City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

November 14, 2011

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 14, 2011 at City Hall.  Mayor Boyd A. Stine called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.   Council members present for roll call were Deanna Cook, Calvin Paup, Larry Beck, Gene Brown and Carla Barnhart.  Others present included Alan Zerbe, Jim Barber, Austin Sorgenfrey, Lonni Koch, Rob Davis, Doyle Pickering, Brent Montz, Brenda Rouse, Wayne Betts, Tina Hanks, and Adam Sandberg.

 

Receive visitors/public comment:  Tina Hanks shared information with the council about the Iowa Living Roadways grant application being due December 1 and proposed having it address the ditch along North Elm Street as a community entryway beautification project or landscaping of recreational trail project by planting it with natural grasses.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Deanna Cook motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, finance reports, claims, and minutes from 10/10/11. Roll call vote: Ayes: Paup, Cook, Beck, Brown and Barnhart. Nays: None. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

  BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                     OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                      $21.64

  ACCO                                              CHEMICALS                                              $795.60

  AGVANTAGE FS INC                            VEHICLE OPERATIONS                               $1,468.68

  AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL                      OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $150.35

  ALLIANT ENERGY                                ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $5,087.51

  ALTORFER INC.                                   OPERATIONAL EQUIP REPAIR                         $456.04

  AMAZON.COM                                    LIBRARY MATERIALS                                  $496.33

  AMENT, INC                                        OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                   $9,498.29

  AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE                  OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $303.20

  BOUND TREE MEDICAL                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $40.19

  BUSINESS RADIO SALES & SERVICE         MINOR EQUIPMENT                                      $417.37

  CASEYS GENERAL STORE                     VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                 $774.17

  CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE               PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                  $1,508.00

  CEDAR RAPIDS PHOTO COPY INC             OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                      $56.27

  CHASE CARD SERVICES                        OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $209.56

  DEMCO                                             OTHER SUPPLIES                                         $77.54

  DOUGLAS W SIMKIN LAW FIRM                LEGAL EXPENSE                                        $250.00

  ENTWISLE, ANGIE                                JANITORIAL EXPENSE                                  $335.00

  GALLS                                             ALLOWANCES - UNIFORMS                           $141.96

  HANKS, TINA                                      OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $87.18

  IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY                    INTEREST PAYMENTS                                $1,245.00

  IWIRELESS                                         TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                 $74.70

  JIMS AUTO BODY                                VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $28.00

  JOHNS LOCK & KEY                             OFFICE EQUIPMENT REPAIR                            $360.20

  JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC               OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $2,902.50

  JONES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $320.00

  KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC              OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $298.30

  KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE           TRAINING                                               $3,707.00

  KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC               BLDG MAINT & REPAIR                                 $273.84

  LISBON-MT VERNON AMBULANCE            OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $200.00

  LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS               STREET MAINT EXP                                   $3,421.00

  MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO            TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                $587.06

  ODD JOBS INC                                    OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $2,650.00

  POSITIVE PROMOTIONS                         SAFETY SUPPLIES                                      $290.45

  QUILL                                               OFFICE SUPPLIES                                        $112.96

  RADISSON                                         TRAINING                                                 $253.12

  ROTTMAN CONSTRUCTION                     GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & REPAIR                 $340.00

  SEEHUSEN INSURANCE AGENCY              INSURANCE EXPENSE                                  $100.00

  SHEPLEY PHARMACY                           OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $438.85

  STAPLES                                          OFFICE EQUIPMENT                                     $218.97

  TARGET                                            OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $450.80

  TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS        PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                          $397.56

  TUMBLEWEED PRESS INC                       SUBSCRIPTION & ED MATERIAL                       $200.00

  US POST OFFICE                                 POSTAGE/SHIPPING                                      $76.00

  WALMART                                         OFFICE SUPPLIES                                         $88.31

  WELLMARK BC BS                               GROUP INSURANCE                                  $3,691.33

  CEDAR COUNTY RECORDER                   COURT & RECORDING FEES                             $35.00

  KOCH, YOLUNDA                                TRAINING                                                 $414.94

  WOLF, DOUG                                     TRAINING                                                 $135.81

  PAYROLL                                                        WAGES                                                               $12,529.66

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of October by fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

96895.17

22229.85

Road Use Tax

8405.11

10424.41

Employee Benefit

14479.22

747.91

Local Option Sales Tax

5888.04

 

Library Expendable Trust

4.77

 

Capital Project

92322.07

967.95

Perpetual Care

250.00

 

Ambulance Trust

6269.06

2315.71

Fire Trust

.34

 

Water Utility

8568.32

8520.08

Sewer Utility

5667.26

4294.23

Solid Waste

8242.40

4741.61

Water Deposits

250.00

50.00

 

REPORTS:

Administration Report:  Coppess reported Nesper will be re-installing the awning at the library later this week; Shannon Walshire is resigning from the library, notice has been posted and interviews are being conducted; Kelly’s Jingle Bell Walk will be December 10, 2011, and Veteran’s will be Honored on November 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building;  the abstract of votes from the election were: Pam Cavey 61 votes; Rob Davis 63 votes; Pamela Logue 60 votes; and scattering 7 votes; the budget workshop is Wednesday, and an unemployment hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported concrete patches being completed; lead and copper water tests; vacuuming leaves; and the wastewater inspection.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Barber reported 2 accidents; 17 agency assist, 1 ambulance assists; 3 animal cases, 4 arrests, 2 assault, 1 building check, 1 unsecured; 1 burglary; 12 citizen assist, 1 criminal mischief; 7 - 911, 2 thefts, 6 traffic stops, 1 citations; 5 warnings; 1 abatement filed; 4 warnings for code violations on illegal parking; curfew violation; fireworks violation; 3 citations issued illegal parking, allow unauthorized person to drive.  Jim also introduced Austin Sorgenfrey to the council.

 

Fire Report:  Lonni Koch reported a total of 8 calls which included a 10-50 Hwy 30 refusal on 10/12; 10/18 smoke at Homer’s appliance; 10/19 MNRC smoke alarm and again later; 10/29 cooler door fire; 11/4 house fire; 11/9 10-50 Franklin Avenue semi vs. SUV; and 11/14 semi vs. train on Charles Ave.  Lonni also reported having the departments election of officers and the annual recognition banquet will be December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 Ambulance Report: Lonni Koch reported 18 calls and 3 EMT’s will be taking the advanced class in Mt. Vernon in January.

 

Old Business:

Resolution 2011-17 to participate in the IDOT small town replacement grant program was introduced by Calvin Paup, seconded by Larry Beck.  Roll call vote:  Ayes: Paup, Cook, Beck, Brown and Barnhart.  Nays: None. Motion carried

 

Fence proposals for retaining wall at Morgan’s:  Council reviewed the proposals received with costs ranging from $4000 to $8950.27 it was determined to seek additional information regarding whether the fence could be 2 or 3 feet high rather than 4 foot. Calvin Paup motioned, Gene Brown seconded to table until next month.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Maintenance shed (tabled from October meeting):  Discussed whether pricing information was available for a hoop building with an approx. size of 14x40 and also to find out a cost of pouring a 4 foot cement wall for it to set on.  Larry Beck motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to table again.  Ayes all. Motion carried.

 

New Business:

Sr. Citizens request to mount speakers in stage area:  Wayne Betts provided information about the size of speakers.  Larry Beck motioned, Gene Brown seconded to approve having the speakers installed for the PA system.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Set date for Christmas holiday:  Larry Beck motioned, Gene Brown seconded to set 12/26/11 as the employees holiday.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Proposals for Tree removal:  Upon placing a public notice for sealed bids to have trees removed from the right of way and city property Calvin Paup motioned, Larry Beck seconded to accept the proposal received from Odd Jobber for the tree behind city hall to be removed and the one at Dan Baker’s at a total cost of $1450. The balance of the trees being recommended by the DNR for removal will be done as budget permits.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Trees for Kids and Trees for Teens Grant Program:  Council discussed but will need to put on hold until the trees are removed.

 

Health Alert Network Memo of Understanding:  Dee Cook motioned, Larry Beck seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the MOU to permit the fire chief to be the contact person for receiving the information from the HAN network for any health emergency.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Violations of Wastewater permit limitations:  Council reviewed report from IDNR and then directed that Hart Frederick be contacted to determine treatment alternatives to ensure compliance with effluent limits.  The engineer must develop a plan of action describing the recommended actions to remediate any treatment plant deficiencies to comply with the NPDES effluent limits and specifying an implementation time schedule and submit to the IDNR by February 1, 2012.

 

Ball Park report and no grant from Community Foundation of Cedar County:  Council reviewed minutes from committees report and further discussed applying for the grant again next year and whether the council would consider matching funds made available to the city through  the softball/baseball diamond committee and establishing an account for donations made to the city for a future softball/baseball diamond.  The committee informed the council that the former Lincoln Kid League would donate $12,302.65 if the city would still be willing to put up the $10,000.  Larry Beck motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to direct the clerk to establish a new fund on the city books for the purpose of establishing a Mechanicsville Sports (Ball Field) Complex and to transfer the $10,000 that was originally committed in the grant application.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  The committee will meet again on January 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Building.

 

Request to have property owner replace windows/make repairs at 305 N John:  Doyle requested council file nuisance abatement against the property of which the city has already obtained 2 large judgments against the property.  No further action taken by the council.  

 

Committee Reports: None.

 

Correspondence was received from Iowa Rural Water Association, Live Healthy Iowa, and Mueller Systems.

 

Set next regular meeting date: Monday, December 12, 2011

 

Mayor Comments: None. 

 

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 8:56 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer