City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

August 13, 2007

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 13, 2007 at City Hall. 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 and Thomas Hall.  Pam Logue-Newcomb was absent.  Karrie Johnson resigned.  Others present included Jim Barber, Sherie Paup, Carla Barnhart, Chris Yancey, Matt Polhamus, Lorraine Polhamus, Bryan Lovell, Ron Wingert, Warren Wethington, Cedar County Rob Block, IIW Engineers.

 

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda:

Hearing on Nuisance abatement:  Matt Polhamus had requested a hearing regarding a nuisance abatement notice for weeds not being mowed in the right of way abutting his property. Stated the ditch is too steep to mow, the north side is swampy and has tree stumps in it.  He was open to suggestions such as filling it in to level it out.  Council indicated that the weeds are creating a visibility problem at the intersection and need to be mowed off/ knocked down and further directed Beck and Furry to review for any additional alternatives.

 

Ron Wingert also requested to appeal his notice of violation of city code 55.05 Livestock  and 41.08 Barbed wire and electric fences.  Both are unlawful within the city limits without written permission from the council or except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations.  Council informed Ron that complaints had been received about the flies and the smell of the cattle, as well as persons being shocked by the electric fence.  The cattle are grazing on the grass on a vacant lot that is zoned A-1. Raising livestock is not a permitted use.  Council directed that an appeal to the Board of Adjustments could be made to request interpretation of the zoning ordinance by filing a written letter along with the $25 appeal fee.  Ron indicated that the fence has been shut off and the cattle relocated.

 

CONSENT AGENDA: Tom motioned, Larry seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 7/9/07, finance reports, claims, annual report, and the Resolution 2007-18 approving the City Street Financial report. Roll call vote: Ayes:  Christianson, Beck, and Hall.  Nays: None.  Logue-Newcomb absent. Vacant seat: Johnson.  Motion carried.

 

The claims approved were as follows:

CEDAR COUNTY RECORDER

 RECORD FEE

27.00

JULY PAYROLL

WAGES

12,311.23

JAMES BARBER

 TRAIN/CONF

30.00

WELLMARK

 HEALTH INS

2,603.12

MIKE ROCCA CEDAR BEND

HANDRAILS

1,385.00

US POSTAL SERVICE

 POSTAGE

125.32

AUGUST 15 PAYROLL

WAGES

6,182.15

JUDY HARTMAN

LIB BOOKS

81.95

WELTER STORAGE EQUIP. CO

LIB SHELVING

1,231.00

ORIENTAL TRADING

LIB PROGRAMS

48.85

STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA

SUBSCRIPTION

60.19

AMAZON.COM

LIB VIDEO

293.65

ABC FIRE PROTECTION, INC

VEH REPAIR

268.90

ACCO, UNLIMITED CORP.

OP SUPPLY

671.00

AIRGAS, INC.

MED SUPPLY

177.32

ALLIANCE MEDICAL

MED SUPPLY

273.89

ALLIANT ENERGY

UTILITIES

5,862.38

ALLMED

MED SUPPLY

365.74

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCI

SUBSCRIPTION

75.00

ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE

CLOTH ALLOWANCE

95.46

AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS CO

MNT STRUCTURE

1,386.85

BARCO MUNICIPAL PROD INC

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT

1,268.00

TAMMY BUNGE

REFUND DEP

28.90

CASEY'S GENERAL STORE

VEH SUPPLY

111.25

CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE

FEES LANDFILL

1,152.00

CEDAR COUNTY TREASURER

BLDG MAINT

2,124.00

CR PHOTO COPY

MAIN/EQUIP

75.62

THE SUN NEWS

PUBLICATION

7.00

COPYWORKS

OFFICE SUPPLY

20.00

COUNTRY WELDING INC

BLDG MAINT

100.00

DANS TIRES AND MORE

VEH REPAIR

12.00

DORSEY AND WHITNEY LLP

ATTY SERVICES

832.50

FARM PLAN

MINOR EQUIPMENT

9.95

DIANE FUESS

TRAIN/CONF

30.00

GATEWAY CENTER

CONFERENCE

190.46

I I M C

DUES/MEMBE

115.00

LINDA COPPESS

MILEAGE

99.00

IA DEPT NAT RESOURCES

FEES

210.00

IA ONE CALL

MISC SUPPL

28.80

IOWA WIRELESS

TELEPHONE

73.61

JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC

RECYCLING

2,232.50

KEYSTONE LAB, INC

TEST FEES

244.80

KEYSTONE LAB, INC

TEST FEES

20.00

CONNIE KNUTSEN

TRAIN/CONF

120.00

L L PELLING COMPANY

ST REP MNT

6,929.80

LYNCH FORD-MT. VERNON

VEH REPAIR

72.85

MATT PARROTT & SONS CO.

OFFICE SUP

160.66

MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.

TELEPHONE

307.08

NEW HORIZON FS INC.

VEH SUPPLY

757.44

ROTTMAN CONSTRUCTION

BLDG MAINT

125.00

SHEPLEY SNYDER PHARMACY

MED SUPPLY

7.79

MANDO SILVA

INSTALL RAILS

155.10

SWANK MOTION PICTURE INC

ADVERTISING

96.00

CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING

PUBLICATION

380.72

WALMART

MISC SUPPL

5.90

KIP WILSON

REFUND DEPOSIT

14.75

QUILL CORPORATION

OFFICE SUPPLY

55.82

IOWA NETWORK SERVICES

MISC CONTRACT

155.80

EAST CENTRAL LIBRARY SER

CONTINUE ED

16.00

MARY PHILLIPS

REFUND DEPOSIT

3.02

SANDBERG BUILDER

CAPITAL PROJECT

40,000.00

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of July by fund

 

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

Agency-Water

214.75

 

Ambulance Trust

6,490.42

6,691.03

Fire Trust

288.23

 

General

10,849.44

26,181.93

Library Trust

22.39

 

Perpetual Care

90.00

 

Road Use Tax

8,031.59

3,206.87

Sewer Utility

6,955.12

3,604.93

Solid Waste

7,987.50

8,975.90

Special Revenue

5,044.71

 

Employee Benefit

317.82

1,346.94

Water

16,719.40

3,079.50

Water Sinking Fund

2,500.00

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Ambulance Report: Sherie Paup reported a total of 27 calls with 13 being traumas and 14 medical. Three were mutual aid calls with Clarence and 1 with Stanwood. Sherie reported that the St. Luke’s grant money was used to purchase the cpac machine and Ryan Steinberg would like to take the EMT class in January.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Jim Barber presented the council with his written report of activity for the month which included 2 agency assists; 1 arrest; 18 citizen assist; 1 domestic assault; 12- 911,  2 traffic stops with 2 warning’s, In addition to 8 nuisance abatements filed, and 8 code violations  for noise disturbance, no peddlers license, illegal parking, curfew violation, 1 bad check notices served.  Jim also reported that Cedar County will be selling a deer guard that will fit our police car later this month and he would wait until that became available to save the city some money rather than purchasing a new one.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:  No report.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported having the fire extinguishers all checked and refilled, the display case at the cemetery was installed, seal coating was completed by LL Pelling, and they continue to work on installing the radio read meters.  A committee will continue to do research on the specifications for the garbage truck.  Zerbe was asked about a possible pot hole on Second Street needing to be filled, and directed that if garbage contains recyclables to just tag the bag and leave it.  Vacation for September 11-14 was approved with a motion from Larry and second by Jeff.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Administration Report:

Coppess reported receiving an invitation from the US Census Bureau to participate in the 2010 Decennial Census Local Updates of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program and requested vacation days for August 16 & 17.  Both were approved with a motion by Larry, seconded by Tom.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Old Business:

Discussion and possible action on:

Resolution 2007-19 accepting the completion of the water and sewer mains in Country View Subdivision Addition 4 and authorizing payment of $40,000 to Sandberg Builders.  Motion was made by Larry, seconded by Jeff to adopt resolution 2007-19 Roll Call vote:  Ayes:  Beck, Christianson, Hall.  Nays:  None. Absent: Logue-Newcomb; Vacant:  Johnson.

 

Widen and Paving extensions of First Street Improvements:  Council reviewed correspondence received back from City Attorney Dendinger as well as additional information provided by Rob Block IIW Engineers on the cost of the legal fees and the appraisals if an assessment were to be done.  Carla Barnhart inquired about the motion that was made in September of 2006, regarding the scope of the project identified at that time was not to include curb and gutter.  It was clarified that in the process of the engineers doing their preliminary surveying and design work, their findings were reported back to the council and as a result it may be in the best interest of the city to reconsider that initial decision based on some of the obstacles such as the fences, drainage ditches, and waterway shaping that will add to the initial cost estimates for the option that was initially selected.  Council has been reconsidering and discussing the various alternatives including if and when the project is put out to bid they would like to have cement bid as one option and asphalt as the other.  No further action was taken at this time.

 

Lift Station Floats:  Additional discussion with Rob Block, IIW Engineers, on the issues at the lift station concerning the low level shut offs, the floats being anchored, manual override on the pump, the possibility of grease traps needing to be installed, and issues with the LED monitors blanking out.

 

Follow up on incomplete sidewalk repairs/notices due 8-1-07:  Council will identify those walks that have not been maintained.

 

New Business:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:

Resignation of Council member Johnson:  Motion was made by Larry, seconded by Jeff to accept Karrie Johnson’s letter of resignation due to her relocating. Ayes all. Motion carried.  Larry Beck made a motion and Tom Hall seconded to publish the notice of the council’s intent to appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the remainder of her term. Ayes all.  Motion carried.  Council member Hall also indicated at this time that he was not planning to run for another term.  Candidate papers are available in the clerks office and can be filed beginning August 27.

 

Bids for sidewalk replacement in 17 alleys:  Upon review of the public notice, one bid was received and opened from Luke Oberbreckling Construction for replacing the sidewalk in the alleys at a cost of $8,460.  The work will need to be completed within 45 days.  Motion was made by Larry Beck, seconded by Tom Hall to accept the bid.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Proposal for spraying open shelter:  Terminex provided a bid of $150 to spray the open shelter at the park for Powder Post Beetles.  Larry Beck made a motion, Tom Hall seconded to authorize Terminex to do a one time spray application.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Bid for replacement of joists on open pavilion:  Publication of the bid notice was made and 1 bid received.  Another vendor had looked at the site and felt that it was not necessary to replace at this time.  Council tabled taking any action on the bid received until the 6x6 can be drilled for verification of internal damage to the native lumber.

 

Park Improvement Projects-prioritize update plan:  Information on the history of the tennis courts and the grant that was received to assist with their original installation was reviewed. If the tennis courts are removed and not replaced permission from the IDNR would need to be received prior to doing this.  Other items included the open shelter roof repairs, rain gutters for the closed pavilion, walk way around the park, upgrade of the play ground equipment, landscaping at the East end park, a need for parking at both parks, opportunities for passive entertainment for the elderly at the parks, as well as a possible skateboard area.  Council has stated maintenance items should be taken care of first, however, if the community doesn’t feel a tennis court is needed or will not be used, they would prefer not to spend the money in fixing it and utilize it in some other way.  They would like additional input from the community on what the priorities and needs of the parks should be.  A type of survey will be printed on the back of the water bill asking for residents to prioritize what they would use the most and feel is the most important features we should have in our parks.  Once this is done the city will proceed with applying for grant applications to help fund the prioritized wish list.

 

Review of South Street Parking input received:  Input was gathered from the residents in the 500 and 600 blocks of South Street regarding the proposal to implement a no parking on the south side of South Street.  Of the responses received, 4 were in favor of the proposal and 2 were against and several commented on making residents use their off street garage space.  Council directed clerk to prepare ordinance for the next meeting to prohibit parking on the South side of South Street East of Walnut Street. (600 block)

 

IDED 2008 Housing Fund application Workshop 8-30-2007:  Larry motioned, Jeff seconded to have the city apply for the IDED Housing grant.  Ayes all. Motion carried.

 

Committee Reports:  Mayor Furry reported on a meeting with the County Engineer in regards to the installation of the necessary signage for the new school zone.  Currently the division between the city and the county jurisdiction runs along the center line of X-40 to the northern edge of the school property.  Coppess was directed to follow up with city attorney Dendinger on ways to legally change this in an attempt to make the entire roadway under the control of one jurisdiction or the other in regards to the signage, maintenance, enforcement, etc. Possibly by means of a 28 E Agreement, otherwise pursuing the possibility of an additional annexation, or completing the traffic study through the county engineer.

 

Correspondence was received for Stream Reclassification Hearing information, WFRS Quality Award from IDPH for excellent work by water department, Small Towns on Road to Success, and Explore the Past Imagine the future Conference September 26 -28.

 

Mayors Comments: None.

 

Set next regular meeting date:  9-10-07 at 7:00 p.m.

 

ADJOURN:  There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Beck motioned, Christianson  seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                     _______________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer