FEBRUARY 5, 2007

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro-tem Gene Staples at 7:00 P.M. on February 5, 2007, at City Hall, 105 Greene St., Slater, Iowa. The roll being called the following Council members were present and absent: Present: O’Donnell, Staples, and Schick. Electronic connection – Pritchard. Council Member Cook was absent. Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Jeremy Schlee, Steve Birkestrand, Randy Mortvedt, and Howard Hammond.

Law enforcement officer Randy Mortvedt was present to respond to questions regard the law enforcement report. It was moved by O’Donnell and seconded by Pritchard to accept and place on file the January 2007 report. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Pritchard, Schick and Staples. No: None.

Dave Cook arrived during the discussion of a request by Steve Birkestrand to accept the conveyance of the Log Cabin from the Slater Community Club to the City. He further requested that the City assume the billing and scheduling.

Howard Hammond presented historical information about the ownership and repairs of the facility which is located at Nelson Park. He noted that it was constructed by the Commercial Club in 1936-37, which later became the Community Club. It was modernized in the 60’s and early 80’s. Mr. Hammond indicated that in 1999-2000 the Slater Area Historical Association funded maintenance in the approximate amount of $1,700.

Concern has been expressed about the structural integrity of the roof and the logs. The age of the heating and cooling system also came into question. The City has been participating in funding maintenance, cleaning, etc. for an extended period of time. The Park & Recreation Board has agreed to pursue an expert evaluation of the condition of the Log Cabin prior to taking over the financial responsibilities for the utilities and capital improvements.

It was moved by Pritchard and seconded by O’Donnell to approve and place on file the minutes of the January 22, 2007 and the January 29, 2007 minutes. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Pritchard, O’Donnell, Schick, Staples and Cook. No. None.

Jeremy Schlee responded to questions regarding the proposed engineering agreement requested from Snyder Engineering for the 2007 Water Treatment Improvements for construction of an underground reinforced concrete equalization tank and pumps. The matter was taken under advisement pending further information about the possibility of collaboration with the City of Des Moines water works or with the City of Huxley.

It was moved by Cook and seconded by Schick to approve the Park and Recreation Board recommendation to authorize the City Administrator to sign an agreement with Fox Engineering for engineering services on what is generally referred to as the Slater Sievers Trail and Park Project. The agreement set out a scope of services for a fee of $5,000. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, Schick, Staples, O’Donnell, and Pritchard. No: none.

Council Member Schick introduced the following Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION FIXING DATE FOR A MEETING ON THE AUTHORIZATION OF A LOAN AND DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT AND THE ISSUANCE OF $50,000 WATER REVENUE CAPITAL LOAN NOTES OF SLATER, IOWA, AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF NOTICE THEREOF, and moved that the same be adopted. Council Member Cook seconded the motion to adopt. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Schick, Cook, O’Donnell, Pritchard, and Staples. No: none. The Mayor Pro-Tem declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted and gave it Number 11 (2006-2007). The meeting was set for February 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 Greene Street, Slater, Iowa.

Council Member O’Donnell introduced and moved the adoption of a RESOLUTION APPROVING AND SUPPORTING THE REFORMATION OF THE SOUTH STORY ALLIANCE. Council Member Pritchard seconded the motion. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Pritchard, Cook, Schick, and Staples. No: none. The Mayor Pro-tem declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted and gave it Number 12 (2006-2007) for the records.

A budget work session followed. The Council reviewed a history of the General Fund Tax levy and compared the rates to other communities. The Council agreed by consensus to increase the levy from the current $7.05 per thousand dollars of valuation to the maximum of $8.10 per thousand for the fiscal year 2007-2008 budget in an attempt to balance the budget. The City Administrator reviewed in detail other levies and the dollars they could potentially generate. The next budget work session will be held on February 12, 2007 at 7:00 at City Hall.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Cook to adjourn at 9:48 p.m., the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.