April 20, 2009
Wellman, Iowa 52356
The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 5:00pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with the City Administrator, City Clerk and following Council Members: Robert Goodrich, Marc Pennington, Steve Slaubaugh, and Matt Latcham; absent: no one. The Consent Agenda was approved upon motion by Goodrich, second by Latcham and all aye votes. This included the agenda, minutes of previous meetings and the following claims:
| ABS Fire Equipment | semi annual service | 120.50 |
| Alliant Energy | electric services | 26.51 |
| Baker & Taylor Books | library books | 144.91 |
| Bancard Center | credit card purchases | 461.42 |
| Bob's Tree Service | tree removal | 275.00 | Carus Phosphates Inc | water treatment chemicals | 475.12 |
| City of Wellman General Fund | gas fund transfer | 15,000.00 |
| Commercial Towel Service | mats,mops | 24.10 |
| DEMCO | library supplies | 62.58 |
| East Central Iowa Council of Govt | CDBG administration | 96.00 |
| Eastern Iowa Light and Power | street lighting,etc | 94.45 |
| Energy Economics | gas service parts | 107.97 |
| Federation Bank | fed wht,fica,medicare | 2,645.70 |
| George Lawson Consulting | library consulting fees | 463.25 |
| Groebner & Associates | gas service parts | 148.49 |
| Hawkeye Foodservice | supplies | 20.00 |
| Hawkins Inc | water treatment chemicals | 288.90 |
| Hygienic Laboratory | water testing | 472.00 |
| Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities | gas repairs | 2,190.05 |
| Iowa League of Cities | workshop registration | 30.00 |
| Iowa One Call | line locates | 34.20 |
| K & M Erosion Technology | silt fence, north park | 375.00 |
| Koch Brothrs | quarter clicks | 66.03 |
| Mahaska Bottling | concessions | 41.60 |
| Steve Miller | reimburse for subscription | 104.50 |
| Municipal Gas System | project share disbursement | 200.00 |
| Payroll expense | transfers | 13,845.06 |
| Petty Cash Fund | postage/water samples | 8.27 |
| Petty Cash, Library | postage | 80.44 |
| Quill Corporation | office supplies | 145.33 |
| The Root Cellar | five energy audits | 675.00 |
| SG Construction Company | Parkside Center pay request | 160,011.47 |
| Sewer Sinking Fund | transfer for debt service | 38,771.00 |
| Technology Services of Iowa | batteries | 27.95 |
| Utilities Division, State of Iowa | IUB assessment | 110.00 |
| Various medical vendors | employee benefit | 232.67 |
| Donna Wade | mileage | 22.00 |
| Water Sinking Fund | transfer for debt service | 11,865.00 |
| Wellman Advance | publications | 188.38 |
| Wellmark | employee benefit | 2,730.86 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES | 252,681.71 | |
The purpose of the early meeting was to interview three engineering firms to select a city engineer. Howard R Green Company, Cedar Rapids; Shive-Hattery, Iowa City; and French-Reneker Associates of Fairfield presented their proposals for service each taking about thirty minutes to review their services and answer questions from the Council.
At 6:30pm the Council entered into work session with Mary Coblentz from the media present. The first item of discussion was a request from Austin Bayliss to purchase City property behind his building on 10th Avenue to be used for parking spaces. It was consensus not to sell the property but to allow Bayliss to use it as temporary parking for his events. The City will rock the area.
The Council then discussed possible citizens to fill the vacancy on the Council. It was decided to give the members two more weeks to seek possible applicants and fill the vacancy at the May 4th meeting.
A lengthy discussion was then held on the public works director position. Ross reported the number one selection had not passed the background check so he contacted the number two choice. He has completed the background and reference checks and comes highly recommended. Concerns were voiced about the amount of salary this candidate was asking. Goodrich voiced his concerns of not discussing the background issues with the number one candidate before disregarding him. He also stated because of the additional costs with candidate number two, it was his feeling one of the full-time city workers should be cut to part-time as he was not convinced the City needs three full-time public works employees. Pennington voiced his concern in doing this now as it had not been previously discussed with the Council. After further discussion it was felt the new director could work with the employees and then determine if hours should be cut. The council further reviewed the funding sources for this position and what impact it would have. The Council agreed applicant number two is very qualified and brings good experience to this position.
At 7:19pm the Council entered into regular session with the City Attorney joining the meeting along with engineer Andrew Marsh and two citizens. Resolution No. 09-16 to enter into a contract with Joe TeBockhorst for 2009 summer parks mowing was introduced and caused to be read. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-16, Pennington seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.
The alley maintenance policy was presented for approval. Goodrich moved to adopt the policy, Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye.
The Council reviewed the proposals made by the three engineering firms interviewed earlier in the meeting. After consideration Pennington moved to hire Howard R Green Company to be the City engineering firm. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.
The Wellman Fire Department submitted an application for a fireworks permit for July 4. Pennington moved, Goodrich seconded and all voted aye to approve the permit.
Ross reported to the Council Robin White has resigned as the City’s meter reader after the April readings are completed. Ross recommended, due to the cost and additional training for a part time reader, to incorporate this into the duties of the current full time workers. It was Council consensus not to hire a new part time person.
The Public Works Director job description was presented for approval. The job description makes this position exempt so overtime would not be available. Goodrich asked if this person would also be supervising Lampe or if Ross would be her supervisor. It was determined Ross would be her supervisor but she would communicate with the PWD in regard to park maintenance, etc. Goodrich moved to approve the job description, Latcham seconded and all voted aye.
A brief discussion was held on offering the public works director position to John O’Donnell of Center Point for a salary of $49,000. Latcham moved to offer the position to him, Slaubaugh seconded and all voted aye.
Action to fill the vacancy on the City Council was tabled until the May 4th Council meeting.
During the Public Forum, Keith Semler asked if the PWD would go directly to Ross to find out what work has to be done or how that would work. Ross stated he plans to give him an overview but would expect him to manage tasks on his own. Kitchen noted that would have to be the case to allow him to be an exempt employee. Larry Thurman asked about the housing rehab grant the City applied for. Ross reported he had recently learned we were denied the grant.
In general administrative discussion Slaubaugh asked about the progress on nuisance abatements with Ross indicating all but one have been completed. Kitchen noted that should citations have to be issued we might want to use Jeff Powell from his previous law firm to handle those cases as Kitchen could not. Pennington encouraged citizens to take advantage of cleanup days to get properties cleared of junk and debris. He also reported all high school students will be working on April 30 for Earth Day cleaning up parks, ditches and other public areas.
Latcham received a complaint from a citizen about the trees that are lying around the Miller pond site. The new owner has had them torn out but they have not been removed from the property. Kitchen indicated this falls under our nuisance laws as this could attract vermin. Ross will take pictures and send to Kitchen to proceed with contacting the owner about clearing the area.
After a brief discussion Goodrich moved to adjourn at 8:01pm. Pennington seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, May 4, 2009, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.
Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.