Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
March 24, 2009 – 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting was called to order on this date by
Mayor Pierce. Present: Council Members Peck, Leach,
Burkhart, Mallory, Stieneke, Administrator Eikmeier, City Attorney Miller,
Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.
Administrator Eikmeier reported
that during budget workshops the council discussed increasing the cable
TV franchise fee from the current 1% of gross revenues to 5%. This would be
about a $2/month increase on
basic cable service and would generate an additional $40,000 in revenue for the
General Fund. A motion by
Burkhart, seconded by Leach, approved the first presentation of an ordinance
increasing the cable franchise fee
to 5% of gross revenues to pay for costs related to expenses with maintenance,
upkeep and utility administration
of street and alley right-of-way. Roll call was: AYES: All. NAYS: None.
A motion by Burkhart, seconded by Peck, unanimously approved the following under “Consent Business”.
City council minutes of March 10th.
Renewal of class “E” liquor license – A to Z Liquor.
Renewal of class “C” liquor license – Jobies Pastime Lounge.
Mayor Pierce invited
representatives of the County Board of Supervisors to the meeting to review
future plans for the
Cherokee Law Enforcement Center and jail. County Supervisors Terry Graybill and
Mark Leeds were present. Mayor Pierce
asked what the county’s intentions were regarding the police department and
whether they would be included in plans
for a new building. Mr. Graybill indicated that it is the county’s intention to
build a new jail and sheriff’s offices that
would not include the police department. Mr. Leeds added that after looking at
the options and costs, they felt it would
be difficult to pass a bond issue by increasing the costs to include the
police. Earlier today, the County Board was
presented with 4 options with costs ranging from $1.9 million (jail only) to
$3.65 million (jail, sheriff, police, 911, EOC).
The option they are considering is $2.7 million for the jail, sheriff, 911 and
EOC. These costs don’t include interior
furnishings, so those costs would be added to a bond issue. Mayor Pierce asked
what the timeline was regarding public
hearings and the bond issue vote. Mr. Graybill indicated that the earliest they
could go to vote is August 4th, with public
hearings most likely to be held in July. The Board is waiting for more
information and costs from the architect before
beginning negotiations with the city regarding the present facility. Mr.
Graybill indicated that the Board made the
decision at their meeting earlier today to proceed without including the
police. However, Mayor Pierce pointed out
that she received a letter from the Board dated March 17 that stated, in part,
“it is anticipated that the supervisors will
offer the office space currently occupied by the County Sheriff, Deputies, and
secretaries to the City of Cherokee for
the sum of $1.00 per year”. Mr. Leeds said that Administrator Eikmeier had
informed the Board of some infrastructure
problems with the current building including the roof, plumbing and mechanical
system. Mr. Graybill said the roof would
most likely have to be repaired before the County moves out. Mr. Leeds agreed
and said if he were renting a building
from someone he would expect those items to be addressed. Council Member
Burkhart asked the Supervisors when the
decision was made to separate (sheriff and police)? How did they decide to move
ahead without City input on separating?
Mr. Graybill said they didn’t want to spend $4 million. Mr. Leeds said they
started out discussing a new jail, and then
added the comm. center, as they didn’t want a jailer alone in the building. The
plan they are considering is similar to
the county jail in Denison. People entering the building go one direction to
the jail and the other direction for other
business. One person can control all doors from a central location and jailers
won’t have physical contact with prisoners.
Having the 911 communication center in the same building allows for backup for
the jailer if there are problems. Council
Member Stieneke asked why the City was kept out of the loop so long regarding
discussions. Administrator Eikmeier said
that Police Chief Shuck informed him of county discussions in December. Mr.
Leeds indicated that until they knew what
the Board wanted, they didn’t want to start discussions with the City. Council
Member Burkhart is not arguing the Board’s
decision, but this impacts the City financially so they need better
communication. Mayor Pierce indicated that the council
would be happy to proceed with negotiations. She also asked whether the City
would know the Board’s intent by the time
they get to the bond issue. Mr. Leeds said that as soon as the Board nails down
a plan, the council will know. Administrator
Eikmeier said that in the mean time city staff would be evaluating the
infrastructure of the current building. Council
Member Mallory questioned whether any other city in the county might have use
for the existing building. Just because we
are the county seat, does that put us above any other city? Administrator
Eikmeier said that since we are occupying the
building that probably gives us first option.
The council reviewed recommended
fees for various city services and activities. Council Member Stieneke
questioned the
last time camping rates were increased. Administrator Eikmeier said that the
city’s camping fees are the same as those in
the county parks. He is recommending a unilateral increase next year. Council
Member Mallory questioned the fees for fire
calls. Are we charging for these services? Administrator Eikmeier said that we
are currently charging only for hazardous
materials calls. Council Member Burkhart feels people look at their taxes as
paying for fire services. Mallory looks at taxes
as paying to have the service available but additional fees cover responding to
fires and accidents. Mayor Pierce suggested
this could be a topic of discussion at a future workshop. A motion by Stieneke,
seconded by Leach, adopted Resolution
No. 09-03, approving the 2009 fee schedule. AYES: All. NAYS: None.
A motion by Stieneke, seconded
by Burkhart, unanimously approved 7/1/09 wage increases for full-time non-union
and
supervisory employees as follows: S. Schuck-$1,000/yr., D. Taylor-$1,000/yr.,
M. Ruppert-$1,000/yr., D. Mummert-$1,000/yr.,
D. Ellis-$1,000/yr., J. Agnitsch-$1,000/yr., M. Napier-$1,000/yr., S.
Casey-$1,000/yr., J. Case-$.4808/hr.,
J. Grienke-Miller-$.4808/hr., S. Thill-$.4808/hr.
On a request from the Chamber of
Commerce, a motion by Peck, seconded by Leach, authorized closing W. Bluff from
the
high school to Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 59 from Bluff Street to the Cherokee Fairgrounds
for the 43rd annual rodeo parade on
May 30 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Motion carried.
As all collection options have been pursued, a motion by
Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, authorized the Utility Billing Clerk
to write-off an old utility bill of $60.05 from 633 W. Main. Motion carried.
As discussed at the last meeting, the council reviewed
change order #1 to the wastewater ultraviolet project, reducing
the contract price by $32,294. Council Member Mallory, referring to the
wastewater improvements completed over the
past several years, asked how clean is enough. Can cities afford these
improvements? All these regulations put a hardship
on communities. He suggested contacting legislators and asking them to visit
with the DNR and EPA – they are too
demanding, unless they help fund the projects. Mayor Pierce agrees this is
difficult, but in order for the City to renew
their permits it is necessary to make the improvements. If we loose our permits
we can’t operate our facilities. A motion
by Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, approved changed order #1 to the Grundman-Hicks,
LLC contract. AYES: Stieneke,
Peck, Leach, Burkhart. NAYS: Mallory.
A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Peck, authorized Fox
Engineering to proceed with the wastewater ultraviolet project.
AYES: Stieneke, Peck, Leach, Burkhart. NAYS: Mallory.
Administrator Eikmeier reported that the staff is
assembling the spring newsletter. An article summarizes the recently
adopted budget and there is an article regarding spruce up/clean up with
pictures from various areas of town. In an
update on the Hotel/Motel Tax, he reported that the Chamber has returned their
funds and he and the Mayor have been
meeting with the tourism board to reassess the grant program. He has been
approached by the Seventh Day Adventists
regarding the building they own on Union Street. They no longer have use for it
and have offered it to the City. If the
council have any ideas for the use of this building, they are to contact City
Hall. Bids will again be solicited for the
demolition of the houses on E. Main and S. Sioux. The Administrator will be out
of the office the rest of the week to
attend a City Manager’s meeting.
A motion by Burkhart, seconded by Mallory, adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Motion carried.
News media – Paul Struck, Chronicle Times; Nikki Thunder, KCHE.
Pam Pierce – Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer