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                                                Regular City Council Meeting
                                                  City Hall, Cherokee, Iowa
                                                    July 24, 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, Clerk-Treasurer Taylor.  Absent:  City Attorney Miller.

Joni DeVos and Mick Samsel were present representing the Chamber of Commerce.  They 
received information from Utility Service Co. that the cost would be $20,000 to apply their 
suggested design to the north water tower.  The design included a tree and river with various 
colors.  Joni said their second choice would be “Cherokee – your place to be” in several colors 
on two sides of the tower.  The council had a quote of $6,200 for anything other than “Cherokee” 
in black, block letters, but are not sure that includes several colors.  Councilman Mallory doesn’t
feel most people care what is on the tower.  He suggested the Chamber use the money for 
other advertising.  Councilman Varce asked who would pay the additional $6,200. Mick Samsel said it 
would seem fair for the Chamber to possibly pay the difference between what is figured in the 
maintenance contract for black, block lettering and the proposed design.  Joni said she had wanted 
to call a Chamber board meeting for further discussion before the council met, but she couldn’t get 
a quorum. Mick said he was told it would take a minimum of 5 weeks for the tower to be painted, 
so he feels they have some time yet to make a decision.  The Clerk reminded the council that 
there are three weeks between meetings, the next meeting being August 14.  The Chamber will 
contact Utility Service Co. regarding their second design choice and have a meeting of the board 
early next week.  On a motion by Councilman Leach, seconded by Stieneke, the council asked to 
be polled for a decision after the Chamber Board meets regarding costs and what they would 
contribute toward that cost.  Motion carried.

In discussion regarding community center improvements, Councilman Leach said his main concern 
is to wait and see how the aquatic center finances come out at the end of the season.  Councilman 
Stieneke said they definitely need to repair the roof.  Dan Rollison, Recreation Director, commented 
that the heating and air conditioning need to be addressed soon, as well as the meeting room carpet.  
The council is aware of what needs to be done, but funding is an issue. 

The city received a $10,000 grant from the Cherokee Legacy Foundation to be used toward the 
heating and air conditioning.  Councilman Leach will schedule a time with the architect for the 
council to go through the building and go over the proposed improvements. 

A motion by Councilman Peck, seconded by Mallory, adopted Resolution No. 07-16, that allows the 
mileage reimbursement for employees and officials driving their own vehicles to city approved 
meetings and conferences to be set in accordance with the current federal reimbursement amount, 
currently $.485/mile.  Roll call was:
AYES:  Peck, Mallory, Stieneke, Leach
NAYS:  Varce

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

City council minutes of July 10th and July 17th.

Final payment to Ten Point Construction for $7,292.78 for the Gillette Park Trail Project.

John Cook and Dan Rollison were present to update the council on the aquatic center.  Dan first 
made a report on recreation.  He said when he first started one of his goals was to form a youth 
council, which he has accomplished. They held their first event this past week, which was attended 
by about 50 youth.  All expenses for the event were paid for through a $2,000 grant including 
20 daily passes to the aquatic center used as prizes.  The National Guard provided an inflatable 
obstacle course.  Other organizations involved were the Sheriff’s Dept., 4-H, Family Circle,
Sanford Museum, and the Art Club.  In his report on the aquatic center, Dan indicated that from 
June 22 through July 17 the total admissions were 10,363; 234 family season passes and 42 single 
season passes have been sold; and concession deposits have totaled $11,466.71.  He asked whether 
they should offer any kind of reduced season pass for the remainder of the season.  He may be holding 
a lifeguard class this summer and he will be training some of the high school staff to take over for 
the rest of the season once the college students leave in a few weeks. Dan was instructed not to sell 
reduced season passes as people can pay daily admission or purchase 10-day punch passes.  John 
Cook reported that Grundman-Hicks is progressing with the final punch list and the path to 9th
street will be excavated in the near future.  They are still working out some wrinkles with the 
Colorado Timing System and it will take a few more swim meets to feel comfortable with it.  The 
plan at this time for the installation of the playground equipment will be to have Game Time 
representatives here on August 22 to lay the initial ground work and by August 25 the volunteers 
will called in.  They will need 40-50 volunteers to construct the equipment. Dan reported that the 
first after hours pool party was held Sunday night with about 20 people for 1 hour.  He has a library
party this week and the chorus/band and R. J. Thomas Mfg. have expressed interest in scheduling 
parties. 

Councilman Mallory had asked for a summary of a city survey sent out with the spring newsletter.  
There were only 19 surveys returned with the highest priorities being street repair and property 
clean up. 

Councilman Mallory had asked to discuss the city’s public nuisance procedures.  He wasn’t so much 
concerned about nuisances not being addressed, but rather having resources for people to use in 
helping with the clean up. He said that some people don’t have the monetary resources or aren’t 
physically able to do the work themselves. Make an effort to help people get their property cleaned 
up rather than strictly telling them it is against the law. Police Chief Steve Schuck was present and 
said he feels there has been a lot of properties cleaned up over the past several years.  This spring 
the city had a clean up and all people had to do was call City Hall.  He said it isn’t usually the 
elderly people who have a problem keeping their property clean.  He indicated that a nuisance order
gives a person 14 days to abate it, but he issues extensions as needed.  Councilman Leach feels 
our ordinances take care of the problems.  Councilman Stieneke suggested that if the Police Dept. has 
to go back to the same place a second time, a citation should be issued.  He asked what the fine 
would be on this type of citation.  Steve said the Magistrate sets the fine, but it would probably be 
a minimum of $60-$70.  Councilman Peck asked how barking dog complaints are handled.  Steve said 
an officer first issues a warning to the owner, but if called back to the same place a citation is issued.
Steve said that if the council or any resident has a nuisance complaint they can call the Police 
Department.

On a motion by Councilman Stieneke, seconded by Peck, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.  
Motion carried.

News media – Ken Ross, Chronicle Times. 

Dennis Henrich – Mayor

 

ATTEST:

Debra Taylor, CMC
City Clerk-Treasurer