ELY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 8, 2005

 

Mayor Dale Stanek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Present:  Kris Tharp, John Smith, Don Sturgeon, and Mark Banowetz.  Absent: Kevin Meskimen – excused.  Also present:  Cindy Hintz Rush, Edward Brinton, Linn County Deputy Sheriff Brady.  Guests included:  Jim Miller, Millicent Kozzei, Paul Stewart, Chet Hendrickson, Connie Kunkel, Lloyd Duffy, Bob and Mary Ballantyne.

 

Mayor Dale Stanek administered the oath of office for City Clerk/Administrator to Aaron Anderson.

 

Sturgeon, second by Banowetz, moved to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Banowetz, second by Smith, moved to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2005 meeting with the following revisions:  “Motion by Sturgeon, second by Tharp, to approve payment of bills as submitted.   4:0 3:1, Meskimen opposed”, and “To be sure that the building does meet fire regulations, the Fire Department will be asked to review compliance.”  Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Sturgeon, second by Smith, moved to approve the June 2005, and July 2005 Treasurer’s Report.  Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Treasurer’s Report (summary) for the period ended July 31, 2005.

 

Receipts

Disbursements

Ending Balance

General

28,703.49

24,952.87

291,831.64

Road Use

7,476.78

11,510.05

-573.97

TIF Fund

250.60

 

322,045.36

Debt Service

553.53

 

-1,843.59

Other Projects

 

 

161,218.39

Library Project

 

 

3,169.70

Water Utility

11,589.39

3,402.23

33,524.31

Water/Sewer Reserve

 

 

25,000

Sewer Utility

13,549.16

22,653.79

116,892.06

Sanitary Utility

5,121.43

445.00

53,837.15

PR Clearing

 

 

 

 

67,244.38

62,963.94

1,005,101.05

 

 

Ms Tharp asked if the list of Bills Payable include payroll.  Clerk/Administrator Anderson reported the presented list of bills did not include payroll, and that payroll will be included in the future.  Tharp asked if there was a credit card bill for payment to the “Farm Plan”.  Anderson reported an invoice had not been received from a vendor with that name, and he will investigate.  Banowetz, second by Smith, moved to approve payment of the bills listed for August, 2005.  Motion carried - 4 to 0.

 

Communications:

The City Council received minutes of the May 18, 2005 and July 20, 2005 Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. 

 

The City Council received a complaint regarding the status of a nuisance at 1915 Dows Street.  Mayor Stanek reported a notice had been prepared and sent to the owners of the property to abate the nuisance and that the situation is being monitored.

 

Resolution #05-0808-11, Setting Date for Public Hearing regarding proposed Amendment #3 to the Ely Urban Renewal Plan.  Resolution #05-0808-11 would schedule a public hearing regarding a proposed amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for 7:00 pm, Monday September 12, 2005.  Mr. Sturgeon noted the Planning and Zoning Commission voted against the amendment to the Ely Urban Renewal Plan.  Mayor Stanek reported the P&Z wanted more information on the project and timing.  The proposed amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan would expand the Urban Renewal area by adding the Meadow Brook Addition, and allow Tax Increment Finance proceeds to be used for the Community Center/City Hall renovation project.  Sturgeon, second by Banowetz, moved to approve Resolution #05-0808-11. 

Aye:    Smith, Sturgeon, Tharp, Banowetz

Nay:    None

Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Second Reading of Ordinance #180, An Ordinance to Amend Water and Sewer Rates.  Banowetz, second by Tharp, moved to place Ordinance No. 180 on second reading by reference and schedule a third reading for the next regular City Council meeting.  Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Discussion of Water Conservation Ordinance.  The City Council received a collection of water conservation ordinances presented by Ed Brinton of MMS Consultants, Inc., and discussed whether Ely should consider preparing such an ordinance for consideration.  It was the general consensus of the City Council to investigate further and discuss it again at the next regular meeting.

 

Proposals for Road Maintenance and Repair.  Mayor Stanek reported Public Works/Streets Maintenance worker Gary Whittom had collected quotes to perform chip & seal at various locations in Ely and to remove and replace asphalt on Dows Street from LL Pelling Co. totaling $14,982.38.  The Council discussed the quotes and the importance of soliciting competitive quotes.  Sturgeon, second by Tharp, moved to solicit additional quotes for the listed street work by no later than August 22, 2005 and authorize accepting quotes for no more than $14,982.38 for said work.  Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Paul Stewart asked to coordinate chip and seal work on Jappa Road he is having done as part of the agreement for plat approval for the Meadow Brook Addition. 

 

Request for Premises Update to Class C Beer Permit – Casey’s General Store.  Tharp, second by Smith, moved to approve a Premises Update to the Class C Beer Permit issued to Casey’s General Store so the permit accurately reflects the new building.   Motion carried – 4 to 0.

 

Discuss Kunkel Annexation and Zoning Request.  Mayor Stanek reported Duane and Connie Kunkel have requested a work session with the City Council to discuss their request to annex a 20+/- acre parcel and designate the parcel as an R-2 district, with additional conditions.  It was the general consensus of the City Council to follow Mr. Sturgeon’s suggestion to schedule a work session with the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Attorney, Duane and Connie Kunkel for 7:00 p.m. Monday August 22, 2005.

 

Discussion Items

Mr. Banowetz reviewed letters from Jeff Streitz, of Shive-Hattery, regarding the status of required improvements in the Meadow Brook Addition dated August 8, 2005.  Mr. Banowetz noted that several items need to be completed for the City Council to be able to approve the final plat, pursuant to the Ely Subdivision Ordinance.  Paul Stewart, the developer for Meadow Brook, reported progress on the needed work, including delivery of riprap, plans to install curb and gutter along Jappa Road and confirm plans to sealcoat Jappa Road adjacent to Meadow Brook.

 

Mayor Stanek reported recently signed federal transportation legislation included $600,000 to be used for recreational trail development in Ely as part of a recreational trail running from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City.  Millicent Kozzie asked where the recreational trail would be located in Ely, Mayor Stanek responded the route through Ely has not been determined, though most likely the former railroad line would be used.  A gentleman asked if they are aware most that land is privately owned.  Mayor Stanek stated they are aware, that the legislation puts the money for a recreational trail in place, and noted the route will eventually be determined by the Linn County Trail Organization.

 

Mayor Stanek reported reimbursement for park work is 75%, which is higher than originally believed.

 

Mayor Stanek reported the City Attorney reviewed Ely’s noise ordinance, who noted concern with the ability to strictly enforce it.

 

Tharp, second by Sturgeon, moved to adjourn.  Motion carried – 4 to 0.  The meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            

                                                          Dale Stanek, Mayor

Attest:

 

 

                                               

Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator