January 2, 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 Attorney, City Clerk and following Council Members: Richard Oldfield, Robert Goodrich, James Seward, Karri Fisher, and Robert Swartzendruber; absent: no one. Also present were Mary Coblentz from the news media, Sheriff Jerry Dunbar and twelve citizens.

The Consent Agenda was presented with Oldfield moving, Seward seconding and all voting aye to approve including: the Agenda, approval of minutes of the previous meeting, approval of bill list, the annual appointments, and approval of acknowledgement for the Eastern Iowa Sled Heads IDOT snowmobile route.

Annual Appointments are as follows:

Mayoral Appointments:

Mayor Pro Tem Richard Oldfield

Washington County Emergency Management Committee Ryan Miller

Washington County Communications Board Ryan Miller

Washington County E911 Board Ryan Miller

Administrative Officer for Gas Department James Seward

Administrative Officer for Water/Sewer Departments Robert Goodrich

Administrative Officer for Streets and Alleys Robert Swartzendruber

Administrative Officer for Parks and Recreation Karri Fisher

Administrative Officer for Solid Waste Disposal Richard Oldfield

Mayoral Appointments as approved by Council:

City Attorney Daniel Kitchen

Library Board of Trustee Council Liaison Robert Goodrich

Parks & Recreation Board Council Liaison Karri Fisher

Cable Commission Council Liaison Robert Swartzendruber

Cable Commission Board Member to fill vacancy Robert Hopper

Rex Link

Board of Adjustment to fill vacancy Milton Schmida

Council Appointments:

City Clerk/Treasurer Donna Wade

Utility Clerk Christine Huston

Zoning Administrator Don Gingerich

Water Superintendent/Operator & Gas Superintendent Phil Slaubaugh

Wastewater Superintendent/Operator & Asst Gas Supt Rich Oldfield

Street Superintendent Rich Oldfield

Parks Co-Superintendents Teresa Lampe

Mark Farrier

Meter Reader Mark Farrier

Senior Dining Commission Council Member Richard Oldfield

P & Z Commission & Board of Adjustment Council Liaison Richard Oldfield

City Official Publication The Wellman Advance

Bills approved for payment are as follows:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUND

FIRE PROTECTION:

Reggie Tire – fuel 41.25

City of Wellman – fire station Nov gas 270.58

POLICE PROTECTION:

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 30.21

Washington County Auditor – Jan law contract 5,493.80

TRAFFIC SAFETY:

Alliant Energy – flashing highway light 16.91

CIVIL DEFENSE:

Alliant Energy – weather siren 16.54

Mellinger Cabinet Shop – fire siren Jan electric 15.00

ANIMAL CONTROL:

Paws & More – Jan payment 200.00

LIBRARY SERVICES:

Payroll expense 2,085.17

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 53.01

PARKS & RECREATION:

Payroll expense 824.25

Alliant Energy – Christmas lights 56.26

Teresa Lampe – reimburse for Christmas supplies 34.20

Menards – supplies 74.24

Wellman Telephone Company – cell phone 165.95

SENIOR DINING:

Payroll expense 298.20

Alliant Energy – Senior Center electric 246.48

PLANNING & ZONING:

Wellman Advance – public hearing notice 12.88

LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense 361.45

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:

Payroll expense 335.45

CITY HALL:

Payroll expense 84.82

Standard Pest Control – Jan service 9.00

City of Wellman – Municipal Building Nov gas 121.88

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 125.23

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Assn – annual dues 30.00

Louisa Publishing Co – receipt books 199.00

Petty Cash – postage to mail centennial book 2.12

Pitney Bowes – quarterly postage meter charge 390.00

Wellman Advance – publications 617.28

PAYROLL TAXES & DEDUCTIONS:

AFLAC 79.50

Federation Bank – fed wht & fica/medicare 2,688.42

IPERS – employee retirement fund 1,994.19

Treasurer State of Iowa – state wht 687.00

Wellmark – payroll deduction 152.00

I Wireless – employee portion of cell phone use 20.00

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT:

AFLAC 258.50

Dr. Catharine Farinelli 154.00

HyVee Pharmacy 89.99

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUND:

Federation Bank – interest due on 9^th Ave north loan 5,955.28

STREETS & SIDEWALKS/TAX CREDIT FUND:

Alliant Energy – electric service 235.17

Iwireless – city work cell phones 78.85

City of Wellman – Nov city utility services 286.36

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 20.50

CABLE CHANNEL:

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 29.09

RECREATION CENTER:

Payroll Expense 213.28

ADT – security service 45.37

Alliant Energy – electric service 266.04

Colbert Carpet Care – skate rink carpet cleaned 178.97

Farner-Bocken – concession items 545.59

I Wireless – Lampe cell phone 42.70

Teresa Lampe – reimburse for soft drinks 48.58

Mahaska Bottling – concession items 162.70

Treasurer State of Iowa – December sales tax 119.00

City of Wellman – skating rink Nov services 331.96

Wellman Advance – five ads 39.40

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 28.89

TOTAL 26,962.49

ROAD USE TAX FUND

Payroll Expense 204.37

Frieden Dirt Work – balance due on cement hauling, etc 3,249.00

Kalona Tire – new tires road grader & backhoe 2,623.74

Midwest Curb Grinding – Hoyleman curb on 9^th Avenue 175.00

TOTAL 6,252.11

GAS SYSTEM FUND

Payroll Expense 2,521.21

Groebner & Associates – partial order/repair tools 412.60

Iowa Utilities Board – fy assessment balance due 97.41

Municipal Gas System – rebates 125.00

Pitney Bowes – 1/3 postage for meter 300.00

Treasurer State of Iowa – December sales tax 1532.00

Treasurer State of Iowa – 4^th Quarter use tax 250.00

Wellman Telephone Co – new phone to city workers 15.95

TOTAL 5,254.17

WATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll Expense 2,414.42

Alliant Energy – electric services 529.90

Pitney Bowes – 1/3 postage for meter 300.00

Reggie Tire – fuel 78.60

Treasurer State of Iowa – December sales tax 988.00

City of Wellman – water plant Nov gas 71.04

Wellman Telephone Co – new phone to city workers 15.95

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 23.21

TOTAL 4,421.12

WASTEWATER SYSTEM FUND

Payroll Expense 2,148.71

Pitney Bowes – 1/3 postage for meter 300.00

Reggie Tire – fuel 74.20

TestAmerica – wastewater testing 422.60

Treasurer State of Iowa – December sales tax 104.00

City of Wellman – disposal plant Nov gas 34.54

Wellman Telephone Co – new phone to city workers 15.95

Wellman Telephone Company – phone services 65.27

TOTAL 3,165.27

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

Payroll Expense 137.92

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – stickers sold 78.50

Cox Sanitation & Recycling – Dec recycling 2789.10

TOTAL 3,005.52

SENIOR DINING HAA FUND

Payroll Expense 916.31

Freeman Foods – raw food 53.05

H&H Foodservice – raw food 224.81

Hawkeye Foodservice – raw food & supplies 845.59

Standard Pest Control – Jan service 6.00

Wellman Telephone Company – phone service 19.41

Mildred Whetstine – reimburse for raw food,postage 11.66

TOTAL 2,076.83

SENIOR DINING COMMISSION FUND

Payroll Expense 61.24

GRAND TOTAL 51,198.75

Sheriff Dunbar distributed a report showing the history of all calls to county towns for the past five years as well as for the month of December. He noted today was the last day of service for Supervisor Dillon. He expressed his appreciation for the support the City Council voted in for financial assistance in purchasing a speed trailer. He stated they will not need the funding now as the County roads department has offered assistance in purchasing this which will help in measuring traffic flows in new rural subdivisions. The camera they would like to have is too costly to purchase now but they will plan to add that at a later date. The jail project continues to progress with the roof going on soon. Goodrich asked how to deter trucks from using 7^th Avenue, as they drive from Casey’s north to turn around at the Heritage Park. He would like them ticketed. Dunbar indicated it would be hard to enforce if there is not a sign posted for “No Trucks”.

Library Board of Trustee President, Gene Scott presented their request for library funding for fy08. They are looking at about a three-percent increase for employee wages with the exception of one clerk which is getting slightly more to bring her wage closer to other hourly rates. The only other increases are two-hundred dollars for supplies and five-hundred dollars for books line items. Over all the increase is approximately $2,500 more. The Council will take this under advisement when finalizing the budget.

During the Public Forum Max Lewis noted the need for a Library Foundation to help in funding improvements. He asked about the bridge inspection and stated the Ginkgo Avenue bridge must be maintained. In walking in North Park he noticed the scoreboard is on and asked that it be disconnected. He expressed concern from recent rains that flooded property on 8^th Street noting that the City needs to obtain the waterway to the south in order to maintain better water drainage. The grating in this waterway just off of 7^th Street needs to be repaired.

Ordinance No. 187 to establish a City Administrator position was introduced and caused to be read. Attorney Kitchen briefly clarified the language in the ordinance in relation to state statute on a City Manager position noting many cities with administrators use the same language. With that Goodrich moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 187, Swartzendruber seconded and upon roll call the votes were unanimous ayes.

At 7:25 Mayor Miller opened the Public Hearing on a rezoning request by Merrill Pearson for property at 194 3^rd Street. There were no comments from the public. Seward and Oldfield voiced their opposition to rezoning to allow for a mobile home. After a lengthy discussion Dennis Nygaard, President of the Planning & Zoning Commission stated the issues raised were the responsibility of the building inspector. He further stated the Planning & Zoning Commission only addressed the issue of changing the zoning and recommended doing so. After further discussion Mayor Miller closed the Public Hearing at 7:50pm. Goodrich moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 188 and Fisher seconded. Upon roll call the votes were: Swartzendruber, yes; Fisher, yes; Seward, no; Oldfield, no; Goodrich, yes.

A resolution to vacate a portion of 1^st Avenue to include the bridge was reviewed but not acted upon. A Public Hearing on this issue was set for January 15, 2007 at which time this issue will be addressed.

Resolution No. 07-01 to set mileage reimbursement rate at $0.485 was introduced and caused to be read. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-01, Oldfield seconded and upon roll call the votes were unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Attorney Kitchen reported on the ongoing issue with a subcontractor working on 9^th Avenue. Litigation is pending between the contractors. A bond has been obtained by DeLong to protect themselves and the City from payment should the subcontractor win his suit. They want the project closed out so litigation can begin. Kitchen recommended talking to the engineer about closing the project if this is the only outstanding issue since bond is now in place.

In the matter of the Special Exception request by the Pearsons to place a mobile home at 194 3^rd Street, the Council was asked to comment before the Board of Adjustment rules on the request. The main comment referred to the issue of the perimeter material being used for the mobile home. Concern was voiced that it be in compliance with the City’s ordinance requirements.

The Council was brought up to date on a request from Raymond Curl for an auto recycling license from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed his request for usage of property on 2^nd Street as well as on 5^th Street. The P & Z recommended allowing the usage as Curl had outlined based on the fact these properties were being used as such and grandfathered in at the time zoning was enacted. This was the consensus of the Council also.

The Council reviewed an estimate from ComputerDesign, Inc for replacing two systems in the clerk’s office and updating two other systems. The Clerk briefly reviewed the plan to build two identical systems to be used by the clerk and utility clerk to include mirrored hard drives for data protection and conversion of software and files from old systems to the new systems. The total cost estimate is $3,858.27. Oldfield moved to approve the computer upgrade, Seward seconded and all voted aye.

Under general administrative discussion Mayor Miller noted the next regular meeting date falls on Martin Luther King Day. The Council concurred to hold the meeting on that day. Miller stated the tires recently placed on city equipment had been discounted by the vendor as requested.

Goodrich reaffirmed his position that all purchases should be done with local businesses as much as possible.

With no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm. The Council then entered into work session. Note: The agenda addendum to act on a resolution regarding a 2^nd Avenue plat was overlooked and will be addressed at the next meeting.

After a short recess the Council entered into work session at 8:25pm. Allen Leichty of the Wellman Area Foundation introduced the grant writer they have hired to obtain funding for the Parkside Activities Complex, Katherine Ollendieck. Mrs. Ollendieck gave a brief history of her work experience including economic development director of Benton County and a TIF industrial park project director. She stated her focus now is on grant writing working independently and noted several successful Vision Iowa grants she has written. She noted the recent two-million dollar grant awarded from the Riverboat Foundation for the complex is a big boost in getting the project moving forward. It will help in the next step of applying for a Vision Iowa grant. She emphasized the importance of the City Council supporting the project to be awarded the state funding. The Wellman Area Foundation is seeking other sources of revenue as well but the city needs to contribute funding also. The group is working with the Washington YMCA for operating the facility. The director, Darin Pickles, will be providing some operating budget figures for the Council at a later date. Mrs. Ollendieck will be returning to the Council to provide more information and answer questions in regard to moving forward with this project.

The Council then discussed the fy08 budget. The Clerk asked about employee wages and was told to calculate based on the same hourly increase for each employee as was done last year rather than a percentage increase. The casino revenue was also discussed. The first quarter revenue is being placed in the general fund to help build that needed reserve. Thereafter, a separate fund will be established by the Clerk to track all revenue and expenditures. Projects suggested to be funded by this revenue include the ball diamond lights and new playground equipment. The Council reviewed the list of projects and selected several to prioritize and budget for. The work session was adjourned at 9:40pm.

The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, January 15, 2007, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.