January 7, 2008

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 Administrator, City Clerk and following Council members: Robert Goodrich, Karri Fisher, Marc Pennington, Steve Slaubaugh, and Matt Latcham; absent: on one. Also present were Mary Coblentz and Kristie Schulman from the news media, Deputy Darrin Dennler and nine citizens. Mayor Miller called the meeting to order welcoming new Council Members Slaubaugh and Latcham.

The Consent Agenda was presented with discussion held on Goodrich asking if Item 9 was okay with everyone. This item deals with a resolution to approve wages for a contract worker and increasing Lampe’s wages temporarily as they are covering some public works and maintenance duties in the absence of Oldfield and resignation of Slaubaugh. Goodrich indicated he thought the wage was a bit high for part time temporary employees. Ross stated that these individuals are being trained for gas leak detection, gas shut off and line locates among other things. The contract worker is set at $15 per hour but will have no other benefits. After further discussion the item was left on the agenda with Slaubaugh moving to approve the consent agenda, Pennington seconding and all voting aye. This approval included the Agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, the bill list, approval of renewal for Freeman Foods’ beer, wine and Sunday Sales permit and the annual appointments. Miller pointed out some council liaison positions are still open and requested members contact him to volunteer to serve on one of the city boards. The appointments are as follows:

Mayoral Appointments:

Mayor Pro Tem Robert Goodrich

Washington County Emergency Management Committee Ryan Miller

Washington County Communications Board Ryan Miller

Washington County E911 Board Ryan Miller

Administrative Officer for Gas, Water/Sewer, Streets & Alleys, Parks &

Recreation, and Solid Waste Departments David Ross

Mayoral Appointments as approved by Council:

City Attorney Daniel Kitchen

Library Board of Trustee Council Liaison Open

Parks & Recreation Board Council Liaison Open

Cable Commission Council Liaison Open

Cable Commission Board Member to fill vacancy Alberta Walker

Jared Schneider

Parks & Recreation Board Member to fill vacancy Kim Stout

Council Appointments:

City Clerk/Treasurer Donna Wade

Utility Clerk Christine Huston

Zoning Administrator Don Gingerich

Water Superintendent/Operator Open

Wastewater Superintendent/Operator Rich Oldfield

Gas Superintendent Open

Asst Gas Superintendent Rich Oldfield

Street Superintendent Rich Oldfield

Parks Superintendent Teresa Lampe

Senior Dining Commission Council Member Open

P & Z Commission & Board of Adjustment Council Liaison Open

City Official Publication The Wellman Advance

The bills approved for payment are as follows:

Advanced Water Technology	polyquest	337.20
AFLAC	employee benefit	371.15
Alliant Energy	electric/all departments	5,253.38
Bob Boyse & Sons	hauling,cement break	1,316.25
City of Wellman	utilities	901.25
Clayton Energy	December natural gas	101,268.73
Duane Covington	operator service fee	1,500.00
Cox Sanitation & Recycling	Dec recycling & stickers	2,769.25
Demco	library supplies	230.70
Dorsey & Whitney	legal fees	2,007.00
Federation Bank	payroll taxes	3,462.22
Freeman Foods	supplies	322.17
Hawkeye Foodservice	supplies	1,398.18
Hawkeye Ready Mix	geosalt	1,305.40
Hawkins Inc	water treatment chemicals	324.85
H&H Foodservice	supplies	140.45
Chris Huston	reimbursement	81.83
Hygienic Laboratory	water testing	81.00
Hy-Vee Pharmacy	employee benefit	25.00
Institute of Public Affairs	Policy Leaders' hndbooks	112.50
Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities	fees & services	3,289.41
Iowa Municipal Finance Officers	membership	30.00
IPERS	employee retirement	2,487.26
I Wireless	cell phones	125.26
Kalona Builders	supplies	183.40
Martin Equipment	roadgrader parts	578.12
Mayberry Electric	wastewater plant repairs	242.04
Matt Parrott & Sons	minutes book	163.82
Susan McClellen	reimbursement	162.13
Mellinger Cabinet Shop	electric/fire siren	15.00
Miller's Medicine Cabinet	employee benefit	45.20
Ryan Miller	Dec mileage	19.40
Municipal Gas System	deposit refunds&rebates	330.70
Municipal Water System	deposit refunds	230.70
William Nickell	/Dec & Jan lease payment	300.00
Northern Water Works Supply	meter reading equipment	8,881.89
Paws & More	January contribution	200.00
Payroll Expense	transfers	16,529.59
Petty Cash Fund	supplies, postage	39.28
Proforma	laser checks	180.20
Quill Corporation	office supplies	142.94
Reggie Tire	fuel,repairs	1,292.05
River Products Company	sand	106.61
Dave Ross	mileage,meals,reimbursmt	520.18
Schnoebelen Inc	parts,repairs	24.09
Shive-Hattery	architect fees	150,720.23
Standard Pest Control	January service	15.00
TestAmerica	wastewater testing	430.13
Tindal & Kitchen	attorney fees	1,071.00
Trio Gas & Hardware	supplies,repairs	136.08
Treasurer State of Iowa	state wht & sales tax	3,739.00
Donna Wade	mileage	18.82
Washington County Auditor	Jan law contract	5,941.08
Washington Economic Development Grp	contribution	1,000.00
Washingont County Recorder	recording fees	17.00
Wellman Advance	publications	186.77
Wellman Auto Supply	parts,repairs	465.72
Wellman Telephone Company	phone services	455.37
Wellmark	payroll deduction	129.62
Mildred Whetstine	reimbursement	28.17
TOTAL EXPENDITURES		323,344.57

Deputy Darrin Dennler was present to report from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. The forty calls of service received in December matched November’s numbers. The DJ’s Café breakin case is still open. There was nothing else for the Sheriff’s office.

The WATV annual report was tabled until a later meeting.

Resolution No. 08-01 to approve the Iowa City Press-Citizen as an additional publication newspaper for the City of Wellman was introduced and caused to be read. Pennington moved to adopt Resolution No. 08-01, Slaubaugh seconded and upon roll call the votes were unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Resolution No. 08-02 to approve a 28E agreement between the City of Wellman and the Mid-Prairie School District was introduced and caused to be read. Ross noted some minor changes in the agreement. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 08-02, Fisher seconded. Upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Resolution No. 08-03 to approve a 28E agreement between the City of Wellman and The Mid-Prairie School District in regard to use of the gymnasium at the Parkside Activities Center was introduced and caused to be read. Pennington move to adopt Resolution No. 08-03, Latcham seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Resolution No. 08-04 to set the mileage reimbursement rate at $0.505 per mile was introduced and caused to be read. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 08-04, Fisher seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Resolution No. 08-05 to approve temporary contract workers and temporary employee pay adjustment. It was noted this was a month to month situation and only temporary. The resolution provides for a contract worker, Duane Covington to manage the water and wastewater plants at $1,500 per month, Bob Swartzendruber to work in general maintenance and streets at $15 per hour with no benefits. In addition, Teresa Lampe’s hourly rate will increase to $13.70 per hour during the time she has additional response-bilities in the public works departments. Slaubaugh moved to adopt Resolution No. 08-05, Pennington seconded and upon roll call all voted aye.

Under General Administrative Discussion, Mayor Miller reminded members of the Iowa League of Cities workshop this Thursday night.

Slaubaugh asked about the piles of branches to be picked up from the last ice storm. This will be done as weather allows.

Ross reported the pop machine at North Park was burglarized a week ago with money and some pop being stolen. The machine has been removed until spring.

LL Pelling presented a bid for summer chip & seal work which reflected slightly higher rates over last year. Goodrich moved to approve the bid, Fisher seconded and all voted aye.

The Council held a brief discussion on recruitment for a City maintenance worker to fill the position vacated with the resignation of Phil Slaubaugh. Ads will be placed with the Wellman Advance, the League of Cities, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and some area papers based on the cost. The Council has given Ross authority to recruit as he feels appropriate.

No one spoke in the Public Forum.

At 7:25pm Goodrich moved to adjourn and enter into a work session. Fisher seconded and all voted aye.

After a brief recess the Council reconvened at 7:36pm to discuss various budget matters. Ross distributed the council project priority rankings that had been done at an earlier work session. He is working on a five-year capital plan that will involve setting funds aside each year to help fund the projects.

Use of TIF funds were also discussed with Ross wanting to transfer some of the current TIF debt into General Obligation Debt to free up TIF for other projects.

Priorities include paving the city parking lot and adjoining alley, Ionics water softening system for the water plant and GIS mapping.

The Council briefly discussed the city engineer issues concluding they would like to look at other engineers for the next project.

Ross passed out brochures he is working on for economic development purposes. He wants to provide some TIF grants for downtown improvements as well as tax rebates and other incentives.

After further discussion the work session adjourned at 8:50pm. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, January 21, 2007, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.