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

A.  Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – September 22, 2003

B.  Monthly Financial Report – September

C.  Training for Police Officer Bonar – IDIAI Education Conference

D.  Adding Chase Johnson to the Membership Rolls of the Fire Department

E.  Payment to City of Burlington – County Wide Communications - $2,927.67

F.  Payment to Burlington Municipal Waterworks – September Water - $17,383.11

G.  Payment to Mid-Land Equipment – Backhoe Repair - $1,281.63

H.  Purchase of Blower for Sewer Plant - $3,512.33

I.   Purchase of Dial Alarm for West Lift Station - $1,818

J.   Payment to Quad City Water Treatment Co. – Wastewater Tests - $1,115

K.  Payment of Dues to Southeast Iowa Safety and Support Organization - $2,923.73

L.  Fireworks Display Permit for West Burlington Schools – Homecoming October 17

M.  Payment of Claims as Presented

Ordinance Regarding the Franchise Agreement for Interstate Power & Light Company – First Reading – Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the First Reading of an Ordinance approving the Franchise Agreement for Interstate Power & Light Company. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Lees, Crowner, Pilger and Johnson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Resolution Waiving the Second and Third Consideration and Approving Ordinance – Because there were only 3 Council Members present this Resolution was not considered.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

UTILITIES – Mayor Trousil said the Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue project was delayed because of Quest. He said they should be here next week to relocate their gear further north, about 10 feet. Council Member Lees asked if we should consider imposing a penalty for utility companies that do not get their work done timely and causes delays for projects.

Council Member Crowner suggested someone, either Public Works or the Police Department, take a tour of the City and record street lights that are out or not working properly. This list should be provided to Alliant for repairs.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Administrator Mandsager said we need to schedule a Work Session to discuss a Police Vehicle Policy with Chief Oblein. It was agreed the Work Session will be held on Monday, October 20.

Fire Chief Astfalk said the Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast on Saturday was a huge success. He said they grossed approximately, $3,400.

Police Chief Oblein reported on topics of interest in his department.

The new Police Officer, Eldon Melssen, is in training and progressing well.

The new police vehicles are striped; radio equipment ordered through the 911 Trust and they are waiting to order any city funded equipment.

They have a good price on radars for the units, but are waiting on Council approval to order them.

He received a call concerning the center lane markings in the turn lane on Agency Road. He has looked at it and it appears to be correctly marked.

Training – Night qualifications are scheduled for later this month. The Chief received his ILEECP training last week. (Iowa Law Enforcement Emergency Care Provided). Several officers were NCIC certified last week.

He also said he is putting the electronic speed counter in various locations.

FINANCE – There was nothing to report.

STREETS – Council Member Lees wondered if we need to put up a sign on Highway 61 notifying traffic when North Gear Avenue will be closed.

SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

Consider Ordinance Concerning the Term of the Fire Chief – First Consideration – Mayor Trousil said he and Administrator Mandsager met with members of the Fire Department recently. One of the items they discussed was the term of the Fire Chief. They agreed the term should be increased from two to three years. They felt the longer term would be more conducive to effective leadership.

Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve the first consideration of the ordinance changing the term of the Fire Chief from two years to three. Roll call. Ayes: Lees, Hockett and Crowner. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Vehicle and Additional Fire Safety House Items – Fire Department Administrator Mandsager said the City received additional funding from Safe Kids to assist with additional options for the Fire Safety House and to assist with the purchase of the tow vehicle. The Fire Safety House was purchased for $33,200. He proposed purchasing additional equipment amounting to $1,258 and a pickup truck from Deery Brothers for $22,800.

Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve the purchase of equipment and a truck for $24,058. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Meller Excavating for Street Resurfacing Project – Crowner moved, second by Lees, to approve payment in the amount of $175,745.98 to Meller Excavating for work completed on the Street Resurfacing Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting for Glasgow and Longmeadow Project – Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve payment in the amount of $3,859.42 for work completed on the Glasgow and Longmeadow Paving Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

The Council Members agreed prior to acceptance of the project and release of retainage, we need to make sure all property owners affected by the project are satisfied with the condition of their properties adjacent to where the construction occurred.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting for Agency Road Project – Crowner moved, second by Lees, to approve payment in the amount of $85,208.86 for work completed on the Agency Road Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Administrator Mandsager said the contractor repaired the cracks that appeared in the curb and gutter that runs parallel to Wal-Mart by removing and replacing 4’ to 6’ long sections instead of 15’ sections that were originally requested by the City.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting for Brushtown Road & N. Gear Utility Improvement Project – Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve payment in the amount of $123,478.86 to Shipley Contracting for work completed on the Brushtown Road and N. Gear Avenue Utility Project. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to First Construction Group for City Hall Project – Crowner moved, second by Lees, to approve payment in the amount of $86,528.85 to First Construction Group for work completed on the City Hall Project. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Metzger Johnson for City Hall Project – Crowner moved, second by Lees, to approve payment in the amount of $7,538.16 to Metzger-Johnson for work completed on the New City Hall Project. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay. Motion carried.

Consider Ordinance Concerning Open Burning – First Consideration – Lees moved, second by Crowner, to table this Ordinance until the next Council Meeting, October 27. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Resolution Approving a Commercial Tax Abatement Application for Midwest Vinyl Products – Lees moved, second by Crowner, to table this Resolution until the next Council Meeting, October 27. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

There was none.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES – Doris Young, 222 Swan Street, asked how she could get information about the agenda before the meeting. She was told agendas are posted on the bulletin board on Friday prior to Council Meetings. Council Meetings are scheduled for the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Dan Hockett reviewed a report from the Des Moines Register concerning water rates across the country. He said West Burlington rates are the highest in this area and also higher than other larger cities. He would like to see West Burlington’s water rates lowered.

CLOSED SESSION: City Administrator Evaluation (Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(i)) – Lees moved, second by Hockett, to go into Closed Session in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(i) to evaluate the City Administrator, who had requested a Closed Session. Roll call. Ayes: Hockett, Crowner and Lees. Nays: None. Motion carried.

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:43 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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