MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR SESSION

NOVEMBER 21, 2006

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 21, 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, and Bob Hanson.  Absent were council members John Lee and Jeri Neely.  Also present were 7 visitors and members of the community.

 

It was motioned by Fritz, and seconded by Hanson to approve the consent agenda containing the following items:  agenda, minutes from the November 13, 2006, meeting as written, clerk-treasurer reports, and claims as submitted.  All were in favor.

 

There was public input at this time from Sgt. Randy Mortvedt.  He was present to get information from the council regarding the speed trailer, new town reports, snow ordinances and if the council wants tickets written for those in violation of the no parking ordinance on Main Street.  He is hoping to have new software for the speed trailer next season that will print a report for the City showing the times and the speeds vehicles passed by.  He also reported that the Sheriff’s Office has offered tobacco training to the area businesses.  Council members reported that they were happy with the speed trailer and the positioning of it throughout the season.  The town report is getting better, but it still lacks the information the old one had.  There should be now changes to the snow ordinance this year and they would like to have the Sheriff’s Office continue writing tickets on Main Street.

 

Department Head Reports were as follows: 

 

Street Department - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick reported that Alliant has been in contact and the light poles on Main Street will be painted first thing next spring.  They will bring by a color chart for the council to look at.  He also reported that the Christmas decorations have been put up.

 

Water/Wastewater Department – Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dean Uitermark was on vacation.

 

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

 

There was a lengthy discussion on forming a joint committee to move forward with the library project.  Mayor Juhl stated he feels that this committee will help with the lines of communication.  He’d like to see minutes taken and posted on the web site so that the whole community can read what is going on.

 

There was discussion on what groups should be included in the committee, and how many from each group should be appointed to the committee.  There was also discussion on getting citizens involved that represent both sides of the issue.  Mayor Juhl wants to make the committee favorable to all.

 

Rick DeWald, Library Board President, stated that he’s in favor of the committee, but would like to see the first meeting be strictly a meeting to determine the structure of the future meetings so they are productive.  He’d like to not see the “nay sayers” at the first couple meetings.

 

Jerry Spencer, Roland resident stated that it would be a mistake not to include the “nay sayers’ at the beginning.  It might construe the perception of secrecy.  If you bring everyone in at the beginning, that takes away that perception.

 

There was discussion on having productive meetings versus argumentative meetings.  This will be addressed in the first meeting when the committee determines the structure of the meetings.

 

Council member Canny stated that he is not against the library.  He’s against using peoples money for things that are impractical.  The City bought them the building, which (NLAC) stated they could use, now they (Library) state they’re not going to use it.  Things have gotten out of hand at 1.1 million dollars.  He doesn’t feel they need a 9,000 sq ft building, that’s much bigger that what they need.  He is here representing the public.  Just because he has a difference of opinion on the library, doesn’t make him a “nay sayer”.  He’d like to see residents from different parts of town on the committee.  He’s not going to tax the citizens of Roland unnecessarily.

 

Jerry Spencer stated that his biggest issue is the communication, and to restrict a certain group would be a mistake.

 

Rick stated that outcome comes from consensus.  Mayor Juhl stated that comprise comes from opposing points of view.

 

Council member Canny asked Rick what the Library Board’s goal is now.  Rick stated to proceed with a library that the majority of people in Roland will be happy with.

 

There was discussion on grants and fundraising.  At this time they are actively making personal contacts, but are unable to write grants until the referendum passes and they get a commitment from the City Council.

 

Rick stated he would like to see the joint committee have their first meeting mid to end January.  All agreed.  Council will discuss this issue at the next council meeting (December 18th) and determine what groups need to be involved and how many from each group to have on the committee.  Council member Canny would like to see if there are any interested citizens that would like to be on the committee.

 

There was discussion on the open position of the Utility Billing Clerk/Receptionist.  The council reviewed the job description, the new employment application and the help wanted ad.  City Clerk Frost stated that she changed the format of the job description and made it more in depth than the old one.  It was motion by Hanson, seconded by Canny to approve the job description for the Utility Billing Clerk/Receptionist.  All were in favor.

 

It was motioned by Canny, seconded by Hanson to approve the updated employment application.  All were in favor.

 

It was motioned by Fritz, seconded by Canny to approve the help wanted ad for the Utility Billing Clerk/Receptionist position.  All were in favor.

 

Council discussed rate of pay and setting hours.  Consensus of the council was to set the pay rate at $8.00 per hour with the council having the discretion to increase the pay amount if the candidate warrants.  The hours will be set as Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with an hour for lunch.

 

Once again there were no bids received for sidewalk snow removal.  It was motioned by Fritz, seconded by Canny to leave the position open indefinitely until the position is filled.  All were in favor.

 

There was discussion on the City holding a Christmas Decorating contest.  The winner will receive a plaque, their picture in the paper and council member Fritz will do an article on the winner.  Council member Canny will get the plaque.  The winner of Roland’s  1st Annual Christmas Decoration contest will be announced on Tuesday, December 19, 2006.

 

There were no Council/Mayor comments at this time.

 

There was public input at this time from Jerry Spencer.  He would like it clarified that he did not mean to insinuate that there were secret meetings regarding the library issue.

 

With no further business at this time, Hanson moved adjournment of the meeting at 8:10 p.m., seconded by Canny.  All were in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, December 18, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

NOVEMBER CLAIMS

 

 

GENERAL FUND

 

 

 

 

Fire Dept.

 

 

Electronic Engineering

1/2 cost of pager repairs

 $       187.50

 

Total Fire Dept.

 $       187.50

 

 

 

EMTs

 

 

Mary Greeley Medical Center

wages 06/11/06-10/14/06

 $    2,122.57

 

Total EMT's

 $    2,122.57

Library

 

 

Platinum Plus

prog-off supplies/cds/dvd/comp games/postage

 $       619.97

City Employees

wages

 $    1,313.01

 

Total Library

 $    1,932.98

 

 

 

Policy & Administration

 

 

Brekken, Wynia, & Hyland

legal fees (Sept & Oct)

 $       190.00

Frost, Deneen

mileage

 $         51.62

Platinum Plus

pre-stamped envelopes

 $         74.01

 

Total Policy & Admin.

 $       315.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL GENERAL

 $    4,558.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD USE

 

 

Hovick, Nathan

truck to Ames-Harold could get air brake CDL

 $         30.06

Robb's Tree and Stump Service

remove tree at 101 S. Green St

 $       400.00

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

December premium

 $       560.06

City Employees

wages

 $    1,089.00

 

TOTAL ROAD USE

 $    2,079.12

 

 

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

 

Iowa Dept of Econ Dev

Field Foods EDSA payment

 $    3,750.00

 

TOTAL ECON DEV

 $    3,750.00

 

 

 

METER DEPOSIT

 

 

Eickholt, Jonathan & Donita

meter deposit refund

 $       100.00

Keigley, Dave

meter deposit refund

 $       100.00

Osborn, Brandon

meter deposit refund

 $       100.00

Terra Firma, LP

meter deposit refund

 $       100.00

 

TOTAL METER DEPOSIT

 $       400.00

 

 

 

WATER

 

 

Platinum Plus

lodging-Dubuque/pre-stamped envelopes

 $       243.08

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

December premium

 $       560.06

City Employees

wages

 $    1,444.36

 

TOTAL WATER

 $    2,247.50

 

 

 

SEWER

 

 

Momar

No Mow (weed killer)

 $       768.18

Platinum Plus

pre-stamped envelopes

 $         74.02

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

December premium

 $       560.06

City Employees

wages

 $       996.17

 

 

 $    2,398.43

 

 

 

 

GRAND TOTAL

 $  15,433.73

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________                          __________________________________________

Samuel Juhl, Mayor                                                                             Deneen Frost, City Clerk

 

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