City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

September 12, 2011

 

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, September 12, 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, Carla Barnhart, Calvin Paup, Larry Beck and Gene Brown.  Others present included Jim Barber, Lonni Koch, Rob Davis, Doyle Pickering, Sharon Boyd, Tony Boyd, Jean Wilson, Jane Pate, Larry Berns, Stacy Rubner, Dean Hamdorf, Andy Weiland, and Kirk Wendt.

 

Receive visitors/public comment:  Jean Wilson advised the council of a concern she has regarding Japanese beetles on 3 trees in the park and suggested the council consider treating before winter.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  Larry Beck motioned, Deanna Cook seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, finance reports, claims, minutes from 8/8/11 and the authorizing of the signing of the Contractor’s application for Payment # 3 $32,989.88. Roll call vote: Ayes: Paup, Barnhart, Cook, Beck, and Brown.  Nays: None. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

  JJJ ENTERPRISES, INC                           OTHER PROF SERV EXP                            $14,721.98

  ALL MED                                           OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $288.56

  ALLIANT ENERGY                                ELECTRIC/GAS EXPENSE                            $5,852.35

  AMAZON.COM                                    FURNITURE/FIXTURES                                  $605.82

  AMENT, INC                                        ENGINEERING EXPENSE                             $14,467.06

  AREA AMBULANCE SERVICE                  OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                 $75.80

  BARNES & NOBLE                                OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $460.23

  CARUS CORPORATION                          OPERATING SUPPLIES                                  $353.40

  CASEYS GENERAL STORE                     VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                 $902.95

  CEDAR COUNTY SOLID WASTE               PAYMENTS TO OTHER AGENCIES                  $1,215.00

  CEDAR COUNTY TREASURER                  TAX EXPENSE                                         $2,294.00

  CLARENCE LOWDEN SUN-NEWS & ADV     PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                            $13.00

  CROW, DARRIN                                   OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $200.00

  DANS TIRES & MORE                            VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $38.98

  DEMCO                                             OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $48.06

  DOUGLAS W SIMKIN LAW FIRM                LEGAL EXPENSE                                        $300.00

  ENTWISLE, ANGIE                                JANITORIAL EXPENSE                                  $570.00

  GALLS                                             ALLOWANCES - UNIFORMS                             $40.40

  HACH COMPANY                                 CHEMICALS                                              $174.56

  IMFOA                                              MEETINGS & CONFERENCES                           $100.00

  IOWA OFFICE SUPPLY                           OFFICE SUPPLIES                                         $94.97

  IOWA ONE CALL                                 OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                 $30.60

  IWIRELESS                                         TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                 $52.95

  JIMS AUTO BODY                                VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $33.97

  JJJ ENTERPRISES, INC                           STREETS                                              $32,989.88

  JOHN DEER FINANCIAL                          VEHICLE OPERATIONS                                   $18.28

  JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE INC               OTHER PROF SERV EXP                             $2,837.50

  KEYSTONE LABORATORIES, INC              OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $333.70

  KOCHS SERVICE & SUPPLY LLC               OTHER PROF SERV EXP                                $110.26

  KUNDE OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT                 OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $28.59

  LUKE OBERBRECKLING & SONS               STREETS                                               $9,960.00

  LYNCH FORD                                     VEHICLE REPAIR                                          $35.06

  MECHANICSVILLE TELEPHONE CO            TELECOMMUNICATIONS                                $431.48

  MT VERNON LISBON SUN                       PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                            $14.00

  OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY                  BLDG MAINT & REPAIR                                   $81.50

  RJ ENDER                                          OFFICE EQUIPMENT REPAIR                            $150.00

  STAPLES                                          OFFICE SUPPLIES                                        $156.53

  TIPTON CONSERVATIVE & ADVERTIS        PRINTING & PUBLISHING EXP                          $207.81

  UTILITY EQUIPMENT COMPANY                UTILITY SYSTEMS & STRUCTURES                   $647.90

  WALMART                                         OPERATING SUPPLIES                                   $14.70

  WELLMARK BC BS                               GROUP INSURANCE                                  $3,691.33

  WENDLING QUARRIES INC                      STREETS                                                  $234.60

  GINGERICH WELL & PUMP SERVICE           UTILITY SYSTEMS & STRUCTURES                $6,600.00

  CEDAR COUNTY RECORDER                   COURT & RECORDING FEES                              $7.00

  PAYROLL                                                        WAGES                                                               $12,953.65

 

Total Receipts and Disbursements for month of  August by fund

Fund

Receipts

Disbursements

General

2029.96

15471.71

Road Use Tax

11463.66

2463.70

Employee Benefit

 

1763.65

Local Option Sales Tax

12268.72

 

Library Expendable Trust

4.38

 

Capital Project

83401.83

96658.01

Perpetual Care

400.00

 

Ambulance Trust

11038.55

1916.19

Fire Trust

.31

 

Water Utility

8101.56

817.85

Sewer Utility

5499.37

5035.52

Solid Waste

7641.28

9043.57

Water Deposits

200.00

 

 

REPORTS:

Administration Report:  Coppess reported receiving a complaint requesting that a general liability claim be filed with the insurance company regarding the excessive rain water received on September 3 causing an increase in the amount of ground water infiltration, information about the next US Highway 30 coalition meeting on Friday, October 14 in Marshalltown, and an estimate from Oberbreckling of $3,500 to add a crossing/culvert at Country View Drive.

 

Public Works Report: Zerbe reported that the 2 sidewalks were done, 4 catch basins installed, 2 water main hydrants repaired and 1 hydrant still needs to find the shut off; the overhead door was repaired, lift station manually operated for 7 hours; lightening may have hit well #2 pump.  The pump was pulled out and found to be burnt out.  August 23 it quit running they are cleaning and televising to see if there was a cave in.  Fall clean up was set for October 11 with pickup restricted to furniture, appliances, metal, and carpet.  Larry Beck motioned, Calvin Paup seconded, to proceed with requesting sealed bids for tree removal; a request for vacation for October 6-7; the fall clean up on October 11 with the restrictions and the televising of the well for repair.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Zerbe was directed to remove/fix bump in the street at the east end of First Street and Coppess was asked to send a notice to property owner to trim bushes back from sidewalk.

 

Police Report:  Police Chief Barber reported 12 agency assist, 3 animal cases, 6 arrests, 1 assault, 19 citizen assist, 1 criminal mischief, 5 harassment;  9 - 911, 2 thefts, 6 traffic stops, 6 warnings for code violations, harassment, noise disturbance, curfew violation and 1 citation issued for curfew violation and assisted sheriff’s department with search warrant for stolen property.  A motion was made to post a notice for part time help for a police officer by Calvin Paup, and seconded by Larry Beck.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Fire Report:  Lonni Koch reported a total of 4 calls which included 8/10 a 10-50PI; 8/27 2 car accident; 8/27 Wilton burn trailer education; and the 15th Clarence River Valley bin rescue training, while at Fire Convention a third place trophy for the Old Timers Water Ball fight was won.

 

 Ambulance Report: Lonni Koch reported 23 calls and advised of a need to be on standby at 3 football games in Stanwood.

 

Old Business:

Safe Route to School Project:    Discussion was held regarding the retaining wall modifications/improvements made with the concrete sealer material and whether or not a fence was required to be installed on top of the wall.  Larry Beck and Gene Brown were assigned to work with Tony Boyd on recommendations for possibly installing hedge/bushes instead of a fence.  Council discussed having more rock installed in the drive at the bin site to keep the hopper from dragging across the sidewalk.  Motion was made by Calvin Paup and seconded by Deanna Cook to eliminate the seeding between the curb and the sidewalk near 125th street and install a fabric for weed prevention and washed river rock.  Gene Brown volunteered to haul the rock and gather volunteers to help install it.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Building Maintenance:  Library & Memorial Building:  Larry Beck motioned, Deanna Cook seconded to accept the proposal from Nesper for the installation of a replacement awning at the library and the east door of the Memorial Building.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.  Gene Brown motioned, Carla Barnhart seconded to accept a sealed bid from Odd Jobber for painting the north, west and south sides of the Memorial Building in the spring for $3200.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Whether to declare 305 N John an abandoned or dangerous building:  Council requested that clerk follow up with city attorney and request that he provide his opinion in writing regarding this issue.

 

Request design and specifications for maintenance shed:  Calvin Paup motioned to contact ECIA or the League to find out if an engineering firm needs to be hired to develop the design and specifications or whether the specs from a pre-engineered building can be used to satisfy this requirement.  If an engineer is required, have clerk proceed with sending preliminary plans to engineer.  Larry Beck seconded the motion.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

New Business:

Request early release of 5 year forgivable grant contract for housing rehab contract 20% repayment for 69 days remaining:  Larry Beck motioned, Gene Brown seconded to waive the repayment requirement and to authorize the mayor to sign the lien release for the property at 105 Highway 30 for Gordon and Ruth McDowell due to circumstances outside of their control.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Request for Frisbee golf posts to be numbered:  Calvin Paup motioned, Gene Brown seconded to refer the request to the park board for their recommendation.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Iowa Codification 2011 Legislative changes:  Council notified that legislative changes were minor and no code updates were required.

 

Install additional storm sewer from Whites to Creek:  Calvin Paup motioned, Gene Brown seconded to contact Hart-Frederick to see about getting a proposal for design services, specifications and estimated costs for the installation of additional storm water drainage on the south/east side of town.  Ayes all.  Motion carried.

 

Committee Reports:  Carla Barnhart reported that the ball field committee had met and had prepared some 1 year, 5 year and 10 year goals and working on some flyers being prepared.  The grant application is due September 15th.

 

Correspondence:  EMA grant for the radios has been sent in; EMC insurance sent recommendations for improvements at the skateboard area and in the open park pavilion.  Coppess was directed to contact Dan Koch about installing GFIC outlets, possibly relocating the outlets to that they are easier to reach, and correcting the issue with the conduit for the lighting at the skate area.  The other issues have been forwarded to the park board for review and consideration.    Correspondence was also received from the DNR about the Cedar River Watershed.

 

Set next regular meeting date: Monday, October 10, 2011

 

Mayor Comments: None. 

 

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 9:37 p.m. Ayes all.  Meeting adjourned.

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________                   ___________________________

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

City Clerk/Finance Officer