Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall,
Cherokee, Iowa
February 13,
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, City Attorney
Miller, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.
Alliant Energy Grant
Jan Bowles, Alliant Energy, presented an $8,000
check to the City for a Branching Out grant for trees as
part of the Gillette Park renovation project.
She encouraged the City to continue looking for other
programs offered by Alliant.
Bank Depository Resolution
A motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Peck,
adopted Resolution No. 07-02, naming bank depositories for the
city.
Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke,
Leach, Peck, Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
Resolution Appointing SRHA Commissioner
On a motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Stieneke, the council adopted Resolution No. 07-03, appointing Dave
Deedrick as Siouxland Regional Housing Authority Commissioner.
Roll call was:
AYES: Leach,
Peck, Varce, Mallory, Stieneke
NAYS: None
Resolution Confirming Appointment of SRHA Commissioner
A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by Stieneke,
adopted Resolution No. 07-04, confirming the appointment of Dave Deedrick
as Siouxland Regional Housing Authority Commissioner. Roll call was:
AYES: Leach,
Peck, Varce, Mallory, Stieneke
NAYS: None
Consent Business
A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Mallory, unanimously approved the following under “Consent Business”.
City council minutes of January 23, 30, 31,
February 1 and 7.
Bills totaling $165,218.73.
ADVANCED
WATER TECHNOLOGY POLYQUEST
1,690.80
AL'S CORNER OIL CO.
FUEL
71.80
ALANNA VALENTINE
REF. WOMEN'S V.B.
30.00
ALLIANT UTILITIES
NATURAL GAS
11,545.31
ALPHA
WIRELESS
RADIO REPAIR;PAGER MIC REPAIR
100.85
REPROGRAM PAGER
28.00
REPAIR 2-WAY RADIO
IN '98 IH 108.17
AMANDA KOHN
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 GIRLS BB
30.00
AMAZON CREDIT PLAN
DVD'S & BOOKS
505.72
ANDERSON LAWN SERVICE
JAN. SNOW REMOVAL
174.00
ARAMARK
UNIFORM SERVICES SHOP
RAGS;MATS;MOPS;FRESHNER
35.18
TOWELS; MATS
36.04
4-WK. UNIFORM SERVICE
234.47
AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS CO.
PH SENSOR FOR RAW INFLUENT
656.40
BAKER & TAYLOR, INC
CHILDREN'S/ADULT BOOKS; CD'S
325.08
BLAINE'S
WATER COND.
SOFTNER RENTAL/SALT; LAB WATER
208.75
BOMGAARS
DOG FOOD; BONES
47.48
PARTS;BATTERIES;TOOLS;SUPPLIES
550.00
WATER HEATER
219.99
BRANDON HENKE
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 BOYS BB
20.00
BROKER ARROW
CLOTHING FOR ACADEMY-ROBERTS
110.32
BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVICE
OIL; SAW CHAIN; SHARPENING
47.50
CANNON,
MOSS, BRYGGER ENG.-HEATING/COOLING PROJECT
7,198.23
CARROLL DISTRIBUTING
SCREW ANCHORS-C.C. HANDRAILS
62.00
CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC.
BULBS; LIGHT FIXTURE REPAIR
359.62
BRACKET-LAKE; BOLTS-INDIAN
107.47
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS
WIPER BLADES; CIRCUIT BREAKERS
28.54
CHEROKEE
AVIATION AUTH.
JAN. TAX DRAW
324.06
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE
FEB. LANDFILL FEE
11,556.01
3 APPLIANCES FROM IRON PILE
30.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY RECORDER
RELEASE GAP LOANS
14.00
LIC.
BOATS/PADDLE BOATS/CANOE 103.25
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
VOL. ALLOW.-12/10/06-12/27/06
660.00
CHEROKEE
LUMBER, INC.
LEVEL; INSULATION
22.49
CHEROKEE
REG. MED. CENTER EMPLOYMENT
PHYSICALS
158.00
RANDOM CDL DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTS
101.00
CHRIS CAMPBELL
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 BOYS BB
30.00
CHRONICLE TIMES
MINUTES;SALARIES;EMPL. AD
505.02
CODY
EGE
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 BOYS BB
30.00
COMBINED FLUID PRODUCTS
AIR FILTER FOR LARGE COMP.
58.84
COMPASS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS UTILITY BILL FORMS
590.12
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIST MECHANICAL
SYSTEM SERVICE
44.89
DARREN'S CLOTHING CO.
SEW 4 PATCHES ON SHIRTS
10.00
DEER VALLEY LAND IMPROV.
TRUCKS-HAUL SNOW-JAN.16 & 22
1,650.00
DEMCO,INC.
SUPPLIES
190.87
DEMI DUNN
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS B.B.
7.50
DENNY'S SERVICE
PLUMBING REPAIR
69.00
DONALD CORPORATION
PARTS/SERVICE LARGE COMP.
1,004.79
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
112.71
DPC
INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERM.
696.75
ED
M. FELD EQUIP.CO., INC. AIR TEST-BREATHING AIR COMP.
150.00
SEALS; SIGNS; HELMET LIGHTS
56.00
EXTINGUISHERS;FOAM;HYDROTEST 1,505.95
EDM
EQUIPMENT
GUTTER BROOM; MAIN BROOM
390.00
ENVIRON. RESOURCE ASSOC.
QUARTERLY QC SAMPLES
215.04
FAREWAY STORES, INC.
POP; CLEANING SUPPLIES
29.38
FREMONT
INDUSTRIES, INC. POLYMER
2,449.80
FSH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
PAY PHONE 50.00
GARY'S SERVICE
BATTERY FOR DODGE DAKOTA
79.95
GILLIS AGRICULTURAL SYS.
STAINLESS CABLE-SLUDGE TANK
31.57
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE
COMPUTER SERVICE
75.00
BACKUP-BEECH
LIFT COMPUTER
100.00
HACH
CO.
LAB SUPPLIES; CHEMICALS
453.70
HALLETT
MATERIALS
GRAVEL; SAND; ROCK
1,661.38
HD
SUPPLY WATERWORKS, LTD 3 - 2
X 12.5 REPAIR CLAMPS
259.60
HIGH COUNTRY AUTO
TOW FORFEITURE VEHICLE
75.00
HOLTON CUSTOM SIGNS
4 SIGNS FOR SHOWERS
130.00
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD.
OIL CHANGES;WIPER ARM;BRAKES 311.83
HY-VEE
MEAL
PLAN FOR ACADEMY-ROBERTS 677.10
HY-VEE
FOOD STORES
SUPPLIES
29.36
IOS OFFICE
SOLUTIONS
PRINTER CARTRIDGE
125.99
IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMM.
COPY OF CASE FILE-WOODS
58.00
IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP
ELEC. - 1/1/07-1/31/07
40.79
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES
ANNUAL DRUG ALLIANCE FEE
50.00
IOWA ONE CALL
DEC. LOCATES
16.20
IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES
STREET SIGNS & SUPPLIES
1,351.80
IOWA RURAL WATER ASSOC.
METER TECH. REGISTRATION
10.00
ELEC. TRAINING REGISTRATION
10.00
IOWA STATE POLICE ASSOC. 8 MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2007
200.00
IOWA TELECOM
PHONE SERVICE-1/14/07-2/13/07
808.16
IOWA
WORKFORCE DEVELOP. UNEMPLOYMENT-YOUNIE
1,021.35
JAMES EBERT (DEF. COMP.)
D/C SURRENDER-EBERT-JAN./FEB. 3,000.00
JANITOR'S
CLOSET LTD. TISSUE;
STRIPPER; GARB.BAGS
145.96
JESSELYN RACINE
SET UP/REF. WOMEN'S V.B.
55.00
JUDY GRIENKE-MILLER
MILEAGE
20.02
JULIANNE MILLER HELP
WITH 3/4 GIRLS B.B. 7.50
K-MART
#9222
SHOP VAC FILTERS; SUPPLIES
63.40
KAREN
CHRISTENSEN
REF./SET UP CO-ED V.B.
32.50
KAYLA MESSEROLE
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS B.B.
7.50
KAYLA STEPHENSON
OVERPAID FINAL-120 E. CHERRY
33.21
KEATON TUTTLE
REF. 6TH BOYS B.B.
22.50
KELSEY ESSICK
SET UP/REF. WOMEN'S V.B.
72.50
KELSEY LUDWIG
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS B.B.
7.50
KEYSTONE LABORATORIES
LEAD/COPPER/NITRATE SAMPLES
453.26
KUEHL
& PAYER, LTD.
ENG.-AQUATIC CENTER PROJ
6,281.24
PROG. PAY.-STORM WATER STUDY
2,310.75
KYLE RUEHL
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 BOYS BB
10.00
KYLIE DILLA
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS BB
7.50
LAUREN HUSMAN
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS BB
7.50
LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.
ASSORTED AUTO. ELEC. FITTINGS
178.81
LONN MANUFACTURING CO.
WATER SAVER HOSE NOZZLES
113.42
LOVE TIRE (K.WENCK)
INSPECTIONS-OCT.-JAN.
673.75
LUBECK OIL COMPANY
GAS & DIESEL
34.40
LUNDELL
CONSTRUCTION CO. DIG
GRAVES;CURB BOX/STOP REP. 1,047.64
LYNN
CARLSON
REF. 3 GIRLS 6TH BB
22.50
M-M-C BOOSTER CLUB
6TH BOYS B.B. ENTRY FEE
50.00
MANGOLD ENVIRON. TESTING
OIL & GREASE; TKN TESTING
327.00
MARLIN LEASING CORP.
FEB. COPIER LEASE
123.00
MARSHALL CAVENDISH, INC.
BOOKS
137.07
MARY BORGHEIINCK
SUPPLIES; WORKSHOP FEE
36.82
MARY
JO RUPPERT
DVD'S
78.90
MASTERCARD
COMPUTER ANTIVIRUS
109.93
MATT
KOCH
REF. 6TH BB; SUPERVISE-3/4 BB
37.50
MATT
PITTS
CO-SUPERVISE 3/4 BOYS BB
20.00
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
ELEC. - 12/14/06-1/15/07
20,985.17
MIDWEST
TURF & IRRIG.
TRI-STAR AERATOR-SPRING LAKE 6,373.38
MILLER MILLER
MILLER, PC DEC./JAN.
LEGAL SERVICE
8,610.00
MILLS
& MILLER, INC.
ROAD SALT DELIVERED
1,152.30
MOTHER EARTH NEWS
SUBSCRIPTION
14.95
MURPHY TRACTOR & EQUIP. T-STATS;GASKET;RAD. CAP
30.99
NANCY PERRIN
REF. 6TH BB; SUPERVISE GIRLS
52.50
NELSON ELECTRIC
REPLACE LIGHT BALLAST
18.67
NELSON REPAIR
REPLACE ALTERNATOR-'04 EXP.
260.00
NICOLE HATCH
SET UP/REF. WOMEN'S V.B.
47.50
NORM'S BODY SHOP
3 CS. 2-CYCLE OIL MIX
50.00
NORTHSIDE TIRE
REPLACE TIRE-CHEV. DUMP TRUCK
36.10
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS
JAN./FEB. INTERNET SERVICE
133.75
NOVELTY
MACHINE & SUPPLY COUPLINGS-POLYMER
MACHINE
10.34
COUPLINGS-RDT PUMP
45.28
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL
CIRCUIT BREAKERS; SIDE MIRROR
45.92
OFFICE
OF VEHICLE SERV. 5
SALVAGE AUTO TITLES
50.00
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS
OFFICE SUPPLIES; CHAIR
469.82
PETTY
CASH
POSTAGE; OMAHA PAPER; BOOKS
148.49
PITNEY
BOWES POSTAGE
POSTAGE FOR METER
500.00
PLUNKETT'S PEST CONTROL
PEST CONTROL
30.00
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
260.91
QUALITY PUMP
& CONTROL TRANSDUCER
PARTS-BEECH LIFT 971.79
READER'S DIGEST
SUBSCRIPTION
28.98
REAL SIMPLE
SUBSCRIPTION
23.88
REINERT MACHINE SHOP
INSTALL HITCH ON TRUCK
122.09
MAKE
RAILING-VEHICLE DAMAGE 2,900.59
MAKE PARTS FOR SANDER; PLOW
557.77
MATERIAL-MAKE 4-WAY STOP
58.78
RICHIE SCHMIDT
REF. 6TH BOYS BB; SCOREBOARD
22.50
RICK WILLIAMS
CPR RECERTIFICATIONS
247.50
RON’S
REPAIR, INC.
REPL. CRACKED CYL.-'00 DODGE 1,223.25
NEW TRACK BAR-'00 DODGE
294.50
ROXANNE
THOMPSON
HELP WITH 3/4 GIRLS BB
17.50
RUBLE'S SERVICE & EXHAUST
12 V.GEL CELL OPTIMA BATTERY
146.95
SANITARY SERVICES
JAN. GARBAGE PICKUP
16,797.30
SANITATION PRODUCTS, INC. NOZZLES
& EXT.-SEWER JET
327.42
SATURDAY EVENING POST
SUBSCRIPTION
14.97
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.
TRUCKS/LOADER HAUL SNOW-JAN. 3,470.00
SCHUMACHER
ELEVATOR CO. ANNUAL
ELEV. INSP.-BEECH LIFT 375.00
ELEVATOR SERVICE CONTRACT
165.85
SCOTT BROWN
REF. 5/6 BOYS BB; SCOREBOARD
40.00
SHARE CORPORATION
12 EVAPO-KLEEN
126.19
SHAUNA DREFKE
SET UP/REF. WOMEN'S V.B.
47.50
SHELBY DILLA
REF. 6TH GIRLS BB;HELP 3/4
30.00
SHERRY MILLER
SET UP/REF. CO-ED V.B.
97.50
SIOUX SALES COMPANY
TROUSERS; SHIRT; HAT
86.90
1500 ROUNDS AMMO FOR RESERVES
292.50
UNIFORMS-NEW OFFICERS
1,196.48
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BACTERIA
SAMPLES
91.00
SMITH
& WESSON
ARMORER PISTOL KIT
60.92
SOUTH SIDE SUPPLY
REPAIR HYD. HOSE-JD TRACTOR
38.81
STAN
HOUSTON EQUIP. CO. 3
STROBE LIGHTS FOR EQUIPMENT 389.45
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE
WINDOW CLEANING
170.00
THE COURT FOCUS
FEB. SUBSCRIPTION
12.00
THE
HONORABLE C. GRASSLEY U.S.
FLAGS
18.00
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 2/2/07
2,322.28
FEB.
ADMIN. FEE
341.00
TIRE
SERVICE CENTER
2 TIRES-MOUNT/BAL.-'03 GMC
300.52
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA
JANUARY SALES TAX
5,059.56
TYLER
JONES
REF. 4/5 B.B. GAMES
30.00
UNIQUE
BOOKS, INC.
CHILDREN'S/ADULT BOOKS; DVD'S
783.15
UNITED
PARCEL SERVICE
SHIPPING CHARGES
61.46
UNITED STATES CELLULAR
1/21/07-2/22/07
87.70
USA BLUE BOOK
NEW OVEN FOR LAB
495.95
VALLEY VETERINARY CENTER
5 STRAY DOGS
350.00
VERIZON
WIRELESS
1/21/07-2/20/07
95.18
VERNON
FICK (DEF. COMP.) D/C
SURRENDER-FICK-JAN.
3,200.00
WALDNER'S
LAWN SERVICE SNOW
REMOVAL-NODES/SIDEWALKS 584.00
WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
PRINT 108 T-SHIRTS-JR. CHEER.
648.00
DONATION-JR. CHEERLEADING
588.00
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE
COPIER LEASE
101.85
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.
PROPANE;KEROSENE;GAS;DIESEL
7,929.98
WOODALL
ELECTRIC
HOOK UP/TEST #3 BLOWER
259.00
HOOK UP NEW TRANSDUCER-BEECH
75.00
CHG. LIGHT;WIRE RELIEF;SWITCH
351.10
WIRE GENERATOR HEATER-BEECH
93.75
WOODBURY CO. FIRE ASSOC.
BATTERIES FOR MONITOR RADIOS
30.00
WORLD BOOK, INC.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
829.00
Reviewed Planning & Zoning Commission
minutes of January 22.
Renewal of class “E” liquor license –
Quinn’s Liquor & Wine Store; new class “B” native wine permit
–
Hy-Vee Food Stores.
Progress payment #8 for $170,851.75 to Grundman-Hicks,
LLC for the Bacon Aquatic Center/Gillette
Park project.
Bacon Aquatic Center/Gillette Park Project
John Cook updated the council on the Bacon
Aquatic Center/Gillette Park Project.
Staff and pool
committee members will be working on staffing, policies and fees.
There has been a lot of interest and
inquiries about working at the pool.
John reported that the staff and committee are in the final stages
of
ordering playground equipment and suggested that it may be installed by
volunteers. The equipment
will be funded by the Erlandson Foundation.
The contractor continues work on the facility and they
remain at or ahead of schedule. He
still receives contacts from people wanting to donate to the project.
Recreation/Aquatic Center Manager
On the recommendation of the staff and pool
committee, a motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Stieneke, authorized hiring Dan Rollison as Recreation/Aquatic Center
Manager at $28,000/year, to
begin as soon as possible. Roll
call was:
AYES: Leach, Mallory,
Stieneke, Peck
NAYS: Varce (because of the
full-time status)
Gillette Park Trail Project
At 7:15 p.m., Mayor Henrich opened a public
hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of
cost for the Gillette Park Trail Project.
As there were no oral or written comments, a motion by Councilman
Stieneke, seconded by Leach, closed the hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Motion carried.
Bob Payer, Kuehl & Payer, was present to
review the plans and specs and schedule for the Gillette Park Trail.
The city will receive grant funds of $78,000 toward this project,
which is approximately 80% of the cost.
The project will be let by the Iowa Department of Transportation on
February 20, with contracts available for council approval in March.
The late start date will be 3/15/07 with completion to be in 30
working days (about 6 weeks). This
should correspond to the 5/15/07 completion date for the aquatic center
project. A motion by Councilman Varce, seconded by Leach,
approved the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost
for the Gillette Park Trail project.
Motion carried.
Septage Hauling
The council reviewed information from Steve
Casey, Wastewater Supt., regarding the disposal of
domestic septage in the city’s sewer lines.
Currently, two local haulers are allowed to dump septic
sewage into a city manhole, where it is then treated at the city’s
wastewater treatment plant. Steve
is requesting that the city send letters to these haulers and inform them
that effective March 1, 2007,
the city will begin random testing of this septage.
The cost will be $10 for each random sample, which
covers time and chemicals to do the testing.
He is also asking that the letter stress the fact that a
wastewater employee must be contacted prior to dumping, even on
weekends. If a load tests bad
during the random sampling, that hauler will no longer be allowed to dump
into the city’s system. A
motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Varce, authorized sending
letters to the local haulers
indicating the testing procedure. Motion
carried.
Adult Entertainment Ordinance
Ramona Nitz, Planning & Zoning Commission
chairperson, was present to answer any questions the council might have
regarding a proposed adult entertainment ordinance. The P & Z has been working on this for several
months to protect the interests of Cherokee’s residents and businesses.
The P & Z recommends using an ordinance similar to the one
passed by Sioux Center. As
proposed, adult entertainment establishments would be allowed to locate in
a M-1 or M-2 zoning district, which would be in areas on River Road, near
the Hy-Vee Warehouse and south of town in the area of the Schoon
Industrial Park. A city
can’t totally ban this type of business, but many cities are adopting
ordinances restricting where a business can locate.
The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed ordinance and
recommends proceeding. The
Planning & Zoning will present a final draft for council consideration
at the February 27 meeting.
Local Option Sales Tax
The City Clerk received a request from the City
of Quimby to call for an election so they can renew their
local option sales tax, which expires 1/1/08.
In order for Quimby to call for an election, 50% of the
population of Cherokee County must request the election, which must
include the city of Cherokee and unincorporated areas of Cherokee County.
The City of Cherokee’s local option tax doesn’t expire until
12/11/11. As this is 4 years
away, the council asked whether the City of Cherokee would have to renew
at this time, or whether they could simply agree to call for the election,
but not renew their tax at this time.
The City Clerk will check with the County Auditor.
Reports
The council reviewed the following reports:
1. January
Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts as follows: General-41,927.94; Police Forfeiture-
$217.83; County Library-$7.53; Road Use-$41,464.94; Employee
Benefits-$16,402.79;
Emergency-$583.34; Local Option Sales Tax-$2,046.94; Hotel/Motel
Tax-$224.94; Tax
Increment Financing-$4,562.47; Revolving Loan-$1,396.06; Library
Memorial-$2,259.26; Park
& Rec. Cap. Improvements-$536.64; Debt Service-$8,827.70; Road
Use Equipment-$337.44;
Cherokee Signs-$15; Doherty Addition-$3,300; Aquatic
Center/Gillette Park-$169,416.58; Oak
Hill Perpetual Care-$586.15; Water Utility-City-$55,357.66; Water
Utility-Industrial-$3,815.75;
Water Fac. Bd./Int.-$18,837.35; Water Improvement-City-$5,499;
Water Tower Maintenance-
$539.32; Sewer Utility-City-$87,027.26; Sewer
Utility-Industrial-$23,017.04; Sewer Fac.
Bd./Int.-$32,888.92; Sewer Improvement-City-$8,222.17; Aviation
Authority-$324.06; Airport
Improvement Project-$100; Solid Waste-$18,513.13;
Landfill-$12,395.40; Storm Water Utility-
$7,319.23; Self Insurance-$351.44.
2. January
General Fund revenue/expense report.
3. January
Police report.
2007-08 Budget Review
The council continued review of the 2007-08
budget. Councilman Stieneke
questioned the part-time line item in the Fire budget.
Roger Frisbie explained that this is for a relief driver to fill in
when a full-time employee is on vacation or sick leave.
The City Clerk indicated that the Debt Service budget includes a
transfer of $300,000 from Local Option Sales Tax to reduce the tax levy.
This is the same amount as the past several years.
As presented, the Debt Service levy would show an increase of
$.27/$1000 over the current budget. The
council chose not to transfer additional local option tax funds to
maintain the current level of taxes.
The City Attorney will check on a possible liability issue
concerning an employee’s use of a private vehicle for city business.
Aviation Authority 28E Agreement
Kent Wenck, chairman of the Cherokee Aviation
Authority, was present to request an extension of
Amendment #1 to the 28E Agreement with the city and county.
Two years ago, the city and county
approved an amendment to the agreement allowing the Authority to use 60%
of the annual tax levy for
operations, maintenance and capital expenditures and 40% of the levy to be
placed in a capital reserve
fund. The Authority would
like this amendment extended through the end of the 15-year 28E agreement.
The County Board of Supervisors has already approved the extension.
When asked what the balance
of their funds was, Kent said they have $56,465 in the capital reserve
fund and $57,815 in the operating
fund. Although the operating fund balance seems high, Kent
explained that it would cost about $30,000
to fill the two fuel tanks in the next few weeks.
The Aviation Authority receives $.15/$1000 of assessed
value from all property in the county, which is about $60,000/yr.
The balance of their revenue comes
from hangar rent and fuel sales.
A motion by Councilman Mallory, seconded by
Peck, unanimously approved extending the funding split
as proposed through the end of the 28E agreement.
2007-08 Budget Review
In further review of the 2007-08 budget, the
part-time funds requested in the Park budget for inmate labor
was questioned. If the
inmate program doesn’t continue, would these funds be needed?
The Mayor
reminded the council that if the program doesn’t continue, an additional
seasonal employee would be
needed in the Park Department. There
was discussion on requests from the water, sewer and street
departments for part-time, seasonal help for mowing.
The council suggested that one seasonal employee
be hired to mow all areas of these departments.
The Mayor suggested meeting with the department
heads and discussing options. This
can be done this spring prior to mowing season.
In discussion on
wage increases for supervisory employees, Councilman Leach suggested a
larger increase for water,
sewer and police supervisors, as they are required to maintain licenses
and certifications in the operation
of their departments. A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by Stieneke,
authorized a $1,500/yr.
salary increase effective 7/1/07 for Mark Napier, Steve Casey and Steve
Schuck and a $1,000/yr. salary
increase effective 7/1/07 for Jim Agnitsch, Duane Mummert and Deb Taylor.
Roll call was:
AYES: Leach, Peck, Mallory,
Stieneke
NAYS: Varce
A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Stieneke, authorized a $.47/hr. wage increase effective
7/1/07 for full-time, non-union employees Julie Case, Mary Jo Ruppert,
Judy Grienke-Miller, Mary
Borgheiinck, and Steve Thill. Roll
call was:
AYES: Leach, Peck, Mallory,
Stieneke
NAYS: Varce
Councilman Stieneke suggested cutting $500 from
part-time salaries and $200 from contractual services
in the Community Center budget, as those duties will be handled by the
part-time custodian and Recreation/Aquatic Center Director.
Councilman Mallory asked whether the Chamber of Commerce
could be relocated to the Community Center.
As part of their “rent”, they could be asked to help with
opening and closing the building, answering phones and light janitorial
duties. Councilman Stieneke
feels
this is what the Recreation/Aquatic Center Director will do as part
of his duties.
Councilman Varce feels this budget is the best
that it has been for some time. They
haven’t had to cut
employees or hours, which should keep employee moral up.
They need to stay positive and feels they
have good leadership in the departments.
He asked Roger Frisbie whether another city employee could
fill in for the full-time firemen when they take vacation or sick leave.
Roger explained that a street
employee filled in when one of the firemen had surgery a year or so ago.
However, this probably wouldn’t
work on an ongoing basis. When
a fireman takes time off, the other full-time fireman fills the day shift,
so
a relief driver (who has a full-time day job) can fill the night shift.
They currently have 3 relief drivers.
They
are trying to train more firemen to be relief drivers, however, with the
amount of responsibility involved
very few are eager to take on that duty.
When asked about response time, Roger indicated that weekday
response time is 3-4 minutes compared to weekend response times of 12-16
minutes.
The City Clerk will publish notice of the
budget hearing to be held on March 13 at 7:15 p.m.
Closed Session
On a motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by
Leach, the council went into closed session at 8:58
p.m. to discuss labor negotiations and possible litigation as per Iowa
Code Chapters 21.5(c) and 20.17(3).
Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Peck,
Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
A motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by
Leach, brought the council back into regular session at
9:19 p.m. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Peck,
Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Mallory, approved a settlement with the Policeman’s
Association for a $.47/hr. wage increase for the 2007-08 contract year,
effective 7/1/07, as discussed in
closed session. Roll call
was:
AYES: Leach, Peck, Mallory,
Stieneke
NAYS: Varce
On a motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by
Leach, the council authorized the City Attorney to
proceed with the abandonment hearing on March 10 for the house at 312 W.
Locust, as discussed in
closed session. Motion
carried.
Adjournment
On a motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by
Peck, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Motion carried.
Dennis Henrich – Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer