MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR SESSION

DECEMBER 19, 2005

 

The Roland City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 19, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall with Mayor Jerry Spencer presiding.  Council members present at roll call were Roger Fritz, Bob Hanson, John Lee, Jeri Neely, and Terry Rasmusson.  Also present were 9 visitors and members of the community.

 

Motion by Hanson, second by Lee to approve the consent agenda containing the following items:  agenda, minutes from the November 28, 2005, meeting as written, treasurer’s report, clerk’s reports, and claims as submitted.  All in favor.

 

There was public input at this time from Rob Coghlan of 618 Samson Street.  He reported that his mailbox was damaged by the snow when the snow plow went by and wanted to know if the City was going to replace his mailbox.  City Clerk Frost stated that the council just approved the claims, which included the receipt he turned in for a new mailbox, and he should receive a check on Wednesday.  Rob also stated that the neighbors mailbox was damaged at the same time.  City Clerk Frost told Rob that the neighbor will need to bring in a receipt for the new mailbox and she will get them reimbursed.  Rob thanked them for the good job they do cleaning the streets.

 

Department Head Reports were as follows: 

 

Street Department - Street Superintendent Harold Hovick apologized to Rob for damaging his mailbox.  He said he knew he was close, but it looked like they were still standing when he looked back.  Reported that Dean hit a manhole cover while plowing and broke the trip mechanism on the plow.  He purchased a used one from the DOT for $550.00.  Council member Rasmusson asked if Dean starts plowing at the same time Harold does.  Harold said that Dean usually starts within a half hour or so of when he starts.  Council member Neely asked about sanding.  Harold said they try and sand the intersections while they are plowing.  Once the plowing is done, then they go back and sand the streets where necessary.  Council member Rasmusson said they did a good job sanding the intersections during the last snow fall. 

 

Water/Wastewater Department - Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dean Uitermark had nothing to report at this time.

 

City Clerk - City Clerk Deneen Frost reported she received an e-mail regarding the traffic study the city signed up for several months ago.  The e-mail stated that they have visited the communities that volunteered for the study and are in the process of looking at speed studies for the communities.  As soon as that is complete, they will let the communities that qualify for the study know.  City Clerk Frost also stated that she was approached by one of the City’s employee that said they read in the Story City minutes that the Story City City Council gave their employees all day Friday off for a paid holiday and asked if Roland was going to do the same.  City Clerk Frost requested, on behalf of the Roland employees, that the council allow them to have all day Friday off as a paid holiday.  Currently, the employees will get half a day paid holiday on Friday.  Motion by Fritz, second by Rasmusson to leave the holiday schedule as is and denied the request.  AYE:  Fritz, Hanson, Neely, Rasmusson;  NAY:  Lee.  Motion carried.

 

House Representative Jim Kurtenbach was present to discuss the new Water Quality Issue that the DNR is trying to pass.  He explained that the DNR is trying to make all warm water streams fishable and swimable.  Right now they are trying to negotiate with the DNR.  The rules haven’t been passed yet, and they are trying to get them to slow down at the State level.  He thanked the council for the copy of the resolution they passed at the last meeting.  He also said that they implemented a water shed program last session, and hopes that it will be a good start in stopping some of the field run-off.  He also told the City to plan on the same amount of funds they received from the State for Credit & Exemptions this year for next year.  Council member Fritz stated that it would be nice if the Legislators would relax some of the rules and regulations that cities have to abide by.  Mayor Spencer and the council members thanked Representative Kurtenbach for coming.

 

Council members reviewed the two bids that were received for snow removal.  One was received from Nathan Hovick for $13.50/hr. and the second was received from Wayne Colburn for $10.00/hr..  There was a short discussion on the two bidders.  Since no one knows the second bidder, City Clerk Frost will contact him and have him meet with council members Hanson and Neely.  Motion by Lee, second by Fritz to continue with Nathan Hovick at his current rate of $13.50/hr. until the second bidder meets with council members Hanson and Neely.  All in favor.

 

Motion by Rasmusson, second by Fritz to authorize council members Hanson and Neely to hire one of the bidders to provide snow removal for the City after they meet with the second bidder.  AYE:  Fritz, Hanson, Neely, Rasmusson;  NAY:  Lee.  Motion carried.

 

Council/Mayor comments consisted of the following:  Council member Fritz asked about the properties that were given phone calls to clean up their properties.  City Clerk Frost said that all the properties have made an effort to get them cleaned up.  A reminder notice may need to be sent to a couple this spring.  Council member Rasmusson asked why the council waives the 2^nd and 3^rd readings of the ordinances.  Council member Fritz said the council doesn’t always waive the 2^nd and 3^rd readings.  If its controversial they at least do the second reading and then decide if they are going to waive the 3^rd reading.  Council member Rasmusson feels if the ordinances are read three times at three different meetings it might help with the citizens saying they didn’t know about the changes.  Council member Lee stated he received a complaint from a citizen regarding a property that needs to be included on the Municipal Infractions list.  Council member Fritz said that he feels that Samson Street is by far the best Christmas lighted street in Roland.  He also thanked Jerry for stepping in as Mayor and Terry for his four years of service to the community.  Mayor Spencer thanked the council for giving him the opportunity to serve as Mayor.

 

There was public input at this time Sgt. Russ Belz of the Story County Sheriff’s Office.  He said he had no concerns for the city and asked if they had any concerns for the Sheriff’s Office.  The main complaint is speed on Maple Street coming in from the east.

 

With no further business at this time, Rasmusson moved adjournment of the meeting at 7:42 p.m., second by Neely. All in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, January 9, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.