Minutes City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

June 9, 2014

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 9, 2014 at City Hall.  Mayor Larry Butler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Council members present for roll call were Rob Davis, Dee Taylor, Pam Cavey, and Dee Cook. Pam Logue was absent.  Others present included Tim Horihan, Lonni Koch and Doug Wolfe.

 

Receive visitors/public comment: None.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Rob Davis motioned, Dee Cook seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 5/12/14, finance reports, claims, and cigarette permit for Casey’s General Store.  Roll call vote: Ayes: Cavey, Taylor, Davis, and Cook.  Nays: None. Logue absent.   Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                      INTEREST PAYMENTS                                $1,181.37

ACCO                                               CHEMICALS                                              $417.80

AGVANTAGE FS INC                               VEHICLE OPERATIONS                               $1,082.28

ALLIANT ENERGY                                  ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $5,429.43

AMAZON.COM                                     LIBRARY MATERIALS                                   $885.20

APPARATUS TESTING SERVICES                VEHICLE REPAIR                                        $550.00

BANYON DATA SYSTEMS INC                    OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICE                   $1,885.00

BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK                      POSTAGE/SHIPPING                                      $13.52

CARUS CORPORATION                           CHEMICALS                                              $191.70

CASEYS GENERAL STORE                        VEHICLE OPERATIONS                               $1,232.41

CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE                 PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                  $1,044.00

CHASE CARD SERVICES                          MERCHANDISE FOR RESALE                          $375.25

CJ COOPER & ASSOCIATES INC                MEDICAL/WELLNESS EXPENSE                          $87.00

D & N FENCE CO INC                             OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $1,110.00

DANS TIRES & MORE                             VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $23.54

ENTWISLE, ANGIE                                 JANITORIAL EXPENSE                                  $330.00

GILLESPIE, ALLISA                                       REFUND DEPOSIT                                           $50.00

GRAYBILL COMMUNICATIONS                   OTHER CAPITAL EQUIP                              $6,594.00

HARDEN LAWN SERVICE                         OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $3,000.00

HART-FREDERICK CONSULTANTS PC          ENGINEERING EXPENSE                                $297.50

HARTMAN, JUDY                                  GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & REPAIR                  $69.98

IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY         TRAINING                                                $140.00

JOHN DEER FINANCIAL                          MINOR EQUIPMENT                                     $310.46

JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC                OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $3,002.50

KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC                OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $551.14

KIECKS                                              ALLOWANCES - UNIFORMS                            $905.00

KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC                  VEHICLE REPAIR                                        $691.24

LISBON-MT VERNON AMBULANCE              OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $200.00

LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS                 OTHER PROF SERV EXP                              $3,520.00

MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO              TECHNOLOGY SERVICES EXP                          $359.31

MIDWEST INJECTION                             OTHER PROF SERV EXP                            $60,390.75

MONTICELLO PUBLC LIBRARY                   LIBRARY MATERIALS                                     $69.00

QUILL                                               OTHER CAPITAL EQUIP                                $119.11

SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC                       OPERATIONAL EQUIP REPAIR                      $2,083.53

SHEPLEY PHARMACY                              OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $44.86

STAMP FULFILLMENT SERVICES                 OFFICE SUPPLIES                                       $604.00

STAR EQUIPMENT LTD                            MINOR EQUIPMENT                                  $2,225.00

THOLE, BRENDA                                          REFUND DEPOSIT                                            $50.00

TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS          PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                         $793.92

USA BLUEBOOK                                    UTILITY SYSTEMS & STRUCTURES                    $480.84

UTILITY EQUIPMENT COMPANY                 UTILITY SYSTEMS & STRUCTURES                    $766.50

WALMART                                          GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & REPAIR                  $40.24

WENDLING QUARRIES INC                      STREET MAINT EXP                                     $970.16      

WENDT, JOE                                       MEETINGS & CONFERENCES                            $75.00

WEST SIDE TRUCK CENTER INC                VEHICLE REPAIR                                      $2,868.31

PAYROLL                                                          WAGES                                                               $10,679.42

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of May by fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

24,339.94

19,565.87

Road Use Tax

5,375.14

5,329.41

Employee Benefit

3,362.64

426.83

Local Option Sales Tax

5,787.37

 

Library Expendable Trust

54.58

 

Ball Park Fund

2,055.96

6,401.00

Ambulance Trust

4,755.45

1,726.26

Debt Service

3,419.52

52,501.11

Capital Project

10.96

905.00

Water Utility

7,567.88

4,360.79

Sewer Utility

5,968.74

3,502.78

Solid Waste

8,177.11

5,576.09

Storm Water Utility

943.55

 

Water Sinking Fund

 

21,651.00

Water Deposit

350.00

100.00

 

REPORTS:

Fire Report:  Lonni Koch reported 8 fire calls including 5/14 dust control during house demolition; 5/20 ambulance assist; 5/20 storm watch; 5/21 storm watch; grass fire; 5/30 Motor Vehicle rollover; 5/31 standby for house fire in Stanwood; 6/2 Mutual Aid to Lisbon.  Fire department picnic will be July 12.

 

Ambulance Report: Lonni Koch report 12 ambulance calls with 2 being to Clarence and 1 Stanwood.  A request for the National testing fee for Mike Hayslip to be paid at a cost of $110 was approved with a motion by Pam Cavey, second by Dee Cook.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

A copy of the minutes from the 5/4/14 Cedar County EMS meeting were shared with the council.  The primary topic being the follow excerpt from their minutes: “discussed the possibility of providing ALS coverage to the entire county in particular the northern portion.  One of the ideas presented was to have 1 unit, not a transport unit, based in Tipton and staffed with 1 paramedic that would respond to all EMS calls in northern Cedar County.  Once on scene this individual would determine if a paramedic would be necessary and would either ride along or return to Tipton.  One of the negatives is funding of this unit and person as well as equipping this unit.” 

 

Public Works Report: Nick Lange was absent.  Mayor Butler updated the council on the lagoon sludge being pumped at 1.6 million gallons being removed.  The fence had to be removed and reinstalled and while the water level was lowered some rock and dirt was hauled in to make some minor repairs to the walls.  The curtain was also removed.  Weeds will be controlled with spraying.  A hole in the parking area between the 2 catch basins on North Elm Street will need to be repaired and only 1 person will be working on Saturday’s during the yard waste collection.  Estimates on repairing the streets will be discussed next month and the alarm indicating tower 2 level is low will be checked out. 

 

Administration Report:  Coppess reported completing the 2 day G775 Emergency Operations Center Management & Operations course along with Mayor Butler on June 4&5, received a sketch from Septagon indicating their intentions to run a “tile line” from the city’s new storm sewer catch basin on the east side of Casey’s over to the area on the west side where the water tends to pond during heavy rainfall to help drain that area, and passed along information that a person from Lowden has expressed interest to come speak to the council about a city daycare center if they are interested.  Council is not interested in providing financial support to a daycare center at this time.

 

Police report:  Tim Horihan reported 7 business checks; 1 – 911 call; 2 ambulance assists; 3 animal cases; 3 motorist assists; 4 agency assists; 1 internet scam involving monetary loss; 1 internet attempted sexual solicitation; 6 citizen assists; 1 civil disagreement; 3 thefts; 1 abatement assist; 5 traffic stops with 6 warnings.  An academy orientation meeting will be held on June 11 at the CRPD with the academy running from July 14 to November 14.  A request to purchase a Taser X26C w 6 short range cartridges $999.99 was approved with a motion by Rob Davis, seconded by Pam Cavey.  Ayes all.  Logue absent.

 

Old business discussion and possible action on:

 

Resolution 2014-18 for level of financial support for training and development policy:  Pam Cavey motioned, Dee Cook seconded to approve the resolution approving the level of financial support at 25% per year. Roll call vote: Ayes: Cavey, Taylor, Davis, and Cook.  Nays: None. Logue absent.   Motion carried.

 

New business discussion and possible action on:

Proposals for adding door opener to north end of city shed:  After review of the 2 proposals received it was decided to go with the Model BMT Lift Master trolley mount opener with break for $1150.  Dee Cook motioned, Rob Davis seconded to approve the installation.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  Logue absent.

 

Appointment to fill vacancy on Planning and Zoning Commission:  Dee Cook motioned, Rob Davis seconded to approve Vicki Eaton Jones to the planning and zoning commission.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Recommendation from P&Z to add “seed sales” to the Highway Commercial zoning district:  Rob Davis motioned, Dee Cook seconded to accept the recommendation from the P&Z committee and to proceed with setting the date for a public hearing on the proposed change to the zoning district.  Ayes all.  Motion carried with the date being set for July 14, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Mechanicsville “Welcome” signage:  Dee Taylor provided information to the city regarding an offer from Bridge Bank to allow the installation of a city sign on the open lot along the highway.  The bank will have electricity going to their sign and will provide the lighting for the city sign.  Additional information will be gathered on possible designs and what space is actually available on the lot.

 

Additional discussion was also held regarding the former “Welcome” sign that was on the old school property.  Pam Cavey motioned, Dee Taylor seconded to install the sign on the city property to the east of the Casey’s store.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Emergency Response Plan-Special Identification Authorization forms:  Each council person was provided with the form to obtain the special identification form.  Dee Cook also provided Coppess with a template from another city that could be used as the basic plan and work has started with finding/replacing city name with Mechanicsville.  Additional proof reading will be done to update the template with our specific information.

 

Bike Helmet give away during 4th of July: Jones Regional is providing 150 bike helmets at no charge to be given away to children on the 4th of July.  Bike Safety checks will be done, and Police Chief Horihan will be giving out blinking lights, water and snacks from the Lions Club, and possibly tickets for free ice cream from Casey’s.  Pam Cavey motioned, Dee Cook seconded to approve purchasing the blinking lights at a cost not to exceed $500 from Positive Promotions.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Committee Reports

An update on additional survey’s being returned, however; still need 88 more to meet the minimum response requirement.    There will be a ball park committee meeting Wednesday, June 11 at 6:30 at the field.  Practices continue to be held.  A couple low spots need to be leveled out.

 

Correspondence was received from Aaron and Tracy Moffett regarding a tree in the right of way that was leaning.  Dee Cook motioned, second by Pam Cavey to direct clerk to send correspondence indicating that the abutting property owner is responsible for maintaining the right of way unless the tree is dead or diseased. 

 

Set next regular meeting date: 7-14-14

 

Mayor Comments:  None.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Dee Cook motioned, Pam Cavey seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

Linda K. Coppess, MMC                                    Larry Butler, Mayor

City Clerk/Finance Officer