The Council Meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm.

Present: Mayor Porter; Council Members: Cauwels, Jacobs, Borchers, Anderson, and Hedden

Absent: none

Staff Present:  Jason Metten, City Administrator/City Clerk; Mike DeBruin, Police Chief; Chris Myres, Telecommunications Director; Sharole Rens, Finance Director; Jim Pickner, City Attorney; Tom Kane, Public Works Director.

Staff Absent: none

0.  Swearing in Ceremony for Newly Elected Officials – Swearing in of George Jacobs, Patty Anderson, Kody Hedden, Council Members and Pam Harvey and Rick Reinking, Hospital Board. – Mayor Porter swore in the newly elected officials and presented them with a certificate from Sioux County. 

Standard Agenda Items

1a.  Approval of December 28, 2005 and January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes.   Moved by Cauwels/Hedden to approve the Minutes of December 28, 2005 and January 4, 2006.  Motion carried unanimously.

1b.  Approval of Claims for Payment.  Moved by Jacobs/Anderson 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).  Julie Ulmer was present to address the council regarding garbage pickup and charges at the Parkview Apartments.  The council will take this item under consideration. 

2a.  Mayor's Report – Mayor Porter reported a proclamation declaring January 2006 to be “Blood Donor Month”, and thanked the citizens of Hawarden for donating blood for others.  The Mayor and Tom Kane represented the City of Hawarden at the retirement party for Harold Schiebout, the city and utility manager for the City of Sioux Center.  He reported that the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day will be Wednesday, February 1^st in Des Moines, and also reminded staff and council of the important information in “CityScape”, the league’s magazine.  

2b.  Staff Reports/Discussion – Chris Myres reported on his work on the Sioux County Foundation, which will distribute the gambling proceeds that counties who do not have gambling receive from the state.  April 15^th will be the grant deadline for 501C3 or government entities to apply for funds for community projects, which will benefit not only cities, but also the entire county.  Chris can be contact with any questions.  He reported on the perspective business, and stated that they are getting close to making a final proposal.  Regarding the retransmission agreement with KTIV, we have been given an extension through the end of January, and they are rewriting the contract, which will be presented at the next council meeting.  Mike DeBruin reported that the Police Department’s 2005 Activity Report was included in the packets, and that he has copies of the NIMS IS700 and IS100 test for anyone who needs them.  He also reported the contract with Ireton for Police Protection is continuing with no problems.  Tom Kane reported that he and Brent Hamilton have completed their five-year gas recertification, the safety training is continuing, Bill Radio from MRES will be at the February 8^th Council Meeting, and gas for February and part of March has been purchased at very good prices.  Jason Metten reported on the upcoming dates for budget and strategic planning, with plans to go over the draft of the 2006-2007 budget at the January 18^th meeting.

Other Agenda Items

3. Budget Reports – Reports by groups about a current budget and upcoming budgets:

1. Fire Department – Jon Strong
2. HAPP – Dan Cain
3. Park Board – Jerrod Lynott

Report were given to the council discussing projects completed this past year, and projects planned and needs for the 20006-2007 year. 

4. Standing Council Appointments (2 years each until December 31, 2007)

1. Mayor Pro-Tem – Bob Borchers
2. HAPP Development Committee – George Jacobs/Mike Cauwels
3. HAPP Main Board- Bob Borchers
4. MRES Alternate City Representative – Bob Borchers

Moved by Cauwels/Jacobs to approve the appointed to these boards.  Motion carried unanimously. 

5.Resolution No. 2006-01 – Accepting the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Concept of Emergency Planning and Unified Command.  – Motion by Borchers/Anderson to approve Resolution No. 2006-01.  Aye:  Jacobs, Borchers, Hedden, Anderson, Cauwels.  Motion carried unanimously.

 6. Approving Tax Abatements: 

• Resolution No. 2006-02      Brent & Laura Wielenga
• Resolution No. 2006-03      John & Connie Anderson
• Resolution No. 2006-04      Jack and Kay Borchers
• Resolution No. 2006-05      Dennis & Jane Eisma
• Resolution No. 2006-06      Herman C. Kuemper
• Resolution No. 2006-07      Angel & Amy Topete
• Resolution No. 2006-08      Krause Gentle Corporation
• Resolution No. 2006-09      Adam Waterman
• Resolution No. 2006-10      Teresa L. McPherson & Rodney D. Oleson
• Resolution No. 2006-11      Denny Anderson
• Resolution No. 2006-12      Wagers Properties, Inc.
• Resolution No. 2006-13      Jason & Susan Kohnen
• Resolution No. 2006-14      Julie & Donald Ulmer

Moved by Cauwels/Hedden to approve Resolutions No. 2006-02, 2006-03, 2006-05, 2006-06, 2006-07, 2006-08, 2006-09, 2006-10, 2006-12, 2006-13, and 2006-14.  Aye:  Borchers, Hedden, Anderson, Jacobs, Cauwels.  Motion carried unanimously.  Moved by Cauwels/Anderson to approve Resolution 2006-04.  Aye:  Hedden, Cauwels, Anderson, Jacobs.  Nay:  None.  Abstain:  Borchers.  Motion passed 4-0 with 1 abstention.  Motion by Jacobs/Borchers to approve Resolution 2006-11.  Aye:  Borchers, Jacobs, Cauwels, Hedden.  Nay:  None.  Abstain:  Anderson.  Motion carried 4-0 with 1 abstention. 

7. First Reading of Ordinance No. 637 – An Ordinance Amending Electric Rates.  – This ordinance will amend electric rates 4-1⁄2% beginning in February 2006 because of the rate increase from WAPA, which supplies the majority of the electricity for the city.  Moved by Borchers/Hedden to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 637.  Aye:  Anderson, Borchers, Cauwels, Jacobs, Hedden.  Motion carried unanimously.

8. Resolution 2006-15 – A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Executive of a Certain Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Purpose of Creating a Multi-County Housing Authority and appoint a representative from the City of Hawarden to this board.  Moved by Borchers/Anderson to approve Resolution 1006-15 and to appoint Jason Metten, City Administrator to serve a three-year term on this board.  Aye:  Jacobs, Anderson, Cauwels, Hedden, Borchers.  Motion carried unanimously. 

9. Appoint of Representative and Alternate to the Northwest Iowa Solid Waste Agency Board.  Moved by Cauwels/Jacobs to appoint Tom Kane, Public Works Director as the representative to the board and Kody Hedden, Council Person as the alternate to the board.  Motion carried unanimously.

10. Approval of Liquor License Transfer – Request from Brian Engleman, dba Sportsman’s Lanes and Lounge to transfer his liquor license to the Hawarden Community Center for Saturday, January 14, 2006.  Motion by Jacobs/Hedden to approve the transfer.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Moved by Jacobs/Anderson to adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.  Council Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.