SPECIAL MEETING
May 30, 2018
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in special session May 30, 2018 in the Ackley Civic Center with Mayor Erik Graham presiding. The meeting was called to order at 8:02 a.m. Council members present: Pat Hurt, Al Jones, Joe Wessels, Judy Crawford, and Pat Daggs. Absent: None. Quorum present.
Hurt moved, Daggs seconded, to approve the May 30, 2018 Agenda as listed. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the utility account for 1502 Franklin St. Council had previously voted to classify this as commercial property in the City’s utility billing system because the property owner farms out of this location, and so that the customer would not have to pay for garbage service. Upon a recent City audit of utility accounts it was determined that this property is zoned residential, which therefore should be classified as residential in the utility billing system, and according to the City’s Code of Ordinances should be charged for garbage service whether the service is used or not. Crawford moved, Hurt seconded, to change the utility billing classification back to residential for 1502 Franklin St. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-21 Approving the Investment Policy. Roll call vote: Ayes-Jones, Wessels, Crawford, Daggs, Hurt. Motion carried.
Jones moved, Wessels seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-30 Amending the Current Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2018. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Crawford, Daggs, Hurt, Jones. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Jones seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-31 Setting Wages for Employees of the Swimming Pool with the addition to the resolution of Ginger Williams named as manager. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Daggs, Hurt, Jones, Wessels. Motion carried.
Hurt moved, Daggs seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-32 Establishing the Fees for the Use of the Swimming Pool and Services at the Swimming Pool. Roll call vote: Ayes-Daggs, Hurt, Jones, Wessels, Crawford. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Daggs seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-33 Setting the date for a public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Vehicle Acquisition Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $185,000. Roll call vote: Ayes-Hurt, Jones, Wessels, Crawford, Daggs. Motion carried. This loan would be used to purchase a pickup truck with a plow, a garbage truck, and to pay associated legal fees.
Discussion was held regarding Resolution No. 18-34 Hiring Nathan Vogel as Public Works Director. The resolution as presented stated that the members of the Streets Committee and the members of the Water/Sanitation Committee recommended the hiring of Vogel at a wage of $25.00 per hour. Wessels expressed that as the chairman of the Water/Sanitation Committee he does not recommend hiring Vogel as he does not feel it is necessary at this time. Crawford stated that at budget time it was decided that the wage for this position would be $22.00 per hour. Daggs, chairman of the Streets Committee, stated that she felt it was necessary to bring someone on now to learn Galen’s job before he retires. Crawford moved to hire Nathan Vogel at $22.00 per hour. No second. Motion died. Daggs moved, Hurt seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 18-34 Hiring Nathan Vogel as Public Works Director at a wage of $25.00 per hour. Roll call vote: Ayes-Jones, Daggs, Hurt. Nays-Wessels, Crawford. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Daggs seconded, to set a public hearing for the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 508 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Chapter 106 Collection of Solid Waste for June 13, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes-Daggs, Hurt, Jones, Crawford, Wessels. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Jones seconded, to approve the liquor licenses for Ackley Recreation Club and Kum & Go LLC. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded, to approve the Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor Permit for Casey’s General Store #1921. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded, to approve the Amendment to Management Agreement for Prairie Bridges Park. Ayes-All. Motion carried. This amendment states that effective July 1, 2018, Prairie Bridges will pay all electric service charges. Previously the City paid those charges.
Clerk Kelly DeBerg explained to the Council that there are development agreements that the City has with developers, and the developers are not all in compliance with their agreement. DeBerg presented options for action to take that she had received from one of the City’s attorneys. Crawford moved, Hurt seconded, to require the developers to abide by the agreement in order for them to receive any rebates, and to direct DeBerg to proceed with sending out letters notifying them of their default. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
The Ackley Recreation Club requested approval from the City to remove a curb on 5th Ave. to allow golf carts access to the golf course so that people stop using the access through a neighboring property. Wessels moved, Crawford seconded, to allow the Ackley Recreation Club to remove the curb on their property if they replace the curb on the neighboring property. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Council discussed the possibility of applying for credit cards at Casey’s and Dollar General. Wessels stated that it would be easier for the fire department to fuel up at Casey’s even though Kum & Go is open 24 hours. DeBerg stated she is having to pay Kum & Go online lately because by the time she receives their statement, if she sends a check, they are charging late fees. Dollar General would be another option as a place to purchase supplies. Crawford moved, Wessels seconded, to apply for credit cards at Casey’s and Dollar General, and to cancel the City’s account with Kum & Go. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Hurt informed the Council that the Building & Parks Committee will have a recommendation on the City Hall heating and cooling at the June 13th meeting. DeBerg added that the City has about $80,000 to spend from the bond money on the City Hall remodel project.
Mayor Graham informed the Council that the County is considering bringing on a county wide economic development director and not give funding to the City. The County has directed Ackley to hold off on hiring anyone as the ADC director.
Mayor Graham also informed the Council that the neighboring buildings of Shea Studio have been sent a notice and the time is up for them to respond. City Attorney Mike Smith is making sure everything is in order before the City moves forward with any action. Hay Construction plans to have the building at 626 Main shored up by Sauerkraut Days.
Police Chief Brian Shimon shared that the time is up for the owner of the church at 420 State St. so a court date will be set.
Crawford expressed some concern with the gutters at the library and the new landscaping. Crawford will discuss with Galen Daniels.
DeBerg informed the Council that she has registered for clerk school taking place the end of July.
With no further discussion, Wessels moved, Daggs seconded, to adjourn at 9:25 a.m. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
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