Lawton City Council Minutes

 

February 3, 2004

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Council members answering roll: Perry Ludwig, Don Grigg, and Tony Bengford.  Mayor Jeff Nitzschke called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 

 

No building permits presented for consideration.

 

Representatives of the Woodbury County Deputy Sheriff’s Association were present to make council aware of Woodbury County’s budget crisis and proposed cuts to emergency services by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.  After considerable discussion, Council agreed to send letter to Board of Supervisors requesting they reconsider the proposed cuts.  Council feels it would be a detriment to the citizens of Lawton to lose the emergency services and personnel currently provided by the county.

 

Terry Masching arrived at 5:05, Rick Schorg arrived at 5:10.

 

Rollie Clark of CHN Garbage was present to ask council to renew 2-year contract for services.  Clark stated CHN would continue with annual city-wide pickup in June as has been done in the past.  There will be no additional fees for this service.  Rates to the city for picking up garbage will increase by 80 cents per can per month.  Council feels at this time the increase can be absorbed by Garbage Fund rather than increase costs to users.  Grigg moved to sign 2-year contract with CHN.  Schorg seconded.  On roll 5-0, carried.

 

Brian McNaughton expressed concerns that the city is not cleaning his portion of Char-Mac Drive, i.e. his driveway.  He presented a letter dated February 11, 2000, from Attorney Metcalf stating “the City would be solely responsible for the maintenance of this street…”  Metcalf reiterated that Char-Mac Drive is currently considered a private drive because an “un-qualified” deed for Char-Mac Drive has not been presented to the city for acceptance.   It is therefore not the city responsibility at this time.

 

On motion by Bengford, seconded by Masching, Council approved pre-payment of $487.92 to Town & Country Lawn Services for a 4-step application on Lawton Memorial Park and park located on Tara Way.  On roll, 5-0, carried.

 

Motion to pay membership dues to Iowa Rural Water Association for fiscal year 2004-05 was made by Ludwig, seconded by Masching.  Dues are $175.00.  On roll 5-0, carried.

 

New light fixtures and poles for Cedar Street were discussed.  Also discussed was the possibility of widening Cedar Street in downtown area by narrowing sidewalks on each side.  Council feels completion could not be done prior to Centennial; therefore it was tabled at this time. 

 

Regarding Friendship Center Renewal Project, Mayor will investigate cost of taping, retexturing and painting the ceiling.  Walls will remain as they are.

 

Council gave approval to Clerk Washburn to purchase web page software and begin working on a city website.  Web page may include agendas, minutes, calendar of events, Centennial information, as well as links to other entities.

 

2005 Budget proposal was presented for consideration.  Considering reimbursement cuts by the State, Counsel pointed out additional revenue source not generally used by Lawton.  After much discussion Council agreed to levy for property and liability insurance in addition to 8.10 limit.  Bengford moved to pass Resolution #2004-06, Resolution to Hold Public Hearing March 2, 2004 to Approve Budget Estimate for Fiscal Year 2004-2005.  Clerk will make modifications as ordered by Council.  Ludwig seconded motion. On roll, 5-0, carried. 

 

According to Lowell Anderson new sander is in, however is not in use yet.  Jack Howard has been hired as part-time, on-call help with snow removal.  Some residents still blow or scoop snow onto already cleaned streets when they are clearing their driveways and sidewalks.  This creates a nuisance for street crews as well as other residents.  Anderson also reported he can no longer get currently used water meters from the same vendor.  New meters are needed.

 

Council gave approval to request grant information from MRHD.  Grant would be used for new informational sign.  Specifics on sign have not been decided as of yet.  A single-face sign located on the side of the Friendship Center was discussed, as well as a double-faced sign located on a free-standing pole.  Grigg also mentioned the need for a “Lawton City Hall” sign above Clerk’s office door.  Schorg will investigate options.

 

Kim Clay notified Council of photo shoot to be held at WIT Monday morning.  The city will be receiving $1000 grant from INS, with matching $1000 from Western Iowa Telephone.  Money is to be used to purchase black and gold flowers for Centennial.  Mayor Nitzschke plans to attend.

 

Centennial Committee will need sand for sand volleyball court.  Also will need electrical sources.  City okayed use of drop cords.  Centennial meeting will be held February 9th.

 

At this time, subject of outdoor warning sirens or weather radios has been dropped.  State law does not require city to provide emergency warning devices.  NOAA/National Weather Service channels are available to everyone in town and provide a very reliable service.

 

Masching made motion to approve Consent Agenda including minutes of January 6, 2004; disbursements of $16,617.62; bills of $1,287.88; liquor permit renewal for Vos Enterprises, dba Lawton Pronto; financial statements for January 2004; clerk’s report.  Motion seconded by Grigg.  Carried on roll 5-0.

 

After discussing the benefits of banking locally with the services provided, Masching caused to be read DEPOSITORY RESOLUTION #2004-05.  This resolution states the depository of the City of Lawton will be First Trust and Savings Bank of Moville Iowa.  The maximum deposit allowed to be held in this bank for the city is $1,250,000.  Schorg seconded motion.  On roll, 5-0, carried.

 

Regarding purchase of grass rig for fire department, Council discussed option of splitting equipment purchases equally between City, Banner Township and Concord Township.  Motion made by Masching that state formula should be used on all purchases, including equipment purchasing.  This formula changes every two years and is currently 24% for City, 21% for Banner Township, 55% for Concord Township.  Formula is based on three items:  population, property valuation, and number of calls within each district.  Motion seconded by Ludwig.  Carried on roll 5-0.  Clerk will notify township secretaries.

 

Attorney advised Council that the Peterson annexation is not completed yet.

 

Clerk notified Council that City Hall will be closed February 27th-March 1st.    

 

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

 

 

 

WARRANTS APPROVED

 

Linweld, oxygen, acetylene

42.97

Marx Truck Trailer Sales, cutting edge, joy stick

220.84

United States Treasury, Dec. 2000 correction

284.52

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Musco Lighting, dwn. Pmt. Ball lights

8020.00

American Family Insurance, Anderson

425.90

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

MidAmerican Energy

1862.71

US Bank, office supplies

283.14

Luse-Etler-Goodwin, Inc, add water tower

302.00

Moville Record, 3 publications

249.40

USA Blue Book, supplies

78.10

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Menards, shop/fire hall supplies, dehumidifier

231.27

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Patricia Washburn, salary

1258.23

IPERS, January contribution

437.34

EFTPS, payroll tax liabilities

1156.08

Colonial Research Chem. Corp, chemicals

281.08

Iowa One Call, 12 locates

10.80

Woodbury Co. Treas, property taxes

996.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

                                                            SIGNED BY:                                                               

                                                                                    Jeff Nitzschke, Mayor

 

 

 

 

ATTESTED BY:         

 

 

                                                           

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk