ELY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Dale Stanek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Mark Banowetz, Kevin Meskimen, Kris Tharp and Tom Winkowski; John Smith absent- excused. Guests included: James Estes, Tresa Whittom, Pat Maher, Randy Maher, Sue Schulte, Jesse Schulte, Mary Ballantyne, Bob Ballantyne, Russell Maresh, Barb Maresh, Keith Schulte, Jim Miller, L A Harding, Luanne & Jim H. Miller, Paul Anderson, Terry Smith, Millicent Cozzei, Earl Pierce, Jane & John Vaassen, Dave & Holly Rasmussen, and Bill Grove.
Banowetz, second by Tharp, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, not including Purchase Orders, consisting of:
· Agenda
· Minutes of the July 10, 2006 regular City Council Meeting
· Treasurers Report for the period ended July 31, 2006
· Bills Payable for August, 2006
Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Treasurer’s
Report (summary) for the period ended July 31, 2006
|
|
Receipts |
Disbursements |
Ending Balance |
|
General |
$ 8,980.32 |
$ 29,002.13 |
$196,810.76 |
|
Road
Use |
7,101.65 |
$5,337.32 |
6,805.47 |
|
TIF
Fund |
893.61 |
|
278,169.80 |
|
Debt
Service |
512.88 |
|
-641.31 |
|
Other
Projects |
|
|
125,232.31 |
|
Library
Project |
|
|
3,169.70 |
|
Water
Utility |
16,555.63 |
6,523.79 |
96,449.30 |
|
Water/Sewer
Reserve |
|
|
50,000.00 |
|
Sewer
Utility |
18,239.49 |
5,706.30 |
146,588.07 |
|
Sanitary
Utility |
5,267.10 |
5,326.65 |
58,574.45 |
|
PR
Clearing |
5,076.97 |
5,898.58 |
2,330.74 |
|
Totals |
62,257.65 |
57,794.77 |
963,489.29 |
Banowetz, second by Meskimen, moved to approve the following Purchase Order(s) for August 2006. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
|
Vendor |
Purpose |
Amount |
|
Brown
Concrete & Backhoe, Inc |
Tear
Out & Replace Curb - Banner |
$
1,585.00 |
|
|
Valley
Road; Replace 2 sections |
|
|
|
Sidewalk - Banner Valley Rd; |
|
|
|
Repair sidewalk around manhole - |
|
|
|
Plainview & Highland |
|
|
Total
Approved |
|
$
1,585.00 |
Communications:
Deputy J. Peschek of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office presented the Monthly Activity Report.
Citizen Requests. John Vaassen stated Casey’s was out of garbage tags last Sunday, and asked if the City Council could change the solid waste collection fees to include one container per week as part of the standard bill. The City Council directed the Clerk/Administrator to research this matter and report at the next meeting.
Public Hearing re: Alley Vacate Resolution, Poplar Street. At 7:19 p.m. Meskimen, second by Banowetz, moved to open a public hearing regarding a proposed resolution to vacate an alley. Motion carried - 4 to 0. Mayor Stanek declared the public hearing to be open at 7:19 pm. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported notice was published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on August 3rd, 2006 and posted per City and State Code. Mr. Anderson and reported communication was received from Southslope Telecommunications noting need to maintain at least an easement for access to Southslope facilities in the alley in question, and a letter from MidAmerican reporting no facilities in the alley; no other comments, verbal or written, were received regarding the public hearing item.
Mayor Stanek asked for comments from the public regarding the public hearing item. Clerk/Administrator Anderson summarized the proposed alley vacate. Jesse Schulte asked if it is an alley running north on the east side of Poplar, or an easement; Aaron Anderson stated existing records show it as an alley. A lady asked if the city would vacate the alley on both sides of Poplar Street. Mayor Stanek stated that depends on the City Council’s decision. Mr. Schulte asked if the city would give the entire alley to adjoining property owners, Mr. Stanek stated yes.
Jesse Schulte asked if he would have to pay taxes on the piece of land and still allow the city to access it. Mr. Anderson stated a utility easement would be maintained for Southslope. Mr. Schulte stated there is a city sewer main, so city would need to maintain access too. Sue Schulte stated there is not an alley that is used for traffic.
Jim Miller stated he has been taking care of this alley for the past six years, and asked if he should send a bill for maintenance to the City. Mr. Miller stated it would just be better to deed the land to adjoining property owners. He stated that Bob Krob purchased the alley for $1 many years ago, but the vacation was never recorded. Mayor Stanek stated that action was not properly recorded with the County Recorder. Mr. Miller stated he is not able to find the corner property pins for the alley, adding that he found a corner stake but is not sure if it is for his property or the city alley.
Mayor Stanek asked for additional comments from the public regarding the public hearing item. None were received. At 7:30 p.m., Meskimen second by Winkowski, moved to close the public hearing. Motion carried – 4 to 0. Mayor Stanek declared the public hearing closed and the meeting returned to regular session at 7:30 p.m.
Resolution No. 06-1814-17, Alley Vacate Resolution. The City Council directed the Clerk/Administrator to further investigate utilities located in the alley in question and report at the next regular City Council meeting.
Hillcrest/Highland Storm Sewer & Street Reconstruction- Report. Clerk/Administrator reported on the August 9, 2006 Hillcrest/Highland Neighborhood Open House. Items discussed include general support among the people who attended to reconstruct the street and storm sewer in this area, generally strong opposition to levying special assessments for this project, and reported responses to the response sheet and survey distributed that night. Mr. Anderson reported the City might be able to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), if the project area meets CDBG eligibility standards for household income.
Meskimen, second by Tharp, moved to proceed with the CDBG application process and to authorize the Eastern Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) to prepare an application if the project meets eligibility requirements. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Public Hearing re: Proposed Revisions to Zoning Ordinance. At 7:46 p.m. Tharp, second by Meskimen, moved to open a public hearing regarding proposed Ordinance No. 189 “Revisions to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances”. Motion carried - 4 to 0. Mayor Stanek declared the public hearing to be open at 7:46 pm. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported notice was published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on August 3rd, 2006, posted per City and State Code and reported no comments, verbal or written, were received regarding the public hearing item.
Mayor Stanek asked for comments from the public regarding the public hearing item. Clerk/Administrator Anderson summarized the proposed ordinance. Keith Schulte asked what the minimum 40’ by 40’ rectangular area within an R-1 lot is. Mr. Anderson replied that the proposed ordinance requires a rectangular area at least 40 feet by 40 feet within all required setbacks in an R-1 district; the purpose is to provide some confidence that a reasonably sized house could be built on an irregularly shaped lot.
Mayor Stanek asked for additional comments from the public regarding the public hearing item. None were received. At 7:50 p.m., Tharp second by Meskimen, moved to close the public hearing. Motion carried – 4 to 0. Mayor Stanek declared the public hearing closed and the meeting returned to regular session at 7:50 p.m.
Ordinance No. 189 – Revisions to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. Tharp, second by Winkowski, moved to introduce for approval proposed Ordinance #189 – Amending the Text of the Ely Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, and to place said ordinance on first reading.
Aye: Banowetz, Tharp, Meskimen, Winkowski
Nay: None.
Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Resolution No. 06-0814-18, Water and Sewer Development Fees/Infrastructure Policy. The City Council discussed this matter; no motion or action was taken on this matter.
Proposals – Dows Street Gateway Project. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported the city received proposals from five firms to provide preliminary engineering and streetscape design services for the Dows Street Gateway Project. Tharp, second by Winkowski, moved to schedule a special meeting the week of August 28th to further consider the proposals received. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Proposals & Resolution No. 06-0814-19, Approving Agreement for Financial Audit Services. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported the city had received one proposal to provide financial audit services from the State of Iowa Auditor’s office at a cost not to exceed $7,625.00, which is greater than the amount budgeted for FY 2006-07. The City Council discussed this matter including seeking proposals from academics and similar qualified sources. Tharp, second by Winkowski, moved to seek additional proposals for financial audit services. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Participation in Metro Area Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City Council discussed the possibility of participating in a Metro Area Hazard Mitigation Plan, to be prepared by the Linn County Regional Planning Commission at a cost to Ely of no more than $2,000. Meskimen, second by Banowetz, moved to approve participation in the Metro Area Hazard Mitigation Plan to be prepared by the Linn County Regional Planning Commission at a cost of no more than $2,000.00. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Resolution No. 06-0814-20, Accepting Donation of Land – Randy & Kelly Zbanek. This resolution would accept the donation of a parcel of land along the former railroad right of way from Randy and Kelly Zbanek. Meskimen, second by Winkowski, moved to approve Resolution No. 06-0814-20, with the City Council’s appreciation. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Resolution No. 06-0814-21, Accepting Contract for Elevator Maintenance – Schumacher Elevator. This resolution would approve a contract with Schumacher Elevator to perform oil grease maintenance and conduct required annual testing of the elevator in the Ely Community Center/City Hall at a cost of $125 per quarter. Meskimen, second by Banowetz, moved to approve Resolution No. 06-0814-21. Motion carried – 4 to 0.
Authorize Job Offer for Meter Reader. Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported on the status of hiring a new Meter Reader.
Discussion Items. None
Tharp, second by Meskimen, moved to adjourn. Motion carried – 4 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Dale Stanek, Mayor
Attest:
Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator