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

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

Absent: None

Staff Present: Craig Coffey, City Administrator; Tom Kane, Public Works Director; Mike DeBruin, Police Chief; Jim Pickner, City Attorney

Standard Agenda Items

1. Approval of August 14, 2000 Minutes. Moved by Woodley/Dorhout to approve the August 14th Council Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

Correction to August 14 minutes on agenda item number #10 Z-2000-1 should have read the Planning Commission recommendation and the approval from the City Council should have been "R-2" instead of "R-1".

2. Approval of Claims for Payment. Moved by Kallsen/Cauwels to approve the Schedule of Claims for payment. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Open Business From the Community (limited to a maximum of 5 minutes per item). Alma Koob, representing the Senior Citizenâs Dance Club, was present requesting two window air conditioners for the two east windows of the Old City Hall. Mr. Coffey was requested to research this issue for the cost of air conditioning the facility.

4. Staff Reports/Discussion. Items discussed were

• the trees located at 20^th and Central and also
• HiTec long distance charges from our supplier were mentioned.
• Mr. Coffey also reported that the pool had closed as of 5:00 o'clock today for the season.
• Electric substation maintenance on transformers costing approximately $41,000 was discussed;
• a railroad spur grant penalty on the Plum Plant of approximately $11,500 was also discussed.
• It was announced that the police have applied for a $10,000 State Local Law Enforcement Block Grant to purchase in car video systems with a $1,000 match as budgeted.
• A general overview of the Chamber/HEDCO merger was also presented. The Mayor and Council were also invited to a luncheon meeting at the Pizza Ranch on Friday, August 25 at noon to study a proposal from Norgaard, Ammann and Company from Sioux Falls

5. Mayor Report.

Other Agenda Items

6. Approval of Union Contract. The Union contract agreement for the City of Hawarden has been signed. This includes a $.40 increase per person for each year of a three-year contract. In addition, Ron Prothero would receive an additional $.35 and Mike Miller an additional $.15 per hour per year. Training incentives would be on top of this for the majority of workers. The training incentives would be tied to certifications required in their field and would roughly reward them a $.25 per hour for each year it may take to gain the certification. Health insurance would be switched to Prin Choice. Moved by Cauwels/Kallsen to approve the Union contract. Motion carried unanimously.

7. Resolution No. 2000-21, Annual Resolution Setting Salaries/Wages. This Resolution approves a $.40 increase per hour for hourly paid personnel and a 3% increase for salaried personnel, with adjustments on some individuals including Karri Bushby, a $.52 per hour increase along with the approved $.40; Sharole Rens, a $500.00 salary increase for her six month review; Jami Dekkers increase from $2,000 per year. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to approve Resolution No. 2000-21, Annual Resolution Setting Salaries/Wages. Aye: Cauwels, Woodley, Dorhout. Nay: Harvey, Kallsen. Motion carried.

8. Request for Renewal of a Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales. Moved by Kallsen/Woodley to approve the Class C Liquor License and Sunday Sales for Sportsmanâs Lanes and Lounge. Motion carried unanimously.

9. Resolution No. 2000-22, Authorizing the Public Works Director To Enter Into a Contract With Trans-Canada Gas (previously known as Cibola). This Resolution is to allow the Public Works Director to sign a brokerage contract with Trans-Canada Gas. We have contracted with this firm for the last several years (previously known as Cibola) and have saved the City up to $.40 per MCF over other communities by doing so. Staff recommended a two-year contract. Moved by Kallsen/Cauwels to approve this Resolution. Motion carried unanimously.

10. First Reading of Ordinance No. 582, An Ordinance of the City of Hawarden Amending Chapter 12.08 of the Hawarden Code Repealing Section 12.08010(2) "Interruptible Rate" and Replacing it With 12.08.010(2) "Wholesale Gas Cost Adjustment Charges" That Will Allow Gas Prices Over a Threshold to be Passed On. Staff presented this Ordinance which allows the City to avoid drastic swings in gas prices which are based on the Ventura Supply Point. It was further mentioned that this will help us to capture increases to properly flow within the Cityâs billing system rather than attempt to do back billing. IAMU and other municipals have advised us that this is the best solution for fluctuating gas prices. Moved by Woodley/Dorhout to approve Ordinance No. 582 on its first reading. Aye: Cauwels, Kallsen, Woodley, Dorhout. Nay: Harvey. Motion carried.

11. Discussion/Consideration of Gas and Electric Rates. The City Council studied various rates and options including those from other communities. After a review of the information, the Council chose not to increase the gas rates and recommended a 3% increase in electric rates. The Council directed staff to draft an ordinance for these changes.

12. Strategic Planning Discussion. Goals and objectives were discussed for clarification so that action plans can be finalized in the various areas.

Moved by Dorhout/Kallsen to adjourn the Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

_____________________________
Ricard R. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________________
Craig Coffey, City Administrator