March 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Call to order: Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Council members present: Richard Thomas, Tom VanDerVeer, Aron Whitlatch and Wayne Braden. Absent: Ron Ferree.

I. General Business

A. Minutes of the February 8, 2011 meeting were reviewed. Richard Thomas made a motion to approve minutes as presented and Wayne Braden seconded. Motion carried.

B. Treasurer’s report was presented. Wayne Braden made a motion to accept Treasurer’s report as presented and Richard Thomas seconded. Motion carried.

C. Claims to be paid from February were reviewed. Shirley Mitrisin presented a bill from Matt Parrott for $5.50 it was added to the claims report. It was noted a claim to Hach Co. was paid in February and it was removed from the claims report. Richard Thomas made a motion to accept claims with changes and Tom VanDerVeer seconded. Motion carried.

D. Sewer report – Kevin Bork reported Jim Howard from Bilt Rite Fence Company will be installing the fence at the lagoon as soon as weather permits.

E. Water report –

1. Elwood Hanna – Reported Oskaloosa Water Department had located a water leak on Bill Bone Drive, it was fixed last week and readings are normal again. It was also reported that a plumber had been working on one of the trailers in town and suspects there is a problem with the meter not registering water usage. Mayor Maxwell will contact the owner and let them know they are responsible for replacing the meter and charges incurred with the meter replacement.

2. Collections – Shirley Mitrisin reported $5267.17 received for sewer and $7166.97 received for water usage for the month of February. This did not include Century Homes as payments were not received in time to include in the report.

3. Justin Scholtus – Absent from meeting. No report.

F. Hall Rentals – Diane Whitlatch reported one rental in March. Future rentals are: One in April, two in May and one in June.

II. Old Business:

A. Alley Ordinance revision – City Clerk reported copies were posted for public viewing at the city hall, post office and Thomas Sanitation. A notice will be submitted to the Herald for publication.

B. Annexation – Discussion was tabled.

C. Fenton/Thomas alley sale – Discussion was tabled.

D. Linville Alley Sale – City Clerk will post in the Herald and continue documenting the process.

F. Sink Hole on Front Street – Parts for the water pipe have been received and work will begin in the next couple of

weeks.

III. New Business:

A. Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter – reported the shelter picked up one stray dog and one dog was dropped off at the shelter by a citizen.

B. Sheriff – No report.

C. Review 2011 Budget – Discussion was tabled until reports are completed.

D. Nuisance on South Grant Street – No report, discussion was tabled.

E. Water Rate Increase – The city received a letter from the Oskaloosa water department announcing a 7.5% rate

increase effective April 1, 2011. Tom VanDerVeer made a motion to accept the rate increase and Richard Thomas

seconded. The motion passed.

F. Additional Pay outside Normal Work Duties – It was discussed and agreed to do a one- time bid notice for a

general labor position with the city. Duties will include but not be limited to cleaning ditches, installing signs and

include such jobs as the council deems necessary. Bid notices will be posted at the post office, city hall and Thomas

Sanitation.

G. Pay Increases – The following city positions will receive pay increases in the coming budget year.

Council members: Increase to $50 per meeting attended effective January 2012. Tom VanDerVeer made a

motion to accept the pay increase, Richard Thomas seconded. The motion carried.

Mayor: Increase to $150 per meeting attended effective January 2012. Wayne Braden made a motion to accept

the pay increase, Tom VanDerVeer seconded. The motion carried.

City Clerk: Increase to $300 a month effective July 2011. Tom VanDerVeer made a motion to accept the pay increase, Wayne Braden seconded. The motion carried.

Treasurer: Increase to $225 a month effective July 20ll. Tom VanDerVeer made a motion to accept the pay increase, Wayne Braden seconded. The motion carried.

Custodian: Increase to $85 per month effective July 2011. Richard Thomas made a motion to accept the pay increase, Tom VanDerVeer seconded. The motion carried.

IV. Business from the floor:

A. Citizen questioned what decision had been made on joining Mahaska Rural Water. Mayor Maxwell stated no decision has been made. Mayor Maxwell will contact Randy Pleima and invite him to attend a meeting for further discussion with the community.

B. Regional Housing Trust Fund – Mayor Maxwell read literature from RHTF announcing loan applications are being accepted for housing improvements. The applications are being accepted through April 30, 2011. Information will be posted at the post office, city hall and Thomas Sanitation.

C. Century Lawn announced a rate increase from $40 to $42 for mowing at the city hall for the coming season. They also stated a gas surcharge will be added if gas prices go over $3.80 a gallon. Richard Thomas will contact Century Lawn and let them know it is ok to continue with the service.

D. Basement Water Problem – The water department is not able to change a water meter in the homeowner’s basement due to standing water in the basement. The homeowner reported she had a plumber look at the problem and was told it is ground water and not sewage. Due to possible health issues for the employee, Mayor Maxwell will contact a plumber for a second opinion.

V. Next meeting date – April 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

VI. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn was made by Richard Thomas and seconded by Tom VanDerVeer. Motion carried.