February 20, 2007

                                                                                                              Wellman, Iowa 52356

 

 

     The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 7:00pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with the City Clerk and following Council Members: Richard Oldfield, Robert Goodrich, Karri Fisher, and Robert Swartzendruber; absent: James Seward. Also present were Mary Coblentz from the news media and eight citizens.

     The Consent Agenda was presented with some brief questions on the bill list. With that Oldfield moved to approve the Consent Agenda to include the agenda, the minutes of the previous meeting and the list of bills for payment. Goodrich seconded the motion and all present voted aye. The bills approved are as follows:

     GENERAL GOVERNMENT

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense                                                                                                          2,322.57

Baker & Taylor Books – library books                                                                            70.18

Demco – library supplies                                                                                                128.11

Iowa Library Trustees Association – memberships                                                         205.00

Our Front Porch Books – library book                                                                            13.97

Staples – supplies                                                                                                            92.20

State Historical Society of Iowa – library book                                                                 19.95

WT Cox Subscriptions – annual magazine subscriptions                                                  520.34

Wellmark – Miller health insurance                                                                                 197.74

PARKS & RECREATION:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             669.05

SENIOR DINING:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             342.88

LEGAL SERVICES:

Tindall and Kitchen – legal fees                                                                                      768.00

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             113.98

Glenn Guengerich – repair ballast                                                                                     62.00

J&S Plumbing, Heating & Air Cond – repair lobby water fountain                                    90.00

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             376.12

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Computer Design – hard drive backup                                                                           210.80

Petty Cash – stamps                                                                                                          1.02

Quill Corporation – office supplies                                                                                 190.98

EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT:

Hy-Vee Pharmacy                                                                                                           19.90

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUND:

Capital Projects – transfer                                                                                         25,217.80

LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FUND:

Water Sinking Fund – transfer for debt service                                                          50,000.00

STREETS & SIDEWALKS TAX CREDIT FUND:

Gambles – supplies                                                                                                          24.58

CABLE CHANNEL:

Bancard Center – office supplies                                                                                    115.37

RECREATION CENTER FUND:

Payroll expense                                                                                                             207.70

ADT – March security service                                                                                         45.37

Teresa Lampe – reimburse for concession items                                                             404.75

Wellmark – employee insurance                                                                                         6.30

                                                                                        TOTAL                           82,436.66

9TH AVENUE NORTH STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

LL Pelling – final pay estimate                                                                                   25,217.80

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             888.31

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – Deer Meadows street lighting                                           45.45

Farmers Supply Sales – repair parts                                                                                 33.97

                                                                                         TOTAL                               967.73

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,473.17

Clayton Energy – January natural gas                                                                      101,678.82

Iowa Utilities Board – estimated 3rd quarter assessment                                                  119.00

Wellmark – employee insurance                                                                                  1,059.30

                                                                                         TOTAL                        104,330.29

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          2,233.88

Barco Municipal Products – 2 pair boots                                                                       226.75

Electric Pump – repairs                                                                90.47

Schimberg Co – water repair parts                                                                                 398.98

Wellman Telephone Co – repair cut phone line                                                            1,368.50

                                                                                        TOTAL                            4,318.58

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                          1,703.65

Eastern Iowa Light & Power – lift station                                                                  32.464.08

Glenn Guengerich – air compressor at wastewater plant                                                    20.00

Sewer Sinking Fund – ½ budgeted transfer for debt service                                       18,703.00

Wellmark – employee insurance                                                                                     204.04

                                                                                         TOTAL                          20,663.15

SENIOR DINING HAA FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                             941.95

SENIOR DINING COMMISSION FUND

Payroll expense                                                                                                               61.24

                                                                           GRAND TOTAL                      238,937.40

A report was expected from the fire department concerning last meeting’s proposal to change the bill payment procedure for fire department expenditures. No one was present from the department, therefore the item was tabled.

     During the Public Forum Bob Freeman, representing the Wellman Improvements Group, presented the city with a check for $500 as matching funds for the Trees Forever grant received for a city landscape assessment. He also presented a check in the amount of $1250 for half the cost of the downtown assessment recently conducted by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Freeman stated the WIG group is interested in holding another street dance for the July 4th celebration and will be returning to the council with this request.

     Resolution No. 07-05 to approve the job description for the City Administrator position was introduced and caused to be read. Swartzendruber moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-05, Goodrich seconded and upon roll call there were four aye votes, Seward absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     The 9th Avenue Street Improvement Project closing documents were presented. Resolution No. 07-06 to accept work covering the 9th Avenue Street Improvements Project was introduced and caused to be read. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-06, Oldfield seconded and upon roll call there were four aye votes, Seward absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Resolution No. 07-07 to Adopt Final Assessment Schedule for the 9th Avenue Street Improvements Project and Amending, Confirming and Levying the Assessments was introduced and caused to be read. Oldfield moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-07 to include an interest rate of 4.5% for unpaid installments of the assessments to property owners. Swartzendruber seconded the motion and upon roll call the vote was: Swartzendruber, aye; Goodrich, aye; Oldfield, aye; Fisher, abstain; Seward, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     A brief discussion was help on TIF funding for the Parkside Activities Center. Further information is needed from bonding attorney John Danos before the level of future TIF funding will be determined. Resolution No. 07-08 to approve Intent Regarding the Financing Plan for the Wellman Parkside Activities Center was introduced and caused to be read. The Resolution provides for use of Tax Increment Financing funds, Local Option Sales Tax Funds and Washington County Riverboat Foundation funds to pay for the City’s commitment to the project. No dollar amount was established. After further discussion, Oldfield moved to vote on adoption of Resolution No. 07-08. Swartzendruber seconded and upon roll call the vote was three ayes; Oldfield, no; Seward, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     There has been ongoing discussion about moving forward with a sewer liner for the sewer main on 9th Avenue as this has been identified to have substantial rainwater infiltration. Justin Meade of Hart-Frederick has indicated the cost will be approximately $80,000. Funds will come from TIF, LOST and the sewer revenue fund. Swartzendruber moved to proceed with the project, Oldfield seconded and all voted aye.

     Gingerich Well Service contacted the City in regards to the ongoing problem with pumps at the new well site. This is due to electric service not being within the lowered perimeters needed for the type of pump in use. Alliant is unwilling to adjust the voltage to meet the pump requirements as it is “within their tolerance of 10% that they promised to supply”. A 3-5% is required for these pumps. After discussion, Swartzendruber moved to approve Option #4 as outlined in Gingerich’s letter: Change the current soft starter to a VFD, which will condition the power to be within tolerance. Cost of $14,255. Oldfield seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

     Resolution No. 07-09 was introduced and caused to be read to set a date for a public hearing to receive comments on a loan agreement for new lighting at North Park east ball field. Swartzendruber moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-09 to hold the Public Hearing on March 5, 2007, 7:00pm. Goodrich seconded the motion and upon roll call the votes were unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

     Swartzendruber moved to set the date for a Public Hearing on the fy08 budget for Monday, March 12, 2007, 7:00pm. Oldfield seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     Swartzendruber moved to set the date for a Public Hearing on the fy07 budget amendment for Monday, March 12, 2007, 7:00pm. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     Under General Administrative discussion Goodrich suggested the Council request proposals from engineering firms for their services on City projects.

Mayor Miller reported he, some council members, and city staff met with a firm to look at completing GIS mapping for the city’s infrastructure. They will be sending a proposal. He complemented city workers on the snow removal and water main breaks during severe cold weather as well as Lampe on the many activities being held at the rink, Huston for reading meters when workers were busy with water issues and Wade on her efforts with the budget, electric municipalization and other projects.

He indicated a party is finalizing purchase of the old dime store buildings on main street with the plan to renovate and offer space for business or other activities.

Miller has discussed options for down town improvements with Ed Raber of WEDG. Raber suggested setting up an Urban Revitalization District to fund improvements through TIF or other grants.

     With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, March 5, 2007, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

 

 

 

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.