Slater Regular City Council Meeting

April 7, 2008

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Gary Halverson at 7:30 P.M. on April 7, 2008 , at City Hall, 105 Greene St. , Slater, Iowa .  The roll being called the following council members were present as follows: Mike Higgs, Tim Locker and Steve Ransom; Absent - Mark Pritchard.  Council member Staples arrived at 8:30 .  Also in attendance were Mary Beth Chinery, Jennifer Davies and several residents.

 It was moved by Locker and seconded by Higgs to approve the consent agenda, March 10, 2008 minutes, sheriff’s report and expenditures totaling $ 50,163.42 as follows:

 The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Locker, Higgs, and Ransom.  No: none. 

Sergeant Shawn Slezak of the Story County Sheriff’s Office reported on recent law enforcement activities in the area including the arrest of the persons who had broken into the fire station.  

John Walker asked the council to contact the County Engineer in regards to the tiles on South Linn by 10^th Street . 

Chuck Hoeven gave the council an update from the Garden Club.

Howard Hammond invited the Council to come to the Historical Society before the next meeting for refreshments.

Jennifer Davies, Economic Development Coordinator, asked the council to formally approve money for the trail so that it could be submitted for the CAT Grant.  There is money for the trail in the budget.  Locker moved to pledge $1000 for use in developing the Ankeny – Woodward trail.  Ransom seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Locker, Ransom, and Higgs.  No: none. 

The council is interested in placing 400 Main for sale and is looking at holding the public hearing on May 5. 

City Clerk/Administrator, Mary Beth Chinery, updated the council that a contract was in place for the pool concession stand for this summer and that offers had been made for pool manager and assistant manager.

Dr. Kyle Krogh asked the council to designate two handicapped parking spaces in front of his Chiropractic office and inquired about making the curb handicapped accessible.  Mark Estrem, Public Works Director, will look into costs and options.  This issue will be revisited at a later time.

Joe Bowers with Alliant Energy informed the council that the gas franchise agreement expires in August.  He will be working with the city to process its renewal.

A citizen had indicated that he was interested in removing the brush from the portion of the Heart of Iowa Trail that backed his yard and landscaping with trees.  The council asked to see a landscape plan and detailed list of what he intended to plant.  The item was tabled.

The Slater Fire Department submitted their application for a liquor license for the Firefighters Dance to the council for approval.  Higgs moved to approve the license.  Locker seconded the motion.  The Council Members voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Higgs, Locker, Staples and Ransom.  No:  none.  The Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The Council received a request from a Huxley Church for a Swimming Pass to be used in their silent auction.  The council agreed that as a tax operated entity, the city should not donate to a non-Slater organization.

The library submitted a letter informing the council that two members of the board, Jean Rewerts and Jane Konfrst had resigned.  They recommended the appointment of Julie Astarita and Don Thornwall respectively to finish out the terms.  Staples moved to accept the Library Board’s recommendations for new members.  Locker seconded the motion.  The Council Members voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, Higgs and Ransom.  No:  none.  The Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Council member Pritchard’s military tour has been extended for another year.  He indicated that he would be interested in taking Military Leave from the council although he is also willing to continue to serve as he has been through calls and email if the council so desired.  Staples moved to accept Council member Pritchard’s Military Leave and to begin the search for a new council member.  Higgs seconded the motion.  The Council Members voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Staples, Higgs, Ransom and Locker.  No:  none.  The Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The council received a pay raise request from an employee.  The council re-affirmed that department heads are responsible for the allocation of departmental money.  Staples made the motion that department heads are responsible to recommend raises and that they need to be done in conjunction with a review and annual raises at the end of June.  Locker seconded the motion.  The Council Members voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, Ransom and Higgs.  No:  none.  The Mayor declared the motion carried.   

It was moved by Ransom and seconded by Staples to adjourn at 10:35 P.M. , the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.