Lawton City Council Minutes

 

January 6, 2004

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 6, 2004, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Council members answering roll: Tony Bengford, Don Grigg, Perry Ludwig, Terry Masching and Rick Schorg.  Mayor Jeff Nitzschke called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Mayor informed council of changes on the agenda intended to simplify meeting procedures.

 

Jim Sparr presented the final plat of Sparr’s Hilltop Acres, Fourth Addition for consideration by the Council.  This addition will add two lots south of Main Street in the 400 block and two lots north of Main Street in the 400 block.  Grigg moved to adopt Resolution #2004-01 Approving Plat of Sparr’s Hilltop Acres, Fourth Addition, to the City of Lawton, Woodbury County, Iowa.  Motion seconded by Schorg.  Motion carried on roll 5-0.  Complete text of resolution is on file at Lawton City Hall.

 

Motion was made by Masching, seconded by Bengford, to approve Resolution #2004-02 renewing animal control contract with Siouxland Humane Society.  Carried on roll call 5-0.  Complete text of resolution on file at City Hall.

 

Regarding Char-Mac Drive quit claim deed, City Attorney again recommended to council not to accept “qualified deed” as presented.  Janine Chartier was asked to bring new deed to council for consideration at February meeting.  Council discussed supporting ordinance to prohibit parking on certain areas of Char-Mac Drive, as well as prohibiting overnight parking.  City is currently under no obligation to clear snow on Char-Mac Drive as it is not considered a city street.

 

Chartier also issued pay request for down payment for lights at the Doyle and Virginia Smith Sports Complex.  Previous council had approved payment of $8,020.00 to Musco Lighting.

 

After considerable discussion following Chartier’s request for city to waive late fee for Char-Mac’s October 1, 2003 invoice, Grigg moved to waive late fee one time only.  Motion seconded by Bengford.  On roll voting aye:  Bengford, Grigg, Masching.  Voting nay:  Ludwig, Schorg.  Motion carried 3-2. 

 

Friendship Center renewal project will be discussed at February meeting.  Council is asked to look situation over to see what can be done to revitalize Center at reasonable cost.  Blinds have been shortened and cleaned.  Considerations include repainting ceiling or installing drop ceiling.

 

Attorney will continue to keep abreast of the police protection situation.  City is required to provide services.  Attorney is comparing several options at this time.

 

Health insurance premium has skyrocketed for city employee.  Clerk gave several suggestions to Council.  Masching made motion to raise deductible from current $500 to $2,000 with city partially self-insuring employee.  Ludwig seconded motion.  On roll motion carried 5-0.  With this move, current premium will drop from $756.40 down to $425.90.

 

Masching moved to pay annual membership dues of $100.00 to Hwy 20 Association.  Schorg seconded.  On roll 5-0, carried.

 

Lowell Anderson discussed problems with current sander and presented Council with bids he has received.  Since bids were relatively close, Grigg moved to have Anderson purchase new sander of his discretion.  Ludwig seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.  Anderson also provided Council with graph showing water and sewer usage for 2003.  Sewage is discharged spring and fall.

 

Concerns were expressed regarding residents and professional tree trimmers taking large tree limbs and trunks to the city burn pile.  No limbs larger than 4” in diameter are to be taken to the burn pile.  Council asked clerk to send letters out to offending parties. 

 

Council also commented on several vehicles illegally parked or abandoned.  Vehicle owners will either receive a letter or vehicles will be tagged according to city code.

 

Fire Chief Dennis Uhl gave presentation on Fire Department’s proposed budget for 2004-2005.  Replacing grass rig was discussed, as well as requiring physicals for firemen.  Annual fire budget meeting with the city, Banner and Concord townships is tentatively set for Jan. 29th, 7:00 pm, at Lawton Fire Station. 

 

No building permits were presented for consideration.

 

City clerk and councilman Grigg spoke briefly on Session 1 of the Municipal Leadership Academy.  Washburn, Grigg and Ludwig plan to attend Session 2 to be held at WIT on January 8th.  Clerk also informed Council payment had been received from Mark Richardson for four lots of real estate, namely Lots 13, 14, 15 & 16 of Block 3, Lawton.  Property owner of 306 Cedar questioned whose responsibility it would be to replace sidewalk since vehicles were parking on it.  Council stated it would be his responsibility.  Clerk suggested he talk to the business manager where the offenders work to see if employees could be instructed not to park on his sidewalk.

 

In Mayor Communications several policies will be implemented or updated.  Petitioners bringing information before the council will be asked to provide 10 copies of each document.  This will include copies for mayor, 5 council, clerk, maintenance, attorney and file.  Copies may be made at the clerk’s office at a charge of 10 cents per copy.  Clerk’s office will not be a resource for the public to send or receive faxes.  Fee for renting the shelter house in the park on Tara Way will remain at $25.  Fee for renting Friendship Center will remain at $30.  Grigg introduced and made motion to approve Resolution #2004-03, RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH BULK WATER RATES.  Masching seconded, carried on roll 5-0.  This resolution establishes a fee of $10/1,000 gallons of water purchased.  Complete text of resolution on file in clerk’s office.  Masching introduced and made motion to approve Resolution #2004-04, RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT.  This resolution establishes a mileage reimbursement equal to the Federal Mileage Reimbursement, currently 37½ cents/mile.  Motion seconded by Ludwig.  Carried on roll 5-0.  Complete text of resolution on file in clerk’s office. 

 

Bengford presented Council with information on replacing downtown street lights.  Cost would be approximately $24-$25 per pole per month.  Proposed lights would be roughly 35’ tall with 250 watt bulbs rather than current poles of 20’ height with 100 watt bulbs.   Current underground wiring is in need of replacement.  Several trees along Cedar Street would also have to be trimmed if new lights were installed.  Bengford will see if installation could be done prior to Centennial.

 

Grigg moved to approve Consent Agenda as presented.  Items included minutes of December 2, 2003, disbursements of $22,568.49, bills of $3,527.58, December financial statements and clerk’s report.  Motion seconded by Masching, carried on roll 5-0.

 

Washburn gave brief Centennial report.  Although not required to have city representation at Centennial meetings, a representative will try to attend remaining meetings. 

 

Mayor Nitzschke appointed Councilman Grigg as his Mayor pro tem.  Council reappointed Pat Washburn as City Clerk and Glenn Metcalf as City Attorney on motion by Bengford, seconded by Ludwig.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Metcalf gave brief presentation to Council regarding Open Meetings Law.  He also reminded them of the use, or possible abuse, of email for correspondence. 

 

With no further business, meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

WARRANTS APPROVED

 

 

CHN Garbage

1934.40

Lawton Pronto, fuel

92.76

Western Iowa Telephone

120.55

S&S Equipment, hose clamps

7.50

Siouxland Humane Society, dog

31.00

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Lowell Anderson, meeting pay

186.16

Anthony Bengford, meeting pay

232.38

Arlan Kolker, meeting pay

265.58

Terry Masching, meeting pay

265.58

Jeff Nitzschke, meeting pay

232.38

Mary Beth Schorg, meeting pay

199.18

Martin Shorman, mayoral pay

758.80

Patricia Washburn, meeting pay

248.22

Sioux City Engineering, retainer fee

7639.35

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Big Soo Terminal, road salt

86.85

Menards, file hall repairs

38.52

MidAmerican Energy

1610.16

Share Corp, Natraklene

109.12

US20 Association, dues

100.00

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.29

Iowa League of Cities, MLA Reg. # 2

25.00

Acco, chlorine, supplies

596.42

Big Soo Terminal, road salt

90.90

Bomgaars, chain oil, gloves

22.05

Central Iowa Distributing, chemicals

125.00

Luse-Etler-Goodwin, surety bond

100.00

Siouxland District Health, lab fee

10.00

Utility Equipment Company, meters, gaskets

427.18

Patricia Washburn, salary

1258.24

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

EFTPS, Federal liabilities

1124.34

IPERS, December contribution

620.64

State Treasurer, IA Withholding

536.00

State of Iowa, 4th Qtr sales tax

1709.10

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Big Soo Terminal, road salt

377.40

CHN Garbage

1934.40

Drummond American Corp, clean buoy

148.72

Share Corp., Natraklene

108.40

Suburban Supply, labor, backhoe

96.00

Triple D Contracting, haul road salt

60.00

Wolf Creek Graphics, 300 newsletters

70.00

Lawton Pronto, fuel

168.75

O'Reilly Automotive, wiper blades & fluid

14.57

Western Iowa Telephone

108.06

 

 

 

 

                                                            SIGNED BY:                                                               

                                                                                    Jeff Nitzschke, Mayor

 

 

ATTESTED BY:         

 

 

                                                           

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk