ELY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

OCTOBER 8, 2007

ELY CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 

Mayor Dale Stanek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Council members present: Tom Winkowski, Bob Ballantyne and John Smith; Mark Banowetz and Kevin Meskimen absent - excused.  Mark Banowetz arrived immediately after the meeting adjourned.  Guests included: Tom Tjelmeland, Aaron Cooper, Bill Grove, Vicki Vaughan, Stephanie Mai, Jim Doyle, Chuck & Cindy Ruth, Jim & Millicent Cozzie, Nate & Carol Canton, Jim Miller, Michelle Krapfl, Mike Easton,  and Robert Hagge.

 

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

·       Agenda.

·       Minutes of the September 10, 2007 regular meeting.

·       Treasurers Report for the period ended September 30, 2007

·       Bills Payable totaling $73,786.31 for October 2007.

·       Purchase Order totaling $907.00 to purchase a “TouchRead” hand-held meter reading device.

·       Approval of Mayor Stanek’s appointment of Stephanie Torson and Michael Murray to the Park and Recreation Committee. 

Motion carried – 3 to 0.

 

Treasurer’s Report (summary) for the period ended September 30, 2007

 

Receipts

Disbursements

Ending Balance

General

$  10,848.36

  $  23,910.67

$  255,218.64

Road Use

8,296.80

5,189.12

15,747.66

TIF Fund

6,149.69

 

253,355.38

Debt Service

1,932.11

 

5,719.42

Other Projects

 

85,361.64

13,289.55

Library Project

 

 

3,169.70

Water Utility

14,516.74

8,519.60

172,869.99

Water/Sewer Reserve

 

 

100,00.00

Sewer Utility

468,407.45

455,802.67

238,837.71

Sanitary Utility

4,477.40

5,863.93

57,405.04

PR Clearing

6,582.94

7,7974.79

-308.03

Totals

$521,211.49

$592,632.42

$1,100,304.76

 

Communications:  Sheriff’s Deputy presented the Sheriff Office’s Monthly Activity Report.  City Council received monthly report from Public Works Director Ron Stark.

 

Citizen Requests.  Aaron Cooper asked if public comment would be accepted during the State Street Bridge Project item.  Mayor Stanek stated a limited amount of time would be allowed for public comments.   Tom Tjelmeland also asked to be recognized to comment on the same item; Mayor Stanek replied he would be allowed a limited time to comment.

 

State Street Bridge Replacement Project.  Clerk/Administrator Anderson reported the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has certified Wieser Concrete in Portage Wisconsin, and that pre-cast components are scheduled to arrive at the project site October 19, 2007.  Mr. Anderson reported that he has been told work would be completed so that State Street is open to traffic three to four weeks after the pre-cast components are delivered.

 

Request to Remove Temporary Speed Bumps on Pacific St. & Rock Island Drive. Mayor Stanek reported a request had been received to remove the temporary speed bumps installed on Pacific Street and Rock Island Drive to calm traffic during the State Street Bridge Replacement project before the bridge project is complete.  Comments were offered by Aaron Cooper, Tom Tjelmeland and others present; including that a resident had done a door to door survey of the neighborhood with overwhelming opposition to removing the speed bumps before State Street is open again; that drivers speed through the area regardless of the speed bumps, that drivers try to drive between the gap in speed bumps; difficulties experienced by Ely residents who use this route to drive to work; that the situation is hazardous with or without the speed bumps, and that residents have seen semi-trucks driving through this area even though trucks are prohibited.  Bob Ballantyne noted that the situation is brought about by the actions and inactions of the contractor for the State Street Bridge project.  It was the consensus of the City Council to install 25 mph speed limit signs in this area.

            Ballantyne, second by Smith, moved to borrow or buy additional speed bumps to install in the gap, or move the already installed speed bumps, to prevent people from driving between them; and to authorize removal of the speed bumps when the bridge project is complete and State Street open, or at the first significant snowfall.  Motion carried - 3 to 0.

 

Request to End Temporary No-Parking on Pacific Street & Portion of Rock Island Drive to Allow Parking on at Last One Side of Street.  Mayor Stanek reported the City has received a request to end the temporary parking restrictions on Pacific Street and Rock Island on at least one side of the Street.  Mayor Stanek noted the parking ban was enacted at the request of the Ely/Putnam Township Volunteer Fire Department and asked Aaron Cooper for comments from fire fighter perspective.  Mr. Cooper noted the Volunteer Fire Department asked the City to prohibit parking to make sure emergency vehicles could travel through the area while the State Street Bridge is closed with out obstruction by parked vehicles, and that those conditions have not changed yet.  The City Council discussed this matter and noted that the bridge is not yet complete.  No action was taken on this matter.

 

Proposed Ordinance No. 200, An Ordinance to Require Installation of Sidewalks When Building Permit Requested for Work Estimated to Value $10,000 or More. 

Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 200.  Winkowski, second by Smith, moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 200, “An Ordinance to Require Installation of Sidewalks When Building Permit Requested for Work Estimated to Value $10,000 or More”.

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

2007 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project.

Payment Application #8, Miron Construction Inc. – 2007 WWTP Project.  Ballantyne, second by Winkowski, moved to approve payment of Payment Application #8 in the amount of $238,584.90 to Miron Construction for the 2007 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project.  Motion carried – 3 to 0.

 

Purchase Order Request – Laboratory Equipment & Laboratory Cabinets/ Counters. Clerk/Administrator Anderson reported Public Works Director Ron Stark has requested authorization to purchase lab equipment, cabinets and counters for the new wastewater treatment plant.  He reported the list of requested lab equipment includes: balance for mixed liquors, vacuum pump and vacuum flask for mixed liquors, drying oven, PH meter with buffers for calibration and electrode holder, and a microscope.  Mr. Anderson reported that staff is trying to spend as little as possible to properly equip the facility.  Tom Winkowski offered countertops and a sink to the City.  Smith, second by Winkowski, moved to approve a purchase order for laboratory equipment and cabinets and counters needed for the WWTP totaling $9,633.88.  Motion carried – 3 to 0.

 

Rogers Creek Trunk Project.

Status of Easements.  Clerk-Administrator Anderson reported on progress of gaining the necessary easements, noting that signed easements have not been received from all property owners.  Action on items was deferred until easements are received. 

 

Discussion Item - Main Streets Program/Economic Development.  Mayor Stanek reported on the Main Street Program, noting the program is administered by the Iowa Department of Economic Development and seeks to help downtown areas in small towns grow stronger through business growth and promotion.  Mayor Stanek and the City Council discussed this matter, including that successful Main Street projects are driven by volunteers and mains street businesses.

 

Ely City Park Development

Resolution No. 07-1008-43, Approving Service Agreement for Soil Borings – MMS Consultant.  This resolution would approve a service agreement with MMS Consultants to conduct nine soil borings at the Ely City Park parcel for a lump sum fee of $1,800.00.  Smith, second by Ballantyne, moved to approve Resolution No. 07-1008-43. 

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

Ordinance No. 199 – Compensation of City Council Members and Mayor

Third Reading of Ordinance No. 199 – Compensation of City Council Members and Mayor.  Smith, second by Ballantyne, moved to approve the third reading of Ordinance No. 199 – “Compensation of City Council Members and Mayor”. 

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

Smith, second by Ballantyne, moved final approval and adoption of Ordinance No. 199, “Compensation of City Council Members and Mayor”.

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

Cedar Rapids Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Resolution No. 07-1008-47, Adopting Ely’s Portion of the Cedar Rapids Area Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Ballantyne, second by Smith, moved to approve Resolution No. 07-1008-47. 

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

Resolution No. 07-1008-48, Approving FY 06-07 Street Finance Report.  Smith, second by Winkowski, moved to approve Resolution No. 07-1008-48, Approving FY 06-07 Street Finance Report. 

Aye: Winkowski, Ballantyne, Smith.

Nay:  none.

Absent: Meskimen, Banowetz

Motion carried – 3 to 0

 

Discussion Items – none.

 

Winkowski, second by Smith, moved to adjourn.  Motion carried – 3 to 0.  The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

 

                       

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                        Dale Stanek, Mayor

Attest:

 

 

                                                           

Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator