Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve the Consent Agenda with the following changes: Add Item G. Approval of new Firefighter Tracy Melville; and move Item D. Payment to Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to Old Business. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

There were none.

Mayor Trousil explained the City needs to approve a Change Order for the 1999 Gear Avenue Widening Project to include the additional widening of Gear Avenue to the south entrance of the Great River Medical Center. The Change Order is in the amount of $105,465.54. This amount will be billed to the hospital along with the cost of engineering.

Mayor Trousil said the project is complete and the Engineer recommends the City accept the project and approve the final payment. The final payment is $38,740.93.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve a change order for the 1999 Gear Avenue Widening Project in the amount of $105,465.54 and approve the final payment to Shipley Contracting in the amount of $38,740.93. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Change Order and Pay Request for KWS for Traffic Signal Improvements – Mayor Trousil said the City needs to approve a Change Order for the Traffic Signal project to include removing nine existing painted pavement symbols on Agency Road. The Change Order is in the amount of $1,080. He also said the engineer is recommending payment in the amount of $163,544.18 to KWS Inc. for the project. The City is retaining 10% until the final inspection is completed.

Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a change order on the Traffic Signal Improvements Project in the amount of $1,080 and approve the pay request to KWS Inc. in the amount of $163,544.18. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Directional Signs for Agency and Broadway Streets – Public Works Director Fry presented a proposal from Harman Graphics for two new directional signs for the intersection of Broadway and Agency Street. These signs will replace existing signs and they would direct visitors to downtown West Burlington. The new signs will be fifteen inches high and ten feet long. The actual letters will be seven inches high.

After discussion Johnson moved, second by Crowner to table the consideration to purchase directional signs for Agency and Broadway Streets until other prices have been obtained. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Tuition Reimbursement for Police Officer – This item was removed from the agenda.

Consider Donation for West Burlington School Post Prom Party – Mayor Trousil said the City received a letter from the Post Prom Committee requesting a donation for the Prom Party being held on April 21. They are planning to provide an alcohol-free celebration for the students. Last year the Council contributed to the bowling party and also two single pool passes.

Lees moved, second by Crowner, to contribute to the bowling party in an amount not to exceed $500 and two single pool passes. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay. Motion carried. Hockett said while he thinks this is a worthwhile organization he does not believe this is an appropriate use of tax dollars. He said the festivities should be supported by individual contributions.

Consider Extending the Cable Television Franchise Agreement – Administrator Mandsager said he had met with AT&T representatives regarding our franchise agreement. He said he is working with them to negotiate a franchise renewal or to extend the current franchise agreement. He recommended the City approve a resolution extending our current agreement until the negotiations are completed. He asked the Council to consider if they want the franchise fee to remain at 3% or increase to 5%. He said AT&T might also make a capital equipment contribution, such as camera equipment for the new City Hall.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve a resolution extending our current franchise agreement until such time as renewal negotiations have been resolved, but no later than April 4, 2001. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Pilger, Lees, Crowner, and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Crowner said he asked for this item to be removed from the Consent Agenda because he believes the information in the draft copy of the report contains outdated information. He asked that the final copy of the Housing Needs Assessment be delayed until the 2000 census data is received.

Crower moved, second by Pilger, to approve payment to Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission in the amount of $3,250. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

FINANCE – Mandsager said he would like to have a Finance Committee Meeting to discuss a new Purchasing Policy and tax abatement. He will schedule one as soon. A Budget Work Session will be held on Tuesday, February 27, at 6:00 before the Council Meeting.

Mayor Trousil said the Chamber sponsored meeting to Washington D.C. is coming up in March. He asked if any of the Council Members wanted to attend. It was suggested it would be beneficial if the City Administrator and Police Chief could attend. Council Member Johnson might want to go. Mayor Trousil said the Chamber must be notified by Friday.

STREETS – Public Works Director Fry said he had talked to a representative from Burlington Northern who said BN would like to get the railroad tracks on Washington Road repaired this year. He said they would also like to do Beaverdale Road. Fry said his department will begin doing pothole patches as soon as it gets a little warmer.

Hockett said he has been getting inquiries about the parking on Broadway Street. He said some are in favor of parking and some are not. He thinks this is a subject that will need to be addressed in the near future.

PUBLIC SAFETY –Mandsager said the Fire Department has submitted their Annual Report. It is on file in the Clerk’s office if anyone wants to review it.

There were none.

CLOSED SESSION: 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 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 9:14 p.m.

Consider Purchase of Property – No action was taken.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. upon motion by Lees and second by Hockett. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

______________________________ ______________________________

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk