Lawton City Council Minutes

May 7, 2002

 

 

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 7, 2002, at the Lawton City Clerk’s office.  Mayor pro tem Arlan Kolker called 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, Larry Aakhus, Howard Logan.  Mayor Shorman arrived later.

 

A $100 memorial was received from the family of Louie and Doris Hacker for the purpose of purchasing flowers to be planted along Cedar Street in Lawton.  The council gratefully acknowledges this gift.

 

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

 

APRIL DISBURSEMENTS

 

IAMU, Anderson school

 

7.00

 

American Family Insurance, Anderson 4/15-7/15

 

552.50

 

Lowell Anderson, reimburse shipping

 

6.68

 

Big Soo Terminal, road salt

 

76.54

 

Bomgaars, animal control

 

109.94

 

Central Iowa Distributing, Inc, supplies

 

160.00

 

Gerold Smith Oil Co, shop fuel

 

195.49

 

Siouxland Dist. Health Dept., lab fee

 

5.00

 

Keith Stevens, salary

 

281.87

 

Keith Stevens, vacation

 

228.49

 

Lowell Anderson, salary

 

399.95

 

Keith Stevens, salary

 

137.59

 

Lowell Anderson, salary

 

399.95

 

Treasurer, State of Iowa, 1st Qtr. sales tax

 

1103.80

 

ATCO International, rustame

 

155.80

 

SBW Inc., snowblower repair

 

14.35

 

Share Corm, natraklene

 

95.18

 

Luse-Etler-Goodwin, Inc, city/ambulance ins.

 

9745.08

 

CHN Garbage Service

 

1819.50

 

Western Iowa Telephone

 

175.75

 

Keith Stevens, salary

 

137.59

 

Lowell Anderson, salary

 

399.95

 

Lawton Pronto

 

87.75

 

M&M Copy Quick, newsletters, inserts

 

117.08

 

Menards, spotlights

 

35.94

 

MidAmerican Energy

 

1288.10

 

Martin Shorman, reimburse grass seed

 

27.81

 

Tri-State Electronic Service, Inc, computer

 

1776.00

 

US Bank, supplies

 

441.10

 

Keith Stevens, salary

 

137.58

 

Lowell Anderson, salary

 

400.01

 

Lowell Anderson, reimburse shipping

 

3.94

 

Barco, supplies

 

112.02

 

Bomgaars, spray paint

 

3.48

 

Cal-Pacific Products, cones, flags

 

286.49

 

Lawson Products, Inc., supplies

 

169.40

 

Maguire Iron, Inc., water tower cleaning

 

1380.00

 

Siouxland Dist. Health Dept., lab fee

 

5.00

 

USA BlueBook, peristaltic pump

 

328.90

 

Keith Stevens, salary

 

82.44

 

Lowell Anderson, salary

 

399.96

 

Patricia Washburn, salary

 

1001.13

 

First Trust & Savings Bank, April 941 liabilities

 

1326.20

 

IPERS, April contribution

 

502.33

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL TOTALS

 

26120.66

 

 

 

Building permit applications were approved for:  Gary Turner, garage, conservatory, porch enclosure; Scott Garland, shed; Joe Newman, deck; Kevin Grieme, deck; Terry Masching, shed; Gary Peters, fence, deck and shed.  Copies of city ordinances are to be sent with building permits where applicable.

 

Larry Aakhus informed council of his plans to replace sidewalk near old Stockman’s building he recently purchased. 

 

At 5:30, council meeting broke briefly so all in attendance could attend ground breaking ceremony for new First Trust and Savings Bank to be located at 317 Cedar St. in Lawton.

 

Upon return, a public hearing was held regarding the establishment of commercial sewer rates.  One letter had been received from school superintendent, Len Grasso.  No other verbal or written correspondence was received.  After considerable discussion, the ordinance pertaining to the Lawton Bronson school will remain unchanged.  The hearing was closed. 

 

Councilman Nitzschke introduced and caused to be read the following proposed amendment to the Lawton Municipal Code: 

 

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6-5-11 TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL SEWER RATE ENTITLED “RATE OF SEWER RENT AND MANNER OF PAYMENT”

 

Section 6-5-11  RATE OF SEWER RENT AND MANNER OF PAYMENT. 

           

(1)                                         Sewer rates shall be charged to each residential user in the amount of eight dollars ($8.00) per month or twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per quarter.

(2)                                         Sewer rates shall be charged to each commercial user in the amount of $1.50 per one thousand (1,000) gallons of water used with a minimum charge of twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per quarter.

(3)                                         The rent shall be paid with the water bill at the same time as payment of the water bill is due and under the same condition as to penalty for late payment at the office of the city clerk.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance will be effective July 1, 2002 and such portion of the month of June 2002 after the meter is read for the second quarter 2002.  The bills issued on or about October 1, 2002 for the third quarter, 2002 will reflect the new rates herein established.

 

PUBLICATION:  The city clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published as required by law prior to July 1, 2002.

 

After further discussion, Kolker introduced, proposed, and moved the adoption of the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION # 2002-03

 

RESOLUTION DISPENSING WITH RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS OF ORDINANCE OR AMENDMENT THERETO BEFORE ADOPTION

 

Be it resolved that the amended ordinance introduced by Councilman Nitzschke entitled, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6-5-11 TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL SEWER RATE ENTITLED “RATE OF SEWER RENT AND MANNER OF PAYMENT” be considered and that the rule requiring three readings before passage be suspended by vote of this council.  Schorg seconded the motion.  On roll call vote, all council members voted aye.  Mayor declared the resolution adopted.

 

Bengford moved to adopt final reading of amendment.  Kolker seconded motion.  Thereafter the proposed ordinance entitled, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6-5-11 TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL SEWER RATE ENTITLED “RATE OF SEWER RENT AND MANNER OF PAYMENT” set out above, was again read and, the question being put and the roll being called, all council members voted aye.  The mayor declared the motion to adopt to have passed and the ordinance to have been adopted.  He then approved and signed the measure.

 

Anderson reported on Water Quality Survey results.  General consensus in the community is a need for improved water quality.  Anderson will work with IRWA representative Richard Parker in establishing preliminary plans the city may consider for improved water quality.

 

Street repairs were discussed at length.  Council will determine order of streets needing repair work at June meeting.  Anderson commented on a number of spider cracks in some of the overlaid streets.  Council approved spending up to $3,500 to fix cracks in streets, beginning with the overlaid streets.  Two new storm drains will be installed on East Main Street east of Elm.

 

Engineer will be called regarding project not being finished on Birch Street drainage.  Residents have complained of dirt washing around cement that has been poured, also the lack of a curb.  Council was informed money for this project is included in budget for current fiscal year, but not for next fiscal year.

 

Council discussed draft of Lawton Bronson Summer Ball League Operational/Business Plan that was distributed at April meeting.  Council noted several items that need further definition and will discuss and respond at later date.

 

Clerk notified council she was the recipient of the scholarship awarded by Northwest Iowa League of Cities to cover cost of registration for the Clerk’s Institute in July.

 

After discussion of current budget, Masching moved to hold an amendment hearing on May 28, 2002.  Seconded by Kolker.  All voted aye, carried.  Clerk will schedule hearing for May 28 at 6:00 pm.  Notice will be published.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

 

 

Patricia L Washburn

Lawton City Clerk