Lawton City Council Minutes

October 1, 2002

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, 2002, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office. Mayor pro tem Arlan Kolker called meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Council members present: Arlan Kolker, Mary Beth Schorg and Terry Masching. Jeff Nitzschke and Tony Bengford arrived at 5:10. Mayor Shorman arrived at 5:20. Masching moved to approve tentative agenda as presented. Kolker seconded, roll call 5-0, carried. Kolker moved to approve consent agenda as presented. Bengford seconded, roll call 5-0, carried.

Loraine Washburn expressed concerns regarding back lot line of her property. Jerry Steffen will be asked to locate alley.

Building Permits were issued to Don Grigg, 3-season porch; and Linda LaPlante, shed. Discussion was held regarding 4-foot setback from lot lines. Building permit regulation discussion was tabled for another month.

Spencer Griffith and Mark Richardson have expressed interest in purchasing downtown property. CAD drawings were given to Council showing possible downtown improvements. Council will consider how to proceed. Alley located between Legion building and new bank needs attention before winter. City will put rock down for time being.

Centennial Committee was granted permission to borrow city picnic tables, chairs and tables for chili feed at Fire Hall October 19, 2002. Fire equipment will be moved from the Fire Hall that night to assist in easy access for emergency purposes.

Mayor Shorman turned meeting over to mayor pro tem Kolker for reasons of discussing storm sewer extension south of Shorman development from Pine Street west to K49. After considerable discussion, Nitzschke made motion that city would pay 50% and developer would pay 50% of total cost of approximately $12,000.00 for installing a buried 36” PVC pipe to be used as storm sewer extension. The cost share was derived at because of the difference between installing a 24” pipe (developer’s responsibility) and the 36” pipe the city feels is necessary for this particular location. Motion is contingent upon all easements being granted. Bengford seconded motion. Motion carried on roll 5-0. Easements will be required from abutting property owners Paul Dunn, Craig McNaughton and Martin Shorman. Property owners will be contacted. Meeting turned back over to Mayor Shorman.

Bridge/culvert recommendation on Elm & Larimer Sts. intersection will be discussed at November meeting. Jerry Steffen was unable to get recommendation ready for October meeting.

Regarding unauthorized use of motorized vehicles, residents are reminded in the State of Iowa only a licensed driver may operate a motorized vehicle on public property. This includes use of ATV’s, snowmobiles, go-carts, “Barbie” cars. Unlicensed drivers could be cited for this offense.

Storm sewer work is completed at Elm and Main Sts. intersection. Work is progressing at Oak and Pine Sts. Lowell Anderson reported asphalt work will proceed on Tara Way as early as possible. Barkley Asphalt, Inc. has been hired for this job. Improvements will proceed from the high school north about 526’ to East Maple Street. Maguire Iron will be cleaning the water tower Thursday, October 10, 2002.

Attorney Metcalf reminded Council that subdividers are responsible for enforcing covenants. This is a private issue that cannot be handled by the city. A resident complaint had been received by the Council and Mayor regarding an ongoing covenant issue.

Clerk reported on Road Use workshop coming via ICN on October 8. Clerk and City Maintenance may both attend. Budget workshop will be held December 10 in Storm Lake. Council granted permission to clerk to attend IMFOA Conference in Des Moines October 23-25, 2002.

Complaint forms will be developed to be kept on file. If a situation arises, a complaint form can be filled out by the complainant, and then followed up on by the city. Forms will include signature of complainant and agreement to appear in court if necessary. Unless a ban is ordered by the fire chief, residents are allowed to burn leaves.

In other action, Council denied request by Woodbury County Auditor’s office to be given a key to the Friendship Center. The request was made to ease the delivery and retrieval of voting supplies. A “Thank you” note and $100 memorial donation was received from Plush Robinson’s family. The donation has been deposited into the Flower Fund. Mabel Nicholas sent “Thank you” for flags recently added to Cedar Street. Priscilla Scheffelman sent letter expressing concern for a neighboring property.

Motion was made by Schorg, seconded by Nitzschke to approve the following resolution in part:

RESOLUTION # 2002-16

RESOLUTION REGARDING ASSESSMENT FOR CONTRIBUTION TO

COST OF BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION ON BIRCH STREET

Whereas the City and certain property owners entered a voluntary assessment agreement regarding the costs of reconstructing certain bridges between public streets and private drives. And;

Whereas, the work has been completed. And;

Whereas, the following person desires and has asked that the costs be paid in ten (10) annual installments beginning with fiscal year 2002-2003 payable in 2003-2004 in an amount equal to 1/10 of the assessment plus interest at a rate of 6% per annum beginning October 1, 2003;

OWNER ADDRESS DESCRIPTION PARCEL # ASSESSMENT

Arlan Kolker 103 Birch St. Lot 4 Block 10 Lawton 611731 $3,750.00

Therefore be it resolved the property above described shall be assessed for the improvement thereto made with the consent of the owner.

Roll call vote to approve the above mentioned resolution carried, 4-0. Kolker abstained. Altha Bos will be billed directly for her portion of her bridge.

Motion was made by Masching, seconded by Bengford to approve the following resolution in part:

RESOLUTION # 2002-17

RESOLUTION REGARDING ASSESSMENT FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT

Whereas more than 30 days have passed since the notice was given and the following costs and charges remain unpaid:

OWNER PARCEL # LEGAL COST

Brian Von Aswege 612859 Lot 4, Sparr’s Hilltop, Lawton $55.00

Therefore be it resolved the foregoing charges are hereby assessed to the property indicated in the amount shown opposite the description.

Be it further resolved the Clerk is directed to certify to the County Treasurer for entry upon the books of the County Treasurer as an assessment said amount against each property.

Roll call vote to approve the above mentioned resolution carried, 5-0.

All further business was suspended due to power failure. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

REVENUES BY FUND DISBURSEMENTS BY FUND

Interest on Investments	656.21
General	2,304.82	General	12,028.20
Local Option Sales Tax	5,118.85	Local Option Sales Tax	0.00
Road Use Tax	4,888.54	Road Use Tax	3,284.07
Water	25.68	Water	2,780.39
Sewer	16.00	Sewer	1,695.56
Garbage	20.33	Garbage	3,620.11
TOTOAL REVENUE	13,030.43	SEPT. DISBURSEMENTS	23,408.33

WARRANTS APPROVED

John Sands, refund	50.00
Day's Door Company, door spring	80.00
Garold M Smith Oil, oil	235.95
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.49
Keith Stevens, salary	163.29
Belinda Shorman, salary	65.80
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Keith Stevens, salary	169.70
ATCO International, chemicals	257.40
Lawton Pronto, fuel	63.75
Menards, totes	11.96
MidAmerican Energy	1325.20
US Bank, postage, supplies	139.74
Utility Equipment Company, supplies	14.48
Western Iowa Telephone	106.53
Woodbury County Treasurer, Pers. Prop. Tx	175.00
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.49
Keith Stevens, salary	262.60
Lowell Anderson, salary	420.50
Keith Stevens, salary	235.92
Patricia Washburn, salary	1001.12
Northwest Iowa League of Cities, dues	25.00
Parsons Equipment Co., saw & blade	1121.00
First Trust & Savings, 941 liabilities	1178.18
IPERS	441.21
Treasurer, State of Iowa, withholding tax	494.00
American Family Insurance, Lowell	583.20
Barbara's Florals, funeral plant	28.89
Barco Municipal Products, signs	124.86
Barkley Asphalt	59.50
Bomgaars, supplies	11.14
Electric Pump, seals	647.94
Flewelling Sand & Gravel, 2 loads sand	187.12
Share Corp., chemicals	95.18
Siouxland Concrete Co, misc. supplies	788.12
Siouxland District Health Dept, lab	5.00
Standard Ready Mix Concrete Co, concrete	501.19
Utility Equipment Co, supplies	8358.93

SIGNED BY:

Martin Shorman, Mayor

ATTESTED BY:

Patricia L Washburn, City Clerk