The Council Meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m.

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Borchers; Council Members Cauwels, Anderson, Hedden.

Absent: Mayor Porter; Council Member Jacobs.

Staff Present: Jason Metten, City Administrator/City Clerk; Chris Myres, Telecommunications Director; Tom Kane, Public Works Director; Sharole Rens, Director of Finance.

Staff Absent: Mike DeBruin, Police Chief; Jim Pickner, City Attorney

Special Agenda Items

1. Discussion of the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Hawarden, Iowa – City Administrator Jason Metten gave a power point presentation explaining TIF and its uses with discussion and questions from the council.

 2. Study Session for any other discussion items:  None.

 Moved by Cauwels/Hedden to adjourn special council meeting.  Motion carrier unanimously.  Special Council Meeting adjourned at 7:00p.m.

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HAWARDEN CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The Council Meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Borchers; Council Members: Cauwels, Anderson, Hedden.

Absent: Mayor Porter; Council Member Jacobs.

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

Staff Absent: None.

Standard Agenda Items

1a.  Approval of February 22, 2006 Meeting Minutes.   Moved by Anderson/Cauwels to approve the minutes of February 22, 2006 meeting.  Motion carrier unanimously 4-0.

1b.  Approval of Claims for Payment.  Moved byAnderson/Hedden to approve the Schedule of Claims for payment.  Motion carried unanimously 4-0.

1c.  Open Business From the Community (limited to a maximum of 5 minutes per item) None

2a.  Mayor's Report – None.

2b.  Council Comments – None.

2c.  Staff Reports/Discussion – City Administrator Jason Metten commented on the Fire Fees Ordinance and stated that because of public objection and lack of council support, this ordinance will be tabled indefinitely.  He reminded council and staff of the Mid-States Community and Economic Development Conference to be held in Sioux City on March 22^nd at which Mayor Porter will be speaking regarding the City Hall/Community Center Project.  He reported on the DNR meeting in Hawarden on Thursday, March 9^th regarding Big Sioux River’s impaired waters; progress on the Heart of Hawarden Project, and various grant applications that have been completed.  Public Works Director Tom Kane reported that bids have been sent out for Walking Trail Segments and will be presented at the next council meeting.  He reported that gas prices are slowly coming down.  Police Chief Mike DeBruin reported that he has hired Duane Hulstein as a reserve police officer and is advertising to hire one more reserve officer.  Telecommunications Director Chris Myres reported that he, George, Jacobs and Mike Wiggins attended the CVN Meeting and he has sent out four proposals to prospective businesses.  He also presented the council with a copy of the proposed city logo for economic development and asked for their opinion about using this logo to replace the current city logo with a different slogan.  He will put an article in the newspaper asking for public comment.

Other Agenda Items

3. a.  Public Hearing on FY 2006-2007 Annual Budget – Public Hearing opened at 7:20 p.m.  There were no written or oral comments.  Public Hearing closed at 7:21 p.m.

    b.  Resolution 2006-27 – A Resolution approving the City’s FY 2006-2007 Annual Budget. –Motion to approve Resolution 2006-27 by Cauwels/Hedden.  Aye:  Hedden, Anderson, Borchers, Cauwels.  Nay:  None.  Absent:  Jacobs.  Motion passed 4-0.

4.  Public Hearing on Economic Development Set-A-Side Grant Application (EDSA) to be submitted by the City of Hawarden on behalf of VIP International, Inc. – Public Hearing opened at 7:23 p.m.  There were no written or oral comments.  Mayor Pro Tem Borchers read a Citizen Participation Plan as follows:  The need for the EDSA application was determined because, although the community has sufficient available commercial space, and the financial resources to offer an incentive package, without EDSA assistance, the company will not be able to undertake the project and create an estimated total of 39 FTE.  The EDSA request is for $100,000, in the form of a forgivable loan.  The company is providing around $100,000 on an estimated total project valued at over $865,000.

The application will be submitted on or around March 9, 2006.  The requested CDBG assistance is $100,000.  Fifty-one percent or $51,000 of the requested funds will benefit persons of low to moderate income.  The proposed activities will be conducted within the City’s industrial/commercial area.  No persons or businesses will be displaced as a result of this project, negating the need to develop plans for assistance.  The proposed activity includes the start-up of operations of VIP international and subsequent job creation within the city of Hawarden.

Public Hearing closed at 7:25 p.m.

5. a.  Public Hearing on Disposition of Property (1107 Oakhill Drive). – Public Hearing opened at 7:26 p.m.  There were no written or oral comments.  Public Hearing closed at 7:27 p.m.

    b.  Resolution 2006-28 – A resolution Authorizing the Final Disposition of Real Estate (1107 Oakhill Drive).  – Motion to approve Resolution 2006-28 by Hedden/Anderson.  Aye:  Borchers, Hedden, Anderson, Cauwels.  Nay:  None.  Absent:  Jacobs.  Motion passed 4-0.

6. Resolution 2006-29 – A Resolution Authorizing a Direct TIF Expenditure from TIF Area 1 Funds as part of an Economic Development Incentive Package for VIP International, Inc. – City Administrator Metten explained this resolution regarding the direct cash incentive expenditure to VIP International, Inc.  Motion to approve Resolution 2006-29 by Cauwels/Hedden.  Aye:  Anderson, Cauwels, Borchers, Hedden.  Nay:  None.  Absent Jacobs.  Motion passed 4-0.

7. Resolution 2006-30 – Resolution Authorizing an Economic Development Incentive Package to VIP International, Inc. – This resolution authorizes the incentive of cash and property to VIP International, Inc.  Motion by Cauwels/Hedden to approve Resolution 2006-30.  Aye:  Cauwels, Hedden, Borchers, Anderson.  Nay:  None.  Absent:  Jacobs.  Motion passed 4-0.

8.  Resolution 2006-31 – A Resolution Authorizing Substituting of Collateral and Termination of UCC Filing for Hawarden Machine, Inc. - City Attorney Pickner explained the need for this resolution and how the situation with Hawarden Machine, Inc. is being handled.  Motion to approve Resolution 2006-32 by Anderson/Cauwels.  Aye:  Hedden, Borchers, Cauwels, Anderson.  Nay:  None.  Absent: Jacobs.   Motion passed 4-0.

Moved byAnderson/Hedden to adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.  Council Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.