City of Durant City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2014 at 6:00PM.

Transcription

1 City of Durant City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2014 at 6:00PM. Mayor Smith called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call of members present: Beland, Gruemmer, Utter, Spengler, and Sterner. City Staff Present: City Operations Officer/Clerk Deana Cavin, Community Center Dir.Linda Vorwald, Public Works Dir. Al Olderog, Treas. Mitch Richman & Sgt. Brad Longlett. MSA engineer Adam Mueller was present. Consent agenda: Approval of Agenda- Approval of City Bills - Approval of minutes for 08/25/2014- August Police Report. Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Beland, to approve the consent agenda items as presented. Ayes: Gruemmer, Sterner, Spengler, Beland, Utter Nays: None Motion carried. Public Input: Citizens attending were there to voice their opinions on the golf cart/utv ordinance proposed. Mayor Smith instructed all would be heard at that time; they have three minutes, state their name and addresses for record. No other public input. Discuss/Consider Amendment to Sub Division Ordinance for Storm Water Management Policy-2 nd reading: Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Sterner, to approve the second reading of the amendment to the subdivision ordinance. Ayes: Utter, Spengler, Sterner, Beland, Gruemmer Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Res. No Approving Executed Deed: Mr. Denning explained this is the last step in the procedure for vacating and sale of the property for 12 th Avenue as required by the Iowa Code. Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Gruemmer, to approve Res. No as presented. Ayes: Beland, Gruemmer, Utter, Spengler, Sterner Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Res Approval of the Annual Street Finance Report for FY 2014: Member Sterner moved, seconded by Member Utter, to approve the FY 2014 Annual Street Finance Report. Ayes: Gruemmer, Sterner, Spengler, Utter, Beland Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Changes to ordinance for UTVs, golf carts & snowmobiles: Mayor Smith explained the reason the council began reviewing the option for an ordinance allowing golf carts and UTVs, stemmed from the legislature making changes to laws for ATVs on county roads. The state and the counties are leaving the corporate limit rules up to the cities. Tim Iossi was in favor of an ordinance allowing all three types (golf carts, ATVs, and UTVs) on streets with regulations of lights and flags. He inquired what council members thought about the proposed ordinance. Member Sterner reported he would consider the golf carts and UTVs but not ATVs. Brad Utter gave a brief reading of statistics from his research. He pointed out that even the owner manuals state these vehicles are not meant for street use. Member Spengler asked if he was against all three. Mr. Utter responded golf carts are not as noisy but Durant is not a resort community that the amenities are close by. Even with golf carts, he felt the city needed a robust ordinance to regulate them. Stephen and Marcy Kirkman were not in favor of ATVs on the streets. Mr. Kirkman stated his research showed where larger cities that once allowed such vehicles including golf carts are now looking at rescinding the ordinances because of problems for the cities and users. Jay Johnson, law officer & resident, reported he is not in favor of the any of the three vehicles because he has witnessed close calls in other communities from people not following regulations. H has seen children and infants on the carts and that is a serious concern for him. In the last two summers there have been five fatality accidents involving ATVs in Cedar County. Mr. Johnson stated because Durant has quite a few unregulated intersections, he against any of the vehicles. Sgt. Brad Longlett, Durant Police Dept., briefed council on research from his department after discussing the issue with Chief Doug Cook; the general consensus is that the police department, purely from a safety aspect, is not in favor of an ordinance allowing the vehicles on city streets in Durant. He recited results of insurance institute crash tests with side impact a golf cart received at 31 mph caused fatal outcome. He explained Durant does have numerous unregulated intersections; the fact that semis come through town and it is hard to see oncoming traffic from intersections at Fifth Street, a golf cart does not have the acceleration an automobile does. He gave examples of two areas just that day where the right of way was not yielded to in Durant and could

2 have caused a fatal outcome if a golf cart had been involved. In comparison, Wilton does not have a highway running through their main down town area, and there is no parking allowed on their highway, so traffic can be seen much more clearly. Member Beland reported he had received comments from four people in favor of golf carts; Member Utter had talked to eleven people two for golf carts, and nine against any; city clerk reported ten people were in favor of an ordinance, one person was in favor if the carts had lights and turn signals; one person did not see the need for an ordinance for Durant. Member Sterner reported three people were in favor of the golf carts. Mayor Smith polled council; Member Beland was in favor of pursuing a golf cart ordinance; Member Gruemmer was not in favor due to safety; Member Utter was against; Member Spengler was leaning towards golf carts but now does not feel there is enough interest for it; Member Sterner had been for golf carts but after hearing the research, and a career ER nurse, he not in favor of it. Mayor Smith thanked the citizens for their input, and reported there would be no ordinance prepared at this time. (Boy Scout Troop 153 entered meeting to observe). Discuss/Consider changes to animal ordinances: Due to continued problems with dogs in the parks, clerk provided council with ordinances from Walcott, and Wilton; that do not allow pets in the park; Tipton and Muscatine allow leashed dogs; after a short discussion; Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Gruemmer, to amend the ordinance to ban pets from the parks and set a schedule of fines for offenders. Ayes: Sterner, Spengler, Utter, Gruemmer, Beland Nays: None Motion carried. Codification of Ordinances: Mayor Smith requested all committee members and department heads give recommendations on ordinance updates to clerk by October 13, All the ordinances are listed on the city s website. Community Center: Ms. Vorwald reported the cleaning person will begin this weekend; the Weed Maid has planted mums, and cleaned up the flower garden at the center; clerk reported bids for replacing the ceiling fans in the ball room will be requested; Member Utter reported he heard several compliments about the center, praising the facility and cleanliness. Public Works: Discuss/Consider Res. No Amended Job Description for Public Works Employee: Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Utter, to amend the job description for employee to report to assistant public works director instead of directly to public works director. Ayes: Sterner, Spengler, Utter, Beland, Gruemmer Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Res. No Job description for assistant public works director: Clerk explained it was general consensus that an assistant public works director should be created and therefore the need for a job description. Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Utter to adopt the job description for assistant public works director. Ayes: Gruemmer, Sterner, Spengler, Beland, Utter Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Res Appointing title of assistant public works director to Jared Semsch: Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Gruemmer, to appoint Jared Semsch as assistant public works director. Ayes: Beland, Utter, Spengler, Sterner, Gruemmer Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Res to hire public works employee: Mayor Smith explained eleven applications were received for the Grade Three Operator position and public works employee positions. Out of eleven six were chosen for interviews based on the city s rating system and experience. Council was provided the names of the committee members and interviewees. Two grade three operators were interviewed. After discussing the new plant and qualifications, both grade three operators agreed it was in the city s best interest to hire people now that would learn the new plant as it is constructed. Both operators expressed interest in contract or consultation services should the city need it as the plant is built and modified. Grade three operators requested between $28-$35/hour. The committee recommended Kyle Olderog and Justin Richardson. Olderog has a degree in water treatment from Kirkwood Community College, and past work experience in water treatment and waste water treatment; Richardson is currently awaiting honorable discharge form the Air Force where he spent twelve years in waste water and water treatment positions; both have IT and computer experience with these positions. Member Spengler

3 moved, seconded by Member Gruemmer, to approve the hiring of Kyle Olderog and Justin Richardson at $16.23 per hour with wage increases as grades are completed. Ayes: Gruemmer, Beland, Sterner, Spengler, Utter Nays: None Motion carried. Public Works: Mayor Smith reported Ben Jepson has submitted his two week notice of resignation. Mayor and Council thanked him for his service. Police Dept.: Sgt. Longlett reported the department received a grant for $1,000 from Land o Lakes and $1,000 from River Valley Co-op for purchase of the portable AEDs. Total to date for the project is four donations of $3,000. This may be enough to purchase the first one. Clerk will work with the PD to apply for more grants so the department could have one for each squad. Mayor thanked River Valley and Land o Lakes for their contributions. Sgt. Longlett thanked all the part time officers for the good job taking shifts as possible since Chief Cook is on medical leave. City Engineer: Discuss/Consider Attendance for Sponsored Project by SRF: Engineer Mueller reported the land purchase offer was declined by the property owners, therefore the grant is dead in the water, for now. Mayor Smith requested he check to see if any modifications were made to the plans for storm water improvement would qualify for any of the grant money. With no land option, Mr. Olderog reported he may not have room for leaves this year due to pending construction of the plant starting before the leaves can be removed off the compound. Alternate sites will be investigated. WWTF: facilities plan is on hold until the pretreatment agreement is signed for DNR; 8 th Street Reconstruction: preliminary plan set of the conceptual design will be brought to council to be reviewed and changes can be made at that time. 14 th Avenue Storm Sewer: Awaiting the kick off meeting for FEMA set for September 18, at 1pm at city hall. City Clerk: Discuss/Consider Approval of August 2014 Financial Statements: Member Gruemmer moved, seconded by member Sterner, to approve the August financial statements. Ayes: Beland, Sterner, Spengler, Gruemmer, Utter Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Approval of Clerk s Attendance to IMFOA conference: Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Utter, to approve clerk s attendance to IMFOA in October. Ayes: Beland, Gruemmer, Sterner, Spengler, Utter Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Approval of Clerk s Attendance to Data Tech User Group Meeting: Member Spengler moved, seconded by Member Utter, for approval for clerk s attendance to Data Tech training. Ayes: Sterner, Gruemmer, Utter, Beland, Spengler Nays: None Motion carried. Discuss/Consider Bond refunding in combination with Police Dept. or WWTF bond: Clerk provided council information about refunding the 2008 bond. The recommendation from Jeff Heil was to combine this with the bond for the WWTF, to save money on the bond attorney fees. Interest rates are not predicted to increase too much over the next few months. Mayor/Council Report: Member Beland reported CCEDCO has made an offer to an individual for the director position. University of Iowa will also launch their economic development program in October. Mayor Smith thanked Boy Scout Troop 153 for attending the meeting. With no other business, meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm. Dawn Smith, Mayor Attest: Deana Cavin, City Operations Officer/Clerk

4 CITY OF DURANT CLAIMS LIST VENDOR NAME 7-G DISTRIBUTING INC CC BAR BEER ADVANCED BUSINESS SYSTEMS COPIER-STAPLE CARTRIDGE ADVOCATE NEWS CH-PUBLISHING & YR SUBSCRIPTION CENTRAL STATES H & W FUNDS HEALTH INSURANCE CITY OF DURANT WATER CULLIGAN-QUAD CITIES DISTILLED WATER DURANT MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC EFTPS FED/FICA TAX EMC NATIONAL LIFE LIFE INSURANCE-KATHY GOERDT, TERRY MILEAGE REIMBURSE IA ASSN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES EIASSO DUES SEPT-NOV IPERS IPERS JEFF'S MARKET CC BAR LIQUOR & SW SUPPLIES LIBERTY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK ACH FEES & DEPOSIT SLIPS LONGLETT, BRAD REIMBURSE FOR POLICE CAR BATTERIES MCMASTER CARR SUPPLY CO ROADS-MINERAL SPIRITS (5 GAL) MEINCKE, GARY REVISIONS FOR POLICE BLDG MIDAMERICAN ENERGY NATURAL GAS MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INC ENG FEES-8TH STR RECONSTRUCT DESIGN ENG FEES-WA SYSTEM DESIGN ENG FEES-POL STATION REVIEW ENG FEES 7/20 TO 8/ ENG FEES STORM SW 14TH AVENUE OVESON REFUSE & RECYCLE SEPT GB SRVC & STICKERS, FIRE FEST DUMPSTER PAPER'S LUMBER & SUPPLY INC PARK SUPPLIES PANTHER UNIFORMS POL CARGO PANTS-ORVILLE POSTMASTER WA BILLING POSTAGE RELIABLE NETWORK SOLUTIONS CH BACKUP & OFFICE SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC FIRE-AIRPAK TEST & RPR PARTS (2) SPENGLER AUTO REPAIR POL-08 CROWN VIC REPLACE BATTERY SPROUSE DISTRIBUTING INC CC BAR SODA TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 238 UNION DUES TOWN & COUNTRY TIRES BACKHOE TIRE SWITCH & DISPOSAL TREASURER OF IOWA-IA-WH STATE TAXES TREASURER STATE OF IOWA SALES TAX TURKLE TREE SERVICE STR TREE REMOVE (1) TRIM (1), PARK LIMBS USA BLUE BOOK SW-GLOVES VERIZON WIRELESS POL-WIRELESS INTERNET TOUGHBKS WESTFAIR DRUG CH-PARADE SUPPLIES WEX BANK FUEL

5 WOLFE BEVERAGE CC BAR BEER PAYROLL TOTALS TOTAL FUND TOTALS GENERAL 43, ROAD USE TAX 20, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FIRE DEPARTMENT 1, WATER 9, SEWER 13, TOTAL 89, REVENUES AUGUST 2014 GENERAL COMMUNITY CENTER MEMORIAL ROAD USE TAX DURANT LOSST (75% SHARE) URBAN RENEWAL FUND (TIF) FIRE FUND DEBT SERVICE WATER UTILITY WA REV BOND SINKING FUND SEWER UTILITY SW REV BOND SINKING FUND TOTAL