May 2, 2005

                                                                                                              Wellman, Iowa 52356

 

 

     The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 7:00pm.  Mayor Max Lewis presided with the City Attorney, City Clerk and following Council Members: Robert Goodrich, Robert Swartz-endruber, Richard Oldfield, George Kisner, and James Seward. Also present were Mary Coblentz and Katherine Anderson from the news media, Chief Deputy Darren Dennler, and eleven citizens.

     The agenda was approved upon motion by Swartzendruber, second by Goodrich and all aye votes. 

     The Public Hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendment to the Wellman Zoning Ordinance was opened at 7:01pm. There were no written or oral comments. Therefore the hearing was promptly closed at 7:03pm.  The City Clerk introduced and caused to be read Ordinance No. 170 to amend the Wellman Zoning Ordinance to include single-family dwellings within an R-3 District. Oldfield moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 170 and to waive the second and third readings for final passage. Goodrich seconded the motion and upon roll call there was a unanimous aye vote. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     Minutes of the previous meeting were presented. With no additions or corrections the minutes stand approved as read.

     The bill list was presented and reviewed. Goodrich questioned the charge on the City Attorney’s statement for a call from Frances Magrabi. Kitchen stated that Mayor Lewis had asked him to talk to Ms. Magrabi concerning questions she had relative to budgeting and the Maintenance Building Project. Goodrich then stated that Lewis or Magrabi should pay for that time and not the City. Seward stated that if citizens have questions, they need to attend City Council meetings and ask them there. Kisner then moved to have the City Clerk send Magrabi a bill for the attorney’s time which Kitchen indicated was approximately two tenths of an hour at $75 per hour. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye. Swartzendruber asked about the Glenn Guengerich bills for the fire siren and the main street light repair. Goodrich asked about Aero Saw and Concrete Cutters which were used for the water main breaks. It was Council consensus to contribute $50 for the Wellman Community Club membership. Seward moved to the pay the bills as indicated, Kisner seconded and all voted aye to pay bills as follows:

   GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUND

 

POLICE PROTECTION:

Washington County Auditor – May law contract                                                         4,890.63

Wellman Telephone Co – phone to law center                                                                  33.89

FIRE PROTECTION:   

City of Wellman – fire station Mar gas                                                                            439.79

CIVIL DEFENSE:

Alliant Energy – weather siren                                                                                          12.01

Glenn Guengerich – repair fire siren                                                                                377.50

Mellinger Cabinet Shop – fire siren May electric                                                               15.00

ANIMAL CONTROL:

Paws & More – May payment                                                                                        80.00

TRAFFIC CONTROL:

Alliant Energy – highway flashing light                                                                               12.27

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,774.27

Wellman Telephone Co – library phones                                                                          55.91

PARKS:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             987.65

Glenn Guengerich – electrical installation/repairs                                                             378.50

Hart-Frederick Consultants – engineering fees/rest rooms                                                 25.00

Menards – stencils for park sign                                                                                         4.78

Ray-Man Inc – material for Frisbee Golf Park                                                                185.00

Wellman Telephone Co – concession stand phone                                                            41.00

SENIOR DINING:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             306.51

Alliant Energy – electric service/senior center                                                                  188.73

City of Wellman – Mar utilities                                                                                       245.08

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense                                                                                                               89.30

Aramark Uniform Services – mats,mops,etc                                                                     40.09

General Pest Control – May service                                                                                 11.00

Petty Cash Fund – tissue,paper towels,candy,air spray                                                     15.00

City of Wellman – Municipal Building Mar gas                                                               202.22

LEGAL SERVICES:

Tindal & Kitchen – city attorney fees                                                                              557.00

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Incode-CMS – annual software maintenance                                                               1,906.25

Quill Corporation – office supplies                                                                                   29.48

Donna Wade – mileage to Des Moines/IMFOA                                                             100.44

Wellman Community Club – membership                                                                         50.00

Wellman Telephone Co – city hall phones                                                                      149.37

                                                                                        TOTAL                           13,203.67

CDBG HOUSING REHAB PROJECT:

Washington County Recorder – record loan                                                                       7.00

STREETS & SIDEWALKS/GENERAL:

Donna Wade – mileage to Washington/County Treas                                                       15.39

LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX:

Hart-Frederick Consultants – engineering fees/maintenance bldg                                11,796.20

RECREATION CENTER:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             857.29

Alliant Energy – skating rink electric                                                                               208.91

Aramark Uniform Services – mops,etc                                                                             21.70

I wireless – cell phone                                                                                                      86.35

Petty Cash Fund – donation to Iowa pagent                                                                     10.00

Quill Corporation – CD’s                                                                                                  8.88

Schwan’s – ice cream bars,corn dogs                                                                              27.97

Treasurer State of Iowa – Apr sales tax                                                                         165.06

City of Wellman – skating rink Mar services                                                                   338.34

Wellman Telephone Co – skating rink phone                                                                    24.17

                                                                                         TOTAL                            1,748.67

LOCAL ACCESS CHANNEL:

Quill Corporation – DVD’s                                                                                              37.99

EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT:

Dr Doug Campbell – employee health insurance benefit                                                    30.00

Slagle Pharmacy – employee health insurance benefit                                                      129.19

                                                                                         TOTAL                               159.19

PAYROLL TAXES & DEDUCTIONS:

Federation Bank – fed wht & fica/medicare                                                                 2,557.18

IPERS – employee retirement fund                                                                              2,076.47

Treasurer State of Iowa – state wht                                                                                744.00

AFLAC – employee insurance                                                                                       301.30

Wellmark – payroll deduction                                                                                        401.96

                                                                                         TOTAL                            6,080.91

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                               92.97

Hart-Frederick Consultants – engineering fees/2nd Street bridge                                      747.50

                                                                                        TOTAL                                840.47

STREETS CAPITAL PROJECT

Hart-Frederick Consultants – 9th Ave Curb & Gutter                                                  9,010.88

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          3,427.79

Bob Boyse & Sons – 2 load of sand for 9th Avenue gas line                                           150.00

Douds Stone – roadstone/gas main                                                                                136.43

Incode-CMS – annual software maintenance                                                                  943.75

Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities – workshop registration                                                    210.00

I wireless – Phil’s cell phone                                                                                            39.10

Max Lewis – mileage to Cedar Rapids/backhoe parts                                                      35.64

Martin Equipment – backhoe parts                                                                                   64.63

Municipal Gas System – furnace rebate/Jean Young                                                       100.00

Municipal Supply – repair parts                                                                                      592.66

Treasurer State of Iowa – Apr sales tax                                                                      2,440.39

Wellman Telephone Co – service                                                                                     33.50

                                                                                         TOTAL                           8,173.89

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          2,540.76

AeroSaw Inc – concrete cuts                                                                                         461.00

Alliant Energy –  electric services/well #3                                                                       562.44                       

Aramark Services – shirt service                                                                                      13.28

Concrete Cutting & Coring – slab saw                                                                           300.00

Douds Stone – roadstone                                                                                              257.92

Glenn Guengerich – repairs                                                                                            600.00

Graber Supply – rerod,tie wire,expansion joint/sidewalk repair                                         70.36

Hart-Frederick Consultants – engineering fees                                                             1,441.94

Hawkins Water Treatment – chemicals                                                                           199.40

I wireless – Mark’s cell phone                                                                                         25.90

Incode-CMS – annual software maintenance                                                                  912.50

Max Lewis – mileage to Washington/pickup up pipe locator                                             13.77

Municipal Supply – repair parts                                                                                      549.90

Treasurer State of Iowa – Apr sales tax                                                                         877.70

City of Wellman – water plant Mar gas                                                                          177.51

                                    maintenance shed Mar gas                                                         229.33

Wellman Telephone Co – phone service                                                                           24.69

                                                                                         TOTAL                           9,258.40

WATER/SEWER CAPITAL PROJECTS

Hart-Frederick Consultants – engineering fees                                                             5,912.91

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,004.58

Glenn Guengerich – repairs at wastewater plant                                                                94.00

I wireless – Rich’s cell phone                                                                                           42.95

Incode-CMS – annual software maintenance                                                                  518.75

TestAmerica – wastewater testing                                                                                  313.20

Treasurer State of Iowa – Apr sales tax                                                                           96.51

City of Wellman – wastewater treatment plant Mar gas                                                     46.60

Wellman Telephone Co – phone services                                                                         66.48

                                                                                         TOTAL                            2,183.07

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FUND

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – Apr recycling                                                                 2575.00

                                     stickers sold                                                                             339.00

Incode-CMS – annual software maintenance                                                                  218.75

                                                                                         TOTAL                            3,132.75

SENIOR DINING HAA FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             717.74

Freeman Foods – raw food                                                                                             54.47

General Pest Control – Apr service                                                                                    9.00

H & H Foodservice – raw food                                                                                     311.09

Hawkeye Foodservice – raw food, supplies                                                                1,268.24

Hobart Corporation – repair dish washer                                                                       162.95

Mildred Whetstine – reimburse/raw food,supplies                                                             28.84

                                                                                         TOTAL                            2,552.33

SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                               84.21

                                                                            GRAND TOTAL                      62,064.69

    Darren Dennler, Chief Deputy for Washington County Sheriff’s Department was present to discuss law enforcement issues. He reported on the City of Washington’s withdrawl from county services and re-establishing their own police department, indicating that it should not impact Wellman in any way. There are some shared services such as the drug task force and dog team that should not be affected by this change. Recreation Director Teresa Lampe thanked the department for patrolling at the skating rink on Saturday nights.

     James Miller, President of the Parks & Recreation Board reported on their recent meeting. They did a walk-through at North Park to find needed repairs. At the west playground the three-springs with board on top needs to be removed; the bottom of the slide is loose needing to be screwed down/repaired; railroad ties are rotten and in need of being replaced; there is some exposed rebar; the “tilting planet” holds water so holes need to be drilled to drain that off; additional pea gravel needs to be added in certain areas and the large swing needs to have the collar tightened. Miller further reported Bret Kauffman, who has state-level awards for Frisbee golf, has laid out a challenging course to be placed in North Park. It is expected this will be completed by July. The parking lot at the skating rink has been inspected to find low and high spots. Miller suggested the lot be leveled to allow proper water drainage and add gravel accordingly. They would prefer no chip and seal surface at this time. Further discussion was held on enlarging the parking lot as well as placing signs or objects to better organize the parking. Lampe requested permission to install horse shoe pits on the rink grounds as well. Goodrich moved to approve the report and recommendations of the Parks & Recreation Board. Seward seconded and all voted aye. Kisner then asked if the City could sell the spring board at North Park to him. The City Attorney felt that would not be a problem as long as no one else came forward with a bid for it.

     Swartzendruber and Oldfield reported on their meeting with city employees concerning equipment needs relative to purchasing a backhoe or skid loader with a jackhammer. Oldfield stated he had asked city workers and they indicated they did not want more equipment at this time but rather invest that money into the water valves. Swartzendruber had met with them earlier and concluded the skid loader with a cement breaker would be the best way to go. After talking with Councilman Oldfield, Swartzen-druber concurred investing in the water valves at this time.

     Swartzendruber moved to set the date for a Public Hearing on the 2005 Budget amendment for Monday, May 16, 2005, 7:00pm. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     Seward moved to amend the contract for the Housing Rehab Project to extend it from May, 2005 to December, 2005. Oldfield seconded and all voted aye.

     As the City Engineer was not appointed in January with other city appointments, Swartzendruber moved to appoint Hart-Frederick Consultants as the City’s engineer. Oldfield seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     The fy06 law enforcement contract with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department was submitted at an annual cost of $60,448.19. Swartzendruber moved to approve the contract, Seward seconded and all voted aye. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     As Allan Boone has indicated he will no longer be able to serve as the Municipal Building custodian, Goodrich moved to hire one of the applicants from the previous vacancy of this position following compliance with the Veterans Preference Law to allow the vacancy to be filled by the end of this week. Seward seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     Bids have been received to replace the copy machine in an attempt to save costs for the maintenance agreement. After reviewing the bids, the City Clerk recommended not replacing the copier at this time as maintenance rates were no lower than what is being paid on the current copier. Although it is getting age on it the Council agreed it should continue to be used for the time being.

    Tim Smit, representing the Library Board of Trustees, introduced Steve Miller as the newly hired Library Director to replace Sandra Aggson who is retiring at the end of May. He reported they had fifteen excellent applicants which were narrowed down to six and then three of those were interviewed a second time before the decision was made. Resolution No. 05-18 to establish the wage for the new Library Director was introduced and caused to be read. Goodrich motioned to adopt Resolution 05-17, Oldfield seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     In general administrative discussion, Seward asked why the street sweeper wasn’t being used. Mayor Lewis indicated it had been used once but the men have been busy with other projects. Seward also asked the holes created with the watermain breaks be filled up as they have settled or be repaired with surface material. He asked why sand is not placed in first to compact and help prevent the settling. 

Goodrich asked about the water problems in the basement of Chat & Chew as a result of the watermain break in front of their building and was told that was corrected to help prevent any water seepage in the future. He voiced concern of un-mown lawns and asked for an ordinance to specify the length grass can be before abatement is enforced.

Swartzendruber asked about a house fire on the east end of 5th Street and about the funds the City gave the building owner on 10th Avenue adjoining the City’s new maintenance shed site. In tearing down the old barn on the site, it exposed the east side of that building. The City paid the owner to purchase material to build the wall and a timeline to complete the work. This has not been done as yet. The Council asked the Clerk to write a letter to the owner reminding him of this obligation.

Oldfield expressed concerns of a pickup being parked on 7th Avenue near Highway 22 as it restricts traffic and might be hit. He also was concerned about visibility at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Highway 22 due to a newly erected sign. The Clerk was asked to contact these property owners about these issues.

The Clerk informed the Council the Emmetsburg Board has asked to be on the IAMU’s Board agenda to discuss their (IAMU’s) recent withdrawal of assistance to the group working on municipalization of electric systems. The other communities involved in the project were contacted so they can also attend if interested. It was indicated there will be two or three from Wellman attending this meeting.

Mayor Lewis reported on Earth Day and on the city-wide cleanup days.

     During the Public Forum Merlyn Yoder showed the Council a fire hose that he understood was damaged by city employees. He had an invoice that indicated the cost was $67.40 to replace the hose that he felt should be paid by the City. Seward who is also fire chief stated he had no problem with city employees using the fire equipment when needed as long as it was put back as found.

     With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be held Monday, May 16, 2005, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

 

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk from written notes and/or audio tape subject to Council approval.