Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
April 10, 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.
Mayor Henrich added the following items to the agenda:
6.11 – Consider purchase of grader from County.
6.12 – Consider filling police department vacancy.
6.13 – Consider City
Administrator position.
On a motion by Councilman
Stieneke, seconded by Leach, the council approved the first presentation of an
ordinance eliminating sections 105.05(3) and 105.05(5)(F) of the open burning
ordinance that allowed burning
upon written permission of the Fire Chief. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Peck, Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
A motion by Councilman Mallory,
seconded by Leach, unanimously approved the following under “Consent
Business”.
City council minutes of March 27th.
Bills totaling $142,849.10.
POSTMASTER -
CHEROKEE POSTAGE
- UTILITY BILLS
260.24
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTHOR. MARCH
TAX DRAW
518.83
AMAZON CREDIT PLAN
DVD'S
420.30
BAKER & TAYLOR INC.
BOOKS & AUDIOS
847.39
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
4TH QTR. HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
5,740.64
CAEDC
4TH QTR. HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
2,296.25
CHEROKEE STATE BANK
NSF CHECK-C. OLSON
185.00
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE
SMALL CLAIMS-ROJAS
50.00
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOL.
ALLOW.-2/25/07-3/15
650.00
VERNON FICK (DEF. COMP.) D/C
SURRENDER-FICK-MAR.
3,200.00
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 3/16/07
318.05
ASSURANT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT APRIL
DISABILITY PREMIUM
527.44
FORT DEARBORN LIFE INS.
APRIL LIFE PREMIUM
153.67
MASTERCARD
ANNUAL DOMAIN NAME REG.
14.95
AWWA - IOWA SECTION
3 REG.-AWWA SHORT COURSE
510.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY
RECORDER RECORD
EASEMENT-QUINN'S
22.00
SHANNON ZARA
BALANCE OF DEPOSIT-1016 PARK
4.48
CHRONICLE TIMES
NEWSLETTER
210.00
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
249.47
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
APRIL ADMIN. FEE
352.00
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD.
'93 FORD PICKUP
5,150.00
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE
SMALL CLAIMS-VILLEREAL
50.00
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA FEB.
SALES TAX
3,419.42
IOWA DEPT./PUBLIC HEALTH POOL
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
990.00
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 3/30/07
1,889.63
ALLIANCE CONCRETE, INC.
PATCH STREET-LEAK-JEFFERIES
238.00
ALLIANT UTILITIES
GAS - 2/16/07-3/16/07
9,817.58
AL'S CORNER OIL CO.
GAS; DIESEL
304.30
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOC.
SUPPLIES
51.00
ANDERSON LAWN SERVICE
MARCH SNOW REMOVAL
47.00
ARAMARK UNIFORM
SERVICES FLOOR MATS; SHOP
TOWELS
71.22
4-WK. UNIFORM SERVICE
230.89
BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS
10 VAN ACCESSIBLE SIGNS
81.05
BRUCE BIERMA
EMPLOYEE SHARE-IPERS REFUND
293.37
BLAINE'S WATER COND.
SOFTNER RENT; SALT; LAB WATER
140.66
BOMGAARS
DOG FOOD; LEASH
48.98
SOCKET; SPRAY TIPS; VAC
64.46
1/2" VALVES; BATTERIES; CORDS
59.67
SAWZALL BLADES; GLOVES;
18.55
ANTIFREEZE; BATTERY
96.95
CLEANING SUPPLIES
17.74
TRASH BAGS; COUPLINGS; OIL
74.88
DISCHARGE
HOSE;CLAMPS
37.68
MARY BORGHEIINCK
SUPPLIES; MILEAGE
24.17
BROWN SUPPLY CO., INC.
STORM INTAKE BACK-BEECH
145.00
BUGH WELDING
STAINLESS STEEL FOR HANDLE
10.00
BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVICE OIL
& FILTERS
30.80
RENT SKID LOADER-SNOW REMOVAL
240.00
MOWER BELT
86.00
CARROLL DISTRIBUTING
REPAIR & CALIBRATE GAS METER
405.00
CENTRAL IOWA DIST., INC. GARBAGE
BAGS
245.00
CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
84.13
BULBS FOR NORTH TOWER
362.88
REPAIR ST. LIGHT-1ST & MAIN
90.92
REPAIR TRAFFIC SIGNALS
874.92
CHEROKEE
AREA ARCHIVES MEMORIALS
FOR PAT ELLERBROEK 300.00
CAEDC
4TH QTR. PAYMENT-CAEDC
5,250.00
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS
SQUEEGEE; OIL/AIR/FUEL FILTERS 230.29
CHEROKEE
CO. COMM. HEALTH HEPATITIS B VAC.-MURRAY
50.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY EXTENSION IOWA
CORE MANUAL
25.00
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE
APRIL LANDFILL FEE
11,556.01
CHEROKEE CO. WORK SERVICE CLEAN
SHOP RAGS; NEW RAGS
35.55
CHEROKEE
LUMBER, INC. LIME
TO STABILIZE GRIT
71.92
CHEROKEE REG. MED. CENTER RANDOM
CDL DRUG TEST
23.00
PRE-EMPL. SCREENINGS-ROLLISON
160.00
CHESTERMAN COMPANY
POP
39.20
CHRONICLE TIMES
MINUTES; ORDINANCE
502.00
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIST MECHANICAL
SYSTEM UPDATE
65.00
THE COURT FOCUS
APRIL SUBSCRIPTION
12.00
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERMANG.
468.63
ALAN DESSEL
REF.
MEN'S B.B.-MARCH 30.00
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
18.33
FAREWAY STORES, INC.
CLEANING SUPPLIES; PAPER TOWELS 41.84
FCX PERFORMANCE
4-WAY SOLENOID VALVE 648.08
ED M. FELD EQUIP.CO.
EXTINGUISHERS; EXIT ARROWS
186.00
FRANK DUNN CO.
HIGH PERFORMANCE PATCH
599.00
FSH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
PARK PAY PHONE
55.00
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE
NEW COMPUTER-COMM. CENTER
1,000.00
COMPUTER SERVICE
40.00
HACH CO.
PH PROBE
213.05
HALLETT MATERIALS
87.41 T. WASHED SAND
419.57
HOLZHAUER MOTORS LTD.
SERVICE-04 & 05 EXPLORERS
46.93
ARM/BALL JOINTS-'89 DODGE
249.53
BUFF/POLISH-'93 FORD
150.00
HY-VEE DRUGSTORE
BATTERIES; FILM DEVELOPING
11.68
HY-VEE
FOOD STORES
DVD'S; SUPPLIES
150.82
I. C. CHURCH
GYM RENT-MEN'S B.B.
460.00
INNOVA DISC GOLF
DISC GOLF SUPPLIES
282.98
IOWA LAW ENF. ACADEMY
MATERIALS-MURRAY CERT.
300.00
IA.MUNI.FINANCE OFFICER
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
45.00
IOWA TELECOM
IOWA TELECOM-3/14/07-4/13/07
809.40
K-MART
#9222 CLOTHING HANGARS
2.78
KIRKWOOD
COMMUNITY COLL. WASTEWATER
CONFERENCE
100.00
KUEHL & PAYER, LTD.
ENG.-GILLETTE PARK TRAIL
200.00
ENG.-AQUATIC CENTER
5,885.17
KUM & GO
GAS
277.18
LOVE TIRE,INC.(K.WENCK)
FEB./MAR. INSPECTIONS
428.75
LUBECK OIL COMPANY
GAS
35.10
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. MOVE
SNOW DOWNTOWN-FEB.14/26 2,108.75
SEWER CLEANING-LOCUST ST.
168.00
MANGOLD ENVIRON. TESTING OIL
& GREASE; TKN TESTING
267.00
MARLIN LEASING CORP.
APRIL COPIER LEASE
123.00
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
ELEC. - 2/16/07-3/16/07
22,055.58
MILLER
MILLER MILLER, PC FEB. LEGAL
SERVICE
2,720.00
TODD MILLER
BOOT ALLOWANCE
75.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES 12V BATTERY;
BELT DRESSING 36.70
MOTOR
TREND
SUBSCRIPTION
30.00
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC.
WATER METERS & ADAPTORS
4,109.65
NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY
NAT'L LAW ENFORCEMENT DIR.
125.10
NORTHSIDE TIRE
REPAIR TIRE-J.D. LOADER
112.33
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS APRIL
INTERNET SERVICE
91.85
NORTHWESTERN MASONRY
PRE-MIX FOR VOID-UNION BRIDGE
69.00
NOVELTY MACHINE & SUPPLY
COUPLINGS FOR POLYMER MACHINE
6.12
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL RUBBER
HOOD BUMPER-'00 IH
8.96
REPLACE POWER STEERING-00 IH
156.60
REPAIR AXEL-'96 IH
457.15
OVERHEAD DOOR CO.
REPAIR OVERHEAD DOORS
249.94
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE
SUPPLIES
273.18
ANNUAL COPIER SERVICE AG
300.00
PETTY
CASH
'06 CITIZEN OF YR. PHOTO 5.00
BATTERIES; OFFICE SUPPLIES
11.23
POSTAGE FOR GRANT APPLIC.
24.49
CLEANING SUPPLIES; GARB.BAGS
48.39
COPIES OF MAPS; TEE; CONNECTOR
7.29
POSTAGE; OMAHA SUNDAY PAPERS
165.18
BATTERIES; EASTER BUNNY
26.42
PITNEY BOWES
POSTAGE
SUPPLIES
4.23
PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FIN. POSTAGE
METER LEASE-12/3-3/30 96.00
PLUNKETT'S PEST CONTROL
MARCH PEST CONTROL
30.00
RASMUSSEN'S CORP.
OIL CHANGE-'06 EXPLORER
20.62
RIM; ALIGHNMENT-'04 EXPLORER
160.43
REINERT MACHINE SHOP
STEEL; WELDING; BLADE EDGE
245.05
STEEL/CUTTING FOR SHELVES
59.85
REPAIR HYD. HOSE-J.D. BLADE
308.08
REPAIR LIFT CYLINDER-'00 IH
48.07
REPAIR FRAME-'00 IH
456.55
ROAD & TRACK
SUBSCRIPTION
14.00
ROYER'S JEWELRY
ENGRAVE 2 EMPLOYEE PLAQUES
24.25
MARY JO RUPPERT
DVD'S
368.99
SANITARY SERVICES
MARCH GARBAGE PICKUP
16,682.25
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.
SPOIL VAC POST HOLE-N. 4TH
120.00
HAUL SNOW FROM STOCK PILE
195.00
ADAM SCHOSSOW
OFFICIATE MEN'S B.B.-MAR. 30.00
SENSUS METERING SYSTEMS
SOFTWARE SUPPORT-HAND HELD
36.00
CITY OF SHELDON
9 USED DECK CHAIRS
50.00
SHARE CORPORATION
RUST CONVERTER
213.92
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR CO.
ELEVATOR SERVICE CONTRACT
165.85
SIEMANS WATER TECHNOLOGI TELEVISE/TROUBLE
SHOOT WELL #6 775.00
SIOUX
SALES COMPANY
500 TARGETS;BADGE;LEATHER CASE 218.90
SIOUXLAND
DISTRICT HEALTH BACTERIA SAMPLES
78.00
DAVE
STILLE
20 BALES OF STRAW
44.00
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE
WINDOW CLEANING
111.00
T.C.
INDUSTRIES, INC. CRATES
FOR SAMPLES
63.86
TEST AMERICA ANALYTICAL
REQUIRED ANNUAL SLUDGE TESTS
393.98
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA MARCH
SALES TAX
6,227.25
UNIQUE PAVING MATERIALS
8.91 T. COLD MIX PATCH
837.54
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
SHIPPING CHARGES
105.09
UNITED STATES CELLULAR
CELL PHONES-3/23/07-4/22
109.18
UNIVERSAL, INC.
SHOP GREASE
125.19
UPSTART
SUMMER READING SUPPLIES 12.50
BAGS FOR NEWBORNS
52.00
VALLEY BANK & TRUST
SAFETY DEPOSIT RENT
12.00
VALLEY VETERINARY CENTER EUTHANIZE
2 DOGS
60.00
VERIZON WIRELESS
CELL PHONES-3/21/07-4/20/
72.00
WALDNER'S
LAWN SERVICE SNOW
REMOVAL-INDIAN ST. TRAIL 50.00
SNOW REMOVAL-NODES-FEB./MAR.
292.00
WAYNE PRINTING
ENVELOPES 185.00
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE
COPIER LEASE
101.85
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.
DIESEL FUEL; GAS; OIL
5,889.36
WOODALL
ELECTRIC
CHECK PROBLEM-OAK KNOLL LIFT
75.00
Reviewed February Library Board
minutes.
Renewal of class “C” liquor
license – Pool & Pub; class “C” liquor license – Bright Side Lounge;
class “C”
beer permit – Kum & Go, E. Main.
New class “B” beer permit
– Cherokee County Fair Association.
Payment #10 to Grundman-Hicks
for $80,374.34 for the Bacon Aquatic Center project.
John Cook reported that the
cold, wet weather has slowed things somewhat at the aquatic center, however,
interior
work continues in the bathhouse and mechanical building.
The committee has continued to work on the playground
equipment, which they plan to have installed by volunteers.
They have also looked at various options for material to
use under the equipment. They would
prefer a synthetic material, but because of costs are leaning toward wood chips.
Dan Rollison reported that the aquatic staff has been hired.
They have 35 lifeguards and 21 other staff members for
admissions and concessions. He has booked one pool party for a Saturday morning.
Season tickets and punch
passes are now available for purchase. Dan
is working with local businesses on staff t-shirts and Creative Services
is working with him on swimwear for the lifeguards.
Dan would also like to hold a dodge ball tournament as a
fundraiser to help with the cost of the swimwear.
Dan plans attend an aquatic management workshop on May 18.
He said the cost is $10 for himself and he can take other staff members
at no charge, so plans to take senior staff
if possible. He indicated that he
has already gotten several good ideas from his staff.
At 7:20 p.m., Mayor Henrich
opened a public hearing on the sale of the properties at 343 E. Cedar, 317 E.
Main, and
312 W. Locust. As there were no
oral or written comments, a motion by Councilman Peck, seconded by Leach, closed
the hearing at 7:21 p.m. Motion
carried.
As there were no bids on the
above properties, the council asked that Jim Agnitsch, Street Supt., be
contacted as to
whether city crews can demolish any or all of the houses.
The W. Locust Street house will be the first priority.
The following bids were received
for a new police vehicle: Rasmussen
Ford: 2007 Ford Explorer XLT, net
cost
$15,600, July 1st delivery. Holzhauer
Motors, Ltd.: 2007 GMC Envoy, net
cost $17,330; 2007 Jeep Commander,
net cost $18,992; 2007 Dodge Durango, net cost $17,601; 2007 Dodge Nitro, net
cost $16,810; 2007 Jeep Grand
Cherokee Laredo, net cost $18,675; all estimated delivery 6-12 weeks.
A motion by Councilman Leach, seconded
by Stieneke, authorized the purchase of the 2007 Ford Explorer XLT from
Rasmussen Ford for a net cost of $15,600.
Motion carried.
Jim Adamson, representing the
Historic Preservation Commission, was present to request a $1,000 budget for the
commission. He indicated that when
the commission was established in 1994, the city budgeted $500/year for several
years. However, the commission was
able to secure donations and grants for their projects, so city funding was
discontinued. Jim would like to
implement a program to help pay for plaques to be affixed to the exterior of
buildings
in the Commercial Historic District of downtown.
He said other possible uses of the funds would be tohost a workshop
regarding historic preservation and sending a commission member or members to
educational meetings. A motion by
Councilman Varce, seconded by Stieneke, authorized $1,000 from the Hotel/Motel
Tax budget for the Historic Preservation Commission for the above mentioned
projects. Motion carried.
Rick Angell and Hank Hayes, BCBS
agents and Don Faber, Three Rivers Benefit, were present to review the city’s
medical expense reimbursement plan. Rick
passed out a report explaining how the program works and how it was
started. In 2004, the city
purchased a high deductible plan, saving $82,907/year.
The city then contracted with Three
Rivers Benefit to administer a medical expense reimbursement plan that uses the
savings to self-insure certain benefits
so they are equal to the former lower deductible plan.
The net savings for 2004-05 was $48,345 and for 2005-06 was
$64,000. Three Rivers Benefit
administers a similar plan for the County. The plan continues to work well for the city and
the employees.
Councilman Leach, seconded by Peck, approved the 2007-08
Policeman’s Association Agreement effective 7/1/07. The only change was a $.47/hour wage increase.
Motion carried.
Police Chief Steve Schuck asked
whether a change had been made in the residency requirement.
The current contract
states that an officer must reside in the state of Iowa.
Steve feels this is too broad and suggested limiting it to Cherokee
County. Sergeant Brett Gannon, was
present and is a member of the Association.
He doesn’t feel the members
would be opposed to making a change in the residency requirement.
He will talk with the members and bring back
a letter signed by the Association. City
Attorney Miller said it is not a problem making a change to the contract if both
parties are in agreement.
According to the I.U.O.E. Local
234 union contract, there is to be a safety committee established.
The union appoints
one member and the city appoints one member from the union membership.
The union appointed John Langschwager.
A motion by Councilman Varce, seconded by Leach, appointed Steve Essick
to the committee. Motion carried.
Councilman Stieneke volunteered
to be the city’s representative on the safety committee.
Mark Napier, Water Supt., was
present to get direction from the council on how they want to handle
requirements for
backflow prevention on sprinkler systems. The
city code states that all connections to the water system shall comply
with applicable provisions of Division 4, Plumbing Rules and Regulations, of the
State Building Code. This section
of the State Building Code says that a city our size isn’t required to have a
backflow prevention program, and that the
city council is the administrative authority over these matters.
Mark explained that backflow prevention protects the
water supply from possible containments from things such as sprinkler systems.
This has come about because an
existing building is being reoccupied and the current sprinkler system doesn’t
meet code. The owner of the
building
has been notified that he install a check valve assembly or reduced pressure
backflow prevention device. The
owner
said he contacted the sprinkler company and he was told that his system would be
grandfathered in. Mark said in
talking with the Department of Health, there is no grandfathering of these
systems. As the city council is the
administrative authority, Mark is asking how they wish to proceed.
City Attorney Miller indicated that the city needs
to enforce their ordinances. He
will review the information and work with Mark on how to handle the matter.
He will
then send a letter to the building’s owner on the decision.
Councilman Stieneke reported
that it would cost about $450,000 to repair and paint the north water tower.
There is
currently $127,000 in the water tower maintenance fund, so the council needs to
look at how to fund the improvements.
Councilman Peck had some figures on implementing a monthly maintenance fee,
rather than increasing rates. He
said $2.50/month/customer would generate about $71,160/yr. and $3/month/customer
would generate $85,392/yr.
Councilman Leach asked whether this was an emergency situation or can money
continue to be put aside until there
is enough to cover the costs. Councilman
Varce liked the idea of a maintenance fee as this treats everyone fairly.
Mark Napier said they need to decide which approach to take.
Do they want to target one tower at a time or go with
the tower maintenance company’s suggestion of setting up a multi-year plan for
one or all of the towers? Mark also
indicated that they have been putting money aside annually for several years,
but have also spent some of the funds
on OSHA upgrades on the towers. Norm
Rupp, 513 N. 11th, felt a flat monthly fee would be more palatable to
citizens.
Spirit Lake implemented a 3-year, $10/month fee to pay for water plant
improvements. Mayor Henrich will
meet with
Mark, Greg and Deb and bring back options for consideration.
Councilman Stieneke has talked
with Rhoadside Blooming House about options for the Main Street nodes.
He said they
couldn’t be present, but said that the ground cover that is currently in place
is hard to weed and also hard to kill. They
suggested cutting it low to the ground and also suggested that some of the nodes
could be redone with plantings similar
to those at the Bluff Street intersection.
Councilman Stieneke also indicated that the nodes by Central Bank and
Creative Asset Consultants are constantly being driven over and should be filled
in with concrete. Councilman Varce
has been involved with the ABC Committee, a group of volunteers who help
maintain areas of the city. He
agreed that
the two nodes mentioned should be filled with concrete and indicated that
Central Bank has offered to pay for the
node adjacent to their property. Councilman
Varce said the other problem is that maintenance of the nodes hasn’t
been assigned to any one department, so it isn’t being done on a routine
basis. He will meet with the ABC
Committee
and see what they are willing to take on. He will report back at the next meeting.
The council was asked to review
a proposed landscape-screening ordinance. The
Planning & Zoning Commission started
work on the ordinance several years ago, but a couple former council members
were against the proposal and it was
dropped. Before the P & Z
spends more time on the ordinance, they wanted to see whether the council had
any interest.
The council was interested and the Clerk asked that if they have specific
questions or suggestions that they call city hall
before the next Planning & Zoning meeting.
The council reviewed a request
from the Fire Department regarding fireman training. The 2007-08 budget, effective
7/1/07, includes funding for this training; however, the training is scheduled
for the third week of June. The
Fire
Department is requesting permission to use $2,100 encumbered in the current
budget for a grant match toward the
training for 8 or 9 firemen, then earmark the training funds in the 2007-08
budget for a grant match. A motion
by
Councilman Leach, seconded by Stieneke, authorized using the $2,100 encumbered
funds for the June fireman
training. Motion carried.
As Jim Agnitsch, Street Supt.,
was unable to attend the meeting, Councilman Peck passed out a proposal to
purchase
a used Caterpillar road grader from Ziegler. The road grader is a 1999 trade from the County and is in
excellent condition.
The grader, which will have new tires and has a 2’ blade extension,
would replace the city’s 27-year-old grader.
Ziegler
will allow $11,000 as a trade. A
motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Varce, authorized the purchase of the
1999 Caterpillar grader from Ziegler for a net cost of $83,200 from the Road Use
Equipment fund. Motion carried.
The council reviewed a letter of resignation from Police
Officer William Murray and a request from Police Chief Steve
Schuck to fill the vacancy. On a
motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Leach, the council unanimously
authorized the Chief to fill the vacancy.
Councilman Varce stated that they have gone quite a while
without a manager. Although there
are people against it,
he feels they need to start looking at filling the position.
He doesn’t feel people realize the work some of the council
members do at a small salary. The
city needs a boss to oversee everything. The council makes the decisions, but most
have full-time jobs, so the burden falls on the Mayor and City Clerk. He blames himself and past administrators for past problems
and issues, as there were no specific guidelines for the administrators to
follow. The past two administrators
haven’t fulfilled the goals. Councilman
Varce suggested putting together a committee to work on filling the position.
They don’t need to talk salary at this time and they don’t necessarily need
someone with years of experience. He
has
been doing research and all communities our size have city managers.
The council needs to take a serious look at
this for leadership and the future of Cherokee.
Councilman Stieneke said they need help in leading the city as it is a
train wreck waiting to happen. Councilman
Varce agreed and said they are waiting for a lawsuit to happen. They need
guidelines for the manager to follow. Councilman
Mallory asked what was not getting done without an administrator.
Councilman Stieneke asked Mallory what happens for instance if the fire
department has a problem. Mallory
answered
that, as their liaison, he would bring their concern to the council and feels
the five of them should be able to take care
of it. That is what they were
elected for. Councilman Varce feels
that a manager could handle many of the items on the agendas and then relay the
outcome to the council members. There
are things the council shouldn’t have to do for the
pay they receive. Councilman
Mallory asked what their job as council members was.
Mayor Henrich said it was their
job to set policy. Councilman
Stieneke said he has talked to several people in the community who are willing
to serve
on a committee to hire a manager. (Councilman
Leach left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.). Norm
Rupp, 513 N. 11th, said
there are more people against a manager than for it and said the council would
be run out of town. He said the
council
should take responsibility for the various departments and that the city has a
leader in the Mayor. He also said
there is
no money budgeted for a manager. Councilman
Stieneke said that a majority of the salary would most likely be paid
from the water, sewer and road use budgets. On a motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Varce, the
council authorized advertising for a city manager. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Peck, Varce
NAYS: Mallory
The following reports were reviewed:
1. March Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts as follows: General-$51,252.06; Police
Forfeiture-$276.77; County Library-$2,913.58; Road Use-$49,910.69; Employee Benefits-
$21,916.48; Emergency-$933.96; Local Option Sales Tax-$31,869.39; Hotel/Motel Tax-
$16,608.79; Tax Increment Financing-$109.54; Revolving Loan-$1,312.19; Library
Memorial-$1,385.63; Park & Rec. Cap. Impr.-$282.61; Debt Service-$10,080.33; Road
Use Equipment-$348.29; Cherokee Signs-$15; Aquatic Center/Gillette Park-$52,932.44;
Oak Hill Perp. Care-$725.52; Water Utility-City-$53,778.99; Water Utility-Industrial-
$7,276.96; Water Bd./Int.-$19,016.48; Water Impr.-$5,558.38; Water Tower Maintenance-
$556.66; Sewer Utility-City-$82,482.91; Sewer Utility-Industrial-$44,461.27; Sewer Bd./Int.-
$32,888.92; Sewer Impr.-$8,222.17; Aviation Authority-$3,309.65; Solid Waste-$17,585.96;
Landfill-$11,789.63; Storm Water Utility-$7,886.88; Aquatic Center Bond-$7,051.26.
2. March General Fund revenue/expense report.
3. March Police report.
4. Building
permits report.
A motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Varce,
adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Motion
carried.
News media – Ken Ross, Chronicle Times.
Dennis Henrich – Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer