May 4, 2009
Wellman, Iowa 52356
The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 7:00pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with the City Attorney, City Administrator, City Clerk and following Council Members: Robert Goodrich, Marc Pennington, Steve Slaubaugh, and Matt Latcham; absent: no one. Also present were: Mary Coblentz from the news media, Sheriff Dunbar and ten citizens and/or guests. The consent Agenda was approved upon motion by Latcham, second by Goodrich and all aye votes. The consent Agenda includes the agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, the March financial statement and the following claims:
| Aero-Mod Inc | parts/wastewater plant | 158.26 |
| AFLAC | employee benefit | 606.43 |
| Alliant Energy | electric/various depts | 5,090.84 |
| Baker Paper Company | supplies | 80.00 |
| Bancard | credit card charges | 592.44 |
| City of Wellman | utilities | 907.12 |
| Duane Covington | operator service fee | 2,300.00 |
| Cox Sanitation & Recycling | Apr recycling,stickers | 2,751.75 |
| Douds Stone Inc | roadstone | 95.67 |
| Federation Bank | payroll taxes | 2,707.16 |
| Freeman Foods | supplies | 259.21 |
| Don Gingerich | TIF semiannual payment | 4,596.16 |
| Jesse Gingerich | reimburse for cell phone | 43.00 |
| Glenn Guengerich | repairs | 50.00 |
| Hawkeye Foodservice | supplies | 2,349.71 |
| Hawkins Inc | water chemicals | 698.50 |
| Home Gas Inc | trenching | 120.00 |
| Housing Program Fund | TIF semiannual payment | 2,139.13 |
| Howard R Green Company | engineering | 4,902.92 |
| I Wireless | Lampe cell phone | 46.50 |
| Ideal Ready Mix | cement | 179.00 |
| Iowa Assn Municipal Utilities | newsletter,training | 762.31 |
| Iowa Codification Inc | city code update | 1,000.00 |
| Iowa League of Cities | DATA membership | 50.00 |
| Iowa Public Employees Retirement Sys | employee retirement | 2,556.87 |
| Jensen Masonry | repair building ramp | 800.00 |
| K & M Erosion Tech | seed north park | 2,200.00 |
| Kalona Auto Service and Parts | parts | 15.18 |
| Kuenster Heating & Air | repairs to park restroom | 142.79 |
| Teresa Lampe | reimbursements | 25.50 |
| Pamela Lang | deposit refund | 153.78 |
| Mahaska Bottling | concessions | 114.40 |
| Ryan Miller | mileage | 22.00 |
| Municipal Gas System | deposit refunds | 81.97 |
| Municipal Gas System | road use tax bldg payment | 10,000.00 |
| Municipal Water System | deposit refunds | 81.97 |
| William Nickell | May lease payment | 150.00 |
| Northern Water Works | annual maintenance fee | 1,857.00 |
| Paws & More | May contribution | 223.00 |
| Payroll expense | transfers | 12,053.35 |
| Petty Cash Fund | service & supplies | 15.25 |
| Project Share | customer disbursement | 200.00 |
| Reggie Tire | fuel | 219.05 |
| Dave Ross | Mar mileage&reimburse | 439.83 |
| Standard Pest Control | May service | 25.00 |
| Technology Services of Iowa | batteries | 16.99 |
| TestAmerica | wastewater testing | 257.04 |
| Thrapp Electric | repairs | 442.82 |
| Treasurer State of Iowa | state wht & sales tax | 4,135.00 |
| Tyler Technologies | annual software support | 5,188.00 |
| Various Vendors | employee health benefit | 193.55 |
| Washington County Auditor | May law contract | 6,237.58 |
| Wellman Auto Supply | supplies & parts | 14.60 |
| Wellman Emporium | May condominium fee | 86.52 |
| Wellman Telephone Company | phone services | 448.71 |
| Rory White | reimbursements | 43.00 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES | 80,926.86 | |
The March financial statement includes revenues as follows:
| General Fund | 10,528.58 |
| Special Tax Levy Funds | 844.13 |
| Community Devlpment Block Grant | 30,623.00 |
| Street Assessment Fund | 209.03 |
| Local Option Sales Tax | 8,653.78 |
| Road Use Tax | 10,984.07 |
| Tax Credit Reimbursements | 9.85 |
| Tax Increment Financing Fund | 2,083.23 | Debt Service Fund | 390.10 |
| Library Services Funds | 276.85 |
| Parks & Recreation Funds | 25,380.87 |
| Cable Channel Fund | 161.92 |
| Senior Center Funds | 4,278.04 |
| Senior Center Bequest | 0.00 |
| Housing Improvement Fund | 60.18 |
| Capital Project Funds | 130,778.15 |
| Municipal Water Funds | 59,085.93 |
| Municipal Sewer Funds | 19,349.56 |
| Municipal Gas Funds | 117,505.62 |
| Municipalization Electric Fund | 0.00 |
| Solid Waste Funds | 6,447.25 |
| Storm Water Drainage Fund | 1,645.70 |
| TOTAL REVENUES | 429,295.84 |
At 7:05pm Goodrich moved to enter into closed session pursuant to 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 requests a closed session. At 7:27pm Slaubaugh moved to return to open session. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.
Washington County Sheriff, Jerry Dunbar, was present to report on calls of service for the past month. He reported the sheriff’s office will be holding an open house in their new facility Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Additional space in the jail facility is being completed that will provide more prisoner beds. He also stated a deputy who has been off on workers comp has now returned to duty which will allow some better coverage.
Resolution No. 09-17 to enter into a contract agreement with Iowa Codification Inc for updating the Wellman City Code was introduced and caused to be read. Pennington moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-17, Latcham seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.
Resolution No. 09-18 to enter into an agreement with the Washington County Communication Commission for dispatch services for fiscal year 2010. Pennington moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-18, Slaubaugh seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.
Resolution No. 09-19 to accept an easement across private property owned by Tom Buckwalter to provide for a trail from North Park to the Wellman Elementary School was introduced and caused to be read. Ross reported a REAP grant will be applied for to provide for this trail. Slaubaugh moved to adopt Resolution no. 09-19, Goodrich seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes. The Mayor affixed his signature.
Jamie Wurth addressed the Council regarding installing a small patio behind the old Senior Center. Mid-Prairie West Campus holds classes in this space and some of the students would like to build a brick patio with planters, etc. to be used by the students and public as well. All material will be donated with the students doing the work. Wurth passed around pictures of the proposed project. Slaubaugh moved to approve the project, Latcham seconded and all voted aye.
Ross suggested to the Council the no parking signs along 4th Street between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue be removed. Issues that caused the signs to be erected have been resolved and he asked for the Council’s direction as to removing them or have them remain posted. After a brief discussion it was decided to leave them in place unless issues arise that would support their removal.
Tiling work done in a grass alley between 9th Street and 8th Street has caused the alley to be muddy and impossible to mow. In addition, vehicles are driving up the alley causing more ruts and damage. An adjoining property owner has requested the alley be barricaded. Ross stated this would prevent vehicles from using the alley and allow it to dry out, leveled and seeded. Pennington moved to barricade the alley long enough to allow the damage to be repaired. Goodrich seconded the motion and all voted aye.
Ross gave the Council three properties for nuisance abatement. After reviewing the pictures and report, the Council consensus was to proceed.
Ross reported water needed to be shut off at 920 Circle Drive but City workers could not find the shut off. He asked approval to have the City dig up the line and install a curb stop if necessary assessing the cost to the property owners. Slaubaugh moved to approve the work as needed, Pennington seconded and all voted aye.
Ross reviewed options for fitness equipment for the Activities Center. He stated the proposal is commercial grade equipment with the cost significantly less than budgeted for. It was council consensus to proceed with the order.
The Council discussed the public works director position. Goodrich informed the other members he called Mr. McCleary, the number one choice of the Council at the time of the interviews. Goodrich felt McCleary should have an opportunity to address the Council. After further discussion Goodrich moved to bring McCleary back to discuss the questions about his application. The Council commented on the applicant and the situation. As no one seconded, the motion died. In regards to applicant Shumaker, Ross stated the annual salary will be $40,000 with a six month probationary period. He will be evaluated at that time to determine his job performance. Ross feels confident Shumaker can fulfill the requirements of this position. Latcham moved to offer the position to Aaron Shumaker as an exempt position at $40,000 annually. Slaubaugh seconded the motion and all voted aye.
During the public forum Mary Ellen Driscoll addressed the Council with her concerns on maintenance of her alley. She has paid to have it chip and sealed to help hold the surface together and prevent erosion. However, the north part of the alley is too steep and narrow for chip and seal so it continues to wash to her property. After a lengthy discussion on various issues relative to the alley, Driscoll requested the City provide her a supply of large rock/gravel to stockpile at her property. She will then use it as needed to keep the alley from eroding. The Council agreed to work with Driscoll in keeping the alley in good condition.
As an addendum to the Agenda, the Council took action to appoint someone to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Council Member Fisher. Rex Link addressed the Council with a statement that he is not actively seeking the appointment but would be willing to serve if asked. Goodrich stated he had talked to Fern Bontrager who has agreed to serve and moved to appoint her to the position. Slaubaugh seconded the motion and all voted aye. Link was thanked for his offer.After a brief general discussion Goodrich moved for adjournment at 8:37pm, Latcham seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, May 18, 2009, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.
Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.