MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION

JULY 24, 2006

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 24, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall with Mayor Samuel Juhl presiding.  Council members present at roll call were:  Duane Canny, Roger Fritz, Bob Hanson, John Lee, and Jeri Neely.  Also present were 7 visitors and members of the community.

 

Motion by Hanson, second by Canny to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: agenda, minutes from the July 10, 2006, meeting as written, clerk’s reports, treasurer’s reports, and claims as submitted.  All were in favor.

 

There was public input at this time from Rick DeWald.  He provided the council with a copy of the minutes from the June 26, 2006 meeting highlighting the corrections he’d like to have made to them.

 

Department Head reports are as follows:

 

Streets - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick reported Manatt’s is planning on doing R77 within the next couple of weeks.  He’d like to know if the council is still interested in having them do S. Cottonwood Street at the same time.  Council member Fritz asked if there were projects that would not be able to be done if they proceeded with the S. Cottonwood Street project.  Harold said at this time no.  Consensus of the council was to proceed with resurfacing S. Cottonwood Street.  Council member Fritz also asked who’s responsibility it was to spray the weeds on streets with curb and gutter.  Harold stated that when there was two full time employees, they took care of it.  Now since it’s just him, he tries to get to it when he has time.  And he hasn’t had time to get to it yet this year.  Council member Neely asked if Harold has heard anything from Alliant on painting the light poles.  Harold said no, but he’d try and contact them before the next meeting.

 

Water/Wastewater – City Clerk Deneen Frost reported that they have received a letter from Sharon Selch’s attorney regarding the easement on her property.  It has been sent to the City’s attorney for review.

 

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

 

Superintendent Mike Billings, School Board members Brian Holm and Craig Anderson were present to update the council on the building and grounds improvements being looked at for the Middle School in Roland.  They are looking at leveling the floor in the downstairs lockers rooms, expanding to the south creating a multi-purpose room and the addition of two locker rooms.  Something similar to what they did at the Elementary School.  The addition will be approximately 13,000 square feet and will have two separate entrances so it could be utilized by the community when not being used by the school.  They are looking at using the funds received from the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy), if it passes in September, local option sales tax monies and the income tax surcharge.  They’d like to have the council on board with the project and consider it for further discussion.

 

Library Board President Rick DeWald was present to discuss the amount of funding needed for the Library Project and to set the date for the referendum (vote) on the amount.  Rick stated that the Library Board approved the recommendation of the Building & Design Committee to go with Plan C.  This entails purchasing and demolishing the Bill Boyd building, demolishing the current building (formerly known as Wright Hardware Store) and constructing a new 9,000 square foot building.  Of the 9,000 square feet, 5,550 square feet will be finished through this project and the remaining 3,500 square feet will be finished as funds are available.  The estimated cost of the project is $917,000.00 - $1,100,000.00.  This total is for construction, engineering and architectural cost only.  There are no furnishing included in the total.

 

Rick passed out a list of things that needs to be completed by the council.  Rick stated that the Library Board would like to have the election on the referendum with the November 7th General Election in the amount of $550,000.00.  In order to have the referendum on the ballot for the November 7th election, the “question” needs to be written by an Attorney and approved by the council before August 30th.  If this is not feasible, the second option is to have a special election on October 10th.  Rick stated the Foundation is confident they can raise $500,000.00 through grants, donations and contributions.  Several of the council members asked how they are planning on furnishing the new library.  Rick stated their main goal is to get the building constructed.  They can use the old shelves and furnishings until donations and contributions come it to pay for new ones.

 

Several of the council members stated their concern with tearing down the existing building.  They feel it can be utilized.  Council member Fritz asked if the consensus of the council was to go ahead with the referendum in the amount of $550,000.00.  Council members Canny, Fritz, Hanson and Neely all agreed to let the public decided.  Council member Lee stated he’s against the referendum because of the amount of money the Library Board is asking for.  Rick stated the Library Board is aware it’s a lot of money.  Roland has a strong future and it’s going to get stronger.  He stated that it is obvious that the council is uncomfortable spending that kind of money without the citizens input.  With the referendum, it will be the choice of the citizens.

 

There was a short discussion on removing the two buildings on the east side of the street and constructing the new library building there.  Corey Johnson, Chair of the Building and Design Committee, stated they looked at that, but it will not give them the 9,000 square feet they want.  Council member Canny stated he doesn’t feel the Library will ever be able to fill a 9,000 square foot building.  There was also discussion on the fact that the program room should be 1,400 square feet, but they are only allowing for 1,000 square feet.

 

City Clerk Frost will contact Bonding Attorney Bob Josten and have him draw up the necessary papers so the referendum can be placed on the November 7th ballot.  Some of the items the council would like included in the “Question” are:  1)  total cost of the project will be approximately $1,100,000.00; 2)  the $1,100,000.00 does not include any furnishings; 3) bond issue not to exceed $550,000.00; 4) the $550,000.00 will be used for construction and bonding fees only; 5) the $550,000.00 will not be bonded for until the Foundation raises $500,000.00 of its $550,000.00 through grants, donations and contributions; 6) approximate amount taxes will increase per $1000.00.

 

Council member Hanson left at 8:28 p.m..

 

It was motioned by Canny, seconded by Lee to defer discussion on the employee’s health insurance until the quotes from the other insurance company come in.  All were in favor.

 

Council/Mayor comments consisted of the following:  Council member Canny thinks there is a vehicle on W. Main Street that might be in violation of the junk vehicle ordinance.  The required correspondence will be sent if the vehicle is in violation.

 

Council member Neely left at 8:40 p.m..

 

There was no public input at this time.

 

With no further business at this time, Lee moved adjournment of the meeting at 8:41 p.m., seconded by Canny.  All were in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, August 14, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

 

JUNE RECEIPTS

 

 

General Fund

 $156,755.82

 

Road Use Tax

$   8,316.55

 

TIF

$ 83,316.68

 

Economic Development

$   5,259.68

 

Meter Deposit

$      308.78

 

Library Trust Fund

$      105.36

 

Debt Service

$       333.19

 

Capital Projects

$               - 

 

Water Utility

$ 15,322.66

 

Sewer Utility

$    8,988.13

 

 

 

 

      TOTAL        

$278,706.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JULY CLAIMS

 

 

GENERAL FUND

 

 

 

 

Fire

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $        94.41

 

Total Fire Dept.

 $        94.41

 

 

 

Street Lights

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $   1,671.26

 

Total Street Lights

 $   1,671.26

 

 

 

Library

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $      275.06

Platinum Plus

prog-office supplies/cds/videos/postage

 $      514.45

Wal-Mart

prog-bldg supplies, videos

 $      174.09

City Employees

wages

 $   1,365.17

 

Total Library

 $   2,328.77

 

 

 

Museum

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $        33.93

 

Total Museum

 $        33.93

 

 

 

Park

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $      118.13

 

Total Park

 $      118.13

 

 

 

Cemetery

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $        31.32

 

Total Cemetery

 $        31.32

 

 

 

Swimming Pool

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $   2,146.44

Hawkins Water Treatment

chlorine

 $   1,617.24

Story City Herald

water aerobic ad

 $          5.00

City Employees

wages

 $   3,465.09

 

Total Swimming Pool

 $   7,233.77

 

 

 

Policy & Administration

 

 

Brekken, Wynia & Cook

legal fees (Jan - June)

 $      600.00

Iowa League of Cities

construction bidding workshop

 $        35.00

Platinum Plus

cell phones (2)

 $      199.90

Quill

(5) custom printed, pre-number cash receipt books

 $        28.31

Story City Herald

publications, B of A notice

 $      145.90

 

Total Policy & Admin.

 $   1,009.11

 

 

 

 

TOTAL GENERAL

 $ 12,520.70

 

 

 

ROAD USE

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $        81.19

Iowa Department of Transportation

(2) plastic orange fences

 $      249.46

Platinum Plus

cell phone, carrying case

 $      144.90

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

August premium

 $      392.74

City Employees

wages

 $   1,116.59

 

TOTAL ROAD USE

 $   1,984.88

 

 

 

METER DEPOSITS

 

 

Burres, Aaron

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

Giddings, Amy

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

Hardnock, Jasen

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

Miller, Mike

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

Moats, Steven

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

Sanderson, John

meter deposit refund

 $      100.00

 

TOTAL METER DEPOSIT

 $      600.00

 

 

 

WATER

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $   1,698.89

Hawkins Water Treatment

chlorine

 $      533.60

Iowa One Call

locates

 $        11.25

Platinum Plus

cell phone, carrying case

 $        72.45

Quill

(5) custom printed, pre-number cash receipt books

 $        28.32

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

August premium

 $      785.48

City Employees

wages

 $   2,426.92

 

TOTAL WATER

 $   5,556.91

 

 

 

SEWER

 

 

Alliant Energy

gas & electric

 $      624.59

Hall Backhoe & Trenching

repair belly in sewer line at the Industrial Park

 $      980.00

Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources

annual NPDES permit fee

 $      210.00

Iowa One Call

locates

 $        11.25

Platinum Plus

cell phone, carrying case

 $        72.45

Quill

(5) custom printed, pre-number cash receipt books

 $        28.32

 

TOTAL SEWER

 $   1,926.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAND TOTAL

 $ 22,589.10

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________                                          __________________________________

Samuel Juhl, Mayor                                                                                             Deneen Frost, City Clerk

 

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