Lawton City Council Minutes

 

June 3, 2003

 

 

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

 

Building permits were approved for the following: Dennis Eberly, 105 W Maple, garage & deck; Jen Hagler, 95 Elm, fence; Bruce Jackson, 435 E Birch, update deck; Lawton-Bronson CSD, 200 Linden, storage shed; Shawn McArthur, 405 E Maple, fence; Dave Reis, 418 Main, house; Dominic Stratman, 406 E Main, deck & fence; Marlyn Washburn, 430 E Main, privacy fence; Scott Zenor, 422 E Birch, shed.

 

Masching moved to approve retail cigarette permit applications received from Vos Enterprises dba Lawton Pronto, and TJ’s Sports Bar & Grill.  Kolker seconded.  On roll 5-0, carried.  Council expressed approval for TJ’s to block a portion of Main Street during their Grand Opening this summer if proper licenses were obtained. 

 

Bill pay requests were received from Steffen Engineering for engineering costs of $4,585 for work done on the Elm Street Bridge Replacement Project, and $5,430 for work done on the Maple Street Replacement Study.  Kolker moved to pay both bills as requested, Bengford seconded, 5-0, carried.  Jerry Steffen stated work should begin on box culvert early July, 2003.  Mayor Shorman arrived at 5:25. 

 

Due to new state tobacco regulations, Kolker moved to pursue civil sanctions locally on the attorney’s recommendation.  Masching seconded, roll call 5-0, carried.

 

Fire Chief Dennis Uhl updated Council on recommendations made by IMWCA, the city’s worker compensation group.  He also had received a bid for rewiring the fire station due to inadequate electrical wiring.  Council requested he get one or two other bids before a decision will be made.  Clerk will get information regarding emergency alert system options prior to July meeting.

 

Charlie Bechtold, Rose Engineering, spoke to Council regarding possible golf course/housing development west of Lawton.  A study will be performed by Bechtold to determine the feasibility of this project.  He will present a facility study to the Council at the July meeting.  Council voiced interest in the project.

 

A Public Hearing was opened at 6:10 p.m. regarding the proposed increase in water utility rates.  Mayor Shorman read aloud a letter received from a Lawton resident comparing costs during the past 12 months to remove iron and manganese from their home, and the cost of the same water usage with the proposed water rate increase.  This individual would have saved over $200 during that time if the city had a filtration plant to remove the iron and manganese before it got into the water mains.  Several visitors expressed their desire for better water, even with an increase in rates.  Two persons attending stated they were not in favor of this proposal.  Neil Kuehl and Tom Grafft from Kuehl & Payer were present to answer questions.  The hearing was closed with a recommendation from Kuehl & Payer to secure a site location.  Council will need to consider size of plant if new development should occur.

 

After brief explanation from city attorney regarding new law changes dealing with the annexation of property, motion was made by Kolker, seconded by Schorg to approve Resolution # 2003-13, Resolution Regarding Proposed Annexation, whereas a consultation between the City of Lawton, Floyd Township Trustees, and the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors will be held at 4:45 pm in the Lawton City Hall on Tuesday, July 1, 2003.  On roll motion carried 5-0.

 

Three Lawton youth expressed a desire for a skateboard park.  Liability issues were discussed.  No other action was taken.

 

City Maintenance Lowell Anderson informed Council of IWMCA recommendations for city hall and city shop.  Several items have already been addressed.  Anderson also expressed deep thanks for all the volunteers that are helping with the Lawton Memorial Park upgrade.  A major transformation is taking place. A new spotlight has been installed in the gazebo to accent the new memorial stone placed to honor our area veterans; the park was tilled both by hand and by machine; a sprinkler system was donated and has been installed; sod will be placed; rock has been brought in for the playground area; a new ADA approved water fountain will be installed; retaining walls have been built around two trees on the north edge and donated flowers will be planted inside those retaining walls.  The city also will look into replacing outdated light fixtures and poles along Cedar Street in the downtown area.  Anderson stated that the majority of the labor and equipment used has been donated.  Cash donations have also been received to assist with the upgrade.  Since the question had been raised, the Council reaffirmed the name of the park as the Lawton Memorial Park.

 

The official dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial Stone will take place Thursday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m.  Maple Street adjacent to the park will be blocked off for picnic tables as a speaker will be heard and refreshments will be served. 

 

Bengford presented Council with price quote from MidAmerican Energy for three security lights to be erected at new ball complex.  Motion made by Nitzschke, seconded by Masching to have these lights installed.  On roll, motion carried 5-0.  Council agreed to waive shelter rental fee for the Silver Spurs 4-H club hosting a daycare in association with the City-Wide Rummage sale June 14 as this is a fund-raiser for the club.

 

Motion was made by Nitzschke, seconded by Kolker to approve 1st reading of the proposed change to Ordinance Section 6-8-2 CONSTRUCTION AND YARD REQUIREMENTS to include the following subparts:

 

5.                  Every permit issued by the Council under the provisions of this Code shall expire and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced twelve months from the date of such permit or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or discontinued for a period of 60 days at any time after the work is commenced.  Before such work can be commenced, a new permit shall be obtained.

6.                  The fee for renewal or re-issue of a building permit shall be the same as the original fee.

7.                  Building permit fees are not refundable.

 

After consideration of employee payroll, Nitzschke moved to approve a 5% increase for Lowell Anderson effective July 1, 2003.  This represents an annual salary of $31,749.93 for Anderson.  Bengford seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.  Upon consideration of clerks’ salary, Kolker moved to increase clerk duties to 6 hours per day with regular office hours from 8:00 a.m. through noon.  Also included in the motion was an increase in salary of 5% effective July 1, 2003.  This represents an annual salary of $18,900 for Washburn.

 

Discussion followed regarding plugging and abandoning well located on Linden Street between Main and Oak Streets.  Investing in a digital camera and a color printer was also mentioned.  No action was taken at this time.

 

With no further business, meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

REVENUES BY FUND                                   DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

 

 

Interest on Investments

3,101.99

 

 

 

TIF

25,178.62

 

TIF

0.00

General

9,660.80

 

General

3,630.59

Local Option Sales Tax

4,528.44

 

Local Option Sales Tax

19,361.25

Road Use Tax

3,724.32

 

Road Use Tax

2,718.51

Water

4,869.89

 

Water

10,943.87

Sewer

2,179.25

 

Sewer

1,751.05

Garbage

1,589.29

 

Garbage

1,961.40

TOTOAL REVENUE

54,832.60

 

MAY  DISBURSEMENTS

40,366.67

 

 

 

WARRANTS APPROVED

 

 

Barkley Asphalt, hot mix

116.05

Moville Record, 5 publications

366.74

Moville Ready Mix

198.00

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.49

Matt Anderson, salary

202.49

Lawton Centennial Committee, history book

39.00

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.50

Matthew Anderson, salary

180.79

Mangold Environmental Testing, lab fee

32.00

MidAmerican Energy

1248.08

US Bank, IMFOA Conf. lodging

143.38

First Trust & Savings, GO Bond Payments

19361.25

First Trust & Savings, Water Bond Payments

7131.25

Natalie Kerns, deposit refund

112.32

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.50

Matthew Anderson, salary

165.00

Agri Drain, catch basins, grates

190.39

Central Iowa Distributing, orange float, misc

222.50

Colonial Research Chem. Corp, crack filler

75.80

Sioux City Ready Mix, limestone

28.00

Ziegler, amber lens

16.04

Lowell Anderson, salary

420.49

Matthew Anderson, salary

204.23

Patricia Washburn, salary

1001.12

First Trust & Savings, payroll liabilities

1345.72

IPERS

392.93

Adeline Robinson, reimburse flowers

39.10

Lowell Anderson, reimburse weed eater, etc

50.25

Bomgaars, oil

5.07

Menards, fire extinguisher, railing supplies

110.12

Barkley Asphalt, street repairs

332.00

CHN Garbage

1941.40

Certified Test. Serv., Inc., compaction tests

679.00

Iowa Rural Water Association, dues

175.00

KMB Diversified Services, asbestos abatement

1115.00

Menards, railing supplies

19.71

Parsons Equipment Co, asphalt compactor plate

1749.50

Siouxland District Health Dept, lab fee

10.00

Triple D Contracting, bank & LCDC demo

15973.99

Woodbury Co. Area Solid Waste, 2nd Qtr.

1693.71

Woodbury Co. Library, tax asking

9370.00

 

 

 

                                                            SIGNED BY:                                                               

                                                                                          D. Martin Shorman, Mayor

 

 

ATTESTED BY:         

 

 

                                                           

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk