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

A.  Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – May 19, 2003

B.  Safety Coordinators’ Workshop - Sattler

C. Resignation of Volunteer Fireman – Vincent Davis

D.  Blocking Portion of Melville Street for Block Party

E.  Right-of-Way Permit for Central Iowa Power Cooperative of Cedar Rapids

F.  Off Premise Liquor License Renewal for Wal-Mart

G.  Off Premise Liquor License Renewal for Hwy 34 Truckstop

H.  Payment of $1,000 Earnest Money for 311 Broadway

I.  Purchase of Ammunition for Police Department

J.  Payment to Keller & Sons – One-Half Contract – Concession Stand

K.  Payment to Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Refund

L.  Payment to CMS for Software Support - $5,358.65

M.  Payment to Land & Water Vegetation Control – $1,619.89 - Weed Spraying

N.  Payment to Francis Pump & Well Service - $1,000.80 – Beaverdale Area Escrow

O.  Payment to City of Burlington - $2,691.28 – County Wide Communications

P.  Payment to Burlington Municipal Waterworks - $15,759.89 – May Water Purchase

Q.  Payment to Cray, Goddard, Miller & Taylor - $1,320.00 – Legal Fees

R.  Payment of Claims as Presented

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

STREETS – Public Works Director Fry reported the Street Project is progressing. He said Shipley will begin paving tomorrow on Glasgow Street. He said they hope to begin the sewer work on Longmeadow on Wednesday.

Pilger said he did not think the space between the alleys and driveways with curbs. He said this is a nuisance for vehicle traffic as well as snow plows. He said in his opinion the street should be a continuous pour.

Johnson said the Longmeadow residents on the south side of the street would also like the opportunity to replace their sewer line during construction. He said they should receive a letter from the City telling them of their options.

Mandsager noted Shipley will not be determining if the residents have orangeburg pipe. He said we could contact Shipley and ask them if they would work with the residents on the south side as they are doing with residents on the north.

SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

UTILITIES – Public Works Director Fry said the meter replacement project is completed except for one meter. He said that one account’s curb box is under the parking lot and needs to be relocated.

PUBLIC SAFETY – There was nothing to report.

FINANCE – Council Member Lees said she would like the Council to set a Committee Meeting to discuss prospective businesses coming into town. The Council agreed a work session will be held following the next Council Meeting.

Consider Purchase of Tractor for Sewer Department – Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve the purchase of a new tractor to mow the sewage plant and lift stations from Kruse Implement at a cost of $13,125. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Air Release Valve on Gear Avenue – Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve payment for a new air release valve and manhole to be located on Gear Avenue in front of Target. The lowest cost, $12,850 is from Wunderlich Excavation. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Property at 311 Broadway Street – Administrator Mandsager said he negotiated with Re-Max for the purchase of property located at 311 Broadway Street. This is the property next to the Fire Station that the City plans to use for a parking lot. Currently fire fighters use the parking lot across from the church and the street when responding to fire alarms. Mandsager said the property owner accepted the City’s offer of $43,000. He said the offer indicated the City would buy the property "as is" and that the City could remove anything remaining rather than having the owner pay for removal and increase the purchase price.

Mandsager recommended purchasing the property and renting it out until time to construct the parking lot. He said the City currently rents out the property at the intersection of Mt. Pleasant and N. Gear for $400 per month.

Council Member Hockett said when the Council first discussed the property he felt he did not have enough information to make an informed decision. He said in the mean time he has gathered information and had time to think about it. He said he is concerned about losing a home out of the school district that could house students. He is also concerned about taking money from the equipment budget for a parking lot. He said equipment saves lives not parking lots. He said after his fact finding he will vote no to purchase the property.

Council Member Pilger if we are going to rent the property it should be no longer than 6 months. He said he is only in favor of purchasing the property as long as the parking lot is built in the near future.

Council Member Johnson said he is in favor of purchasing the property. Public Works employees will probably do the work so we should wait until next year’s budget.

Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve purchasing the property at 311 Broadway Street for $43,000. Roll call. Ayes: Johnson, Lees, Pilger. Nays: Hockett. Crowner abstained. Motion carried.

The Council agreed to rent the property for a short term.

Consider Annual Contribution to City of Burlington Library – Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the annual contribution in the amount of $16,500 to the City of Burlington Library. This is an increase of $1,500 over past years. Hockett said he has a problem increasing the contribution especially with the budget the Library already has. Crowner said he is concerned about Saturday hours being cut. He is not in favor of that and intends to notify them of this on his own. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay. Motion carried.

Consider Payment in the Amount of $24,510.19 to Shipley Contracting for Glasgow Street Project – Pilger moved, second by Hockett, to approve payment in the amount of $24,510.19 to Shipley Contracting for Glasgow Street. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Establishing Water Rates Effective July 2003 – Administrator Mandsager explained according to City Code water rates increase 5% each year on July 1 unless the increase is waived by resolution of the Council. Hockett said this ordinance should be changed. He said it should either be eliminated or changed to decrease the water rates each July 1. Either way it would still get the attention of the Council to take a look at the rates.

Polly Rein, 417 West Burlington Avenue, asked what happened to the Council’s earlier discussion about water rates? Administrator Mandsager said the Council was deadlocked at the last discussion. Rein said the City should publish the water rate options previously discussed by the Council in the City Newsletter and ask for public comment. She also said the automatic increase law is outdated and should be changed.

Mandsager noted the water the City purchases from the City of Burlington will increase by 15% effective July 1. He said this should be taken into consideration when discussing water rate reduction.

Council Member’s Pilger and Crowner noted the last time water rates were discussed everyone had a different opinion. They agreed without a consensus of Council no direction was given to staff to discuss water rates.

Pilger moved, second by Johnson, to approve a Resolution stating water rates will not increase by five percent effective July 1. The rates will remain the same as the current year. Roll call: Ayes: Hockett, Crowner, Lees, Pilger and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Consider Ordinance Amending the Sign Regulation – Definition of "Canopy" – Third Reading – Mayor Trousil said the proposed Ordinance amends the Sign Regulation by adding the definition of a "canopy" to the sign regulation. Building Inspector Hoy recommended this addition because he said there are a few around town and Murphy Oil will be installing a canopy with company colors when they locate at Wal-Mart.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the third reading of an Ordinance amending the Sign Regulation by adding the definition of canopy. Roll call. Ayes: Johnson, Crowner, Lees, Hockett and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

MAYOR’S INQUIRIES: Norma Jennings, 538 Broadway, told the Council she still wants to vote on the new City Hall. Mayor Trousil said the decision to build the new City Hall was made by the majority of the Council and unless she can change the other Council Members opinion, the decision has been made.

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. upon motion by Lees, and second by Crowner. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk