City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

November 14, 2005

The Mechanicsville City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 14, 2005 at City Hall. Mayor David L. Furry called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Council persons present for roll call were Larry Beck, Pam Logue-Newcomb, Bryan Lovell and Chris Yancey. Martin Meyer was absent. Others present included Alan Zerbe, Jim Barber, Sherie Paup, Dan Koch, Phyllis Studer, & Jeff Christianson.

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda: None.

CONSENT AGENDA: Larry Beck, motioned, Bryan Lovell seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda, minutes from 10/10/05, finance reports, and claims. Roll call vote: Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Absent Meyer. Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:

I M F O A	35.00	ED M. FELD EQUIP. CO.	2,705.00
US POSTAL SERVICE	91.80	HOLIDAY INN	77.04
IA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIO	13.00	IA EMS ASSOCIATION	25.00
WELLMARK	2,254.86	IA LEAGUE OF CITIES	30.00
DELTA DENTAL	148.97	IA ONE CALL	36.00
I D E D FOUNDATION	40.00	IOWA WIRELESS	100.90
CEDAR COUNTY TREASURER	5,053.17	JIMS AUTO BODY	28.50
CARRIE ALBAUGH	160.60	JOHNSON CO REFUSE INC	2,091.50
THOMAS ALBAUGH	786.73	KEYSTONE LAB, INC	240.00
JAMES BARBER	1,087.00	KOCH'S PAINT & LUMBER	130.68
LINDA COPPESS	1,150.35	MECHANICSVILLE TELE. CO.	259.48
STEVE DAY	262.27	ODD JOBS INC	875.00
KELLY EBY	244.32	QUILL CORPORATION	301.33
JUDY HARTMAN	446.55	TOYNES IA. FIRE TRUCK	1,205.50
JOEY D WENNDT	103.02	WELLS FARGO BANK	5,436.20
ALAN ZERBE	1,023.70	CARRIE ALBAUGH	65.88
RITA BECKER	61.58	THOMAS ALBAUGH	786.73
I P E R S	1,514.11	JAMES BARBER	1,087.00
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	3,363.91	LINDA COPPESS	1,150.35
BRIDGE COMMUNITY BANK	285,000.00	STEVE DAY	316.11
US POSTMASTER	104.11	KELLY EBY	380.20
US POSTAL SERVICE	112.01	JUDY HARTMAN	510.53
JUDY HARTMAN	46.20	ALAN ZERBE	1,023.70
SHIRTS-N-STUFF	168.50	RITA BECKER	122.74
TARGET	13.47	CONSERVATIVE PUBLISHING	179.74
WALMART	224.26	FARM PLAN	9.95
FOLLETT SOFTWARE COMPANY	404.74	HACH COMPANY	104.30
MARY WEETS	12.00	CARL BENSON	50.00
ABC FIRE PROTECTION, INC	18.40	ANNALYN SMITH	50.00
JIM/JACQUY NEHRING	24.50	NEW HORIZON FS INC.	1,055.36
AIRGAS, INC.	96.65	SHEPLEY SNYDER PHARMACY	15.26
ALLIANCE MEDICAL	127.37	LAETITIAN'S	40.50
ALLIANT ENERGY	3,665.99	BOB CUMMINGS	105.99
ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE	92.25	SHERIE PAUP	76.38
CASEY'S GENERAL STORE	158.57	CONNIE KNUTSEN	25.00
CEDAR COUNTY TREASURER	5,053.19	LUKE OBERBRECKLING CONST	14,704.00
CR PHOTO COPY	75.92	DEAN KURTH, OWNER	661.45
CEDAR CO. SOLID WASTE	1,770.50	MFD	209.99
E C I A	6,178.67	CONNIE KNUTSEN	304.20

Total Receipts for the month of October by fund:

Agency-Water	-123.13
Ambulance Trust	4,062.86
Fire Trust	331.01
General	74,234.63
Library Exp Trust	18.46
Perpetual Care	112.50
Road Use Tax	9,293.02
Sewer Utility	6,532.47
Solid Waste	7,385.67
Special Revenue	5,053.17
Water Utility	3,759.64
Wtr Sinking Fund	5,000.00
Special Rev-Emp Benefit	11,713.82

Total disbursements for the month of October per fund:

Agency Water	126.87
Ambulance Trust	2,230.19
General	20,578.35
Road Use Tax	25,951.97
Sewer Utility	4,265.10
Solid Waste	5,389.01
Special Revenue-Opt Tax	5,053.17
Special Revenue Emp Benefit	2,544.88
Water Utility	4,767.55

PUBLIC HEARING: The mayor opened the public hearing to hear comments for or against the recommendation from the P&Z Commission to change the zoning from A-1 to R-2 on the W ½ of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of section 18, township 82 North, Range 3 West of the 5^th principal meridian, Cedar County—Auditors Parcel J. At this time Phyllis Studer asked about whether there were any plans to go any further east with the zoning. Council indicated that the current request is to change the zoning on only the west ½ of the 20 acres that is currently owned by the Mechanicsville Economic Development Co. Although the entire 20 acres was recently annexed into the city, the eastern portion will remain zoned as A-1 for the time being. There being no other comments or questions, Bryan Lovell motioned, Larry Beck seconded to close the public hearing. Ayes all. Hearing closed.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATION: Coppess informed the council that the housing committee met with the representative from ECIA and the committee has approved a total of 12 applications. The next step is for the houses to be inspected and a list of the work to be done compiled. Coppess also requested permission to attend the Fall East Central Iowa Clerks Association meeting on 11/16/05. Bryan motioned, Pam seconded to approve request. Ayes all. Motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Work logs were submitted and reported. They have been busy picking up leaves and completing the installation of the signs, additional posts are needed. Beck will check with the county on availability. Zerbe reported that the contractors have been working on the dirt work at the lagoon. A bid for the removal of a dead tree at 306 Kohlhase was reviewed and approved in the amount of $450 with a motion from Lovell, and second from Beck. Ayes all. Motion carried.

POLICE REPORT: Police Chief Jim Barber presented the council with his summary of activity (10/10/05-11/13/05) which included 1 accident; 18 agency assists; 2 animal cases; 2 arrest with warrants, 2 assist motorist; 17 citizen assists; 1 fire dept assist; 8– 911, 2 thefts, 5 traffic stops with 5 warnings; 3 abatements nuisances filed; 6 warnings for code violations including 1 illegal parking, 3 disorderly; 1 abandon refrigerator; 3 citations issued: 2 illegal parking and 1 fail to maintain control.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Dan Koch, Fire Chief, reported 4 calls for the month, 3 fire prevention activities, upcoming events include St. Mary’s Bake sale at the Fire Station on Nov. 23, Nov. 25 put up Christmas decorations, and Dec 5 is the annual fire banquet. Koch also reported new officer’s for the upcoming year will be: Fire Chief Nate Baker, 1^st Asst Doug Cook; 2^nd Asst Dan Paidar, 3^rd Asst Dan Kurth; President Rhett Taylor; VP Travis Galloway, Fire Training Bob Moravek; Ambulance Training Connie Knutsen, Secretary Marilyn Fitzgerald, Treasurer Ron Baker, and Ambulance Coordinator Sherie Paup. Pam Logue motioned, Chris Yancey seconded to approve the report and the slate of officers for the upcoming year. Ayes all. Motion carried.

AMBULANCE REPORT: Sherie Paup reported that the ambulance had 9 medical calls, 2 traumas, 3 mutual aid; and 2 refusals for a total of 16 calls for the month. She also requested that Amy Heinen be approved as a new member of the ambulance. Amy was previously a member of the Stanwood Ambulance Crew. Bryan motioned and Larry seconded to approve Amy as a new EMT. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Sherie also reported that Marilyn Fitzgerald has been approved as an EMT-I and that they have received 5 new pagers from Cedar County, and 2 new glucometers.

OLD BUSINESS-Discussion and possible action on:

Emptying, cleaning and removal of tank—with no action taking place following the phone calls last month, Mayor Furry will follow up with the company who said they would remove the waste oil one more time. Logue also thought she might have a contact to check on to see if they might be able to remove the contents. The tank can then be disposed of.

New Business

Discussion and possible action on:

Set date for public hearing for amending the city budget: Lovell motioned, Logue seconded to set the date for the hearing on December 12, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Ordinance 201: Establishing a new section entitled 69.17 RESERVED PARKING SPACES. The following parking spaces are reserved:

For Official City Vehicle after 4:00 p.m. M-F first space east of Jackson on the north side of East First Street.
For Doctor’s Office Parking 9a.m. – 6 p.m. M-F 7^th space from east on south side of East First Street
For US Mail Vehicles 3^rd space to the north on the east side of North John Street
For Congregate Meals 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. 4^th space to the north on the east side of North John Street
For Doctor Parking 5^th space to the north on the east side of North John Street 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. M-F

A motion was made by Lovell, seconded by Beck to approve the first reading of Ordinance 201. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Lovell, seconded by Logue-Newcomb to dispense with the second and third reading of Ordinance 201. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Yancey, seconded by Beck to adopt the Ordinance 201. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried and ordinance adopted and posted.

Ordinance 202: An ordinance amending ordinance 79 of the official zoning ordinance allowing for changes on the official zoning map. Chapter 165, Section 4 “Establishment of Districts” is hereby amended to include the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of section 18, township 82 North, Range 3 West of the 5^th principal meridian, Cedar County— with the East half being added to the district and zoned A-1 and the west ½ of the area also known as Auditors Parcel J shall be zone as R-2.

A motion was made by Beck, seconded by Yancey to approve the first reading of Ordinance 202. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Beck, seconded by Lovell to dispense with the second and third reading of Ordinance 202. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Yancey, seconded by Logue-Newcomb to adopt Ordinance 202. Ayes: Beck, Lovell, Logue-Newcomb and Yancey. Nays: None. Absent: Meyer. Motion carried and ordinance adopted and posted.

Casey’s request for renewal of license for off-premise liquor, wine or beer: Beck motioned, Lovell seconded, to approve the off-premise liquor license. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Codification of Ordinances-parking fines or any other changes: Council reviewed questions and comments received from Iowa Codification as they have been working on updating the Mechanicsville city code book. Lovell motioned, Yancey seconded to change section 70.03 to read that parking fines will be $10 and be increase by $10 if not paid within thirty days; Snow route parking violations will remain at $25, however will increase by $25 if not paid within 30 days. Ayes all. Motion carried.

Region 6 Homeland Security Training for municipal offices and emergency response personnel: Council, fire and ambulance selected Jan. 16 & Jan 23 as the dates to see if the trainers would be available to come to Mechanicsville to do the required training. Coppess was directed to see if the dates would be available.

Municipal Leadership Academy: Council reviewed the information and recommended attendance by all that could attend. The first session is Saturday, Dec. 3 in Cedar Rapids.

Sharpless Auctions: Municipality Auction Nov. 30: Council discussed however didn’t feel the city had anything to get rid of at this time.

Snow trap at Cemetery along Washington Street: Beck reported that person farming the ground will be removing the fence, the county will be shaping the “fence row” and leveling off to help eliminate the piling up of snow. Zerbe’s assistance was requested in removing the junk trees.

Correspondence: Council review correspondence sent to the IDNR regarding the status of the construction schedule at the lagoon; read a thank you letter from the Mechanicsville Elementary, noted that the State Auditor is scheduled to arrive in February, 2006, reviewed, photographs from the maintenance of the new water tower; information from INS regarding the Busch-Dennis 309 American Legion Auxiliary as a grant recipient in the amount of $500 towards the sidewalk project; Iowa League of Cities booklet open records/ open government booklet; and information that the bound copies of the pre-disaster Mitigation plan were distributed to fire, ambulance, police, public works, Cedar County and city hall.

Committee Reports: The Safety Committee met on October 19 at 7:00 p.m. and continued to work on the proposal from the ambulance for hiring an ambulance coordinator. Lovell reported that they have worked on a job description; however, the work should be done on changing the ordinance and the personnel handbook first and can be done regardless of whether or not this position is created.

It was also noted that Lisbon worked with the IDOT in getting the flashing light installed on highway 30. Safety committee thought something like this will most likely be needed on X-40 near the school.

Solid Waste: Beck reported that the garbage truck will soon need updated or replaced as the bottom of the truck is starting to rust out in places and is in general getting wore out. It is also sometimes difficult to get somebody to fill in and assist for only 4 hours a week if one of the current employees is not available due to vacation, day off or other reason. It was also suggested that the garbage service could be outsourced. No immediate decisions will need to be made, however, council needs to become aware of the situation and start to research solutions to the problem.

MAC: Mayor Furry reported a very successful Trunk or Treat activity, with plans to make a holiday decoration for the community tree event being planned for this Sunday; and the Lighting Contest on December 3, with the Tour of Lights and Soup supper to follow on December 4 at 4:30 p.m. February 5 a waffle breakfast is planned and cards are being played at the Memorial Building on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. for anyone interested. Pam mentioned that she has a contact for bringing a rodeo to town if the group would be interested in that.

Economic Development Meeting: Yancey reported having attended the Cedar County meeting and that Mechanicsville should establish a vision. It was also noted that the former Montz building/Agency bldg. east of town along highway 30 has been sold to a company in Hiawatha and could possibly be bringing a few new jobs to the area.

Set next meeting date: 12/12/05

MAYORS COMMENTS: Good job everyone!

ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Beck motioned, Yancey seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.