Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
April 14, 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, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.
A motion by Leach, seconded by
Peck, approved the second 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.
Administrator Eikmeier reported that the city could
refinance the 2002 general obligation bond issue to reduce
interest rates as well as decreasing the overall debt obligation over the next
several years. The current bond carries
interest rates of 4.5%-4.7% and the new bond would have interest rates of
1.75%-2.8%. Interest savings over the next
4 years would be $7,647.50. Restructuring the principal payments would decrease
the debt service levy by $.80/$1000
of assessed value. A motion by Burkhart, seconded by Peck, adopted Resolution
No. 09-04, setting a public hearing
for 7:00 p.m. on April 28, 2009, for not to exceed $710,000 G.O. Refunding
Capital Loan Notes, Series 2009.
Roll call was: AYES: All. NAYS: None.
A motion by Burkhart, seconded
by Peck, removed item #4.03 from “Consent Business” for separate discussion and
unanimously approved the following:
City council minutes of March 24th.
Bills totaling $226,482.65.
AUDITOR OF STATE 2007-08 AUDIT FILING FEE 425.00
BAKER & TAYLOR, INC. BOOKS & AUDIOS 514.26
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY WORK ZONE SAFETY WORKSHOP 150.00
K-MART #9222 VACUUM CLEANER; BAGS; DVD’S 215.17
BOWILL, INC. REFUND-BUMANN, 321 N. 1ST 310.00
JERRY & KATHY WOODALL REFUND-FORESMAN, 418 N. 6TH 157.08
PETTY CASH B.B. SHIRT REFUNDS 160.00
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT CLAIMS THRU 3/27/09 6,200.78
APRIL ADMIN. FEE 396.00
USPS POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILL 278.50
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH. MARCH TAX DRAW 461.84
VERNON FICK RETIREMENT 1,600.00
USPCA REGION 21 DETECTOR TRIALS-SHILOH 75.00
T-SHIRT - DETECTOR TRIALS 15.00
CAEDC QUARTERLY HOTEL/MOTEL TAX 4,586.60
NORTHWEST IOWA LEAGUE NWILC MTG.-MARCH 19 30.00
ASSURANT EMPL. BENEFITS APRIL DISABILITY PREMIUM 590.71
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOL. ALLOW.-2/22/09-3/18/09 660.00
GE CAPITAL APR. SKID LOADER PAYMENT 365.05
IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP ELEC. - 2/1/09-2/28/09 34.84
MASTERCARD 6 SOFTWARE UPGRADES 317.16
OFFICE OF VEHICLE SERVICE 10 SALVAGE AUTO TITLES 100.00
PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE FOR METER 500.00
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT FILE SMALL CLAIMS 50.00
CHEROKEE CO. TREASURER PROPERTY TAX-309 W. ELM 210.00
USPS POSTAGE FOR UTILITY BILL 298.89
GE MONEY BANK/AMAZON DVD'S 293.28
STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 90.00
ACS FIREHOUSE SOLUTIONS FIREHOUSE SOFTWARE 105.00
ALLIANT ENERGY NATURAL GAS 8,369.80
AL'S CORNER OIL CO. FUEL - SKID LOADER 34.80
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES SHOP RAGS; RUGS; MOPS; TOWELS 171.03
BAKER & TAYLOR, INC. BOOKS & AUDIOS 733.02
BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS DEBRIS CATCHERS-JET MACHINE 436.00
BLAINE'S WATER CONDITION SOFTNER RENT/SALT; LAB WATER 78.68
BOMGAARS VEHICLE & OPERATING SUPPLIES 626.88
THE BOOK VINE BOOKS 86.75
BROWN SUPPLY CO., INC. REPAIR CLAMPS 494.07
BUGH WELDING MAKE BRACKET FOR JAWS HOSE 22.00
REPAIR BEAM FOR OVERHANG 127.62
BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVICE OVERHAUL/CLEAN CARB-PRUNER 73.00
OIL; FILTER 67.98
CANNON MOSS BRYGGER FEES-COMM. CENTER PROJECT 280.42
