City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

May 12, 2008

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 12, 2008 at City Hall. 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, and Jeff Christianson. Bryan Lovell was absent. Others present included Jim Barber, Alan Zerbe, Rhett Taylor, Sherie Paup, Doyle Pickering, Chris Yancey, Doug Cook, Luella Scott, Doug Cook, Jeff Kaufman, Rob Davis, Ron Wingert, Tracy Pearson, and Bob Steen.

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda: Ron Wingert requested the council to consider changing the ordinance regarding livestock within the city limits. He requested permission to allow 5 cows and 5 calves to be raised on the vacant lot adjoining the sale barn area. The topic will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA: Larry Beck motioned, Jeff Christianson seconded to approve the minutes from 4/14/08, finance reports, and claims. Roll call vote: Ayes: Beck, Barnhart, Brown, and Christianson. Nays: None. Lovell absent. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

J & M DISPLAYS, INC	FIREWORKS INS.	745.00
PAYROLL	WAGES	5652.33
WELLMARK	HEALTH INS	2928.22
I P E R S	IPERS	1592.15
INTL REVENUE SERVICE	FICA/MC	3450.99
US POSTAL SERVICE	POSTAGE	132.32
US POSTAL SERVICE	POSTAGE	87.27
EAST CENTRAL LIBRARY SER	CONTINUE ED	32.00
AMAZON.COM	LIB VIDEO	392.70
IA OFFICE SUPPLY	SUPPLIES	309.77
ACCO, UNLIMITED CORP.	OP SUPPLY	895.60
ALLIANT ENERGY	UTILITIES	5711.41
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE	CLOTH ALLOW	160.92
AGVANTAGE FS INC.	SUPPLIES	1432.67
ASHLEY MCCORMICK	MILE/CONF	70.00
CASEY'S GENERAL STORE	VEH SUPPLY	101.44
DAN PAIDAR	DUES/MEMBE	30.00
CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE	FEES LANDFILL	2040.00
ALL MED	MED SUPPLY	89.78
CR PHOTO COPY	MAIN/EQUIP	82.46
L E DENDINGER	ATTY SERVICES	1320.00
FARM PLAN	MINOR EQUIP	40.71
FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS	ANIMAL CONTROL	50.00
HACH COMPANY	SUPPLIES	85.79
JIMS AUTO BODY	VEH REPAIR	34.78
INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY	TRAIN/CONF	170.00
IOWA WIRELESS	TELEPHONE	125.93
IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY	LOAN PAYMENT	21991.25
JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC	RECYCLING	2232.50
JONI GRAY	TRAINING	70.00
KEYSTONE LAB, INC	TEST FEES	333.70
KIRKWOOD COMM. COLLEGE	TRAINING	1672.00
KUNDE OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT	VEH SUPPLY	68.95
LISBON-MTVERNON AMB SERV	MUTUAL AID	75.00
MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.	TELEPHONE	525.85
MIDWEST SALES COMPANY	PARK SWINGS	624.28
QUILL CORPORATION	OFFICE SUPPLY	104.27
SINDT IMPLEMENT	VEH REPAIR	89.76
CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING	PUBLICATIONS	200.80
WALMART	VEH REPAIR	26.43
ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION	MED SUPPLY	1266.00
SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO	FIRE TRUCK	207684.00
US POSTAL SERVICE	POSTAGE	235.00
SECRETARY OF STATE	DUES	30.00
E C I A	TRAINING	7.50
SUMMIT SUPPLY CORP.	CAPITAL EQ	196.00
ACCO, UNLIMITED CORP.	OP SUPPLY	28.64
ADVANCED WATER TECH.	OP SUPPLY	339.20
QUILL CORPORATION	OFFICE SUPPLY	54.99
ALLMED	MED SUPPLY	84.64
IA ONE CALL	PMTS TO AGENCY	18.00
ODD JOBBER	CONTRACT WORK	4080.00
IA LEAGUE OF CITIES	TRAINING	60.00
JAKE KOCH	RADIO RENTAL	255.00

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of April by fund

Fund	Receipts	Disbursements
Agency-Water	164.75	314.75
Ambulance Trust	10,581.59	2,640.08
Fire Trust	101,765.11
General	62,357.39	17,534.53
Road Use Tax	7,219.51	9,506.69
Lib Exp Trust	92.32
Sewer Utility	5,621.63	3,476.62
Solid Waste	7,891.04	5,953.50
Special Revenue LOST	-34,389.62
Employee Benefit	11,601.86	2,560.15
Water Utility	7,201.12	3,973.28
Water Sinking Fund	2,500.00

REPORTS:

Jeff Kaufman updated the council on the recent legislative actions including the pilot project for volunteer fire departments in Crawford County which allows for the sharing of resources while preserving the integrity of the individual community departments and making the SILO (penny for schools) state wide which will bring millions in school infrastructure and property tax relief equity. Jeff also touched on the smoking ban in public places.

Ambulance Report: Sherie Paup reported a total of 19 calls with 10 being medical, 7 traumas, 2 transfers; and included 3 mutual aids with A-5; 1 with A-51, and 1 cancelled in route and 1 refusal.

Fire Department Report: Rhett Taylor reported a total of 5 calls with one being storm watch, a truck fire, a field fire, a false alarm, and land life guard.

A request to reimburse Jake Koch $255 for use of his personal two-way radio was approved with a motion by Carla Barnhart, seconded by Jeff Christianson. Ayes: Barnhart, Brown, and Christianson. Nays: Beck. Motion carried.

Rhett also reported picking up the new fire truck from Snyder, Nebraska on Friday, May 9. They raised about $8,000 from the proceeds of the dance which they are planning to purchase miscellaneous equipment for the truck. Expressed a concern that some hydrants are 4 inch and others are 4 ½. Inquired about the hydrant flushing of which Zerbe reported has scheduled for May 15 and doing flow meter testing so that pressure can be recorded for each hydrant. Zerbe indicated that he does not currently have the equipment but will look into the cost.

Taylor reported that a trailer was purchased for the purpose of storing fire works equipment.

The safety committee had discussed the procedure for selling the old fire trucks of which will need to be sold to the highest bidder and publicized as being available for sale. Ebay could be one option.

Police Report: Police Chief Jim Barber reported 14 agency assists; 1 alarm, 6 animal cases; 1 building check; 7 citizen assist, 1 criminal mischief; 1 fire department assist; 6-911, 5 traffic stops and 1 citation; 4 warnings, 2 abatements files, 5 warnings included an abandoned vehicle, illegal parking, illegal burning, curfew violation, 4 citations issued for no drivers license, illegal parking, and animals at large.

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported 4 ½ loads of additional garbage from the Spring Clean Up; graves are being filled in, leveled, and seeded; the wooden structure was removed from the park with the new equipment arriving today. He also reported a need to replace the 4 inch meter in the well house. Storm Sewer repairs on South Cherry and E South Street are needed due to a blockage under the street. Attempted to use jetter, however, suspect a broken tile so will need to be dug up and fixed.

Administration Report: Coppess reported plans to attend the ECICA Spring Meeting on May 14 in Dubuque, provided letter of support for the schools application for a preschool grant; updated Wellmark contract regarding malpractice insurance for the ambulance volunteers, reported the traffic counters had been installed for 1 week on 125^th Street and still looking for a way to return to Ames, survey was received from the DNR regarding a clean watershed needs survey; and information about the DNR’s REAP program for city parks and open spaces was received.

New Business:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

RAGBRAI Committee presentation: Bob Steen, Chairman of the RAGBRAI committee, reported to the council that there have been 2 meetings of which over 56 volunteers have indicated a willingness to participate in some manner. He requested the council to consider inserting a small permit fee for the local vendors in order to offset the cost of the portable toilets, electricity, and garbage removal. Other items presented were requests for streets to be blocked along First Street from alley to alley to prevent traffic from crossing First Street. Plans are for the Mechanicsville Economic Development Corporation to provide a beverage tent to be set up on North Cherry Street with a need to drill holes into the street and will be refilled, a bike rack strung on South Cherry Street, and a need for garbage containers.

Special Event Ordinance relating to miscellaneous permit: A motion was made to approve the reading of Ordinance #220 after inserting $50 for the local vendor fee by Jeff Christianson, and seconded by Larry Beck. Ayes all. Motion carried.

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

Motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Jeff Christianson, to adopt the Special Permit ordinance. Roll call: Ayes: Barnhart, Brown, Christianson, Beck. Nays: None. Absent: Lovell. Ordinance adopted.

Request for a beverage tent and review of request for street closings: A motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Jeff Christianson to approve the liquor license for the beverage tent, the installation of the beverage tent, and the street closings between the alleys along the route. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Community Clean Up: A desire to have the community looks its best for the upcoming events of the community. Fire department indicated that they are planning to wash down the streets along the route a few days before the event; however, thought this should be coordinated with the use of the street sweeper so that a lot of debris did not get washed into the storm sewers. Also, residents are encouraged to do what they can to spruce up there property for all of the visitors.

Request for Mayor to Proclaim May 21, 2008 as Poppy Day: The Mayor declared May 21, 2008 as Poppy Day in Mechanicsville, IA for the purpose of the American Legion Auxiliary to canvas the town with poppies for donations to help the veteran programs. May we wear the poppy proudly to honor all those who serve and have served our country in the military services.

Proposals for flooring in post office lobby area: Council reviewed 3 proposals for different types of tile in the post office lobby area. Before making a decision discussed obtaining prices to also include the work area in the post office (behind the counter).

Iowa Health Physicians and Clinics lease agreement: Gene Brown motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to renew the lease agreement with the Iowa Health Physicians and Clinics. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Cemetery water level and inquiry about tiling along north road/opening rates: Council reviewed pictures of situation with standing water and graves filling up with water after being dug. Grave opener, Jerry Dake, requested council to research possibility of having tile installed along the north road and his need to increase his opening rate to $420 for a full size grave due to the extra time it takes to dig in the mud and continual pumping of water. Council directed to have someone like JJJ Enterprises, Weavers, or Gronewald take a look at for possible solutions for drainage.

125^th Street Request to clean ditch east of the east school drive: Discussion resulted in no decision or action being taken at this time.

Dust Control application: Council discussed various types of application and requested Zerbe to get bids for the area on 125^th and East First Street.

John Kuehnle Letter of Resignation: A motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Carla Barnhart to regretfully accept John’s letter of resignation as Treasurer. Ayes all. Motion carried. A notice will be published.

LL Pelling Seal Coating Proposal: Larry motioned, Jeff seconded to approve the streets listed for the street seal coating project. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Garbage Truck: Gene Brown reported that he had met with Clarence and both towns seem to agree that the costs should be split by population 1070 vs 1173. He stated that they are at the point of needing to prepare the details of the 28E agreement. Both agree on the features of the truck from Davenport which is the same as Tipton’s truck. Due to both towns purchasing containers a slightly lower cost was provided per container. Clarence has proposed that Mechanicsville also purchase ½ of their current truck to be used for dumpster pickup. Mechanicsville has about 14 dumpsters currently of which it has been projected to be reduced to about 4 that will still require a dumpster once converting to the new truck. Council indicated that this is not economically feasible to own ½ of a truck to pick up 4 dumpsters. Gene was directed to inform Clarence that the city was not interested in the 2^nd truck, however, would be willing to consider paying Clarence so much per pickup for these 4 locations. Council discussed a need to send letters to some businesses and individuals that are in violation of the recycling ordinance.

Correspondence: IPL notice of franchise partial assignment; proposed changes to the DNR Wastewater Rules, and information from City Attorney Dendinger regarding attorney fees may be charged for review of public records to those requesting the records.

Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Furry thanked everyone for their hard work.

Set next regular meeting date: 6-9-08 at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Larry Beck motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.

ATTEST:

____________________________ _______________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer