MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR SESSION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010

 

Note:  The following minutes were approved by the Roland, Iowa, City Council at the council’s March 8, 2010, meeting.

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 22, 2010, at 6:00 pm, at the Roland City Hall, with Mayor Roger Fritz presiding.  Council members present at roll call were:  Duane Canny, Larry Ford, Corey Johnson (telephonically), and Jeri Neely.  Absent was Council Member Erin Varley.  Also present were Street Superintendent Harold Hovick and 8 visitors and members of the community.

 

It was moved by Ford, seconded by Canny to approve the consent agenda which contained the following items:  February 22, 2010 agenda, minutes from the February 8, 2010 meeting, as written, Clerk/Treasurer reports, and claims as submitted.  All were in favor.

 

There was public input at this time from Deputy Leanna Ellis.  She reported that the Sheriff’s Office is trying to stay within its budget and asked if anyone has any concerns she could report back to the Sheriff.  

 

Department Head Reports were as follows: 

 

Street Department - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick had nothing to report at this time.  Mayor Fritz passed on a compliment he received to Harold regarding knocking back the snow piles on the corners so residents can see around them.

 

Water/Wastewater Departments – Harold reported that he has not done anything with the dialer at the wastewater plant yet.  He is waiting to see who the City hires so their phone number can be added.

 

City Clerk - City Clerk Deneen Frost had nothing to report at this time.

 

Tim Siefert was present to see what the council decided on his two (2) snow violation tickets he asked to have forgiven.  It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Ford, not to forgive the two (2) snow violation tickets.  All were in favor.

 

City Attorney Tom Wynia was present to give the council an update on the property at 209 S Cottonwood Street.  There was one creditor that did respond to the notices that were sent out.  This means that the City will have to have a hearing on the property in front of a Judge.  The date for the hearing has been set as April 30, 2010.  Tom would like to have the City Inspector and City Clerk at the hearing to take the stand regarding the condition of the property and when the utilities were turned off.  Once the hearing is over, the Judge will determine if the property is abandoned or not.  If the Judge determines the property to be abandoned, then the Judge will transfer ownership of the property to the City.

 

City Attorney Wynia also reported on the property at 113 E Maple Street.  He said that he has been in contact with the property owner’s Attorney Bob Huffer on the items that were discussed previously and Attorney Huffer was going to contact his client and pass along the information.  As of now, he hasn’t heard anything back from Attorney Huffer.

 

Jonathan Eickholt was present to ask the council if they would be willing to sell off part of the property they purchased behind the property he is looking at purchasing.  Currently, there is not a lot of room for a backyard.  He’d like the additional space for a garden and orchard.  The council stated they will need to contact the family they purchased the property from, as there were restrictions on the use of the property.  They will also need to contact the Park Board to see if they would be in favor of the sale.  City Clerk Frost will contact the family members to see if they would be receptive to the sale.  She will contact Mr. Eickholt when she gets the information.  Street Superintendent Hovick stated that the council needs to decide if there is going to be a street from Arthur Street to Bryan Street.  If not, the City might consider giving the property back to the developer.  The developer may be able to divide it out and make three (3) lots out of the two (2) lots and designated street area.  This will also be taken to the Park Board to see if they had any plans if the street was to go through.

 

Library Board members Marvin Wright, Steve Olson and Jerry Handsaker were present to give an update on the remodeling of 221 N Main Street.  They presented sketches and color schemes of what the remodeling will look like when it is complete.  There will be some variation in the carpeting, as going with the squares as shown is significantly more expensive than purchasing it in rolls; unless an individual(s) or organization(s) would like to donate the extra funds needed to complete the carpeting as shown.  Currently, the bathrooms are all framed up and volunteers are sheet rocking the office areas.

 

They received an initial proposal for the furnishings in the amount of $38,000 for the sketch as shown.  They have made some changes, with the carpet being the major one, to bring the costs down to $30,000. 

They would like to have the City amend the resolution that gave them the authority to spend funds from the Library Trust funds from $50,000 to $63,000.  Along with the $13,000 from the Library Trust fund, one of the Foundation’s donors has requested that $10,000 of the amount they donated be allocated for the new furnishings.  The Library Board will also be asking the Library Foundation for an additional $15,000 of the donated funds.  Most of the furnishings that are being purchased for the remodeling will be transferred to the new library at the Coop site once it is built.  They hope to have an answer from the Foundation by the next council meeting.

 

Jerry asked about ordering the furnishings without having the funds secured.  They’d like to order the furnishings and have the City cover the costs until the Board has successfully secured the funds.  Consensus of the council was to have them order the items that will take the longest to get here and then order the rest of the items as they have the funds to do so.

 

City Clerk Frost was directed to draft a resolution allowing the Library Board to spend an additional $13,000 from the Library Trust fund.  The sketches and color schemes that were presented to the council will be placed in the front window of 221 N Main Street so residents can stop by and see what they have planned.  City Clerk Frost will also have the sketches and schemes placed on the City’s webpage.

 

It was moved by Canny, seconded by Neely to approve Mayor Fritz’s appointment of Bruce Gauley to the Library Board to fill the vacancy left by Dave Meier, with the term to expire June 30, 2010.  AYES:  Canny, Ford, Neely; NAYS:  Johnson, he feels they should appoint someone who has children and uses the Library.  Mayor Fritz declared the motion carried.

 

There was discussion on the applicants that were interviewed for the Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s position.  CM Ford stated the Administrative Committee interviewed three (3) applicants.  He went over the pros and cons for each applicant. CM Ford answered questions from the Mayor and Council members regarding the applicants.  After discussion it was moved by Canny, seconded by Johnson to approve the recommendation of the Administrative Committee to hire Nathan J. Hovick as the Water/Wastewater Superintendent for Roland and to approve Resolution No. 10-02 entitled, RESOLUTION HIRING A WATER/WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT AND SETTING WAGES.  The roll was called for and is as follows: AYES:  Canny, Ford, Johnson, Neely; NAYS:  none.  Whereupon Mayor Fritz declared the resolution duly adopted and the same placed on file.

 

Council/Mayor comments consisted of the following:  CM Neely inquired about the bids that were received for the resurfacing of the alley behind Salem Church.  There was a comment on the Speed Sign not working properly.  Harold states that when the sensors get covered by the snow it drains the batteries.  Once the snow has melted, the batteries recharge and it works properly again. 

 

There was no public input at this time.

 

With no further business at this time, Neely moved adjournment of the meeting at 6:56 pm; seconded by Canny.  All were in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, March 8, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

FEBRUARY CLAIMS

 

 

GENERAL FUND

 

 

 

 

Fire Dept.

 

 

Ed M Feld Equipment Co.

scott air bags inspection/repairs

 $       910.54

Iowa Fire Chiefs Association

2010 membership dues

 $         25.00

Sandry Fire Supply

hose/helmet/name patch/pants

 $       584.07

Story City Building Products

materials for railing per Ins Co

 $       206.17

 

Total Fire Dept.

 $    1,725.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roland Response Team

 

 

Mary Greeley Medical Center

Update 2010 conference

 $       150.00

Story City Building Products

materials for railing per Ins Co

 $       206.18

 

Total Roland Response Team

 $       356.18

 

 

 

Library

 

 

EFTPS

fed/ss/med

 $       362.82

Business Card (Platinum Plus)

prog-off spls/mag renewals/cd's/dvd's/postage

 $    1,943.12

City Employees

wages

 $    1,422.82

 

Total Library

 $    3,728.76

 

 

 

Swimming Pool

 

 

Ia Dept of Public Health

2010 pool registration

 $         35.00

 

Total Swimming Pool

 $         35.00

 

 

 

Policy & Administration

 

 

EFTPS

fed/ss/med

 $       418.86

Business Card

office supplies

 $       194.60

IKON Office Solutions

copier lease

 $       172.00

Ia Assoc of Regional Councils

09-10 Employment Law Handbook

 $       125.00

JBD Enterprises

web page maintenance - Jan '10

 $         73.00

Kabel Business Services

hra payment - Deneen

 $       829.32

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

March '10 premium

 $       808.43

City Employees

wages

 $    1,095.21

 

Total Policy & Admin.

 $    3,716.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL GENERAL

 $    9,562.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD USE

 

 

EFTPS

fed/ss/med

 $       376.59

Farm Plan

hydraulic oil - tractor

 $         24.95

Hallett Materials

ice control sand

 $         86.54

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

March '10 premium

 $       808.43

City Employees

wages

 $    1,528.92

 

TOTAL ROAD USE

 $    2,825.43

 

 

 

WATER

 

 

Kabel Business Services

hra payment - Deneen

 $       414.66

State of Iowa

sale tax

 $       888.00

 

TOTAL WATER

 $    1,302.66

 

 

 

SEWER

 

 

EFTPS

fed/ss/med

 $         82.96

Business Card (Platinum Plus)

DNR permit fee

 $         85.00

Kabel Business Services

hra payment - Deneen

 $       414.66

Management and Operational Resc

basic ww class - Mar 1& 2, 8 & 9

 $       579.00

City Employees

wages

 $       427.61

 

 

 $    1,589.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAND TOTAL

 $  15,279.46

 

_____________________________________                   __________________________________________

Roger Fritz, Mayor                                                         Deneen Frost, City Clerk

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