Regular Council Meeting February 08, 2000 - 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 Crowner were present.  City Administrator Plyman, Public Works Directors Christy, and Fire Chief Astfalk were also present.   Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Agenda with the addition of Resolution setting goal for targeted small businesses participation for the widening of Agency Road.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

     Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:  Voice vote.  All aye. 

    A.       Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 25, 2000

    B.        Financial Report for January 2000

    C.        Payment to Burlington Municipal Waterworks - $10,136.73

    D.       Payment to Loeschen & Loeschen - $1,680.00

    E.        Payment to Municipal Supply for Supplies - $1,210.57

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

    G.        Payment to The Brimeyer Group, Inc. - $5,000.00

    H.       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:

    Mayor Trousil explained the City hired the Brimeyer Group from Hopkins Minnesota to assist with the search for a City Administrator.  Jim Brimeyer and Pat Callahan were present at the meeting to tell the Council they were in town conducting interviews with members of the City Council, City Staff, Business leaders and citizens in the community.  They are developing a candidate profile that they will present to the Council on February 22.  If the Council approves they will begin the search. 

    NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Payment to Shive-Hattery for Engineering Services - $11,522.55 – Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve payment of $11,522.55 to Shive-Hattery for engineering services for the new sewer plant and the S. Lift Station Projects.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Installation of Street Light on S. Gear Avenue – Lees moved, second by Johnson, to have Alliant install a new street light at S. Gear Avenue near the Great River Medical Center main entrance as requested.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Installation of an Automatic Transfer Switch at the S. Lift Station – Administrator Plyman explained at the direction of the City’s former wastewater treatment coordinator, Shive-Hattery designed the improvements at the south lift station without the automatic switch so that the emergency generator could only be activated manually.  During a power outage, an automatic alarm dialer would call employees according to a pre-determined list.  Our coordinator’s thinking was that he had plenty of time to turn on the generator since the gravity sewer would merely back up during a power outage.  The closest building could be harmed by a back-up is in the business park.  There is nothing wrong with this design and it saves the cost of a power transfer switch.

    However, Plyman said he thinks it may be prudent to add an automatic power transfer switch now.  This switch would clearly be needed if any service connections are made in the proximity of the lift station.  The Danielson family is planning on developing portions of their property.  He said he fears with time and staff turn-over, the City may not add this switch before a problem occurs.  The cost of any damage would probably far exceed the cost of the switch, especially since this sewer has been prone to surcharging during and after rainstorms – even when the older, smaller capacity pumps were operating. 

    Lees moved, second by Johnson, to approve the installation of an automatic transfer switch at the S. Lift Station at a not-to-exceed cost of $3,500.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Discuss Budget for Fiscal Year 2001 – Administrator Plyman explained the Fiscal Year 2001 Budget is ready to present to the Council and public.  He said the taxable valuation is almost 4 million less than last year resulting in a loss to the general fund of approximately $40,000.  However, because of Local Option Sales Tax the City will actually decrease the levy rate a few cents.  The final forms will be filled out and ready for public review before the Public Hearing.

    Hockett moved, second by Lees, to hold a Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2001 Budget.  The Notice of Public Hearing will be published prior to the meeting.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger, Johnson, Crowner and Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    Resolution Setting Goal for Targeted Small Businesses for Gear Avenue Traffic Signal Project -

    Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve a resolution establishing a goal of ten percent for Targeted Small Business participation for the Gear Avenue Widening and Signalization, Division 2, - Traffic Signalization, Iowa DOT Project No. CS-34-9 (134) –4A – 29.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Hockett, Crowner, Lees, Pilger and Johnson.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

    UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

    PUBLIC SAFETY – There was nothing to report.

    FINANCE – The Council agreed to hold a Work Session on Tuesday, February 29, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss setting a policy on naming parks or other public facilities.  Council Member Hockett had recommended naming a park after long time City Clerk Barb Benge. 

    Hockett said the City Council had listened to a presentation by representatives of the Airport concerning their budget for Fiscal Year 2001 earlier this evening.  He said the Airport was denied support by the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors.  Hockett said it may become necessary for the Airport Board to decide whether they fund capital projects or fund the Executive Director position. 

    Crowner said the Council might want to consider the Ordinance requirement that states the City Administrator must reside in the City Limits.  He said housing in West Burlington is not plentiful.  He said he thinks the City Administrator should live in the City however; he does not want to loose a good candidate because of the residency requirement. 

    STREETS – There was nothing to report.

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES - There were none.

    ADJOURN:  There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. upon motion by Lees and second by Pilger.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

     

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    Approved                                                                                  Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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