October 17, 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; absent: no one. Also present were Jeff Powell from the Tindal and Kitchen law office, Mary Coblentz from the news media and fourteen citizens.

    The agenda was approved upon motion by Seward second by Oldfield and all aye votes.

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

     The list of bills were reviewed. Swartzendruber moved, Oldfield seconded and all voted aye to pay the following:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

FIRE PROTECTION:

Wellman Fire Department – one-half budgeted contribution                                         5,000.00

CEMETERY:

Lime Creek Township – annual budgeted contribution                                                    600.00

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,838.50

Baker & Taylor Books – library books                                                                          293.00

Demco – library supplies                                                                                                101.03

Kalona News – subscription                                                                                            33.00

Sagebrush Corporation – barcode labels                                                                          28.90

Wellmark – Miller health insurance                                                                                 218.88

PARKS & RECREATION:

Payroll expense                                                                                                          2,520.48

Bancard – Lampe lodging for Parks conference                                                              123.20

Cox Sanitation – one ballpark stop                                                                                   12.00

Ebert Supply – trash bags                                                                                                44.45

Glenn Guengerich – replace light at North Park                                                                50.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies                                                                                      81.09

SENIOR CENTER:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             384.59

Al Haugen – time & materials (1/2) for roof repair                                                          150.52

The Water Shop – ½ expense new water softner at center                                              432.50

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             109.71

Aramark Uniform Services – mop,towel,airfresh,mats                                                       41.36

Ebert Supply – paper towels                                                                                            20.95

Glenn Guengerich – repair & replace lights at City Hall                                                     82.00

Nu-Trend Accessibility Systems – annual lift safety inspection                                         285.00

Petty Cash Fund – vacuum repair                                                                                     26.76

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies                                                                                      13.99

Wellman Telephone Co – prewire new maintenance shed                                                 23.25

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             452.47

Wellmark – Wade insurance                                                                                          413.63

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Koch Brothers – copier maintenance                                                                              357.35

PAYROLL TAXES & DEDUCTIONS:

Federation Bank – fed wht & fica/medicare                                                                 2,527.13

IPERS – outstanding adjustment due                                                                                91.97

EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT:

Mercy-Kalona Family Practice                                                                                        23.70

Mercy Iowa City                                                                                                             44.91

STREETS & SIDEWALKS/GENERAL FUND:

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies                                                                                        5.75

LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FUND:

General Fund – budgeted transfer for maintenance shed project                                 30,000.00

TIF DISTRICT FUND:

Don Gingerich – ½ annual TIF/Stone Gate infrastructure                                              1,505.50

Housing Fund – ½ transfer for Stone Gate                                                                      701.00

LIBRARY DONATION FUNDS:

Steve Miller – reimburse conference expenses                                                                188.00

RECREATION CENTER FUND:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             709.59

ADT Security Services – November security service                                                        43.00

Bancard – supplies                                                                                                        345.87

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – 3 stops/September                                                             36.00

Ebert Supply – paper products                                                                                      113.10

Farner-Bocken Co – concession items                                                                           131.76

Teresa Lampe – mileage to Iowa Citiy/Menards for purchases                                          20.25

Municipal Gas Fund – on note                                                                                         40.00

Petty Cash – pizza for concessions                                                                                   12.11

CABLE CHANNEL:

Bancard – hard drives/Ebuyer.com                                                                                295.67

Larry Thurman – reimburse for purchases                                                                         66.48

                                                                                         TOTAL                          50,640.40

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             473.05

Douds Stone – roadstone for stock                                                                                  63.25

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – Deer Meadows street lighting                                           45.45

                                                                                         TOTAL                               581.75

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,113.69

Bob Boyse & Sons – sand for gas mains                                                                        300.00

Clayton Energy – September natural gas purchase                                                    16,126.95

Groebner & Associates – material                                                                                  203.89

Tomisha Hammes – refund deposit                                                                                   61.31

Municipal Gas System – refund deposits to customer accounts                                         94.03

SJ Smith Welding – repairs to welder                                                                             414.06

Southeast Iowa Area Safety & Support Org – annual membership                               1,688.18

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies                                                                                      31.38

Wellmark – Slaubaugh health insurance                                                                          676.55

                                                                                          TOTAL                        20,710.04

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          3,362.71

Bancard – lodging for Phil/IRWA Dubuque conference                                                  187.51

Steve Cole – refund deposit                                                                                               9.00

Douds Stone – rock/water repairs                                                                                  264.84

Gambles – diamond blade by Mark                                                                               250.00

Tomisha Hammes – refund deposit                                                                                   79.03

Hygienic Laboratory – water testing                                                                               431.00

Max Lewis – mileage to Batavia & Washington/leak detector                                           55.89

Municipal Water System – refund deposit to customer account                                         67.31

Petty Cash Fund – reimburse Oldfield/conference lunch                                                    14.33

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies                                                                                    222.64

Utility Equipment – 2 repair clamps                                                                                157.86

City of Wellman – general fund 1/2 budgeted transfer                                                  7,500.00

Water Sinking Fund – ½ budgeted transfer for debt service                                       13,935.00

Wellmark – Farrier health insurance                                                                               198.84

                                                                                        TOTAL                           26,735.96

9TH AVENUE NORTH WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Bockenstedt Excavating – retainage                                                                            1,500.00

9TH AVENUE SOUTH WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Seaton Construction – pay estimate on contract                     24,508.25

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,445.05

Bancard – lodging for Mark/water/wastewater fall workshop                                          141.44

                                    Lodging for Rich/IRWA conference                                           176.96

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – lift station                                                                        30.74

Sewer Sinking Fund – ½ budgeted transfer for debt service                                       18,615.00

Wellmark – Oldfield insurance                                                                                       218.88

                                                                                         TOTAL                          20,628.07

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             281.45

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – trash bags                                                                     1,256.25

                                                                                         TOTAL                            1,537.70

SENIOR CENTER HAA FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             923.00

                                                                          GRAND TOTAL                       147,765.17

     The September financial statement was reviewed and discussed. Swartzendruber moved to approve the statement, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye. The statement included September revenues as follows:

SEPTEMBER REVENUES

General Fund                                                                                                            10,743.55

Employee Benefit Tax Fund                                                                                        1,300.77

Support Public Library Fund                                                                                          369.14

Community Development Block Grant                                                                               0.00

Liability/Property Insurance                                                                                         1,517.50

Local Option Sales Tax                                                                                             6,188.26

Road Use Tax Fund                                                                                                 10,513.27

Tax Credit Reimbursement Fund                                                                                     21.00

Tax Increment Financing Fund                                                                                    4,237.46

Debt Service Fund                                                                                                      1,240.88

Library Services Fund                                                                                                    781.57

Recreation Center                                                                                                       1,415.72

Trust & Agency Funds                                                                                                     59.71

Capital Reserve Fund                                                                                             196,409.60

Municipal Gas System Fund                                                                                      23,993.27

Municipal Gas System CD                                                                                                 0.00

Municipal Water System Fund                                                                                  16,765.91

Municipal Water Sinking Fund                                                                                           2.19

Municipal Water System CD                                                                                             0.00

Water Utility Capital Project                                                                                     66,000.00

Municipal Sewer System Fund                                                                                  12,050.76

Sewer Sinking Fund                                                                                                           1.29

Solid Waste Disposal Fund                                                                                         4,230.22

Senior Dining HAA Fund                                                                                            3,955.28

Senior Center Donation Fund                                                                                         542.74

Senior Center CD                                                                                                              0.00

                                                   TOTAL SEPTEMBER REVENUES              362,340.09

     Shawn Powell, city insurance agent, was present to inquire what the council wanted for procedures in filing insurance claims. Recent incidents have occurred where claims were not reported in a timely manner. Powell asked for an understanding of line of authority and the process for turning in claims. In the pass he has worked with the clerk in these matters and asked if this would be appropriate. Powell would provide necessary forms that could be filled out at the time of the loss and forwarded on to his office. After further discussion, it was decided that a written policy might be helpful in determining the chain of command and process for claims filed.

     The City Attorney reported on reviewing the Aramark contract to determine if it can be terminated. The contract is a two hundred sixty week contract and signed by the Clerk in June, 2000. However, it does not have the Mayor’s signature and if there was no recorded approval by the City Council he believes the contract can be terminated. The minutes will be checked and then a thirty-day termination notice given to Aramark. Kitchen is working on several collection cases which will be discussed privately with the Clerk or in closed session if the Council wishes this information. Jeff Powell reported he is working on four junk car violations. The parties have had their first appearance in court and all pled not-guilty so trial is set for late December. Should the junk be cleared from the properties to the City’s satisfaction, the charges will be dropped. There are also three curfew violations being prosecuted.

     Teresa Lampe, Recreation Director, asked if the area behind the band shell can be tiled and cleaned up for better walking access for school children through the area. City employees will look at the situation and see what might be done. Lampe also asked that an easement be obtained from the Dr. Jay Miller family to provide for a walking trail through their open lot to the grade school. The school is supportive of this project. Lampe indicated they may agree to a cost share to get it completed. Kitchen will look into easement issues.

     Ryan Miller, representing the Wellman Area Foundation, reported their selection committee has agreed upon KD3, LLC of Iowa City to be the architect for their CDBG child care facility project.  Swartzendruber moved to approve KD3 as architect for this project, Oldfield seconded and all voted aye.

     A bid from DeRossett Company for new odorant equipment for the natural gas system was submitted in the amount of $20,785 plus an additional $990 to include a storage tank. This equipment will be built now but not installed till spring. Oldfield moved to approve purchase of the system, Seward seconded and all voted aye.

     IAMU is offering Home Energy Audits for municipal gas customers. After discussion, Swartzendruber moved to pay seventy-five percent of the $105 cost of audit up to ten customers. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     The Freedom Security Bank gas CD of $50,000 will need to be cashed to cover the construction costs of the maintenance building. As the CD is not due until May, 2006 this will mean around $800 in early withdrawal penalty. Goodrich moved to withdraw the CD, Seward seconded and all voted aye.

     As Christmas and New Years holidays fall on Sunday this year, Oldfield moved to give City employees Friday afternoon and Monday all day off for both Christmas and New Years. Swartzendruber seconded and all voted aye.

     In general administrative discussion Lewis presented a bid of $4,392 from Shamrock Construction for asphalting the City Hall parking lot fifty feet in width. An additional amount of $1,921 would asphalt the alleyway section adjoining. The Council consensus was not to do the alleyway but just the parking area. A grant of $2500 will be received to help cover the cost of this work to provide for handicap parking during elections to comply with new federal laws.

Swartzendruber read a memo from the city engineer’s office in regard to updates on various city projects.

Oldfield commented that it would soon be time to work on the new budget and everyone must look closely at what needed to be budgeted and then stay within it.

Kisner reported Al Haugen had worked on repairing the Senior Center roof and will be installing eave spouts also.

Lampe announced the skating rink would be holding a Halloween party for the children on October 31.

     With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, November 7, 2005, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building. The Council will hold a work session on the City Code on Monday, October 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

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