22,027.90; Landfill-$11,917.03; Storm Water Utility-$6,906.98; Self Insurance-$21.11.
2. October Police Reports.
3. Department reports.
Mark Murphy was sworn in as Mayor by the City Clerk. Mark will take office immediately.
On behalf of the Council,
Administrator and City staff, City Clerk Taylor presented outgoing Mayor Pam
Pierce with a plaque in
recognition of her service to the community. Council Member Burkhart thanked
Pam for coming on board at a difficult time and
bringing order to the council and city government.
A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Leach, adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried.
News media – Paul Struck, Chronicle Times; Nikki Thunder, KCHE.
Pam Pierce, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, ICMC
City Clerk-Treasurer