Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

At that time Kathy Everett Vice President of Economic Development, said BADCO would execute a forgivable loan agreement with the Borghi USA, Inc. that is tied to meeting the threshold criteria of investment, jobs and wage.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the Forgivable Loan Agreement with Borghi USA, Inc., the Burlington Area Development Corporation, Des Moines County and the City of West Burlington. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Credit Card Limit for City Administrator – Administrator Mandsager said the City has credit card accounts for certain City Employees. These employees are department heads and certain officers of the Fire and Police Departments. The credit limit is $2,500 for each card. Mandsager said he would like his credit limit to be $5,000 because when he travels with Council Members to out of town meetings he could exceed $2,500. He said events occasionally overlap as well.

Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve $5,000 for the City Administrator’s City Credit Card Limit. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Specifying the Use of Additional Tax Credit Reimbursement – City Clerk Simonson said the State of Iowa is required to fully fund the homestead, military and elderly property tax credits for the years 1996-97 and each subsequent year until the year ending June 30, 2002. The law requires that at least 50 percent of the additional reimbursement will be used toward property tax relief as determined by the City and the remaining amount will be used for infrastructure needs. In the past the City has used the additional reimbursement for property tax relief by reducing the debt service levy.

Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve a Resolution specifying that additional Tax Credit Reimbursement be used for debt service. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Pilger and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Contract with Burlington River Terminal, Inc. for Ice Melt Road Salt – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve the purchase of up to 120 tons of salt from Burlington River Terminal, Inc. for $31.50 per ton. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Authorizing Filing of Application for Transportation Enhancement Funds – Katherine Henning from Dunbar/Jones Partnership told the Council she has been working with staff in planning a multi-use trail in the City. The deadline for filing a grant application for federal transportation enhancement funding (TEA Grant) is December 22. It was determined that the most appropriate place to start the trail is on Gear Avenue. The first phase begins at the north edge of Westland Mall and proceeds south along Gear Avenue to the north off ramp on the east side of Gear Avenue. The second phase is from the south off ramp intersection to Gear Avenue/Agency Road intersection (west side of Gear Avenue). The third phase is from Gear Avenue/Agency Road intersection to Great River Medical Center (west side of Gear Avenue).

Katherine Henning attending the meeting and reminded the Council that while federal transportation funding does not require a multi-use trail the Iowa DOT prefers a multi-use trail rather than a sidewalk for this type of funding. If we seek Statewide Trail funds from the Iowa DOT in addition to federal funds, sidewalks do not qualify. Ms. Henning encouraged the City to seriously consider a 10-foot multi-use trail for the project.

The total estimated cost of the project is $174,505.58. The City is required to provide a 20% minimum local match. Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve a Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for transportation enhancement funds and pledging 20% local match. Roll call. Ayes: Crowner, Johnson, Hockett, Johnson and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Appointment to Planning and Zoning Commission – Alan Mayberry – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to appoint Alan Mayberry to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a 5-year term. Mr. Mayberry is currently filling Lester Plath’s un-expired term. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution of Inducement for Borghi USA, Inc., IDED Application for Industrial Revenue Bonds – Administrator Mandsager said he was contacted by attorney’s for the Borghi Company concerning the City’s issuance of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds for the purpose of providing financing for the acquisition and renovation of an industrial building and the acquisition of machinery and equipment to be used for the manufacturing of zinc-plated metal tube hydraulic systems to be owned and operated by the Company. The Company is requesting the City adopt a Resolution that will enable them to apply for Private Activity Bond Volume Cap from the Executive Director of the Iowa Finance Authority for the year 2001. The application needs to be filed before the end of the year.

The Council was concerned about liability to the City and asked the City Administrator to get more information. They did not feel they had enough time or information to make the best decision. Crowner moved, second by Pilger, to table the consideration until more information can be obtained. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Approving the Submittal of a Traffic Safety Grant Application for Traffic Signals – Bill Carey from Shive-Hattery told the Council he has prepared a Traffic Safety Grant Application for intersection improvements for Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue. He said the Council needs to approve a Resolution supporting the application prior to submittal.

Both Crowner and Johnson said they think the intersection needs to be realigned before traffic signals are installed.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger to approve a Resolution supporting a Traffic Safety Grant Application for Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Lees and Pilger. Nays. Crowner and Johnson. Motion approved.

Consider Ordinance on Third Reading - Minimum Lot Width in Residential Districts – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve an Ordinance on third reading concerning minimum lot width in Residential Districts. Lots for residence purposes, other than cul-de-sacs, shall be at least fifty feet wide at the front lot line. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Crowner, Lees, Johnson and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Administrator Mandsager said he had received a proposal from the Des Moines County Engineers Office concerning representation in court for traffic violations. The City currently pays Loeschen and Loeschen $150.00 per hour. It was agreed by the Council Members that they would like to invite Terry Loeschen to the next Council Meeting to discuss their concerns about traffic charges and fines.

The Council agreed because of the large accumulation of snow over the last two weeks to ask residents to shovel snow from fire hydrants.

FINANCE - The Council agreed to hold a Budget Work Session on January 13 at 8:00.

STREETS – There was nothing to report.

CLOSED SESSION: To Discuss 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 - Crowner moved, second by Johnson, to go into closed session in accordance with Chapter 21.5 (j) of the Code of Iowa. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Johnson, Pilger and Hockett. Nays: None. Motion Carried.

The Closed session ended at 8:40 P.M.

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

______________________________ ______________________________

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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