Lawton City Council Minutes

 

May 6, 2003

 

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Council members answering roll: Tony Bengford, Arlan Kolker, Terry Masching, Jeff Nitzschke and Mary Beth Schorg.  Mayor pro tem Kolker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Schorg moved to approve tentative and consent agendas as presented. Masching seconded, roll call 5-0, carried.

 

Building permits were approved for the following: Dave Caley, 508 E Oak,  deck; Norman Custer, 110 W Birch, deck and entry; Chris Frommelt, 509 E Oak, fence, patio; William Harrison, 91 Elm, deck and stairs; Eric Klein, 96 Cedar, fence; Mark Richardson, 506 N Cedar, garage; Todd Roerig, 427 E Maple, shed and patio; Bert Shoumaker, 303 E Oak, deck.  Water connection only will be needed for 506 N Cedar.  Council discussed including an expiration date on building permits.  An amended ordinance will be brought before the Council at the June meeting.

 

Jeanine Chartier expressed concerns regarding Char-Mac Drive quit-claim deed.  Upon recommendation by city attorney, Council would prefer dealing with parking problems along Char-Mac Drive through a city ordinance rather than accepting the deed as presented.  Chartier also inquired about possible future assistance with TIF monies.  No decisions were made at this time.

 

The City Budget Amendment Hearing amending the current years’ budget was opened at 5:40 pm.  No citizen expressed written or oral objection to the proposed budget changes.  The Budget Amendment Hearing was adjourned.  As all publication deadlines were met and the public was duly informed of this hearing, Schorg moved to approve Resolution # 2003-12, Amendment of Current City Budget, as proposed.  Nitzschke seconded motion.  On roll 5-0, motion carried.

 

Several residents spoke regarding the improvements needed on Maple Street.  Jerry Steffen of Steffen Engineering distributed schedules of preliminary assessments for property owners along Maple Street should the street be replaced with 6” of concrete.  Many were against any form of assessment since the street is less than 10 years old. 

 

At this time, Kolker temporarily broke from the street discussion to open the public hearing at 6:15 pm regarding the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the construction of the Box Culvert Replacement at Larimer and Elm Street Intersection.  This hearing was held to allow all interested persons to appear and to file objections to the proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract or estimated cost.  No citizen expressed written or oral objection to the proposed improvements.  The hearing was adjourned.  Bids were accepted until 6:00 pm regarding this project.  Steffen opened bids from the following bonded contractors:  Hopkins Contracting of Sloan, Sioux City Engineering of Sioux City, Albenesius Contracting of Jackson, King Construction of Odebolt, Lessard Contracting of Sergeant Bluff, Mark Albenesius of Jackson and Christensen Bros. of Cherokee. 

 

Pro tem Kolker stated he needed to leave the meeting. Schorg made a motion to seat Nitzschke as pro tem for the remainder of the meeting.  Masching seconded.  On roll 4-0 with Nitzschke abstaining, carried.  After bid estimates were closely examined, Steffen recommended the Council award contract to the low bid of $55,242.00 from Sioux City Engineering.  Schorg moved to award contract as recommended to Sioux City Engineering, Bengford seconded.  On roll 4-0, carried.

 

More discussion was held on the Maple Street issue.  Masching moved to table further discussion at this time and asked that City Attorney Metcalf and Mayor Shorman contact Lawton-Bronson CSD regarding possible volunteer assistance with street project.  Bengford seconded motion.  On roll 4-0, carried. 

 

Tom Grafft, engineering technician with Kuehl & Payer gave presentation on water filtration study results.  Three sites were researched with cost estimates ranging from $442,640 to $525,855.  After considerable discussion on options, Masching moved to hold public hearing on June 3, 2003 at 6:00 pm at City Hall regarding a water rate increase of 25% due to building of this water treatment facility.  When questioned, Grafft stated the proposed style of filtration plant would remove the iron and manganese Lawton residents currently deal with.  Bengford seconded motion.  Roll call 4-0, carried.

 

Resident questioned possible sale of city-owned property located south of City Maintenance shop.  At this time the Council is unsure of their plans for said property.  Council heard Dale Peterson discuss possible annexation of property south of Hwy 20.  No action taken at this time.

 

City Maintenance, Lowell Anderson, discussed receiving bids to clean mold from outside of water tower.  One bid represented cleaning only the bottom half.  Anderson will ask that firm to resubmit before a decision is made.  Patching of Maple Street will begin as soon as the weather allows.  Ground work and reseeding or sod needs to be done at Veteran’s Memorial Park downtown.  Clerk will investigate applying for grant to assist in costs.

 

Clerk reported on attending IMFOA Conference in April.  The Iowa Senate and House of Representatives have passed a bill reducing state funding to cities and counties of $60 million.  This represents a loss of about $7,500 to the city of Lawton.  Iowa Code allows for payment to the mayor pro tem a portion of the mayor’s salary if said mayor pro tem performs mayoral duties for at least 15 consecutive days.  As this was the case in March of 2003, clerk will include proper pay in checks to be issued prior to June 30.  Two new businesses opened in Lawton May 1st, TJ’s Sports Bar & Grill owned and operated by Tony Thompson, and Expressions Family Salon owned and operated by Tammy Peters.  Property locations are 320 and 322 N Cedar, respectively.  Council approved ordering Lawton History book at cost of $39.  Clerk informed Council 27 residents were sent disconnect notices on May 2nd.

 

Regarding 3rd and Final reading of Ordinance Amending Section 6-8-2, “Construction and Yard Requirements”, Nitzschke moved to accept third and final reading.  Masching seconded, 4-0 on roll, carried.  Adopted ordinance effective upon publication reads as follows:

 

An Ordinance Amending Section 6-8-2,

Construction and Yard Requirements

 

1.      All construction of residential property shall have a twenty-five foot (25’) setback from the street right-of-way or adjacent to existing residence.

2.      All construction shall be four feet (4’) from the side yard lines.

3.      All construction shall be set back four feet (4’) from the rear lot line.  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.

4.      All building permits shall be approved by the City Council prior to the commencement of construction.

 

Resolution # 2003-11, Authorizing the City to Apply for Membership in the Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association was read.  After examination by city attorney Metcalf, it was recommended Council should approve said resolution.  Masching moved to accept terms and conditions as set out in the 28E Agreement with IMWCA, and to apply for membership with IMWCA.  Bengford seconded.  On roll 4-0, carried.

 

With no further business, meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES BY FUND                                DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

 

 

Interest on Investments

3,157.54

 

 

 

TIF

0.00

 

TIF

0.00

General

40,924.87

 

General

3,295.35

Local Option Sales Tax

4,528.43

 

Local Option Sales Tax

0.00

Road Use Tax

4,482.68

 

Road Use Tax

1,972.85

Water

12,424.46

 

Water

3,321.42

Sewer

6,480.92

 

Sewer

1,619.41

Garbage

6,559.11

 

Garbage

2,227.55

TOTOAL REVENUE

78,558.01

 

APRIL  DISBURSEMENTS

12,436.58

 

 

 

WARRANTS APPROVED

 

 

State of Iowa, 1st Qtr. Sales Tax

1226.68

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.49

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.50

Matthew Anderson, salary

125.52

Anytime Lock & Key, Friendship Center lock

142.00

Lawton Pronto, March fuel

126.60

Mangold Env. Testing, lab fee

26.00

Sioux City Journal, hearing notice

271.22

Western Iowa Telephone Assn

111.69

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.49

Matthew Anderson, salary

144.04

Acco Unlimited Corp., water treatment

378.30

IMWCA, work comp 4/1-6/30

390.61

MidAmerican Energy

1469.01

US Bank, postage, supplies

50.81

CHN Garbage, lawn bags

250.00

Mangold Env. Testing, lab fee

185.00

Menards, light fixture, ballast

53.16

Utility Equipment Co, water meter wire

100.00

Scott Zenor, mowing fall of 2002

100.00

Matthew Anderson, salary

195.11

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.49

Patricia Washburn, salary

1001.13

First Trust & Savings, payroll liabilities

1028.06

IPERS, employee retirement

337.97

APRIL 3-30 DISBURSEMENTS

9394.88

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.50

Matthew Anderson, salary

198.56

ACCO, high pressure pump, chlorine

618.64

Barkley Asphalt, Tara Way

64.25

CHN Garbage

1941.40

Flewelling Sand & Gravel, concrete mix

27.45

Lawton Pronto, fuel

225.95

Lawton Summer League, grass seed

200.00

Maguire Iron, clean water tower

1380.00

Menard's, supplies

108.66

MidAmerican Energy, old bank & LCDC

15.36

SBW, Inc., mower parts

50.03

Share Corp., vegetation killer

89.66

Siouxland District Health Dept., lab fee

10.00

Sioux City Iron, shop supplies

15.25

Western Iowa Telephone

121.64

Patricia Washburn, mileage, expenses

219.72

 

 

                                                            SIGNED BY:                                                             

                                                                                    Arlan Kolker, Mayor Pro Tem

 

 

ATTESTED BY:       

 

 

                                                           

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk