Lees made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve the following Consent Agenda items as presented. Roll call vote. Johnson, Lees, Pilger, Crowner and Raleigh voted aye. Motion carried.

1. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – February 14, 2005

2. Payment to Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission for Pre-Disaster Plan - $7,084.00

3. Purchase of Lockers for Police Department

4. Purchase of Digital Camera for Police Department from Camera Land - $1,802.00 (LLEBG Funds)

5. Payment to City of Burlington for Ambulance Services - $49,849.26

6. Claims List

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: - There were no citizen inquiries.

STREETS – Nothing to report.

SANITATION – Mayor Trousil reminded citizens that Spring Clean-Up will be on April 18^th for residents on Broadway Street and East and April 25^th for residents West of Broadway.

UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Chief Oblein reported that the Police Department had been interviewing candidates for the Police Reserve Unit. The Department has also been conducting in house training.

Fire Chief Kesterke reported that the quote for the new fire truck has had some changes. Administrator Mandsager will present the revised quote to Council at the March 14^th Council Meeting. The Fire Department has also been participating in community functions as part of Public Fire Education.

FINANCE – There was nothing to report.

Consider Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Lots 1 – 19 in Park Place West Estates Subdivision from R-3 (One and Two Family Residential to R-2 (One Family Non-Traditional) – Johnson made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve the second reading of an Ordinance rezoning Lots 1 – 19 in Park Place West Estates Subdivision from R-3 (One and Two Family Residential to R-2 (One Family Non-Traditional). Roll call vote. Lees, Pilger, Crowner, Raleigh and Johnson voted aye. Motion carried.

Consider Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Properties on Brushtown Rd., Mulberry Lane and N. Gear Ave. from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-3 (One and Two Family Residential) – Raleigh made a motion, second by Johnson, to approve the second reading of an Ordinance rezoning properties on Brushtown Rd., Mulberry Lane and N. Gear Ave. from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-3 (One and Two Family Residential). Roll call vote. Pilger, Crowner, Raleigh, Johnson and Lees voted aye. Motion carried

Administrator Mandsager explained that $5,000 of the retainage was being held until eight fire proof doors were properly installed at City Hall. Administrator Mandsager reported that the doors had all been replaced and it was now appropriate to release the retainage. Pilger made a motion, second by Raleigh, to approve a Resolution releasing retention monies to First Construction Group for the City Hall Project. Roll call vote. Crowner, Raleigh, Johnson, Lees and Pilger voted aye. Motion carried.

Administrator Mandsager asked the Council to consider removing item 1.7 from the Change Order in the amount of $545.00. Item 1.7 allowed for a special mix of M-4 concrete to allow the alley behind West Burlington Bank to open quickly. Due to a problem the contractor had with cylinder testing the alley was not able to open sooner therefore the City did not receive the benefit of the more expensive concrete. Raleigh made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve Change Order No. 1 for the Pennington, Longmeadow & Swan Paving Project with the removal of item 1.7 in the amount of $545.00 pertaining to M-4 Concrete. Roll call vote. Raleigh, Johnson, Lees, Pilger and Crowner voted aye. Motion carried. The total cost of the change order will be $8,636.76 bringing the cost of the entire project up to $604,367.33.

Consider Payment to Mike Nelson Concrete Paving Co. for Pennington, Longmeadow & Swan Paving – Crowner made a motion, second by Raleigh, to approve a payment to Mike Nelson Concrete Paving Co. in the amount of $8,204.92. The original request was for $8,722.67. Council agreed to decrease this payment by $517.75, which is 95% of the cost for M-4 concrete mix that was removed from Change order No. 1 as discussed in the item above. Roll call vote. Johnson, Lees, Pilger Crowner and Raleigh voted aye. Motion carried

Consider a Resolution Setting a Public Hearing date for the 2005/2006 FY Budget – Crowner made a motion, second by Pilger, to approve a Resolution setting a Public Hearing for March 14^th, 2005 to consider the 2005/2006 FY Budget. Lees, Pilger, Crowner, Raleigh and Johnson voted aye. Motion carried.

Discussed the Proposed Tax Abatement-Urban Revitalization Plan for the City of West Burlington - Administrator Mandsager explained that the Public Hearing for the Urban Revitalization Plan would be held on March 28^th, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. Council discussed various sections of the proposed plan which included the length of the abatement and the timing of the application. Council agreed that ten years was too long to allow tax abatement and agreed that five years would be satisfactory. Council also agreed that the application for tax abatement should be made at the same time the building permit is issued. Council would also like to see a stipulation added that would prevent taxes from being disputed for a certain number of years. Johnson suggested adding a statement that informs the applicant that Tax Increment Financing could not be used in conjunction with tax abatement. Administrator Mandsager will make the changes as discussed and distribute copies to council for their review.

Dan Hockett, 417 Ruthella Dr., asked to address the Council on Tax Abatement. Mr. Hockett asked the Council to consider allowing the Tax Abatement-Urban Revitalization Plan to expire for a year and see how it impacts development. Hockett presented the Council with a Study that was done relating to tax abatement programs in other communities. Hockett stated that the study indicated that tax abatement was more harmful than constructive to several communities around the country and urged the Council to examine the studies.

Discuss 2005/2006 Budget - Administrator Mandsager asked for comments on the proposed FY 2005/2006 Budget. The proposal shows a balanced budget for FY05/06 keeping the city tax rate at $9.75 and increasing various fees such as building permits, fire inspections and garbage collection. The FY05/06 Budget Hearing will be held March 14, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

CITIZEN INQUIRIES: - No inquiries.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month – Mayor Trousil read a proclamation naming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of West Burlington, Iowa.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – Mayor Trousil read a proclamation naming the week of April 10^th as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the City of West Burlington, Iowa.

MAYOR INQUIRIES: - No comments

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. upon motion by Lees  second by Pilger.  Voice Vote:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

Approved Kelly D. Fry, City Clerk

Table of Contents