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.

Staff Absent: Tom Kane, Public Works Director

Standard Agenda Items

1a.  Approval of January 11 and January 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes.   Moved by Cauwels/Hedden to approve the Minutes of January 11 and January 18, 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). Dr. Kathy Keltz presented gifts to the Mayor and City of Hawarden from Hawarden, Wales, our sister city.  She spoke to their County Council who extended greetings to the citizens of Hawarden.   Dr. Keltz presented the Mayor a letter from the Clerk/Finance Officer for the City of Hawarden, Wales that he read at the meeting.

2a.  Mayor's Report – Mayor Porter reported that this Saturday is the annual Hawarden Fire Department’s Ball to be held at Flatlanders, an opportunity to support Fire Department financially and thank them for their service they provide our community.  He reported that the budget process is continuing, and thanked the groups presenting to the council.  The Mayor, Council and city staff continues the NIMS training and testing.  He reported that the old lunchroom building has been demolished and development of this area and pavilion area will begin soon.  He thanked the volunteers who will be reappointed and appointed to various boards and committees for the city.  He reported that the City of Hawarden has been invited to the 2006 Midstates Community and Economic Development Conference on March 22^nd in Sioux City to make a presentation on the renovation of an unused public school building into a useful building for city offices and community center through a grass roots efforts.

2b.  Council Comments – Council Person Jacobs commented on the calls he received the new recycling charge for commercial customers.  Staff will discuss this matter with Independence Waste.  Council Person Anderson commented on complaints received citizens regarding animal cruelty during cold weather.  Police Chief reported that law requires water and shelter be provided for animals.  Council Person Borchers commented on the request at the last meeting about policy regarding garbage pickup and charges for multi-family units.  Staff has sent letter stating that the policy will remain the same.  He also commented that he will be attending the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day in Des Moines on February 1 and asked the council feeling on Eminent Domain which will be discussed by the legislature this year. 

2c.  Staff Reports/Discussion – Jason Metten reported on the continued budget discussions and budget calendar, progress on the cable retransmission agreements, the mapping project, recreation department update, gas contract with Clayton Energy and upcoming events and conferences.  Chris Myres reported that Media Com is again trying to pass legislation to charge property tax to municipal cable utilities and urged citizens to contact their legislators to let them know how municipal utilities benefit the citizens.  He reported that the City has been approved for the Trees Forever Project Grant of $15,000.  Trees and shrubs are planned for the North and South entrances to the city.  Another business has visited Hawarden and is interested in coming to Hawarden with a warehouse and distribution center, with negotiations still underway.  The other business from Minneapolis looking at Hawarden is close to making an announcement about coming to Hawarden.  He also reported that this week work has begun on the Housing Rehab Grant homes, and work on several more will begin in the spring. 

Other Agenda Items

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

1. Historical House – Dr. Kathleen Keltz
2. Calliope Village – Lois Jean Dawson
3. Golf – Chet Reinking
4. Library – Val Haverhals

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

4. Resolution 2006-16 –Appointments/Reappointments of New/Existing Members to the Park Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Board of Zoning Adjustment.  This resolution appointed Jim Kinney to the Park Board, and Virginia Moothart, Jerry Jensen, Carol Frerichs, and Lloyd Youngkin to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Moved by Cauwels/Anderson to approved Resolution 2006-16.  Aye:  Hedden, Anderson, Borchers, Jacobs, Cauwels.  Motion carried unanimously.

5.  Second Reading of Ordinance No. 637 - An Ordinance Amending Electric Rates.  Moved by Jacobs/Borchers to approve second reading of Ordinance No. 637.  Aye:  Borchers, Cauwels, Hedden, Jacobs, Anderson.  Motion carried unanimously.

6.  Continued Review of 2006-2007 Draft Budget – City Administrator Jason Metten went over the proposed 2006-2007 Budget explaining the proposed plans for the fiscal year 2006-2007. 

Moved by Anderson/Borchers to adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.  Council Meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m.