Council Minutes July 7, 2003

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Hawarden Public Library
Monday, July 7, 2003 at 7:00 PM

The Council Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

Present: Council Members: Woodley, Harvey, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Nohava.

Absent: Mayor Porter

Staff Present: Craig Coffey, City Administrator; Tom Kane, Public Works Director; Jim Pickner, City Attorney; Mike DeBruin, Police Chief; Sharole Rens, Finance Officer, Brad Meyer, Ambulance Director.

Staff Absent: Chris Myres, Telecommunications Director.

In the absence of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels conducted the meeting.

Standard Agenda Items

Item 1a. Approval of June 16, 2003 Minutes. Moved by Woodley/Lubkeman to approve the Minutes of June 16, 2003. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1b. Approval of Claims for Payment. Moved by Lubkeman/Woodley to approve the Schedule of Claims for payment. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1c. Open Business from the Community (limited to a maximum of 5 minutes per item). Julie Ulmer was present to discuss the swimming pool rules and a petition requesting that the pool committee review these rules. She also presented the Council with some survey results consisting of rules from 20 other area pools. Chris & Troy Doeden were present to discuss the pool rules and particular problems created for her family by these rules. They asked the Council what action could be taken on this matter.

Item 2a. Mayor’s Report. Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels read a letter from Mayor Porter regarding all volunteers that serve on boards. He also made reference to supporting the Pool Committee and how to address the changes in the pool rules.

Item 2b. Staff Reports/Discussion.

Mr. Coffey gave a brief update on the progress of the downtown fire site.

The HAPP Development Committee has authorized the City to spend up to $5,000 for an architect to prepare specs for a future building front and put together a basic construction package. He said that final paper work is being prepared on the sale of the Old City Hall, with an anticipated possession date of September 1. He stated that he is working on setting up the LSS gym for community events while the new Community Center is being worked on.

Utility service is beginning to be installed in the new McKee subdivision.

Mr. Coffey informed everyone that our community has been upgraded from a community fire rating of six to a rating of five. The improved rating is a result of our water system improvements, fire equipment upgrades and fire department training.

He explained the progress being made on the property maintenance list and urged the Council and citizens to call the City Offices if they see problems.

Tom Kane presented a map from Southern Sioux Rural Water for a proposal on amending water territory boundaries. He also discussed upcoming increases in gas prices.

A brat feed is planned for July 17th for NCC and L. G. Everist at the Rocket Park for appreciation of all the work done on the Dry Creek Project. Mr. Kane also reported on the power outages that occurred in recent storms.

Mike DeBruin, Police Chief, stated that they have moved their office to 926 Avenue F. They also started police service in Ireton and everything is going well.

Sharole Rens, Finance Officer, reported that the year-end audit would be the week of August 25th.

City Attorney, Jim Pickner, reported that the court ruled in favor of the City on a City municipal infraction case.

Item 3a. Public Hearing on the Disposition of Property (Property East of Central Catering).The Public Hearing was opened at 7:49 p.m. There were no oral or written comments. Mayor Pro-Tem, Cauwels, declared the Hearing closed.

Item 3b. Resolution 2003-38, Authorizing the Final Disposition of Real Estate, (1.3 acre Parcel East of Central Catering). Moved by Harvey/Woodley to approve Resolution 2003-38. Aye: Woodley, Harvey, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Nohava. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 4. Discussion/Approval to Release Surety Monies for the Downtown Fire. Bob Bonderson addressed the Council asking for the release of funds (10% of property funds) from the downtown fire. He requested a letter stating that all the demolition/clean-up and building repair is complete. Discussion began about remaining repairs to the south side of the building, money received to date, and demolition progress on adjacent property. By consensus, Council agreed to withhold this money until all repairs are done and the building can then be turned over to the City.

Item 5. Preliminary Design of City Hall/Community Center (Review of Preliminary Layout with Dale McKinney, Architect). Mr. Dale McKinney, Architect presented a preliminary plan of the City Hall/Community Center and discussed the layout with the Council. Mr. Coffey recommended some changes on the facility to the staff.

Item 6. Discussion of Telecommunications Refinancing. Mr. Coffey presented an analysis of the refinancing of Electric Bond Debt for Telecommunications that was prepared by Tim Oswald of Piper Jaffrey. Other options were also discussed. Council recommended proceeding with refinancing. Mr. Coffey stated he would get additional proposals for comparison and then make a recommendation with the consultation of Councilpersons, Cauwels and Woodley.

Item 7. Approval of the Write-Off of Bad Debts for Utilities and Ambulance. The write-off of bad debts is required for the audit each year. All City write-offs have declined from two years ago. Moved by Woodley/Cauwels to approve the bad debt write-offs. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 8. Request for a New Class LE, WB, BC Liquor License with Sunday Sales, a request by Adam Waterman and Duane Terpstra, dba Main Street Liquors and located at 911 Central Avenue to obtain a new liquor license with Sunday sales all for offsite consumption. Moved by Woodley/Nohava to approve the request for a new Class LE, WB, BC Liquor License with Sunday sales for Main Street Liquors. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 9. Resolution 2003-39, Approving an Agreement to Furnish Fire Protection and Emergency Response Services to Portions of Union County, South Dakota; and Authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to Sign Said Agreement. This Resolution will increase our annual fire fees from Virginia Township to $4,500, with automatic increases every 4 years. Money will come directly from Union County. This agreement will be filed with the Secretary of State and the County. Moved by Nohava/Harvey to approve Resolution 2003-39. Aye: Woodley, Harvey, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Nohava. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 10. Resolution 2003-40, Establishing an Income Based Housing Grant Program and Criteria for Use in Administering Said Program. This is budgeted money the City has set aside this fiscal year for housing grants. Moved by Woodley/Nohava to approve Resolution 2003-40 with the following language changes:

Change the title of the program to “Income Based Housing Grant Program”;
In Section 2a after “owner occupied”, add the words “single family”;
In Section 2d after “90” add the word “days”; in Section 2c, after the words “max income” add the words “based on Federal Home Loan Bank Guidelines”.

Aye: Woodley, Harvey, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Nohava. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 11. Reappointing Two Library Board Members for Additional Terms.

Appointing Mr. Tony Lauters for a six year term from July 1, 2003-June 30, 2009
Appointing Ms. Kay Scroggs for a six year term from July 1, 2003-June 30, 2009

Moved by Woodley/Harvey to approve the reappointing of Tony Lauters and Kay Scroggs for six year terms on the Library Board. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 12. Closed Session for Discussion of a Personnel Matter Under Iowa Code Section 21.5,1,i, (if necessary). This item was withdrawn from the agenda, therefore the Closed Session was not held.

Moved by Woodley/Nohava to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The Council Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

____________________________
Michael Cauwels, Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST:

________________________
Craig Coffey, City Administrator

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING Hawarden Public Library Monday, July 7, 2003 at 7:00 PM

Standard Agenda Items

Other Agenda Items

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Hawarden Public Library
Monday, July 7, 2003 at 7:00 PM