Wilton City Council Meeting Minutes for 1/23/2012
Printable VersionRegular Meeting
January 23, 2012
The Council for the City of Wilton, Iowa met in regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday January 23, 2012. 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, Marcia Hetzler, Kristy Hook and David and Keri Clark.
The agenda was presented for this meeting. It was then moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Fowler that the agenda be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None
Minutes for the regular meeting held January 9, 2012. A motion was made by Member Stanley seconded by Member Fowler that these minutes be approved as read. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried.
CITIZENS:
Kristy Hook of 201 W 5th Street came to this meeting to speak with the Members regarding the possible relocation of their home. They are looking into moving the home from 5th and Cedar to south of Moscow, Iowa. (Member Garrison was present at this time) They have already been in contact with a moving company out of Burlington and there are some major issues that need to be dealt with concerning this move. The Hook’s would look to move the house west on 5th Street to Highway 38 and then south. Space needed would be approximately 30 feet wide and 40 feet tall. Kristy spoke with Collin Proctor from the Wilton Municipal Light & Power regarding electrical lines and trees along 5th Street. A few of the concerns were: there are a couple of significant power areas along W 5th Street, there are many trees that may need to be trimmed or cut down and the property owners would also need to be consulted. Members asked Kristy if going west on 5th Street was the best route. She replied that is why she came to the City Council asking which would be the best situation for all parties involved. After a short discussion, Members thanked Kristy for attending and they will ponder this request and see if a solution can be reached.
CONSULTANTS:
Community Center Director Marcia Hetzler presented the Council with some updates from the center. Some of updates: the plan is to have the audio/visual equipment installed by March 1st, the Board has agreed on a 2013 fee schedule, Jeff Grings is checking on a donor board, rules are now displayed in the bar area, and the need for more chairs and tables to be purchased along with blinds for the MCC rooms. Member Owens also added that the Community Center Board meetings have been changed from Mondays to the third Wednesday of each month. The public is invited to attend these meetings. Snow removal was also a question that Marcia had about the center. She wondered if there is an event scheduled on a weekend what are her options on getting the entire lot cleared. Mayor Bowman said that she should call Joel and he would contact the appropriate employee for the snow removal. Marcia also stated that starting with January 28th through October 27th there are only six open Saturday nights. When there are events at the center, Marcia always takes photos and has been using these to help with potential renters. Last week there was an actual wedding planner at the center and it was nice to see what ideas they used. She said that Ron and her will be starting their “busy season” this week. Mayor and Council thanked Marcia for her updates and are glad to see how busy the center is becoming.
LEGAL ITEMS:
A proposed Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.05 Entitled City Clerk Treasurer and Chapter 2.10 Entitled City Administrator of the Wilton Municipal Code for the City of Wilton, Iowa” was then presented to the Council for discussion. This Ordinance clarifies some of the duties of the City Administrator and Clerk/Treasurer. After consideration, it was moved by Member Owens seconded by Member Garrison that said Ordinance be passed on third 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.
Upon the question of fully adopting said Ordinance, the roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
Thereupon the Mayor approved said Ordinance, declared said Ordinance fully adopted, assigned the number 489 to said Ordinance and ordered that said Ordinance be added to the City Ordinance book.
POLICE ITEMS:
At this time Chief Leathers introduced Officer David Clark, who was selected as Wilton Police Department Officer of the Year for 2011. It was a tough decision this year because Chief Leathers feels Wilton Police Department has three great officers and several part timers that stand out as potential candidates. Leathers stated that Officer Clark displays exceptional service and goes above and beyond the call of duty. Clarkhas been a team player and helps a great deal with mechanical and computer work. He uses these skills within the Department often. Mayor and Council congratulated Officer Clark on receiving this award and thanked him for his devoted service to the department.
Chief Leathers had sent a note to the Council regarding the condition of the 2004 Impala that is driven by Officer Clark. There are some problems with the transmission to the point where it is having trouble shifting. The Chief does not feel it is a safety issue but the car cannot get up to speed very quickly and does not want to shift out of first gear, especially when it is not warmed up. The car was taken to a local service station and they advised not to put money into repairs. A call was made to Kansas State Patrol and they have a 2009 Crown Vic with 49,000 miles for $12,500. Since the police department is not up for a car purchase until July, Chief Leathers was asking the Members how to proceed. If purchased; the extra $1500 would need to be taken from the police department budget and if the Impala was sold those funds could also be used for the price difference. The police equipment fund at this time has a balance of $11,000. Leathers stated that if they just purchase the vehicle and wait to get decals, a console, and cage they could use equipment from the Impala at this time. The light bat, radio and video unit should be able to be transferred into this the new vehicle. After July 1st the other items could be purchased for the new vehicle. The Chief gave the Members some comparisons of prices if a vehicle was purchased new as compared to used. If approved, the car could be ready within two weeks of a call to Kansas. Cost to get to pick up the car would be for two persons to drive to Kansas, stay over one night and then drive the new vehicle back. Discussion was held and the Members did not want the department to continue having vehicle problems. They also suggested that Officer Clark share a vehicle with Officer Madson until a replacement vehicle is in place. It was then moved by Member Fowler seconded by Member Garrison that it be approved that the Police Department be allowed to purchase the 2009 Crown Vic from Kansas State Patrol at a price of $12,500. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
Chief Leathers said he would contactKansastomorrow and see when it would be best to pick up the car. Member Fowler volunteered to assist with picking up the car. In talking with other departments Chief Leathers has found that departments seem to get more money from selling their vehicles on Ebay. The City could advertise that the Impala would be sold on Ebay and local residents would still have a chance to buy the car.
MAYOR ITEMS:
Sheryl Lenker currently serves on the Planning and Zoning Board and her term expires 2-1-12. Mayor Bowman contacted Sheryl and she has agreed to serve another term on this Board. Such term is a six year term and will expire 2-1-18. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Barrett that this re-appointment be approved. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
A citizen had spoke to Mayor Bowman regarding pot holes in the alley between 5th and Chestnut Streets on the north side. The City Administrator will have the employees check this area.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Bowman reported that Wilton Municipal Light & Power received a call from a concerned customer. The customer said that they had received a phone call from someone that said if they did not pay their past due utility bill by credit card over the phone they would be disconnected. The Mayor wanted to inform citizens that this is a scam and they should beware. The City seldom makes phone calls about delinquent bills and they do not take credit card payments. If anyone receives a scam phone call they should inform the Wilton Police Department.
A note was received from the WiltonBaptistChurchannouncing their 10th anniversary. An open house will be held on Sunday January 29, 2012 from 1-4:00PM and the public is invited.
COUNCIL ITEMS:
Committees for 2012 were presented by Mayor Bowman. It was moved by Member Stanley seconded by Member Owens that these committees be approved for the upcoming year. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
Two housing improvement applications were presented for review. Aaron Kiser of 620 Cypress Street; entire house renovations in the amount of $90,000 and Adam Budelier 302 York St; new home construction in the amount of $255,000. If approved this paperwork needs to filed with MuscatineCountyby February 1st. Applications were reviewed and it was moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Owens that the applications be approved to be forwarded to Muscatine County. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
MemberStanleyasked Joel if he had received any more information of theLEEDScertification. The Clerk had checked and reported that we have paid $9600 to River Place Technologies for this certification and does not feel that the City should have to pay out any other funds to have this finalized. The City Administrator will search for more information to clear up this certification process.
Member Fowler said he received some comments about the street conditions after the small snow last weekend. City Administrator reported that employees were out on Saturday and Sunday but did not feel there was enough accumulation to plow.
Member Barrett requested that the City Administrator check the condition of the streets onW Summit Streetat the intersections of Pine and Oak. There seems to be sections of the street that have boiled up.
Member Garrison commended Water Wastewater Superintendent for working diligently on getting his degrees. Looking at his percentages it seems as he has been doing well with the classes.
When the Mayor and Council Members were sworn in the newspaper wrote that Mayor Bowman did the swearing in, Member Garrison said that it should be corrected to state that the City Clerk sworn in the Mayor and Council Members.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
City Administrator Joel Laws reported that he has contacted local financial institutes regarding the financing for the wastewater facility plan. He is preparing a letter with criteria to send to each of the financial institutes. This will contain a brief synopsis with project costs, length of proposed agreement, funding for repayment, timeline for funding and financing options. An ideal time frame to have a financial agreement in place would be before the construction phase of the project. Such time frame is estimated to be between June and August of 2012. If started now it should allow plenty of time on both sides to use critical evaluation methods, for the best options for financing.
Safety equipment has been purchased and Joel said it will be around $3000 for all of the items that were ordered at this time. The annexation public hearing will be held at the February 13th Council meeting.
The F650 was in for repairs and it was found that there was a problem with the ABS brake systems and the City was charged $4654 for the repairs. Since this truck was just purchased in 2009 the Council would like Joel to do more investigation to see if some of these repairs would be covered by warranty. The payment will be held until a final answer can be given.
BILLS:
Member Barrett questioned the statement in the amount of $440 to the ICMA for membership dues and asked about the benefits for the City. Joel responded that this was for him to belong to the InternationalCity’s Managers Association and he has belonged to this organization at his previous employers. It adds to his professional development and that is the association that he received the scholarship to attend the conference in Milwaukeelast year. Member Barrett said that he will approve the payment this year but will ask for a report next year. After discussion, the financial statements were accepted and placed on file. It was then moved by Member Barrett seconded by Member Stanley that the total disbursements of $102,997.36, approved by the Finance Committee, be allowed and instruct the City Clerk to pay the same. The roll was called and the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Garrison, Barrett, Owens, Fowler, and Stanley
Nays: None Motion Carried
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