March 21, 2016

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March 21, 2016

Wellman, Iowa

The Wellman City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 5:30pm.  Mayor Ryan Miller presided with City administrator, city clerk and the following council members: Robert Goodrich, Fern Bontrager, Robert Freeman and Tracy Owens, absent Jared Schneider.  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:

3/14 PAYROLL:    
Carrie Geno   $512.40
Sandra K Miller   $391.48
Allison R Watkins   $77.58
Carol A Wilkins   $921.71
Teresa K Lampe   $926.23
Betty Johnston   $114.52
Travis D Hartley   $998.72
Jesse J Meade   $1,082.12
Christine D Huston   $989.65
Kelly L Litwiller   $1,611.55
FED Taxes   $2,712.64
Aramark Uniform Services Skate Rink – Services $74.64
Binns & Stevens Dust Control 2016 Dust Control – Wellman $50.00
Conney Safety Safety Ladder – Water Plant $781.90
Continental Fire Sprinkler Com Annual Fire System Inspection – Parkside $225.00
Eastern Iowa Light & Power Lift Station $100.54
Energy Economics Inc Index for Gas System $1,114.44
Gas Products Sales Inc Tracer Wire – Coupling – Gas $1,383.74
Iowa Association Municipal Util New Service Line Install $1,685.16
Iowa Pump Works Pump for WWTP $835.00
John Deere Financial Filter & Oil $52.90
Menards Rake, gloves, hedge trimmer – Parks $122.95
PeopleServices Inc Water/Wastewater April $13,968.00
RS Stover Company Spring & Caps – Gas System $217.66
The Terry Company Wax Tape – Gas System $222.00
Thrapp Electric Parkside Lobby Lights $396.00
U of I Health Care J Gingerich – EMS Call $173.00
USABlueBook Measuring Wheel $125.03
USDA March PAC USDA Payment $2,532.00
Washington Community YMCA Meade, Litwiller, Hartley Membership $1,197.00
Washington Economic Dev 2015-2016 Pledge $2,500.00
Wellman Advance Skate Rink Advertising $56.00
TOTAL   $38,151.56

In public forum, Mr. Ramirez located at 801 12th Ave asked council to consider vacating alley between their property and Nancy Hole located at 717 12th Ave.  Ramirez would like to construct a two car garage and would need to have access to the alley.  Litwiller indicated that she looked into the utility easements and believe there are none.  Litwiller will have on agenda for next meeting to take action.

Also in public forum, Stephen Vold raised his concerns regarding the operation of the Wellman Water Plant as he is no longer employed by PeopleServices, Inc who currently has an operation contract with City of Wellman.

Randy Tinnes updated council regarding 24 calls in the month of February.  Tinnes indicated there were a few juvenile, domestic and drug calls, but nothing too out of the ordinary.  He also indicated that they have been hitting Hwy 22 hard and yesterday gave a few warnings.

Dennis White from PeopleServices gave council a brief update on the operations of the facility operations.  White indicated that prior to month end the RO Skid #2 will have the second Clean in Place completed.  Mr Ramirez indicated that he did not feel the water was as good as use to be and has smells of chlorine.  White indicated that they could test his water to see if anything was going on, but feels that everything is okay.  Litwiller will follow up with his concerns.  PeopleServices and the City want to provide the best quality of water possible to its residence.  Also, White addressed council of the current changes of operation of the Wellman facility.  White will be responsible operator of the facility who is qualified to operate the plant as permits require Grade II operators.  Josh Dean who has worked for PeopleServices for the last 6 months as part-time will become the new daily operator of facility.  Dean will be getting his certifications in the next few months, but as of now White will be the Affidavit Operator.  White will be present in Wellman 2-3 days a week  as well is working on  a rotation of other employees within company to assist with operation of plant when needed.  Vold asked if PeopleServices has any intentions of hiring a full time certified operator to operate the plan 7 days a week.  White indicated at this time we are not, White will be operating the plant as Affidavit Operator and Dean will be the daily operator.  Vold then asked Council if these were the expectations when signing contract with PeopleServices?  Mayor Miller indicated that this is something we have had to do in the past and believe that Dean has the capabilities of operating.  Vold indicated as a residence of Wellman and being former operator he does not feel comfortable with Dean operating the plant.  He indicated that he feels that Dean does not have the experience or knowledge to know when issues arise.  White believes that Dean will operate the facility to standards set by permits and PeopleServices.  Goodrich mentioned that he believes that another third party should be involved in giving an analysis of operation of the water plant.  There has been funds sunk into the facility but seems that the issues never get solved.  White would agree and will supply Litwiller with a list of consultants to contact.  Litwiller will be following up.

Second reading of Ordinance No. 239 Amending the Code of Ordinance of the City of Wellman, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to customer deposits for gas utilities.  Motion was made by Bontrager to approve second reading and waiving the third, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes, Schneider absent.

Second reading for Ordinance No. 240 Amending the Code of Ordinance of the City of Wellman, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to customer deposits for water utilities.  Motion was made by Goodrich to approve the second reading and waive the third; Seconded by Owens and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes, Schneider absent.

Resolution No. 16-15 Authorizing City of Wellman to apply for WCRB grant for Sr Dining Flooring project was introduced and caused to be read.  Project amount is for $28,724 requesting $20,724 from WCRB.  The City of Wellman and Sr Dining Commission are committed to $8,000 in matching funds.  Goodrich moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-15, Seconded by Bontrager and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes, Schnieder absent.

Resolution No. 16-16 Authorizing City to purchase F150 from Charles Capper Ford Inc was introduced and caused to be read.  Purchase price of the truck is $25,374 which includes state concessions of discount.  Bontrager moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-16, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was 3 unanimous ayes, Schneider absent and Owens abstained.

Resolution No. 16-17 Appoint Tobi Boyse to Temporary Part-time Summer position was introduced and caused to be read.  Set wage at $11.44/hour to start April 4, 2016 – November 15, 2016.  Freeman moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-17, Seconded by Owens and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes, Schneider absent.

Resolution No. 16-18 Authorizing City to apply for WCRB grant for Parkside Activity Center Security Camera System was introduced and caused to be read.  Project amount is for $6,718 requesting $3,718 from WCRB.  The City of Wellman is committed to $3,000 in matching funds.  Freeman moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-18, Seconded by Goodrich and upon roll call the vote was 4 unanimous ayes, Schneider absent.

Resolution No. 16-19 was not read and no action was taken at this time.  Resolution No. 16-19 will be introduced at a later date.  Bond attorney and engineers were not able to get documentation or information in time for meeting.

Tim Cutsforth was present to discuss 11th St Sewer project.  Kim Anderson as well as Randol’s were present for meeting.  Tim discussed the cost estimates for the project as well as plans and specs.  The voluntary petition will be prepared by Dorsey & Whitney in the next week to be sent to homeowners.  The project process is in full swing and is on target according to engineer’s timeline.

Council was in favor of allowing the Library to use the skate rink for summer reading program.  Library will be sponsoring two free skates this summer.

Discussion and action was taken on raising skate private party building fee from $125 to $150 and pop/candy concessions from $1 to $1.50.  Operational expenses have increased over the years and the City has not increase prices for several years.  Teresa does not seem to think this will affect business.  Bontrager moved to approve the increase, Seconded by Freeman and all voted aye.

Goodrich moved to accept the City using Paradigm Public Awareness Program (USDI), Seconded by Freeman all voted aye.

In council reports, Owens discussed 3rd Street culvert concerns.  Litwiller will follow up with suggestions on fixing for temporary time until funds are available for permanent fix.  He also suggested adding stop sign to the intersection of 3rdStreet and 1st Ave intersection.  Litwiller will follow up.   Owens suggested that come April that we need to have a plan of action for nuisance properties.  City attorney will be present at April 4th meeting for work session to discuss further plan.  Miller mentioned the “Hopp House” on Ginkgo North end of town is coming along and is impressed with the progress. Bontrager said that she attended a wedding this weekend at Parkside and wanted to mention how great of an asset to the community it is to have the Parkside facility.  Bontrager also mentioned that she would like to see that David Ebersole do some of the flower bed maintenance this Spring.  Litwiller will discuss further with Ebersole on plans.   Litwiller mentioned an opportunity of an intern for the summer through the Workplace Learning Connection.  There is a MP student interested in doing an intern with the City of Wellman.  Litwiller will follow up and set up a meeting to discuss options.

With no further business Bontrager moved for adjournment at 7:11 pm, Owens Seconded and all aye votes.  The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, April 4, 2016, 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.

© 2019 City of Wellman 316 8th Avenue, PO Box 129, Wellman, IA 52356

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