City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

January 8, 2007

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2007 at City Hall.  Mayor David L. Furry called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Council members present for roll call were Larry Beck, Jeff Christianson, Thomas Hall, Karrie Johnson and Pam Logue-Newcomb.  Others present included Jim Barber, Alan Zerbe, Nate Baker, Dan Kurth, Dan Paidar, Doug Cook, Sherie Paup, Judy Hartman, Michele Finnegan, and Greg Morris, Toyne.

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda:  None.

CONSENT AGENDA: Larry Beck motioned, Karrie Johnson seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 12/11/06, finance reports, and claims. Roll call vote: Ayes:  Beck, Christianson, Logue-Newcomb, Hall, and Johnson.  Nays: None. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

PAYROLL DECEMBER	WAGES	5479.08
TREAS, STATE OF IOWA	WAGES	1783.42
I P E R S	IPERS	1497.23
WELLMARK	HEALTH INS	2958.70
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	FICA/MC	4687.28
BRUCE HANKS	REFUND DEP	50.00
AIRGAS, INC.	MED SUPPLY	99.65
ALLIANCE MEDICAL	MED SUPPLY	28.35
ALLIANT ENERGY	UTILITIES	4051.19
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE	CLOTH ALLO	113.49
AREA AMBULANCE	MUTUAL AID	64.38
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	LOCK BOX	62.00
BUSINESS RADIO SALES	MINOR EQUIPMENT	228.53
CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE	FEES LANDFILL	945.00
CHUCK PAUL TRUCKING	ICE/SNOW	314.69
ED M. FELD EQUIP. CO.	OP EQ REPAIR	48.45
FIRE SAFETY USA	MINOR EQUIPMENT	200.00
GALL'S, INC.	CLOTH ALLOWANCE	138.95
I I W ENGINEERS	ENGINEERING FEES	3832.50
I M F O A	DUES/MEMBE	30.00
IOWA WIRELESS	TELEPHONE	134.92
JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC	RECYCLING	2091.50
KEYSTONE LAB, INC	TESTING FEES	258.00
KINZLER CONSTRUCTION	BLDG MAINT	12181.00
KOCH'S PAINT & LUMBER	BLDG MAINT	650.50
LISBON-MTVERNON AMB SERV	MUTUAL AID	75.00
MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.	TELEPHONE	318.87
NAPA AUTO PARTS	MAIN/EQUIP	102.83
QUILL CORPORATION	SUPPLIES	280.92
SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY	MINOR EQUIPMENT	105.00
SHEPLEY SNYDER PHARMACY	MED SUPPLY	1.19
STRACKBEINS, INC.	VEH REPAIR	188.75
CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING	PUBLICATIONS	87.91
UNITED LABORATORIES	MISC OP SU	1580.25
WALMART	OP SUPPLY	22.59
ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION	EQUIPMENT REPAIR	1482.41
AMAZON.COM	LIB VIDEO	409.28
IA OFFICE SUPPLY	SUPPLIES	80.12
LOWDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY	POSTAGE	126.41
EAST CENTRAL LIBRARY SER	SUPPLIES	4.00
DEMCO	SUPPLIES	67.07
STAPLES	OFFICE SUP	64.98
CASEY'S GENERAL STORE	VEH SUPPLY	41.61
NEW HORIZON FS INC.	VEH SUPPLY	674.53
HYGIENIC LABORATORY	PMTS TO AG	15.00
SEEHUSEN INS. AGENCY,INC	INSURANCE	269.00
HACH COMPANY	OP SUPPLY	78.80
AIRGAS, INC.	MED SUPPLY	21.00
PAYROLL JANUARY 15	WAGES	5108.21
ALLIANT ENERGY	UTILITIES	2408.37
US POSTAL SERVICE	POSTAGE	874.05

Total Receipts for the month of December by fund:

Agency-Water	178.90
Ambulance Trust	7597.46
Fire Trust	295.99
General	17028.52
Gift Tree Trust	177.98
Gift Trust	22.37
Library Trust	95.00
Road Use Tax	7877.29
Sewer Utility	5343.07
Solid Waste	7483.14
Special Revenue	5977.76
Employee Benefit	907.20
Water	8546.19

Total disbursements for the month of December per fund:

Agency-Water	78.90
Ambulance Trust	6083.57
General	27228.04
Library Trust	1500.00
Road Use Tax	32,614.24
Sewer Utility	7,002.88
Solid Waste	5,764.28
Special Revenue Emp Benefit	149.58
Water Utility	4,534.01
Water Sinking Fund	4,401.80

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

LIBRARY REPORT-BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS:  Judy Hartman presented the council with a summary of the library’s activity for 05-06 which included 11,047 people in the door; 4,742 adult books checked out, 6,089 children’s books checked out, 5,699 videos/DVD’s checked out, 192 audio books checked out, 1,046 periodicals checked out, 2,259 computer use, and 458 miscellaneous items.  The programs provided included summer reading program and story hour; teen read night, monthly story hour at preschool; book delivery to day care, two author visits, guest speakers, craft day, monthly adult reading group, weekly reading at the Mechanicsville care center, movie days, and game days.  The automation was also completed, the library flooring and painting with the help of a grant, donations, and city funding, and started creating the library’s web page with the help of the Gates Foundation and the State Library.  Judy also presented a proposed budget for the library.  Michele also added that the board would like consideration for more hours for the library, holiday pay for the part time employees, and a salary increase.  She also expressed the board’s appreciation to Tyler Gesling for his Eagle Scout project which was moving the furniture around within the library while the flooring was being installed.  Plans for the next year also include applying for grants for additional shelving and a wireless internet server.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:  Chief Baker reported 2 calls for grass fires with one being a mutual aid to Tipton.  Nate provided a summary for 2006 to include 10 grass fires, 7 car accidents, 4 structure fires, 10 storm watch, 2 other fires, 1 mutual aid for Adam 3, and 7 service calls including 2 for smoke alarms, 3 fire prevention, 1 lost child, and 1 lightning strike for a total of 41.

Nate also presented a proposed budget for 07-08 of which the council will take into consideration during the budget workshop.    Greg Morris presented information about the proposed purchase of a fire truck which included information on why buy a new truck now, life expectancy of a truck, cost of their proposal, financing options and an opportunity to ask questions.  Dan Kurth then presented information he had received from Greg Landin, Alexis Fire. One truck being a Freightliner and the other a Peterbuilt, with the same specifications would cost approx. $209,000.

Additional discussion was held regarding the eliminating of the 2 trucks and selling them outright.

AMBULANCE REPORT:  Coordinator Paup reported a total of 19 calls with 17 being medical, 2 traumas, 2 refusals, and 2 mutual aid. 

Request for training Joel Polhamus, EMT B, $1000:  Sherie requested that Joel be reimbursed for his training upon him passing his final testing; signing a 2 year commitment for serving on the Ambulance, and providing receipts for the expenses.  Pam motioned, Karrie seconded for the reimbursement upon the conditions mentioned being satisfied.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

Possibility of purchasing new Zoll monitor w/12 lead $22,000:  Sherie informed the council that there is a possibility with the new rules being passed by the Federal Government that we may need to upgrade our monitors from a 5 lead to a 12 lead in order to maintain our paramedic service level.  There are also new standards coming into place for the various levels of EMT’s.  Jeff motioned, Pam seconded, to authorize Sherie to inform Zoll that we will budget for the purchase at the discounted price, however, will retain the right to not follow through with an actual purchase.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  There would also be a $3000 trade in value for one of our existing monitors.

Clarification on radio in new ambulance:  Sherie asked the council if they wanted to spend $500 to have the old radio transferred out of the old ambulance and put in the new one, or spend $1500 to have a new radio installed.  Jeff motion, Larry seconded to authorize $1500 for the new radio.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

POLICE REPORT:  Police Chief Jim Barber presented the council with his summary of activity for the year which included 7 accident, 144 agency assists;2 alarms,  5 ambulance assists, 24 animal cases, 11 arrests; 12 assist motorists, 6 assaults, 2 building checks, 3 burglary, 169 citizen’s assist; 7 criminal mischief; 3 domestic assault, 4 fire department assist; 2 harassment, 74 - 911, 4 thefts, 45 traffic stop with 15 citations, 30 warning’s In addition to 22 nuisance abatements filed, 3 bad check notices served, 1 stolen vehicle recovered, 1 vehicle towed, 54 code violations and 48 citations.

 PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Zerbe presented work logs and council discussed whether the logs were necessary to complete.  The council indicated that some type of report is desirable indicating the types of project being completed during the month; however, the detail by number of hours in each category was not necessary.  Zerbe could use his discretion on the type of report used.

Garbage Truck discussion:  Council discussed that the floor in the packer is really thin with lots of holes; the unit is 12 years old.  Zerbe was directed to gather pricing information on replacing just the packer as well as the whole unit.

ADMINISTRATION

Coppess indicated that the Income Surveys were prepared and mailed out with the water bills.  The surveys are to be returned in the special envelope so that the address can be checked off as having returned an envelope.  The envelopes will then be picked up by ECIA.  This allows for the residents information to remain confidential and not viewed by anyone local.

Coppess also reported having mailed out the letters to the township trustees on behalf of the fire department for a meeting to review the proposed budget and next years contracts on January 17 at 7:00 p.m.  The trustees will have an opportunity to discuss with the volunteers equipment needs and plans for future purchases.

Old Business:

Discussion and possible action on:

Dorsey & Whitney action required to amend the Urban Renewal Plan and eliminate the expiration date: The Mayor announced that an amendment to the boundaries of the Mechanicsville Urban Renewal Area had been prepared, along with an amendment to the urban renewal plan for the area, and that it was now necessary to set a date for a public hearing on the proposed amended area and proposed amendment to the urban renewal plan.  Accordingly, Council Member Karrie Johnson moved the adoption of the following resolution entitled “Resolution setting date for a public hearing on designation of the expanded Mechanicsville Urban Renewal Area and on urban renewal plan amendment,” and the motion was seconded by Council Member Larry Beck.  Following due consideration, the Mayor put the question on the motion and the roll being called, the following named Council Members voted: Ayes: Beck, Hall, Logue-Newcomb, Christianson, and Johnson. Nays: None.  Whereupon, the Mayor declared the resolution duly adopted as follows:

Setting date for public hearing on designation of the expanded

Mechanicsville Urban Renewal Area and on urban renewal plan amendment;

WHEREAS, the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Mechanicsville, Iowa (the “City”) by resolution created the Mechanicsville Urban Renewal Area (the “Urban Renewal Area”); and

WHEREAS, a proposal has been made which shows the desirability of expanding the Urban Renewal Area to add and include all the property within the legal description set out in Exhibit A; and

WHEREAS, this Council is desirous of obtaining as much information as possible from the residents of the City before making this decision; and

WHEREAS, an amendment to the urban renewal plan covering the expanded Urban Renewal Area has been prepared and it is now necessary that a date be set for a public hearing on the designation of the expanded area and on that plan amendment;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Mechanicsville, Iowa, as follows:

Section 1. This Council will meet at the City Hall, Mechanicsville, Iowa, on the 12th day of February, 2007, at 7:00 o’clock p.m., at which time and place it will hold a public hearing on the designation of the expanded Urban Renewal Area described in the preamble hereof and on the proposed urban renewal plan amendment for said area.

Section 2. The City Clerk shall publish notice of said hearing, the same being in the form attached hereto, which publication shall be made in a legal newspaper of general circulation in Mechanicsville, which publication shall be not less than four (4) nor more than twenty (20) days before the date set for hearing.

Section 3. Pursuant to Section 403.5 of the Code of Iowa, the City Clerk and Larry Nagle of ECIA are hereby designated as the City’s representatives in connection with the consultation process which is required under that section of the urban renewal law.

Section 4. The proposed urban renewal plan amendment is hereby submitted to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendations, as required by Section 403.5, Code of Iowa.

The date for the consultation session was also set for January 25, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Furry and council member Logue-Newcomb volunteered to be present as well.

New Business:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

Smoking/No Smoking in City Buildings:   Mayor Furry stated that the County will become smoke free in buildings and vehicles.  He inquired whether the council felt the city should also become smoke free.

Name official Newspaper, official depository, city attorney:  Beck motioned, Hall seconded, to name the Tipton Conservative as the official newspaper, Bridge Community Bank as the official depository, and Lowell Dendinger as the City Attorney.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

Mayor appoints committees:  Mayor Furry appointed the council members to another year on their existing committees.  He also appointed Beck, and Hall to review the policy statement for changes.

Appoint mayor pro-tem:  Karrie Johnson motioned, Pam Logue-Newcomb seconded to appoint Larry Beck as Mayor pro-tem.  Ayes all.  Larry abstained.  Motion carried.

Set date for Budget Amendment:  Karrie motioned, Larry Beck seconded to set February 12, 2007 at 7:00 pm for the public hearing on the proposed budget amendment and directed the clerk to publish.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

Budget Work Session:  The council members will meet with the employees assigned to their committees and provide proposed salary increases to the clerk within 2 weeks in order for her to prepare the worksheets for the budget work session.  A special meeting will be held on February 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a budget workshop.

Correspondence:  None.

Committee Reports: No additional reports.

Mayors Comments: Reminded everyone that the Community Foundation of Cedar County grant applications are on-line and are due March 15, 2007.  He asked everyone to promote the completion of the Income Survey, and looks forward to a great year.

Set next regular meeting date: 2/12/07

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Hall motioned, Beck seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

ATTEST:

____________________________                     _______________________________

Linda K. Coppess, CMC                                         David L. Furry, Mayor

City Clerk/Finance Officer