Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2001 – 7:00 P.M. The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 122 Broadway Street with Mayor Trousil presiding. Council Members Hockett, Crowner, Johnson and Pilger were present. Council Member Lees arrived at 7:20 p.m. City Administrator Mandsager and Building Inspector Hoy were also present. Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

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

A.  Minutes Regular Council Meeting August 28, 2001

B.  Accepting Resignation of Two Volunteer Firefighters – Aaron Whitaker and Thomas McEntee

C.  Sidewalk Reimbursement for Juanita Derby - $230.77

D.  Training for Police Sergeant Newberry – Software Development Program for Police Dept.

E.  Payment of Claims as Presented

PUBLIC HEARING: Wheeler Storm Sewer and Paving Project

Mayor Trousil opened the Public Hearing on the Wheeler Storm Sewer and Paving Project. He explained the project consists of construction of new pavement on West Wheeler Street from Schwartz Street to Ramsey Street and also construction of storm intakes and sewer including an outfall sewer extending to a detention basin south west of Glasgow Street. There were no comments. The Public Hearing was closed.

Resolution Approving Plans & Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimated Cost for the Proposed Wheeler Storm Sewer and Paving Project – Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve a Resolution approving plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the proposed project. Roll call. Ayes: Pilger, Hockett, Crowner and Johnson. Nays: None. Lees had not arrived.

Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Wheeler Storm Sewer and Paving Project – Mayor Trousil explained the bid opening had been conducted earlier in the day and six bids were received. He explained the Engineer’s estimate for the project was $388,500. R.C. Christenson, Mt. Pleasant bid $389,898.40; Fye Excavating, Sperry bid $329,510.66; Wunderlick Excavating, Burlington bid $411,811.27; Hillyer Inc., Macomb, Illinois bid $449,447.75; Nelson Concrete and Paving, Burlington bid $329,031.95 and Shipley Contracting, Burlington bid $302,988.00.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to award the contract for the project to Shipley Contracting in the amount of $302,988.00. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Johnson, Crowner and Pilger. Nays: None. Lees had not arrived.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: - None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

UTILITIES – Update on Brushtown Road Project – Darrin Ligtenberg with Snyder & Associates, told the Council he will be meeting nest week with Burlington Northern representatives and residents of Brushtown Road to discuss the water and sewer project. Administrator Mandsager said after we receive the final report we can enter into negotiations with Burlington Northern over exactly how this project will be funded if the City wishes to proceed. Mandsager said the City may need to wait until we hear about the CDBG funding before we proceed.

Discuss Water Shut-Offs (Installation and maintenance of water lines and shut-off valves) – Administrator Mandsager said this item was on the Agenda for discussion as requested. He said a majority of communities hold the resident responsible for installation and maintenance of the water line that services their home or business. Typically, the resident is responsible from the water main to the residence.

Public Works Director Fry said shut-off’s often are located on private property. Council Member Johnson said he was the one who asked for this item to be placed on the Agenda. He said he had purchased a property a couple years ago and found the shut-off was broken and then was told by the water department he was responsible for the repair. He said in his opinion the shut-off is there for the benefit of the City not the property owner and should therefore be the responsibility of the City.

After discussion it was the consensus of the Council Members to place an Ordinance on the Agenda for the first meeting in October causing water shut-offs, installation and maintenance, to be the responsibility of the City.

PUBLIC SAFETY – There was nothing to report.

FINANCE – Update on Lots in Pleasant Meadow Subdivision – Administrator Mandsager said Richard Broeg bought Lot #5 in Pleasant Meadow Subdivision. Broeg met with Mandsager last week and said he does not feel he is financially able to build on the lot at this time. He said he would like to place the lot on the market. It was the consensus of the Council to allow Mr. Broeg the opportunity to sell the lot on his own.

STREETS – Mandsager said the contractor did not pour Leffler Street project because it was too wet. The Pennington Street Project is poured and they are working on the intake.

SANITATION - Administrator Mandsager said the Sewer Plant is not running to specifications. He said Plant Operator Mesecher is working with Aeromod to work out the problems.

NEW BUSINESS:

Consider Resolution Approving Annual Street Finance Report – Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a Resolution approving the Annual Street Finance Report. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Hockett, Crowner, Johnson and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Acceptance of Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2001 – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve the Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2001. Voice vote. All aye. Motion carried.

Consider Contract with Smith Engineering for Boundary and Topographic Survey for Proposed City Hall – Crowner moved, second by Johnson, to approve a contract with Smith Engineering for Boundary and Topographic Survey for proposed West Burlington City Hall in the amount of approximately $6,600. The work will be accomplished on an hourly basis using Smith Engineering Associates, Inc. 2001 Fee Schedule and Smith Engineering Associates. Voice vote. All aye. Motion carried.

Consider Sale of Ammunition Brass – Administrator Mandsager said the Police Department saves their ammunition brass and trades it in when they purchase new ammunition. It appears the City can get a better price for it by offering it for sale by bid. The City advertised in The Hawk Eye requiring a minimum bid of $35.00 per 12.5 lbs. One bid was received from Dan Hockett in the amount of $35.00 per 12.5 lbs.

Johnson moved, second by Crowner, to sell ammunition brass to Dan Hockett for one year for the amount of $35.00 per 12.5 lbs. Voice vote. All ayes, except Hockett who abstained. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Amending the Building Permit Fees – Administrator Mandsager presented a Resolution amending the Building Permit Fees. The increase is based on Building Valuation Data from the International Conference of Building Officials Building Standards. The Resolution also included Other Inspections and Fees based on a per hour cost.

After discussion Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to deal with Building Permit Fees during the Budget Sessions. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Changing the Time for Council Meetings – The Council Members discussed changing the day for Council Meetings. Johnson said Monday’s would work best for him. Pilger said changing the day would cause problems for him because he coaches Little League on Monday’s. Other Council Members said they would work with either day.

Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve a Resolution changing the day for Council Meetings from the second and fourth Tuesdays to the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Roll call. Ayes: Johnson, Lees, Crowner, Hockett. Nays: Pilger. Motion carried. Mayor Trousil said the time of the meetings would also change from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This change will take effect immediately.

OLD BUSINESS:

Consider Ordinance Amending the Zoning Regulations Concerning the Height of a Decorative Fence – Second Consideration – Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve the second consideration of an Ordinance amending the Zoning Code of the City concerning the height of a Decorative Fence. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Pilger and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

The amendment changes from five feet to four feet the height that a decorative fence may be used in any yard as determined by the "minimum front yard depth". It also states any decorative fence other than a split rail or picket fence made of wrought iron, wood or vinyl in the front yard shall require approval of the Board of Adjustment.

PROCLAMATION – "ANNUAL 911 EMERGENCY NUMBER DAY" – Mayor Trousil read a Proclamation proclaiming September 11 as "Annual 911 Emergency Number Day.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

ADJOURN: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. upon motion by Lees, second by Hockett. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

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Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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