June 4, 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 Administrator, City Attorney, City Clerk and following City Council Members: Richard Oldfield, Robert Goodrich, James Seward, and Robert Swartzendruber; absent: Karri Fisher. Also present were Mary Coblentz from the news media, Sheriff Dunbar, Engineer Justin Meade, and eleven citizens.
The Consent Agenda was presented noting the attachment. After reviewing the bill list, Swartzendruber moved to approve the consent agenda, Oldfield seconded and all present voted aye. This included a public hearing and bid letting for the 9th Avenue sewer liner project, the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, the bill list, cigarette sales permit renewal for Reggie Tire and approval of payment of medical bills for injuries incurred by a citizen. The bills approved for payment are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
The Public Hearing to receive comments on the construction of the 9th Avenue Sewer Lining Project was opened at 7:05. As there were no written or oral comments the hearing was promptly closed. Resolution No. 07-19 to approve the Plans, Specifications, and Form of Contract for the project was introduced and caused to be read. Swartzendruber moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-19, Oldfield seconded and upon roll call the vote was four ayes; Fisher, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.
Justin Meade of Hart-Frederick Consultants then opened the two bids received. Municipal Pipe and Tool of Hudson, Iowa, bid was $63,075.50 and Insituform Technologies of Chesterfield, MO, bid $57,478.00. Resolution No. 07-20 to approve the award of the contract contingent on the engineer’s review of bids and recommendation was introduced and caused to be read. Oldfield moved to adopt Resolution No. 07-20, Seward seconded and upon roll call the vote was four ayes; Fisher, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.
There were no reports from the Parks and Recreation Board or Planning and Zoning Commission.
During the Public Forum Jim Millice reported damage to his camper from low hanging trees on 6th Avenue. He asked who was responsible for trimming the trees in city easements along the streets. The City Code on tree trimming was found and read by the City Attorney which indicated the City trims the trees to 15 feet above street level. This will be addressed by city staff.
Tom Buckwalter asked about Shamrock Construction doing chip and seal work on city streets. He needs to know when his cars will need to be moved for this work. Ross will work with Buckwalter to coordinate.
Ordinance No. 190 to provide for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the 2007 addition to the Wellman Urban Renewal Area was introduced and caused to be read for its second consideration. Goodrich moved to approve the second reading, waive the third reading and final adopt Ordinance No. 190. Seward seconded the motion and upon roll call there were four aye votes; Fisher, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.
Sheriff Dunbar arrived at 7:25pm to receive comments and concerns from the Council. He reported forty-two calls of service for the month in Wellman. The new jail facility is moving along but remains two to three weeks behind schedule. Dunbar was told of a concern a citizen reported on the speed of semis traveling through Wellman on Highway 22. He suggested bringing the speed trailer and posting it on the highway to help reduce speeds.
Ordinance No. 191 to amend the Zoning Ordinance regarding waiver of certain building permit fees was introduced and caused to be read for the second consideration. Swartzendruber moved to adopt Ordinance No. 191 for the second reading, waive the third reading and final adopt. Goodrich seconded the motion and upon roll call the vote was four ayes; Fisher, absent. The Mayor affixed his signature.
In General Administrative discussion Seward voiced his concern about a call he received last Saturday concerning lack of adult supervision at the skate rink. He was told this had been handled.
Swartzendruber commented on several properties needing cleaned up by July 4th. The Administrator will be working on this issue.
Oldfield asked that 1st Street chip and seal work be extended to include the section at the east end to where it meets 2nd Street. He also asked about the proposed water shutoff valves that were to be installed. It was suggested that four be done.
Goodrich asked that the alley between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue have some repair work done.
Miller reported the water valve at the Schwartz downtown building project is bent and unable to provide water to the site. He suggested the city may want to help with this project by using TIF dollars to do the ADA curb drop, water, sewer, and sidewalk. He also announced KCII will do a live remote at North Park to help dedicate the new baseball lights and the new play equipment that will be set up on June 8 by local volunteers.
The Senior Center Commission has three expired terms on this board. Vera Yoder and Betty Nichols have both agreed to serve another term. Oldfield moved to appoint Yoder and Nichols for a second term, Seward seconded and all voted aye. Swartzendruber, by motion, nominated Leroy Powell to fill the third vacancy, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye.
In the matter of the Senior Center Project for the downtown building, Kitchen reported an additional four feet has been added to the back side of the building to allow an enclosed entrance for the upstairs apartments. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions was presented with Goodrich moving to accept the declaration to include the changes made. Oldfield seconded the motion and all voted aye. It was noted the Commission had voted to recommend the center’s name be changed to Goodwin Senior Center.
Ross requested approval to advertise for volunteers to update the city’s website. Goodrich moved to approve the advertisement, Swartzendruber seconded and all voted aye.
Ross also asked to employ a person for meter reading, perhaps at a flat rate. Goodrich suggested looking at incorporating an animal control person with this position. Ross has discussed with the Kalona Administrator the possibility of sharing an animal control person but has not heard back yet as to Kalona’s position. Oldfield moved to approve Ross drafting a job description for a meter reader. There was no second but consensus of the council to move forward with this position.
The council briefly discussed the delinquent accounts which total $30,350. Ross will look at collection agencies and other options to reduce this ongoing issue.
The Parkside Activities Complex project goes before the Vision Iowa Board again on June 13. The City will need to provide a copy of the fy06 audit to the board but this audit is not yet complete. The auditors have agreed to provide at least a draft of the audit. CDBG and the USDA staff have agreed preconstruction work may begin. This would include tree removal, water main moved as well as the sidewalk. It was decided to have city workers remove the gas line in the area but leave all other work to be part of the contract.
Repairs are needed in the ceiling of the pedestrian walkway on the west side of mainstreet. Ross will contact the owner of the building to get the repairs done and discuss options with the City Attorney concerning this property.
At 8:21pm the Council entered into a work session to review the Administrator’s project priority list. Ross indicated he would work on the dog ordinance to update it, look into having a Design Review Board for construction and ask that the $15 fee be approved to nominate a local citizen for the Governor Volunteer Award through the Iowa League of Cities.
In the matter of goals, some of the ones listed for prioritizing were getting employee files, handbook and evaluations updated and completed; basic organization of the city; nuisance abatement; review and update all fees.
At approximately 8:50pm the meeting was adjourned. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, June 18, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.
Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk
subject to Council approval.