Regular Council Meeting July 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, Utility Billing Clerk Fry, Public Works Director Fry, and Building Inspector Hoy were also present. Crowner moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Clerk Simonson said the amount of the Beik Engineering Payment is $3,821.27. She also said the Beer Permit Renewal for BG’s Buy N Bye should be added as item K. Lees moved, second by Pilger to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    A. Approve Minutes Regular Council Meeting July 11, 2000

    B. Approve Payment to Beik Engineering for Tier 2 Report – City Water Plant

    C. Approve Payment to Des Moines Register – Advertisement - $1,678

    D. Approve Payment to Shive-Hattery for Engineering Services, Wastewater Treatment Project - $7,788.03

    E. Approve Payment to Smith Engineering for Updating Zoning Maps - $1,283.00

    F. Approve Payment to City of Burlington for Communications - $2,399.55

    G. Approve Payment to Harman Graphics for Street Signs - $5,954.00

    H. Approve Training – Police Leadership – Police Chief

    I. Approve Travel for ICMA Convention – City Administrator

    J. Approve Payment of Claims as Presented.

    PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Request for Five (5) Year Partial Exemption from Property Taxation

    For Property located at 2510 W. Mt. Pleasant Street and 4117 W. Mt. Pleasant Street - Mayor Trousil opened the Public Hearing concerning the request by Rodney Wittkamp for partial exemption from property taxation for two structures he intends to build on his property located at 2510 W. Mt. Pleasant Street and 4117 W. Mt. Pleasant Street. Mr. Wittkamp said he intends to build a 20,000 square foot building as a West addition to the current existing building at 2510 W. Mt. Pleasant Street and a 30,000 square foot spec building located on the southeast corner of the 10-acre tract at 4117 W. Mt. Pleasant Street. He said he has no tenants for the proposed buildings.

    Council Members Johnson and Crowner expressed their thoughts on tax exemptions being for businesses that provide additional jobs rather than just benefiting the owner of the business. However, they do understand the intent of the tax exemption ordinance.

    Council Members Lees, Pilger and Hockett said they would have no problem granting the property tax exemption.

    Mayor Trousil explained at least thirty days after this hearing the City Council, by ordinance, may give its prior approval of a tax exemption for new construction if the new construction is in conformance with City zoning. He said the ordinance would be on the September 12 Council Agenda.

    The Public Hearing was closed.

    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 Report from Shive-Hattery Concerning Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue Intersection –

    Administrator Mandsager reported Bill Cary with Shive-Hattery was unable to attend the meeting this evening. He said they plan to present their report to the Council at the next regular meeting.

    Consider Conditional Appointment of New Police Officer – Police Chief Walters recommended the Council hire Shaun Daniel Ryan to the position of police officer pending the results of an MMPI and physical exam, effective September 2000. This is the COPS Grant officer the Council approved hiring in April. The Grant reimburses the City 75%, up to $75,000 for the hiring of a new police officer. The grant is paid out over three years.

    Chief Walters said Shaun is a certified peace officer with the State of Iowa, currently employed with the City of New London. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Mt. Mercy College in Criminal Justice and is also a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He is a certified DARE officer and a certified Firearms Instructor. He recommended that consideration be given for experience and certification and that he start at the 90% level of current contract ($28,283).

    Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve hiring Shaun Ryan to the position of police officer pending the results of an MMPI and physical exam effective September 2000 and that he start at the 90% level. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Appointment of Public Works Employee – Administrator Mandsager explained with the appointment of Randy Fry to Public Works Director, an opening was left in the Public Works Department. The City received numerous applications for this position, many of which were qualified for the open position. After interviewing several candidates Mandsager recommended the Council appoint Bradley Moeller to the open full time position with the Public Works Department.

    After consideration Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve hiring Bradley Moeller to the full time position with the Public Works Department. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Payment to Carl A. Nelson for Wastewater Treatment Improvements – Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve payment to Carl A. Nelson for work completed on the Wastewater Treatment Improvements in the amount of $139,919.80. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Purchase of New Patrol Vehicle – Police Chief Walters said he requested bids for the purchase of the new patrol vehicle. He budgeted $19,500 for this purchase. He said Shottenkirk failed to respond and Deery Brothers bid $18,855.50. There was no state bid available until November 2000.

    Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to purchase a 2001 Impala from Deery Brothers in the amount of $18,855.50. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Purchase of Portable Radios – Police Chief Walters said he budgeted $3,200 for the purchase of portable radios. He requested bids from three vendors and only two responded. He recommended purchasing from the low bidder.

    Hockett moved, second by Lees, to purchase 4 HT 750 portable radios from Electronic Engineering Co. in Mr. Pleasant, Iowa, at a cost of $2, 596. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Purchase of Playground Equipment – Administrator Mandsager reported he has been working on a timetable for park improvements and a budget for those improvements. He said he is working also with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission on applying for the Recreation Infrastructure Grant due in September. Many of the proposed park improvements are eligible under this grant.

    Mandsager said on July 11 the Council approved spending approximately $25,000 for shelter houses in Longmeadow Park. In the mean time the Centennial Committee donated approximately $14,000 to be used for those Shelter Houses. Because of this donation Mandsager asked the Council if they wanted to consider the purchase of playground equipment. The equipment cost approximately $39,290 with Public Works doing the installation.

    After discussion Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the purchase of playground equipment for Longmeadow Park at an estimated cost of $39,290. This is a TIF eligible expense. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Purchase of Hose for Sewer Jet – Pilger moved, second by Crowner, to approve the purchase of 600 feet of 1-inch hose from Burlington H2O for the sewer jet for a cost of $1,428. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    Consider Purchase of Vehicle Lift – Administrator Mandsager reported the current vehicle lift at the city garage should be replaced. It does not meet OSHA standards and is at least 20+ years old. He said public works obtained quotes for this purchase.

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve the purchase of a lift for the city garage from Quag’s at a cost of $3,695. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Consider Water Meter Replacement Program – Administrator Mandsager reported we received final bids for replacement of water meters and for upgrading to radio read. We received bids from three companies.

    After consideration Lees moved, second by Hockett to approve purchasing meters from the Sensus Company. The total cost of the meter replacement program will be $278,670 which includes the vehicle mounted computer unit, software and training. The meter replacement will be a three-year program beginning this year. The initial start-up cost will be approximately $116,536.16. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    PUBLIC SAFETY – There was nothing to report.

    FINANCE – Received Contribution from West Burlington Centennial Committee - $14, 040.01 – Council Member Hockett said a member of the West Burlington Centennial Committee notified him to tell him they would like to donate the remainder of their account to the City for the Shelter House in Longmeadow Park. It was mentioned the shelter could be named for the Centennial Committee. Administrator Mandsager will express the City’s appreciation for the donation.

    Public Works Director Fry said his department has been working on the press box for the high school. He said they want him to pour the floor on the second floor as well as the first. He asked the Council just involved his department should be with the project. It was the consensus of the Council that Fry and the Public Works Department should continue to assist the school with the construction of the press box and the concession stand as long as someone else is paying for the material.

    STREETS – Administrator Mandsager said since part-time employee Troy Cline has been hired as full-time the part-time position should to be filled until at least October. Johnson moved, second by Hockett, to approve hiring a part-time employee at the discretion of the City Administrator. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

    SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

    UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

    CLOSED SESSION – Chapter 21.5(j) To discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property – Lees moved, second by Pilger, to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing the purchase of particular real estate. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Johnson and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

    ADJOURN – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. upon motion by Hockett and second by Johnson. Voice vote. All aye. Motion carried.

     

    _______________________________

    Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

    Back to Minutes