February 16, 2016
Wellman, Iowa
The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Meeting Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 5:30pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with City Administrator, 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 Freeman, Seconded by Owens and all aye votes. The Consent Agenda includes the agenda, minutes from previous meeting, and the following claims:
| 2/16 PAYROLL: | ||
| Carrie Geno | $449.63 | |
| Sandra K Miller | $452.46 | |
| Allison R Watkins | $19.53 | |
| Carol A Wilkins | $921.71 | |
| Teresa K Lampe | $926.23 | |
| Ryan Miller | $276.80 | |
| Betty Johnston | $123.42 | |
| Travis D Hartley | $998.72 | |
| Jesse J Meade | $1,019.45 | |
| Christine D Huston | $910.93 | |
| Kelly L Litwiller | $1,571.15 | |
| FED Taxes | $2,627.55 | |
| Alliant Engergy | City Utilities | $7,625.48 |
| Amzon | Library Books & Videos | $83.21 |
| Aramark Uniform Services | Skate Rink – Mop & Supplies | $64.14 |
| Baker & Taylor Books | Library Books | $707.90 |
| Blake Hershberger Enterprises | Cut Cement – Watermain Break | $1,113.00 |
| Carol A Wilkins | Librray – Supplies & Videos | $115.44 |
| Carrie Geno | Library Reimbursement – Paint Supplies | $127.45 |
| Central Iowa Distributing Inc | Wipes/Floor Sweep/Handle | $100.20 |
| City of Wellman | Furnace Rebate / Insulation | $595.00 |
| Clayton Energy Corp | January Gas Purchase | $41,482.69 |
| Compass Business Solution | Billing Form | $527.23 |
| Cox Sanitation & Recycling | WWTP Dumpster | $75.00 |
| DEMCO | Library Supplies | $127.97 |
| Donna B Wade | Training in Office | $38.00 |
| Eastern Iowa Light & Power | Lift Station | $108.09 |
| Farmers Electric Coop | Xmas Light Removal | $240.75 |
| Ferguson Waterworks | Gas Radio Heads/Index | $476.00 |
| Freeman Foods | Skate Rink – Merch for resale/batteries/clorox | $146.64 |
| Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co | FY15 Exam | $1,747.69 |
| Hills Bank & Trust | Jan Merch Fees | $444.94 |
| Howard R Green Company | Water/WWTP Annual Inspection | $1,775.00 |
| Iowa Assoc Municipals Utilities | 2016 IAMU Gas Membership | $1,847.00 |
| Kalona Machine Shop | Tank Rental | $50.00 |
| Koch Brothers | Black/color copies | $126.28 |
| Kuenster Heating & Air LLC | Gas Supplies/Sunrise Toilet/Library preseason | $612.73 |
| Mahaska Bottling Co | Skate Rink Pop for Resale | $113.50 |
| Mast Construction | Dugout – N Park Ball Fields | $5,798.77 |
| Paws & More | Trap/Neuter/Release | $560.00 |
| Quill | Paper/Mr Clean/Clorox/Adding Rolls | $181.71 |
| Reggie Tire | F250/Gas Can/Uniloader/Tonner/Backhoe – Fuel | $191.60 |
| RTI | Librray ECP Pro Kit | $76.19 |
| Sam’s Club | Skate Rink Merch for Resale | $626.18 |
| Technology Services of Iowa | Monthly Maint City Hall | $140.00 |
| Thrapp Electric | Parkside Lights & Sign | $957.00 |
| Truck Equipment Inc | Caster Shank – Dump Truck | $175.22 |
| Unitypoint Clinic | Thrapp Pre-employment drug test | $37.00 |
| USDA | February Payment | $2,532.00 |
| Utility Safety & Design Inc | January Retainer Fee | $175.00 |
| VISA | Gas School – Travel – Best Western | $70.56 |
| Washington Community YMCA | Feb Building Rental – Vacuum / YMCA Membership | $965.50 |
| Washington Evening Journal | Clerk Position Ad | $282.44 |
| Weamer Electric | Sunrise/Back up Lights | $333.46 |
| Wellman Advance | Minutes/Skate Rink/Clerk Position | $342.55 |
| Wellman Auto Parts | Endloader Parts/Fittings/Sealant | $181.31 |
| Wellman Farm Center | Salt Brine | $185.00 |
| Westside Auto Repair | Dimmer Switch – High/low Beam | $117.07 |
| Yotty’s Inc | Keys & Gas Can | $22.99 |
| TOTAL | $84,720.46 |
No one spoke in the public forum.
Randy Tinnes from Washington County Sheriff’s office was not able to attend. Schneider had nothing out of the ordinary to report.
Stephen Vold from PeopleServices gave an update to council regarding the Water and Wastewater Plants. The City, Vold and HR Green are working together to come up with plans and changes to make operation more efficient. Vold is checking with HR Green to see if he should do another clean in place with high and low cleaners.
Resolution No. 16-06 A Resolution to set public hearing regarding Gas Utility deposit increase was introduced and caused to be read. The Gas Utility deposit will increase from $75 to $200. The public hearing will be held March 7, 2016. Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-06, Schneider Seconded and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes and 1 nay by Freeman. He stated that he believes the deposit should be increased more.
Resolution No. 16-07 A Resolution to set public hearing regarding Water Utility deposit increase was introduced and caused to be read. The Water Utility deposit will increase from $75 to $100. The public hearing will be held March 7, 2016. Bontrager moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-07, Goodrich Seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.
Resolution No. 16-08 A Resolution to set public hearing regarding City of Wellman FY17 Budget was introduced and caused to be read. The public hearing will be held March 7, 2016. Freeman moved to approve Resolution No. 16-08, Owens Seconded and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes.
In new business, discussion and action was taken regarding Chris Huston vacation accruals. Due to the limited time allowed to take while staff is short Huston has maxed on vacation accruals. Huston proposed to be paid out for 40 hours of vacations. Litwiller recommended to council to allow for the payout. Schneider would like to see going forward that hours get taken before we get to this point and not to make this an ongoing situation. Owens moved to approve 40 hours to be paid to Huston, Freeman Seconded and all voted aye.
Discussion and action was taken regarding Administrator/Clerk compensation for a onetime bonus for doing both Administrator and Clerk position for periods between November 16th when appointed interim Administrator and December 21st when hired as new City Administrator. Mayor indicated that she has done a great job and feels this would be a good way to show our appreciation. Owens moved to approve for a onetime bonus of $2,000, Bontrager Seconded and all voted aye.
No action was needed regarding the gas reports, but Administrator presented the Gas Reports that are due in March to council for review.
Tom Buckwalter was present to discuss the plans of parking used cars for sale owned by Buckwalter Motors on lot located at 801 6TH St (HWY 22). He is asking that the City provide letter to DOT that the City permits him to park cars on the lot. Freeman moved to approve the letter, Owens Seconded and 4 voted aye and 1 nay.
Upon motion by Bontrager, Seconded by Freeman and upon roll call the vote was unanimous ayes, council entered into closed session at 6:18pm per Iowa Coded 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 Bontrager and all aye votes, council entered into open session at 6:36pm.
Bontrager motioned to offer Clerk position to candidate one with starting wages at $18/hour with a $1 raise after attending clerk school in July, Seconded by Freeman and all voted aye.
In council reports, Owens mentioned to keep moving along with Starbeck-Miller building. Litwiller said that she plans to get back on track with nuisance issues now that the budget is almost completed. Owens also mentioned that helped with snow removal on Sunday. He also mentioned to Schneider that the speeding along Golf Course (Ginkgo) and HWY 22 has not slowed down. Freeman would mentioned that the water fountain at City Hall is not working and would like to see it fixed. Miller mentioned that there is an Prom Fund Raiser at Mr O’s next week. Schneider mentioned that he was impressed with th snow removal and thought the public works did a great job. Litwiller asked council to think about any WCRB grants they would like to apply for as they are due April. Litwiller is planning to write one for the Sr Dining flooring and working Elder Services on this. Litwiller gave council update on Blosser/Schaffer update.
Council entered into budget workshop to discuss the FY17 budget. Litwiller and Mayor stepped council through the tax asking, all fund balances, employee compensation, revenues and expenses. There are a few changes to be made, but overall the budget looked okay to council. There will be a public hearing set for March 7, 2016 to approve the budget.
With no further business to be discussed Freeman moved for adjournment at 8:48pm, Goodrich Seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council Meeting will be held Monday, March 7, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.
Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council Approval.