Lawton City Council Minutes

April 2, 2002

 

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Mayor pro tem Arlan Kolker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Council members present: Tony Bengford, Arlan Kolker, Terry Masching, Jeff Nitzschke, Mary Beth Schorg.  Also present: Attorney Glenn Metcalf, Maintenance Supervisor Lowell Anderson, Clerk Pat Washburn.  Visitors: Norm Custer, Ken Eyres, Marilyn Fowler, Shirley Herbold, Richard Parker, Mark Richardson, John Clay, Jeanine Chartier.  Mayor Shorman arrived later.

 

Schorg moved to approve minutes from the previous meeting as well as the following disbursements.  Masching seconded.  All voted aye, carried.

 

MARCH DISBURSEMENTS

 

Iowa Assn. of Municipal Utilities

318.64

Lawson Products, Inc., supplies

45.70

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., thermostat

6.02

Ziegler Cat, supplies

28.16

Keith Stevens, salary

364.25

Lowell Anderson, salary

399.95

Iowa Rural Water Association, dues

175.00

US Bancorp, supplies, education

271.44

Western Iowa Telephone, Feb. calls

162.24

Woodbury Co. Area Solid Waste

1454.85

Keith Stevens, salary

370.56

Lowell Anderson, salary

399.95

ATCO International, supplies

151.00

CHN Garbage Service

1819.50

MidAmerican Energy

1354.62

Share Corp, Natraklene

92.12

Keith Stevens, salary

281.87

Lowell Anderson, salary

399.95

Acco Unlimited Corp, water treatment

477.60

Hach Company, water testing

118.05

Lawson Products, Inc., supplies

59.20

Lawton Pronto, fuel

68.51

Menards, shop flooring

245.99

Moville Record, 4 pubs

392.40

Siouxland District Health Dept, lab fee

5.00

Utility Equipment Company, cutting edge

94.91

Keith Stevens, salary

281.88

Lowell Anderson, salary

399.95

Patricia Washburn, salary

628.88

First Trust & Savings, 941 Tax

1212.40

IPERS, March contribution

447.41

Treasurer, State of Iowa, IA Withholding

576.00

 

 

MARCH TOTALS

13104.00

 

 

One building permit application was submitted for approval. Council gave verbal approval to a portion of the application.  Additional information is needed for full approval.

 

Marilyn Fowler spoke regarding Centennial celebration planned for July, 2003.  City will sponsor the celebration.  Next meeting of Centennial Committee is April 16 at 7:00 pm.

 

Ken Eyers discussed drainage problems near his property at corner of Elm and Main.  Council will investigate and attempt to correct problem.

 

John Clay, representing MidAmerica, presented city with contract regarding running III Phase power to new ball complex west of city.  Lawton-Bronson Little League Association will reimburse city for contract costs of $4,343.36.  Nitzschke moved to have City sign contract with MidAmerica to have power extended to the ball complex.  Seconded by Masching.  All voted aye, carried.  Mayor signed contract.

 

Richard Parker from Iowa Rural Water Association, and Lowell Anderson spoke on possible water filtration options.  Water will be tested further to identify specific problem areas.  Parker will provide spreadsheets and preliminary plans to council at May 7 meeting.

 

Jeanine Chartier furnished council with rough draft of Lawton-Bronson Summer Ball League operational/business plan.

 

Council discussed vacation pay for Keith Stevens to include time employed as a “shared employee” under 28E agreement between City of Lawton and Lawton-Bronson CSD.  Motion was made by Kolker, seconded by Schorg, to pay Stevens for 32 hours vacation time.  This figure was based on one week vacation per year of service and prorated to the time served. City of Lawton and Lawton-Bronson CSD will each be responsible for half.  All voted aye, carried.  Stevens will continue with city as needed at current salary of $9.50/hour.   The city wishes to thank Stevens for his service in the past.

 

Contractors will be installing phone cable in Lawton as weather permits.  Council gave approval for contractor to park equipment on city property at rate of $100/month.  Water may be purchased by contractor for $5/1,000 gallons.

 

Water tower is scheduled to be cleaned Tuesday, April 9, 2002.

 

Clerk gave presentation on garbage, water and sewer rates.  IDRF Solid Waste Regulations require sales tax on sewer and garbage to be charged to non-residential commercial properties.  This does not affect residential properties.

 

Lawton’s garbage rates are lower than several neighboring towns, and will operate in the red if increase from consumers is not asked for.  Council will further discuss garbage rates at May 7 meeting taking into consideration rate increases from local garbage carrier and landfill.

 

After considerable discussion of sewer rates, Kolker made motion, seconded by Nitzschke, to pass resolution to hold public hearing May 7, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. regarding the establishment of commercial sewer rates.  Commercial customers would be charged $1.50/1,000 gallons of metered water used with a minimum charge of $24 per quarter.  All voted aye, carried.

 

Resolution # 2002-02

 

Resolution TO ESTABLISH SEWER RATES FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS

ASSOCIATED WITH CITY of Lawton

 

Whereas the city of Lawton has reviewed the current rate structure concerning sewer charges for commercial customers associated with the City of Lawton.

 

Whereas the proposed commercial sewer rate would be established dependent upon water usage by each commercial customer at the rate of $1.50 per thousand gallons of metered water used with a $24.00 minimum charge per quarter.

 

Whereas the matter of establishing commercial rates as proposed shall be set for public hearing on the

7th day of May, 2002, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Clerk’s Office, City of Lawton.

 

Pending receipt of ICAP quote, a special meeting will be held Thursday, April 4, 2002 to review current insurance coverage by EMC as well as proposed coverage from ICAP.  Clerk to notify Council and Mayor of changes.

 

Clerk requested extension of hours with consideration of salary being based upon current scale.  With that in mind, Kolker moved to increase clerk hours from three hours per day to five hours per day, with monthly salary being increased from $750 to $1,250.  Motion seconded by Nitzschke.  All voted aye, carried. 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

 

 

Patricia L Washburn

Lawton City Clerk