Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
February 12, 2008 – 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting was called to order on this date by
Mayor Pro-Tem Leach. Present:
Councilmembers
Burkhart, Mallory, Stieneke, Peck, City Attorney Miller, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor. Absent: Mayor
Henrich.
Mark Hecox, was present
representing the CAEDC. He passed
out information showing recent efforts in
the county. The county and each city in the county supports CAEDC based
on population and the balance
of their funding comes from private donations.
He asked the council for their continued support.
A motion by Councilmember
Burkhart, seconded by Peck, unanimously approved the following under
“Consent Business”.
City council minutes of January
22, February 4, 5 and 7.
Bills totaling $161,975.88.
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES
MLA PART 2-MARCUS
35.00
BAKER & TAYLOR, INC.
BOOKS & AUDIOS
225.72
HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE STATE
STANDARDS FOR WATER
17.00
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILLS
279.79
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH.
JAN. TAX DRAW
47.27
CHEROKEE STATE BANK
NSF CHECK
63.18
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 1/18/08
3,168.20
VERNON FICK
RETIREMENT
1,600.00
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
46.46
GE MONEY BANK/AMAZON
DVD'S
487.41
CHEROKEE COUNTY RECORDER RELEASE
GAP - S. MAURER
7.00
STEVE CRAIG/SLC POOL CON CPO
CONTINUING ED-ROLLISON
80.00
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOL.
ALLOW.-12/12/07-1/15/08 1,565.00
JAMES BUCK
DEF.
COMP.
1,000.00
CHEROKEE STATE BANK
NSF CHECK
170.00
MASTERCARD
PLAQUE; ANTIVIRUS
114.85
PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE
POSTAGE FOR METER
500.00
PITNEY BOWES, INC.
INK FOR POSTAGE METER
78.98
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILLS
269.64
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
FEB. ADMIN. FEE
384.00
CLAIMS THRU 2/1/08
501.60
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE
SMALL CLAIMS
100.00
AHLERS & COONEY P.C.
INTERIM FINANCING-POOL PROJ.
248.38
ALLIANT ENERGY
NATURAL GAS
15,390.94
ALPHA WIRELESS
BATTERIES FOR RADIOS
220.69
AL'S CORNER OIL CO.
FUEL
289.08
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES SHOP
RAGS;MOPS;TOWELS;MATS
80.61
5-WK. UNIFORM SERVICE
316.44
AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS CO.
INSTALL DC BUSS KIT-BEECH
1,544.26
BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS 300'
CROSSLINK GRADER CHAIN 754.42
BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
BOOKS & AUDIOS
105.40
BLAINE'S WATER COND.
LAB WATER; SOFTENER RENT; SALT 107.73
BOMGAARS
AUTO & OPERATING SUPPLIES
1,136.34
BROWN CHEV. & BUICK
SWITCH FOR VAN
28.21
BROWN SUPPLY CO., INC.
LOW PRESSURE EJECTOR NOZZLE 854.60
SUCTION HOSE STRAINER;SOCKETS
87.50
BUGH WELDING
REPAIR SNOWPLOW BRACKET
251.01
REPAIR SHROUD; BALANCE FAN
68.50
C-M-L TELEPHONE
TELEPHONE REPAIR
66.45
CANNON MOSS BRYGGER
ENG.-COMM. CENTER PROJECT
3,612.75
STEVE CASEY
CELL PHONE-1/21/08-2/20/08
20.00
CENTRAL IOWA DIST., INC. URINAL
BLOCKS; CLEANER
85.75
CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC.
RUN ELECTRICITY TO PINE TREE 1,657.75
BULBS-CONTROL PANEL ALARM
18.24
LIGHT BULBS; FIXTURE REPAIRS
77.30
CHEROKEE AREA ECONOMIC
ANNUAL BANQUET SPONSOR;TICKET
95.00
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS
AUTO PARTS;TOW STRAPS
904.02
CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER REPLACE
MAILBOX; PAINT; BOLTS 33.26
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT CITY
CASES
108.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY RECORDER CHANGE
OF TITLE-W. LOCUST
17.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF
SERVE NOTICES
131.00
CITY SHARE-LEC-JUNE-NOV.
1,567.75
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE
FEB. LANDFILL FEE 11,556.01
CHEROKEE CO. WORK
SERV. CLEAN GREASE
RAGS;FLOOR MATS 369.91
CHESTERMAN COMPANY
POP
58.80
CHRONICLE TIMES
MINUTES; ORDINANCES; WAGES
373.01
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIS MECHANICAL
SYSTEM REPAIR
236.01
THE COURT FOCUS
FEB. SUBSCRIPTION
12.00
COUNTRY HOME
SUBSCRIPTION
21.97
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERM.
813.50
DENNY'S SERVICE
NEW FURNACE & GAS LINE
1,566.96
DOMINO
SUBSCRIPTION
10.00
SHAUNA DREFKE
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL
60.00
KELSEY ESSICK
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL
40.00
FAREWAY STORES INC.
DISTILLED WATER;TOWELS;SUPPLIES 97.75
FARMER'S GRAIN & FEED
BIRD FEED
16.50
ED M. FELD EQUIP.CO. INC CLASS
A FOAM; HYDROTEST
775.00
LETTERS; NUMBERS; POWDER
48.10
CARBON DIOXIDE & ABC EXT.
3,690.00
HELMET SHIELDS;PATCH;SEALS
219.63
FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC. BATHROOM SUPPLIES
2.75
FILTER RECYCLING, INC.
BARREL OF USED OIL FILTERS
15.00
FOX ENGINEERING
FACILITY PLAN FOR UV PROJ. 11,464.71
FSH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
PAY PHONE-2 MONTHS
110.00
GARDNER-DENVER, INC.
BEARING KIT-DIGESTER BLO
275.56
GARY'S SERVICE
BATTERY-CHEV. PICKUP
100.45
GRAHAM TIRE & AUTOMOTIVE TIRE
& MOUNTING-DUMP TRUCK
283.34
TAMMY GRAVENISH
CLEANING
240.00
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE
6 FLASH DRIVES
119.94
HACH CO.
LAB SUPPLIES & CHEMICALS
604.27
NICOLE HATCH
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL
60.00
HIGH COUNTRY AUTO
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW-SLUDGE TRK.
35.00
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD.
SERVICE '06 EXPLORER
21.99
HOLTON CUSTOM SIGNS
SHIRTS
650.78
HY-VEE DRUGSTORE
SCRAPER
1.99
HY-VEE FOOD STORES
TRACTOR FUEL
21.04
INGRAM BOOK COMPANY
BOOKS
5.98
IOWA LAKES ELEC.
COOP. ELEC.
– 12/1/07-12/31/07
46.44
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES
ANNUAL DRUG ALLIANCE FEE
50.00
IOWA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
DUES
210.00
IOWA ONE CALL
DEC. LOCATES
17.10
IOWA STATE POLICE ASSOC. ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP DUES
200.00
IOWA TELECOM
PHONE SERVICE
820.69
PHONE/INTERNET; INSTALL MODEM
189.34
IOWA'S AUTOMOBILES
BOOK
29.95
I.W.P.C.A.
BIO-SOLIDS CONF. REGISTRATION
65.00
BRUCE JONES
CHEROKEE CO. PLAT BOOK
25.00
MARIE JONES
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL 180.00
LUBECK OIL COMPANY
FUEL
60.22
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. HAUL
SAND; SNOW REMOVAL
7,400.00
REPAIR
WATER MAIN-SIOUX
1,927.00
REPAIR
GENERATOR
120.00
REPAIR CURB STOP-W.LOCUST
1,168.56
GRAVE DIGGING
135.00
REMOVE/REPLACE METER-MHI
552.00
TV/SEWER CLEANING
340.00
MANGOLD ENVIRON. TESTING OIL
& GREASE; TKN; TDS
407.00
WIBE & PHILLIPS
CITY CASE
40.00
MID-IOWA SALES CO.
UPHOLSTERY CLEANER; ICE MELT
85.29
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
ELECTRICITY
22,328.98
WALLY MILLER, JR.
DEC. LEGAL SERVICE
1,360.00
MINNESOTA WOMEN'S PRESS
SUBSCRIPTION
29.00
MITINET, INC.
CATALOG SUBSCRIPTION
189.00
MODERN HEATING & COOLING PUMP
COUPLING; TOILET SEAT
79.91
MOORE MEDICAL CORP.
GLOVES; ALCOHOL PREPS; WIPES
88.39
MORE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION
20.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
329.22
DUANE MUMMERT
CELL PHONE-MAR.-DEC.
400.00
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC.
GASKETS FOR FLANGED VALVES
21.13
MURPHY TRACTOR & EQUIP.
LOADER REPAIR-BRG.;SEAL
2,282.04
NORTH CENTRAL LABS
LAB CHEMICALS
234.09
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS JAN./FEB.
INTERNET SERVI
83.80
O THE OPRAH MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIPTION
21.97
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL TRUCK
REPAIRS; PARTS
1,996.65
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE
SUPPLIES
477.56
PETTY CASH
POSTAGE; OMAHA PAPERS; DVDS
171.44
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
1ST CLASS PRE-SORT FEE;STAMPS
203.70
R COMM WIRELESS
2 NICAD BATTERIES
94.00
JESSELYN RACINE
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL
40.00
RASMUSSEN'S CORP.
VEHICLE SERVICE; PARTS
97.32
RECREATION SUPPLY CO.
BALLS FOR WATER SPORTS
72.03
REINERT MACHINE SHOP
BRAZE STEEL; REPAIRS
164.88
ROAD & TRACK
SUBSCRIPTION
21.00
DAN ROLLISON
CELL PHONE-2 MONTHS
80.00
ROYER'S JEWELRY
ENGRAVE CITIZEN PLATE-'07
9.75
ST. LUKES CENTER
CDL DRUG TEST RESULTS
72.00
SANITARY SERVICES
JAN. GARBAGE PICKUP
16,903.50
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.
SNOW REMOVAL-12/27/07
2,292.50
SHARE CORPORATION
DEOD. BLOCKS; CLEANERS
363.59
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR CO.
SERVICE CONTRACT
170.83
SIOUX SALES COMPANY
GUN CASE;TEST KITS;NAMEPLATES
292.55
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALT BACTERIA
SAMPLES
91.00
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE
WINDOW CLEANING
196.00
TIRE SERVICE CENTER
MOUNT NEW TIRE ON RIM
46.00
TOYNE, INC.
REEL BUTTON SWITCH
22.18
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA JAN.
SALES TAX
5,377.58
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
SHIPPING CHARGES
28.25
UNITED STATES CELLULAR
CELL PHONES
99.95
UNITED RENTALS, INC.
2 TRI-BALL RECEIVERS
139.90
UNIVERSAL, INC.
CASE HAND TOWELS & HAND SOAP
167.91
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
2 POLICY LEADERS HANDBOOKS
57.00
ALANNA VALENTINE
VOLLEYBALL OFFICIAL
40.00
VALLEY VETERINARY CENTER BOARD
CAT & DOG
126.00
VERIZON WIRELESS
CELL PHONES
69.84
WALDNER'S LAWN SERVICE
REMOVE SNOW FROM NODES
1,088.00
WASHINGTON H.S. ATHLETICS ASSIST
WITH 3-6 BB PROGR
500.00
WAYNE PRINTING
ENVELOPES
108.00
WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL
COPY MACHINE LEASE
101.85
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.
GAS; DIESEL; OIL; PROPANE
9,231.36
WOODALL ELECTRIC
OUTLET;LIGHT REPAIR;FAN MOTOR
702.45
ZIEGLER, INC.
USED SNOW WING;FTTGS.;BOLTS 4,125.76
Reviewed Planning & Zoning
Commission minutes of January 14 and February 4.
Reviewed Library Board minutes of January 4.
Renewal of class “C” liquor
license – Cherokee Country Club; class “C” beer permit – Fareway; class
“B”
native wine license – Hy-Vee Gas; class “C” beer permit – Kum & Go,
N. 2nd.
Councilmember Burkhart reported
that Mark Napier, Water Supt., was unable to attend the meeting, so
she explained the request to have Sargent Drilling perform well and pump
performance tests. Sargent Drilling
would test 7 pumps at a cost of $250/each.
The performance test checks the pump’s RPM, shut-off pressure,
gpm pumping pressure, KWA/h, total dynamic head, input horsepower, output
horsepower, voltage balance,
amperage balance and overall pump efficiency.
A report is then submitted to the city.
A motion by
Councilmember Burkhart, seconded by Stieneke, approved the well and pump test
contract with Sargent
Drilling as presented. Motion
carried.
The council was asked to
consider a tax abatement application from Thomas and Robert Zylstra for the
former
Zylstra Harley-Davidson property. County
Assessor, Bob Hart, was present to explain the history.
In January
2003, the Lubeck’s, owners at the time, requested and received tax abatement
on $850,000 of improvements
on the 10-year schedule. This was a
partial abatement as the project was incomplete.
When the improvements
were completed and a final assessment established for the property, the
Lubeck’s should have requested
another tax abatement for the difference in value.
Mr. Hart noted that commercial and industrial property can
do separate year abatement plans, but residential cannot.
In the transition of selling the property, this request
was never made. According to the
city’s Urban Revitalization Plan, an application for tax abatement must be
made within 2 years of when the property is assessed.
Mr. Hart indicated that since it is 2 years past the
completion date, Zylstra’s can’t start a new 10-year plan, however they
could receive abatement on the
difference in value starting with year 5 of the 10-year schedule.
According to a letter from the Zylstra’s attorney,
no one from the Assessor’soffice contacted them.
Mr. Hart indicated that several phone calls were made.
Robert Zylstra and his attorney, Larry Stoller, were present.
Mr. Stoller indicated that Zylstra’s purchased the
property in January 2004 and they knew there was abatement on the property,
however, they thought it was
for the full amount. He indicated
that the city’s documents are correct and that this matter is not the
council’s
fault. He doesn’t feel the
council has a lot of discretion in the matter.
He asked the council to consider granting
the abatement on the remaining 6 years and he will continue his research on
whether the Lubeck’s failed to
disclose information regarding the abatement process. City Attorney Miller asked for time to review the
information and suggested bringing the issue back to the next regular meeting.
Mr. Stoller indicated that he
would send his information to Wally for review.
A motion by Councilmember Stieneke, seconded by Peck,
tabled this item until the next regular meeting.
Motion carried.
As Councilmember Burkhart has
had an inquiry regarding the property at 411 S. 9th Street, which was
damaged
by fire, a motion by Councilmember Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, tabled
discussion at this time. Motion
carried.
The council was asked to
consider an agreement with Clarence Krepps, Kuehl & Payer, to continue the
search for a City Manager for an additional fee of $9,300. This will involve marketing and recruitment with
an application deadline of April 15, interviews beginning no later than June 7,
with a City Manager on board
by July 15. Councilmember Burkhart
reported that as part of the city’s membership fee, SIMPCO could
assist in a City Manager search by helping with advertising, interview questions
and background checks.
The city would be responsible for costs related to advertising, interviews, etc.
Councilmember Stieneke
feels they would be starting from scratch if they chose to use SIMPCO’s
services and would like to finish
the process with Mr. Krepps. Burkhart
said it wouldn’t be starting from scratch as we have the ad that could
be placed in various publications. Councilmember
Mallory asked whether Mr. Krepps was realistic in allowing
us to advertise at the salary we did, knowing we couldn’t hire a qualified
person at that salary. Burkhart said
that the city’s circumstances haven’t changed and 2 searches have been done
in the past year. She is not sure
if starting another search next month will make a difference as the city
hasn’t completed a comprehensive plan
nor set any long-term goals. She
doesn’t feel they can keep putting the strain of search costs on street, water
and sewer budgets, which takes away from projects they may have and she is not
ready to go through the
process again with Mr. Krepps. Mayor
Pro-Tem Leach commented that the council has already given
authorization for Mr. Krepps to proceed with a target hire date of July.
Burkhart agreed with that, however,
she understood that Mr. Krepps would first come back to the council with a cost
to continue the search. She
thought he estimated $5,000-$5,500 off the top of his head. As there was some question as to what action
was taken, the Clerk read from the minutes of Jan. 7, 2008, which did authorize
Mr. Krepps to continue
the search as indicated by Leach. This
motion passed on a 3-2 vote (Burkhart, Mallory against).
The minutes
also read that Mr. Krepps would bring back his cost to continue the search, as
well as research salary
ranges for cities of comparable size. Dan
Morrow, 409 S. 8th, asked whether the original search committee
had given the council an idea of how much should be spent on the search or did
the council set a limit?
They could end up spending $100,000. He
asked whether the search committee would like to talk to SIMPCO
about doing the search for no additional fee.
Dwight Varce, 605 W. Cedar, was on the original search
committee and said they put a lot of effort into this.
He pointed out that the city just recently became a
member of SIMPCO after several years of not belonging because of internal issues
at SIMPCO. He asked
whether those issues have been corrected and that a membership fee is paid to
SIMPCO so it is not free.
He feels that the sooner the city gets someone hired the better.
He asked what was more important,
purchasing a skid loader (for the Park Department) or hiring someone to run the
city? Stieneke suggested
inviting Mr. Krepps to the next meeting to further explain his proposal. Burkhart asked the council to consider
an interview schedule of one candidate per day.
She doesn’t want to interview all day then have to make a
decision the next day as there will be a lot of information to consider.
She would also like to have a citizen’s
committee involved, and social events with the Mayor and councilmembers, such as
lunch, dinner and city tours.
Duane Mummert asked whether a motion could be rescinded.
City Attorney Miller said that it could if no
contract has been signed. A motion
was made by Councilmember Stieneke, seconded by Leach to table
any action until February 26 and invite Mr. Krepps to the meeting to explain his
proposal. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach
NAYS: Peck, Burkhart, Mallory
The motion died for lack of a
majority vote.
On a motion by Councilmember
Stieneke, seconded by Leach, the council unanimously asked that Mr. Krepps
be invited to the February 26 meeting to explain his proposed fee.
The council reviewed a letter
from Larry and Linda Wheeler, 203 E. Maple, for payment of a plumbing bill
incurred on January 25. The
Wheeler’s didn’t have water and after checking with a neighbor to see
whether
they had water, which the neighbor did, they assumed it was a problem with
frozen water pipes as they have
had in the past. They proceeded to
try to thaw the pipes and then called a plumber at 3:45 that afternoon
resulting in a bill of $58.85. Other
neighbors were then called and the Wheeler’s found out that the city was
working in the alley behind Valley Bank and the V.F.W.
The Wheelers then called the radio station to see
whether there had been a public service announcement of water shut off and were
told there was not. If there
is a policy and procedure in dealing with water shut off, the Wheeler’s
don’t feel it was followed. Councilmember
Burkhart had talked to Mark Napier, Water Supt., about this matter.
Because this was an emergency water line
break, and Mark was concerned with water going into the basements of
Greenwood Funeral Home and the
V.F.W., he just didn’t get a call in to the radio station.
In most cases, he does notify the radio and if it is a
planned repair tries to also put it in the newspaper.
Councilmember Mallory asked that if there isn’t a policy,
should there be? He said maybe both
parties were somewhat negligent. Mayor Pro-Tem Leach doesn’t
feel the city was negligent and this was an emergency situation.
He also said the plumber or radio station
don’t supply the water, the Wheeler’s should have called the city.
The request was denied.
Duane Mummert, Park Supt., was present to discuss the
tool lease, as discussed during budget workshops.
He said that Councilman Stieneke has told several people, not
councilmembers, that he owes the city money.
Councilmember Stieneke stated that Duane cancelled his annual tool lease
(7/1/06-6/30/07) with the city on
2/27/07, after he had been paid the annual $1,000 fee.
He said Duane then rented a tiller for $75, so feels
Duane should reimburse the city for that cost.
Duane reminded the council that this all started last year
because Councilmember Stieneke didn’t want Duane to use his private vehicle
when using his tools and
equipment for city purposes because Stieneke felt there was too much liability
to the city. Duane indicated
that City Attorney Miller and the city’s insurance agent, Ken Slater, both
indicated at that time that this was
not an issue. Duane insures
his tools and Duane is covered under the city’s insurance when he is using
his personal vehicle for city purposes. Duane
then told Councilmember Stieneke that Dan Rollison, Recreation
Director, rented the tiller to work up the sand volleyball courts.
Councilmember Stieneke then said that he
owed Duane an apology. Duane said
he was tired of hearing on the street things that have been discussed
by the council in closed session or during open meetings.
Duane said he is still using his tools and
equipment for city purposes and hasn’t received any compensation during the
current fiscal year. He said
that they need to have the tools and equipment to do the job, such as scaffold
at the community center.
Councilmember Stieneke asked whose liability it is if the equipment malfunctions
and someone is hurt
or killed. Duane said the liability
is covered by the city. Stieneke
said that at a Municipal Leadership
Workshop he attended it was highly recommended that the city not enter into
contracts with city employees.
(If the contract is less than $1,500 it isn’t considered a conflict of
interest according to State Code). Duane
said there is a lot of his equipment used for city purposes that is not included
in the contract. Councilmember
Leach said that in checking with Builder’s Sharpening, that if the city had
been charged each time a skid
loader was borrowed, the cost would have been $4,500 this past year.
He said the city couldn’t expect a
business to continue this practice. Duane
said if the council wants to continue with a tool lease, a new
contract would have to be drafted.
On a motion by Councilmember Burkhart, seconded by Peck,
the council went into closed session at 8:23 p.m.
to discuss labor negotiations as per Iowa Code 21.5(c) and 20.17(3).
Roll call was:
AYES: Burkhart, Mallory, Stieneke,
Peck, Leach
NAYS: None
On a motion by Councilmember Stieneke, seconded by Leach,
the council returned to regular session at
8:45 p.m. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Peck, Leach,
Burkhart, Mallory
NAYS: None
No action was taken in closed session.
As Mayor Pro-Tem Leach had to leave the meeting at 8:50
p.m., he appointed Jim Peck as acting
Mayor Pro-Tem.
The council set the next budget workshop for Tuesday,
February 19 at 4:30 p.m.
The council continued review of the 2008-09 budget.
In finding ways to balance the General Fund, a
suggestion was made to use Hotel/Motel Tax money to pave or blacktop the east
bottom road at Spring
Lake Park, which is estimated to cost $10,000.
Councilmember Peck said that the city has requested
funding to make improvements to Lake Street, which may help divert some of the
storm water runoff so
maybe there wouldn’t be so much damage to this road after every rain.
The park road project will most
likely not be funded at this time. In
discussion regarding a request in the Parks budget for the
lease/purchase of a skid loader, Councilmember Stieneke questioned the need and
asked whether "
there was other city equipment that could be used?
The skid loader will cost $4,335 a year for 5 years,
which puts a burden on the next 4 budget years.
Stieneke feels this past year was an unusual year (for
use of a skid loader), with the construction of the aquatic center and Gillette
Park improvements. Duane
Mummert, Park Supt., said that it would be used for many jobs, such as sweeping
off terraces after
applying chips for seal coating streets, breaking up concrete, removing brush
and trees after wind
storms, leveling campsites and removing mud from streets after flooding.
The Clerk passed out a
proposed debt service schedule for a $400,000 general obligation bond to cover
the costs of the community
center project. In order to levy a
tax with the 2008-09 budget to pay the first years’ interest on the bonds,
the council will need to consider approving a pre-levy resolution at their next
regular meeting. Councilmember
Burkhart said that the Fire Department would like to replace their equipment van
and asked that a
representative be present at the next regular meeting to explain their request.
If this is something the
council wants to proceed with, the cost of the van could be added to the general
obligation bond.
Councilmember Burkhart asked how the wage increases are set for non-union
employees. The Clerk
explained that the council sets those increases by motion.
A motion by Councilmember Stieneke, seconded by Mallory,
adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Motion
carried.
News media – Ken Ross, Chronicle Times; Nikki Thunder, KCHE.
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer