City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

January 9, 2012

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, January  9, 2012 at City Hall.  Mayor Boyd A. Stine called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.   Council members present for roll call were Rob Davis, Pam Cavey, Calvin Paup, Deanna Cook.  Pam Logue was absent (family death).  Others present included Alan Zerbe, Jim Barber, Lonni Koch, Judy Hartman, Erin Hazen, Acciona Wind Turbine Project; Justin Meade and Randy Krutzfield, Hart Frederick Engineering.

 

Receive visitors/public comment:  Erin Hazen provided information to the council regarding the construction of two 3 megawatt wind turbines that will be installed south of Mechanicsville on 160th Street.  The ground breaking will be done in late spring with the construction scheduled to be completed by September/October.  Road construction will be done to allow for the turning of the trucks off from Highway 30 onto X-40 with the permitting to be done by the DOT and the county.  One turbine will be a 92 meter steel tower and the other a 100 meter concrete tower generating enough power to run 1200 homes.  There will be an underground cable from the turbines to a substation near F28 and Jackson Avenue which is where the power will enter the grid.

 

Randy Krutzfield provided information to the council on the Cedar Street relief storm sewer project which included 820 ft of 36” diameter from intake to outfall; 2560 ft of 30” diameter from Cedar /John Street to intake; 630 ft of 24” diameter from MH on W side of Cedar and Monroe to Cedar and John St; 80 ft of 12” diameter lines between old and new; 7 storm manholes; 6 storm intakes 1500 ft of curb and gutter removal and replacement; 200 SY of PCC Pavement removal and replacement , traffic control, erosion control, seeding, and granular surfacing for a total estimated project cost of $529,300.  Plans are made on the assumption that the existing system is clean, with sound pipes and no restrictions.  It is recommended that these lines be televised to verify the condition.

 

A request to extend the deadline from Feb. 1 to March 1 for submitting a Plan of Action on the waste water violations was submitted to the DNR.  Engineers are awaiting results from a waste load allocation request that was submitted December 18 to the DNR and that information is required before a Plan of Action can be developed.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Deanna Cook motioned, Rob Davis seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, finance reports, claims, and minutes from 12/12/11. Roll call vote: Ayes: Paup, Cook, Davis, and Cavey. Nays: None. Absent:  Logue.  Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

    ALGER, RICK                                                   REFUND DEPOSIT                                       $46.14

    IRS                                                                    PAYROLL TAX                                      $3,123.24

  STATE OF IOWA                                                                                            $1,850.26

  IPERS                                               IPERS - CITY CONRTIBUTION                        $2,676.99

  IRS                                                                   PAYROLL TAX                                        $2,180.44

  BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                     OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                      $21.86

  WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS SERVICE            ASSOCIATION DUES                                    $505.00

  BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                     POSTAGE/SHIPPING                                      $64.61

  ALLIANT ENERGY                                ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $6,768.17

  AMENT, INC                                        ENGINEERING EXPENSE                                $786.81

  BOUND TREE MEDICAL                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $139.92

  BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                     OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                      $64.00

  CARUS CORPORATION                          CHEMICALS                                              $368.40

  CASEYS GENERAL STORE                     VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                 $652.84

  CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE               PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                    $972.00

  CHASE CARD SERVICES                        POSTAGE/SHIPPING                                     $137.13

  CLARENCE CAR CARE CENTER                VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $59.71

  CONNER, CASEY                                           REFUND DEPOSIT                                          $11.50

  HART-FREDERICK CONSULTANTS PC        OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $8,760.25

  HAWKEYE INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS         VEHICLE REPAIR                                         $218.23

  IEMSA                                              ASSOCIATION DUES                                     $30.00

  IMFOA                                              MEETINGS & CONFERENCES                            $30.00

  IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES                      POSTS/SIGNS                                          $1,333.44

  IWIRELESS                                         TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                 $70.99

  JJJ ENTERPRISES, INC                           SRTS PROJECT                                        $3,426.65

  JOHN DEER FINANCIAL                          VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $32.45

  JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC               OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $2,952.50

  KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC              OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $286.00

  KOCH, LONNI                                      TRAINING                                                   $84.00

  LISBON-MT VERNON AMBULANCE            OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $300.00

  LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS               STREETS                                              $11,647.00

  MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO            TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                $280.32

  ODD JOBS INC                                    OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $1,200.00

  QUILL                                               OFFICE SUPPLIES                                         $42.48

  TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS        PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                          $172.45

  WELLMARK BC BS                               GROUP INSURANCE                                  $3,829.37

  WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS SERVICE             REIMBURSEMENT                                          $169.52

  BUSINESS RADIO SALES & SERVICE         OPERATIONAL EQUIP REPAIR                         $313.60

  BOUND TREE MEDICAL                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $443.22

  KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC               OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $321.32

  CONSUMER REPORTS                           SUBSCRIPTION & ED MATERIAL                        $26.00

  CHILDRENS PLUS INC                            LIBRARY MATERIALS                                  $158.60

  IOWA OFFICE SUPPLY                           OFFICE SUPPLIES                                         $61.51

  MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO            TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                 $32.61

  OLIN HOSE CO                                    TRAINING                                                 $100.00

  PAYROLL                                                        WAGES                                                               $24,005.37

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of December fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

6,546.02

19,078.47

Road Use Tax

8,411.73

7,866.70

Employee Benefit

991.24

65.95

Local Option Sales Tax

-62,678.88

 

Library Expendable Trust

1,568.58

 

Ball park Fund

22,302.92

 

Capital Project

45,000.00

 

Perpetual Care

50.00

 

Ambulance Trust

13,163.40

2,293.14

Debt Service

7,424.00

 

Fire Trust

10,000.25

 

Tree Trust

90.25

 

Water Utility

-18,718.57

772.62

Sewer Utility

5,343.90

2,673.44

Solid Waste

7,849.67

4,248.13

Water Sinking Fund

26,192.00

 

Water Deposits

100.00

 

 

REPORTS:

Library budget information:  Judy Hartman presented the proposed library budget to the council with requests to consider having the carpet cleaned and adding a water spigot outside of building.  The board is planning to upgrade the catalog system which will allow the card catalog to be viewed on line as well as allowing books to be renewed electronically.  Plans are being made for a landscaping project to be done as an Eagle Scout project of which will be shared in more detail next month.  Judy also updated the council on many statistics about the library including 685 borrowers checking out 19,000 items during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

 

Administration Report:  Coppess reported completing the W-2’s and 1099’s and various other year end reports, also updated council on landscape/bushes for retaining wall.  Two vacation days were approved with a motion by Calvin Paup and second by Dee Cook.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported relocating the two signs that were discussed last month; concrete installed for salt shed; put on snow blower and took off again; the chain is broke on the flag pole at the cemetery; some water meters were installed and replaced some street signs.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Barber provided a recap of the calls for calendar year 2011 which included 9 accidents; 77 agency assist, 8 ambulance assists; 22 animal cases, 21 arrests, 10 assaults; 3 building checks; 4 burglary; 71 citizen assist, 17 criminal mischief; 1 fire depart assist; 10 harassment; 79 – 911, 21 thefts,  67 traffic stops, 12 citations; 55 warnings; 7 abatements filed and 3 bad check notices served; 60 warnings for code violations on illegal parking; curfew violation; noise disturbances; no peddlers lic; unlawful burning; abandoned refrigerator; golf cart viol; harassment; alcohol in public; rr blocking both intersections over time limit.  30 citations issued for illegal parking; no valid drivers license; drive while barred; careless driving; speeding; drive while suspended; allow unauthorized person to drive; fail yield emergency vehicle; animals at large; curfew violation; persons under legal age alcohol; fail abate nuisance; assault; weapons violation.  Traffic stops included 52 white males and 15 white females.  Council discussed possibly adding a Neighborhood Watch area including signage on the SW side of town.

 

Fire Report:  Lonni Koch reported 1 fire call which was a lift assist with A-3 and request to purchase 5 helmets @$180 each due to being out of date or damaged; MSA Air PAK with 2 tanks and 1 mask for $3800; 3 digital thermostats for $120 and 4 persons to attend Winter Fire School in Ames.  Calvin Paup motioned, Pam Cavey seconded to approve items under the fire report.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  

 

Ambulance Report: Lonni Koch reported 17 calls with1 refusal; 1 cancel en-route; 7 with A-4; 3 with A-51; 3 of the calls went to Tipton and 7 were Mechanicsville calls.  Cedar County EMS Fest is January 28.  Lonni read email regarding status of FEMA grant for the narrowband radio project of which the first and second rounds have been awarded and we have not received any notice yet, but discussion on how city is going to comply with the federal mandate needs to take place.  Also shared information received on the US Cellular plan which was $69.99 for the first two lines and an additional $10 for an additional line.  Need to determine contract expiration date of existing phones and whether or not blue tooth is available.

 

Old Business:

Salt shed:  Council reviewed the proposal from Cleary for a 26x36 shed with the east side being open.  Discussion warranted further consideration of enclosing the east side and having a 16x14 overhead non-insulated door with opener and a walk-in door.  Discussion tabled until additional information obtained.

New Business:

 

Street Light Resolution:  Discussion on whether a brighter bulb can be installed or is there just one standard size/wattage that is used.  Tabled action until next month.

 

Waste Water Permit request for waste load allocation:  Information provided by Hart Frederick Engineering at beginning of meeting.  No further action at this time.

 

Storm Sewer Project:  Information provided at beginning of meeting.  No further action will utilize information during budget work session.

 

Appoint mayor pro-tem:  Mayor Stine appointed Calvin Paup as Mayor Pro-Tem.

 

Appoint committees: Public Safety: Rob Davis & Pam Cavey; Public Works: Calvin Paup & Rob Davis; Culture & Recreation: Pam Cavey & Dee Cook; Health & Social Services: Rob Davis & Dee Cook; Community & Economic Development: Pam Cavey & Pam Logue; General Government: Calvin Paup & Dee Cook; Debt Service:  Pam Logue & Dee Cook; Capital Project: Calvin Paup and Pam Logue; Business Enterprises: Calvin Paup and Rob Davis.

 

Name official newspaper:  Tipton Conservative

 

Name city Attorney:  Doug Simkin

 

Dee Cook motioned, Rob Davis seconded to approve the appointments as made.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Set date for Budget work session:  January 23, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Committee Reports: None.

 

Correspondence was received from ECIA on the first time home buyers grant program and US Hwy 30 Coalition meeting.

 

Set next regular meeting date: Monday, January 23, 2012 and the regular meeting will be February 13, 2012.

 

Mayor Comments: The mayor welcomed the new council members.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Calvin Paup motioned, Rob Davis seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

Linda K. Coppess, CMC                                    Boyd A. Stine, Mayor

City Clerk/Finance Officer