December 5, 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 Clerk and following Council Members: Robert Goodrich, Robert Swartzendruber, Richard Oldfield, George Kisner, and James Seward; absent: no one. Also present were Mary Coblentz from the news media, Lisa Marie Garlich of East Central Iowa Council of Governments and eight citizens.

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

At 7:01pm Mayor Lewis opened the Public Hearing to receive comments on the application for a CDBG Housing Rehab Grant. Ms. Garlich explained the application process and requirements, a copy which is attached to these minutes. The Public Hearing was then closed. Ms. Garlich asked the Council what restrictions to place on applicant qualifications. She has received fifteen pre-applications, nine with children and six without. There are eight below the fifty-percent county median income and seven are above the fifty-percent but below eighty-percent. The Council could opt to limit the applicants to only households with children and/or disabled persons; or only households whose incomes are at or below the fifty-percent median family income; or allow for any household below the eighty-percent. The latter was selected for the previous CDBG application. After discussion Goodrich moved to allow the limit for those below the eighty-percent income level and adopt Resolution No. 05-39 to provide for City matching funds of $12,000 for the project. Oldfield seconded the motion and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. Mayor Lewis signed the Resolution and related documents for the application.

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

The Council reviewed and discussed the list of bills. Oldfield moved, Seward seconded and all voted aye to pay the following:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUND

POLICE PROTECTION:

Washington County Auditor – Dec law contract 5,037.35

Wellman Telephone Co – phone to law center 29.64

FIRE PROTECTION:

Alliant Energy – fire station 191.54

City of Wellman – fire station Oct gas 88.00

CIVIL DEFENSE:

Alliant Energy – weather siren 12.88

Mellinger Cabinet Shop – fire siren Dec electric 15.00

ANIMAL CONTROL:

Menards – live animal trap 39.76

Paws & More – Dec payment 140.00

TRAFFIC CONTROL:

Alliant Energy – highway flashing light 13.05

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense 2,132.91

Staples – library supplies 66.37

Wellman Telephone Co – phone services 54.68

PARKS:

Payroll expense 168.19

Alliant Energy – electric services 184.73

Allan Boone – mileage to Kalona & reimbursements 35.92

Wellman Auto Supply – 2 gals antifreeze 15.98

SENIOR DINING:

Payroll expense 353.42

Alliant Energy – electric services 239.77

City of Wellman – Oct utilities 230.42

LEGISLATIVE:

Payroll expense – Mayor 53.93

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense 477.84

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense 89.30

Alliant Energy – municipal building 258.55

Aramark Uniform Services – mats, etc 38.57

Freeman Foods – cleaning supplies 56.35

LL Window Cleaning – clean all building windows in and out 200.00

Petty Cash Fund – vinyl gloves 6.23

Standard Pest Control – December service 9.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 45.63

City of Wellman – Municipal Building Oct gas 69.34

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 190.57

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Iowa League of Cities – budget workshop registration/Fisher 40.00

Matt Parrott and Sons – office supplies 189.51

Wellman Advance – publications 305.91

PAYROLL TAXES & DEDUCTIONS:

Federation Bank – fed wht & fica/medicare 2,742.11

IPERS – employee retirement fund 2,078.25

Treasurer State of Iowa – state wht 713.00

AFLAC – employee insurance 226.60

Wellmark – payroll deduction 124.70

STREETS & SIDEWALKS/GENERAL FUND:

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 61.56

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUND:

Sewer Sinking Fund – budgeted transfer for debt service 62,538.00

RECREATION CENTER:

Payroll expense 919.83

Alliant Energy – skating rink electric 161.81

Bancard Center – purchases by credit card 37.76

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – trash pickup 50.40

Freeman Foods – concessions 108.00

Sitler’s Supplies – bulbs 6.75

Treasurer State of Iowa – November sales tax 107.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 62.23

City of Wellman – skating rink Oct services 128.19

Wellman Telephone Company – skating rink phone 22.74

TOTAL 81,169.27

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll expense 322.60

Alliant Energy – street lighting 1,456.96

Douds Stone Inc – 1” clean stone 64.32

Hawkeye Ready-Mix – 6 bags geo salt for sidewalk ice removal 90.00

Iowa Prison Industries – signs, etc 337.86

Washington County Engineer – 1^st payment on 1^st Avenue project 10,994.00

Wellman Auto Supply – parts 104.77

TOTAL 13,370.51

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 2,716.37

Alliant Energy – electric services 115.40

Douds Stone – clean stone 67.70

Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities – labor/material for gas main 975.00

Menards – gas line tracer wire 120.00

Municipal Gas System – water heater rebate 25.00

Reggie Tire – fuel 238.32

Treasurer State of Iowa – November sales tax 1,274.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 124.87

City of Wayland – 75ft 2” gas main for maintenance shed 94.50

Wellman Auto Supply – nitrile gloves 12.99

City of Wellman – maintenance shed Oct gas 58.46

TOTAL 5,822.61

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 1,958.00

Alliant Energy – electric services 1,074.69

Hawkins Water Treatment – chemicals 212.50

Reggie Tire – fuel 91.50

Treasurer State of Iowa – November sales tax 870.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 38.15

Utility Equipment Co – repair clamps 1,330.70

City of Wellman – water plant Oct gas 30.19

Wellman Telephone Company – water plant alarm 24.64

Yoder Heating & Plumbing – water leak at Young office 650.00

TOTAL 6,280.37

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 1,838.49

Alliant Energy – electric services/wastewater plant 1,362.02

Automatic Systems – repairs at plant 603.25

Glenn Guengerich – electric parts 49.00

Testamerica – wastewater testing 385.20

Treasurer State of Iowa – November sales tax 85.00

City of Wellman – wastewater plant Oct gas 18.90

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 67.12

TOTAL 4,408.98

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FUND

Payroll expense 389.95

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – Nov recycling 2,656.50

stickers sold 183.50

trash bags 2,553.00

new dumpster at maintenance shed 390.00

Reggie Tire – fuel 13.00

Trio Gas & Hardware – supplies 32.94

Wellman Auto Supply – parts/leaf vac 11.41

TOTAL 6,230.30

SENIOR DINING HAA FUND

Payroll expense 827.11

Freeman Foods – raw food 53.72

Freeman Foods – raw food 3.27

Hawkeye Foodservice – raw food & supplies 1,351.29

Standard Pest Control – December service 6.00

Mildred Whetstine – reimburse supplies,raw food 29.36

TOTAL 2,270.75

SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION FUND

Payroll expense 58.13

GRAND TOTAL 119,610.92

As the sheriff was not present to receive his report, the Council proceeded with consideration of Resolution No. 05-40 to establish impoundment fees for animals at large. It was decided to set fifty dollars as the fee for picking up a loose animal and twenty dollars per day for boarding the animal. Oldfield moved to adopt Resolution No. 05-40, Swartzendruber seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

LL Pelling Company submitted proposal for seal coat work on city streets for the summer of 2006. Base coat and single seal coat was up to $2.25 per square yard from $1.78 last year; single seal coat up to $1.25 per square yard from $0.89 last year and cold mix delivered and placed at $115 this year from $95 last year. Seward moved to approve the proposal, Swartzendruber seconded and all voted aye.

Ryan Miller addressed the possibility of forming an economic development committee. He attended a meeting recently and stated that he felt the local Wellman Improvement Group and other business organizations would be best to serve in this capacity and bring requests and projects to the City Council.

In general administrative discussion Seward asked if the runoff problems in Deer Meadows had been resolved. It was reported that Justin Meade had inspected and made suggestions for remedies. He has attempted to contact the property owner.

Goodrich asked why water ran all night on 3^rd Street from a water main break on December 2nd causing damage at Freeman Foods. Phil Slaubaugh stated a city worker had attempted to shut a valve down to slow the flow but the valve does not work properly to shut it completely off. The Mayor stated a trench box would be needed if the repair was to be made at night. Discussion ensued as to valve needs.

The Clerk reported Bill Lindley of Clayton Energy will have the new gas rate schedule to the City soon for Council consideration. He has asked approval to do forward purchasing of natural gas three to five years out. A city employee has a large medical bill that qualifies for the city benefit plan. The Clerk asked if this should be paid in a lump sum or monthly, based on the amount qualified each month. The Council preferred the monthly payments. It was also reported the survey taken with last month’s billing on customers who would use a credit card to pay their utility bill has resulted to date with seven using it monthly, nine using it occasionally and seventy six would never use it. The Council asked the Clerk to put together some proposals for comparisons to allow the Council to decide about offering this additional pay option. A resident on 9^th Street has requested the City vacate the adjoining alleyway that is the only access to his garage and back property. The Council agreed to hear the proposal which will be on the next agenda.

Seward reported receiving several complaints about snow mobiles driving on private property. They have also been on the golf course and North Park. This is prohibited. A notice will be placed in the paper and the sheriff’s department notified.

In the Public Forum George Miller Jr reported his sewer cleanout on 9^th Avenue was damaged during the street construction. He has done some repair and placed a plastic cover over it. He asked that the City allow him to maintain this sewer cleanout.

Ryan Miller asked about the cost of a water main break and if adding and replacing valves would be cost effective. He asked if a procedure was in place when there is a water main break. There is not.

Chief Deputy Darren Dennler arrived at the meeting. He reported there were nineteen calls of service for Wellman in November; two fender benders; two civil issues and dog complaints. The ongoing dog issue was discussed as well as snow mobile violations.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, December 19, 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.