December 19, 2005

Wellman, Iowa 52356

The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building. Mayor Max Lewis presided with the City Attorney, 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, Attorney Jeff Powell and ten citizens.

The Agenda was approved upon motion by Goodrich, second by Seward and all aye votes.

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

The list of claims was reviewed. Discussion was held on the request from Phil Conaway for reimbursement for expenses regarding his backed up sewer line. He stated a plumber was called and it was discovered his service line was clear but there were clothing items lodged where the service line connected to the city main apparently causing the backup. After further discussion Swartzendruber moved to reimburse Conaway in the amount of $315, Kisner seconded and all voted aye. Swartzendruber then moved to pay the remaining claims as listed, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye. Approved claims for payment are as follows:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

FIRE PROTECTION:

Reggie Tire – fuel 40.00

ANIMAL CONTROL:

Max Lewis – mileage to Washington 15.39

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense 2,024.37

Baker & Taylor Books – library books 190.94

Steve Miller – reimburse for repairs & materials 47.65

State Library of Iowa – 3 trustee handbooks 15.00

Wellmark – Miller health insurance 218.88

PARKS & RECREATION:

Payroll expense 152.43

SENIOR CENTER:

Payroll expense 287.68

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense 135.23

Aramark Uniform Services – mop,towel,airfresh,mats 38.57

Petty Cash – cleaning supplies 5.82

ELECTIONS:

Washington County Auditor – cost of city election 391.79

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense 502.81

Wellmark – Wade insurance 413.63

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

ASI-Modulex – 2 nameplate desk bars 83.94

Proforma – laser checks 153.25

PAYROLL TAXES & DEDUCTIONS:

Federation Bank – fed wht & fica/medicare 3,257.24

CDBG HOUSING REHAB PROJECT:

ECICOG – administrative fees 1,440.00

STREETS & SIDEWALKS/TAX CREDIT FUNDS:

Bancard – tools purchased 42.77

Metal Works – material, repairs 57.44

LIBRARY SPECIAL FUNDS: Sitler Bequest Fund

Steve Miller – reimburse for books purchased 107.56

RECREATION CENTER FUND:

Payroll expense 699.07

Farner-Bocken Company – concession items 579.22

Teresa Lampe – reimburse for craft items, lights, etc 39.54

Mahaska Bottling Co – Pepsi products 64.00

Petty Cash – repairs to popcorn machine 80.00

CABLE CHANNEL:

Bancard – equipment 2,924.98

TOTAL 14,009.20

MAINTENANCE BUILDING PROJECT

Hart-Frederick Consultants – November engineering 930.94

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll expense 3,395.66

Central Parts Warehouse – snow plow parts 438.01

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – Deer Meadows street lighting 45.45

Ideal Ready Mix – sand for streets 16.13

Martin Equipment of IA-IL – parts to repair street grader 474.31

Municipal Gas System – loan repayment 9,000.00

Reggie Tire – fuel 828.65

TOTAL 14,198.21

9^TH AVENUE NORTH STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Hart-Frederick Consultants – November engineering 1,698.67

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 1,008.77

Clayton Energy – November natural gas purchase 74,202.28

Municipal Gas System – rebates to customer account 208.55

Wellmark – Slaubaugh health insurance 676.55

TOTAL 76,096.15

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 3,361.64

Douds Stone – 1” clean stone 583.48

Electric Pump – programmable pump 799.06

Reggie Tire – fuel 186.00

Wellmark – Farrier health insurance 198.84

Andrea Farrier insurance quarterly premium 1,676.10

TOTAL 6,805.12

9^TH AVENUE SOUTH WATER MAIN PROJECT

Hart-Frederick Consultants – November engineering 1,929.68

Seaton Construction – pay estimate #5 22,033.26

TOTAL 23,962.94

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense 1,255.33

Phil Conaway – reimburse for sewer line work 315.00

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – lift station 29.11

Plumbers Supply Co – repair parts 18.50

Reggie Tire – fuel 61.00

Wellmark – Oldfield insurance 218.88

TOTAL 1,897.82

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FUND

Payroll expense 36.80

SENIOR CENTER HAA FUND

Payroll expense 866.01

SENIOR CENTER DONATION FUND

Payroll expense 58.13

GRAND TOTAL 140,559.99

The November financial statement was reviewed and discussed. Swartzendruber moved to approve the statement, Oldfield seconded and all voted aye. Revenues for November are as follows:

NOVEMBER REVENUES

General Fund 9,569.17

Employee Benefit Tax Fund 1,176.50

Support Public Library Fund 338.73

Community Development Block Grant 21,521.00

Liability/Property Insurance 1,378.69

Local Option Sales Tax 5,185.44

Road Use Tax Fund 9,623.66

Tax Credit Reimbursement Fund 267.81

Tax Increment Financing Fund 4,527.29

Debt Service Fund 1,147.49

Library Services Fund 2,056.93

Recreation Center 2,306.97

Trust & Agency Funds 2,830.72

Capital Reserve Fund 150,274.41

Municipal Gas System Fund 33,573.39

Municipal Gas System CD 0.00

Municipal Water System Fund 21,507.14

Municipal Water Sinking Fund 8.97

Municipal Water System CD 130.12

Water Utility Capital Project 39,775.00

Municipal Sewer System Fund 13,243.26

Sewer Sinking Fund 62,558.63

Solid Waste Disposal Fund 5,332.60

Senior Dining HAA Fund 3,596.75

Senior Center Donation Fund 659.12

Senior Center CD 0.00

TOTAL NOVEMBER REVENUES 392,589.79

Freeman Foods filed a renewal permit for sale of carryout beer and wine and Sunday Sales. Oldfield moved to approve the permit, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye.

Jeff Bernard requested the City vacate the alleyway at his property off of 9^th Street. He owns lots on both sides of the alley which is the only access to his garage and back property. Oldfield stated his concern of closing portions of alleyways and how that might affect other residents adjoining it. Bernard stated he has made a lot of improvements to the area and would like to pave the alley to his property. After further discussion Goodrich moved to refer the issue to the Planning & Zoning Commission for study and recommendation. Oldfield seconded the motion and all voted aye.

Phil Slaubaugh was asked about bids for shelving and storage for the maintenance building. The bid received was unclear. Slaubaugh was asked to return with clear bids and costs for a tool chest. Also discussed was the need for an air compressor. Prices for those will also be sought. Seward moved to table the issue until the next meeting when this information will be available. Swartzendruber seconded and all voted aye.

Mayor Lewis presented a proposal to purchase a trench box for use when digging primarily for watermain leaks. After a brief discussion it was decided the City would rent Kalona’s unit when needed.

Clayton Energy has asked authorization to forward purchase natural gas out three to five years due to the volatility of the gas market at present. Seward moved to approve authorization for forward purchasing, Oldfield seconded and four members voted aye, Kisner voted no.

The Wellman Advance approached the City to include a holiday greeting in their special section of the newspaper. The consensus was not to do so.

As the next regular City Council meeting falls on a holiday, Oldfield moved to set Wednesday, January 4, 2006 as the next meeting. Swartzendruber seconded and all voted aye.

In general administrative discussion Mayor Lewis asked Slaubaugh about the Iowa Department of Natural Resources notice of violation due to wastewater reports not being filed in a timely manner. Slaubaugh reported they have been sent to the IDNR. Council members and the Clerk thanked Swartzendruber and Lewis for their time of service to the community as this is their last meeting.

Attorney Jeff Powell reported on curfew violation cases and asked the council consider amending the ordinance to better specify adult accompaniment of minors after curfew hours. He distributed a proposed draft for consideration.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be Wednesday, January 4, 2006, 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.