ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session December 11, 2019 in the Ackley City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Erik Graham presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Judy Crawford, Pat Daggs, and Robert Harms. Absent: Pat Hurt and Joe Wessels. Quorum present.
Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to approve the December 11, 2019 Agenda as listed. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Clerk Kelly DeBerg noted a correction to be made to the November 13, 2019 regular meeting minutes. The minutes stated Council had approved labor at $100 per hour with the purchase of a pump from Iowa Pump Works. The correct amount is $110 per hour. Harms moved, Daggs seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) November 11, 2019 Special Joint Meeting as written; November 13, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes with the correction as DeBerg noted. b) Bills approval authorizing payment of bills and transfers as listed. c) Place Reports on file: November 2019 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer Report; November 2019 Clerk Budget Reports; November 2019 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; November 2019 Fire Report; November 2019 Ambulance Report. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. on the Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Estimate of Cost for 2020 Water Main Extension, City Hall Sidewalk Replacement, and City Hall Storm Sewer Repair. Ayes-3. Motion carried. No oral or written comments or objections were received. Harms moved, Daggs seconded, to close the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
No bids were received for the 2020 Water Main Extension, City Hall Sidewalk Replacement, and City Hall Storm Sewer Repair. Council directed Don Moore, CGA, to inform Lee Gallentine, City Engineer, to put it out for bid again.
Martin Gross, Gross-Wen Technologies, gave a presentation on an algae-based nutrient recovery from wastewater system.
Harms moved, Daggs seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 19-40 Approving the Amendment to Economic Development Contract. The amendment will include the City providing the Ackley Development Commission with annual funding of $14,000. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Daggs, Harms; Absent-Wessels, Hurt. Motion carried.
Harms moved, Crawford seconded, to adopt Resolution No. 19-41 Designating Depositories. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Daggs, Harms; Absent-Hurt, Wessels. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 19-42 Authorizing Transfer of Funds from the Sale of the Electrical Utility from a Capital Project Fund to the General Fund was tabled due to not knowing the exact amount of the transfer yet.
Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to set a public hearing for the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 517 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Section 69.08 Pertaining to No Parking Zones for January 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to set a public hearing for the first reading of proposed Ordinance No. 518 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackley, Iowa by Amending Section 7.05 Pertaining to Operating Budget Preparation for January 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
The approval of appointments was tabled until the next meeting.
The purchase of a wastewater treatment plant pump was approved last month, however, additional charges were incurred that were not approved. Daggs moved, Crawford seconded, to approve payment to Iowa Pump Works for $8,941.05 for a wastewater treatment plant pump. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Harms moved, Crawford seconded, to approve payment to WTR Solutions for $3,520 for a sewer aerator. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Harms moved, Crawford seconded, to approve the use of $3,000 from the Jaws of Life money market account funds towards the purchase of a used Jaws of Life. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Daggs seconded, to approve the purchase of fire bunker gear for up to $6,000. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Harms moved, Daggs seconded, to approve the purchase of fire rakes, hose, nozzles, gloves, hoods, and drip torches for $3,252. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Harms moved, Daggs seconded, to accept Nathan Vogel’s resignation dated November 18, 2019. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Daggs stated that a decision has been made to hire a third full time individual for maintenance and garbage. They would not be responsible for water or sewer. The starting wage would be the same as Kendall Meyer’s starting pay. A decision has not been made on a lead person for the department. Until a decision is made on the lead, all signatures and approvals normally the responsibility of the department head will be handled by the Mayor.
A discussion was held regarding health insurance due to many concerns following the council’s vote last month to accept Ibeling’s insurance proposal. The current insurance was compared to various options that had been provided by Jeff Frazier, Ibeling Insurance, and were looked at in greater detail. City employees were allowed to voice their concerns. Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to stay with the current Alliant Select health insurance plan through Hardin County and also offer the Hardin County dental insurance to employees at the employee’s expense. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on new capital projects, improvements, and estimated costs to determine what will be funded with the new GO loan that the City plans to obtain, and what will be paid for out of the regular budget. Crawford informed the Council that the boiler and the hot water heater are not working in City Hall. She has been in contact with several individuals to address the situation as soon as possible. As this is more urgent in nature it will have to come out of the current budget. Council agreed to attempt to pay for all of the smaller repairs and improvements that they have identified out of future regular budgets, and use the new GO loan as follows: $375,000 for a new ambulance and police building, $58,000 on the demo of the church at 420 State Street, $542,000 on street improvements, and $25,000 on street lighting. Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to accept the contract with TurnKey Associates, L.C. for $5,000 for preliminary design work on the new ambulance and police building. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
Discussion on the FY21 budget was held.
Mayor Graham gave the Council an overview of the results of the Hotel Feasibility Study and summed it up by stating that the study showed that Ackley can sustain a mid-level hotel, but the biggest drawback is the need for restaurants.
Mayor Graham has contacted several contractors regarding the salvage demo for 420 State Street. All of them are not wanting to look at it until after the end of the year.
Angela De La Riva, Hardin County Economic Development Director, was not in attendance.
Daggs and Moore gave an update on the progress of the Sanitary Sewer Continuing Improvement Plan. Moore stated that the majority of the work is done. Daggs moved, Crawford seconded, to approve Change Order No. 10 for an increase of $8,112 and a completion date of November 27, 2019 for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project-Phase 1. Ayes-3. Motion carried. Daggs moved, Harms seconded, to approve payment to Municipal Pipe Tool for $72,368.11 for Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project-Phase 1 Pay Estimate No. 12. Ayes-3. Motion carried. Council agreed to move forward with the North Butler Street Project. An update on building permits was not provided.
Kendall Meyer, Public Works Assistant, informed the Council that RBF was supposed to be coming to provide the City with an estimate on the pool lighting. DeBerg stated that one estimate has already been received. No update was given on the pool boiler.
Deputy Clerk Malena Dennis informed the Council that Machel Eichmeier, Hardin County Treasurer, has stated that currently they are not interested in participating in an agreement with the City to help with delinquent parking tickets in conjunction with the renewal of vehicle registrations. Eichmeier stated that she does not have the manpower to do anything for the City at this time. DeBerg reminded the Council that state auditors would be here next week for the City’s annual examination.
Mayoral & Council Comments: Mayor Graham expressed his enjoyment as mayor over the last four years. Daggs informed the Council that the County has signed up for Alert Iowa. This is a free service that provides weather and other emergency alerts. Harms expressed his concerns regarding an individual wanting to do treasurer hunting in Prairie Bridges. He proposed that the City let Prairie Bridges handle those situations and the decisions involved.
Public Comments: John Stoppelmoor explained that he paid his utility bill to the City at 8:10 a.m. on Monday, November 11th, which was Veteran’s Day, and he was charged a late fee. Mayor Graham and the Council explained that the bills are always due on the 10th, regardless of what day that falls on, and that the City has a drop box and a door slot that payments can be dropped off at any time. Therefore, the late fee will not be waived. Dee Hinders stated that she was informed by a police officer that she can’t park in her driveway over the sidewalk even though apparently a building permit for her house was approved in the past. Chief Shimon explained that the Council does not want people walking in the street. Mayor Graham added that it is a state code, and Shimon stated that no one can override state code.
With no further discussion, Harms moved, Crawford seconded, to adjourn at 9:28 p.m. Ayes-3. Motion carried.
ACCESS SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP
832.27
ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING
COPIER LEASE/MAINT PAYMENT
174.92
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
POSTAGE
67.62
AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE
REMOVE 8 TREES
4,845.00
AFLAC
AFLAC
189.42
AMAZON
BOOKS
359.69
BANACOM SIGNS
GRAPHICS-2019 FORD PD TAURUS
800.00
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
835.04
BRASS HIGHWAY 57 FORD
2019 FORD POLICE TAURUS
22,400.00
BUSINESS RADIO SALES & SE
RADIO MIC & ANTENNAS
90.28
CGA
ENGINEERING SERVICES
27,748.60
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR
CHILD SUPPORT
107.50
DEBERG, KELLY
HEALTH INS DED/MILEAGE
1,018.54
DEMCO
SUPPLIES/HOLE PUNCH/CLOCK
273.48
DOLLAR GENERAL
GAR BAGS/PAPER TOWELS/SUPPLIES
63.20
EICHMEIER MOTOR
2016 SPARTAN FILTERS/OIL/ANTIF
443.86
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
7,014.89
FORGY ELECTRIC
SHOP LIGHTBULB
60.00
FRANK DUNN CO.
COLD PATCH
315.00
FREDERICK, MICHAEL
BOOK
24.00
GARDNER MEDIA LLC
BOOKS
157.07
GNB
2018 GO VEHICLE ACQUISITION
2,802.19
GWORKS
W-2/1099 PACKAGES W/ ENVELOPES
188.30
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP
10X13 ENVELOPES/CLIPS/TABS
84.38
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
3RD QTR FY20/NOVEMBER LANDFILL
14,214.94
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
97.45
HERITAGE MOTORS
PD CARS-TIRES/IGNITION COIL/DEFR
1,062.14
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
1,573.68
IOWA FALLS EMS
TIER, PARAMEDIC INTERCEPT
1,000.00
IOWA FALLS STATE BANK
2019 AMBULANCE LOAN
380.23
IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY
2018 SEWER REVENUE SRF LOAN
18,879.87
IOWA PUMP WORKS
REPLACE PUMP #2 AT PLANT
8,941.05
IOWA WALL SAWING
POLY LIFTING SLABS AROUND POOL
2,456.00
IPERS
IPERS
4,995.10
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
THEISENS-VOGEL WORK BOOTS
164.99
KEN'S REPAIR
PARTS FOR RIDING MOWER
551.35
LAVELLE PROPERTIES, LLC
DEC 2019 TIF REBATE FOR 2018
330.76
LEON UNIFORM COMPANY
SHIMON-TEXTROP/PANTS
138.97
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
120.00
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY CO
ELECTRIC BILL
3,580.66
MUNICIPAL PIPE TOOL COMPA
SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS-1
72,368.11
NAPA AUTO PARTS
SUPPLIES/PARTS
239.00
P.C.C.
AMBULANCE BILLING FEES
353.58
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
16,320.00
PETTY CASH
POLICE PETTY CASH REIMBURSEMENT
200.00
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
245.00
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH PL
HEALTH INSURANCE
7,112.00
RBF ELECTRIC
ELECTRICAL WORK AT LIGHT PLANT
2,477.00
RELIASTAR LIFE INS CO
LIFE INSURANCE
112.68
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
833.00
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
50.00
STAREK, RETHA
DVD'S/MILEAGE
57.98
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAX
1,171.00
STIRLING SEAMLESS GUTTERS
GUTTERS/DOWNSPOUTS/COVERS
4,175.00
STOREY KENWORTHY
BATTERIES/TAPE/TONER/PAPER
200.33
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
MINUTES/ORDINANCES/AFR/AWJ SUB
538.97
UMB BANK
2016A GO BOND/2014A GO BOND
7,531.25
USDA RF
COUGARS DEN MONTHLY PAYMENT
1,151.00
VERIZON
CELL PHONES/INTERNET/PHONE
503.03
VOGEL, NATHAN
HEALTH INS DEDUCTIBLE REIMBURSE
800.00
WAL-MART COMMUNITY
DVD'S/CRAFT SUPPLIES
170.78
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
2,107.00
WEBER PAPER COMPANY
TOLIET PAPER/SINGLE FOLD TOWEL
85.16
WTR-SOLUTIONS
REPLACE AERATOR
3,520.00
DEPOSIT REFUNDS
REFUND DATE 11/25/2019
46.07
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
24,334.33
CLAIMS TOTAL
276,084.71
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
56,923.26
ROAD USE TAX FUND
20,190.47
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND
1,619.10
TIF FUND
330.76
DEBT SERVICE FUND
10,713.67
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2016A FUND
2,767.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST FUND
25,656.00
2020 COUGARS DEN STEPS FUND
852.00
WATER FUND
11,254.47
WATER DEPOSITS FUND
46.07
CAPITAL WATER PROJECTS FUND
2,389.60
SEWER FUND
22,307.35
SEWER - SINKING FUND
18,879.87
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
94,108.11
GARBAGE FUND
7,415.25
STORM WATER FUND
631.73
TOTAL
276,084.71
REVENUE - NOVEMBER 2019
GENERAL FUND
74,192.15
LIBRARY RESERVES FUND
660.00
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP RESERVES FUND
1,751.26
AMBULANCE RIG/EQUIP RESERV FUND
0.03
ROAD USE TAX FUND
17,431.01
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND
11,921.97
EMERGENCY FUND
801.46
LOST FUND
16,449.78
LOST - DEBT SERVICE FUND
4,112.45
TIF FUND
4,621.02
DEBT SERVICE FUND
15,848.86
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST FUND
4,112.44
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUND
120.00
WATER FUND
34,365.25
WATER DEPOSITS FUND
750.00
SEWER FUND
49,914.93
SEWER SINKING FUND
16,277.01
SEWER RESERVES/SURPLUS FUND
13,711.59
GARBAGE FUND
11,303.49
STORM WATER FUND
11,283.07
TOTAL
289,627.77
___________________________________
Erik Graham, Mayor
ATTEST: _______________________________
Kelly DeBerg, City Clerk