MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 11, 2005

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 11, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall with Mayor Pro-tem Roger Fritz presiding.  Council members present at roll call were Roger Fritz, John Lee, and Terry Rasmusson.  Absent was mayor Jeri Neely and council member Bob Hanson.  Also present were 10 visitors and members of the community.

 

Motion by Rasmusson, second by Lee to approve the consent agenda containing the following items:  agenda, minutes from the June 27, 2005, meeting as written, treasurer’s report, clerk’s reports, claims as corrected, and tax abatement for Dennis & Cindy McCabe.  All in favor.

 

There was public input at this time from Sheriff Fitzgerald.  He updated the council on funding for the Drug Task Force.  He reported that since the new law (putting products that contain pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy counter) went into effect, the number of Meth Labs in Story County has dropped.  He hopes it will become a National law.  He also reported that the town’s celebration was a success.  People seemed to enjoy the Sheriff’s Department exhibit with the wrecked Corvette.  He asked if the council has any questions or concerns for the Sheriff’s Office.  The council stated the only concern they have is the speeding.

 

Department Head Reports were as follows: 

 

Street Department - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick reported that Ed will be mowing two lots that are overgrown.  Notices were sent to the property owners, but there was no response.  Improvements at the Industrial Park are going good and the contractor feels they will meet the July 31, 2005 deadline.  Fischel’s will be in town this week to seal coat parts of Poplar Street and Elm Street.

 

Water/Wastewater Department - Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dean Uitermark reported the pool ran out of chlorine on July 6^th and had to be shut down.  The Supplier was running short on chlorine the last time they delivered to Roland and were scheduled to be here on July 8^th to refill the chlorine tank.  Dean called them when the pool ran out and they refilled the chlorine tank later that day.  Dean also reported there was a water main break in the pool park on July 1^st and he had Downs Dozing repair it.  Reported that City Clerk Frost told him the water fund had some reserve funds if the city wanted to replace all the 2” water mains on N Main Street and N Cottonwood Street and loop them together at one time instead of doing part of it this budget year and the rest in another budget year.  Consensus of the council was to proceed with doing the complete project this budget year.

 

City Clerk - City Clerk Deneen Frost reported she met with Suzie from EBS regarding the employee’s health insurance.  Unfortunately, rates will be going up.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Fritz declared that this was the time and the place for the public hearing on the Loan Agreement and opened the hearing. 

 

Cathy Steward stated she feels there should be a budget prepared and presented before the council proceeds with funding.  She feels that the library isn’t gaining anything by moving into the hardware store building.  She would like for the council to wait for NLAC (New Library Action Committee) to come back with actual costs.  Council member Fritz explained that NLAC is waiting for the council to decide if they are going to go forward with an option on the building next door before they go to the architect and have them draw up plans and estimate cost. 

 

Tammy Shadlow, NLAC member, explained that the City graciously purchased the hardware store building and they are considering purchasing an option on the building next door.  They would only purchase the building if enough funding was raised.  The loan agreement (reverse referendum) is what the City is willing to go up to.  The rest of the funds will need to be raised through grants and fundraising.

 

Hearing no more oral comments, it was motioned by Rasmusson, seconded by Lee to close the public hearing.  All in favor.

 

Motion by Lee, second by Rasmusson to approve Resolution No. 05-06 entitled, TAKING ADDITIONAL ACTION TO ENTER INTO A LOAN AGREEMENT.  The roll was called for and is as follows:  AYE:  Fritz, Lee, Rasmusson;  NAYS:  none.  Whereupon Mayor Pro-tem Fritz declared the resolution duly adopted and the same placed on file.

 

Motion by Rasmusson, second by Lee to accept the resignation of council member Larry Esk effective July 7, 2005.  All in favor.

 

Motion by Rasmusson, second by Lee to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 49 entitled,  AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ROLAND, IOWA, 2003, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 106.08(1), PERTAINING TO SOLID WASTE COLLECTION FEES.  The roll was called for and is as follows:  AYE:  Fritz, Lee, Rasmusson;  NAYS:  none.  Whereupon Mayor Pro-tem Fritz declared the first reading of Ordinance No. 49 passed.  The second reading of Ordinance 49 is scheduled for the next regular council meeting.

 

The paperwork for the option on purchasing Bill Boyd’s building was not complete at this time.  Council will visit the issue of purchasing Bill Boyd’s building at the next council meeting.

 

There was discussion on the collection of delinquent accounts.  Discussion pertained to filing them in small claims court or finding a company that deals with delinquent account.  City Clerk Frost will talk with the City Attorney and see what all the City will need to do if they file them in small claims court.  City Clerk Frost will provide the council with the information at the next regular scheduled council meeting.

 

There were no Council/Mayor comments at this time

 

There was no public input at this time.

 

With no further business at this time, Rasmusson moved adjournment of the meeting at 7:44 p.m., second by Lee. All in favor.  The next regular Council meeting will be Monday, July 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.