Regular Council Meeting May 09, 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, Fire Chief Astfalk, Building Inspector Hoy and City Accountant Sattler were also present.   Lees  moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Agenda with the addition of Public Hearing for Sign Ordinance.  Mayor Trousil explained  the Public Hearing had been set at the last Council Meeting and the Public Notice was published on April 27.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve the following Consent Agenda items.  Lees noted the payment to Electronic Applications for the Repeater System should be $13,318.99 instead of $12,997.24.  Voice vote.  All aye.

    A.       Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 25, 2000

    B.        Financial Report for April

    C.        Payment to Diamond Vogel – Paint for Traffic Markings - $1,949.40

    D.       Payment to Matthew Oaks for Water and Sewer Mapping - $775.00

    E.        Payment to Electronic Applications for Repeater System – ($12,997.24)  $13,318.99

    F.        Payment to Ideal Ready Mix for Yard Waste Site Pavement - $1,187.50

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

    H.       Payment to Municipal Supply for Pump for W.B. School Force Main - $1,775.75

    I.          Payment to The Brimeyer Group, Inc. for City Administrator Executive Search - $5,000

    J.         Payment to Loeschen & Loeschen – Attorney Fees - $990.

    K.       Payment to Shive-Hattery for Engineering Services - $7,084.60

    L.        Waiving Building Permit Fee for West Burlington School – Press Box

    M.      Resignation of Firefighters Fullenkamp; and New Members Darrin Schwind and Scott Herrick

    N.       Purchase of Software for Direct Deposit Software - $600

    O.       Computer Training for City Accountant - $125.00 plus books

    P.       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:

    Pat Callahan representing the Brimeyer Company reviewed the schedule for the City Administrator candidate interviews, which are scheduled for May 19 and 20.   He provided the Council with sample questions that can be asked during the interviews.  He also gave them a report containing the salary benefit package as he understands them and asked the Council to review for corrections.   

    Callahan also represents the Ruan Company that is assisting the City in financing $1,500,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Notes for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements and the Traffic Signal Project.  He said the City needed to approve a letter of intent stating the City’s intention to sell the bonds and establishing the rate.  This item is covered under New Business. 

    NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Grant Application for Housing Needs Assessment – Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Comm. – Cindy Hild and Dan Eberhardt with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission explained the benefits of having them conduct a Housing Needs Assessment for the City of West Burlington.  They explained they are in the process of conducting these assessments for surrounding communities.  They said if the City ever intends to apply for housing programs from the state a Housing Needs Assessment must have been completed within the last two years.   

    Hild and Eberhardt explained the Iowa Department of Economic Development is offering a grant program to complete a Housing Needs Assessment.  The program provides administration funds to complete the document.  The grant application requires a local match.  For West Burlington funds available through the grant is approximately $5,000 with a $1,500 local cash match.  The total cost of the assessment would be $6,500. 

    After discussion Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to contract with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Hockett, Crowner, Lees, Johnson and Pilger.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    Consider Resolution Fixing the date for a Public Hearing on a Loan agreement in the Principal Amount of 1,500.000 – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve a Resolution Fixing May 23 at 7:00 for a Public Hearing on a Loan Agreement in the Principal Amount of $1,500,000.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Pilger and Johnson.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.  

    Consider Letter of Intent with Ruan Securities for Bond Issuance – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve a letter of Intent with Ruan Securities Corporation to assist the City Council in financing $1,500,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Notes.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Contracting with a Vending Company for Concessions at the Swimming Pool – Mayor Trousil explained the City contracts with a vending company to provide snacks at the swimming pool.  City Staff requested proposals from vending companies that have inquired about the service this year.  Two proposals were received.  One from Burlington Tom’s Sales and Automatic Vending.  Both companies propose to install snack machines, cola machines as well as bill changers.  Both companies offer commission rate of $375.00 monthly. 

    The Council Members agreed since both proposals were equal the Council would award the contract to a business based in West Burlington.

    Pilger moved, second by Johnson, to contract with Burlington Tom’s Sales to provide vending service at the swimming pool for the summer of 2000.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Approval of Sign Ordinance – First Consideration – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the first consideration of the sign ordinance.  Council Member Johnson said the section concerning Pennants should state specifically the Business Districts and Industrial District.   Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Pilger, and Johnson.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Setting a Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Amendment – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve setting a Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Amendment for Tuesday May, 23 at 7:00 p.m.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Johnson and Pilger.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    OLD BUSINESS:

    None

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    PUBLIC SAFETY – Mayor Trousil explained a situation involving Worker’s Compensation Insurance for Volunteer Firefighters came to light last week.  He said one of the firefighters was injured while working at 34 Raceways as a member of a crew providing fire service during a race a couple weeks ago.  The Fire Department contracts with 34 Raceways through the Quad Township Fire Association and receives $100 per event.  When the accident report was filed with the City and in turn filed with the City’s Insurance company, the Insurance Agent, Tom Cameron, notified the City that one entity cannot insure another entity’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance.  The Township Fire Association should purchase it’s own coverage for firefighters working on their behalf.  The Association was notified of the situation through City Staff and Tom Cameron.  They are making arrangements to purchase their own insurance. 

    FINANCE – Council Member Lees suggested City Staff investigate cell phone package options available to the City.  Currently the City has ten phones through GTE and one through U.S. Cellular.  City Accountant Leslie Sattler will contact both of these companies and see what programs are available.  Sattler will present this for the Council’s consideration at the next meeting.

    STREETS - – Council Member Johnson said he knows this has been discussed before but he still believes there should be a stop light at the intersection of Huston and West Burlington Avenue. 

    SANITATION – There was nothing to report. 

    UTILITIES – Memo from Utility Billing Clerk reference Water Meter Replacement – Utility Billing Clerk Kelly Fry has made arrangements with the two water meter vendors who offer Radio Read Meters to make presentations to the Council.  These vendors will set up their equipment starting on Monday, May 22.  They will also attend the Council Meeting on May 23 to answer any questions the Council may have. 

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES – Police Chief Walters asked the Council what the plans were for building tennis courts in the City.  The Council agreed this has been a topic frequently discussed during budget preparation for the past several years.  It has not been determined where the best place would be to place them.  They are still being considered.

    Council Member Crowner asked City Staff contact Mike Stineman and see if he has completed the maps for City Parks Improvements.

    MAYOR’S INQUIRIES:  Mayor Trousil who had just recently returned from his trip to Washington D.C. reported to the Council the issues that were discussed there.  He felt the trip was very beneficial and brought back ideas for applying for funding as well as ideas he wishes to pursue during the year.

    ADJOURN – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:25 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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