1a. Approval of January 22 and January 28, 2004 Minutes. Moved by Cauwels/Harvey to approve the Minutes of January 22 and January 28, 2004 Minutes. 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). Pam Harvey from the Ambulance Squad was present to discuss the directorship of the ambulance squad. She stated that the squad would prefer a full-time director, but would be willing to try the part-time position for six months. There was no other open business from the community.

2a. Mayor's Report. Mayor Porter read a thank you note from West Sioux Athletic Director, Denny Peters. He thanked the City staff for their support in posting all the West Sioux activities on Channel 10. He also asked Councilman Borchers to give a report on their recent trip to Washington, D.C.

2b. Staff Reports/Discussion.

• Mr. Coffey encouraged the Council to attend the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day on February 18th. Revenue issues and negative telecommunications bills are items that will be discussed at this meeting. Mr. Coffey reported that a bid opening for the City Hall/Community Center is scheduled for February 24, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. The bids and acceptance resolution will be presented at the February 25, 2004 meeting.
• Tom Kane, Public Works Director, reported that Northern Natural Gas is seeking another rate increase of 6% on top of 30% they already received. This would be effective in August and would amount to about a 1% increase overall to our utility customers. He encouraged everyone to check the ice around their meters and asked them to also clean a path to the meters for easier access for meter readings.
• Chris Myres discussed the benefits of the City’s communications utility and upcoming legislation that could have negative impact on our utilities. Council reviewed handouts that Mr. Myres prepared.

3. a. Public Hearing on the Disposition of Property (Parcel E). Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:25. There were no oral or written comments. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:27 p.m.
b. Resolution 2004-24 - Authorizing the Final Disposition of Real Estate. (1.46 acres Parcel “E” South Addition). This resolution will sell “Parcel E” of the vacated Block 5 and 6 of the South Addition to Independence Waste, Inc., located at the SW corner of Central Ave. and Second Street just south of the Mobile Home Court, northeast of Central Catering. Moved by Cauwels/Lubkeman to sell the parcel of real estate to Independence Waste as proposed and to approve Resolution 2003-24. Aye: Borchers, Harvey, Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Resolution 2004-25 - Appointment of Members to Various Boards. Mayor Porter recommended that this item be postponed to allow more time to contact all the applicants. Moved by Nohava/Borchers to table this item. Aye: Borchers, Harvey, Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Resolution 2004-26 - Approving Contracts with Williams and Company for Accounting Services for Conversion to GASB 34 and for Auditing Services for the 2003-04 Fiscal Year Audit. Mr. Coffey reviewed a proposal from Williams and Company for the City’s conversion to GASB 34 with audit services for three years. Discussion was held on whether or not to advertise for auditors amidst the conversion of GASB 34, and whether to contract for one year instead of three. Moved by Harvey/Cauwels to approve Resolution 2004-26, as proposed. Aye: Borchers, Harvey, Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Continued Budget Workshop with Staff. Mr. Coffey asked for any additional comments from the Council. Some of the main points of the budget were discussed again briefly. Mr. Coffey talked about cuts, no increase in City taxes, and planned project to still move the community forward. The Mayor and Councilman Borchers congratulated staff on a job well done.

Mr. Coffey discussed a capital project that he failed to bring up before. The project would involve the removal of the Central Bridge. He said initial estimates for the materials and labor to replace the bridge w/engineering costs would be around $75,000. If the County would not demolish the bridge, demolition would add $15,000 more in cost. He explained the monies would come from road use fund reserves. The Council chose not to add the item to the budget, but wanted staff to explore demolition with the County, and then would consider the project for a budget amendment or for inclusion in next year's budget.

No other items were brought up to change in the budget.

7. Approval of Final Draft FY 2004-05 Budget and Publishing Notice of Public Hearing Budget Estimate. After no changes to the budget drafted in the previous workshop, Council chose to move forward with approving the final draft and publishing the public notice of the draft and public hearing. Moved by Cauwels/Borchers to approve the Final Draft of FY 2004-05 Budget Estimate and Publishing the Notice of the Public Hearing Budget Estimate. Motion Carried Unanimously.

Moved by Nohava/Lubkeman to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The Council Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.