City of Mechanicsville
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 12, 2009
The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 12, 2009 at the Memorial Building. Mayor David L. Furry called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present for roll call were Larry Beck, Carla Barnhart, Gene Brown, Bryan Lovell, and Jeff Christianson. Others present included Jim Barber, Alan Zerbe, Tom Albaugh, Lonni Koch, Sherie Paup, Tina Hanks, Bob Hanks, Rob Davis, Boyd Stine, Doug Cook, Jeptha Randolph, Chris Yancey, John Deahl, Doyle Pickering, Martin Meyer, and Tim Crabb.
Receive visitors/public comment: Martin Meyer addressed the council about a curb cut in front of the old grocery store creating a no parking area in front of the door so that he can load and unload items. Employees from surrounding businesses are parking there all day long making access impossible. He also stated that the lines have not been able to be painted due to cars always being parked out front. Council requested that he mark the area he would like to have for the curb cut.
Public Hearing: The public hearing was opened by Mayor David Furry at 7:34 p.m. for the purpose of soliciting written and oral comments on the City’s proposed Iowa Department of Economic Development Housing Fund grant application. The application proposes to provide rehabilitation assistance to 8 owner occupied houses. Tim Crabb, ECIA, explained that the needs were identified by city staff, elected officials, and interested applicants; the program will be funded with $283,992 in IDED Housing funds plus $8000 of local effort with 100% benefiting LMI households, the application will be submitted by Friday, November 13, 2009; and the program by design will displace no households, however, if lead is known to be present within the structure, the owner will be temporarily relocated until the lead work is finished. Should the City be required to provide relocation assistance, the City will comply with the Uniform Relocation Act and Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
Resolution 2009-9 approving the proposed IDED Housing Fund application, authorizing the Mayor to sign the application and pledging the amount of $8,000 towards the project approved with a motion by Bryan Lovell, seconded by Carla Barnhart. Roll call vote: Ayes: Brown, Beck, Barnhart, Lovell, and Christianson. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA: Bryan Lovell motioned, Larry Beck seconded to approve all items under the consent agenda including the agenda, finance reports, claims, and minutes from 9/14/09. Roll call vote: Ayes: Beck, Brown, Barnhart, Lovell, and Christianson. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows:
|
STATE OF IOWA |
SALES TAX PAYABLE |
$1,037.40 |
|
AGVANTAGE FS INC |
VEHICLE OPERATIONS |
$1,350.20 |
|
AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL |
OPERATING SUPPLIES |
$94.66 |
|
ALL MED |
OPERATING SUPPLIES |
$56.04 |
|
ALLIANT ENERGY |
ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE |
$5,730.00 |
|
BAKER, NATE |
TRAINING |
$193.50 |
|
BEMER ROOFING |
BLDG MAINT & REPAIR |
$4,200.00 |
|
BOOTS BODY SHOP |
VEHICLE REPAIR |
$99.32 |
|
CASEYS GENERAL STORE |
VEHICLE OPERATIONS |
$101.25 |
|
CEDAR COUNTY EMS ASSOCIATION |
ASSOCIATION DUES |
$100.00 |
|
CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE |
PAYMENTS TO OTHER |
$828.00 |
|
CUMMINGS, DONNA |
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS |
$28.89 |
|
EBY, KELLY |
OPERATING SUPPLIES |
$15.09 |
|
ENTWISLE, ANGIE |
BLDG MAINT & REPAIR |
$730.00 |
|
FARM PLAN |
VEHICLE OPERATIONS |
$24.88 |
|
FOREMOST PROMOSTIONS |
SAFETY SUPPLIES |
$152.00 |
|
FRANKLIN PRODUCTS |
SAFETY SUPPLIES |
$110.85 |
|
HACH COMPANY |
CHEMICALS |
$132.09 |
|
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF |
MINOR EQUIPMENT |
$100.36 |
|
IOWA OFFICE SUPPLY |
OFFICE SUPPLIES |
$161.45 |
|
IOWA ONE CALL |
OTHER PROF SERV EXP |
$25.20 |
|
IWIRELESS |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
$277.07 |
|
JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC |
PAYMENTS TO OTHER |
$2,887.50 |
|
KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC |
OTHER PROF SERV EXP |
$333.70 |
|
KOCHS PAINT & LUMBER |
BLDG MAINT & REPAIR |
$331.65 |
|
LE DENDINGER |
LEGAL EXPENSE |
$250.00 |
|
LISBON-MT VERNON AMBULANCE |
OTHER PROF SERV EXP |
$75.00 |
|
LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS |
STREETS |
$18,242.00 |
|
MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
$327.40 |
|
MICROMARKETING |
LIBRARY MATERIALS |
$138.45 |
|
QUILL |
BLDG MAINT & REPAIR |
$153.03 |
|
ROTH, JAMES |
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS |
$23.29 |
|
SADLER POWER TRAIN |
VEHICLE REPAIR |
$113.07 |
|
SEVENTEEN |
SUBSRCIPTIONS & EDUCA |
$12.84 |
|
SHEPLEY PHARMACY |
OPERATING SUPPLIES |
$7.64 |
|
TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & |
PRINTING & PUBLISHING |
$317.81 |
|
WALMART |
VEHICLE OPERATIONS |
$31.89 |
|
WENDLING QUARRIES INC |
STREET MAINT EXP |
$185.79 |
|
WILDE, KAAREN |
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS |
$25.31 |
|
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE |
ALLOWANCES - UNIFORMS |
$197.47 |
|
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY |
LIBRARY MATERIALS |
$20.00 |
|
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES |
MEETINGS & CONFERENCES |
$30.00 |
|
KOCHS PAINT & LUMBER |
GOUNDS MAINTENANCE & |
$117.62 |
|
WELLMARK BC BS |
GROUP INSURANCE |
$3,261.80 |
|
PAYROLL |
WAGES |
12,811.27 |
Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of September by fund
|
Fund |
Receipts |
Disbursements |
|
General |
18630.71 |
15,106.44 |
|
Road Use Tax |
8,442.64 |
4,598.21 |
|
Employee Benefit |
2696.33 |
1,542.00 |
|
Special Revenue LOST |
6,015.29 |
|
|
Tax Increment Financing |
683.93 |
|
|
Library Expendable Trust |
3.46 |
|
|
Ambulance Trust |
11,774.46 |
15,190.05 |
|
Fire Trust |
.36 |
|
|
Water Utility |
9,238.04 |
14,304.22 |
|
Sewer Utility |
5,848.98 |
3,532.23 |
|
Solid Waste |
8,059.25 |
5,271.42 |
|
Water Sinking Fund |
12,000.00 |
|
|
Agency-Water |
398.60 |
|
REPORTS:
Ambulance Report: Sherie Paup presented the ambulance report which included 16 medical calls and 4 traumas, with 3 refusals; 3 tier with A-4, 1 Mutual aid A-51, 2 calls to Stanwood, and used A-9 1 time for a total of 21 calls. Joel Polhamus will be resigning at the end of the month due to relocation.
Fire Department Report: Lonni Koch reported 8 calls for the month; which included a tire fire 9/21, alarm at school 9/24, rollover 9/28, accident 9/30, storm watch 10/1, alarm at school 10/2 rollover 10/9 and accident 10/12. Koch requested to purchase 4 pagers with chargers at a cost of $1,592 ($398 ea.) and 5 batteries at $14 each. Jeff Christianson motioned, Gene Brown seconded to approve the purchase. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Koch reported that the department changed its by-laws to allow persons who work in town, but not living in town, to be on the department and further reported that Matt Snell has completed an application to join as he works in town, but lives in Lowden. Mondo Silva has resigned.
Koch reported that the Mechanicsville Fire and Ambulance Volunteers will be participating in the Trunk or Treat activities on Oct. 25. No action was taken on correspondence submitted by Koch requesting documentation mandating a “drug and alcohol policy” for the volunteer members of their organization in order to qualify for government grants. (Note: The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires all federal grantees to agree that they will provide a drug-free workplace as a pre-condition of receiving a grant from a federal agency)
Police Report: Police Chief Jim Barber provided a summary of the calls for the month which included 4 agency assists; 2 animal cases; 10 citizen assist; 2 criminal mischief, 1 harassment; 2 - 911; 3 traffic stops, 3 warnings, and 8 code violations for illegal parking, animal at large, loud music, with citations issued for illegal parking and possession of alcohol by minor.
Public Works Report: Alan Zerbe reported fall clean up was completed as well at the cemetery. The flag pole has been installed in front of the post office. A bid was accepted from Odd Jobber in the amount of $800 to remove 3 dead trees and 1 over a sewer easement with a motion by Larry Beck, seconded by Jeff Christianson. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Zerbe provided estimated costs on sewer rehabilitation which included grouting at $27.50 per joint plus grout at $7 per gallon; liner is approx $24.00 per foot plus $150 for each lateral opening; and in-flow covers at approximately $50 each. Zerbe further requested to proceed with the purchase of 10 covers which was approved with a motion by Bryan Lovell and seconded by Jeff Christianson. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Administration Report: Coppess requested to attend the Budget workshop in West Branch on November 17 at a cost of $30 which was approved with a motion by Bryan Lovell and seconded by Larry Beck. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Information was also provided on the I-Jobs Funding for the street report which requires the city to do a quarterly report on how the $5123 will be spent. Currently the city has not specified what project these funds will be spent on. They must be used in the same manner as the Road Use Tax Fund.
Old Business:
Park Board requested a change order in accepting the proposal for 105 x 120 at $44,883 which would eliminate the enlargement of the existing tennis court. Motioned by Carla Barnhart, seconded by Gene Brown to not enlarge the tennis court and to change the plans to allow for the skateboard area to be on the west side and the tennis court area on the east side of the court. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Mower replacement: Two bids were opened and reviewed on the replacement of the mower and snow blower. Motion was made by Gene Brown, seconded by Larry Beck to accept the proposal from Green Valley Ag & Turf at $10, 916.25 including chains, bracket and weights. Ayes all. Motion carried. The other bid from Monticello Equipment Company was $11,950.
Replacing 1998 pickup & plow: Two bids were received and the motion was made by Bryan Lovell to accept the proposal provided by Lynch Ford to purchase the 2010 F250 at $18,100 with the choice of Hinniker Trip-edge plow and strobe light installed for an additional $4835. The other bid from ORourke Motors was $20,130 plus $4200 for the plow and light. Ayes: Beck, Brown, Barnhart, and Lovell. Nays: None. Christianson abstained due to potential to be perceived as a conflict of interest. Motion carried.
Proposals for replacing doors(s) at the West Entrance of Memorial Building: No bids received.
Proposal for sale of Trucks:
Sealed Bids were opened on the sale of the 1991 GMC Dump Truck with 10 foot snow plow and rear sander: 3 bids received included $1250 Jim’s Auto Body, $2500 Dennis Coppess, and $1300 Martin Meyer. Motion was made by Bryan Lovell, and seconded by Jeff Christianson to accepted the bid for $2500. Ayes all. Motion carried.
There was only one bid received on the garbage truck: Bryan Lovell motioned, Jeff Christianson seconded to accept the bid of $525 from Jim’s Auto Body on the sale of the 1994 Garbage Truck with Heil 18 cubic yard packer. Ayes all. Motion carried.
1963 Ford 850 Fire Truck Pumper did not receive any bids, however, two interested parties called after the bid closing so there fore another RFP will be opened for bids again next month. Bids will be due November 6 by 4:00 p.m.
Update on Animal Care League: Mayor Furry reported attending the meeting of the organization and reported that their interest is in domestic animals only, they are working on applying for grants and hope to build a location in the Spring. Council directed clerk to send a letter of support on behalf of the City.
New Business:
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:
Ordinance pertaining to council compensation: The motion was made by Jeff Christianson and seconded by Larry Beck to approve the first reading of the ordinance on Council compensation. The salary of each Council member is forty-five dollars ($45) for each meeting of the Council attended payable semi-annually. Council members not wanting to receive said compensation shall submit a written statement to the City Clerk stating the desire not to be compensated. Ayes: Beck, Brown, Barnhart, Lovell, and Christianson. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Larry Beck then motioned to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance and Jeff Christianson seconded. Ayes: Beck and Christianson. Nays: Brown, Barnhart, and Lovell. Motion did not pass by 4/5 majority so the second reading will be held at the next meeting.
Notice of renewal rates 27.11%: Council directed that bids be requested for the employee health insurance premium.
Complaint on dumping camper sewage: Council reviewed a citizen complaint regarding the dumping of camper sewage in front of a residence and the resident observing carelessness when it comes to what actually goes into the manhole with no water to clean off any spills onto the street. Council will look for a better place.
Disposition of old flag pole: It will be made available for sale.
Guidelines for competitive bids: Motioned by Gene Brown, seconded by Carla Barnhart to set the deadline for competitive bids to be due 4:00 p.m. Friday before council meeting. Ayes all. Motion carried.
Proposal for Expert Insulation: No action taken on the proposal to fill the cement blocks at the Memorial Building with insulation.
Storm water Utility Workshop & I-Jobs Storm water grants: Information was reviewed with no action taken.
Committee Reports: None
Correspondence: Correspondence was received from Cedar County Solid Waste Commission regarding their meeting to approve the tipping fee increase of $1 per yard, IDOT Federal Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Funds, Iowa Department of Human Services on the Medicaid audit that is being done and the potential need to supply documentation supporting claims, and Hwy 30 Coalition will meet Oct. 13.
Mayor’s Comments: None.
Set next regular meeting date: 11-9-09
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Gene Brown motioned, Larry Beck seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
____________________________ ___________________________
Linda K. Coppess, CMC David L. Furry, Mayor
City Clerk/Finance Officer