March 12, 2007

A special meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Richard Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on March 12, 2007, at City Hall, 105 Greene St., Slater, Iowa. The roll being called the following Council members were present and absent: Present: Cook, Staples, O’Donnell, and Schick. Electronic connection – Pritchard. No one else was present.

It was moved by Cook seconded by Pritchard to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2007 meeting. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, Pritchard, O’Donnell, Schick, and Staples. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried and signed his approval to the minutes.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Schick to authorize the City Administrator to prepare a list of expenditures to be paid between now and the meeting rescheduled for March 26, 2007. The list will be reviewed and approved by Council electronically prior to mailing of payments. The list will be ratified at the next meeting and published with the minutes. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Schick, Pritchard, Cook, and O’Donnell. No: none.

The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Schick, Pritchard, Cook and O’Donnell. No: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and the expenditures approved.

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place set by published notice in the Tri County Times on March 1, 2007 regarding the fiscal year 2007-2008 proposed budget. The Mayor called for verbal and written input regarding the budget proposal. There being none the Mayor declared the hearing terminated.

The City Administrator reviewed detailed cash flow issues related to the proposed budget. Based on the current projections set out in the General Fund budget only $l,437 more revenues are projected to be received than expenditures. She cautioned the Council that this will require extremely careful monitoring as the budget is implemented. The Road Use tax fund anticipates revenue of $3,510 more than expenditures. The wastewater treatment fund anticipates receipt of money due from Sheldahl to help offset capital improvements done in fiscal year 2002 and not yet received. It was noted that rates will need to be revisited immediately. Part of the 28E agreement anticipated to balance the budget is a one time payment of $184,230. Continued study of water and sewer rates to cover project and debt service will be discussed in the near future.

After due consideration Council Member Cook introduced and moved the adoption of a resolution entitled: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2008. The motion seconded by Pritchard and passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, Pritchard, O’Donnell, Schick, and Staples. No: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and gave the resolution #20 (2006-2007) for the record.

Council Member Cook introduced and moved the adoption of a resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SLATER APPROVING THE SHELDAHL-SLATER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2007. The motion was seconded by O’Donnell and passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, O’Donnell, Schick, Staples, and Pritchard. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried and gave the resolution #21 (2006-2007) for the record.

The City received a legal opinion from Mark Cory, Ahlers & Cooney law firm dated March 6, 2007 regarding the Special School Bond Election Ballot from April 9, 1991. The City requested an opinion regarding the School District’s obligation to demolish the existing building in light of the language on the ballot. His response is on file and reads in part as follows: "While the proposition voted upon referenced demolition of existing elementary school buildings, it also included construction, equipping and furnishing of new buildings and acquisition of real estate. It is our opinion that the School Board was empowered to exercise its discretion regarding the projects completed. We also note that Proposition B, that would have allowed the District to exceed the $2.70 per thousand levy limit, failed. This limited the funds available to repay the school bonds. Under these circumstances, we do not believe the City has an enforceable right to require demolition of the building." This opinion is consistent with legal opinions received by the School in February and March of 1993 according to documents provided by the school to the City.

Discussion continued regarding the disaster clean-up from the ice storm. The date set for the event is April 14, 2007 beginning at 7:00 a.m. and the rain date is May 6, 2007. More volunteers are needed in addition to the City staff and firefighters. The Coalition for Disaster Recovery will be contacted for further information. Volunteers will be asked to gather at the City Hall/ Public Works area.

The City Administrator and Public Works Director were authorized to pursue Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) on public works equipment. Discussion will continue at a later date.

Request for Proposals (RFP’s) were received from Ballard Heating & Cooling, Gibbs Plumbing and Heating, and Neighbors Heating and Cooling for heating and cooling needs at City facilities Senior Center 301 Main, Slater Library 105 N. Tama St., and City Hall 105 Greene St. The low bid for the package was Gibbs Plumbing & Heating with a total price of $10,734 for installation at the three locations. An annual spring and fall service agreement was quoted at $159 total for all locations as part of the proposal.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Cook to accept the proposal from Gibbs Plumbing and Heating and staff were authorized to proceed with the installation of the units at the earliest possible date. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Cook, O’Donnell, Schick and Pritchard. No: none.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Pritchard to adjourn at 9:13 p.m., the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.