CARROLL DISTRIBUTING ESTIMATE CHARGE-GAS METER 139.50
CARUS CORPORATION CALCIQUEST 2,905.93
STEVE CASEY CELL PHONE-FEB./MAR. 40.00
CENTRAL IOWA DIST., INC. DUST MOPS; GREASE CLEANER 510.77
CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC. BULBS; LIGHT TUBES 158.10
LABOR/MATERIAL-INSTALL VFD’S 4,640.67
LIGHT REPAIR; FIRE ALARM 436.22
CHEROKEE AREA ECONOMIC 4TH QTR. CONTRIBUTION 5,250.00
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS FILTERS;BEARING;PLUG;WRENCH 146.01
CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER FAUCET SEAT/SPRING;PAINT;BRUSH 60.63
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT CITY CASE 50.00
CHEROKEE CO. FARM BUREAU PLAT BOOK 25.00
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF SERVE NOTICES 123.00
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE APRIL LANDFILL FEE; DEBRIS 11,584.57
CHEROKEE LUMBER, INC. SCREWS; BOND; PLUG ADAPTER 9.97
CHEROKEE POLICE RESERVES RESERVE OFFICER CONVENTION 2,530.00
CHICAGO CENTRAL PACIFIC ANNUAL R/O/W FEE-CEDAR ALLEY 75.00
CHRONICLE TIMES EMPLOYMENT ADS; MINUTES; BIDS 501.91
CITY DIRECTORY, INC. CITY DIRECTORIES 176.00
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIST REPLACE AIR HANDLER COIL 4,532.65
INSTALL FLOW PROVING SWITCH 595.90
MECH. SYSTEM REPAIR/SUPPLIES 281.75
THE COURT FOCUS APRIL SUBSCRIPTION 13.00
CREATIVE SERVICES DARE SHIRTS 75.97
EVENT SIGN (5) 37.50
5TH QUARTER EVENT PRIZES 478.80
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC. CHLORINE; POTASSIUM PERMANG. 822.50
DARREN'S CLOTHING CO. 3 PR. WORK JEANS 114.00
DEMCO, INC. SUPPLIES 126.95
DONALD CORPORATION NEW DIAPHRAGM SLUDGE PUMP 3,299.30
PARTS FOR OLD SLUDGE PUMP 777.51
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT BOOKS; CHAMBER COFFEE PRIZES 159.79
CODY EGE WSI UPDATE 45.00
DON EIKMEIER MOTEL/PKG.-CITY MANAGER'S CONF. 192.80
ELEVATOR SERVICE & REPAIR ELEVATOR SERVICE CONTRACT 140.00
EMERGENCY APPARATUS MAINT. 3 VALVES REPAIR ON PIERCE 1,200.00
ET & T DISTRIBUTORS, INC. 12 LOUNGE CHAIRS 1,253.47
FAREWAY STORES, INC. PAPER TOWELS 27.56
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORP. 3 OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS 36,423.80
ED M. FELD EQUIP. CO. SEALS; POWDER; PAGER CASES 198.50
EQUIPMENT FOR NEW TANKER 13,298.00
FILTERS; GASKET; HOSE REPAIR 83.30
FLEET SERVICES FUEL 13.40
FOX ENGINEERING BID PHASE/ADMIN.-U.V.PROJECT 6,977.55
FORTRES GRAND CORP. SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION 335.00
FSH COMMUNICATIONS PARK PAY PHONE 55.00
GCC ALLIANCE CONCRETE CONCRETE-WASHER/DRYER 181.00
FLOWABLE MORTAR FOR VOID 164.00
CONCRETE-STORM SEWER BOX 151.00
GOODWIN TUCKER GROUP HAND DRYER PARTS 82.70
GRAVENISH SERVICE FRONT/REAR BRAKES-'06 EXP. 157.29
GREGG COMPUTER SERVICE COMPUTER SERVICE 220.00
HD SUPPLY WATERWORKS, LTD 6" FLANGE ADAPTORS 470.54
PARTS FOR HYDRANT-5TH/ELM 283.96
HACH CO. LAB SUPPLIES 318.01
HIGH COUNTRY AUTO REPAIR LEFT REAR QUARTER 583.20
HOLZHAUER MOTORS LTD. IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR 133.25
TIRES-'03 GMC 596.00
ALIGNMENTS 91.76
REPLACE INTAKE GASKET 203.82
HOLTON CUSTOM SIGNS CONCESSION AWNING 1,585.00
DOG WASTE SIGNS 77.84
HY-VEE INC. OFFICE SUPPLIES;AWARDS;GLOVES 57.76
INGRAM BOOK COMPANY BOOKS 7.76
IOWA D.O.T. 49 - 14' SIGN POSTS 767.34
IOWA ONE CALL JAN./FEB./MAR. LOCATES 49.50
IOWA TELECOM PHONE SERVICE 927.60
JANITOR'S CLOSET, LTD. TISSUE; GARBAGE BAGS 242.18
K-MART #9222 LAUNDRY SOAP;SHREDDER;SUPPLIES 147.16
R. J. KOOL CO. INC. WASHER/DRYER & INSTALLATION 14,689.25
LETSCHE BIKE/RADIO SHACK PHONE FOR SHOP; PAGER CHARGER 37.98
LOVE TIRE (K. WENCK) INSPECTIONS - SEPT.-MAR. 1,160.00
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. GRAVE DIGGING 427.50
REPLACE CURB STOP-W. WILLOW 1,123.18
CRUSHED CONCRETE-BOAT RAMP 328.50
WATER LINE PARTS-CLARIFIER 32.90
PUMP OUT LIFT BY FERRELLGAS 135.00
CLEAN SEWER LINE-S. 1OTH 245.00
PUMP OUT MANHOLE-S. 2ND 90.00
MID AMERICAN ENERGY ELECTRICITY 16,685.14
REPAIR TRANSFORMER HIT BY PLOW 170.89
WALLY MILLER, JR. FEB./MAR. LEGAL SERVICE 5,575.00
MODERN HEATING & COOLING FAUCETS; PLBG. REPAIRS 868.71
CHECK HEAT AT BEECH LIFT 50.00
MOTOR PARTS SALES V-BELT; MUFFLER CLAMPS 52.86
MUNICPAL EMERGENCY SERVICE 9 PR. GAUNTLET GLOVES 424.32
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC. WIRE CONNECTORS 36.34
NATIONAL IMPRINT CORP. JR. POLICE OFFICER BADGES 204.69
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS SUBSCRIPTION 17.95
NELSON'S LOCKSMITH SHOP CHANGE LOCKS 82.00
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS APRIL INTERNET SERVICE 39.95
NORTHWESTERN MASONRY QUIKWALL FOR STORM SEWER 46.00
O'HALLORAN INTERNATIONAL TAIL LIGHT PARTS; REPAIRS 76.02
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS ANNUAL COPIER SERVICE CONTRACT 300.00
OFFICE SUPPLIES 491.75
PETTY CASH POSTAGE;OMAHA PAPERS;SUPPLIES 221.01
RASMUSSEN'S CORP. SERVICE VEHICLES 79.08
RECREONICS, INC. LIFEGUARD CHAIR UMBRELLAS 304.31
REHAB SYSTEMS INC. CLEAN/TV SEWER LINE-HILL 175.00
CLEAN UNITED LIFT STATION 175.00
REINERT MACHINE SHOP NUTS & BOLTS; TRACTOR REPAIR 28.90
MANHOLE COVER PLATE MACHINE 160.00
BETTY RESCH STORIES 2000 BOOKS 129.00
ROYER'S JEWELRY ENGRAVE PLAQUES-SCHUCK;RUPPERT 32.75
MARY JO RUPPERT DVD'S 82.27
SANITARY SERVICES MAR. GARBAGE PICKUP 20,539.05
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO. CURB STOP REPAIR-SHERMAN 686.75
SHARE CORPORATION CLEANER;URINAL/SEWER LINE DEOD. 684.98
SIOUX SALES COMPANY MICS;BELT;SHIRT;BOOTS;AMMO 1,371.80
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BACTERIA SAMPLES 78.00
THE STAYWELL CO. AQUATICS BANNER 27.01
STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA TRUSTEE HANDBOOKS 48.00
STEFFEN REPAIR HENDERSON SANDER 448.81
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE WINDOW CLEANING 116.00
BAILEY STONEKING WSI UPDATE 45.00
TEST AMERICA ANALYTICAL TDS;CHLORIDE;COPPER;TKN TESTS 1,325.84
TIRE SERVICE CENTER MOUNT/BAL. TIRES-'96 TRUCK 683.46
TRAVELER SUBSCRIPTION 29.97
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA MARCH SALES TAX 5,537.42
UNIQUE BOOKS, INC. DVD 28.31
UNIQUE PAVING MATERIALS 9.06 T. COLD MIX TOP PATCH 1,159.68
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE SHIPPING CHARGES 85.72
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CELL PHONES 98.71
VALLEY BANK & TRUST SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX RENT 12.00
VALLEY GLASS & FRAMING GLASS FOR PANEL AT WELL 7.50
VALLEY VETERINARY CENTER EUTHANIZE DOG 35.00
VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONES 120.79
VERMEER SALES & SERVICE CUTTING BLADES-SEWER MACHINE 208.66
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE COPY MACHINE LEASE 110.80
WIEMOLD SMALL ENG. REPAIR CARB KIT-CEMENT SCREED 37.30
WIESE OIL & SUPPLY CO.LT PROPANE; GAS; DIESEL; OIL 4,367.05
WINTHER STAVE & CO. FINAL PAYMENT-2007-08 AUDIT 3,000.00
WOODALL ELECTRIC TROUBLE SHOOT RAS PUMP 157.50
Review Library Board minutes of March 4th, March 11th and April 1st.
Renewal of class “C” liquor license – Pool & Pub; renewal of class “C” beer permit – Kum & Go (E. Main).
Administrator Eikmeier reviewed
with the council minutes of the March 31st Board of Adjustment
meeting. At that
meeting the Board approved a variance for side and rear yard setbacks for a
garage with an alley entrance. As most
variances granted have been for garages or storage buildings in the older
sections of the city where smaller lots exist,
Administrator Eikmeier suggested having Planning & Zoning review setback
requirements and possibly restructure them
with lesser standards to eliminate the need for most variances. With the Board
approving most variances, Administrator
Eikmeier is concerned that if the city were ever challenged in court it wouldn’t
be seen favorably. As per State Code
a variance should be granted only if the resident could show hardship. The
other variance granted at that same meeting
was to allow a deck that would extend into the front yard setback. There
doesn’t appear to be a hardship involved
and the Administrator asked the council to consider sending this variance back
to the Board of Adjustment for reconsideration.
Council Member Burkhart agreed that variances should only be for extreme cases.
There are rules in place and they should
be followed. She suggested having a workshop with Board of Adjustment members
to discuss these concerns. The
Administrator will schedule a workshop and possibly include Planning & Zoning
Commission members. A motion by
Burkhart, seconded by Stieneke, authorized sending the deck variance back to
Board of Adjustment for reconsideration.
Motion carried.
On a motion by Stieneke,
seconded by Leach, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Karen
Peterson to
fill an unexpired term on the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The council reviewed the
following bids for a new police vehicle: Rasmussen Ford – 2009 Ford Explorer
net cost $18,287;
Holzhauer Motors – 2009 Chev. Tahoe net cost $18,960. Administrator Eikmeier
and Chief Schuck recommend the Chev.
Tahoe because of the larger interior. Ford has decreased the size of the
Explorer’s interior so the existing cage won’t
transfer to either vehicle. This will be an additional cost of about $500. On
a motion by Stieneke, seconded by Leach,
the council accepted the bid of $18,960 from Holzhauer Motors for a 2009 Chev.
Tahoe with a July 1st delivery date.
Roll call was: AYES: Stieneke, Peck, Leach, Burkhart. NAYS: Mallory.
As part of the ultraviolet
project at the wastewater treatment plant, bids were received for electrical
improvements.
A motion by Stieneke, seconded by Burkhart, accepted the bid from Woodall
Electric for $10,373. Motion carried.
As the resolution setting building permit fees was not ready, this item was tabled until the April 28th meeting.
The council reviewed the following reports:
1. Administrator’s report.
2. March Clerk-Treasurer’s report and receipts as follows: General-$286,176.78; Police
Forfeiture-$481.86; County Library-$.60; Road Use-$45,430.01; Employee Benefits-
$18,225.86; Emergency-$831.45; Local Option Sales Tax-$36,534.76; Hotel/Motel Tax-
$57,360.68; T.I.F.-$372.47; Revolving Loan-$16.72; Library Memorial-$1,048.46; Park
& Rec. Capital Improvements-$363.81; Debt Service-$12,860.80; Road Use Equipment-
$.70; Cherokee Signs-$30; Cherokee Housing Grant-$3.21; Emergency Set-Aside-$4.19;
Aquatic Center/Gillette Park Project-$6,313.75; Community Center Project-$6.59; Fire
Rescue Truck-$.37; Oak Hill Perpetual Care-$231.98; Water Utility-City-$56,637.79;
Water Utility-Industrial-$11,678.29; Water Bd./Int.-$15,915.58; Water Improvement-
$5,012.20; Water Reserve-$44; Water Tower Maint.-$5.78; Water System Improvement-
$9,353.71; Sewer Utility-City-$76,762.37; Sewer Utility-Industrial-$21,487.69; Sewer
Bd./Int.-$32,002.16; Sewer Improvement-$5,503.86; Aviation Authority-$3,691.39; Solid
Waste-$22,076.78; Landfill-$12,067.08; Storm Water Utility-$6,994.58; Self Insurance-
$23.28; Aquatic Center Bond Acct.-$19,906.04.
3. March General Fund revenue/expense report.
4. March Police report.
5. Department reports.
Administrator Eikmeier reported
that there is funding available for eligible water and wastewater projects in
the
form of 20% grants with the balance coming from low interest SRF loans. They
will pursue the 20% grant for a couple
projects. He and the Mayor will be meeting in the next week with the Cherokee
Industrial Corp. and Chamber Tourism
committees regarding the restructuring of the hotel/motel tax programs. He
hopes to have final program revisions for
council review by the April 28th meeting. He will also be meeting
with Chief Schuck to bring back information for
council review regarding the Law Enforcement Center, which will include
operating costs if the county moves out
of the building. The council was encouraged to fill out and return the survey
requested by CAEDC as soon as possible.
On a motion by Leach, seconded by Mallory, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried.
News media – Paul Struck, Chronicle Times.
Pam Pierce – Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer