City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

January 14, 2008

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 14, 2008 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 Jeff Christianson, Larry Beck, Pam Logue-Newcomb, Carla Barnhart and Gene Brown.  Others present included Jim Barber, Alan Zerbe, Tom Albaugh, Rhett Taylor, Sherie Paup, Bryan Lovell, Carolyn Myers, Mark Myers, Robert Davis, Jan Thien, Luella Scott, Margaret Glover, James Glover, Marie Cook , Calvin Robinson, Doyle Pickering, Rus Moravek, Chris Yancey, David Ferguson, Dorothy Ferguson, Janet Ford, Maurice Ford, John Sauer, Melisaa Eibey, Sandra Warren, Joe Smith, Matt Moravek, Mary Smith, Wayne Betts, Donna Kuehnle, Andrew Oberbreckling, Adam Holdt, Everett Russell, Jan Kuda, Susan Scott, Steven Scott, Joni Gray, Linda Beck, Amy Heinen, Judy Furry, Dan Paidar, Connie Knutsen, Doug Cook, Denise Bird, John Deahl, Diane Griffith, and Laurie Jewell.

 

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda:  Linda Beck read a statement concerning the goodness of the MAC activities, John Deahl voiced opposition to the accounting of the activities being run through the city budget; Rus Moravek commented on the size of the snow drifts on the West side of X-40 suggests the sidewalk be on the east side; Jan Kuda requested to be on next months agenda to discuss signing a contract with the Red Cross for a shelter, Rus Moravek commented on candidates night, Susan Scott addressed her decision to run as a write in candidate, Diane Griffith questioned who sent campaign flyer out, Luella Scott asked who paid for the “public service announcement” regarding tonight’s meeting,  Sherie Paup requested if attention could be given to storm drains being cleaned out,

 

CONSENT AGENDA: Larry Beck motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to approve the minutes from 12/10/07, finance reports, claims, and the request to continue membership in the Hwy 30 Coalition. Roll call vote: Ayes:  Christianson, Beck, Logue-Newcomb, Barnhart and Brown.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

 

The claims approved were as follows:

PAYROLL

WAGES

2,504.66

WALMART

OFFICE SUP

65.23

WELLMARK

HEALTH INS

2,824.43

US POSTAL SERVICE

POSTAGE

97.18

PAYROLL

WAGES

5,942.08

BUDS AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR

VEH REPAIR

868.99

E C I A

HOUSING REHAB

1,171.00

MARESH SHEET METAL WORK

HOUSING REHAB

415.11

MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.

UPS FEES

315.20

TREAS, STATE OF IOWA

IA WITHHOLDING

1,777.00

INTL REVENUE SERVICE

FICA/MC

5,188.78

I P E R S

IPERS

1,656.06

US POSTAL SERVICE

POSTAGE

206.31

TREAS, STATE OF IOWA

SALES TAX

1,007.00

ADVANCED WATER TECH.

OP SUPPLY

177.60

ALLIANT ENERGY

UTILITIES

4,163.41

ALLIANCE MEDICAL

MED SUPPLY

67.50

CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE

FEES LANDF

1,164.00

DANS TIRES AND MORE

VEH REPAIR

91.17

FRIENDS & CO

REFUND PERMIT

37.50

FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS

CONTR FEES

50.00

IA EMS ASSOCIATION

DUES

25.00

IA FIREMEN'S ASSN.

DUES

330.00

IA RURAL WATER ASSN.

FEES

225.00

IOWA WIRELESS

TELEPHONE

117.91

JIMS AUTO BODY

TOWING EXP

75.00

JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC

RECYCLING

2,232.50

KEYSTONE LAB, INC

TEST FEES

188.70

L E DENDINGER

ATTY SERV

275.00

LISBON-MTVERNON AMB SERV

MUTUAL AID

225.00

MATT PARROTT & SONS CO.

OFFICE SUP

89.89

HENDERSON EQUIPMENT CO

VEH REPAIR

314.82

MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.

TELEPHONE

287.52

ODD JOBS INC-JERRY DAKE

BURIALS

125.00

QUILL CORPORATION

OFFICE SUP

47.37

REPUBLIC COMPANIES

IRON/STEEL

1,244.00

SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY

VEH SUPPLY

22.50

SNO-G0 INC.

ICE/SNOW

179.40

THOMSON HEALTHCARE

OFFICE SUP

74.90

I M F O A

DUES/MEMBE

30.00

CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING

PUBLICATION

5.52

UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO.

CAPITAL EQ

1,627.44

WENDLING QUARRIES INC

ICE/SNOW

215.41

ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION

CAPITAL EQ

310.00

SHEPLEY SNYDER PHARMACY

MED SUPPLY

87.00

WALMART

OFFICE SUP

41.60

AGVANTAGE FS INC.

VEH SUPPLY

1,845.46

ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE

CLOTH ALLOW

201.55

AIRGAS, INC.

MED SUPPLY

55.80

BOB MORAVEK

BLDG MAINT

248.00

ALLIANT ENERGY

UTILITIES

2,359.74

CASEY'S GENERAL STORE

VEH SUPPLY

54.24

CEDAR CO EMS ASSN

MILE/CONF

80.00

HYGIENIC LABORATORY

PMTS TO AG

15.00

KEYSTONE LAB, INC

TEST FEES

40.00

QUILL CORPORATION

OFFICE SUP

117.98

DEMCO

SUPPLIES

50.92

MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.

TELEPHONE

28.14

VOGUE

SUBSCRIPT

29.40

HACH COMPANY

OP SUPPLY

128.18

PAYROLL

WAGES

6,527.03

IA ONE CALL

TEST FEES

22.50

FARM PLAN

VEH SUPPLY

16.70

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of December by fund

 

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

Agency-Water

-35.25

64.75

Ambulance Trust

6675.35

9036.99

Fire Trust

92.25

 

General

13518.81

25578.05

Gift Tree Trust

177.99

 

Gift Trust

 

13.50

Road Use Tax

8526.28

21967.10

Sewer Utility

5536.20

5338.67

Solid Waste

7614.06

6117.54

Special Revenue

11701.06

 

Employee Benefit

114.31

2763.52

Water Utility

6839.93

3265.12

Water Sinking Fund

2500.00

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Ambulance Report: Sherie Paup reported a total of 30 calls with 22 being medical, 8 trauma, 4 refusals; 2 no patient;  12 mutual aid calls;  9 with A-4; 2 with A-5, 2 tier with LMV/Air care, 1 respond to Stanwood and 1 respond to Clarence.  A request to purchase 6 safety vests at a cost not too exceed $70 each, and a request for Ron, Sherie, Connie, and Marilyn to attend training at $20 each was approved with a motion from Pam Logue-Newcomb and second by Larry Beck.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Sherie also explained that there is a possibility of someone from out of town being on the Ambulance in order to respond to calls during the daytime; however this will require a change to the by-laws.

 

Fire Department Report:  Fire Chief Taylor reported a total of 5 calls for December with 3 being a car in the ditch, a false alarm at the school, and a 2 car accident.  A motion was made by Jeff Christianson, seconded by Carla Barnhart to approve the list of Fire Department officers for 2008 as Fire Chief, Rhett Taylor; Ambulance Coordinator, Sherie Paup; First Assistant, Doug Cook; 2nd Assistant, Dan Paidar; 3rd Assistant, Joe Smith; President Dean Paup; Vice President, Nate Baker; Fire Training, Jake Koch; Ambulance Training, Connie Knutsen; Secretary, Lonni Koch; and Treasurer, Ron Baker.  Ayes all. Motion carried.

 

Rhett also requested that 4 members attend Fire School at a registration cost of $65 each in addition to 2 rooms for 2 nights at $75 per night and to purchase 2 pagers at $200 each and a chief radio ranging in cost from $600 to $900 was approved with a motion by Larry Beck, second by Carla Barnhart.  Ayes all.  Motion carried. 

 

Rhett reported Matt Moravek and Doug Wolfe completed applications for joining the Fire Department and on the recent repairs to 165, 168, and 164 requiring fuel pump, relays and wiring and brakes.  He also provided a copy of the correspondence he received from FEMA regarding the Fire Truck Grant not being funded.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Jim Barber presented the council with his written report of activity for the year which included 4 accidents, 125 agency assists;1 alarm; 6 ambulance assist; 26 animal cases; 14 arrest; 14 motorist assist; 3 assaults; 4 building checks; 4 found unsecured; 2 burglary; 150 citizen assist, 10 criminal mischief; 3 domestic assaults; 2 fire depart assist; 7 harassment, 1 accidental death; 1 suicide; 82  911,  9 theft; 42 traffic stops and 9 citations, 33 warnings 1 trespass, 3 welfare checks; in addition to 36 abatements filed, and 2 runaway juveniles, 1 attempted suicide; 5 bad check notices served;  163 warnings for code violations and 39 citations issued.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported moving snow and ice and picking up branches has been the primary activity for the month and also having to do some repairs on the plow.

 

Administration Report:  Coppess reported that Gene Brown was sworn into office on December 13, 2007 and Larry Beck on December 28, 2007. Recycling and Garbage will be as usual on Monday, January 21, attended a FEMA meeting in Iowa City on January 10 and completed a request for assistance in order for the city to be reimbursed for the expenses it will incurring as a result of the clean up from the ice storm.  A request from the school was received to have the city request a traffic study to be done on 125th Street.  The request is for a count just before the school entrance and another just to the east to determine the amount of traffic that is going to the school.  The request needs to come through the city in order to borrow the equipment from the IDOT.  A 5th grade student has made contact with the city volunteering to complete 5 hours of community service work.

 

Old Business:

Discussion and possible action on:

Resolution 2008-1 adopting the mileage rate reimbursement for city officials and employees and is hereby set at .45 per mile was approved with a motion by Jeff Christianson, and seconded by Pam Logue-Newcomb.  Roll call vote:  Ayes:  Larry Beck, Jeff Christianson, Pam Logue-Newcomb, Carla Barnhart, and Gene Brown.  Nays: None.  Resolution adopted.

 

Memorandum of Understanding between the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, State Accounting Enterprise and City of Mechanicsville for participation in the Income Offset Program (2008-2) was approved with a motion by Larry Beck and seconded by Jeff Christianson.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Garbage Truck Replacement and Bond Council information received:  Council received comments from public expressing concerns about whether an 8 foot arm is long enough; may take additional time as they will need to drive down both sides of the street instead of just 1, some may not be able to manage taking the container to the curb; the city would gain value in the efficiency and safety of its employees,  a 50 point pre & post inspection (required on all CDL vehicles), as well as information back from the bond attorney on steps needs if city decides to borrow the additional funds internally from another fund, from the bank, or in the form of a lease purchase agreement.  The Mayor was directed to visit with Clarence about possibility of entering into a service sharing agreement.

 

New Business:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

Mayor appointed Mayor Pro tem Larry Beck.

 

Mayor appointed committees as follows: Jeff Christianson & Gene Brown to Public Safety; Larry Beck and Pam Logue-Newcomb to Public Works; Carla Barnhart and Jeff Christianson to Culture and Recreation; Health & Social Services to Pam Logue-Newcomb and Gene Brown; Carla Barnhart & Jeff Christianson to Community and Economic Development; Larry Beck and Gene Brown to General Government; Carla Barnhart and Pam Logue-Newcomb to Debt Service; Larry Beck and Jeff Christianson to Capital Project; and Gene Brown and Carla Barnhart to Business Enterprises.

 

Name official newspaper, official depository, and city attorney:  Motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Carla Barnhart to name the Tipton Conservation, Bridge Community Bank, and Attorney Lowell Dendinger respectively.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Andrew Oberbreckling request for amendment to zoning ordinance from C-1 to R-2:  Oberbreckling indicated that his lot is currently split ½ residential and ½ commercial and is requesting his lot to be all residential in order to meet the requirements of the mortgage company for building a new home.  Motion was made by Larry Beck and seconded by Jeff Christianson to refer to the Planning & Zoning Board for a recommendation.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Ordinance 218 amending provisions pertaining to stop required for vehicles traveling north on Elm Street shall stop at 125th Street. Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 218 was made by Jeff Christianson and seconded by Carla Barnhart.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Larry Beck and seconded by Jeff Christianson to waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of the ordinance.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

A motion to adopt ordinance 218 requiring a stop for vehicles traveling north on Elm Street at 125th Street as made by Pam Logue-Newcomb and seconded by Carla Barnhart.  Roll call vote:  Ayes:  Larry Beck, Carla Barnhart, Gene Brown, Pam Logue-Newcomb, and Jeff Christianson. Nays: None.  Ordinance adopted.

 

Proposals for the removal of “dangerous hangers” from the trees in the right of way:  Notice was published with sealed bids due on December 28, 2007 at noon.  One bid was received after the deadline of which the Mayor posed the question to the council whether or not to accept the bid and include in the selection process. Upon calling for a roll call vote Logue-Newcomb, Larry Beck, and Jeff Christianson responded with no, it should not be opened.  Gene Brown and Carla Barnhart responded that it should be opened.  The mayor declared that it would not be opened and will be returned to the contractor.  Upon finding that the other bid received had provided the requested documentation including a certificate of liability insurance and contractor registration number the motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Pam Logue-Newcomb to accept the proposal for removing the dangerous hangers from trees in the Right of Way with the city to provide a list of addresses and number of trees at each address at the rate of $40 per tree as submitted by Odd Jobber.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Budget Work session date was set for January 24, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Snow removal on sidewalks in commercial area of town, in particular, the ledge part of the sidewalk:  The question was brought up about whether the ledge was part of the sidewalk or part of the street.  Council determined it was part of the sidewalk.

 

Establishing a “sidewalks to school” committee:  Larry Beck motioned, Jeff Christianson seconded, to establish Carla Barnhart as the chairman and appointed other volunteers including but not limited to Gene Brown, Laurie Jewell, Amy Heinen, Doyle Pickering; and a representative from the school.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Committee Reports: None

Correspondence was received from Acciona’s West Branch Wind Turbine Manufacturing Plant; Hwy 30 Coalition meeting for 1/23/08 in Des Moines; Estate of Helen Evans specific bequest in the amount of $500 for the use at Rose Hill cemetery; IDOT Safe Routes to School grant indicating that the grant ranked number 40 and would not be funded; and Cedar County Conservation Board.

 

Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Furry thanked everyone for attending.

 

Set next regular meeting date:  2-11-08 at 7:00 p.m.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Larry Beck motioned, Gene Brown seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                     _______________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer