Minutes City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

July 8, 2013

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 10, 2013 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, Calvin Paup, Dee Cook, and Pam Cavey. Pam Logue was absent.  Others present included Joe Smith, Jim Barber, Doug Wolf, Jim Meyer, Bonnie Butler, and Alena Thomson with Cedar County Public Health.

 

Receive visitors/public comment: Jim Meyer addressed the council with concerns he had related to a neighbor being permitted to connect into the storm sewer with a tile.  The request had previously been reviewed by the city engineer.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Rob Davis motioned, Dee Cook seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 6/10/13, finance reports, claims, the State Audit report was also received and filed. Roll call vote: Ayes: Davis, Paup, Cook and Cavey.  Nays: None. Absent: Logue. Motion carried.

 The claims approved were as follows:

STATE OF IOWA                                                                                            $1,012.91

AGVANTAGE FS INC                               MINOR EQUIPMENT                                  $1,323.55

ALLIANT ENERGY                                  ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $5,993.46

AMAZON.COM                                     OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $213.32

BENNETT, KELSEY                                       WATER DEP REFUND                                        $50.00

BOUND TREE MEDICAL                           OPERATING SUPPLIES                               $1,093.57

CASEYS GENERAL STORE                        VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                 $965.83

CEDAR COUNTY AUDITOR                       PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                  $8,601.15

CEDAR COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOP         ASSOCIATION DUES                                 $3,071.00

CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE                 PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                  $1,008.00

CHASE CARD SERVICES                          POSTAGE/SHIPPING                                    $198.57

CLARENCE LOWDEN SUN-NEWS & ADV        PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                           $14.00

DOUGLAS W SIMKIN LAW FIRM                 LEGAL EXPENSE                                         $464.58

ECIA                                                 ASSOCIATION DUES                                    $641.76

ENTWISLE, ANGIE                                 JANITORIAL EXPENSE                                  $315.00

GRAINGER                                          MINOR EQUIPMENT                                     $156.00

HACH COMPANY                                   MINOR EQUIPMENT                                     $454.95

HARDEN LAWN SERVICE                         OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $2,400.00

INTL INST OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS              ASSOCIATION DUES                                    $145.00

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RES        OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $133.82

IOWA INSURANCE DIVISION                    OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                  $10.00

IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES                        ASSOCIATION DUES                                    $667.00

JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC                OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $3,002.50

KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC                OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $474.20

KLUESNER CONSTRUCTION                     STREET MAINT EXP                                   $3,035.96

KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC                  BUILDING MNT REPAIR                              $1,052.18

LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS                 OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $7,965.00

MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO              TELECOMMUNICATIONS                               $327.42

MT VERNON LISBON SUN                         PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                           $29.00

OVERDRIVE                                        SUBSCRIPTION & ED MATERIAL                      $403.14

P & K MIDWEST                                    VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $80.28

QUILL                                               OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $87.95

RAPER, WILLIAM                                         WATER DEP REFUND                                        $50.00

RIGHT WAY MGMT                                       WATER DEP REFUND                                        $50.00

ROLFE, CONNIE                                           WATER DEP REFUND                                       $50.00

SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC                       OPERATIONAL EQUIP REPAIR                        $804.45

SEEHUSEN INSURANCE AGENCY                INSURANCE EXPENSE                                $2,068.00

STANBURG, KEITH                                       WATER DEP REFUND                                        $50.00

STAR EQUIPMENT LTD                            OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $1,113.06

STATE OF IOWA                                   ACCOUNTING & AUDITING EXPENSE             $10,327.72

STRAVCH, STEVE                                         WATER DEP REFUND                                        $50.00

TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS          PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                         $482.55

US CELLULAR                                      TELECOMMUNICATIONS                               $101.41

WALMART                                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $113.19

WELLMARK BC BS                                        INSURANCE                                               $4,072.33

WELTER SEED & HONEY CO                     OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $84.00

WENDLING QUARRIES INC                      OTHER SUPPLIES                                     $1,931.80

PAYROLL                                                          WAGES                                                               $15,776.67

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of June by fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

9456.48

38032.88

Road Use Tax

8787.17

27169.04

Employee Benefit

377.78

1,579.72

Local Option Sales Tax

6,526.75

 

Library Expendable Trust

53.69

 

Ball Park Fund

986.65

63.75

Ambulance Trust

929.62

1,174.23

Fire Trust

 

6500.00

Gift Trust

42.38

 

Debt Service

304.22

 

Capital Project

 

6775.29

Water Utility

7,176.77

2,379.00

Sewer Utility

5126.54

18,597.43

Solid Waste

8036.33

5580.52

Storm Water Utility

981.20

 

Water Deposit

50.00

 

 

REPORTS:

Cedar County Public Health:  Bonnie Butler and Alena Thomson presented information about the reorganization of the department, community outreach programs, flu clinics, First Aid kits and immunization programs that they have available.  They also provided information on the Health rankings of Cedar County in comparison to other counties within the state.

 

Fire Report:  Doug Wolf reported 4 fire calls which included a 6/12 garbage truck, 6/21 storm watch, 6/24 severe weather alert and 6/26 storm watch. The fireworks display had a total of 401 shells with 80 of them being in the finale.  He reported that the cost of the fireworks retailed at $8328.78, however, with the early order discount it was a net cost of $5500.  Donations are being collected for next years show. July 20 the department will have a picnic at Ron Baker’s.

 

Ambulance Report: Doug also reported a total of 14 ambulance calls, with 5 being ALS, 1 BLS, 2 tiered with Area ambulance and indicated that Mike Hayslip is taking paramedic classes.

 

Public Works Report: Joe Smith confirm city policy of not accepting whole trees during the yard waste collection, discussed options with alley approaches washing away with council directing to check on cost of using seal coating rather than cement to help hold the rock in place, an anchor system was added to the wet well at the lift station in an attempt to keep the float untangled and allowing the pumps to come on at the proper times automatically; council requested follow up be made regarding the items outstanding on the completion of the storm sewer project including the removal of the silt fence; and discussion on various locations needing televised.  Calvin Paup motioned, Rob Davis seconded, to approve the vacation request submitted by Albaugh, request to purchase a Dissolved Oxygen meter at $1600; and approx. 2000 feet of televising to check out some potentially troubled areas.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Barber reported 3 agency assists, 1 alarm, 1 animal case, 2 arrest; 1 building check, 6 citizen assists, 1 criminal mischief, 1 domestic assault, 1 harassment, 5 -911 calls; 1 theft, 3 abatements filed; 8 warning for code violation for illegal parking; curfew violation, fireworks violation, and alcohol in public.

 

Administration Report:  Coppess informed council of a notice that the Community Action of Eastern Iowa will be taking applications for free school supplies, paper work for the flood disaster during April is ready for approval; the vending machines are in working order; and the audit was received and distributed.  An inquiry was made regarding the city removing a tree in the ROW and resident was informed that if the tree is not dead or diseased, it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain according to the ordinance.

 

New business discussion and possible action on:

Resolution 2013-12 setting the wage for the public works director for the remainder of fiscal year ending June 30, 2014: Whereas, the public works director has completed the satisfactory 90 day probation period as of July 1, 2013, Whereas, the classes have been taken for the Grade 1 Sewer and Water Distribution (Water Treatment not taken yet) with the testing to be completed at the end of 6 months of employment; Therefore, the wage shall be increased from $16.50 per hour to $18.50 per hour effective July 1, with no additional increase to be made upon completion of the testing.  Resolution was introduced by Calvin Paup, seconded by Rob Davis. Roll call vote: Ayes: Paup, Davis, Cavey, and Cook.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Logue.  Resolution adopted.

 

Letter of resignation from City Attorney:  Calvin Paup motioned, Dee Cook seconded to accept the letter of resignation from Doug Simkin and directed clerk to post notice requesting letters of interest be submitted.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Flooding Proposal for East First Street:  A proposal to install a load of riff raf rock and machine work at the end of East First Street was received from Luke Oberbreckling for a cost of $750.  Dee Cook motioned, Pam Cavey seconded to approve the expenditure.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Authorize signing of application and file documents on behalf of the city for Federal/State Assistance:  Dee Cook motioned, Pam Cavey seconded to authorize the clerk to complete, sign, and submit the application on behalf of the city.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Televising storm/sanitary sewer:  Topic and action was previously discussed within the public works report.

 

Pets in Cemetery:  Mayor Stine indicated that Lisbon had signs posted in their cemetery that stated “no dogs allowed”.  Rose Hill Cemetery rules do permit dogs to be in the cemetery provided they are on a leash and cleaned up after.  The rules and regs are posted on the small acrylic boards near the entrances of the cemetery.  It was noted that one of the boards is in need of repair.

 

Committee Reports: None.   

Correspondence:  The IDNR reviewed the Source Water Protection implementation progress and encourages the city to complete a smoke blow test in the sewer lines around the active wells to determine broken manholes, illegal connections including roof drains, sump pumps, and yard drains.

 

Set next regular meeting date: Monday, August 12, 2013

 

Mayor Comments: None.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Rob Davis motioned, Calvin Paup seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer