City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

April 9, 2012

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, April 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 and Pam Logue.  Others present included Alan Zerbe, Jim Barber, Lonni Koch, Mike Hayslip, Tina Hanks, Bob Steen, Tom Thimmes, Gorman Robinson, and Stuart Clark.

 

Receive visitors/public comment:  Bob Steen provided information about some of the history concerning the recent accomplishments of the Mechanicsville Economic Development Corporation and the important role that Gorman and Faye Robison have played in contributing to those accomplishments.  He then stated that their generosity continues as he presented the city with a check for $10,000 to be used for the continued development of the ball park/sports complex which was given by the Robinson’s to the Economic Development Corporation and in turn given to the city.  It was with great appreciation and gratitude that the city accepted this donation for the purpose of providing a place for future generations to be able to play ball.  On behalf of the community the council extended a big “Thank you”. A short break in the meeting was taken for a newspaper photo.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Dee Cook motioned, Calvin Paup seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, finance reports, claims, minutes from 3/12/12, renewal of Bubba’s Sports Bar liquor license, and accepting a grant from the Community Foundation of Cedar County in the amount of $7500 for the ball park development. Roll call vote: Ayes: Cavey, Paup, Cook, Davis, and Logue. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

 

The claims approved were as follows:

 

  AGVANTAGE FS INC                            VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                 $681.72

  AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL                      OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $143.05

  ALLIANT ENERGY                                ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $5,750.52

  AMAZON.COM                                    LIBRARY MATERIALS                                  $392.65

  AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE                  OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $151.60

  BAKER, DAN                                      MEETINGS & CONFERENCES                           $113.85

  BOUND TREE MEDICAL                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $763.66

  BUDS AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR                 VEHICLE REPAIR                                         $112.44

  CAR QUEST AUTO PARTS                      VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $52.62

  CASEYS GENERAL STORE                     VEHICLE OPERATIONS                               $1,485.04

  CEDAR COUNTY RECORDER                   RECORD LAND PURCHASE                               $7.00

  CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE               PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                    $972.00

  CEDAR VALLEY MOBILITY                     BLDG MAINT & REPAIR                                 $310.00

  CLEARY BUILDING CORP                       BUILDINGS                                             $5,474.00

  ENTWISLE, ANGIE                                JANITORIAL EXPENSE                                  $300.00

  FIRE SERVICE TRAINING BUREAU             TRAINING                                                 $250.00

  GRAINGER                                         OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $148.10

  GREEN, BRICE                                               WATER DEPOSIT REFUND                                $50.00

  IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY                      TRAINING                                                   $20.00

  JOHNSON COUNTY AMBULANCE             OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $200.00

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

  KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC              OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $344.30

  KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE           TRAINING                                                    $5.00

  KOCH, DANIEL                                    ASSOCIATION DUES                                     $15.00

  KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC               OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $35.92

  KUNDE OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT                 MINOR EQUIPMENT                                      $239.12

  LISBON-MT VERNON AMBULANCE            OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $300.00

  MCCORMICK, ASHLEY                           ALLOWANCES - UNIFORMS                             $27.00

  MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO            TECHNOLOGY SERVICES EXP                        $323.08

  NAPA AUTO PARTS                             VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $40.47

  ODD JOBS INC                                    OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $2,000.00

  P & K MIDWEST                                   VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $87.79

  PATRIOTIC PRODUCTIONS                      OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $100.00

  QUILL                                               OFFICE SUPPLIES                                        $329.58

  ROLLER, JOE                                                 WATER DEPOSIT REFUND                                $24.68

  SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC                     MINOR EQUIPMENT                                        $86.05

  SHEPLEY PHARMACY                           OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $130.57

  TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS        PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                          $195.30

  TRIPLE T ENTERPRISES INC                     OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $135.75

  WELLMARK BC BS                               GROUP INSURANCE                                  $3,829.37

  WENDLING QUARRIES INC                      STREET MAINT EXP                                     $292.49

  WOLF, DOUG                                     MEETINGS & CONFERENCES                           $113.85

  PAYROLL                                                        WAGES                                                                $12,067.77

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of March by fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

7,006.08

37,716.97

Road Use Tax

10,306.42

6,554.02

Employee Benefit

731.34

1,829.61

Local Option Sales Tax

5,348.31

 

Library Expendable Trust

79.65

 

Ball Park Fund

 

21,495.71

Capital Project

 

2,185.63

Ambulance Trust

10,250.25

5,689.70

Fire Trust

5.25

 

Water Utility

8,030.52

5,047.62

Sewer Utility

5,536.88

6,510.38

Solid Waste

8,400.50

8,210.40

Water Deposits

50.00

 

 

REPORTS:

Administration Report:  Coppess reported in the process of searching for storm sewer easements it was discovered that South Street between Madison and Monroe had been vacated on October 4, 1920.  However, this transaction does not appear to have been recorded with Cedar County. Under the advice of the city attorney, Calvin Paup motioned, Pam Cavey seconded, to authorize the city attorney to prepare a deed for the street that was vacated by the adoption of Ordinance 21 on October 4, 1920 to the Consolidated Independent School District of Mechanicsville, a/k/a Lincoln Community High School, a/k/a North Cedar Community School District.  The school will then be able to issue a proper deed to the private individual who purchased the property.  Restrictions for utility easements (water, sewer, storm sewer) will be included with the deed.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

The search for storm sewer easements that go across private property to the east from Cedar Street continues.  Maps indicate that this particular pipe was in existence prior to 1950 and other sources have indicated that a portion of it was actually replaced in the early 1960’s.  A subdivision of the property was recorded in 1898 for 11 of the lots.  Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact city hall.  If nothing can be found as being recorded, the city will need to go through the process to have new easements prepared.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe was reported sweeping streets, mowing has started about 3 weeks early this year; gear box on deck was taken to P&K for warranty work; water is on at park, nets are up, silt fence was removed and the ridge was leveled out that it left, dirt was hauled and  re-seed an area.  The building material has arrived.  The consumer notice for lead tap water monitoring was done, but the copy that was to be mailed to the DNR was filed in error.  It has been forwarded today.  Zerbe will be working with the Iowa Rural Water Association regarding the Well Head Protection.  Nitrate samples are tested each year and since 1998 the reading has been creeping upward.  The current levels are not anywhere near harmful, but the concern is why they are increasing ever so slightly.  They will continue to research. 

 

Proposal from LL Pelling for seal coat and gutter patch repair was approved with a motion by Pam Logue and a second by Dee Cook.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Barber provided a recap of the calls for the month which included 16 agency assist, 2 ambulance assists, 1 animal case, 3 arrests, 1 assist motorists; 5 citizen assist, 1 domestic assault, 1 fire department assist, 1 harassment; 9 – 911, 1 theft, 6 traffic stops, 1 citations, 2 warnings, 1 bad check notice served; 1 juvenile run-away, 2 citations issued for illegal parking, no valid drivers license.

 

Fire Report:  Lonni Koch reported 23 fire calls 3/11 brush fire; 3/11 outside rubbish; 3/13 brush fire; 3/14 hazardous condition, other; 3/16 porch fire; 3/18 outside rubbish fire; 3/18 motor vehicle accident; 3/19 medical assist EMS; 3/19 field fire; 3/19 field fire; 3/19 motor vehicle accident; 3/21 brush fire; 3/25 brush fire; 3/25 motor vehicle accident; 3/31 storm watch; 4/1 lift assist and a 10-22; 4/3 medical assist; 4/4 storm watch; 4/5 EMS call; 4/8 buidling fire; 4/8 passenger vehicle fire; and 4/9 rubbish fire.  Requests for 2 coats and 2 full sets of gear estimated to cost $2500-$3000, a 10-3 cord for fan estimated at $103.00; and authorizing the mayor to sign the fireworks permit was approved with a motion by Calvin Paup, second by Pam Logue.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  168 needed to have the oil sending unit replaced and 161 needs to have a shock repaired.

 

Ambulance Report: Lonni Koch reported 27 ambulance calls with 3 of them being refusals; 4 mutual aids with A-4 (Clarence) and 2 with Area Ambulance.  14 calls were ALS and 9 BLS.  The EMS computer lost its hard drive and Alan Heinan has spent many hours trying to recover/replace.  A request for 3 to take the AEMT practical test at a cost of $175 in May and a training instructor from Vinton to teach an INS class $50 on excited delirium.  Dee Cook motioned to approve the ambulance report, Rob Davis seconded.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Old Business:

Park board request for laser tag July 4, $995:  Tina Hanks was present to answer questions regarding the proposed game to charge $5 /person and the game would be available for 3 hours in the late afternoon.  Calvin Paup motioned, Rob Davis seconded to approve the contract from Gee Willie’s Entertainment.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Storm Sewer status update on televising and cleaning:  The two quotes received for televising and cleaning the storm sewer were from Municipal Pipe $20,840.05 and Dave Schmidt Construction $11,243.85.  Dave Schmidt Construction was approved to proceed with the work as quoted.  Upon completion of the televising and cleaning Hart Frederick will be able to complete the plans and specifications for the proposed storm water project.

 

New business

Alliant Energy, Franchise Fees and agreements:  The current agreement with Alliant Energy will expire in January 2013.  A public hearing needs to be held in order to proceed with renewing the franchise agreements for the gas and electric.  Calvin Paup motioned, Dee Cook seconded to set the date for the public hearings for May 14, 2012 and to publish the proposed notices for the new ordinances.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Tree City USA Community:  Council reviewed the information needed to become a Tree City and declined to take any action at this time.

 

Dust Control:  Calvin Paup motioned, Pam Cavey seconded to direct clerk to check with M&K for a quote and to proceed with accepting the lower price for the dust control on 125th and at the east end of First Street.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Sand Fleas/mites:  Council discussed issue and found to be present at both parks.  They reviewed information on treatment process. Authorized public works to determine best option and proceed as needed. 

 

Small Town Sign Replacement signs ordered:  The city was notified that the IDOT has ordered the 11 Stop signs, 7 Yield and 1 Stop Ahead sign that needed to be replaced to be in compliance with the retro-reflectivity program and that the signs should be available to pick up from the DOT maintenance garage in April.

 

Sample Storm Water Utility Ordinances:  Several sample ordinances were provided for council to review for the establishment of a Storm Water Utility.  Rob Davis motioned, Pam Cavey seconded to table until next month to allow more time to review the information that was received.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  

 

Committee Reports: None.

 

Correspondence:  Information from the Iowa League of Cities was received on the upcoming Small Cities Workshops and Iowa Rural Water is promoting 2012 Water Week May 6-12th.

 

Set next regular meeting date: Monday, May 14, 2012

 

Mayor Comments: None.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Calvin Paup motioned, Dee Cook seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer