July 17, 2017

July 17, 2017

Wellman, Iowa

The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 5:30 pm.  Mayor Ryan Miller presided with City Administrator, City Clerk and the following Council Members: Robert Goodrich, Fern Bontrager, Robert Freeman, & Tracy Owens; Shannon McCain absent.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance the Consent Agenda was approved upon motion by, Freeman, Seconded by Goodrich and all aye votes.  The consent agenda includes the agenda, minutes from previous meeting, appointment of members to Senior Dining Commission, approval of May Financials, approval of Bender’s Bar & Grill Liquor License and the following claims:

May Financials:

In public forum, Jeremy Peck spoke on behalf of the Wellman Fire Department; he explained that they have a few concerns with the required backflow preventer that was recently installed at the Fire Station.  He has also discussed the Preventer with other nearby fire departments and nobody else has been required to install them and would like to know why this is.  They recently tested out the time it took to fill one of the trucks from the new hose with the preventer on versus filling from the hydrant outside the station and it took considerably longer to fill from inside the station.  He would like to see if any adjustments could be made to speed up the flow time.  Litwiller indicated that she would look into a few options and get back with Peck.

Randy Tinnes indicated that we had 16 calls last month with one minor drug arrest otherwise nothing out of the ordinary.

A public hearing regarding the Status of Funds Activities for the Wastewater Improvement Project was opened upon motion by Owens, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes with McCain absent.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO CONSIDER THE STATUS OF FUNDED ACTIVITIES FOR WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS BEING DEVELOPED IN WELLMAN, IOWA, AS ASSISTED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM (CONTRACT #16-WS-004)

As required for this hearing, it is noted that:

2016. For a general description of accomplishments to-date, an improvement contract in the amount of $735,000 was awarded to Iowa Bridge & Culvert, LC in November 2016. The project consists of the construction of an ultraviolet disinfection system and effluent aeration basin including a blower building.  All of the structures have been constructed and all equipment has been installed on site to date.
2017. For a summary of expenditures to-date, through June 30, 2017, a total of $634,957.00 has been invoiced: $615,456.00 for engineering and construction; and $20,501.00 for grant administration.  Through May 30, 2017, of $500,000 awarded from the CDBG Program, $219,576 of invoicing received is reimbursed according to 51% federal share of development cost and 100% share of administrative cost.
2018. For a general description of remaining work, this will involve electrical work, grading and start up.
2019. For a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries, there has been one change order for a credit of $2,853.82.

There were no oral or written comments.  Freeman moved to close the public hearing, Owens Seconded and all voted aye.

Bontrager moved to approve the FY17 Annual Examination contract with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C., Goodrich Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion and action on Jetco Electric Inc. quote for WWTP & Lift Station Auto Dialers was had.  Litwiller explained that they both need to be replaced but feels that the Lift Station is a must, due to the age of this Auto Dialer.  Motion was made by Owens to go ahead with the Lift Station Auto Dialer, Freeman Seconded and all voted aye.

Freeman moved to approve contract with IDNR Iowa Brownfield Redevelopment Program Community Assistance Grant, Goodrich Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion and action on Washington County “Certified Local Government” (CDL) Status was had.  Miller explained that the County had the status before but when it relapsed a few years back they never renewed it.  This is a good way for the city to get grant money for future use and would like support on trying to get the County to renew.  Owens moved to approve, Freeman Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion and action on Merle & Fern Bontrager foundation repairs was had.  Bontrager explained that her husband Merle would like to ask for Council to pay for the cost of the foundation repairs due to the street creep that was discussed a few months back.  She feels that due to her being on Council she didn’t feel comfortable asking for this when it was brought up then but due to a conversation that was had a couple meetings ago they would like to ask that this be covered.  After further discussion Owens made motion to table this until the full council is present, Goodrich Seconded and all voted aye.

Bontrager moved to approve the Parcel Split for Marvin Yoder located at 906 9^thStreet, Freeman Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion and action on Sunrise Daycare proposal for space available at Parkside was had.   Melissa Kaufman, director at Sunrise, explained to council that she’s been the director for about 3 years and went over a little bit of the history of Sunrise Daycare.  She feels that the Center has seen many great changes over the years and has a great impact on the Community.  They’ve reviewed their budget and feels that they would be able to afford paying the city $100 per month for leasing the extra space which used to house the M-P Preschool.  She sees great opportunities for the Center if they can utilize this extra space.  She also expressed concern that if this space gets rented out to someone other than Sunrise they will need to go through some security measures due to the door that directly accesses the Daycare.  Council questioned whether Sunrise would be able to afford the cost of utilities plus the extra expense of rent.  Goodrich motioned to allow Sunrise to use the space for one year and only pay for the utilities and revisit after one year, Owens Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion and action on estimates for Parkside Banquet Hall painting was had.  The City has received a couple estimates for the painting project.  The estimate of $3,860.00 from Hardman Painting was considerably lower but has some great references.  Bontrager was a little concerned with the eggshell finish due to lack of wiping down the walls.  She feels that going with a satin finish would be a better choice.  Bontrager motioned to go with Hardman Painting estimate with the option of using satin paint instead of eggshell, Freeman Seconded and all voted aye.

Discussion on public works director and also on Council members & City Administrator visit with City of Columbus Junction was had.  Goodrich explained that this is something he’s been wanting but would like to schedule a work session to further discuss the options when all council members can be present.  Everyone agreed that scheduling a work session to hash this out and make some decisions would be the best route to take.  Litiwller will try to schedule the work session at the August 21^st meeting and if not then she will look into scheduling a special meeting.

Litwiller updated council that the Fireworks & Golf Cart Ordinances will be discussed at the next council meeting.  She feels that this needs to be addressed due to everything that went on at the 4^th of July Celebration.  WCRF Grants has two events going on Wednesday evening that we need to attend in order to receive grant money.  Bontrager and she will be attending the presentation at the fairgrounds on that evening and Tom Buckwalter, Miller and Goodrich will be attending the event at the Casino.  Lights at the South Park from Alliant will cost $65.00 per month for the rent of the poles plus whatever electricity we use.  If Council would like to proceed she’ll have a contract drawn up for them to approve at the next council meeting.  Miller updated that the office received the paperwork for nominations for seats that will be up at the November election.  Anyone interested can stop into the office and pick up the paperwork.  He also has spent some time looking at the CIP plans with the Ash trees.  Someone had stopped in the office and gave us a few options on how to treat these and that the most effective time to treat would be spring.  Bontrager feels that we should use the next 6 months time to get a plan in place so that once spring comes we could go ahead and start treatment.

With no further business to be discussed Freeman moved for adjournment at 7:17 pm, Goodrich Seconded and all voted aye.  The next regular City Council meeting will be on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council Approval.