March 17, 2008

Wellman, IA 52356

The Wellman City Council met at the Wellman Emporium at 6:30pm to tour the new facility to include the senior dining center, pharmacy, medical clinic and professional offices. Johnny Schwartz, contractor led the tour consisting of Mayor Miller, Council Members, City Administrator, City Clerk, Allen Leichty, Larry Thurman, Mary Coblentz and Tim Groff. All street level units should be available for occupancy in early April. Following the tour, the group returned to the Municipal Building to reconvene 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: no one. Also present were Mary Coblentz and Tim Groff from the news media, and seventeen citizens.

The Consent Agenda was approved by motion from Slaubaugh, second from Latcham and all aye votes to include the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, the bill list and the January financial statement. The claims approved are as follows:

AFLAC	employee insurance	371.15
Baker & Taylor Books	library books	351.20
Kathy Carlson	mileage/reimbursements	131.63
Cox Sanitation & Recycling	supplies, stickers sold	1,822.63
Demco	library supplies	79.33
Dreams Unlimited	contract work	1,120.00
East Central Iowa Council of Govt	administration	336.00
Eastern Iowa Light and Power	street lighting,etc	85.35
Farm Plan/Farmers Supply Sales	parts & repairs	219.94
Federation Bank	fica,medicare,fed wht	4,828.36
Fisher Automotive	repairs	434.64
Freeman Foods	supplies	136.11
Glenn Guengerich	repairs	68.00
H & H Foodservice	supplies	248.29
Hart-Frederick Consultants	engineering	582.50
Hawkeye Foodservice	supplies	989.27
HydrView	sewer cleaning	4,280.00
Iowa Municipal Finance Officers	registration	100.00
IPERS	employee retirement	1,773.85
Teresa Lampe	reimbursement/supplies	270.05
Mahaska Bottling	concessions	206.00
Menards	supplies,repairs	323.21
Sandra Miller	mileage	31.31
Steve Miller	reimbursement/supplies	130.88
Municipal Gas System	customer deposit refunds	303.94
Municipal Water System	customer deposit refunds	152.22
One Source	background checks	37.50
Payroll Expenses	transfers	23,296.82
Petty Cash Fund	supplies&reimbursements	28.50
Pitney Bowes	quarterly meter rental	390.00
Quill Corporation	office supplies	63.98
Shive-Hattery	architect fees	95,959.06
Southeast Iowa Insurance Service	annual premium	38,858.00
Southeastern Library Service	library books	13.97
St Luke's Center for Occupational H	drug testing	72.00
Staples	library supplies	262.02
Bob Swartzendruber	contract work	1,721.25
Terra Enterprises	water break repairs,hauling	1,952.91
TestAmerica	wastewater testing	454.23
Tindall and Kitchen	city attorney fees	27.00
Treasurer State of Iowa	state wht & sales tax	5,818.00
Trio Gas & Hardware	supplies	77.51
Tristate Truck Equipment	sander parts	200.00
Washington County Hosp&Clinic	drug testing	111.00
Wellman Advance	publications	437.09
Wellman Automotive	repairs	102.41
Wellman Telephone Co	phone service	18.73
Wellmark	employee insurance	1,132.08
Mildred Whetstine	reimbursement/supplies	26.94
TOTAL EXPENDITURES		190,436.86

The January revenues approved are as follows:

General Fund	2,413.86
Special Tax Levy Funds	419.05
CDBG Sunrise Childcare Project	10,777.00
Street Assessment Fund	101.60
Local Option Sales Tax	10,113.98
Road Use Tax	11,525.04
Tax Credit Reimbursements	36.35
Tax Increment Financing Fund	121.98
Debt Service Fund	170.12
Library Services Funds	2,454.12
Parks & Recreation Funds	3,874.01
Cable Channel Fund	2,632.78
Senior Center Funds	2,981.68
Housing Improvement Fund	65.31
Capital Project Funds	151,038.39
Municipal Water Funds	19,304.66
Municipal Sewer Funds	15,766.42
Municipal Electric Fund	0.00
Municipal Gas Funds	64,018.70
Solid Waste Funds	5,778.04
TOTAL REVENUES	303,593.09

Shawn Powell of Southeast Iowa Insurance Service reviewed the annual renewal of the City’s property and liability policy. The premium is reduced by 3.75% this year. Latcham noted that one of the fire trucks listed has been sold. Ross will further review the policy and meet with Powell for any potential amendments. Total premium for year 08/09 is $38,858. The Council approved payment with the submitted bill list.

Bob Freeman, on behalf of the Wellman Community Club, asked the Council for permission to use South Park on July 4^th for a garden tractor pull. A Lone Tree pulling club will handle the event. In addition, Freeman asked for use of main street to hold a dance on July 5^th hosted by the Wellman Improvements Group. He stated the Community Club has increased the fireworks display to $8,000 and the dance will help cover that cost. The WIG group has also pledged $5,000 towards the downtown improvements project to help in obtaining a grant. Goodrich moved to approve the requests, Pennington seconded and all voted aye. Freeman announced the annual city-wide garage sale will be the first Saturday of May. This has been set as an annual date.

Ordinance 202 to revise the Senior Center Commission regarding organization, powers and duties was introduced and caused to be read. Arlin Yoder, chairman of the Senior Center Commission, stated the commission had reviewed the ordinance changes and subsequent by-law changes and is in favor of this amendment to the City Code. Employees of the center will now be under the supervision of the City Administrator. In addition, commission member terms will be limited to six years only and the treasurer of the commission will be the City Clerk. The Commission will continue to bring their recommendations to the City Council for any issues that arise. Yoder announced the senior center plans to move to the new facility on April 4^th and 5th. The Center will be closed on Monday, April 7 to allow staff to get everything organized and prepared for the first serving day, Tuesday, April 8. A benefit soup supper at the old center site is planned for Friday, March 28. After further discussion Goodrich moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 202 and waive the second and third reading to final adopt. Fisher seconded the motion and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Ordinance 203 to revise the Wellman Cable Commission ordinance regarding member qualifications and annual reporting requirements was introduced and caused to be read. The requirements currently are for the commission to give an annual report at the first meeting in January. This will change to allow the report be given annually at the convenience of the commission. As the Wellman Telephone Company will be providing cable service to its customers, many who live outside the city limits, this amendment will now allow members of the commission to reside outside the city. It was pointed out that many phone customers reside in counties other than Washington. Therefore, the wording was changed from “Washington County” to state “surrounding counties” at the suggestion of Attorney Kitchen. With that, Pennington moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 203, Latcham seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.

Resolution No. 08-16 to establish wages for the newly hired city workers was introduced and caused to be read. Rory White and Jesse Gingerich will be paid $14 per hour. Fisher moved to adopt Resolution No. 08-16, Slaubaugh seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.

Mayor Miller reported the bids for the Parkside Activity Center came in five to ten percent higher than anticipated. Tom Buckwalter, of the Wellman Area Foundation, recommended all bids be rejected. Meetings with the architect has allowed them to find areas in electrical as well as other areas where costs can be cut. After further discussion Goodrich moved to reject all bids and ask for a new bid letting. Fisher seconded the motion and all voted aye.

Mayor Miller reminded the Council city-wide cleanup days last year were held on Friday, noon to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm the weekend following garage sale day. Fisher suggested changing the Friday hours to 2pm to 6pm for those working out of town. Goodrich moved to set Friday, May 9, 2pm-6pm and Saturday, May 10, 8am to 2pm for the 2008 city-wide cleanup days. Fisher seconded the motion and all voted aye.

Five bids were received for summer park mowing. Ross recommended all parks be contracted out again this year noting bidder number 2 was low bid at $450 per mowing. There were some questions as to whether this bidder would have proper equipment for the city’s needs. Fisher pointed out the local contractor number 4 has a professional reputation and adequate equipment for the job. That bid was for $498. After further discussion Fisher moved to approve contractor number 4, Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye. Ross will have the contract available for the next meeting to be approved.

Energy Efficiency booklets published by the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities were reviewed by the Council to be part of the city’s energy efficiency plan. Latcham moved, Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye to purchase the bimonthly publication.

No one spoke in the Public Forum.

The Council reviewed three options Ross drew up for use in a TIF incentive agreement with Allen Leichty to provide for the new medical clinic in his down town building. The Council discussed at length the various options. Ross pointed out Option C would allow for rent reduction and reimbursement of build out costs over a fifteen year period and still provide some funds to the City after a few years. The owner would receive 100% of available TIF funds for the first seven years and then 70% for the next eight years or until the build out costs are reimbursed. After further discussion Fisher moved to approve Option C. More discussion ensued with Leichty being asked his preference to the options. He indicated Option A or B because it would provide for quicker repayment. The Council discussed the pros and cons of these options as well. No one seconded the Fisher motion for Option C so she asked to remove that motion. Pennington then moved to approve Option B. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye. Ross will meet with bonding attorney John Danos and have the proper paperwork drawn up.

Under General Administrative Discussion Ross reported the City received another grant from the DOT Keep Iowa Beautiful. This will provide for pet waste stations at North Park and downtown trash receptacles. The City’s entrance signs will be landscaped and Smith Creek cleaned up as well. Another grant will be written to add to the downtown area with new park benches, planters and a tower clock.

Ross stated the drinking water alert for high nitrites is still in effect. Tests are coming back much better but a high level was found at the high school last week. City workers will continue to flush all hydrants in an effort to remove the nitrite levels.

Ross plans to start with brush pickup and cleanup around the City next week. Snow equipment should be able to be removed from vehicles so they can be used for this project.

Pot holes are now being filled with rock but cold patch will be available after April 1^st to be used.

HydroView was in to do some sanitary sewer jetting and vacuuming. This should be a regular maintenance process but has not been done in the past. A plan will be set up to do a portion of the City each year.

Goodrich asked to have a work session on several issues needing to be reviewed and discussed. This will be scheduled after the next regular council meeting.

Pennington thanked Teresa and others responsible for the Saturday Easter egg hunt at the skating rink. One hundred seventy five children attended. He said it was an excellent event.

Latcham asked about the fire siren issue. The fire department does not need them but is important for tornado alerts. They have not been working.

With no further business Fisher moved for adjournment at 8:10pm. Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, April 7, 2008, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval