The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building. Mayor Ryan Miller called the meeting to order at 6:38pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A work session was scheduled for 6:00pm but was foregone to proceed with the regular meeting. Those in attendance were the City Administrator, City Attorney, City Clerk and following Council Members: Marc Pennington, Steve Slaubaugh, Doug Powell, Fern Bontrager, and Johnny Schwartz. Also present were Elizabeth Rhodes from the news media, Engineer Tim Cutsforth and Public Works Director Aaron Shumaker.

A lengthy discussion was held on the claims list with concerns over several bills that had not been previously approved by the Council for the expenditure. Council members voiced concern over the cost of two overhead doors placed at the old maintenance shed. It was agreed this had been part of the capital plan but the cost of the doors that included windows and electric openers were of concern. Also, T-shirts with the City logo purchased for public works did not have prior approval. Members reviewed two invoices for work at the water plant from Boyse Dozing totaling over $10,000 and over $8,000 in repair clamps, etc for water main repairs. Shumaker explained the work at the water plant included down spouting on the plant that was tiled to empty into Smith Creek and storm water work north of the water plant. He indicated former Administrator Ross had approved the downspout work and, if the minutes are checked, the storm sewer work was approved at the last meeting. Council members were unsure this had been discussed. The repair parts were to stock three of each size of clamps regularly needed for water main break repairs.  Administrator Baker indicated there will be better communication and public works will notify him of purchases and he in turn will bring them to the Council for approval as needed. With that Slaubaugh moved to approve the consent agenda to include the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, the FY11 Annual Financial Report and the claims list as follows:

At 7:17pm Bontrager moved to open the Public Hearing to receive comments on the plans and specifications for the 2011 Infrastructure Project. Pennington seconded and all voted aye. There were no written comments. Engineer Cutsforth reported the bids could be opened on December 5^th and accepted at the meeting that night. With no further comments Slaubaugh moved to close the Public Meeting at 7:19pm, Schwartz seconded and all voted aye. It was then noted the agenda did not provide for action to approve the plans and specifications for the project. Therefore, the bid letting and approval will be moved to the second meeting in December.

Resolution No. 11-43 to create the Deputy Clerk position and adopt the job description was introduced and caused to be read. Attorney Kitchen and the Administrator have discussed the position and agreed that the City ordinance covered the proposed changes that will place the City Clerk duties with the City Administrator position. The Deputy Clerk will be responsible for the accounting duties and record keeping but could fill the City Clerk position if sometime in the future that would be required. Powell moved to adopt Resolution No. 11-43, Pennington seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.

The ad for the Deputy Clerk position was reviewed and a list of where the ad will be placed. It asks for an associate’s degree and accounting experience for a starting wage of $15 to $17 per hour. Bontrager moved to approve the ad and authorize publication. Slaubaugh seconded the motion and all voted aye.

The City Administrator presented three options for the skate rink sink. The original proposal from public works is to install a sewage lift pump and move the sink to another location, installing the purchased restaurant sink for $3,425. To run a service line on the exterior to tie into the sewer service line and install the restaurant sink has an estimated cost of $3,354. The third option is to purchase a different sink and faucet that will fit in the current space and sell the restaurant free-standing sink that had been purchased several months ago. The Mayor has talked to the DNR about the issue of the drain emptying into the creek to the east of the rink. Because it is such a small amount of grey water, the DNR has no problem with it continuing. Miller indicated the City may need to obtain a permit however. The line freezes in the winter. Baker reported Boyse Dozing has buried the line with the culvert work they recently did in the area so this will no longer be a problem. The cost of this project is$750. After further discussion, Bontrager moved to approve option 3 with purchase of a new sink and faucet. Slaubaugh seconded the motion and all voted aye.

In other skate rink issues, Mayor Miller reported the sound system has not been working properly. Humphreys changed the amplifier and determined that was the problem, The cost of the amplifier will be $993 and a new system is $2034. This will be on the next agenda for action.

Due to the condition of the streets, Kalona was unable to complete cleaning all the curbed streets in the eight hours approved. Baker asked for an additional five hours to complete. It is expected they will come back on Tuesday this week to finish up. Slaubaugh moved to approve the five hours, Pennington seconded and all voted aye.

In the matter of the abatement on the downtown Starbeck-Miller building, Miller has asked for another extension to give him time to sell the property. He will board it up to secure it. He has not had a structural engineer inspect the building but the Kalona Building Inspector did. Various options were discussed with Attorney Kitchen explaining the legal process and sharing a similar issue when he was attorney for the City of Brighton. It was agreed the building will need to be demolished. After a lengthy discussion on how to proceed, Pennington moved to require him to secure the building within a week and demolish by April 1^st. Schwartz indicated it would be difficult to demolish during the winter months so suggested an April 1^st deadline. Slaubaugh seconded the motion and all voted aye.

An extensive review of policy on storm water projects involved previous city precedents in assisting in private property issues of storm water drainage. Council members Bontrager and Pennington shared issues with storm water runoff from city streets onto their properties. Pennington had recent tiling done due to a neighbor’s project to pave and curb his property. This would cause additional runoff onto the Pennington property had he not tied into the neighbor’s work. This tiling will connect into the storm water project being done on Circle Drive next year. Baker emphasized the importance of doing an overall engineered project that will address storm water issues for the entire area rather than focusing on specific properties. It was agreed the storm water ordinance needs to be amended to address specific problems like this to provide a more comprehensive policy on storm water issues. The attorney and administrator will work on the ordinance and bring it to the Council when completed.

Baker asked the Council to consider amending the personnel policy regarding on-call time. He indicated federal law does not require on-call hours to be paid as they are not actual hours worked. Presently on-call employees are given four hours for being on call plus an additional four hours each weekend for checking the plants on Saturday and Sunday. Baker would like to continue to allow the four hours for checking the plants but no longer allow the additional four hours for being on-call. Schwartz moved to approve the change, Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye.

Due to Christmas and New Years falling on week-end days the Council took action to set the days the holidays will be observed by the City. Pennington moved to give qualified employees Friday afternoon before Christmas and New Years and the following Monday as paid holidays. Bontrager seconded and all voted aye.

In other business Mayor Miller reminded everyone of the Christmas event next Saturday, Bontrager was thanked for decorating the City Hall tree, and newly elected officials were congratulated.

With no further business Slaubaugh moved for adjournment at 8:45pm. Powell seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, December 21, 2011, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.