Regular Council Meeting June 13, 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.  Fire Chief Astfalk, Asst. Public Works Director Mesecher and City Accountant Sattler were also present.   Lees moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Agenda as presented.    Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried.   

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

    A.      Approve Minutes Regular Council Meeting May 23, 2000

    B.       Approve Monthly Financial Report – May

    C.       Approve Payment to Loeschen & Loeschen - $1,415.00

    D.      Approve Payment to Electronic Applications for $2,956.25

    E.       Approve Training for Police Chief

    F.       Approve Training for City Clerk

    G.      Approve Agreement for Software Maintenance - $3,225.20

    H.      Approve Payment of Miscellaneous Administrator Search Claims

    I.         Approve Payment to Burlington for Water - $12,925.37

    J.        Approve Swimming Pool Employees

    K.      Approve Waiving Building Permit Fee for Concession Stand at High School

    L.       Approve Sidewalk Reimbursement - $250.41

    M.     Approve Lift Station Motor Repair - $2,163.04

    N.      Approve Liquor/Beer License for Wal-Mart

    O.      Approve Beer Permit for Casey’s General Store

    P.       Accept Resignation of Alan Mayberry from Board of Adjustment

    Q.      Accept Resignation of Kathy Christy from Solid Waste Commission

    R.       Approve Donation of Season Family Pool Pass for Athletic Booster Organization

    S.        Approve Payment of Claims as Presented. 

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

    Mayor Trousil reported one bid was received for a lot in the Pleasant Meadow Subdivision.  He opened the bid and reported it was in the amount of $12,000 and was accompanied by a cashier’s check in the amount of $1,200.  Mayor Trousil said the minimum bid price is $12,500.   

    Lees moved, second by Pilger to reject the bid because it does not meet the minimum bid requirement.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried.`

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: 

    NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Contract for City Administrator – Mayor Trousil said he included vision insurance in the contract for the City Administrator.  However, he said vision insurance is not provided to other City Employees. Mr. Mandsager stated he would accept another week of vacation in lieu of the vision insurance.  This would provide three (3) weeks of vacation during the first year of employment.  Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the Contract for City Administrator Gregg Mandsager.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Resolution Concerning PPEL Levy – Mayor Trousil explained effective July 1, 2000 Cities may no longer include the physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) as a portion of their total levy within a TIF district.  School districts will now receive these funds.  If cities are reliant upon PPEL revenues to meet current debt obligations with their TIF districts they may certify the amount needed to cover debt obligations to the school district by July 1.   

    By removing the PPEL levy the City will recognize a loss of approximately $11,254 to the TIF account.  Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve a Resolution declaring the City’s will not seek revenues generated by the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL).  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Hockett, Crowner, Johnson and Pilger.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Contract with Walker & Egerton to Conduct Annual Audit – Lees moved, second by Johnson, to approve the contract with Walker & Egerton, P.C. to conduct the annual audit.  The cost of the audit will be in the range of $4,000 to $4,250.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Purchase of Street Sweeper – Public Works Director Christy requested permission to purchase a new street sweeper.  This is a budgeted expense in the next fiscal year.  Christy requested bids but received only one, which was for an Elgin Pelican model.   

    Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the purchase of an Elgin Pelican street sweeper from Road Machinery and Equipment of Cedar Rapids for $81,824.44.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Payment to Hillyer, Inc. for South Lift Station – Mayor Trousil said according to Shive-Hattery engineer Chad Lambi, the South Lift Station Project is completed and the retainage should be released to Hillyer Inc.  The total cost for the Project was $165,330.27.   

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve payment to Hillyer, Inc. in the amount of $8,266.52, which is the retainage for the South Lift Station Project.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Proposal from Stineman Associates for Park Improvements – Mayor Trousil explained at the last Council meeting the Council agreed to seek a proposal from Stineman Associates for construction drawings for Longmeadow Park.  Mr. Stineman submitted a proposal for Longmeadow Park in the amount of $3,300.00.   

    After discussion Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve the contract with Stineman Associates for construction drawings for Longmeadow Park at a cost of $3,300.  The Council agreed that a shelter house in Longmeadow Park is a priority for the park and they want to see plans for that within 30 days.  They also agreed the City Administrator should be designated as the person responsible for design direction.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Payment to Shive-Hattery Engineers for Engineering Services - $14,410.60 – Hockett moved, second by Crowner to approve payment to Shive-Hattery for miscellaneous engineering services in the amount of $14,410.60.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    Administrator Mandsager reported he had met with Ken Bickner the Shive-Hattery Engineer who is working on the Wastewater Treatment Project.  The Council was concerned about a change order that was presented at the last meeting.  Public Works Director Christy also expressed concern about change orders possibly becoming a problem.  Mr. Mandsager said after his meeting with the Engineers he believes communications will be much improved.  He said all change orders should come through his office in the future.     

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Consider Installation of Exterior Lights at Flint Ridge Industrial Park – Mayor Trousil explained originally the Council had considered the installation of six lights in the Flint Ridge Industrial Park, two on Broadway and four on Division Street.  On April 11 the Council decided to install two lights on Broadway Street and only one on Division.  Additional lights would be considered when needed.   

    Alliant originally quoted $15,123.36 for six lights.  Their second proposal was for three lights in the amount of $9,725.00.  After discussion Lees moved, second by Hockett, to table the consideration to place lights in the park until Administrator Mandsager has met with a representative from Alliant.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried.   

    Consider Cellular Phone Plans – City Accountant Sattler said she has been investigating options for cellular phone plans.  She will have an update on her progress at the next Council Meeting. 

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    PUBLIC SAFETY – Administrator Mandsager reported the grant for the Task Force Officer was awarded.  He also said the police officer area wide application program has received 97 applications.  He said they would begin on June 24.   

    He also reported Police Sgt. Deborah Leach has requested to go back to patrol effective July 3, 2000.  Police Chief Walters has approved this request.   

    FINANCE – Mayor Trousil asked the Council for a consensus of where they would like to see a new City Hall.  All of the Council Members agreed they would prefer that City Hall stay downtown, however everyone except Pilger is not in favor of eminent domain as an option to obtain property.  Pilger said since the building next door is only used for storage he would like to see the City acquire that property.   

    After considerable discussion it was agreed Mayor Trousil, Administrator Mandsager and Council Member Crowner will meet with property owners to discuss land acquisition.   

    Hockett moved, second by Johnson to approve the appointment of Steve Swafford to fill the un-expired term of Alan Mayberry on the Board of Adjustment.  Swafford’s term will expire December 2004.  Voice vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

    STREETS – Administrator Mandsager reported the Washington Road/Van Weiss Street Project is about one half completed.  It was also reported the street sign project is expected to be completed on time.   

    After hearing that the railroad crossing on Washington Road is in poor condition, Administrator Mandsager will attempt to contact representatives of the railroad to discuss repair.   

    Mayor Trousil said he expected a report from Shive-Hattery on the Mt. Pleasant Street – Gear Avenue Traffic Signal Study at the next meeting.   

    SANITATION – There was nothing to report. 

    UTILITIES – Assistant Public Works Director Mesecher reported the City worked on installing the water main under Agency Road last week to serve Southeastern Community College.  He said they also prepared a stub for future use.  

    The Council agreed to meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, to discuss the Water Meter Replacement Program.

    Mayor Trousil asked the Council if they would like to participate in a Goal Setting Session.  They agreed the City Administrator would contact Tim Shields with the Department of Public Affairs to set up a date.  

    The Council received correspondence from the Planning and Zoning Commission concerning the Commissions desire to make revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.  They said before they begin the process they would like to be sure the Council is ready to begin looking at the plan and proceeding with the update.  

    The Council asked that the Commission compile a list of items they have in mind for the update and forward it to them for their review.  

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

     ADJOURN – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. upon motion by Lees and second by Hockett.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried. 

     

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    Approved                                                                                  Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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