MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 25, 2005

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 24, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall with Mayor Jeri Neely presiding.  Council members present at roll call were:  Roger Fritz, Bob Hanson, John Lee, and Terry Rasmusson.  Also present were 4 visitors and members of the community.

 

Motion by Lee, second by Fritz to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: agenda, minutes from the July 11, 2005, meeting as written, clerk’s reports, claims as submitted, and the Class “C” beer permit for Casey’s General Store.  All in favor.

 

There was no public input at this time.

 

The Department Heads report were as follows: 

 

Streets - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick reported the road at Industrial Park was not graded properly.  They will need to tear out certain sections, add rock and regrade.  Council member Fritz asked about the crack in the new section of Bryan Avenue.  Harold said he thinks that will be covered under Jack’s 2 year warranty.  Mayor Neely said she would check with Jack.  Harold reported the seal coating went OK.  Council member Rasmusson said that he has received several comments on why the City wastes the money to seal coat.  Harold said it’s to keep the streets that don’t have curb & gutter and won’t be getting asphalt in somewhat good condition.

 

Water/Wastewater - Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dean Uitermark reported the first segment of the 2” water main replacement on N. Cottonwood and N. Main is complete.  This part of the segment replaced the 2” main on N. Cottonwood St. from Ash St. to Jim Taylor’s.  The new main was put into service today.  The last part of the segment will be later this fall when the crops are out.  This part of the segment will replace the 2” main on N. Main from Ash St. and loop it to N. Cottonwood through the field.

 

City Clerk- City Clerk Deneen Frost had nothing to report at this time.  Mayor Neely asked about deposits.  She will stop up at City Hall one day and see how they are done.

 

There was discussion on appointing a new council member to replace the vacant seat left by the resignation of council member Larry Esk.  Council member Lee stated that he feels they should appoint someone from the east side of town.  Mayor Neely stated that she doesn’t feel in this town that makes any difference.  Council member Hanson stated it doesn’t really matter as long as they appoint someone who has some business knowledge and wants to work (help).  There was discussion on the list of applicants provided to them by City Clerk Frost.  Mayor Neely stated that Larry Ford won’t fight for the position.  She said she’d been talking to Roger and she’d be willing to do it.  Council member Fritz asked if the council were to appoint Jeri to fill the vacant council seat, would they have to wait until next meeting to appoint someone to fill the vacancy for Mayor and publish a notice in the paper.  City Clerk Frost replied yes.  Council member Lee stated he feels that would be a lot of hassle.  Motion by Lee to appoint Jerry Spencer to fill the vacant council seat, contingent upon receipt of a special election petition.  Motion died for lack of a second.  Motion by Fritz, second by Hanson to appoint Jeri Neely to the vacant seat, contingent upon receipt of a special election petition.  AYE:  Fritz, Hanson, Rasmusson;  NAY:  Lee.  Motion carried.

 

There was a short discussion on the payment request from Mike & Jodi Fagerland for tree removal.  They are requesting the City reimburse them for $275.00 for the damaged tree they removed from the City right-of-way in October, 2000.  Motion by Lee, second by Fritz not to pay the claim submitted by Mike & Jodi Fagerland.  All in favor.

 

Motion by Fritz, second by Lee to approve the second 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, Hanson, Lee, Rasmusson;  NAY:  none.

Motion by Fritz , second by Hanson to waive the third reading of Ordinance No. 49.  All in favor.

 

Motion by Fritz, second by Rasmusson to approve the final reading of Ordinance No. 49.  The roll was called for and is as follows:  AYE:  Fritz, Hanson, Lee, Rasmusson;  NAY:  none.  Whereupon Mayor Neely declared the ordinance duly adopted and the same place on file.

 

Motion by Lee, second by Rasmusson to authorize Mayor Neely and City Clerk Frost to sign the 28E Agreement with Story County Animal Control.  All in favor.

 

There was discussion regarding City Clerk Frost’s request to test the Fund Accounting software from PowerBill+.  City Clerk Frost stated that it would cost $1500.00 for the initial installation and set up of the software, but the City would not be charged the $2750.00 which would be the initial cost of the software.  There was discussion on what the program will do that the one we have won’t.  City Clerk Frost explained that it will be more cash basis accounting versus accrual accounting basis the current program is in.  Deneen stated that she has manipulated the account numbers in the current software to be somewhat fund accounting.  By doing so, she is able to get fund totals, but has to manual figure the program totals.  With the fund accounting it would calculate the program totals.  There was talk about how much time it would save.  Deneen said she didn’t know since she had her accounts set up somewhat in a fund accounting manner.  Council member Fritz stated he would like to ask some more about the program but would like to do that at a later time.  Consensus of the council was to table further discussion on this until the next council meeting.

 

There was discussion on delinquent water bill collection.  City Clerk Frost provided a form that she will send to all the Property owner/Landlords, along with a letter stating the City will be enforcing the assessment of delinquent accounts to the property taxes if the forms aren’t completed and on file at City Hall.  There was also discussion about reporting those that aren’t able to be assessed to the property taxes to credit bureaus.  City Clerk Frost will look into that option.

 

There was discussion on the health insurance renewal rates.  Unfortunately, the rate increase was 61%.  Thirty percent of that was due to age increase.  Council members went over a couple of options.  Council member Hanson stated he’d like to keep doing what we are doing.  Council member Fritz stated that the City can’t absorb the whole thing.  Council member Lee asked what was budget for insurance.  City Clerk Frost said the City budgeted $650.00 per month, per employee for health insurance.  Street Superintendent Hovick stated that he will probably switch to a single policy and get a family policy elsewhere like Water/Wastewater Superintendent Uitermark is doing with his son.  Motion by Hanson, second by Lee to approve $650.00 per month, per employee for health insurance.  All in favor.

 

Council/Mayor comments consisted of the following:  Council member Fritz asked about the Boyd building option.  City Clerk Frost stated that Attorney Tom Wynia is working on it.  Council member Rasmusson asked about how meter deposits were refunded.  City Clerk Frost explained how they are refunded.  Council member Hanson asked if funds are spent, do they go back into the general fund.  Council member Fritz answered yes.  Mayor Neely asked about placing signs in the City right-of-way that would show the lots Jack Frandsen has for sale.  Signs aren’t allowed in the City right-of-way.  Consensus of the council to allow the signs was split.  Council members told her to have it placed on the agenda for official discussion and action.

 

There was no public input at this time.

 

With no further business at this time, Rasmusson moved adjournment of the meeting at 8:11 p.m., second by Hanson.  All in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, August 8, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.