1a. Approval of January 14th and 21st, 2004 Minutes. Moved by Harvey/Cauwels to approve the Minutes of January 14 and 21, 2004 with a change made to Item 10 of the January 14th Minutes to add the word “not” between the words “to” and “coincide”. Motion carried unanimously.

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

1c. Open Business from the Community (limited to a maximum of 5 minutes per item). There was no open business from the community.

2a. Mayor's Report. Mayor Porter presented Taylor Flynn an award for 40 years of service with the Hawarden Park Board. Mr. Flynn thanked the other Park Board members and the City Council and staff for their continued help. Mr. Porter reminded everyone of the upcoming Fireman’s Ball on January 31st. He asked that everyone be especially attentive when driving and walking during the continued severe weather and also reminded citizens to check on any neighbors that might live alone.

2b. Staff Reports.

• Mr. Coffey reviewed meeting dates he has lined up for budget workshops with the Council. He also updated the Council on the sale of the Old City Hall. Advertising of bids for the CityHall/Community Center will be in this week’s paper with a scheduled bid opening on February 24, 2004. He reminded the Council that the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day is scheduled for February 18, 2004. He also stated that several people have called to volunteer on City Boards, and more are needed.
• Tom Kane thanked everyone for moving their cars off the streets during the snow removal.
• Chris Myres discussed some of the technical issues regarding the character generator and said that they hope to have it up and running in a week or so.
• Police Chief DeBruin stated that they would be doing finger printing again February 4th in Ireton for the Kindergarten and First Grade children.

3. Budget Reports - Reports by Groups About Current Budget and Upcoming Budgets.

All respective Board Members gave a short summary of their current and upcoming budgets and the changes they expect for the coming year.

Mayor Porter left the meeting at 8:00 p.m and Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels acted on his behalf.

4. Third Reading of Ordinance 624 - Amending Electric Rates. Moved by Borchers/Cauwels to approve modified Ordinance 624 on its third reading. Aye: Also, the increase will be about half of the financial impact of what was originally reported. Lubkeman, Borchers, Cauwels. Nay: Harvey, Nohava. Motion carried 3-2.

5. Approval of Bid for Skid Steer Loader. Bids for the Skid Steer Loader with attachments and snow blower, were opened and read as follows:

Case 40XT	$33,438.00
Bobcat S185 Turbo	$33,152.00
Mustang 2054	$33,325.00
John Deere 250-2 (not incl. snow-blower)	$31,990.00

Moved by Nohava/Borchers to approve the bid from Lynott Implement on the Case 40XT Skid Steer Loader for $33,438.00. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Resolution 2004-22 - a Resolution Proposing to Dispose of Real Property for the Public Purpose of Economic Development and Publishing a Notice of a Public Hearing. This Resolution would transfer the ownership of the former Bonderson Building to HAPP for economic development. Moved by Harvey/Cauwels to table Resolution 2004-22. Aye: Borchers, Harvey, Nohava, Cauwels. Nay: Lubkeman. Motion carried 4-1.

7. Resolution 2004-23 - a Resolution Proposing to Dispose of Real Property (1.46 acres) and Publishing a Notice of a Public Hearing on the Property Sale Proposal. This will sell “Parcel E” of the vacated Block 6 of the South Addition to Independence Waste. This is generally located at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Second Street just south of the Mobile Home Court, northeast of Central Catering. Mr. Pete Kramer would like to purchase a parcel of ground to build a building to house and work on the garbage trucks and to store excess dumpsters and portable toilets. He has stated he would fence and screen the area where the extra dumpsters and toilets would be stored. At $2,500 an acre, the cost would be $3,650 for this parcel. Moved by Harvey/Nohava to approve Resolution 2004-23. Aye: Lubkeman, Borchers, Harvey, Nohava, Cauwels. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

8. Discussion of South Sioux Rural Water Contract - Amendment of Resolution 2003-78. Discussion was held on the contract being held with Southern Sioux Rural Water with requested changes and amendment of Resolution 2003-78. Staff was directed to present the contract to the Board of Directors with changes made to Paragraph 12, “Penalty Clause” and meet with the Board, if necessary.

9. Continued Budget Workshop With Staff. Mr. Coffey presented the proposed budget draft and discussed the budget proposals. He also provided information on the controversial State Property Tax Credit debate along with the tax credit funding that may be de-funded by the State.

Moved by Nohava/Harvey to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The Council Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.