Item 1a. Approval of February 25 and March 4, 2004 Minutes. Moved by Nohava/Harvey to approve the Minutes of February 25 with changes to read Jonathan McKinney in the Mayor’s report and to include all council persons present in the March 4, 2004 Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 1b. Approval of Claims for Payment. Moved by Lubkeman/Cauwels 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). There was no open business from the community.

Item 2a. Mayor's Report. Mayor Porter was absent.

Item 2b. Staff Reports/Discussion. Mr. Coffey reported that 82 kids attended the Jungle Trip and 50 children are signed up for the new season of bowling. Teen Night Out was held Saturday, March 6th with over 110 in attendance. Soccer, flag football, t-ball, baseball/softball, adult softball and swimming lessons are also being scheduled. He reported that brochures are being printed for display around the community for the HAPP Marketing Lead Program. The agreement with Rural Water has been approved. Employment advertisement has begun for a police officer and cleaning person. Police Chief, DeBruin will be attending a NW Iowa Bio-Security Conference.

Item 3a. Public Hearing on FY 2004-05 Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Cauwels opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m. There were no oral or written comments received. Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels declared the hearing closed at 7:11 p.m.

Item 3b. Resolution 2004-30, Approving the City’s FY 2004-05 Budget. Moved by Borchers/Lubkeman to approve Resolution 2004-30. Aye: Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Borchers, Harvey. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 4a. Public Hearing on Dedication of Real Property for Street Purposes. Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m. There were no oral or written comments received. The hearing closed at 7:13 p.m.

Item 4b. Resolution 2004-29, Approving the Dedication of City Property for Public Use as a Street Designated as Second Street. This Resolution will rededicate a previously abandoned street that was never formally rededicated. The City Attorney has prepared this resolution to finish the rededication with the sale of the City property. Moved by Nohava/Harvey to approve Resolution 2004-29. Aye: Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Borchers, Harvey. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 5. Resolution 2004-27, Approving the Renewal of a 28E Agreement for the Northwest Iowa Drug Task Force for an Indefinite Period and Authorizing the Signature and Implementation Thereof. This Resolution would extend the current 28E Agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and Municipalities. Council discussed this agreement and questioned if grant funding would continue to be available. Moved by Harvey/Nohava to approve Resolution 2004-27. Aye: Nohava, Cauwels, Lubkeman, Borchers, Harvey. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Item 6. Public Hearing on Proposed Plans and Specifications, Form of Contract and Bid Estimate of Cost for Construction for the Hawarden City Hall/Community Center Project. Mayor Pro Tem, Cauwels opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. No oral or written comments were received. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:16 and will be continued at the next regular Council Meeting on March 24, 2004.

Item 7. Continued Discussion of Cost Saving Measures for the City Hall/Community Center Project. A meeting was held Tuesday, March 9th with the engineer and architect to go over the bids with additional changes to the City Hall/Community Center Project. Mr. Coffey explained plans for additional cuts on the Community Center Project and ideas to get within the fund guidelines.

Jeff Nohava left the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

Item 8. Discussion of Electrical Switch Gear Project. This project will replace our outdated switchgear. Switchgear was explained as a large set of breakers between the transformers and main electric feeds running throughout the City. We currently have three electric feeds and will be going to a fourth feed to relieve pressure off one of the existing feeder circuits. This is a part of a larger project we have been working on to replace the outdated the 2,400-volt system and update our main electric system components. A proposal was presented from Utilities Plus Energy Services, Inc. Council gave staff permission to proceed and start work with this company.

Moved by Harvey/Lubkeman to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The Council Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.