The City Council met in regular session on November 1, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Wes Lester
Georgia DeHaas
Councilmember absent:
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Quantz, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the October 18th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Tera Hill was not present, but Councilwoman DeHaas stated her request was to ask the City to pay for the Christmas tree lighting at Pioneer Park again this holiday season. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson to pay the bill for Christmas lighting at Pioneer Park for December 2010. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 82 cases written, 17 misdemeanor arrests, 3 criminal traffic arrests, 10 traffic infractions, 2 non traffic warning, 1450 service activities, 5 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for October 2010 was accepted on motion by Councilman Houger second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The Snowhaven Minutes of October 7, 2010 were accepted on motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Councilwoman DeHaas made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of October 14, 2010 and appoint Ed Eckert to a 3 year term on P&Z expiring 12/3/13 . Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Mayor Walker appointed Ed Eckert to P&Z for a three year term.
WASTEWATER PLANT MEETING UPDATE: Mayor Walker, Public Works Director Gortsema, Walter Steed, Howard Lunderstadt, Amy Uptmor and Cory Baune met in Lewiston to try to determine where the City is for the project and what type of funding is available. Walter Steed has to submit the grant application by November 19th and this is a budget that could be submitted. The budget maximizes the grant money from Rural Development (25% of the total when added to $3.5 million) and maximizes Block Grant money. It allows the City to do phosphorous filtration and solids dewatering, with buildings for both, and next years sewer line replacement project. With this budget, the rate increase is $12.55/month; however the bond is not paid back until one year after the project is completed, which could be late in 2012 or early in 2013. Most likely there could be an annual increase which would provide enough funding for the bond repayment as normally the City increases 6% annually. The City could reduce the loan amount to $3 million which brings the monthly amount down, but that doesn’t maximize the grant money available and Walter stated that if the budget changes then the block grant amount could be at risk. The interest rate expected is 3.25%-3.5%; the monthly rate increase numbers were based off 3.5%.
J-U-B SEWER CONTRACTS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to accept and authorize J-U-B contract for the 2011 Sewer replacement project in the amount of $105,200. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
CAFETERIA PLAN: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to adopt AFLAC’s Flex One flexible benefit plan. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PAY REQUEST FOR EECBG: Public Works Director explained that this is a partial payment from the Energy Efficiency Block Grant for work done at Cash Well. Councilman Houger made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize payment to Challenger Company Inc. in the amount of $17,803.24. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE:
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
