Lawton City Council Minutes

July 2, 2002

The Lawton City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 2, 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, and Mary Beth Schorg. Also present: Attorney Glenn Metcalf, Maintenance Supervisor Lowell Anderson, and Clerk Pat Washburn. Visitors: Rod Lieber, Ron Washburn, Verlyn Bomgaars, Jerry Steffen, Mark Richardson, Spencer Griffith, Jeff and Jennifer Sparr, Chuck Hinds and Belinda Shorman. Mayor Shorman arrived at 5:30.

Building Permits approved were Verlyn Bomgaars, garage and patio; Ron Washburn, two decks and a fence; Blake Miller, storage shed; Rod Lieber, two frame homes.

Masching moved to approve minutes from the previous meeting as well as the following disbursements. Nitzschke seconded. Motion carried 5-0.

June 2002 Disbursements

Barkley Asphalt, Inc., asphalt	292.95
Metcalf, Thompson & Phipps, meeting pay	140.00
Keith Stevens, salary	42.12
Lowell Anderson, salary	399.96
Banner Township, cemetery upkeep	1000.00
Lawson Products, Inc., shop supplies	144.77
Moville Record, 6 publications	301.98
SWB Inc., mower supplies	109.34
Share Corp, Natraklene	95.18
Woodbury County Library, 2002-2003	8833.00
Matthew Anderson, salary	148.23
Keith Stevens, salary	25.26
Lowell Anderson, salary	399.95
Concrete Complete, Birch Street	12170.16
Carter Rohmiller, deposit refund	72.03
ACCO Unlimited, pumping tube	81.77
Barco Municipal Products, batteries	41.48
Barkley Asphalt, Inc., asphalt	68.60
CHN Garbage Service	1819.50
Mangold Environmental Testing	37.00
MidAmerican Energy	1166.30
US Bank, postage & supplies	90.15
US Postmaster, box rent	45.00
Western Iowa Telephone, May calls	140.36
Woodbury CO. Landfill, 2nd Qtr Assessment	1454.85
Matthew Anderson, salary	120.59
Lowell Anderson, salary	399.96
Acco Unlimited, water treatment	408.30
ATCO International, supplies	120.00
Barkley Asphalt, Inc., asphalt	35.00
CHN Garbage Service, bags & stickers	590.00
Cal-Pacific Products, supplies	257.93
Iowa One Call, 64 calls	57.60
Lawton Pronto	64.45
Matt Parrott & Sons, checks	164.74
Menards, supplies	105.85
Share Corp, Natraklene	95.43
Anthony Bengford, salary	232.38
Arlan Kolker, salary	265.58
Jeff Nitzschke, salary	265.58
Mary Beth Schorg, salary	232.38
Patricia Washburn, salary	247.22
Terry Masching, salary	232.38
Martin Shorman, salary	758.80
Matthew Anderson, salary	148.23
Lowell Anderson, salary	399.95
Patricia Washburn, salary	1001.13
IPERS, June contribution	559.09
First Trust & Savings, June taxes	1095.26
Treasurer, State of Iowa, IA Withholding	479.00
Barkley Asphalt, Inc., asphalt	28.00
Critter Getters, skunk	25.00
Luse-Etler-Goodwin, Audit	287.00
Martin Shorman, reim. Cement	14.96
Patricia Washburn, mileage	36.50
Treasurer, State of Iowa, 2nd Qtr Sales Tax	1124.18
Martin's Flag Co., 12 flags	630.35

JUNE TOTALS	39602.76

Mark Richardson questioned possibility of transferring existing building permit from one location to another. Council gave approval.

Spencer Griffith informed Council work on Birch Street project is nearing completion. Only minor cement work remains to be done. Work is currently being done on southwest corner of intersection at Cedar and Maple Streets.

Lowell Anderson informed Council of EMC Insurance risk assessment survey. Anderson will continue discussion at August meeting.

Metcalf informed Council no bonds are callable at this time. He also informed council of procedure to assess costs to property owners’ taxes. After brief discussion, Councilwoman Schorg introduced, proposed and moved the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLUTION # 2002-05

RESOLUTION REGARDING ASSESSMENT FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT

Whereas, City Code 3-11-3 places a duty upon the owner of each lot and parcel of ground to cut or destroy weeds or grass before they seed or bloom and in any case before the 15^th day of each month May through October; and

Whereas publication of notice of this requirement occurred as required by City Code 3-11-5 in the Moville Record, a legal newspaper in general circulation in the City of Lawton, as provided by Iowa code 362.3; and

Whereas a report is hereby received showing the following abatements and the costs associated therewith:

OWNER LEGAL COST

Brian Von Aswege Lot 14, Sparr’s Hilltop, Lawton $50.00

Therefore be it resolved the foregoing labor costs and material costs are approved; a further administrative charge of 10% of the total amount is assessed. Any billing that is less than $50 including the assessment is hereby increased to $50 pursuant to City Code 3-11-4. The City Clerk is directed to notify the property owner as shown by the tax records of the County Treasurer.

Be it further resolved the Clerk is directed to report to the Council 30 days after notifications were mailed as provided above as to any unpaid assessments which upon further resolution of the Council may be certified by the City Clerk to the County Treasurer for entry upon the books of the County Treasurer as an assessment against the property.

After review, Kolker seconded motion to adopt aforementioned Resolution # 2002-05. Motion carried 5-0.

Jerry Steffen presented Council with pay requests for Birch Street project noting only minor work is left to be done. Nitzschke moved to pay Concrete Complete $16,282.09. This total does not include retainer fee. Masching seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Kolker moved to pay Steffen Engineering $980.00 on project. Nitzschke seconded. Motion carried 5-0. With work having been completed during last fiscal year, payment will come out of that budget.

Steffen also discussed core samples from Lawton city streets. Asphalt samples varied from 2¼” to 5” thick. Steffen highly recommended 6” of unreinforced concrete or 7” of asphalt on any future street projects. Griffith also mentioned importance of soil preparation underneath. Assessment issues were discussed. Engineer is generally responsible for assessment plan. Steffen stated it is good to fill joints in streets like Lawton has just done. He also recommended updating utilities if need be before putting down new streets. Masching left meeting at 7:10 pm. Schorg moved to pay Steffen Engineering $710 for acquiring core samples. Bengford seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Bengford and Nitzschke gave presentation on L-B Ball Field Operational Plan. Council had requested annual budget report, as well as annual report of all revenues and expenditures associated with the League. The League denied this request. Council noted weeds are getting tall in new ball field complex. Nitzschke will notify ball league.

Discussion was held regarding current building permit regulations. It was recommended current ordinance be amended to specify “all” construction must be no closer than 4’ to side and rear lot lines. Attorney made additional recommendations and will bring samples to August meeting for council to consider.

Mayor Shorman gave Council presentation on his development located north on Pine Street. Shorman proposed Council grant a variance on street width from 36’ to 31’ based on engineering recommendations made to the developer. A spreadsheet of measurements from other community's newer streets, including Moville, Sergeant Bluff, and Sioux City, was presented showing widths of 27 - 31 feet. Council expressed concern over request as City Ordinance states 36’. Variance was not granted. Council will need plat map before additional decisions affecting the City can be made.

In other business, Council denied request by L-B Summer League to borrow picnic tables from the Tara Way shelter house for use at Bronson Centennial. Council also verified Friendship Center property is owned by City. Other city departments may use if returned in a timely manner. Clerk informed Council of numerous compliments regarding the new flags on Cedar Street. Don Grigg has asked an additional five flags be hung on wooden poles along Cedar Street, as well as one on the steel pole outside Clerk’s office. Mr. Grigg will donate these flags and necessary hardware. Clerk’s office will be closed July 15-19 so clerk can attend Clerk’s Institute in Ames. Council granted permission for clerk’s office to be closed mornings of July 10 and July 26 for personal reasons.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Patricia L Washburn

Lawton City Clerk