Regular Council Meeting December 28, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.   The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 122 Broadway Street with Mayor Trousil presiding.  Council Members Lees, Hockett, Pilger, Johnson and Riessen were present.  City Administrator Plyman, Police Chief Walters, Public Works Director Christy and Fire Chief Astfalk were also present.    Lees moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Agenda by adding Lees to those receiving the oath of office under New Business.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:  All aye.  Motion carried. 

    A.      Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 14, 1999

    B.       Appointment of Mick Fletcher to a One Year Term on Board of Adjustment

    C.       Payment to City of Burlington for County Wide Communications - $2,285.28

    D.      Academy Training for Jesse Logan Starting January 17, 2000

    E.       Annual Winter Fire School for Six Fire Department Members

    F.       Payment of Claims as Presented

    BID OPENING FOR PLEASANT MEADOW SUBDIV. LOTS - AWARD TO HIGHEST BIDDER

    Mayor Trousil announced there were no bids received. 

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:  There were none.

    NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Installation of a Repeater Station for Police Department – Administrator Plyman explained the police department recently tested its handheld radios in the new hospital.  Officers found that their radios do not work in many areas of the complex.  There are also a few “dead sport” in some areas of the mall and other large buildings in the city.  The radios need to reach the county sheriffs radio tower located near the Flint Hills Golf Course. 

    He said the ability of police officers to communicate by radio is critically important.  Hospital officials have declined to install a repeater for the police department, and the City cannot require the hospital to do so.  Since the City is ultimately responsible for providing for the safety of our officers, Chief Walters and Plyman recommended that the City install a repeater station at the water tower.  Chief Walters obtained a quote from Electronic Applications, Inc. to install a new repeater station.  The cost is $12,997.24 but does not include the cost of a shed.  Plyman said we could use local option sales tax for the purchase.

    Plyman said police radios operate at a higher frequency than fire and public works radios, therefore the repeater will have no effect on the other radios.  He said he does not know whether the fire radios will operate effectively at the new hospital.  If they don’t we may need to purchase additional equipment to serve them. 

    Hockett moved, second by Riessen, to approve the purchase of a repeater station for the police department.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Final Payment on Water Tower Repainting Project – Administrator Plyman said the water tower repainting project is completed.  Our engineer reviewed the statement and recommends payment and final acceptance of the project.  Our engineer also recommends payment of the five percent retainage. 

    Public Works has filled the tower.  The phone company has also restored the connection between the tower and the water plant.  This allows the pumping operations to be automated.

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a resolution approving final acceptance and consenting to the final payment and release of retention monies for the 1999 Water Tower Repainting Project.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Riessen, Lees, Pilger, Johnson and Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Speed Limit on Agency – Mayor Trousil said that at the last meeting the City Council discussed Chief Walters’ suggestion to lower the speed limit on Agency from 45 mph to 35 mph, between Broadway Street and the IAAP.  The limit east of Broadway is already 35 mph.  The Council asked that an ordinance making the change be prepared for consideration at this meeting.

    Hockett and Johnson agreed we may be jumping the gun a bit to make the change before the hospital opens.  They feel the hospital is close enough to the light to cause people to slow down anyway.  They feel the reduced speed is not necessary at this time.

    Lees said since accidents are occurring there, 4 in 1999, and the area is growing.  She thinks now is the appropriate time to make the change. 

    Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve an ordinance on first reading reducing the speed on Agency Street from 45 to 35 mph.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger and Riessen.  Nays:  Hockett and Johnson.  Motion carried.  The second consideration of the ordinance will be held at the next Council meeting in January.

    Fire Chief and Asst. Chiefs Appointments – Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Fire Department’s officer selection.  They are as follows:  William M. Astfalk, Chief; John Schuff, First Assistant Chief; Terry Kesterke, Second Assistant Chief; Charles Walsh, Secretary/Treasurer.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.  

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Consider Ordinance on Third Reading Concerning Rezoning property at S. Gear Avenue and Mt. Pleasant St.  - Hockett moved, second by Riessen, to an Ordinance on third reading amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of West Burlington to rezone property owned by Deery Bros (200 S. Gear Avenue) from I-2 to B-2.  Roll Call vote.  Ayes:  Riessen, Lees, Pilger, Johnson and Hockett.  Nays:  none.  Motion carried.

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    FINANCE – Administrator Plyman said he will be meeting with members of the Danielson family and their consultant on January 10 to discuss plans for the family property on Gear Avenue.

    STREETS – Administrator Plyman said he would invite Bill Carey to attend the next Council meeting to update the City on the status of the Gear Avenue Street Project. 

    SANITATION – Administrator Plyman said the south lift station project would most likely not be completed by the first of the year. 

    UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

    PUBLIC SAFETY - Fire Chief Astfalk said he along with members of his department attended the services for the firemen who lost their lives in Keokuk.  Mayor Trousil said he also attended the services.  He said he ordered three wreaths to be sent for the services. 

    SWEARING IN OF COUNCIL MEMBERS -- Dan Hockett, Rod Crowner and Therese Lees – Mayor Trousil administered the oath of office to the three Council Members whose term begins January 1, 1999.  He presented John Riessen a plaque displaying his years of service.  Riessen lost the election due to a tie with incumbent Council Member Dan Hockett.  The tie was resolved by a drawing.   

    SWEARING IN OF MAYOR -- Hans Trousil – City Clerk Simonson administered the oath of office to the Mayor. 

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES - There were none.

    ADJOURN:  There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. upon motion by Lees and second by Johnson.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

     

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    Approved                                                                                  Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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