Regular Council Meeting April 25, 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.  Police Chief Walters, Public Works Director Christy, and City Accountant Sattler were also present.   Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Agenda as presented.  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 April 11, 2000

    B.       Payment to Cameron Insurance for Annual Property, Liability and Workers Comp.  -      $75,685.00

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

    D.      Computer Training Class for Leslie Sattler – Information Technologies

    E.       Hiring Land & Water Vegetation Control – Weed Control – Lift Stations

    F.       Water Workshop for Rod Mesecher, Bill Brissey and Bill Schurk

    G.       Wastewater Basic Training for Bill Schurk

    H.      Liquor License Renewal for Diamond Dave’s Taco Co.

    I.         Payment to Ideal Ready Mix – Miscellaneous Street Repairs - $1,011.50

    J.        Payment of Claims as Presented

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

    Mayor Trousil announced a bid had been received for a lot in the Pleasant Meadow Subdivision.  Richard Broeg bid $25,000 for Lot #1.  Pilger moved, second by Hockett, to accept Broeg’s bid.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: 

    There were none. 

     NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Payment Request for KWS, Inc. Traffic Signal Project - $50,920.00 –Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve payment to KWS, Inc. for the Traffic Signal Project in the amount of $50,920.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Water Meter Replacement Program – Kelly Fry, Utility Billing Clerk, reported she has been conducting considerable research for the Water Meter Replacement Program.  She has met with two companies who provide meter replacement supplies including meters and equipment.  The Water Department is proposing the City replace all old water meters with meters that can be read with a mobile reading unit.  Currently all meters are read by occupants and readings are reported to the Water Department for the computation of bills.  Fry said there are numerous errors with this system. 

    The Council Members agreed a meeting with the two companies would be a good idea.  Fry will contact them and make appointments.

    Consider Hiring Part-Time Summer Employees – Johnson moved, second by Hockett, to approve hiring Chris Bowen and Micah Oleson for the summer season.  Both are returning employees and should be paid $7.00 per hour.  They will start work in early May.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Salaries for Non-Contractual Employees Fiscal Year 2000-2001 – Mayor Trousil presented a salary resolution to the Council for consideration.  He proposed all non-contractual employees receive a 4 percent increase with the exception of Police Chief Gary Walters and City Accountant Leslie Sattler.  For these two employees he proposed a 6 percent increase.  He also proposed to set aside an additional 2 percent increase in the Police Sergeants Position, with that money to be distributed upon outstanding performances as determined by the Chief. 

    Council Member Johnson said he has no problem with the work of the Police Chief and the City Accountant, however he believed everyone should receive the same increase.  He also said we budgeted a certain amount for these increased and believed we should stay within that amount. 

    Council Member Crowner said he has no problem with the proposed resolution.  He did say however, employee appraisals should be done on a regular basis.  He said this policy should be implemented for all departments. 

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve the salary resolution for non-contractual employees for fiscal year 2001.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Hockett, Crowner and Pilger.  Nays:  Johnson.  Motion carried.

    Consider Preliminary and Final Plat for MJC Subdivision – Within City’s Two-Mile Zoning District – Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a resolution waiving the Preliminary Plat and approving the Final Plat for MJC Subdivision as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission.  The MJC Subdivision lies within the City’s Two-Mile Zoning District.  Roll call.  Ayes: Lees, Pilger, Hockett, Crowner and Johnson.  Nay:  None.  Motion carried.

    Consider Payment to Hillyer, Inc. for Work on the South Lift Station Project – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve payment to Hillyer, Inc. in the amount of $34,430.34 for work performed in the reconstruction of the South Lift Station.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.  

    Consider Agency Road-Broadway Street Project – Acceptance and Release of Retainage – Mayor Trousil said Kevin Trom, Shive-Hattery Engineer recommended the City accept the Agency Road Widening – Broadway Street Improvements Project.  The Contractor is Shipley Contracting Corp. and the total cost of the project was $151,107.99.  The City has retained $7,555.40 until the project is accepted. 

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a resolution accepting the Agency Road Widening – Broadway Street Project and release the retainage in the amount of $7,555.40 to the contractor, Shipley Contracting. Corp. upon receipt of tax statements, lien waivers and maintenance bonds.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Hockett, Johnson, Crowner and Pilger.  Nay:  None.  Motion carried.

    Set Public Hearing for Sign Ordinance – Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to set a Public Hearing on the Proposed Sign Ordinance for Tuesday, May 9, 2000 beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Hockett, Pilger, Johnson, Crowner and Lees.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Discuss Placement of Community Entrance Sign – Mayor Trousil reported at the last Council Meeting Council Members expressed a desire to place the community entrance sign on property located west of the Truck Stop on Hwy. 34.  Mayor Trousil said he had met the property owner John Hart who authorized the City to place the signs there on a temporary basis.   It is the intention of the City Council to place the sign there until the freeway improvements are completed.  This could take approximately two years. 

    Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to place the community entrance sign on property belonging to John Hart west of the Truck Stop on Hwy. 34.  This is done with the understanding the sign will be relocated when the freeway improvements are completed.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Policy for Naming Public Facilities and Properties – Mayor Trousil said at the last Council Meeting Council Members expressed a desire to adopt a polity procedure for naming public facilities and properties.  He presented a recommendation for their consideration. 

    Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve Resolution No. 2000-29 Setting a Policy Procedure for Naming Public Facilities and Properties.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger, Crowner, Johnson and Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

    PUBLIC SAFETY – There was nothing to report.

    FINANCE – Patrick Callahan with Ruan Securities discussed with the Council the City’s intentions to finance two capital improvements projects with General Obligation Bonds that will be paid with Tax Increment Financing.  The City has awarded contracts for both of these projects, Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements and Gear Avenue Traffic Signal Project.  The City Council passed Resolution 2000-11 on February 20, 2000 which basically stated the City intends to issue bonds for the two projects and that the maximum amount of the bonds was not expected to exceed $1,500,000. 

    Mr. Callahan said the next step in the process is to decide the amount and the term.  He will contact Bob Josten who will provide the process that needs to be followed.  The Council agreed to issue the bonds for the maximum amount and that the term will be 5 years.

    STREETS  - Report cost for Street Lights in Flint Ridge Business Park – Alliant Energy was to provide costs for the streetlights in Flint Ridge Business Park.  These costs were not available at the time of the meeting.

    SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES - There were none.

    PROCLAMATION - Mayor Trousil made the following proclamations:

    Youth Appreciation Week

    School Board Recognition Week 2000

    Make a Change Week (Breast Cancer Awareness)

    ADJOURN – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:02 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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