February 1, 2016
Wellman, Iowa
The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chamber of the Wellman Municipal Building at 5:30pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided by City Administrator/Clerk and the following council members: Robert Goodrich, Jared Schneider, Fern Bontrager, Robert Freeman and Tracy Owens. Following the Pledge of Allegiance the Consent Agenda was approved upon motion by Bontrager, Seconded by Schneider and all aye votes. The Consent Agenda includes the agenda, minutes from previous meeting, and the following claims:
| 2/1 PAYROLL: | ||
| Carrie Geno | $381.04 | |
| Sandra K Miller | $391.48 | |
| Allison R Watkins | $90.13 | |
| Carol A Wilkins | $921.71 | |
| Teresa K Lampe | $926.23 | |
| Betty Johnston | $89.79 | |
| Travis D Hartley | $998.72 | |
| Jesse J Meade | $1,082.12 | |
| Christine D Huston | $1,001.32 | |
| Kelly L Litwiller | $1,611.55 | |
| FED Taxes | $2,676.82 | |
| Alliant Energy | Sr Dining | $266.29 |
| Cox Sanitation | Large Stickers & Recycling | $2,778.00 |
| Don Gingerich | January Bldg Permits x 2 | $70.00 |
| Jesse J Meade | January Cell Phone Reimbursement & Travel | $77.09 |
| Teresa K Lampe | January Cell Phone Reimbursement | $43.00 |
| Library Petty Cash | Library Postage | $35.59 |
| Kelly L Litwiller | January Cell Phone Reimbursement | $60.00 |
| Trevor Owens | Snow Removal – December & January | $300.00 |
| Kelly Litwiller – Petty Cash | City Hall Petty Cash – Stamps & Fold Statements | $66.84 |
| Quality Window Cleaning | Sr Dining Windows Cleaning | $20.00 |
| Ryan Miller | January Mileage Reimbursement | $64.80 |
| Travis D Hartley | January Cell Phone Reimbursement | $43.00 |
| Treasurer State of Iowa | January Sales Tax | $3,722.00 |
| Todd Troyer | January Bldg Permits x 2 | $70.00 |
| Wellman Co-op Telephone | Sr Dining phones | $30.19 |
| Wellman Emporium Assoc | Sr Dining Condo Fee | $117.00 |
| Wellman Volunteer Ambulance | Sr Dining Training Donation | $50.00 |
| Alliant Energy | City Utilities | $913.63 |
| Bancard Center | Skate Rink – Walmart & Itunes | $115.45 |
| City of Wellman | City Utilities | $1,258.94 |
| Gas Products Sales Inc | Post/Decals for Gas System marking | $569.90 |
| Howard R Green Company | WWTP Disinfection | $895.06 |
| Iowa Onc Call | December One Call | $11.70 |
| Iowa Utilities Board | FY16 Direct Access Pipline Dues | $12.00 |
| J & B Repair | Back hoe & Loader Repairs – Hose/Ends/Valve Kits | $1,451.72 |
| KCTC | Voicemail Issues – City Hall | $120.00 |
| Kuenster Heating & Air | Parkside – Geo System/ Fuses/Thermostat | $2,088.81 |
| Lynch Dallas | Nuisance Properties/Contract Review/PeopleSvc Contract | $2,009.33 |
| William Nickell | February Yardwaste | $175.00 |
| Paws & More | Jan City Donations & Customer Donations | $263.34 |
| PeopleServices | February WWTP & WTP Services | $11,968.00 |
| Reggie Tire | #48/dump truck/loader/F250 fuel | $194.40 |
| Slechta Communications | Clerk Advertising | $150.00 |
| Standard Pest | Pest Control – City Buildings | $45.00 |
| Technology Services of Iowa | City Hall Computer – New hard-drives & repairs | $512.47 |
| Wellman Advance | Skate Rink/Xmas/January Advertising & publications | $307.44 |
| Wellman Co-op Telephone | City Telephones | $653.36 |
| Barbara Meyers | Utility Deposit Refund – Moved | $19.35 |
| TOTAL | $41,719.61 |
No one spoke in the public forum.
Council did not enter into closed session.
Council moved to Item 5 on the agenda to discuss hiring of City Clerk. Both candidates in which Council offered position have both declined. Council would like to see interviews to be conducted in the next week utilizing the applications that have already been received. Litwiller and Miller will review applicants and schedule as well as council will give their top choices.
In council reports Owens reported that he would like something to be done with the Coblentz property. Litwiller will follow up with owners to see what plans are for the property and send abatement notice. Owens also brought up the mud issue on 8th Ave in the downtown. Fire Department cleaned the streets after the water main break last week but street needs to be cleaned again. He also brought up with issue with parking not being available for customers and would like to see business owners, tenants and employees utilize 2nd Street and City parking lot for long period parking. Bontrager suggested sending a letter to business owners to request for owners to clean in front of business to keep the streets clean as well as indicate parking options. Freeman mentioned that there is no lighting in the City Parking lot at night and would like to see about getting lighting. Miller spoke about delinquent accounts and that there is a plan in place for these to be taken care of and notices will be going out in the February and March billing to allow for people to get caught up prior to ordinances being followed in April for delinquent accounts. Bontrager mentioned in April that all employees should be utilized for posting delinquent accounts and follow through with the ordinances in place. Goodrich suggested that on the next agenda to have compensation for Kelly to be reviewed for doing both jobs of City Administrator and Clerk for past months. Miller says this will be on the next agenda for action if council chooses to make a motion.
Litwiller had a few items to discuss with council that had come in the past week. She suggested that we pay for half of the installation of the Cell Phone Booster to be put on the Parkside building to allow for better cell service. The YMCA will be paying for the other half. The cell reception in Parkside Activity Center is not good. Litwiller will let the YMCA know we are willing to pay for half of the cost which would be estimated at $520. Next council meeting was scheduled for February 15th (President’s Day) but will be moved to Tuesday, February 16th. Litwiller also mentioned to council that Chris Huston is not able to accumulate any more vacation time as we have a policy of 180 hour max, but due to the situation of being short staffed and a lot going on she is not able to get any of the time used. Litwiller suggested to council to remove this 180 max to allow for her to accumulate her time until we get fully staffed. This will be on the next agenda to take be able to make action. Litwiller received quote from Kuenster Heating & Air for repairs on the heating unit at the Water Plant the estimate is for $3,150 to replace 2 reznors, power contractor and remove old equipment. Council believes this should be taken care of. Litwiller will coordinate with Kuesnter to get repairs completed. Litwiller also mentioned to Council the opportunity we have to work with Kalona and Riverside on a project with the University of Iowa Office of Outreach & Engagement program. This is an opportunity to have 50 students work on projects within town that we would like to see over the next several years. Ryan Schlabaugh will be writing an application to see if they would be interested in working on a trail project from Wellman to Kalona as well as suggestion on downtown Wellman. This is a no or limited cost to the City and would help with expenses of planning, engineering, fiscal assessment and assistance needed to help our communities move forward.
With no further business to be discussed Goodrich moved for adjournment at 6:22pm, Owens Seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be held, Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.
Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council Approval.