January 18, 2016

January 18, 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 with 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 approve upon motion by Freeman, Seconded by Schneider and all aye votes.  The consent Agenda includes the agenda, minutes from previous meeting, November and December Financials and the following claims:

November Financials:

DECEMBER FINANCIALS:

In the public forum Litwiller and Molczyk discussed the options of the main sewer line that runs across her property with council.  Litwiller had spoke with Tim Cutsforth about the potential of moving the main to allow for the property owners to be able to proceed with the building of the shed in which they intended to when property was purchased not knowing there was  main sewer line across rear of yard.  The cost of the survey and gps would be estimated at $500 – $1,000 with cost not exceed $1,200.  This will allow for City to make sure that grade is enough to meet requirements for the line to be moved.  Once the survey has been completed City will decide how to proceed.  Litwiller will keep homeowners updated.

Randy Tinnes was present from Sheriff’s department to update council on reports from December.  There were 13 calls for the month.  Tinnes reported a few domestic disputes, assault at bar, car burglary which also mentioned there was another report this afternoon.  Council members mentioned to Tinnes about speeding on Hwy 22 and Ginkgo on Golf Course hill.

No update from PeopleServices as they were not able to attend as planned.

Tim Cutsforth engineer from HR Green was present to discuss the updates regarding 11th St Sewer Project.  Tim discussed the estimated cost and timeline of the project.  The total of the project is estimated at $101,522 with $79,922 of that to assessed to homeowners.  The final assessments will in September 2016.  All of the cost and assessment is estimated on a involuntary petition which could be worse case projections.  Litwiller is working with John Danos regarding the voluntary petition and will keep everyone updated on the status of petition.  Kim Anderson asked for a briefing of the terms of the assessment in which Litwiller explained that the assessment would be a term of 15 years, interest rate at the rate in which the City pays to finance the project and split into equal portions for homeowners.  Homeowners who attended meeting were, Kim Anderson, Don & Anita Randol, Ray & Brenda Overholt .

Larry Thurman and Litwiller presented council with proposal to replace WATV computer.  The video card on the current computer is not functioning properly and needs to be replaced.  iTech has looked at the current computer and recommended that possibly replacing the computer is the best option.  The computer is a few years old and replacing the video card might not resolve the issue.  The cost of the video card is $430 and new computer cost $1,600 and will include all programs needed.  Goodrich moved to approve the computer at the cost of $1,600 plus installation and set up, Schneider seconded and all voted aye.

Bontrager moved to approve to enter into agreement with HR Green for the engineering of 11th St Sewer project for a not to exceed $24,500, Schneider seconded and all voted aye.

Council had further discussion on changing the utility deposit required for new services.  Goodrich moved to increase the deposit amount required to $200 for gas and $100 for water, Seconded by Owens and 4 aye votes and one nay.    Freeman believes the deposit amounts should be higher.  Ordinances will need to be passed in order to make new utility deposit amount effective.  Council had a long hard discussion regarding past due utility accounts.  There are several past due accounts and have been for quite some time.  Bontrager did comparison from 2013-2015 and believes there has been no improvements.  Council asked Litwiller to explain the process of billing, postings and disconnections. She indicated there are several steps and laws that have to be met throughout the process.  Schneider expressed that there is an ordinance in place that needs to be followed.  Council determined Litwiller would contact City Attorney to have a payment agreement written to put into place as well as a letter to put into the bills for the next two months that explains that April 10th anyone who is past due will be shut off following procedures in place.    The process of shut off will continue to happen every month thereafter if bills are not pay in full.  City is hoping to get the delinquent accounts manageable.

In council reports, Litwiller had several items to update council on regarding, PeopleServices Inc, Building permits, sump pump discharge issues and SRF Sponsored project update.  Litwiller also mentioned that she has had several complaints about parking downtown.  She recommended that business owners, employees and renters to park along 2nd Street and parking lot it would make more available parking for customers.

Upon motion by Bontrager, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes, council entered into closed session at 7:02pm per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual request a closed session.

Upon motion by Goodrich, Seconded by Freeman and all aye votes, council entered into open session at 8:03pm.

Freeman motioned to offer Clerk Position to candidate one with starting wage at $18/hour with a $1 raise after attending clerk school in July, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.

With no further business to be discussed Freeman moved for adjournment at 8:08pm, Owens Seconded and all voted aye.  The next regular City Council Meeting will be Monday, February 1, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council Approval.