MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Hawarden Public Library
Monday, February 4, 2002 at 6:15 P.M.

The meeting was called to order at 6:24 p.m.

Present: Mayor Porter; Council members: Woodley, Nohava, Harvey, Cauwels

Absent: Councilman Lubkeman

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

Item 1a. Council/Staff Planning Session - 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. (Not Televised). Different items of interest and potential projects for the City were discussed at this time, including TIF District projects, Calliope Village redevelopment planning, and new stop signs for 9th and Ave H.

Councilman Lubkeman was recorded present at 6:37 p.m.

Standard Agenda Items

Item 1b. Approval of January 21st and January 28th, 2002 Minutes. (Televised) Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to approve the January 21st and January 28th, 2002 Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1c. Approval of Claims for Payment. Moved by Nohava/Cauwels to approve the Schedule of Claims for payment. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1d. Open Business from the Community (limited to a maximum of 5 minutes per item). Bruce McInnis was present to voice his concern regarding the noise created from snow removal near his residence early in the mornings. He requested that this clearing be delayed and that small amounts of snow not be cleared.

Item 2a. Staff Reports/Discussion.

Item 2b. Mayor Report. Mayor Porter gave an update on the Iowa League of Cities Meeting scheduled for the April 3, 2002 and also reminded the Council on the Northwest Iowa League Meeting set for the 24th of February.

Other Agenda Items

Item 3. Resolution No. 2002-04, a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with Wee Care, Inc. and Fixing a Date for a Hearing on the Proposed Issuance of Child Care Facility Revenue Bonds (Wee Care Project), Series 2002. Discussion centered around the City's options in the event of a default on the notes. Moved by Woodley/Nohava to postpone this item until the next Regular City Council Meeting scheduled for the 25th of February. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 4. Appointing Ms. Kay Scroggs as a New Member to the Library Board to Fill Out the Remaining Term of Ms. Peggy Landau Until June 30, 2003. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to appoint Ms. Kay Scroggs as the new member to the Library Board for the remaining unexpired term of Ms. Landau. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 5. Request for Renewal of a Class E Liquor License, Class E Beer License, and Class B Wine License, with Sunday Sales by Hat City Ltd/Calliope Liquor Sales. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to approve the renewal of the liquor licenses. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 6. Resolution No. 2002-06 - Resolution Advertising the Disposition of Property for Sale. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to table Resolution No. 2002-06 until the next regular Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 7. Resolution No. 2002-05 - a Resolution Advertising the Disposition of Property for Lease. Moved by Cauwels/Woodley to table Resolution No. 2002-05 until the next regular Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8. Discussion/First Reading of Ordinance 598, Amending Gas Rates. Mr. Coffey presented the Council with two different options regarding the amendment of gas rates, one with a minimum charge and one without a minimum charge. Both ordinances would eliminate the gas surcharge for the next year and will allow a slight increase in gas rates. It was also reported that gas rates have not increased since 1993. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 598, Amending Gas Rates, (with a minimum charge). Aye: Lubkeman, Woodley, Nohava, Cauwels. Nay: Harvey. Motion carried.

Item 9. Discussion/First Reading of Ordinance No. 597, Amending Electric Rates. Discussion was held on this item. This Ordinance would increase electric rates by 3% across the board and would cover projected shortfalls incurred by the electric utility. It was reported the City costs to purchase powers have increase $110,000 in over the last 2 years based on the reduction in the City's WAPA allocation and increase load purchase of more expensive Missouri River Power. Electric load management was also briefly discussed. Moved by Woodley/Lubkeman to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 597, Amending Electric Rates. Aye: Lubkeman, Woodley, Nohava, Harvey, Cauwels. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 10. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting Session (3 year plan). Handout/Brief Discussion. Discussion continued on strategic planning goals and possible future projects for the City. The results of the rating were presented and finalized. Staff will bring back the results broken down by year.

Item 11. Discussion/Review of City Budget. The City’s budget was presented and discussed in greater detail with the Council. No action was taken.

Moved by Nohava/Harvey to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

__________________________
Ricard Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________
Craig Coffey, City Administrator