Lawton City Council Minutes

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on , at the Lawton City Clerk’s office. Mayor pro tem Arlan Kolker called meeting to order at Council members present for roll call: , Arlan Kolker, and Tony Bengford. Schorg moved to approve tentative agenda as presented. Bengford seconded, roll call 3-0, carried. Schorg moved to approve consent agenda as presented. Kolker seconded, roll call 3-0, carried.

Building Permits approved were Pat Bamrick, two-story three-season porch; Blake Miller, shed; Rod Lieber, two garages. Council needs further information before approving permit for Robert Peters, deck. Lieber also requested altering east portion of alley located between and Elm Streets. He wishes to bring level of alley up approximately 3 feet so it can be easily used as access to garage on his property. Council will investigate and make decision at September meeting.

SIMPCO representative, gave handouts to Council and discussed benefits of city being a member of SIMPCO. Mayor Shorman arrived at Decision on paying SIMPCO membership dues was tabled until September.

Linda LaPlante brought several concerns before Council regarding completion of drainage project. Engineer Jerry Steffen was present and will contact Concrete Complete about issues. City will investigate reason for dirt continually settling around drain near Cedar & Birch Street intersection.

Don Grigg requested annexation of a portion of his property into city limits. After consideration, Kolker introduced Resolution # 2002-08 and moved the same be adopted. Bengford seconded the motion to adopt. Roll called. Motion carried 3-0.

Don Grigg made a written application to the for the annexation of certain real estate generally described as 647’ X 226’ parcel lying South of Highway 20 and East of Char-Mac addition the application contained the legal description of the property to be annexed, and a map showing the territory and its relationship to the city of Lawton. The territory shares a common boarder with the city of in excess of fifty (50) feet, and meets all other requirements for annexation.

The proposed annexation is set for public hearing on the 3rd day of September, 2002 at at the council chambers, City of

The city clerk shall mail a copy of this resolution, map, and legal description of the territory involved as well as a copy of the notice of Public Hearing to the Chairperson of the Woodbury County board of supervisors, each affected public utility, the state department of transportation, and each other adjoining land owner shown by the attached map to be Stanley Chartier and Chartier; Shirley M. Herbold, Lawton Bronson Community School District; Stuart Oliver; Thomas R. Klunker; and William L. and Ruth A. Harrison as required by law.

Mayoral duties turned over to Mayor Pro Tem Kolker for discussion of Shorman Addition. After consideration, Schorg introduced Resolution # 2002-09 and moved the same be adopted. Bengford seconded the motion to adopt. Roll called. Motion carried 3-0.

WHEREAS, on the 6^th day of August 2002, presented a preliminary plat for the first filing of the Shorman Addition located on extended Pine Street north of Oak Street in Lawton Iowa; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The preliminary plat is approved as amended with the following agreements the will pay to install pavement of 36’ wide and 200’ long beginning at Oak Street and proceeding north to the South line of proposed addition to create an extension of Pine Street. will pay to install an additional 20’ length by 31’ width to the east side of extended Pine Street at entrance to proposed cul-de-sac; to provide a temporary turn around for city and service vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the will pay one half the cost of the storm sewer under Pine Street immediately north of Oak Street; and the repair storm sewer on Oak Street at Pine Street intersection. City of will pay for installation of 200 feet of sanitary sewer from on extended to the beginning of the Shorman Addition. City of will pay for water main in the complete addition.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Martin and Shorman, as sub-dividers, shall pay for all grading work associated with Pine Street right of way; and all remaining costs associated with paving extended Pine Street 36’ wide north at a starting point 200’ north of Oak Street. Sub-dividers also shall pay to install sanitary sewer in Shorman Addition; and sub-dividers shall pay half the cost of the storm sewer under of .

Passed, approved by vote of the Council and signed by Mayor Pro Tem Arlan Kolker this 6^th day of August, 2002.

Fire Chief Dennis Uhl gave fiscal year-end report. Council expressed appreciation to Uhl that the Fire Department stayed within their budget. Annual fundraiser will be held Saturday, September 14 at the Fire Hall. It will be a Pancake Breakfast serving from Proceeds are earmarked for either a thermal imager or an air compressor. Uhl also discussed training burn conducted July 13 at . Four new firefighters received hands-on experience along with remainder of squad.

Maintenance has been working on drainage problem near Elm & Main Streets. After discussion regarding maintenance pager not currently working, Schorg moved to reimburse Lowell Anderson at the rate of $20 per month for use of his personal cell phone in lieu of renting another pager. Bengford seconded. Roll called, motion carried 3-0. With on vacation, Shorman has been taking daily meter readings.

Clerk gave brief overview of Clerk’s Institute she attended in recently. Many requirements and recommendations will be implemented in daily business in the city office. Clerk reported 31 disconnect notices had been sent August 1 with an outstanding balance of $3,735.12. As of August 6, the outstanding balance is $2,646.63. Residents are urged to clean up after their pets. Notices will be sent to offenders of this ordinance.

Due to failure of landowner to pay charges incurred by city during mowing of private property, Kolker introduced Resolution # 2002-06 and moved the same be adopted. Schorg seconded the motion to adopt. Roll called. Motion carried 3-0.

In part: WHEREAS City Code 3-11-3 places a duty on owners to cut or destroy weeds or grasses before they seed or bloom and in any case before the 15^th day of each month May through October; and publication of this requirement occurred in the Moville Record; and all other legal requirements have been met and the following costs and charges remain unpaid:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the foregoing charges are hereby assessed to the property indicated in the amount shown. The Clerk is directed to certify to the for entry upon the books of the as an assessment said amount against each property.

Clerk reported Lot 4 of Sparr’s Hilltop 2^nd Addition had been mowed by city after violation notification had been sent to land owner. Regarding Resolution # 2002-07 Schorg moved this resolution be adopted. Kolker seconded the motion to adopt. Roll called. Motion carried 3-0.

In part: Whereas, City Code 3-11-3 places a duty upon the owner of each lot and parcel of ground to cut or destroy weeds or grass before they seed or bloom and in any case before the 15^th day of each month May through October; and publication of notice of this requirement occurred as required by City Code 3-11-5 in the Moville Record, as provided by Iowa code 362.3; and a report is hereby received showing the following abatements and the costs associated therewith:

Therefore be it resolved the foregoing labor costs and material costs are approved; a further administrative charge of 10% of the total amount is assessed. The City Clerk is directed to notify the property owner as shown by the tax records of the .

Be it further resolved the Clerk is directed to report to the Council 30 days after notifications were mailed as provided above as to any unpaid assessments which upon further resolution of the Council may be certified by the City Clerk to the for entry upon the books of the as an assessment against the property.

Discussion on the Birch Street Bridge Repair Assessment was tabled until September due to a quorum not being present if one council member present were to abstain from voting. Kolker would have abstained due to conflict of interests.

In other business, Council directed clerk to transfer $300,000 from Big Check account into 12 month Certificate of Deposit due to falling interest rates in Big Check account. Clerk reminded Council garbage rates will need to be revisited at September meeting due to new rates becoming effective from CHN Garbage and the Woodbury County Solid Waste Landfill.