January 8, 2007

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Richard Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on January 8, 2007, at City Hall, 106 Greene St., Slater, Iowa. The roll being called the following Council members were present and absent: Present: Cook, O’Donnell and Schick. Electronic connection – Pritchard. Council Member Staples was absent. Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Rich Webb, Jennifer and Tom Ciha, Colin Chriswell, and Ronna Lawless.

A petition calling for an election to fill a Council vacancy was received on December 18, 2006. It was reviewed by the City Attorney and County Auditor’s office and was deemed invalid.

Mayor Rewerts proceeded to administer the Oath of Office to Council Member Don Schick. Congratulations and welcomes were extended to Don.

The December Sheriff’s Office report on law enforcement service calls was placed on file.

Rich Webb representing the Story County Community Housing Corporation (SCCHC), 130 S. Sheldon Avenue, Suite 304 Ames, Iowa 50014 discussed how community land trust practices have become popular as the cost of average value housing has outpaced the family incomes of future moderate value buyers.

Mr. Webb introduced the Council to the membership based 501(C) 3 non profit agency and its role in affordable housing. Housing could facilitate seniors or families in owner occupied homes and is unique in that the housing corporation retains ownership of the land and leases it back to the occupant over a 99 year time frame. This innovation reduces the cost of the acquisition and is unrelated in character to common subsidized programs. The culture of the Corporation provides support to homeowners who have a vested interest in maintaining and making value added improvements increasing equity in their homes.

He described how SCCHC could potentially offer an incentive to a collaborating for profit developer resulting in the taxed entity having a deductible benefit while protecting the tax base of the public owner negotiating the property sale. He expressed interest in working with the City and School in redevelopment of the Ballard school site at 505 Linn. Rich answered questions in detail about how the method compares to conventional housing options and specific qualifications required of homeowners. Examples of land trust homes in Ames were provided. He referenced websites such as www.scclt.com and www.nationalclt.org for further information.

Jennifer Ciha highlighted her observations about municipal Websites. She offered her views on potential marketing enhancements that might compliment and expanding Slater’s current web and newsletter capabilities. Preliminary cost estimates for website updates, based on contracted service provider’s fees, ranged in the area of $4,000 - $10,000 contingent upon the scope of services proposed. She requested that a minimum level of funding be considered in the budget process.

Based on her previous background in marketing, Louise O’Donnell offered to work with Jennifer on refining her research and developing a proposed action plan.

It was moved by Cook, seconded by Pritchard to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2006 meeting. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, Pritchard, O’Donnell, and Schick. No: none.

It was moved by Pritchard and seconded by Cook to approve expenditures totaling $22,245.41 as follows:

The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Pritchard, Cook, O’Donnell, and Schick. No: none. Pending further clarification, it was agreed to postpone reimbursement of $2,000 from the Peterson Trust Funds to the Firefighter’s Association for recognition items.

City Administrator North reviewed in detail the December Treasurer’s reports pointing out areas that still exhibit revenue shortfalls. She also made available all the December financial reports. Council Member O’Donnell moved to accept the reports and place them on file. Council Member Pritchard seconded the motion and it passed with record vote as follows: Ayes: O’Donnell, Pritchard, Cook, and Schick. No: none.

Public Works Director, LaDonna Chriswell provided a history of gallons of water pumped. It compared the calendar years 2000 – 2006. She also provided a copy of building permits for 2002-present.

A memo from Jeremy Schlee of Snyder & Associates summarized the status of the water system study indicating that further considerations will need to be discussed on January 22, 2007.

The memo also reported that RK Construction has met the deadline for demolition of the 400 Main Street property and is expected to complete the remainder of the work, weather permitting, by the early February completion date. City staff complimented Randy Kennedy, the crews and professionals involved in the project to date.

Council Member Cook introduced and moved the adoption of an ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE TO RENEW THE CABLE FRANCHISE LAWFULLY HELD BY MCC IOWA, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, THE NON-EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, REPAIR, REPLACE, RECONSTRUCT AND REMOVE A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM ACROSS THE PUBLIC WAY IN THE CITY LIMITS OF SLATER FOR A TERM OF FIFTEEN (15) YEARS. Council Member O’Donnell seconded the motion. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, O’Donnell, Pritchard and Schick. No: None. Absent: Staples. The Mayor declared the motion passed on second consideration.

Council Member O’Donnell moved to suspend the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage by three-fourths (3/4) of the full Council at two meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally acted upon, as provided by section 380.3 of the Code of Iowa. Council Member Pritchard seconded the motion. The Council Members voted on the motion as follows: Yes: O’ Donnell, Pritchard, Cook, and Schick. Absent: Staples. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council Member Cook moved that the proposed ordinance be considered and approved on third and final reading. Council Member O’Donnell seconded the motion. The Council Members voted as follows: Yes: Cook, O’Donnell, Schick, and Pritchard. No: None. Absent: Staples.

The Mayor declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted and gave it No. 212 for the records.

Council Member Pritchard introduced and moved the adoption of a resolution entitled: RESOLUTION DECLARING OAKVIEW CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN DEFAULT OF THE TERMS OF THE 2004 SLATER SWIMMING POOL CONTRACT AND THE PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE BOND. Council Member Cook seconded the motion and it passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Pritchard, Cook, O’Donnell, and Schick. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted and gave it No. 10 (2006-2007) for the record.

Trond Forre submitted a letter of interest to the Mayor regarding serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was moved by Council Member Pritchard and seconded by O’Donnell to appoint Trond Forre to the Planning and Zoning Commission to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Colin Chriswell. Mr. Forre’s term will expire in February of 2010. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Pritchard, O’Donnell, Schick, and Cook. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

The Mayor noted that he had received the resignation of Don Schick from the Planning and Zoning Commission due to his appointment to the City Council. Action to fill this vacancy will be placed on an agenda in the near future. The Mayor indicated that he has asked Don Schick to serve as liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission effective immediately and the Council concurred.

Pursuant to prior Council action the Mayor signed contract documents with Iowa Codification, Inc. for recodification of the City ordinances exclusive of the zoning and subdivision sections. The total cost is $6,400 the down payment will be deferred to July 2007 to facilitate budget issues if funds are not available prior to that date. The process will begin upon receipt of the draft documents.

City Administrator North continues to work on the 2007-2008 budget and current year budget amendment. A lengthy discussion about budget and taxing philosophy ensued. She discussed and requested feedback about new revenue generating funding streams such as the establishment of a storm water enterprise fund, creating a user fee to collect the solid waste recovery charges from Ames, and evaluation of all fees including utility connections, building/board of adjustment, and cemetery fees.

Personnel issues relating to budget were also highlighted. Decisions will be needed relating to salary and employee benefits. A preliminary not to exceed 3% factor was established for a cost of living budget calculation. It was noted that a pay plan will be investigated and the budget factor is no guarantee of any individual increases. It was agreed that revisions may be proposed in the near future relating to the employee handbook. Items such as hours of work, holiday pay, payroll procedures, discipline policies, work rules and staffing patterns were all on the list.

The budget calendar was reviewed. A tentative budget work session was discussed for 1-29-07 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in an attempt to balance and finalize the necessary paperwork for a hearing in February. The February 19^th meeting falls on Presidents Day. Consideration is being given to holding the meetings on the 20th or 26^th. Council members were asked to hold those dates until a determination is made.

Mayor Rewerts reminded everyone that January 17th is the confirmed date for a public input meeting on the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting will be held at City Hall at 7:30 pm. A draft of the document will be available to the public to view at City Hall and the Library.

Everyone was invited to an open house on January 18, 2007 for Library Director Jeff Meyer. The reception will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and the community is invited.

Mayor Rewerts indicated that he would like each of the boards to present a report to the Council. This will help keep everyone informed on current accomplishments and issues.

Due to the late hour the employee request for a closed session was postponed.

Motion was made by O’Donnell and seconded by Cook to adjourn at 11:20 p.m. the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

______________________________                             _____________________________

Sue North, City Clerk/Administrator                                     Richard Rewerts, Mayor