JULY 10, 2006

ELY CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Mayor Dale Stanek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Mark Banowetz, Kevin Meskimen, John Smith, Kris Tharp and Tom Winkowski. Guests included: Kay Hale, Pat Maher, Randy Maher, Mary Ballantyne, Bob Ballantyne, James Miller, Carrie Kimm, Terry Smith, Lori Wilcoxson, Michelle Lockhart, Jim Miller, Bill Grove, Patty Ballard, John Vaassen, Gary Whittom, Keith Schulte, Lisa Hinton, Matt D. Fluharty, Ron Andreatta, Shirley Shanna, and Millicent Cozzei.

Smith, second by Banowetz, moved to approve Consent Agenda consisting of:

· Agenda

· Minutes of the June 12, 2006 regular City Council Meeting

· Treasurers Report for the period ended June 30, 2006

· Bills Payable for July, 2006

Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Treasurer’s Report (summary) for the period ended June 30, 2006

	Receipts	Disbursements	Ending Balance
General	109,480.13	34,485.12	216,832.57
Road Use	7,094.63	10,533.68	5,041.14
TIF Fund	2,837.89	236,207.00	187,276.19
Debt Service	137,304.78		-1,1154.19
Other Projects		6,750.00	125,232.31
Library Project			3,169.70
Water Utility	17,842.91	32,984.31	86,417.46
Water/Sewer Reserve	25,0000.00		50,000.00
Sewer Utility	17,058.27	14,947.80	134,054.88
Sanitary Utility	6,223.35	5,779.60	58,634.00
PR Clearing	4,462.06	2,712.12	3,152.35
Totals	327,304.02	344,399.63	868,656.41

Communications:

Deputy J. Peschek of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office presented the Monthly Activity Report. Mayor Stanek asked if the deputies need to see fire works being lit to enforce. Deputy Peschek stated direct observation is preferred, and that in some cases they can track them to the source..

Citizen Requests. Kris Tharp asked if she could speak as a citizen, Mayor Stanek stated yes. Ms Tharp discussed the City’s ongoing difficulty with lead levels in the drinking water and that she is concerned that Ely will always have difficulties with water quality if Ely continues to rely on water from wells in Ely.

Tharp moved to look into the possibility of Ely connecting to the Cedar Rapids water system as its source of drinking water. Motion died for lack of second.

Mike Flege, Duane Kunkel and others discussed plans for the development of the Ely city parkland north and east of Highland Road with the City Council. Items discussed include: development plans for the park, probable funding sources and need for non-tax revenue sources, availability of Tax Increment Finance proceeds, other major capital projects on the City’s Capital Improvements Plan, and the need for volunteers to help the development at this park proceed.

Terry Smith stated Councilmember Tharp was allowed to make a motion even though she was speaking as a citizen, and asked, even though the motion did not receive a second, why the topic of connecting to the Cedar Rapids water system is being looked at again now.

Carrie Kimm stated she is concerned regarding a threatening and unusual neighbor, reporting she is trying to put a in a culvert and received a letter from this neighbor that was somewhat threatening. Mayor Stanek suggested Ms Kimm contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office if she believes she has been threatened.

2006 Street Maintenance Program. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported Public Works Director Gary Whittom had reviewed the condition of City streets and presented the recommended street maintenance program for 2006. Mr. Anderson reported the quotes have been received to perform two activities: chip and seal resurfacing at various locations with price quote of $11,082.50, and a “GSB-88 Sealer Binder” emulsion along Dows Street to improve the life of the surface with price quote of $5,575.00. The City Council discussed the suggested program and City Street needs, noting the biggest problem with Dows Street is water flowing below the street sub-base.

Meskimen, second by Winkowski, moved to authorize the chip and seal portion of the 2006 street maintenance portion, and to investigate installing drain tile along Dows Street. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Resolution No. 06-0612-15, Settings Salaries for City of Ely for Fiscal Year 2006-07. Mayor Stanek reported proposed Resolution No. 06-0612-15 sets out salaries and wages for all city employees. Meskimen moved to authorize salary and wages for Library personnel as presented in the resolution.

Tharp, second by Smith, moved to approve Resolution No. 06-0612-15 as presented. Motion failed - 2 to 3, Tharp and Smith in favor; Banowetz, Meskimen and Winkowski opposed.

Meskimen, second by Winkowski, moved to approve Resolution No. 06-0612-15 revised so that the hourly wage for Street, Bldg & Grounds Maint. 1 (Gary Whittom) be increased 2% to $15.41/hour. Motion carried – 3 to 2: Banowetz, Meskimen and Winkowski in favor; Smith and Tharp opposed.

Request to close a potion of Walker Street August 19-21, 2006 – St John Lutheran Church. Meskimen, second by Tharp, moved to approve a request from St John Lutheran Church to close a portion of Walker Street (in front of St John Lutheran Church) from it’s intersection with Rowley Street to just past the church on Walker on August 19 through 21, 2006. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Discuss Sidewalks in older areas of Ely, including along Traer Street. The City Council briefly discussed the status of sidewalks in the older areas of Ely. Clerk/Administrator Anderson reported City Code states the City Council may order repair or construction of sidewalks in previously platted areas, and that the subdivision ordinance includes provisions to require sidewalks in new subdivisions. Meskimen, second by Smith, moved to table this matter for further review and suggestions from City staff. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Authorize RFP – Financial Audit Services. Tharp, second by Meskimen, moved to authorize soliciting proposals for financial audit services for July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006 via the request for proposals prepared by City staff. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Schedule Public Hearing re: Alley Vacate Resolution, Poplar Street. Meskimen, second by Tharp, moved to schedule a public hearing for Monday, August 14, 2006 to hear comments from the public regarding an Alley Vacate Resolution to vacate an alley parallel to Poplar Street. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Schedule Public Hearing re: Proposed Revisions to Zoning Ordinance. Meskimen, second by Banowetz, moved to schedule public hearing for Monday, August 14, 2006 to hear comments from the public regarding a proposed ordinance to revise portions of the Ely Zoning and Subdivision ordinances. Motion carried – 5 to 0.

Discussion Items.

Tharp, second by Meskimen, moved to adjourn. Motion carried – 5 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

Dale Stanek, Mayor

Attest:

Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator