Wilton City Council Meeting Minutes for 9/12/2011
Printable VersionRegular Meeting
September 12, 2011
The Council for the City of Wilton, Iowa met in regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday September 12, 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, (present at 7:10PM) 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, Jim & Joan Voss, Clyde Lange, Sharon Bowers, Jake Hoekstra, Julie Shebek and Harlan Bishop.
The agenda was presented for this meeting. It was moved by Member Fowler seconded by Member Owens that the following be added to this agenda for approval: Homecoming Parade request and Pool Allocation under Council Items. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None
Minutes for the regular meeting held August 22, 2011. A motion was made by Member Barrett seconded by Member Stanley that these minutes be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
CONSULTANTS:
Community Center Director Marcia Hetzler was not in attendance but sent a report for the Center. She has been in contact with Johnson Controls regarding the heating and cooling system and is trying to set up a meeting with them to work on the temperature settings. She will also have Ron Helmold present at this meeting so they both can understand these settings. It was also noted that the warranty walk through was done with Eric White from Estes. The Community Center Board has been discussion pricing and when would be the best time to initiate changes since there are bookings so far in advance. Norman Grunder asked the Council if anything had been accomplished with the sewer line issue in the Library. It was reported that the Council is still working with the construction company on this issue and that a new stool was installed at no cost to the City to help resolved this problem.
Julie Shebek representing US Cellular of Greater Iowa spoke before the Council regarding the use of the old water tower onW Summit Streetfor the placement of cellular antennas. A copy of a proposed tower and ground space lease was given to the Members. (Member Garrison was present at this time 7:10PM) The antennas would be placed on the hand rails out of the way of any maintenance issues for the tower. They would also be looking at putting up a 12 X 20 building at the site. This would be put outside of the fenced in area. The building would have a sensor light, a heating and air conditioning unit and possibly a generator. Council asked if the company would consider the new tower site, stating the location was in a less residential area. Council does not want to interrupt the residential neighbor nearW Summit Street, with either noise or interference. Jim Voss, who was a member of the Wilton P&Z for many years, stated that the City should take into consideration that the old tower is in the R-1 District. Julie told the Council that their company picked the old tower site as they feel that this is centrally located in the City and it would boost the service for the US Cellular customers. She also stated that there would be no interference with existing cellular or internet service in the City. More discussion was held on the placement of the cellular antennas. Members just did not feel that the W Summit location would be the best fit forWiltoncitizens. Julie stated that their company had also considered a spot nearCherrydalePark. They would be able to install a mono pole in place of one of the current poles that hold the ball park lights. If the Council would like her to pursue this option, she will have US Cellular engineer go that route and report back in the near future. Council agreed to the possibility of a proposal atCherrydaleParkand told Julie that they are willing to work with US Cellular and appreciate her presenting the information for the proposed lease.
POLICE ITEMS:
Chief Leathers stated former Muscatine County Sheriff passed away and funeral services will be held this Friday inMuscatine. He informed the Council that he will be attending these services at 1:00PM.
The Police Department is having trouble with one of the in car videos. The Chief presented a quote from Watch Guard for a new camera for the price of $4825.00. The Department will receive grant money from GTSB in the amount of $4000, so only $825 would need to be taken out of the Police budget. The City will have to pay the total amount and then get the reimbursement. Chief Leathers stated that the Muscatine County Attorney is highly recommending that all police department vehicles have working in car videos. The installation of this camera can be done by theWiltonofficers. It was moved by Member Owens seconded by Member Fowler that this in car video purchase be allowed. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Bowman read a thank you letter from TJ Juskiewick, RAGBRAI Director, thanking the City ofWilton for being a host town this year.
COUNCIL ITEMS:
A request was received from the Wilton High School Student Council for the use of the streets for the Homecoming parade. This will be held on Wednesday September 15th at 6:30PM. The parade will start at the High School go across Summit to Maurer south to 4th Street to Cypress and then north back to the High School. It was moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Garrison that this request be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
A pool allocation in the amount of $10,000 was presented for approval. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Owens that this allocation be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
A proclamation from Area IX National Guard and Reserve Forces was read by the Mayor. This proclaims September 18th-24th as City Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. Mayor and Council wanted to give their appreciation to all armed forces for their service during this week and all of the time that they serve our country.
A request was made by a citizen to have a stop sign placed at Cypressand E 6th Street. This intersection is near the park and the concerned citizen felt that cars travel fast on this street and a stop sign would help slow down the traffic. Discussion was held on the need for a stop sign at this intersection and the flow of traffic in that area. Council requested that the Police Department investigate this intersection and report back to the Council with their findings.
Mayor Bowman announced that Trick or Treat night will be set for Monday October 31st from 5:30-7:30PM for the City ofWilton,
The IMFOA Conference will be held October 19-21st inDes Moines. It was requested that Lori Brown and Kit Koele be allowed to attend this meeting. It was moved by Member Fowler seconded by Member Stanley that the request be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
Flu shots are being offered by Wester Drug inWilton. The price for the shots will be $22.50 which is the same as last year. It was moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Fowler that the City pay for the flu shots for the employees. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
The Water Department has been checking on a yearly maintenance plan for the three pumps that the City has. Mark Latta of Latta Well & Pump has submitted an agreement for yearly maintenance for these pumps. He wrote that the yearly maintenance agreement for the City ofWiltonwould involve checking all three of the currently used wells for amp draw, flow, and water level. The cost would be $150 for that service. Troubleshooting issues in the sewage system would be at a cost of $75 per hour, if the job is more involved cost would be $150 per hour. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Owens that this agreement be accepted. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
A proposed Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wilton, Iowa by updating Title 14 Under Section 14.12, Entitled “Meters” " was then presented to the Council for discussion. This Ordinance states that the customer may obtain a permit to have a secondary meter to be used for lawn care, gardening and other outside purposes. TheWiltoncustomer would have to purchase the new meter and have it installed at their cost. Once installed the City will be required to inspect the meter and approve the installation. The secondary meter usage will not be charged a sewer usage fee. It was noted that the size of the meter should be specific and there be no choices in the size to be installed as the secondary meter. After due consideration it was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Barrett that said Ordinance be passed on first consideration. The question being upon the foregoing motion, the roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
A proposed Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of the Wilton Municipal Code Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Regarding Golf Carts & UTV’s Allowed onPublic Streetin The City of Wilton, Iowa” was then presented to the Council for discussion. Harlan Bishop of 311 ESummitspoke to the Council and said he was against the Ordinance as a whole. He stated that the Ordinance has too many restrictions. Mayor Bowman said that he was contacted this past weekend during the garage sale day that there were problems with carts being on the streets that Saturday. Chief Leathers said that they have been having trouble with a couple of carts around the City that are not following the regulations that are already in place. Discussion was held on: brake lights, turn signals, permit requirements, seat belts and insurance. After talking over the requirements, some changes were made to the proposed ordinance. After due consideration it was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Owens that said Ordinance be passed on first consideration. The question being upon the foregoing motion, the roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
It was announced that a certified letter was sent to the present renter of the City’s farm land near the new tower onW Wate Streetterminating the present lease. Discussion was held at a recent WDC meeting about putting the three nearby rented farm ground pieces (City, REC and WDC) together for rent. It was suggested that if a larger piece of ground was rented, the rental may draw more interest. The total of the three pieces would be approximately 100 acres. There would be separate agreements but all ground would be pooled together as one unit. The paper work will be handled by the WDC. It was then moved by Member Fowler seconded by Member Barrett that the City approve pooling their farm ground with the other two owners for rental. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
Bids for the proposed West View concession were then opened and recorded as follows: Hoekstra Masonry $45,863 and Stanton Construction $42,652 (ADA drinking fountain add $1785). After the bids were announced the Council was surprised at the amount of the bids compared to the numbers that were given before. The Council felt there was some confusion on the bidding process. The City Administrator pointed out that he had bidders add optional expenses for plumbing, electrical work, as well as anADAcompliant drinking fountain, thus the reason the bids increased in price. With the removal of these optional expenses the price would be lower to the initial numbers. It was also pointed out that the proposed building site increased since the original idea, also causing an increase in price. A lengthily discussion was held on the process that was done to get these bids, since this was the second time that the concession was discussed. Council thought that the bids should have been in order and now the whole process seems to be complicated. After more discussion, it was the moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Garrison that the Park Board be contacted and that a meeting be scheduled with them and the Council to get something accomplished on this building and as of now the building of this concession has been tabled. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
It was noted that there has been some fund raising done for this building and as to date the City has received $3000. The City Administrator pointed out that additional funds are going to have to be raised to implement this project. After the bids get sorted out, the City will have to decide how to proceed as the money should be in place before the building is started. Work may soon be started on re-liming the ball diamond once the season has ended.
Joel reported that truck route signs have been ordered. A part time person (Roger Johnson Jr) has been hired to work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Letters were sent out today regarding trees that need to be trimmed on right of ways.
Since the roof on the shed behind City Hall is in need of repair, Joel will be putting an ad in the paper to take bids for this repair. It was noted that the structure of the roof may need to be checked to see if it is in need of repair also.
A meeting was held with the DOT on September 1st regarding the water and wastewater expansion. It may be six to eight months before moving forward with this project and there may also be some annexation involved.
Andrew Marsh will be attending the next regular Council meeting to discuss the preliminary plans for the wastewater improvements. Joel has a copy of the plans if any member would like to review them before the next meeting.
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