ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session, February 8, 2017, in the City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Erik Graham presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Sue Ibeling, Al Jones, Joe Wessels, Dale Brass, and Robert Harms. Absent: None. Quorum present.
Harms moved, Jones seconded, to approve the February 8, 2017 Agenda as listed. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Brass moved, Ibeling seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) Jan 11, 2017 Regular Mtg Minutes as written b) Bills approval authorizing payment of bills and transfers as listed c) Place Reports on file: Jan 2017 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Treasurer Report; Jan 2017 Clerk Budget Reports; Jan 2017 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; Jan 2017 Ambulance End of Month Report; Feb 8, 2017 Development Director Report; 2016 Police Year End Report; Fire Township Reports: FY2018 Fire Contracts, FY2016 Fire Annual Budget Report, FY2017 Fire Current Budget Report. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Harms seconded, to open the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. on the third reading of proposed Ordinance No. 479 Amending Section 92.09 by Changing Water Deposit From $100.00 to $150.00 for the City of Ackley, Iowa. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried. No oral or written comments or objections were received. Brass moved, Jones seconded, to close the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Jones seconded, to approve the third reading of proposed Ordinance No. 479 Amending Section 92.09 by Changing Water Deposit From $100.00 to $150.00 for the City of Ackley, Iowa. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Harms seconded, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 479 Amending Section 92.09 by Changing Water Deposit From $100.00 to $150.00 for the City of Ackley, Iowa. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Jones moved, Brass seconded, to open the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. on the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 488 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Section 90.10, Pertaining to Installation of Water Service Pipe. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried. This amendment requires the use of Type K copper for water service pipes from the main to the meter setting. No oral or written comments or objections were received.
Ibeling moved, Harms seconded, to close the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Brass seconded, to approve the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 488 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Section 90.10, Pertaining to Installation of Water Service Pipe. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Brass moved, Ibeling seconded, to waive the second and third readings of said proposed Ordinance No. 488. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Brass moved, Jones seconded, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 488 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Section 90.10, Pertaining to Installation of Water Service Pipe. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Roger Kregel, Dumont Telephone Co., and Karlin Kelley, HunTel Engineering, gave a presentation on fiber optics and what would be involved if the City would want to move forward with this investment. A fiber option system would provide voice, video and data services to every location in Ackley that would want it. Once the initial central office and cables are run, the City would have the option of operating the fiber optic company themselves or leasing the fiber to another company to run the services. Harms suggested forming a committee to gather more information. Mayor Graham agreed and will assemble a committee.
Josh Remer, Verizon, presented a proposal on a new phone system to replace all current City phone services. Switching over to Verizon would save the City several hundred dollars per month. Harms moved, Wessels seconded, to accept Verizon’s proposal on a new phone system.
Ibeling moved, Brass seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 17-02 Setting Wages for Justin Bartling. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried. Intern Reserve Officer Bartling will be paid $10.00 per hour effective Feb. 9, 2017.
Wessels moved, Jones seconded, to approve the Liquor License for Grumpy’s Bar. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Ibeling moved, Jones seconded, to approve the Liquor License for The American Legion Post #252. Roll call vote: Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Ibeling moved, Jones seconded, to set a Public Hearing for FY 17/18 Proposed Budget for Mar. 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Jones moved, Wessels seconded, to set a Public Hearing to approve the plans, specifications, engineer’s estimate and form of contract for the Water Tower Repainting and the Sanitary Sewer Continuing Improvement Plan for Mar 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Discussion was held in regards to the Region 6 Transportation Grant Funds. Only Butler and Franklin St. are eligible for street project funds. Grants are available for other things like rec trails and safe sidewalk systems for kids to get to school. The City must have a project in mind to apply for a grant. The Street Committee will look into it with a decision to be made at the next regular meeting. Grant applications must be sent by Mar. 17, 2017.
Council discussed the proposed Economic Development Contract. There was some concern regarding the funding as stated in the contract. Mayor Graham will discuss with ADC President Doug Lindaman and he asked council to bring ideas to the next regular council meeting.
Mayor Graham and Clerk DeBerg presented a new proposed policy for Utility Bill Late Charges and Shut Offs in an attempt to decrease the number of residents paying bills late or not at all. The proposal included increased late fees of $10, shut-off door tag fees of $15, shut-offs performed routinely, and exceptions no longer being made. Council was in agreement of the proposed policy and instructed DeBerg to draw up the formal documentation for approval.
Brass informed the Council that an agreement has been made with a resident who excavated without obtaining a permit.
Mayor Graham commented on a situation with a resident regarding a damaged sidewalk that has not yet been resolved. Brass will speak with the responsible party in an attempt to resolve.
Mayor Graham relayed to the council that the pool committee is wondering if the City plans to help fund the new splash pad that they are planning. Council will consider it during their budget workshop meeting.
Wessels informed the council that the water heater is leaking at the Depot and the City Maintenance personnel will install a new one. Wessels also informed the council that the Heritage Center has agreed to pay the City $2,000 per year rent for the use of the Depot. Also, with the change of our phone system the City will no longer supply the phone and internet service at the Depot. Wessels will get a written agreement from the Heritage Center.
Public Comments: None
With no further discussion, Harms moved, Jones seconded, to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
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