City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

July 9, 2007

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 9, 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 Jeff Christianson, Larry Beck and Thomas Hall. Karrie Johnson and Pam Logue-Newcomb were absent. Others present included Jim Barber, Rhett Taylor, Sherie Paup, Tom Albaugh, Brooke Scott, and Carla Barnhart.

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

Friends & Company requested permission to place an ice machine on the sidewalk. Brooke Scott provided a picture of the machine and indicated that the machine would be placed on the east side of the front door. Larry Beck motioned, Jeff Christianson seconded to approve the request in compliance with Code 136.19 for the ice machine to be placed on the sidewalk. Ayes all. Motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA: Larry motioned, Tom seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 6/11/07, finance reports, and claims. Roll call vote: Ayes: Christianson, Beck, and Hall. Nays: None. Johnson & Logue-Newcomb were absent. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

Payroll	3,898.11	CEDAR COUNTY AUDITOR	2,346.00
WELLMARK	2,603.12	CEDAR COUNTY AUDITOR	4,270.00
US POSTAL SERVICE	97.16	CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE	945.00
Payroll	5,854.13	CR PHOTO COPY	6.00
TREAS, STATE OF IOWA	1,677.00	CLARENCE TELPHONE CO	6.00
I P E R S	1,686.17	CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING	551.35
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	4,407.30	E C I A	516.12
MATT PARROTT & SONS CO.	130.69	EMERGENCY APPARATUS MNT	691.22
QUILL CORPORATION	211.42	FARM PLAN	18.50
UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO.	78,450.72	HACH COMPANY	143.79
WALMART	442.80	IA LEAGUE OF CITIES	574.00
ODD JOBBER	1,975.00	IA DEPT NAT RESOURCES	143.16
DOUG BEAN	14,503.00	IOWA WIRELESS	58.90
ANDERSON ERIKSON	40.68	JOHNSON COUNTY AMBULANCE	150.00
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	121.31	JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC	2,232.50
US POSTAL SERVICE	87.80	KEYSTONE LAB, INC	225.90
US POSTMASTER	125.84	KIRKWOOD COMM. COLLEGE	120.00
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	350.00	KOCH'S PAINT & LUMBER	66.58
AMAZON.COM	434.31	CONNIE KNUTSEN	1,000.00
EAST CENTRAL LIBRARY SER	2.00	KUNDE OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT	336.37
IA OFFICE SUPPLY	71.57	MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.	314.35
NICKELODEON	29.97	NFPA	150.00
SEVENTEEN	20.00	OROURKE MOTORS	271.00
STAPLES	15.27	QUILL CORPORATION	321.79
TARGET	63.98	SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY	3,457.20
RJ ENDER	689.00	SWANK MOTION PICTURE INC	96.00
UPSTART	15.00	ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION	3,829.55
JASON LEVENHAGEN	150.00	ADVANCED WATER TECH.	335.20
AIRGAS, INC.	93.47	AIRGAS, INC.	171.60
ALLIANCE MEDICAL	515.73	CASEY'S GENERAL STORE	136.75
ALLIANT ENERGY	4,772.52	HYGIENIC LABORATORY	15.00
AREA AMBULANCE	64.38	KEYSTONE LAB, INC	275.00
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE	190.92	MT. VERNON SUN	42.00
CCEDCO	2,933.00	NEW HORIZON FS INC.	1,071.49
CEDAR CO EMS ASSN	100.00

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of June by fund

Fund	Receipts	Disbursements
Agency-Water	111.22	50.00
Ambulance Trust	4,285.38	1,145.32
Fire Trust	95.98
General	39,147.21	41,508.43
Gift Trust	177.02	50.00
Road Use Tax	8,482.85	5,784.70
Sewer Utility	6,461.91	4,268.33
Solid Waste	8,247.61	5,631.85
Special Revenue	-20,338.18
Employee Benefit	275.85	3,342.59
Water	10,162.19	82,042.22

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Ambulance Report: Sherie Paup reported 17 calls with 3 being traumas and 14 medical. She also reported doing some shared training with the Stanwood Ambulance members.

Police Report: Police Chief Jim Barber presented the council with his written report of activity for the month which included 6 agency assists; 2 Ambulance assist; 3 animal cases,2 arrest; 17 citizen assist; 2 Criminal mischief, 1 death investigation, 11- 911, 4 traffic stops with 2 citations and 2 warning’s, 1 trespass. In addition to 3 nuisance abatements filed, and 12 code violations for animal at large, illegal parking, noise disturbance, fireworks violation, open container in public, 2 bad check notices served, 6 citations issued for fraudulent license plates, illegal parking, police obstruction, no car insurance, and trespassing.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Fire Chief Rhett Taylor reported a total of 4 calls with 1 being storm watch, report of individual climbing water tower, car in ditch, and a 4 car accident. On 6-18-2007 11 members participated in the driver training and on 6/21/2007 4 members participated in the Cedar County disaster drill. The department is also planning to do some hose training on July 16 by using the water ball equipment which may stir up some rust particles in the water system. Notice will be put on the cable channel. A thank you note was also passed along to the Fire Chief from a resident of the Mt. Vernon-Lisbon area who has attended the fireworks for the past 9 years. A very nice production! A special thanks to the pyro-technicians Dan Paidar and Bob Moravek for the extra time and effort they spent in setting up the displays.

Public Works Report: Tom Albaugh reported that the pressure regulator in well 2 was replaced; they have installed approximately 30 radio read meters, and have been experiencing some trouble at the lagoon with the floats getting tangled up. Council directed that correspondence be directed to the engineers to see if this can be corrected. Information received from Eddy-Walker Equipment Company for a Curb tender side loader and containers was also shared with the council.

A request for 2 stumps to be removed in the park at a cost of $125 from John Rottman was approved with a motion by Larry Beck, and second by Jeff Christianson. A request for vacation on August 13-17 for Tom Albaugh was also approved. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Administration Report: Some revisions to the ACH procedures was needed to satisfy the bank examiners, therefore, Bridge Bank suggested using the on-line banking features and provided an ODFI (Originating Depository Financial Institution) Agreement which was approved to be signed with a motion from Tom Hall, second from Jeff Christianson. Ayes all.

Coppess also provided information about the flag pole at the cemetery needing to be painted, the bushes around the Doughboy needing to be removed, and the doors on the shed at the cemetery should be painted. Most items will be taken care of by the public works department and Coppess will check on having the flag pole painted.

Old Business:

Discussion and possible action on:

Resolution to adjust date of passage for the request of a special election for the LOSST Revenue: The council was requested by the County Auditor to change the date on the resolution for the Local Option Sales Tax special election that was passed last month to be this month instead, in order to comply with the election deadlines and be in sync with the other cities. This was approved with a motion by Larry Beck, seconded by Tom Hall to change the date on the resolution to this month. Ayes all. Resolution adopted.

Proposal for handrail and mounting plates $1385.00: Larry motioned, Tom seconded to approve the design and installation of the handrails for the north side of East First Street. The handrail project will be paid for with a donation from the Senior Citizens. Ayes all. Motion carried.

First Street Improvements: The council reviewed the break down of the costs between the east and west ends on option 3. Council directed clerk to have City attorney review the projected legal fees for doing an assessment of the costs of the curb and gutter.

Review of Safe Routes to school stop sign information: An example of the Uniform Traffic Control Devices for a school crosswalk warning was reviewed. Carla Barnhart also provided information which was gathered from some parents on what they viewed as an alternative to the original “route to school”. The clerk reported as also having previously discussed this route with the school superintendent. The clerk was directed to set up a meeting with the county engineer, Larry Beck, and the Mayor in order to work out the details of the county responsibilities and the cities regarding the necessary signage for X-40 and the enforcement of the traffic controls. This will allow the council to identify what needs to be changed in the current ordinance referencing school stops.

New Business:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

Larry Robinson re-appointed to Planning & Zoning Commission & Jeptha Randolph reappointed to Board of Adjustments: Larry Beck motioned, Jeff Christianson seconded to reappoint these individuals to the respective boards. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Reverse 911/predisaster program (presentation). No one present.

Sidewalk replacement at alley on Jackson Street between 1^st and 2^nd Street: Tom Hall pointed out that this becomes very muddy following a rain and suggested that the walk be finished over the alley. Council directed to add this section to the others previously identified when the sidewalk inspections were made last fall and to prepare a list for bids to be considered at the next meeting.

Repair/replacement of roof at East end of open pavilion: Council member Hall stated that he is concerned that wood may be damaged by powder post beetles. Beck will attempt to drill hole to see if any damage has been done. Council agreed that it be sprayed with insecticide and that contacts be made to see about replacing and painting the fascia board and the 4x4 around the roof of the building.

South Street Parking Issues: Council discussed the possibility of extending the no parking zone on the south side of South Street, however, requested that a letter be sent to the property owners in the 500 and 600 blocks requesting their input and other suggestions for eliminating the congestion in that area before making a decision.

Livestock in City limits Code 55.05 and 165.10 section 10: Council reviewed the basis of a complaint and determined that a letter should be sent to the owner indicating that they are in violation of the city code.

Committee Reports: None.

Correspondence: The minutes of the Highway 30 Coalition were shared as well as a notice from the Senior Citizens looking for new board members.

Mayors Comments: Reminded council of the upcoming movie night at the Memorial Building at 7:00 p.m.; thanked the police chief for going above and beyond in responding to a dead animal complaint; thanked the Fire Dept personnel for doing a great job on the Fourth of July as well as MAC for the Ice Cream cones.

Set next regular meeting date: 8-13-07 at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Christianson motioned, Beck seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.

ATTEST:

____________________________ _______________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer