Regular City Council Meeting
                                                                                 City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
                                                                               February 24, 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, City Attorney Miller, Administrator Eikmeier, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.

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

City Council minutes of February 10^th and 16^th.

Reviewed Library Board minutes of January 7^th.

Renewal of class “C” beer permit – Kum & Go (north).

Administrator Eikmeier reported that the 2009-10 budget as proposed is $8.9 million compared to the current budget of
$8.4 million, a majority of which is debt service increases.  The General Fund expenses show a 2.6% increase over the
current year, most of which are wages as required by the labor contracts.  Councilman Stieneke is concerned where the
money will come from if we don’t receive the Legacy Foundation Grant to finish the community center project. 
Administrator Eikmeier said that other grant sources or donations might have to be pursued.  There is no easy solution. 
The Legacy Grant would fund carpet, window treatments, trim, and paint at an estimated cost of $12,000-$14,000.  A
motion by Stieneke, seconded by Peck, set the public hearing for the 2009-10 budget for March 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. 
Motion carried.

Administrator Eikmeier and City Attorney Miller have reviewed the alcoholic beverages regulations.  They have
determined that beer and wine can be brought into and consumed in the community center and yacht club by hosts and
guests of any party renting the facilities without the City needing to maintain a beer/wine license.  However, beer and
wine cannot be sold in either location unless the host hires a caterer with a beer and wine license should the City not
retain its license.  In either case, hard liquor cannot be brought into or consumed in the community center or yacht club. 
Councilman Stieneke asked whether parties renting either facility would have to tell us if beer and wine would be brought in.  Administrator Eikmeier indicated that the rental agreement would be revised and a larger deposit would be required if
beer and wine is brought in.  A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Mallory, authorized canceling the City’s beer/wine
license, after honoring any current commitments.  Motion carried.

Dave Fox and Winnie Gleason with Fox Engineering were present to review the bids received for the wastewater
ultraviolet project for the city and industrial plants.  The following bids were received:  Grundman-Hicks-$443,000;
C. L. Carroll Co.-$469,086; Garney Co.-$496,000; KHC Construction-$509,000; Gridor Construction-$514,512; Eriksen
Construction-$634,100.  Mr. Fox indicated that because the bids were over the engineer’s estimate of $376,618, he
and Wastewater Supt. Steve Casey have talked with the low bidder, Grundman-Hicks, to see if there were some
changes that could be made to bring the costs down.  Mr. Fox said that at the time the plans were being designed,
the DNR didn’t require construction permits, but they have since changed the rules resulting in an additional cost of
$12,000, which was not included in the engineer’s estimate.  Other items increasing the cost were an error in the
unit price for backfill; electric control price, which included several items that were not in the specs; a hoist for
the removal of the equipment at the industrial plant during 4 months’ of the year when it’s not in use added $18,000
to the cost, which Steve said they could find another way of doing to eliminate that cost.  Mr. Fox told the council
that he has no concerns with the low bidder and that the contractor is willing to work with the City on reducing costs. 
The equipment must be operational by March 2010, but the project completion date is November 2009.  A motion by
Stieneke, seconded by Mallory, tabled action on the bids until the March 10^th meeting.  Motion carried.

A motion by Leach, seconded by Peck, adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.  Motion carried.

News media – Paul Struck, Chronicle Times;  Nikki Thunder, KCHE. 

Pam Pierce – Mayor

ATTEST:

Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer