Lawton City Council Minutes

 

April 6, 2004

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Council members answering roll: Perry Ludwig, Rick Schorg, and Don Grigg.  Mayor Jeff Nitzschke called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 

 

Jean Parrish, Mobile Clinic Coordinator with Siouxland Community Health Center, spoke to Council regarding setting up mobile clinic in Lawton.  A large number of area residents already use the services of SCHC, and the mobile clinic will make accessibility easier for residents.  Two examination rooms are located in the mobile clinic.  A doctor and nurse will be on site during the stops in Lawton.  Location was discussed with possibility of parking unit downtown or at one of the churches.  Signs will be posted notifying residents of upcoming visits.  Terry Masching arrived at 5:05 pm.  Tony Bengford was absent.

 

Notice will be sent to property owner at 322 E Oak regarding lawn waste nuisances. 

 

Council heard from Concrete Complete regarding recommendations for improving Maple Street.  No action taken at this time.

 

Dan Thompson and Deb Willer, co-chairmen of the Lawton Centennial, gave presentation on upcoming events.  Woodbury County has approved proposed detour around and through town during Centennial events.  The meadow west of City Shed will be prepared for parking.  Triple D Contracting has been contacted regarding site preparations.  Lack of picnic tables is an issue.  Committee may build new ones to use during Centennial, then later auctioned.  Bid was received from Welbuilt Construction to provide drop-power during the Centennial for $450.

 

Building permits were issued for the following:  Pat Bamrick, 426 E Birch, cement slab; Gary Byers, 409 E Maple, storage garage; Howard Smith, 105 Elm, uncovered deck and porch; Scott Zenor, 414 E Birch, home.

 

Jerry Steffen presented map depicting possible widening of Cedar Street in the 300 block.  Council took under advisement and may proceed with project at a later date.  Steffen was instructed to get figures together for cost of improvements.  Abutting property owners will be given opportunity to make improvements to their sidewalk at the same time.

 

A grant has been applied for that would assist in purchasing an illuminated double-faced informational sign.  Location of the sign will be near the intersection of Cedar and Maple Streets.  Mayor Nitzschke will contact DOT regarding location.

 

A local contractor has been contacted regarding taping and retexturing the ceiling in Friendship Center.  On motion by Grigg, seconded by Masching, Council approved Mayor proclaiming week of April 5-9, 2004 as Week of the Young Child in Lawton, Iowa.  Motion carried 4-0.  Complete text of Proclamation has been distributed to residents through April newsletter, and is available for inspection at City Hall.

 

Council listened to presentation on digital camera.  Masching moved to allow clerk to spend up to $500, after rebates, toward purchase of digital camera and other equipment.  Schorg seconded motion.  On roll motion carried 4-0.

 

Masching moved to accept bid from Triple D Contracting in the amount of $730 to grade the area south of city maintenance shed.  Ludwig seconded motion, carried on roll 4-0.

 

Bid was received to clean inside and outside of water tower.  Council will not name contractor until a certificate of insurance has been obtained.

 

Work on Maple Street cannot be completed before Centennial, therefore Anderson was asked to contact asphalt contractors regarding repairs.  Ludwig made motion to allow Anderson up to $24,999 in street repairs as he sees fit.  Masching seconded.  Carried on roll, 4-0.

 

Council also instructed Anderson to hire second maintenance man on a “part-time, as-needed” basis.  Anderson stated he will require quite a bit of help through the summer months.  Part-timer will be hired at $9/hr.

 

Grigg moved to approve Consent Agenda as presented to include approval of March 2, 2004 minutes, approval of disbursements in the amount of $15,357.60, and approval of March, 2004 financial statement.  Masching seconded.  On roll, 4-0, carried.

 

Pursuant to City Code, Ludwig moved to pass Resolution #2004-07, regarding assessment of unpaid utility charges to property taxes at 207 Elm Street in Lawton.  Grigg seconded, carried on roll 4-0.  Clerk will file notification with Woodbury County Treasurer.  Complete text of resolution is on file at City Hall.  Schorg left meeting at 6:55 pm.

 

Bill Goodwin has offered to pay for Dram Shop coverage for the city during day of the parade only, which is June 26, 2004.  Council expressed appreciation.

 

Donation of $50 has been received from Don Grigg to be used toward purchase of Lawton City Hall sign.  Bob Andrus has pledged $50 toward purchase of Friendship Center sign.  Signs have been ordered and are expected in within the week.

 

Grigg attended Municipal Leadership Academy Session #3 in Cherokee April 3rd and reported on meeting.  Suggestions for dealing with nuisances were discussed.  It was also recommended that Council take tour of the town to familiarize themselves with surroundings.

 

Clerk informed Council city website has been online since March 10, 2004 with a high number of viewers.  It seems to be a success.  Clerk would like to have access to creating .pdf documents.

 

Attorney advised Council that the Peterson annexation is not completed yet.  Council asked that steps be made forward on the matter prior to May council meeting. 

 

Grigg made motion to adjourn at 7:35 pm, seconded by Ludwig, carried on roll 3-0.

 

                 REVENUES BY FUND                                         DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

 

Interest Earned

920.42

 

 

 

General

2,672.16

 

General

2,873.02

Local Option Sales Tax

4,564.83

 

Local Option Sales Tax

 

Road Use Tax

5,951.38

 

Road Use Tax

2,962.76

Water

45.60

 

Water

4,723.76

Sewer

16.00

 

Sewer

2,302.09

Garbage

32.50

 

Garbage

5,564.13

TOTAL REVENUE

14,202.89

 

MARCH DISBURSEMENTS

18,425.76

 

 

WARRANTS APPROVED

 

CHN Garbage, 98 sm/144 lg cans

1854.70

Lawton Pronto, February fuel

500.52

Marx Truck Trailer Sales, cutting edge

77.64

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Acco Unlimited Corp, chlorine

242.25

Suburban Supply, labor & backhoe

180.00

Western Iowa Telephone, domain name

156.23

Chuck Hinds, tire chain crossbars

25.00

Menards, flood lights

13.96

MidAmerican Energy, February bills

1892.47

Sioux City Iron, tire chain crossbars

142.56

US Bank, software, supplies

129.71

Utility Equipment Co, 2 clamps

203.98

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.29

Iowa DNR, compost workshop (2)

40.00

Share Corp., Natraklene

105.61

Siouxland Dist. Health Dept., lab fee

10.00

Lowell Anderson, salary

441.28

Patricia L Washburn, salary

1258.24

EFTPS, payroll taxes

989.62

IPERS, March payroll

379.64

Treasurer of Iowa, IA withholding

545.00

Treasurer of Iowa, IA sales tax

1193.85

Wolf Creek Graphics, newsletters

232.50

American Family Ins., Lowell

425.90

CHN Garbage

2039.35

Hydro Metering Technology, 6 meters

443.74

IMFOA, Spring Conf. registration

35.00

Metcalf, Thompson & Phipps

140.00

Steffen Engineering, test well

335.00

 

 

 

 

                                                            SIGNED BY:                                                                

                                                                                    Jeff Nitzschke, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTESTED BY:

 

 

                                                           

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk