Regular Council Meeting April 22, 2002 – 5:30 P.M. The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 118 W. Wheeler Street with Mayor Trousil presiding. Council Members Crowner, Hockett, Johnson, Lees and Pilger were present. City Administrator Mandsager, Building Inspector Hoy and Police Chief Walters 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 Consent Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

A.  Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 8, 2002

B.  Training for City Accountant – Computer Software Training in Ames

C.  Training for Police Officer – Camp Dodge in Johnston

D.  Payment of Claims as Presented

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: - None.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Hearing and Letting on the Proposed Drawings, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Estimated Cost and the Taking of Bids for Proposed Street Improvements – Wheeler Paving, Swan to Winter, and Wheeler and Winter Resurfacing – Mayor Trousil opened the Public Hearing on the proposed Wheeler and Winter Street Project. He explained the project consists of reconstruction of Wheeler Street from Swan to Winter and resurfacing Wheeler from Winter to West Burlington Avenue and resurfacing Winter Street from Mt. Pleasant to Huston. The Engineers estimated cost for the Project is 167,325.00. There were no comments from those present nor had the Clerk received any comments. Mayor Trousil closed the Public Hearing.

Consider a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimated Cost for the Proposed Street Improvements – Wheeler Paving, Swan to Winter, and Wheeler and Winter Resurfacing

Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve a Resolution approving the Plans and Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimated Cost for the Proposed Street Improvements for the Wheeler Paving Swan to Winter and Wheeler and Winter Resurfacing.

 

Consider Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Wheeler Paving, Swan to Winter, and Wheeler and Winter Resurfacing – Mayor Trousil announced two bids were received. Shipley Contracting bid $191,130.90 and Meller Excavating bid $189,986.05.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to award the contract for the Wheeler Paving Swan to Winter and Wheeler and Winter Resurfacing to Meller Excavating in the amount of $189,986.00. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Hockett, Pilger and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Proclamation –Optimist Youth Appreciation – Linda Eibes – Mayor Trousil read a Proclamation announcing Youth Appreciation Week as April 21 through 27. He stated the citizens of West Burlington have indicated a desire to join with the Optimists in expressing appreciation and approval of the contributions of the Youth.

PRESENTATION: Hal Morton, Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission – Hal Morton, Executive Director of the Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission presented the Annual Report on implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Police Chief Walters said his department is investigating an incident involving a student who was in possession of explosives and threatened to detonate a bomb at the Junior/Senior Prom. The student is a West Burlington resident.

FINANCE – Council Member Crowner said he heard on the street of residents being summoned to court. He asked how Council Members can be informed of these instances before the fact. Administrator Mandsager said he would discuss this with department heads at the staff meeting.

Council Member Hockett said the parking lot in back of City Hall on Wheeler Street was constructed without prior approval of the Council. He said proper procedure should be followed next time.

Discuss Air Conditioning in City Hall Offices – Clerk Simonson said the air conditioner at City Hall is not cooling the offices sufficiently. She recommended installing the air conditioning unit that was in the old City Hall, on the furnace in the storage room. She obtained costs from two companies who perform this type of work. Jern’s Heating and Air Conditioning proposed to do the work for $755. Arnold Refrigeration proposed $1,690.50.

STREETS – Administrator Mandsager said he will make a formal recommendation at the next Council Meeting concerning a new Public Works Employee. This will be the replacement for Carl Jackson who retired in December. Mandsager said issues that could possibly affect the direction the City takes regarding future employees are possible changes to the allocation of Road Use Tax and Burlington’s increased water rates in July. He will discuss this with them on May 13.

NEW BUSINESS:

Consider A Resolution Waiving the Preliminary Plat and Approving the Final Plat for Kienast Subdivision – Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve a Resolution waiving the Preliminary Plat and Approving the Final Plat for Kienast Subdivision as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. This subdivision is located next to Echo Valley Trailer Court on Beaverdale Road outside the City Limits, but within the City’s two mile zoning district. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Pilger, Hockett and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider a Resolution Waiving the Preliminary Plat and Approving the Final Plat for Countryside Hills Subdivision – Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve a Resolution waiving the Preliminary Plat and Approving the Final Plat for the Countryside Hills Subdivision as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. This subdivision is located on Beaverdale Road and is outside of the City Limits, but within our two-mile zoning jurisdiction. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Crowner, Pilger, Hockett and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Change Order for the Wheeler Street Sewer and Paving Project – Administrator Mandsager explained the Engineer is recommending a change order to the Wheeler Street Sewer and Paving Project. He said a large 12 inch phone line was found at Ramsey and Wheeler and we need to reroute the storm water line to another manhole and this requires an additional portion of the street to be torn up. The second item modifies a portion of storm sewer between Schwartz and Spring. There is an existing intake along the alley and the storm line is too close to the surface and will be torn up when the street is replaced. As a result, prior to replacement of the street the engineer recommends replacing and lowering this old portion of storm sewer. He said paving costs are included in the change order. He also said we will be saving around $1,600 on 40 feet of pipe that will be deleted from the original plan.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the change order. Voice vote. All voted aye except Johnson who voted nay. Motion carried. Johnson said the change order should have been done prior to the work. He also said the phone company should be contacted to assist with paying for the change order because the change was a result of their equipment.

Consider Hiring Assistant Pool Manager – Mandsager explained the City advertised for an Assistant Pool Manager. Two applications were received, one past the application deadline. Mandsager said whether we are talking Pool Manager or Assistant Pool Manager it is our preference to have an individual that is a Certified Pool Operator, a Water Safety Instructor, a lifeguard, and qualified in first aid/CPR. Neither of the applicants is presently certified in the above areas. Mandsager recommended hiring the applicant who applied within the deadline, Amy Pilger, as the Assistant Pool Manager at a rate of $8.68 per hour. This was the same rate paid to the assistant last year. Pilger indicated her willingness to become a CPO and to take First Aid. Mandsager also said Pilger is married to Council Member Marc Pilger.

Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve hiring Amy Pilger as the Assistant Pool Manager at an hourly rate of $8.68. Voice vote. All ayes except Pilger who abstained. Motion carried.

Consider contracting with French-Reneker to Study Traffic Concerns at the Elementary School – Administrator Mandsager said he contacted French-Reneker to prepare a report summarizing the concerns and potential solutions for the traffic concerns around the West Burlington Elementary School as directed by the Council. He said French-Reneker is asking for a lump sum payment of $900 for the work.

Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve contracting with French-Reneker to study traffic concerns at the Elementary School. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Ordinance Amending Chapter 73 of Municipal Code Concerning Speed Regulations – Police Chief Walters said the City cannot issue citations on Highway 406 and Highway 34 under a City Code. They can and do issue citations under the state code. He recommended the adoption of the change so the City can receive the funds from fines.

Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 73 of the Municipal Code concerning speed regulations on Highway 406 from Agency Road where it intersects with Highway 406 to a point one hundred yards west; and Agency Road and Highway 406 from the point (one hundred yards west from where highway 406 intersects with the Agency Road extension from the east gate of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant west to the intersection with Highway 34. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Crowner, Pilger, Lees and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Participating in Burlington Public Library Summer Reading Program – Crowner moved, second by Lees, to approve participating in Burlington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. A free pool pass will be provided to children who meet the requirements of the Library’s program. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Consider Acceptance of U-Step Grant from Iowa Department of Transportation for Traffic Signal at Southeastern Community College and Great River Medical Center – Administrator Mandsager said he has spoken with SCC and GRMC concerning the traffic signal on Agency Street between the two entities. The Iowa Department of Transportation approved a U-STEP Grant for the signal. The signal construction was estimated to be $126,000 and the grant would pay 55%. Mandsager said SCC is willing to discuss cost apportionment, but at this point Mark Richardson (GRMC) indicated that the hospital has concluded that a signal is not necessary at this time and would prefer not to pursue the signal unless this was going to be to the detriment of the City.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to deny the U-STEP Grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation for Traffic Signals at Southeastern Community College and Great River Medical Center. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Discuss Date and Time of West Burlington City Council Meetings – Council Member Hockett said he asked for this topic to be placed on the Agenda. He said he has scheduling conflicts Monday night. and 5:30 is too early for him he prefers 7:00 p.m. He said the early time interferes with family time and with his supper.

Pilger said he prefers Tuesday meetings. He said the meeting day was changed so that one Council person could decide if he wanted to run for another term. He said this should been changed after the election. He said he doesn’t think this would have been done at the request of a resident who wanted to run for Council.

Johnson said he was the Council person the night was changed for. He said he attends auctions on Tuesday nights, and that he had given up six years of Tuesday nights while serving on the Council. He also said other Council Members at the time approved of the change. He said there will always be conflicts no matter who serves.

After considerable discussion Pilger moved to change Council Meetings to Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. The motion died for lack of a second.

Hockett moved to change the meeting time to 7:00 p.m. then withdrew the motion.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to change the meeting night to Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Roll call. Pilger and Hockett voted aye. Crowner voted nay. Johnson and Lees abstained. Motion failed.

Review City Hall Design with Architect Metzger Johnson – Dave Metzger and Martin Salino-Hugg with Metzger Johnson reviewed the design of the new City Hall with the Council.

Hockett said all of the people he talks to want the new building to be one floor. He also said we should contact people who manufacture buildings to see what is available. He also said he thinks 8,000 should be sufficient for the number of people who use the building. A single story with at least one half basement should be sufficient. He said it took the City 90 years to outgrow the old building. He said we should have given the architects a budget in the beginning.

Crowner said he believes the original design is too big. He thinks one story with the maximum basement should be sufficient. He also does not want the Council Chambers on the second floor.

Trousil said he likes the second floor. He is concerned about water in the basement. He also said the two stories should not exceed 30 feet.

Lees and Pilger expressed concern that one floor is not enough. They were also leery of a basement and possible water problems.

After considerable discussion it was agreed to hold a Work Session on April 29 at 5:30 to review each department’s requirements. This will require a written report from each department head.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

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

______________________________ __________________________________

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

Back to Minutes