Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
May 8, 2007 – 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting was called to order on this date by
Mayor Henrich. Present:
Councilman Varce, Mallory, Stieneke,
Leach, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor. Absent:
Councilman Peck.
Mayor Henrich added item #4.08 to the agenda – a bill
to Western Iowa Landscaping for trees for Gillette Park.
Bill Back, 912 W. Willow, said
that after every heavy rain the sewer backs up at the property he owns at 751
Hayward.
The last time this happened he had $10,000 in damage.
He then talked to the City Administrator on three occasions
regarding this problem and was told to install a check valve on his system, at
his cost. His lawyer also sent a
letter to
the Administrator. He does keep the
drain plugged at all times, but this weekend the water backed up in the toilet,
which is a 4’ drop to the sanitary sewer.
He feels that the sump pumps in the Ament Addition cause the problem.
Mayor Henrich will have Jim Agnitsch contact Mr. Back or his tenant and take a
look at the situation.
Greg Kooker, Cannon, Moss,
Brygger & Assoc., and Duane Mummert, Park Supt., were present for further
review
of the proposed community center improvements. Mr. Kooker took another look at the light fixtures throughout
the
building and said he could reduce his estimate on the lighting by $10,000,
making the total lighting estimate $35,000.
The estimate for the entire project – hearing/A.C., lighting, wiring,
stage/dimmer lighting, sound system, fire alarm
system and a 10% contingency – totals $271,000.
There is nothing included in this estimate for decorative lighting
in the parking lot, outside concrete work, roof repair, or window replacement. The rubber roof is estimated to cost
$27,000. Councilman Varce suggested
that the council do a walk-through of the community center with Mr. Kooker
so they can see what is being proposed. Mr.
Kooker feels that would be a good idea so the council can pinpoint
what they want included in the project. Councilman
Varce also questioned the stage lighting/dimmer system.
Maybe
this should be bid as an alternate as the estimate is $60,000.
Duane said the original plan was to do this project in
stages using hotel/motel tax money. Is
that still the plan? Councilman
Mallory commented that Mr. Kooker had said
doing the project in stages would add about $10,000 to each stage, rather than
bidding the entire project at one time.
Councilman Varce said the council needs to decide whether to do the
project in phases or in its entirety and they
need to stick to the basics on all phases of the project.
Mr. Kooker will notify the council when he is available to do
a walk-through.
The council discussed the water tower maintenance issue.
If they are to proceed with soliciting bids from other
firms, an engineer will be needed to draw up specifications.
Councilman Stieneke commented that this maintenance
has been put off so long now that we can’t keep patching the towers.
With proposed increased water rates, there
will be funds available to proceed with the proposal made by Utility Service Co.
where all the towers are placed in maintenance program and the costs are spread
over a 10-12 year period. If the
council chooses to pay for each
tower up front, it will take a larger rate increase, or the maintenance will
again be pushed back several years.
Councilman Varce said he wasn’t originally in favor of the Utility Service Co.
proposal, but after discussing it
several times with Mayor Henrich, he realizes
that the city has had problems with other tower firms.
He feels this is a very reputable firm and recommended
proceeding with the maintenance program. Mayor
Henrich will have Mark Napier, Water Supt., contact the tower
firm and verify that the costs previously quoted are still good.
This will be brought back for final approval at the
next meeting.
Councilman Varce said the city
should proceed with filling in with concrete the nodes at 4th and
Main and 5th and
Main where vehicles drive over the curb. He
also said the maintenance of the nodes should be assigned to the
Street Department. The council
reviewed a report from Diane Cargin who recently attended a workshop sponsored
by Trees Forever. After reviewing
photos of the nodes, the group agreed that the purple winter creeper should be
removed and replaced with low-maintenance plants and a lot of mulch.
Trees Forever representatives strongly
recommended that the city apply for an Iowa Living Roadways grant that can be
used for beautification along
roadways. The maximum grant is
$15,000 and plants funded through the grant must be native to Iowa. Grant
applications are due November 15; so any funding awarded would be for 2008.
The nodes will be maintained as
is for this year and a grant application will be submitted.
At the last meeting, the council
authorized implementing a $6/month/customer maintenance fee with a 5-year
sunset clause. This fee is to be
used for maintenance of the water system, including the water towers.
After
further discussion, a motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Leach, approved
the first presentation of
an ordinance increasing the base water charge to $5/month (a $1.75/month
increase) and adding a $4/month
maintenance fee, with a 5-year sunset. The
last water rate increase was 9/1/98. Roll
call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
The council was asked to consider an ordinance that would
allow fees to fire calls and emergencies to be set by
resolution, thereby eliminating the need to pass and publish an ordinance each
time the fees are changed.
Councilman Stieneke suggested that the fire safety inspection fee of $25 be
reduced to $20 to coincide with
the $20 inspection fee for day care facilities. The State Fire Marshall sets the day care inspection fee.
A motion
by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Leach, approved the first presentation of an
ordinance allowing fees to
fire calls and emergencies to be set by resolution and setting the fire safety
inspection fee at $20. Roll call
was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
A motion by Councilman Stieneke,
seconded by Leach, waived the second and third presentations of Ordinance
No. 522, allowing fees to fire calls and emergencies to be set by resolution and
setting the fire safety inspection fee
at $20 and ordered its publication. Roll
call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Leach, Varce, Mallory
NAYS: None
Roger Frisbie, Fire Dept., was
present to recommend increasing several fees for fire calls and emergencies.
He is
requesting that the maximum charge for vehicle fires or accidents be “up to
$800”, currently $250; grass fires be
“up to $800”, currently $250; commercial structure fires“ up to $1,500”,
currently $1,000; and adding a fee of $20 for
the inspection of day care facilities. The
State Fire Marshall currently inspects day care facilities, but would have no
problem turning this over to the local fire department.
Roger indicated that actual charges for vehicle fires or accidents
are generally running higher than the current $250 maximum charge.
Councilman Leach asked whether we are pursuing
the bills that aren’t covered by insurance.
At a previous meeting, the City Attorney indicated that we should pursue
all bills that the city sends. A
motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by Mallory, authorized the changes in fees
as requested by the fire department. Motion
carried.
The council continued discussion
on fees for other services and programs. Councilman
Varce suggested the
following fee changes:
From To
Cemetery grave openings-adults $300 $350
babies $125 $175
cremation $125 $175
Cemetery spaces $300 $350
Yacht Club – ½ day $30 $40
all day/evening $50 $65
Weddings in park $30 $50
Westcott open shelter $12.50 $15
Camping – per night $15 $16
per month $240 $270
Community Center Auditorium/
Youth Center:
100 or less w/liquor license $125 $130
100 or more w/liquor license $200 $205
Use of both levels w/liq. lic. $250 $255
½ day mtgs.-under 100 people $45 $55
½ day mtgs.-over 100 people $65 $75
All day meetings $90 $110
South room upstairs – ½ day $30 $35
West room upstairs – ½ day $10 $15
Kitchen – banquet/reception/large event $10 $15
small groups $5 $10
Audio/Visual Equipment – TV/VCR $15/day $20/day
3rd-4th grade basketball $10/person $20/person
5th-6th grade basketball $15/person $20/person
Gillette Park Centennial Shelter
$25 (new fee)
During discussion on the
proposed fees, Duane Mummert, Park Supt., was concerned about raising the
recreation fees,
especially for youth programs. Some
families have several children participating, so we don’t want to price them
out |
of a program. He was also opposed
to raising the monthly camping fee by $30/month.
(The camping fees haven’t
been increased since 2001). He
feels the camping does very well and generates about $28,000/yr. in revenue. He
also commented that construction workers could stay at Jesse’s Hilltop Village
for $200/month. Councilman Stieneke
said that campers in the county parks can only stay in the same spot for 2
weeks, and there is no discount for longer
stays. He asked Duane why
construction workers are staying at Spring Lake Park if they can stay cheaper at
Jesse’s.
Duane answered that Spring Lake Park camping is open year around.
Councilman Leach said that people attending
arena events would camp in Sheldon because there is a $5 difference.
Do we want that to happen? People
who camp
here spend money at gas stations, grocery stores, etc.
A motion was made by Councilman Varce to approve the fees
as he proposed. The motion died for
lack of a second.
A motion by Councilman Stieneke,
seconded by Varce, approved the fees as proposed, except the nightly camping
fee would remain at $15 and the monthly camping fee would increase by $20, to
$260. Roll call was:
AYES: Stieneke, Varce
NAYS: Leach, Mallory
This item will be brought back
to the next meeting for further discussion.
The council asked that the bill
for $300 to Aerial 7 Logo Maps be denied, as they understood the representative
to
say that she contacted the Chamber about producing a new city map before she
made her presentation to the council.
After the council authorized Aerial 7 to proceed with a map, the Clerk found
that the Chamber had just signed a contract
with another firm. Councilman
Stieneke asked Duane Mummert whether they could carry a large gas tank (filled
at the
city’s pump) in their pickup to refill the mowers, rather than purchasing fuel
at the station. Duane said that
wouldn’t be
a safe practice. Duane didn’t
feel the gas purchased at the station was a lot more expensive than bulk.
The Clerk said
she applies annually for a refund of the state sales tax on fuel purchased from
stations, making it comparable in price
to bulk purchases. Councilman
Stieneke also questioned garbage bags and cleaning supplies being purchased from
out of town vendors. Duane
explained that they couldn’t get 55-gallon bags in bulk locally and the
cleaning supplies are
commercial grade. On a motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by Stieneke, the
council unanimously approved the
following under “Consent Business”.
City council minutes of April 24th.
Bills totaling $136,269.17.
TRESSA MC KINNEY
DEPOSIT BALANCE-452 SUMNER
52.85
BRAD NELSON
D/C SURRENDER
2,278.43
BAKER & TAYLOR,
INC.
BOOKS
840.14
DEMCO, INC.
SUPPLIES
191.68
VERNON FICK
D/C SURRENDER
1,600.00
JAMES EBERT
D/C SURRENDER
1,500.00
OFFICE OF VEHICLE
SERV. 12 SALVAGE
AUTO TITLES
120.00
AMAZON CREDIT PLAN
DVD'S
896.36
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
258.63
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 4/13/07
1,865.13
CHEROKEE AVIATION AUTH.
APRIL TAX DRAW
4,857.67
HY-VEE
2 MEALS-ROBERTS-TASER SC
10.00
NORTHWEST IOWA LIBRARY S WORKSHOP
FEES (3)
90.00
VERNON FICK
D/C SURRENDER
1,600.00
FORT DEARBORN LIFE
INS. MAY LIFE PREMIUM
133.63
CHEROKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOL.
ALLOW.-3/25/07-4/13
1,145.00
MARK NAPIER
MEALS/MILES/MOTEL-SHORTCOURSE
267.47
MASTERCARD
IOWA FLAGS; ANTI-VIRUS
548.54
THREE RIVERS BENEFIT
CLAIMS THRU 4/27/07
910.46
ASSURANT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MAY
DISABILITY PREMIUM
526.36
ADAM ROBERTS
GAS - SCHOOL IN NEVADA 8.00
POSTMASTER - CHEROKEE
POSTAGE - UTILITY BILLS
249.06
DAVE DEEDRICK
MEAL;MILEAGE-SRHA MTG.-4/30
67.90
ACS FIREHOUSE SOLUTIONS
SOFTWARE SUPPORT CONTRACT
105.00
ADVANCED WATER TECHNOLOGY
POLYQUEST
2,696.28
ALLIANCE CONCRETE, INC.
CONCRETE-N. ROOS. WATER LEAK
424.00
ALLIANT UTILITIES
NATURAL GAS
4,921.22
AL'S CORNER OIL CO.
GAS
42.30
AMERA-CHEM, INC.
2007 DRUG I.D. BIBLE
41.95
AMERICAN WATER WORKS
RECOMMENDED BACKFLOW PRACTICES
74.50
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES MATS;
MOPS; FRESHNERS; TOWELS 75.66
4-WK. UNIFORM SERVICE
228.32
AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS CO.
REPAIR PH PROBE
787.50
BICYCLING
SUBSCRIPTION
21.94
BLAINE'S WATER COND.
LAB WATER; SOFTENER RENT; SALT 110.42
BOMGAARS
TRANSMISSION FLUID
2.19
CONCRETE MIX; TISSUE; TOWELS
41.64
PAINT; BULBS; WINCH
156.45
CLEANING SUPPLIES; BUG SPRAY
41.89
BOLTS;NUTS;CLAMP;FILTER;OIL
112.34
OVERSHOES; SAWZALL BLADE
41.68
18V BATTERIES
119.99
TRUCK TOOL BOXES; ROPE
387.30
TORCH; PIPE; MISC. SUPPLIES
77.24
MARY BORGHEIINCK
CLEANING & OFFICE SUPPLIES
27.78
HOT DOG DAY SUPPLIES
7.43
BOOTH ENTERPRISES
PLAT BOOK
25.00
BROWN CHEV. & BUICK
FUEL PUMP-'00 CHEV.
615.49
BUILDERS SHARP. & SERVIC SHARPEN
2 CHAIN SAW BLAD
10.00
MOWER PARTS
62.24
CNH CAPITAL
O-RING GASKET FOR SEWER
1.66
CANNON MOSS BRYGGER
ENG.-HEATING/COOLING
4,059.09
CARROLL DISTRIBUTING
STROBE LIGHTS FOR TRUCK
259.72
CENTRAL IOWA DIST., INC. CLEANING
SUPPLIES
134.35
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HOT DOG DAY SUPPLIES
75.00
CHAMPION ELECTRIC, INC.
BALLAST; BULBS; WIRE NUT
201.65
TWIST LOCK PLUG
32.46
REPAIR OUTSIDE & FLAG LIGHT
138.74
LOCATES-2ND/BOW & 2ND/INDIAN
237.00
LIGHT FIXTURE REPAIR
209.74
CHEROKEE AUTO PARTS
BATTERIES
144.00
OIL/AIR FILTERS; WRENCH
181.59
HYDRAULIC FLUID
102.48
TRAILER LIGHT PLUG;ALLEN WRENCH 53.57
CHEROKEE BUILDING CENTER MASONRY
BIT; BOLTS
12.38
ADHESIVE; FLUSH VALVE
13.18
CHEROKEE COUNTRY STORE
GAS
182.01
CHEROKEE CO. CLERK/COURT CITY
CASES
107.10
CHEROKEE COUNTY ENGINEER
BLOCK 13N LAYOUT COPIES
28.00
HYD. COUPLER FOR DUMP TRUCK
17.43
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF
SERVE NOTICES
38.00
CHEROKEE CO. SOLID WASTE MAY
LANDFILL FEE
11,556.01
9 TIRES; 46 APPLIANCES
518.00
CHEROKEE LUMBER, INC.
LUMBER FOR CONCRETE SKREED
8.35
3 BAGS PRE MIX CONCRETE
11.07
CHEROKEE REG. MED. CENTER RANDOM
CDL DRUG TESTS
92.00
CHEROKEE POLICE RESERVES CONFERENCE-10
RESERVES
2,161.18
CHESTERMAN COMPANY
POP
169.40
CHICAGO CENTRAL PACIFIC
ANNUAL R-O-W FEE-W.CEDAR
75.00
EVA CHRISTIANSEN PHD
MMPI REPORT ON APPLICANT
160.00
CHRONICLE TIMES
MINUTES; ORDINANCE; BIDS
593.60
EMPLOYMENT AD
216.00
CITY DIRECTORY, INC.
CITY DIRECTORIES
188.00
CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIALIS MECHANICAL
SYSTEM REPAIR
183.81
THE COURT FOCUS
MAY SUBSCRIPTION
12.00
CREATIVE SERVICES
CITIZEN OF YEAR PLAQUE
59.00
DPC INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHLORINE; PERMANGANATE
402.36
DECORAH PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPLACEMENT FOR LP BOOK
24.95
DAVE'S PAINTING
REFINISH BOX & BUMPER-FORD
900.00
REFINISH BUMPER-'03 GMC
65.00
DEMCO, INC.
SUPPLIES
172.60
THE DES MOINES REGISTER
SUBSCRIPTION
156.00
DESIGNING WOMEN SEW
PATCHES ON SHIRTS 14.00
DINN BROS.
RIBBONS-HERSHEY TRACK MEET
63.99
DIVERSIFIED FASTENING
100 SIGN BOLTS; 300 HEX NUTS
57.54
DIAMOND VOGEL PAINTS
PAINT FOR PIPES
98.00
DOUBLEDAY LARGE PRINT
BOOKS
92.94
EDM EQUIPMENT
GUTTER BROOMS; NOZZLE; H
326.15
ED M. FELD EQUIP.CO. INC. 5#
& 10# EXTINGUISHERS
375.00
5#
RECHARGE/HYDROTEST
40.00
2.5" BALL VALVE
136.00
ABC POWDER; SEALS
51.60
10# RECHARGE/HYDROTEST
30.60
EXTINGUISHERS;
ARROWS
169.00
W. E. FLEET
GAS
159.71
FSH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
PARK PAY PHONE
55.00
JUDY GRIENKE-MILLER
MILEAGE; ANTI-VIRUS
120.45
HD SUPPLY WATERWORKS, LTD. 6" CURB BOX; TEE; CORP.
269.54
HACH CO.
LAB SUPPLIES
312.30
HALLETT MATERIALS
ROAD GRAVEL
676.18
10.29
T. 1" LIMESTONE
185.22
91.3 T. DE-ICING SAND
438.23
BALLAST STONE
680.01
HILLYARD
JANITORIAL SUPPLIES
273.80
HOLZHAUER MOTORS, LTD.
SERVICE '05 EXPLORER
21.99
SERVICE; AIR FILTER-'06
38.92
REPLACE WINDSHIELD-'06 E
474.00
HY-VEE DRUGSTORE FILM
DEVELOPING
5.87
MINERAL OIL FOR PUMPS
19.20
IOWA LAKES ELECTRIC COOP ELECTRICITY
43.02
IOWA ONE CALL
FEB. LOCATES
21.60
IOWA OUTDOORS
SUBSCRIPTION
7.00
IOWA TELECOM
PHONE SERVICE 851.09
IOWA WORKFORCE DEVELOP.
UNEMPLOYMENT - YOUNIE
4,858.00
JANITOR'S CLOSET, LTD.
GARBAGE BAGS;TISSUE;TOWELS
216.05
K-MART #9222
DVDR; SLEEVES; CDR
28.37
KNOER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY
SQUEEGES; LIME CLEANER
301.85
KUEHL & PAYER, LTD.
ENG. - AMENT STORM SEWER
6,360.00
ENG. - GILLETTE PARK TRAIL
950.00
ENG. - AQUATIC CENTER
9,589.72
L & S PEST CONTROL
PEST CONTROL
48.00
LETSCHE BIKE/RADIO SHACK
PHONE
69.99
LUBECK OIL COMPANY
GAS
110.74
LUNDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. GRAVE
DIGGING
409.50
33.22 T. 2" CRUSHED CONCRETE
382.48
BREAK UP ICE JAM-EUCLID
574.00
HAUL SNOW FROM LOTS-3/7
216.00
DOWNTOWN SNOW REM.MAR.3-4 3,253.50
MANGOLD ENVIRON. TESTING OIL
& GREASE; TDS; TKN TESTS 167.00
MARLIN LEASING CORP.
MAY COPIER LEASE
123.00
WIBE & PHILLIPS
CITY VS. STONEKING
100.00
MIDLAND SCIENTIFIC, INC. BOILING
FLASKS FOR LAB
128.13
MID AMERICAN ENERGY
ELECTRICITY
568.24
MIDWEST OFFICE AUTO.
SERVICE CONTRACT
130.00
MILLER, MILLER, MILLER
MARCH LEGAL SERVICE
1,350.00
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY, INC.
9860 RLXT LINE LOCATOR
3,845.00
MMP METERS
760.00
2" METER & FLANGES
1,345.00
2"
METER STRAINER
321.84
NELSON'S LOCKSMITH SHOP
REPAIR LOCK-CITY GARAGE
46.00
NEUTRON INDUSTRIES, INC. RESTROOM
CLEANER
113.77
NEWSWEEK
SUBSCRIPTION 87.00
NORTHSIDE TIRE
NEW TIRE FOR J.D. GRADER
409.54
NORTHWEST COMMUNICATIONS MAY
INTERNET SERVICE
91.85
PARKSON CORPORATION
BRUSH FOR SPIRAL SCREENS
1,028.06
PERKINS OFFICE SOLUTIONS OFFICE
SUPPLIES
407.50
PETTY CASH
GARB.BAGS; POSTAGE; DVD’S
157.35
PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE
POSAGE FOR METER
500.00
POPULAR SCIENCE
SUBSCRIPTION
39.95
R COMM WIRELESS
CHARGER POWER SUPPLY
33.00
2 RADIO BATTERIES
104.00
RASMUSSEN'S CORP.
REPLACE HEADLAMP-'04 EXP.
27.77
REINERT MACHINE SHOP
MAKE LIGHT BRACKETS
154.59
SIGN
POSTS
24.88
TRUCK MODIFICATIONS
1,368.20
WELD TRAFFIC LIGHT POLES
150.00
REPAIR
ST. SEWER GRATE
100.00
ST. SEWER BASIN BACK
100.00
ED. ROEHR SAFETY PRODUCT 6
TASERS & HOLSTERS
5,342.78
DAN ROLLISON
CELL PHONE-2 MONTHS
80.00
RON'S REPAIR, INC.
REPAIR BRAKE LIGHTS
12.75
FRONT BRAKES; SIGNALS
122.00
ST. LUKES CENTER
RANDOM CDL DRUG TEST REVIEW 72.00
SANITARY SERVICES
APRIL GARBAGE PICKUP
16,726.50
SCHOON CONSTRUCTION CO.
DOWNTOWN SNOW REMOVAL
3,850.00
SENSUS METERING SYSTEMS
SENSUS SOFTWARE SUPPORT
30.00
SHARE CORPORATION
CLEANING SUPPLIES
474.34
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR CO.
ELEVATOR SERVICE CONTRACT
165.85
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
SUBSCRIPTION
121.70
SIOUX SALES COMPANY
BOOTS; 2 PR. TROUSERS
181.40
SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BACTERIA
SAMPLES
91.00
SOUTH SIDE SUPPLY
VEHICLE SUPPLIES
349.81
STEVE'S WINDOW SERVICE
WINDOW CLEANING
85.00
SUCCESSFUL FARMING
SUBSCRIPTION
15.95
TIRE SERVICE CENTER
TRUCK TIRES-'03 GMC
291.66
TIRE REPAIR-DAKOTA
15.00
TIRE & TUBE-J.D. MOWER
18.95
TOYNE, INC.
SCBA STRAP REPAIR-IHC
35.75
TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA APRIL
SALES TAX
4,551.09
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
SHIPPING CHARGES
16.60
UNITED STATES CELLULAR
CELL PHONES
100.47
VBS, INC.
ANNUAL LAB SCALE CALIBRATION
106.00
VERIZON WIRELESS
CELL PHONES
81.86
WALDNER'S LAWN SERVICE
LEVEL/SEED ALLEY
300.00
WATCHGUARD VIDEO
EVIDENCE DVD'S
48.75
WELLS FARGO FIN. LEASE
COPIER LEASE
101.85
&nbs