MINUTES – REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HAWARDEN CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 5:30 P.M.

The Council Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Mayor Porter; Council Members Jacobs, Anderson, Hedden, Borchers.
Absent: Council Member Cauwels.

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

Standard Agenda Items

1a. Approval of August 23, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes. Moved by Borchers/Hedden to approve the minutes of August 23, 2006 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

1b. Approval of Claims for Payment. Moved by Jacobs/Borchers 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). Jeff Nohava was present to address the problem of the Civil Defense Sirens going off in error. He explained that this is caused by skipping in the air waves at certain times of the year, and noted that if the sirens do go off in error, the Civil Defense Team will cancel the warning as soon as possible.

2a. Mayor's Report. Mayor Porter declared the week of September 17th to September 23rd as Constitution Week in observance of the 219th Anniversary of the writing of the Constitution. He also remembered all those that died, were injured or were affected by the September 11, 2001 happenings as we observed the 5th anniversary of that terrible day and also continue to have in our thoughts and prayers all service men and women serving our country, and look forward to some of our local service people returning soon. He thanked Brent Hamilton, a long time city employee, for his work for the city as he has resigned to take another position. He wished him and his family the best of luck in the future. He expressed appreciation to the citizens for their cooperation during the water watch. He commented on the successful Big Sioux River Days and thanked Cathi Brown, the Committees of HAPP, and all the volunteers that worked at each event. He reminded the citizens that the Strategic Planning meeting will be Thursday, September 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and encouraged everyone to attend to have a great amount of input for the future of the City. Mayor Porter read a letter from the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association congratulating Sharole Rens for obtaining the designation of Iowa Certified Municipal Clerk. He reminded the council members that the Northwest Iowa League of Cities will be Thursday, September 21st in Hull, and the next meeting will be in Boyden.

2b. Council Comments. Council Member Anderson commented on the new channels added to the Cable program, and also on the increased rates. She reminded citizens that our rates are still lower than most other cities. She thanked Dr. Harvey for his excellent work on the city’s website.

2c. Staff Reports/Discussion. Public Works Director Tom Kane reported that there will be an electrical shut down of the west part of town on Sunday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 2 hours and again on Sunday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 3 hours to tie the system into the new switchgear project. City Administrator Jason Metten reported on the Ambulance Quarterly Report and noted their excellent response time and service to the community, and expressed his thanks to the volunteer ambulance squad members. He reported that the final report for the CAT Grant has been submitted to the Vision Iowa Committee, and thanked everyone for his or her work on the Heart of Hawarden Projects. A Community Celebration is planned for Thursday, September 28th with a Fun Walk on the new trail with refreshments. He invited everyone to come and walk the trail and view the completed projects. He reported on the Strategic Planning Meeting to be help Thursday, September 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and plans to have a facilitator present at the meeting to the help the planning process . He also thanked Dr. Harvey for his excellent work on the City’s Website . As Dr. Harvey will no longer be working on the Website, any new information can be sent to Jason at city@cityofhawarden.com. He also commented on the new Cable channels and cable rates.

Other Agenda Items

3. Public Hearing to consider public input and to make a final determination with regard to a five-year ground and tower space lease with Longlines Wireless. Public Hearing opened at 5:51 p.m. City Administrator Metten reported receiving no written comments. Kelly Eisma was present and questioned why Longlines was being allowed to rent tower space when US Cellular was already in town. It was explained to him that according to the FCC rulings, the City has to allow another carrier to rent space. Public Hearing closed at 6:07 p.m.

4. Resolution 2006-53 – Resolution Ending a Water Watch. Public Works Director Kane reported that the water table has remained steady and with the recent rains recommended lifting the Water Watch.. Moved by Jacobs/Anderson to approve Resolution 2006-53. Aye: Anderson, Hedden, Jacobs, Borchers. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Resolution 2006-59 – A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of bids from contractors for two properties as part of the Hawarden Owner-Occupies Housing Rehabilitation Program. Moved by Jacobs/Hedden to approve Resolution 2006-59. Aye: Borchers, Jacobs, Hedden, Anderson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Request from Brian Engleman dba Sportsman’s Lounge, Hawarden, IA for Liquor License Transfer to Hawarden Community Center, 1150 Central Avenue, Hawarden, IA for Saturday, September 23, 2006, Saturday, September 30, 2006, and Saturday, October 7, 2006. Moved by Anderson/Hedden to approve the three Liquor License Transfers for Sportsman’s Lounge. Motion carried unanimously.

7. Request by Kum & Go LC, dba Kum & Go #767, 504 10th Street, Hawarden, IA to renew Class C Beer Permit (BC) for off-premises sales of beer and wine with Sunday Sales. Moved by Borchers/Anderson to approve the Liquor License Renewal for Kum & Go. Motion carried unanimously.

8. Request by Shannon Nohava, dba Pro Sport Bistro, 909 Central Avenue, Hawarden, IA to transfer liquor license to Hawarden Community Center for Saturday, September 16, 2006. Moved by Borchers/Hedden to approve the Liquor License Transfer for Pro Sport Bistro. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Hedden/Anderson to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Council Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

______________________________
Ricard R. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Jason R. Metten, City Administrator/Clerk