MINUTES – SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Hawarden Public Library

Monday, February 14, 2000 at 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Jacobs; Council members: Kallsen, Harvey, Cauwels, Dorhout, Woodley

Staff Present: Craig Coffey, City Administrator; Mike DeBruin, Police Chief, Jim Pickner, City Attorney.

  1. Library Budget. Val Haverhals, Librarian, reviewed the Library's 2000-01 Budget with the Council and talked about their goals and upcoming grants.
  2. Wee Care Loan Financing. Discussion was held on the financing aspect of a new Wee Care facility. Mr. Coffey presented to the Council that the City's bonding capacity is currently at 1.8 million and that the new Boyer TIF Debt and any guaranteed Wee Care debt may significantly lower our bonding capacity to build future projects such as a community center. Mr. Coffey stated there is a way to co-sign on the loan that would be forgivable for the City (would not count against our bonding capacity). He then asked for guidance on the issue. Discussion ensued about guarantees. Moved by Harvey/Kallsen to co-sign on the loan up to $250,000.00 whether the loan was forgivable or not for the City. Jim Pickner advised the Council that it may be a conflict of interest with two Councilpersons serving on the Wee Care Board. Aye: Kallsen, Harvey, Dorhout. Nay: Cauwels. Abstain: Woodley. Motion carried.
  3. Position Change Proposal - Combining Meter Reader, Cleaning Person and Ambulance. Mr. Coffey discussed the fact that our current cleaning person is retiring. He discussed this option of filling the position and presented the Council with a job description. Moved by Cauwels/Woodley to hire Darcy Wilken as Meter Reader, Cleaning Person and Ambulance Driver, with the understanding that all portions of the position, as listed in the job description, must be fulfilled in order to retain the position. Ms. Wilken, the present meter reader was in attendance, and notified the City Administrator that she did not object to this provision. Motion carried unanimously.
  4. Ambulance Service Proposals. (Closed session was not needed at this time). Staff presented an updated study and other proposed changes/options for the ambulance. The various options were reviewed with the Council. The difficulty of staffing the ambulance service was discussed as well as the concern for a more permanent solution on the issue so that the ambulance service could be retained. After discussion on the issue, the Council by general consensus agreed that a full time person should be hired as ambulance director. More specific information was requested on the position responsibilities. Moved by Dorhout/Harvey to postpone this item until the next meeting so that a job description for this option can be prepared and presented by the City Administrator. Motion carried unanimously.
  5. Old City Hall - Rental Fee Waiver. At the verbal request of Mr. Barry Kuiper, the City Council took up a fee waiver request for the Old City Hall. Moved by Harvey/Cauwels to waive the rental fee for the Megan Millage Benefit Fund Raiser at the Old City Hall. Motion carried unanimously.
  6. Study and Discussion of Utility Rates. At the previous meeting, staff was directed to study all the utility rates and to present information on our current rates, comparisons to other cities and to identify where shortfalls in monies are projected. Mr. Coffey presented a preliminary study prepared by Mr. Kane (Public Works Superintendent) and himself. Due to the lateness of the hour, discussion ensued about which rates needed to be reviewed first and how long any changes would take. Mr. Coffey stated that water and sewer are the most critical at this time due to projected budget shortfalls, especially water with budgeted shortfalls for the last four years. He added that the process would take 2-3 months due to public hearings and passage of an ordinance. Moved by Harvey/Woodley to review the electric and gas rates in August 2000. Motion carried unanimously. Water and sewer rates were discussed in depth. Different sample rate structures were looked at for each. The Council asked for changes to the structures presented and other information. Moved
  7. High Speed Internet Proposals. This item was postponed until the following meeting.
  8. Workshop 2000-01 Budget. Additional portions of the draft were presented and reviewed with the Council. No action was taken.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.