ELY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

January 12, 2004

Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Dale Stanek. Present: Mark Banowetz, Kevin Meskimen, Kristine Tharp, John Smith, Don Sturgeon. Guests: Jim Miller, L. Marie Miller, Linn County Deputy Sheriff, Pat Stanek, Duane Kunkel, Connie Kunkel, Gary Whittom and J. R. Brumley.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Sturgeon to approve agenda as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Tharp to approve minutes of December 8, 2003 and December 15, 2003 as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Smith to approve payment of bills as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Banowetz to accept the December Treasurer’s report and place it on file. Motion carried.

FUND	REVENUES	EXPENSES
GENERAL	24,412.40	13,097.43
ROAD USE	8,897.71	5,720.62
TIF	5,057.48
DEBT SERVICE	1,378.14
OTHER PROJECTS		1,260.00
WATER UTILITY	9,802.30	10,455.00
SEWER UTILITY	11,774.48	12,083.14
SANITATION UTILITY	6,110.08	9,686.45
PAYROLL CLEARING	5,170.18	4,785.41

Correspondence was noted. P & Z Minutes of 12-18-03 and miscellaneous correspondence were included..

Linn County Deputy Sheriff presented Sheriff’s Log for December

Discussion was held about water problems on Highland Road. Residents located on dead-end water lines experience discolored water at times. We have estimate to complete the water line through the bedrock or to install hydrants at the end of the two lines. Gary Whittom will check with the contractors to see if the estimates are still valid.

Jim Miller asked to have someone other than him attend the Emergency Management meetings.

Council Committee Appointments

Mayor Stanek made the following committee appointments: Don Sturgeon – Mayor Protem, Kris Tharp – Finance, John Smith – Public Works, Kevin Meskimen – Public Safety and Parks, Mark Banowetz – Streets.

Recreational Trail-Pat Stanek

Discussed building recreational trail that will link up with the section of trails that will be built southwest of Cedar Rapids in 2004 and 2005. The preferred route for the section of the trail north of Ely is along the abandoned railroad right of way. Pat indicated that there might be some resistance from some of the property owners along the railroad right of way. Linn County Trails Association will help with the coordination of the project. Pat asked the Council if they thought that the abandoned railroad right of way was the best route to take. The consensus of the Council was that this is the preferred route.

Cable Television Enhancements-South Slope

J. R. Brumley of South Slope outlined plans that South Slope has for upgrading the City’s cable system to a digital system and adding additional channels, music programs, pay per view and video on demand. Additional wiring may be needed on some residences. South Slope is requesting assignment of the television franchise granted by the City under Ordinance No. 95 from South Slope Communications Company to South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Sturgeon, to approve assignment of television franchise to South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company subject to a favorable review by City Attorney. Motion carried.

Law Enforcement Contract

Council reviewed FY04/05 contract submitted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services. It was noted that there is no increase for FY 04/05. Jim Miller suggested that a letter be written thanking the Sheriff’s Department for their efforts. Kris Tharp said she will write a thank you letter.

RESOLUTION NO. 04-0112-01: Resolved by Sturgeon, seconded by Banowetz, to approve FY04/05 Law Enforcement Contract with Linn County for 21 hours a week at a cost of $20.00 an hour.

AYE: Sturgeon,Banowetz, Meskimen, Tharp, Smith

NAY: none

Resolution adopted.

State Street Bridge

Discussion held about replacement of State Street Bridge. Will need to agree on a design and request bids soon if the work is to be done this year. Linn County Engineer should be submitting recommendations by the end of January. City Clerk will contact County Engineer about recommendations. Will place item on next months agenda.

Corporate Authorization for Signature Cards

RESOLUTION NO. 04-0112-02: Resolved by Tharp, seconded by Smith to authorize Dale Stanek, Don Sturgeon, Dennis Kurtz and Cindy Rush to sign documents on behalf of the City for business conducted with Solon State Bank.

AYE: Sturgeon,Banowetz, Meskimen, Tharp, Smith

NAY: none

Resolution adopted.

FY05 Budget Work Meeting

Next budget work meeting will be on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 6:30 pm.

Appointments

One appointment has been made to the Planning and Zoning Commission with one vacancy remaining. Council needs recommended names from Parks and Recreation before those appointments will be made.

Duane Kunkel expressed concern about cracks forming on Dows Street from water draining from North Drive, Knoll Court and Plain View Road. City Administrator and Maintenance Worker will look into.

Discussion was held about licensed vehicles parked in driveways for long periods of time. City Administrator will look into.

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Meskimen to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:55 pm.

S/Dale Stanek, Mayor

ATTEST: S/S. D. Kurtz, City Clerk

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ELY CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING

JANUARY 26, 2004

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Dale Stanek. Present: Mark Banowetz, Kristine Tharp, Kevin Meskimen, Don Sturgeon. Absent: John Smith (excused). Guests: Ed Brinton, Cary Solberg and Roberta Hamdorf.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Sturgeon , to approve agenda as posted. Motion carried

Delegates & Alternates For Emergency Management & E911 Board

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Meskimen, to appoint Mark Banowetz as the City’s delegate to the E911 Board with Kristine Tharp as the alternate and to appoint Kevin Meskimen as the delegate to Emergency with Don Sturgeon as the alternate. Motion carried.

Wastewater Treatment Matters

Ed Brinton presented alternatives for upgrading treatment of the City’s wastewater. Four different options were listed. Ed explained the strengths and limitations of each option. The Council discussed the various capitol costs and operational costs for each option.

FY2005 Budget Workshop

Council was presented with proposed FY04/05 budget. Council members expressed their priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Discussion was held about ways to generate additional revenue to help with the upgrade of the wastewater treatment upgrade. Council members went over the various funds in the budget and made suggestions for changes.

Discussion was held about water quality. City’s water tank will be cleaned as soon as weather permits. Once that is done and the water system is flushed, it was suggested that City residents be advised of the water quality.

Kristine Tharp asked that a preliminary Council Meeting agenda be sent via email the Tuesday before the Council Meeting.

Motion by Sturgeon, seconded by Banowetz, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 9:45 pm .

S/Dale Stanek, Mayor

ATTEST: S/ S. D. Kurtz, City Clerk

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ELY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

February 9, 2004

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dale Stanek. Present: Mark Banowetz, Kevin Meskimen, John Smith, Don Sturgeon (arrived 7:20 pm ). Absent: Kristine Tharp (excused). Guests: Jim Miller, L. Marie Miller, Linn County Deputy Sheriff, Duane Kunkel, Keith Schulte, Don Musil and Paul Stewart.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Meskimen to approve agenda as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Meskimen to approve minutes of January 12, 2004 and January 26, 2004 as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Smith to approve payment of bills as submitted. Motion carried.

Motion by Meskimen, seconded by Banowetz to accept the January Treasurer’s report and place it on file. Motion carried.

FUND	REVENUES	EXPENSES
GENERAL	6,555.32	25,613.89
ROAD USE	7,129.49	4,490.91
TIF	2,907.31
DEBT SERVICE	686.31
OTHER PROJECTS		992.50
WATER UTILITY	8,060.29	15,175.23
SEWER UTILITY	10,110.90	16,644.08
SANITATION UTILITY	4,190.92	357.51
PAYROLL CLEARING	3,549.37	4,540.97

Correspondence was noted. P & Z Minutes of 1-21-04 , Library Board Minutes of 11-5-03 and 12-3-03 , Historical Preservation Report and miscellaneous correspondence were included.

Discussion held about waiving one month’s charge for water at 1640 Ranmar Dr. per written request from the owner.

Motion by Banowetz, seconded by Smith, to deny request to waive one month’s water charges at 1640 Ranmar Dr . Motion carried.

Resolution Changing Monthly Council Meeting to 7:00 pm

RESOLUTION NO. 04-0209-03: Resolved by Meskimen, seconded by Smith to change the time of the regular monthly City Council Meeting to 7:00 pm .

AYE: Banowetz, Meskimen, Smith

NAY: none

ABSENT: Tharp, Sturgeon

Resolution adopted.

Public Hearing On The Vacation Of Right Of Way On South State Street

Public hearing opened at 7:19 pm on the vacation of legally described right of way on South State Street . No oral or written objections were received. Hearing closed at 7:20 pm .

RESOLUTION NO. 04-0209-04: Resolved by Meskimen, seconded by Smith to vacate right of way on south State Street .

AYE: Banowetz, Meskimen, Smith

NAY: none

ABSENT: Tharp, Sturgeon

Resolution adopted.

Resolution Approving 28E Agreement With Ely Fire Department

RESOLUTION NO. 04-0209-05: Resolved by Meskimen, seconded by Sturgeon, to approve 28E agreement with the Ely Fire Department for fire protection.

AYE: Banowetz, Meskimen, Smith, Sturgeon

NAY: none

ABSENT: Tharp

Resolution adopted