Wilton City Council Meeting Minutes for 8/8/2011

Regular Meeting

August 8, 2011

The Council for the City of Wilton, Iowa met in regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday August 8, 2011. Mayor Bowman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The Mayor then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council Members present at this meeting: Richard Garrison, Robert Barrett, Steve Owens, Matt Fowler, and Keith Stanley. Absent: none. Also present at this meeting City Administrator Joel Laws, Advocate News Correspondent Connie Brown, Muscatine Journal News Correspondent Charles Potter, Carla Thurston, Jim & Joan Voss, Clyde Lange, Twyla Brown, Carl Anderson, Ruth Ann Wilson, Kim Sloan, Marcia Hetzler, Dick Valet, and Mike Shuger.

The agenda was presented for this meeting. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Fowler that the agenda be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None

Minutes for the regular meeting held July 25, 2011. A motion was made by Member Barrett seconded by Member Garrison that these minutes be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None Motion Carried.

CITIZEN APPEARANCE:

Ruth Ann Wilson, owner of One More Round of 1211 W 5^th, asked the Council if it would be possible to borrow some snow fence from the City for their outdoor event that they have planned for this weekend. Ruth Ann stated that they have some fence, but do not have enough to fence in the whole area. If possible they would like to get the fencing this Friday. It was moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Owens that One More Round be given permission to borrow some of the City’s snow fence for this weekend. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None Motion Carried.

Clyde Lange of 516 W 3^rd Street spoke before the Council regarding the golf cart ordinance that the City has in the Wilton Municipal Code Book. He stated that he recently bought a new golf cart which is battery operated. When driving the cart last week, he was stopped by the Wilton Police Department and was informed by the officer that they were not legal to ride the cart on the Wilton Streets. Mr. Lange said that he got the golf cart so they could ride back and forth to go to the post office, the store or to run short errands. With gas being high, he felt this would help save costs. The Council had copies of the current ordinance and also State Code that pertains to golf cart use within city limits. Operators must have a current driver’s license, proof of insurance and may drive from sunrise to sunset. Sergeant Longlett relayed that they have had problems with carts on the sidewalks and driving at night. Clyde had a list of other cities that have golf cart ordinances and felt the City should be more lenient and change the current ordinance.

Carl Anderson of 608 W 3^rd said he currently drives a golf cart aroundWilton a lot. Carl stated that this is his only means of transportation and would like to be able to drive it at anytime, day or night. He also said that he believes when he is driving his golf cart, that he is more careful than kids on bikes or mopeds.

Mike Shuger said that he owns an ATV and it is equipped with seat belts. He wanted to know if the ordinance is redone, would he be allowed to ride the ATV on the City streets.

More discussion was held and the Council wanted the Police Department to do further research. Mayor Bowman asked the members to consider this request and it will be discussed at a later date after more information is gathered.

CONSULTANTS:

Community Center Director Marci Hetzler gave a report to the Council on happenings at the Center. One issue that she stressed that needed to be resolved is the clog in the Library bathroom area. Eric White of Este was present last week when the City used a camera on the clog and it is unsure of whose problem this is and nothing has been resolved as of this date. Marcia asked the Council if they would consider getting a credit card to be used by herself and Ron Helmold. There are times when it is not convenient to get the card from City Hall. Members said that this issue should be considered by the Community Center Board and rules and regulations should be set with a limit on the credit card. Marcia informed the Council that she may also be contacting Johnson Controls regarding the heat settings. They have been out at the center before and there may be a charge for them to come back. Council said that the temperature controls need to be figured out and her and Ron should learn to operate those programs. Hopefully this can be accomplished through Johnson Controls. She feels that events have been running like clockwork at the center and there have been many satisfied customers. Mayor and Council thanked Marcia for her Director’s report.

MAYOR ITEMS:

Wayne Budding’s term on the Light & Power Board expired as of 8-1-11. Mayor Bowman spoke withWayneand declined to accept another term on that Board. Mayor and Council wanted to thankWaynefor his numerous years of dedicated service on this Board. The Mayor then announced that he would like to appoint Vicki Lenker to fill this six year term which will expire 8-1-17. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Owens that the appointment of Vicki Lenker be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None Motion Carried.

At this time Mayor Bowman wanted to thank the many volunteers that help make Wilton RAGBRAI a success. The day went well and there were very few issues that had to be dealt with. This could not have been accomplished without the help of the many people involved. A lot of items were dealt with before that day which also helpedWiltonprepare for the thousands of riders. It was a large event and the goal was to keep the bikers and citizens safe. There were bicyclers and vehicles all over the City on that Saturday. The Mayor felt that a lot of compliments were heard that day about our City and hopefully it was a boost for our local vendors on that. Again he wanted to thank everyone involved that help make it a smooth event that day.

CORRESPONDENCE:

A thank you was read from Kim Sloan. She was happy to be a volunteer for RAGBRAI and also enjoyed being a part of the City on that day. Kim was present at this meeting and Ira introduced her to the members. It was also noted that Kim made theIowasign for RAGBRAI and helped to get it filled with many signatures of the riders from all over. This banner is being displayed in the Council Chambers.

COUNCIL ITEMS:

The liquor permit for One More Round for their outdoor service was presented for approval. Pending the filing of their dram shop, all paperwork has been filed. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Barrett that this license be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None Motion Carried.

Sidewalk reimbursements were presented for the following property owners: Larry Marine 215 W 4^th ($367.50) and Ron Spurgeon 510 Pine ($467.50). The City Administrator said he has inspected both of these projects and they meet the requirements. It was moved by Member Fowler seconded by Member Owens that these reimbursements be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:

Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley

Nays: None Motion Carried.

The City Administrator reported that during the past few months he has been talking with a representative from US Cellular regarding a potential cellular tower lease agreement. The company submitted a draft of a lease agreement to place a tower on the old water tower onW Summit Street. Joel had the City Attorney check over this agreement. After review, it was found that the company wishes to contract a storage building on the property near the tower and they asked for a 30 year agreement. It was noted that the Attorney thought a 30 year agreement was too long and the building would have to be built outside of the fenced in area. Council had questions on the agreement: would there be noise, would interference be a problem, liability and size of building. Joel also stated that he checked with WTC and at this time it was not a priority to put up a tower. Council asked the City Administrator to get more specifics and also compare this agreement with other cities. The consensus was to move forward with a lease agreement but wanted further information.

Robert Kreimeyer, Water/Wastewater Superintendent made recommendations for a new fluoride room inside the water plant. The current design of the plant lacks proper ventilation for the created fumes to exit the facility. This has been overlooked and it has slowly damage some of the internal equipment and structure in the facility on 3^rd Street. If the room is built it will be necessary to replace the damaged equipment and internal structural items. Even though there were bids, the Council felt there should be specs written for this room so that each bid will reflect that each are bidding for exactly the same construction. Council instructed the City Administrator to gather more information on this room and have specs written before the bids are revealed.

Member Barrett said that he received a complaint on the new stop sign at East and E Summit Streets. The citizen did not feel that a permanent stop sign needed to be placed in that area. Member Barrett commented that the guys did a good job of marking the sign with flags and reflectors.

The south end ofLibertyhas a lot of rough patches and Member Barrett had asked the City Administrator to check on this. Nothing has been done to redo that portion of the street and he is requesting that the public works department check to see what can be done to make improvements.

All Members thanked the City employees and volunteers that helped make RAGBRAI a success when coming throughWilton. The clean up was great and all involved deserve a pat on the back for the success of that day.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:

The City Administrator reported that he is still waiting for a response from the DOT regarding the water/wastewater expansion. He has been collecting information from other communities that have deal with similar projects.

The concrete pad has been poured at the City maintenance shop. Funds have been received for the Healthy Activities grant in the amount of $8825.50. The remaining will ($1174.50) be disbursed to the City as it is spent through June 2012. There was a recall on the a/c unit at the Community Center and the company has been here and replaced the part.

Job applications were reviewed by Joel and Bryan DeVore. Five interviews have been set for Tuesday evening.

No further business before this Council, the Mayor adjourned this meeting.

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Mayor Ira Bowman

Attest:

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City Clerk Lori A Brown