Lawton City Council Minutes

January 7, 2003

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 7, 2003, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office. Council members answering roll: Jeff Nitzschke, Arlan Kolker, Terry Masching. Mayor Martin Shorman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Kolker moved to approve tentative agenda as presented. Masching seconded, roll call 3-0, carried. Mary Beth Schorg arrived 5:06 p.m. Nitzschke moved to approve consent agenda with exception of bill from Suburban Supply. Kolker seconded, roll called 4-0, carried. Discussion held on Suburban Supply bill regarding whose responsibility this added expense was. Engineer Jerry Steffen was present and stated he would pay the bill since new water main had to be lowered after original installation.

No building permits were presented for consideration. Don Grigg, representing the Lawton Civic Development Corporation (LCDC), informed Council of a Veteran’s Memorial stone that will be placed in new gazebo in downtown city park. Plans are to have it installed by May with possible dedication on or near Memorial Day, 2003. Paul Dunn expressed interest in purchasing city property west across K49 from his home. Councilman Tony Bengford arrived at 5:20. Tim Loftus asked to have Gallery water bill waived as he currently doesn’t have a sewer hookup to that location. Council granted request. Sewer will be hooked up as soon as weather permits. City attorney informed Council of Unemployment Insurance appeal dealing with former employee.

Neil Kuehl and Tom Grafft, representing Kuehl and Payer Engineering, spoke on water filtration plant options. Several photos were shared of area facilities. After much discussion, Nitzschke moved to hire Kuehl & Payer for $2,500 to do a study and draw up preliminary plans for the town of Lawton. Kolker seconded motion, roll call 5-0, carried.

First Trust and Savings Bank has notified the city they have everything removed from the old bank that they want to keep. Water lines will be drained. Mayor will get demolition bids. A public hearing will be held to dispose of property. Attorney Metcalf informed Council he still needs one signature on deed transferring ownership of building located at 309/311 Cedar from the LCDC to the city of Lawton. Nitzschke will discuss ownership transfer with current tenants.

Jerry Steffen made recommendation for new box culvert under Elm Street at Larimer and Elm intersection. Council asked for price estimate.

Lowell Anderson discussed possible meter change to tamper-proof meters as current meters need to be replaced. Lawton Water Usage graphs for 2002 were distributed for Council examination. We currently bill approximately 75%. Council looked at possible Christmas decoration replacements. Cost will average $250-$300 per decoration. No decision made at this time. Denim shirts have been ordered by city employees. They will display city name, employee name and water logo. Nitzschke moved to purchase two shirts each for Anderson and Washburn. Schorg seconded motion. Roll 5-0, carried.

Regarding Siouxland Humane Society Contract, Nitzschke moved to approve contract as presented for upcoming year. Kolker seconded. Roll call 5-0, carried. Clerk informed Council the Woodbury County Library tax asking from town of Lawton for 2003-2004 will be $9,370. Clerk suggested dropping mileage allowance to coincide with federal rate of 36 cents/mile. Council agreed. W-2’s and 1099’s should be sent within next two weeks. Bruce Heyduk of American Tower contacted city for further verification of possibly installing AT&T antennas on water tower. He was reminded of public hearing necessity. Iowa DOT gave city project notification of impending hot mix asphalt resurfacing scheduled to be completed during 2003 on Hwy. 20. Council granted city clerk permission to attend Municipal Clerk’s Institute in Ames July 21-25, 2003. Scholarship will be applied for to help with registration costs. Fire Chief Dennis Uhl will call Annual Fire meeting in January. Council and Mayor will be notified of exact date.

Kolker moved to approve Resolution 2003-01 “Adjustment of Current City Budget”. This resolution will adjust city budget requirements from old format of four programs to new format of nine functions. Schorg seconded motion. Roll called, 5-0, carried.

Attorney Metcalf will bring ordinance modification recommendation to February meeting requiring four-foot setbacks from side and back lot lines for any structure project. Current ordinance does not specify a setback from back lot lines. After brief discussion regarding meeting pay for city employees required attending council meetings, Council asked attorney to update current ordinance to include those employees required to attend meetings, specifically City Clerk and Water/Wastewater Superintendent. Metcalf will provide modification at February meeting. A resident has questioned about mold on the bottom of the water tower. Anderson will get sample and send it in for analysis. Clerk will update “Lawton Guide” and order reprints for distribution.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

(Revenues and Disbursements listed on following page)

REVENUES BY FUND DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

Interest on Investments	574.78
TIF	0.00	TIF	0.00
General	7,483.55	General	6,985.00
Local Option Sales Tax	0.00	Local Option Sales Tax	0.00
Road Use Tax	4,534.61	Road Use Tax	21,701.63
Water	172.92	Water	3,960.33
Sewer	82.46	Sewer	1,956.97
Garbage	103.08	Garbage	3,772.08
TOTOAL REVENUE	12,951.40	DEC. DISBURSEMENTS	38,376.01

WARRANTS APPROVED

Iowa Rural Water Association, Lagoon conf.	25.00
Janine Washburn, deposit refund	13.32
First Trust & Savings, box rent	17.00
Barkley Asphalt, resurface S. Tara Way	20500.00
Lawton Pronto, fuel	40.00
US 20 Association, 2003 dues	100.00
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Anthony Bengford, meeting pay	165.98
Arlan Kolker, meeting pay	165.98
Terry Masching, meeting pay	165.98
Jeff Nitzschke, meeting pay	165.98
Mary Beth Schorg, meeting pay	199.18
Patricia Washburn, meeting pay	186.16
Martin Shorman, salary	758.80
Mary Beth Schorg, consultation	537.23
Holiday Lites & Trim, bulbs	56.11
Sioux City Iron Company, helicoil kit	60.75
Western Iowa Telephone	135.68
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.49
American Family Ins., Lowell 1st Qtr. Ins.	583.20
Barco, rakes, chaps	130.46
Drummond American Corp, Clean Buoy	149.30
WW Grainger, safety cabinet, can	310.38
Chuck Hinds, angle iron	13.00
Lawson Products, nuts, capscrews	123.68
Luse-Etler-Goodwin, Inc., surety bond	100.00
Menards, supplies	12.95
Metcalf, Thompson & Phipps, legal services	115.00
MidAmerican Energy	1432.60
Siouxland Dist. Health Dept, lab fee	10.00
New Sioux City Iron Co., 5 gal. gas can	34.13
US Bank, clerical supplies, light bulbs	141.37
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Patricia Washburn, salary	1001.13
First Trust & Savings, 941 contribution	1069.56
IPERS	576.70
Treasurer, State of Iowa, IA withholding	491.00
State of Iowa, 4th Qtr sales tax	1770.90
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Barnable's Repair, Ford tractor	320.47
Bomgaars, supplies	62.35
CHN Garbage	1926.40
Central Iowa Distributing, supplies	128.00
Menard's, couplings, etc	18.49
Patricia Washburn, mileage	14.24
Western Iowa Telephone, service	112.57

SIGNED BY:

Martin Shorman, Mayor

ATTESTED BY:

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk