Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented except for corrections to the Minutes. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

A.  Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – August 11, 2003

B.  Monthly Financial Report for July

C.  Payment to Quad City Water Treatment – Wastewater Tests - $1,305

D.  Payment to Des Moines County D.P. – Law Enforcement Computer Services - $1,185.48

E.  Payment to McClure Engineering for Agency Road Project - $1,456

F.  Purchase of Blower for Sewer Plant from USA Bluebook - $1,687.50

G.  Payment of Claims as Presented

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:

Sherry Koestner told the Council she is the new reporter with the Des Moines County News. She said she would be attending meetings when possible and writing reports for the newspaper.

STREETS – Consider Parking Regulations – Administrator Mandsager said he has been working on parking issues related to the City Hall Construction. He said he talked to the Bank and they agreed to provide 5 parking spaces from their parking lot. He talked to Vickie’s Country Thyme and discussed allowing her employees to park in front of the driveway/loading zone. He said the police department could issue parking permits for those employees. He also suggested angled parking on Wheeler St. from Broadway Street west ½ block to the alley. Mandsager also said officials at the Post Office and Jones Carhart are interested in limiting parking in front of their establishments to 1 hour.

The Council discussed different options in an attempt to minimize inconvenience during the construction period.

All of the above listed items will be started immediately except for the 1 hour parking at the Post Office and Jones. An Ordinance will be presented at the next Council Meeting to address 1 hour parking.

Administrator Mandsager recommended appointing Police Chief Alex Oblein to the Airport Authority Board as the City’s representative. He said the Chief used to be an air traffic controller. Mandsager said he has been filling that position for some time while looking for a replacement.

Pilger moved, second by Crowner, to appoint Alex Oblein as the City’s representative on the Airport Authority Board and Gregg Mandsager as the alternative. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

The poor condition of the railroad tracks on Gear Avenue was discussed again. Administrator Mandsager said he has called them before and he will call again.

SANITATION – Fall Clean-Up – October 6 and 13 – The Council agreed, as recommended by Public Works Director Fry, to have Fall Clean-Up for Monday, October 6, on Broadway Street and east; and Monday, October 13, for west of Broadway.

UTILITIES – Administrator Mandsager said he sent a letter to four residents on N. Gear Avenue in connection with the Brushtown Road Project. He said the letter states if he does not receive their temporary easements prior to September 15, they will no longer be eligible to receive residential water service and well closure at no cost to them. The Council asked Mandsager to distribute a copy of the letter to them.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Street Closure for Fire Department Annual Breakfast – Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve closing Glasgow Street from Broadway Street one half block to the west for the Fire Department’s Annual Breakfast. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Police Chief Oblein said he is on the Advisory Board for Homeland Security Assessment. He said Des Moines County has learned they have received two homeland security grants, one specifically for equipment and the other for equipment, training, exercises, and planning, in the amount of $234,968.33. He said in order for the County to receive the money we must complete a detailed homeland assessment by November 15. The assessment will include parts for Public Works, Law Enforcement, Fire Department, Public Health, Health Care and EMS. He said it is very important these assessments be filled out accurately and completely within the time frame designated.

Mayor Trousil said he had a call from a resident asking if the City Council was going to consider a ban on burning leaves this fall. He asked staff to get copies of plans from other communities to consider.

Council Member Hockett said he would like to offer an alternative to burning to residents. He said a leaf vacuum would be a good option to consider. He said he would like to offer an alternative to outlying property owners with larger properties.

FINANCE – Council Member Hockett said he would like to see how City Hall is going to be financed. He said this should be in order by now. Administrator Mandsager said it is not a matter of how; he said it is clearly Tax Increment Financing and Local Option Sales Tax. He said the City has a TIF loan at the bank in the amount of $1,000,000; Local Option Sales Tax in the amount of at least $400,000 and sufficient funds in the water and sewer funds for loans that could be payable with Tax Increment Financing.

Consider Pay Request for Shipley Contracting – Administrator Mandsager said a walk-through was conducted last week to determine areas of the project that need completion. He said the contractor will re-seed areas that are not growing except for weeds. He said they will also need to rake and pick out rocks that are there.

The Engineer, Don Jordison with French-Reneker, said there are two sections of concrete that need to be cut out and re-paved. He said this is necessary because of cracks that have materialized. He also reminded the Council of the 4-year maintenance bond provided by the contractor for the project for problems that may appear in the future. He said the bond pays for replacement cost; it does not include depreciation.

Council Member Johnson asked if the cracks were caused by improperly mixed cement. Jordison said the contractor tests the concrete following the specifications outlined in the plans and specifications for the project. He said the contractor is responsible for quality control. He said in his opinion the contractor fulfilled this obligation. He said they use the DOT specified mix.

The Council agreed to allow affected residents credit on their utility bill for water used to water these areas.

Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve payment in the amount of $35,527.61 to Shipley Contracting for the Glasgow and Longmeadow Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Alley Rehabilitation Between Wheeler Street and Mt. Pleasant Street – Administrator Mandsager said he had asked French-Reneker to explore the options for improving the north half of the alley between Wheeler Street and Mt. Pleasant Street. Mr. Jordison presented the following options to consider: 1) mill and overlay HMA with inverted crown at center of alley; and 2) reconstruct alley with PCC pavement and corrected pavement. The estimated cost for Option 1 is $10,522; Option 2 is $4,400. Jordison said the reconstruction alternative provides a more permanent solution to the problem but is the most cost alternative. He said assuming that funding is available, they recommend this approach.

The Council discussed whether the City should consider postponing this work because of the parking problems on Broadway caused by the construction of the New City Hall.

Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to table until the next Council Meeting.

Resolution Awarding Contract for Mt. Pleasant Street & Gear Avenue Project – Johnson moved, second by Lees, to approve a Resolution awarding the contract for the Mt. Pleasant Street & Gear Avenue Project to the low bidder Shipley Contracting in the amount of $163,795.35. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Pilger, Crowner, Hockett and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Council Member Crowner expressed concern about North Gear Avenue being closed for pavement work when the project begins. He wondered if the work could be staged to prevent inconveniencing vehicular traffic during construction. Brian Willham with Snyder & Associates will check with the Engineers and get back to us.

Consider Payment to Snyder & Associates for the Mt. Pleasant Street & South Gear Traffic Signal Project Johnson moved, second by Crowner, to approve payment to Snyder & Associates in the amount of $9,990 for the Mt. Pleasant Street and South Gear Avenue Traffic Signal Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Child Safety House and Van –Administrator Mandsager said the City was awarded the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $49,500 (Federal Share $44,550, Local Match $4,950). He said the Grant is for the Fire Safety House, a computer and a vehicle to tow the safety house. Mandsager said another local group wishes to supply an additional $22,000 for equipment to be used in conjunction with the safety house and vehicle. Mandsager also said bids are currently being taken for a four-door truck to be used by the department for towing of the safety house and for training.

The Department received two bids for the Safety House; one bid was in the amount of $34,659 from Surrey; and one from Scotty in the amount of $33,200. The department recommends purchasing from Scotty.

Crowner moved, second by Lees, to purchase the Child Safety House in the amount of $32,000 from Scotty. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Police Vehicles – Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve the purchase of two police vehicles from the Kansas Highway Patrol. One would be a 2000 and one a 2001. Police Chief Oblein said he would eventually like to assign vehicles to individual officers. He said historically units assigned to individual officers are better maintained and annual maintenance costs are lower. Voice vote. All ayes except Johnson who voted nay. Motion carried. Johnson said he would like to have a work session to discuss the philosophy of police vehicles assigned to individual officers.

Consider Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code Concerning Parking Regulations – No action was taken.

Consider Resolution Waiving the Second and Third Reading of an Ordinance – No action was taken.

Consider Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant – Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve contracting with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning to prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City received a grant in the amount of $7,500 with a 25% match from the City. The City Match can be from cash and in-kind services. The in-kind services include City Personnel’s attendance at meetings to work on the plan. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Lees, Crowner, Johnson and Pilger. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Conditional Offer of Employment for Police Officer – Crowner moved, second by Johnson, to approve the conditional offer of employment to Eldon H. Melssen from Strawberry Point, Iowa. According to Police Chief Alex Oblein, the employment would be conditional on successful completion and passing of an MMPI test, passing of an employment physical and DCI and FBI fingerprint clearance. Chief Oblein recommended starting Melssen’s pay at $30,478 per year. Melssen is a certified peace officer in Iowa and has been working as an officer for approximately 16 months. Because of his certification, we will not have to send him to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Melssen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from Upper Iowa University. Melssen will begin work the end of September. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS: There was none.

PROCLAMATION: RED RIBBON WEEK – Mayor Trousil read a Proclamation proclaiming October 23 through October 31, 2003 as Red Ribbon Week.

Steven Swafford, 622 N. Gear Avenue, told the Council he received a letter from the City Administrator notifying him if he failed to return the temporary easement prior to September 15, he would no longer be eligible to participate in the water service and well closure at no cost to him. He said he is not in favor of closing his well because there is no contamination. He asked who determines whether or not contamination exists. Administrator Mandsager said as part of this project the City adopted a well closure ordinance stating if the fear of contamination exists the well will be closed. Swafford said he refuses to close a perfectly good well. Mandsager said the City intends to make a good faith effort to abide by the ordinance.

MAYOR’S INQUIRIES:

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. upon motion by Lees, and second by Pilger. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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