Lees, second by Johnson, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Trousil acknowledged Fire Chief Astfalk's retirement and thanked him for all his years of service.

A.  Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – November 10, 2003

B.  Removing Steve Hagerla from the rolls of the Fire Department

C.  The Retirement of Fire Chief William Astfalk effective January 5, 2004

D.  The Retirement of Police Officer Richard Turner effective January 2, 2004

E.  Payment to City of Burlington for Ambulance Service - $49,398.44

F.  Purchase of New Air Bottles for Fire Department - $2,612.00

G.  Payment of Claims as Presented

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:

City Administrator Mandsager pointed out that Mayor Trousil had been honored with an award for Outstanding Public Service at the Public Officials Appreciation Breakfast on November 19^th.

FINANCE – Administrator Mandsager said that Department Heads are working on budgets for 2004.

STREETS – Johnson said that N. Gear is open. He questioned why the street hadn’t been opened sooner to local traffic when Shipley’s trucks were driving on it. Administrator Mandsager explained that there was an issue with curing along the curb line that prevented the street from being open sooner.

Darin Litenberg from Snyder & Associates explained that signalization at the Gear Ave. and Mt. Pleasant St. intersection should begin in the next couple of weeks.

SANITATION – There was nothing to report.

UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Chief Oblein explained that the Police Department has been involved with Project Child Safe. During Project Child Safe the Police Department is giving away 700 gunlocks, which are available at City Hall.

The Police Department has been busy over the last few weeks with some major incidents. He commended the Burlington Police Department and the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Department for their support.

Chief Astfalk said that the Fire Department is getting the equipment ready for winter and has fixed a patch on the Fire Department roof. They will be holding nominations for 2004 and are getting ready for the annual Christmas Dinner.

Consider Annual Renewal to Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2004 – Administrator Mandsager explained that our annual premium for health insurance would be increasing from $158,849.40 to $184,357.08. The Plan Administrator (Group Services) has suggested two changes to reduce the increase as much as possible. The changes would be as follows:

1. Office visit co-payment increase from $15 to $20

2. A new $100 single/$200 family deductible for brand name prescriptions.

The new premium would be $165,148.04 with the suggested changes. Pilger made a motion, second by Johnson, to approve the renewal to Blue Cross Blue Shield in the amount of $165,148.04 for 2004 with the suggested changes as discussed. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to French-Reneker for Engineering Services – Less made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve four payments to French-Reneker for various invoices totaling $6,378.45. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Metzger Johnson for Architectural Services for City Hall – Pilger made a motion, second by Johnson, to approve a pay request from Metzger Johnson for architectural services completed on the City Hall project in the amount of $2,922.85. Voice vote. All ayes, except Hockett, who voted nay. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to McClure Engineering for Agency Road Project – Lees made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve payment to McClure Engineering for the Agency Road Project in the amount of $3,906.36. Johnson asked the Engineer from McClure to explain why the entire curb and gutter had not been replaced as they were instructed to do after the October 20^th Council Meeting. The Engineer explained that it was his understanding that only the 15’ panels that were cracked were going to be removed and replaced, not the entire length of the project. Administrator Mandsager explained to the council that the product is now a good product with the same number of curb cuts that were expected when the project was engineered. Pilger expressed his frustration with the way the project was handled. After a short discussion Mayor Trousil called for a voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Pump for West Lift Station – Hockett made a motion, second by Lees, to approve hiring Mississippi Valley Pump to repair the pump at the West Lift Station at a cost of $10,629.10. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Purchase of Dump Truck – Public Works Director Randy Fry proposed the purchase of a 2003 International dump truck from Centre State at a cost of $67,081.00, which would include a plow and spreader. This price also includes trading in our 1981 Ford dump truck. Fry would like to purchase this truck before the end of the year due to a likely price increase with the 2004 series coming out. Hockett made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve the purchase of a 2003 International dump truck from Centre State at a cost of $67,081.00. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Meller Excavation and Resolution Accepting the 2003 Street Resurfacing Project – Pilger made a motion, second by Hockett, to approve payment to Meller Excavating & Ashpalt, Inc. in the amount of $18,653.31 and approve a Resolution accepting the 2003 Street Resurfacing Project. Roll call vote. Pilger, Lees, Hockett, Johnson voted aye. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting and Resolution Accepting the Glasgow and Longmeadow Project – Pilger made a motion, second by Johnson, to approve payment to Shipley Contracting for $39,059.96 and approve a Resolution accepting the Glasgow and Longmeadow Paving Project. Lees asked Don Jordison to look at a couple areas on Swan and Glasgow that still needed to be repaired. Mr. Jordison said that he would bring that to the contractor’s attention, but that they would have to be repaired in the spring due to the weather conditions this time of year. Roll call vote. Lees, Hockett, Johnson, Pilger voted aye. Motion carried.

Don Jordison introduced John Meyer to the Council and announced that he would be semi-retiring in February 2004 from French-Reneker. John Meyer will be taking over for Don and looks forward to working with the City of West Burlington.

Administrator Mandsager explained that he has asked French-Reneker to bring a proposal to December 15^th Council meeting to show the Council how much it would cost to develop a new five-year street improvement plan for the City. Johnson felt that the Council should wait a while to develop a new plan. Administrator Mandsager explained a street improvement plan is a good planning and budgeting tool and asked the Council to consider his request at the next meeting.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting for the Brushtown Road and Gear Avenue Project – Lees made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve payment to Shipley Construction in the amount of $82,256.42. Kelly Wills, 1117 Brushtown Rd., expressed some concerns she had with the project. She said she would like to see more rock on the road and the yards leveled out. She was unhappy with the installation of the water and sewer at her residents. Darrin Litenberg with Snyder & Associate explained that the project was not complete and that there were issues that still needed to be addressed in the project. Darrin made a list of Mrs. Wills concerns and will address them with the contractor. Voice vote. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Consider Payment to Shipley Contracting for the Agency Road Project – Hockett made a motion, second by Lees, to approve payment to Shipley Contracting for the Agency Road Project in the amount of $18,293.35. Voice vote. All voted aye except Johnson who voted nay. Motion carried.

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. upon motion by Lees, and second by Pilger. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Approved Kelly Fry for Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk