Lawton City Council Minutes

March 4, 2003

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office. Council members answering roll: Mary Beth Schorg, Jeff Nitzschke and Arlan Kolker. Mayor pro tem Kolker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Schorg moved to approve tentative agenda as presented. Nitzschke seconded, roll call 3-0, carried. Nitzschke moved to approve consent agenda, Schorg seconded. Roll call 3-0, carried.

No building permits were presented for consideration. Councilman Tony Bengford arrived at 5:15 pm. Regarding property at 307 and 311 Cedar Street, asbestos abatement bids were received from J&J and Co., Ltd, KMB Diversified Services, Inc., and RSI. Nitzschke moved to award abatement contract to low bidder, KMB Diversified Services, Inc. with a bid of $1,115.00. Schorg seconded. On roll 4-0, carried. Abatement bids were based on inspection performed last month by licensed abatement contractor. Councilman Terry Masching arrived at 5:30 p.m.

Bids were opened for the demolition contract for property at 307 and 311 Cedar Street. Bids were received from Triple D Contracting Inc., J. Myron Olson & Son Inc., and Lieber Construction Inc. Nitzschke moved to award demolition contract to low bidder, Triple D Contracting Inc. with a bid of $15,973.99. Masching seconded. On roll 5-0, carried. Contractor may salvage any and all building materials. Contract to include demolition of all buildings located on said property, removal of all building materials and footings, removal of old sidewalk, backfill basements, prepare site according to City specifications and dispose of concrete rubble located near City Shop.

Jerry Steffen with Steffen Engineering provided Council with a cost estimate of $40,255.00 for box culvert and improvements at intersection of Elm and Larimer Streets. Council instructed Steffen to get plan specifications form of contract. Work on project could start early to mid summer with completion by Sept. 1, 2003. Steffen also presented bills for work completed at Council request. Kolker moved to pay Steffen $3,937.50 for services. Masching seconded. On roll 5-0, carried.

Clerk introduced student assistant, Brian Johnson. Johnson helps in office once a week as part of work experience program.

Rod Lieber was present to discuss possible options for land recently purchased. Council will investigate during the month and discuss again in April with Lieber. Current Flood Plain Map was printed in 1976. Clerk will attempt to get updated version.

Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Budget Estimate Hearing was opened at 6:00 p.m. No written or oral comments were received, and no one present asked to be heard. Hearing was closed at 6:10 p.m. Masching moved to accept Budget Estimate as proposed, Bengford seconded. On roll 5-0, carried.

Clerk informed Council of special meeting March 25 at 5:30 pm for the purpose of discussing city insurance options. Bill Goodwin will discuss current carrier, EMC, as well as alternative, ICAP.

Hearing for possible lease option with AT&T was opened at 6:30 pm. American Tower representative Bruce Heyduk joined Council via conference phone. Considerable discussion was held with Heyduk answering questions from all present. No written or oral comments had been received prior to the hearing, and no one at the hearing expressed negative comments. Hearing was closed at 7:00 pm. Resolution # 2003-06 approving a Co-Location Multi-Year Lease with AT&T for the purpose of locating antennae on top of the City water tower located at 507 E Main Street was read. Terms include an original lease of 10 years with four additional five-year options. AT&T agrees to pay the City $1,000.00 per month during the first year of the lease period. Each additional year will see an increase of 3% payable to the City. Nitzschke moved to approve said resolution. Bengford seconded. Roll called, 5-0, carried.

Clerk noted Fire Department has been using old bank building for Search and Rescue practices. It will possibly be used several times in March for same purpose. Quality Upholstery and More has moved into building at 301 Cedar, and is open for business. A new pole and light will be installed on Hwy 20 west of Lawton sign near Pronto. Hopefully this will illuminate the sign better. Notices have been sent to current tenants in LCDC building asking them to vacate no later than March 31, 2003. Gas and electric to old bank and LCDC building are set to be disconnected April 1 and April 15 respectively. Council gave permission for Clerk to attend IMFOA Spring Conference April 23-25.

After considerable discussion, Council determined the necessity of Resolution 2003-05 Regarding the Sale of Certain Real Estate namely Lots 13, 14, 15 and 16, Block 3, City of Lawton, Woodbury County, Iowa. Notice will be published and public hearing will be held on said proposal. Briefly, Council agreed to ask $25,000.00 for said lots subject to agreement by purchaser that taxable assessed value shall be no less than $200,000.00 for the year beginning July 1, 2005. Public hearing will be held April 1, 2003 at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers in Lawton to consider the foregoing proposal. Resolution presented on motion of Bengford, seconded by Kolker at which time roll call vote was held. Ayes: Schorg, Nitzschke, Bengford, Kolker, Masching. Nays: None. Motion carried.

A general discussion was held regarding setbacks from alleys in residential areas. Councilman NItzschke introduced and caused to be read the following proposed ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 6-8-2

CONSTRUCTION AND YARD REQUIREMENTS

Section 6-8-2, Subpart 3 provided “There shall not be allowed any construction on alleys.” Subpart 3 shall be modified to read as follows: “All construction shall be set back four feet (4’) from public alleys. However this set back requirement shall not include aprons or approaches to garages or other structures which shall be permitted to come to the property line.” Nitzschke moved to approve the First Reading of said ordinance, seconded by Kolker. First Reading passed 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

REVENUES BY FUND DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

Interest on Investments	3,479.78
TIF	0.00	TIF	0.00
General	1,139.77	General	4,031.99
Local Option Sales Tax	5,315.73	Local Option Sales Tax	0.00
Road Use Tax	4,717.22	Road Use Tax	1,979.18
Water	3,382.71	Water	1,503.82
Sewer	1,510.46	Sewer	1,971.55
Garbage	976.02	Garbage	1,926.40
TOTOAL REVENUE	20,521.69	FEBRUARY DISBURSEMENTS	11,412.94

WARRANTS APPROVED

Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
IAMU, OSHA posters	6.00
Kuehl and Payer LTD, water treat. Plan	375.00
Lawton Pronto, fuel	238.12
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
American Legion, flags	40.00
J&J and Co., Ltd, asbestos inspection	632.00
Lawton Civic Dev. Corp, building purchase	1.00
US Bank, postage, 1099's	42.88
Western Iowa Telephone	117.25
MidAmerican Energy	1785.19
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.49
AceOps, membership dues	35.00
AceOps, Continuing Ed, 2 classes	60.00
Big Soo Terminal, road salt	85.57
Iowa Rural Water Association, Cont. Ed.	10.00
Menard's, shop supplies	47.78
United Rentals, 40' ladder	34.20
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.49
Patricia Washburn, salary	1001.13
First Trust & Savings, payroll liabilities	895.12
IPERS	337.97
Bomgaars, engine heater	26.95
CHN Garbage	1926.40
Central Iowa Distributing, orange float, misc.	117.75
Hach Company, chemicals	162.55
Menards, H2O supplies, hammer drill kit	110.77
Metcalf, Thompson & Phipps, services	250.00
Moville Record, 8 publications	429.15
Share Corp, Natraklene, battery cleaner	103.63
Martin Shorman, reimbursement	235.75
Siouxland Dist. Health Dept., lab fees	10.00
Sioux City Iron Co., gas can	37.21
Woodbury Co. Area Solid Waste	1696.71
Woodbury Co. Treasurer, 2nd ½ prop. Taxes	825.73

SIGNED BY:

Arlan Kolker, Mayor Pro Tem

ATTESTED BY:

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk