May 7, 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’s Deputy Randy Tinnis, and eleven citizens.

     The consent agenda was approved upon motion by Goodrich, second by Seward and all aye votes. This included the agenda, minutes of the previous meetings and the bill list as follows:

Ace Electric

 

North Park ball lights

 

28,900.00

Action Services

 

South Park unit service

 

     160.00

Advanced Electric

 

power outage repairs

 

  3,648.97

AFLAC

 

employee benefit

 

     371.15

Alliant Energy

 

electric/all departments

 

  5,214.26

American Water Works Assn

 

membership

 

     292.00

Bancard Center

 

credit card charges

 

     360.21

Bank of America

 

credit card charges

 

     161.87

Barco Municipal Products

 

traffic paint

 

     127.36

City of Wellman

 

utilities

 

  1,535.88

City of Wellman Housing Fund

 

transfer from TIF funds

 

     800.14

Clayton Energy

 

April gas purchase

 

32,183.01

Cox Sanitation & Recycling

 

April recycling

 

  2,918.00

Douds Stone Inc

 

roadstone

 

     162.28

East Central Council of Governments

 

Feb/Mar administration

 

  1,920.00

Farner-Bocken Company

 

concessions

 

     317.81

Federation Bank

 

payroll taxes

 

  2,467.45

Fittings Unlimited

 

employee benefit

 

     281.57

Freeman Foods

 

reimburse&supplies

 

     214.58

Don Gingerich

 

TIF payment due

 

  1,719.20

Robert Grigsby

 

reimbursement

 

       75.00

Gorebner & Associates

 

gas line materials

 

  1,301.47

Glenn Guengerich

 

repairs

 

     171.00

H&H Foodservice

 

Senior Dining supplies

 

       44.50

Hawkeye Foodservice

 

Senior Dining supplies

 

     852.70

Home Gas Inc

 

parts

 

         7.80

Christine Huston

 

employee benefit

 

       40.00

Hy-Vee Pharmacy

 

employee benefit

 

     139.64

I Wireless

 

cell phones

 

     141.36

Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities

 

meeting fees

 

     415.00

IPERS

 

employee retirement

 

  1,926.45

Iowa Section AWWA Region

 

meeting fees

 

       35.00

J and N Enterprises

 

CGI repair

 

     140.26

J&S Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning

 

senior center repair

 

       73.00

Kalonial Lawn Care

 

April park mowings

 

  1,500.00

Koch Brothers

 

copier maintenance

 

     933.30

Martin Equipment of IA-IL

 

backhoe parts

 

     181.45

Mellinger Cabinet Shop

 

electric/fire siren

 

       15.00

Mercy Hospital of Iowa City

 

employee benefit

 

       69.00

Miller's Medicine Cabinet

 

employee benefit

 

       74.11

Parkview Manor

 

reimbursement

 

       35.00

Paws & More

 

May contribution

 

     200.00

Payroll Expense 

 

transfers

 

11,172.73

Petty Cash Fund

 

supplies

 

6.00

Reggie Tire

 

fuel, repairs

 

     512.90

Richard Oldfield II

 

employee benefit

 

     581.40

Standard Pest Control

 

May service

 

       15.00

TestAmerica

 

wastewater testing

 

     537.66

Thrapp Electric

 

repairs

 

     148.75

Tindall and Kitchen

 

city attorney fees

 

     308.00

Treasurer State of Iowa

 

state wht & sales tax

 

  3,221.00

Trio Gas & Hardware

 

supplies

 

     404.33

Tyler Technolgies

 

annual software support

 

  4,697.80

Videomaker Conference

 

Thurman registration

 

     139.00

Donna Wade

 

reimbursement

 

       77.80

Washington County Auditor

 

May law contract

 

  5,493.81

Wellman Advance

               

publications

 

     360.89

Wellman Auto Supply

 

parts,repairs

 

     249.51

Wellmark

 

payroll deduction

 

       13.72

Wellman Telephone Co

 

phone services

 

     457.50

Wellman Volunteer Fire Department

 

1/2 annual budget

 

  5,000.00

Mildred Whetstine

 

reimbursement

 

     105.80

Yoder Heating & Plumbing

 

parts

 

       10.95

    TOTAL EXPENDITURES

 

 

 

125,630.38

     Deputy Tinnis left a report of calls of service for Wellman. Goodrich asked that additional patrols be made at Circle Drive as the stop sign is not being observed.

     In the matter of a funding request for the Lake Darling project, it was council consensus the funds were not available at this time. The Council will look at the new budget cycle to see if any funds might be available then.

     John Schwartz, contractor to restore the old dime store building in the downtown area, was present to show plans proposed to include a new senior dining site in that building. Schwartz has had an association agreement drawn up for review to include all the condo areas of the renovated space. The senior center will be housed in the north area, middle section will be a new pharmacy and the south section professional offices with a common hallway and restroom space. The Senior Center Commission will meet on Tuesday to go over the association agreement and set a date for a public meeting to answer questions from citizens concerning this project.

     Discussion was opened on the proposed Urban Renewal District Amendment. None of the governing entities were present to respond to this proposal.

     James Miller, President of the Parks and Recreation Board, reported the Eagle Scout project to construct a bridge across Flint Creek should be done by the end of the month. The Board has ordered a double gliding swing for Wishard Park from a local contractor. This will be placed on a cement base and should be completed by the end of this month. The new playground equipment has been ordered with installation scheduled for June 8 starting at 8am. Volunteers will be needed to help construct the unit.

     The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended to the Council that the building permit fee for the John Schwartz renovation project be waived due to the fact his restoring the building has saved the City thousands of dollars that would have been spent to have it demolished. Kitchen stated as the zoning ordinance reads now, the Council cannot waive permit fees. An amendment to the ordinance would be required. The Council agreed this would be important to do as other future projects might also be helped in similar circumstances. Kitchen will prepare an amendment. In other Planning and Zoning business Colleen Higgans reviewed with the Commission her plans to purchase land from George Kisner where her mobile home is located. The area will be surveyed and platted before further action is taken on the purchase.

     Ordinance 189 to amend the Code of Ordinances to regulate small motorized vehicles was introduced and caused to be read for its second consideration. Mr. and Mrs. Phil Wenger were present to voice their concerns about the mention of motorized wheel chairs. The ordinance will require a licensed driver to operate the small vehicles. Their child is too young for licensing and has no other mode of transportation. Kitchen suggested amending the ordinance to state exceptions for medically required mode of transportation. Goodrich moved to approve amending the ordinance as suggested. Fisher seconded and all voted aye. Seward was concerned about young people who mow lawns with riding mowers. Miller discussed the ordinance with a couple of the deputies who suggested limiting the equipment requirements as outlined in section 77.03. It now requires a slow moving vehicle sign plus one of three other safety devices. It was suggested changing the requirement to only one of the four listed safety devices. With that Swartzendruber moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 189 with the suggested changes. Goodrich seconded the motion and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.

     Resolution No. 07-16 to recognize the Lela Goodwin bequest to the community was introduced and caused to be read. Swartzendruber moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-16, Oldfield seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.

     LL Pelling presented a proposal for summer street chip and seal work for a cost of $28,946.70. They plan to start this week. Discussion was held on Shamrock’s proposal for last year’s work, which has not yet been completed. Mayor Miller has talked to them and was told they plan to come the first week of June. After further discussion Oldfield moved to approve the Pelling bid for additional street work. Swartzendruber seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     One of the properties that was awarded a housing rehab grant is applying for refinancing. Because of this, the bank is asking the city to subordinate its lien from the rehab project in favor of the bank. Seward moved to approve the subordination, Oldfield seconded and all voted aye.

     The draft employment agreement submitted by David Ross was reviewed. Several changes were made to the agreement with Attorney Kitchen being asked to revise the agreement accordingly. Goodrich moved to approve the agreement based on changes made and authorize the Mayor to enter into the agreement, by his signature, with Mr. Ross. Oldfield seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     In the matter of yardwaste disposal it was suggested a committee study some options in dealing with it. Goodrich stated he had resolved the issue by contacting his brother who lives in a rural area. He is willing to take the yardwaste and will burn it periodically.

     Under general administrative discussion Swartzendruber asked about the flag pole at North Park. The Mayor said city workers were trying to get the part needed for it. Also discussed was the water main break on 3rd Street that occurred today.

Goodrich asked about the running water at the intersection of Fir Avenue and 2nd Street. That will be checked out.

     With no further business the council entered into closed session at 8:50pm to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent/possible. At 9:03pm Seward moved to enter back into open session, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye. Oldfield moved for adjournment, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, May 21, 2007 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

 

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.