Slater Special City Council Meeting 

July 16, 2007

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Rick Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on July 16, 2007, at City Hall 105 Greene St., Slater, Iowa. The roll being called the following Council members were present as follows: Dave Cook, Louise O’Donnell, Gene Staples, and Don Schick. Electronic-Mark Pritchard. Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Jeremy Schlee, Steve and Beth Gaul, Darla Hornbuckle, Tina Compton, Diane Smith, and Randy Kennedy.

Beth Gaul led a discussion regarding the increase in fees for after hour pool parties. A party is planned for in excess of 100 individuals on August 3, 2007. Public Works Director, LaDonna Chriswell discussed how the new fees were calculated and the difficulty in quantifying overhead costs such as heating, lighting, chemicals, and maintenance dollars.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Council Member Cook to charge $180. per hour for the remainder of the season for after hour pool events hosting in excess of 100 persons The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Cook. No: Schick, Pritchard, O’Donnell.

It was moved by Council Member Schick and seconded by Council Member Cook to establish the $180. rate for any nonprofit for the balance of the season also. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Schick, Cook, O’Donnell, Pritchard and Staples. No: None.

The Park and Recreation Board will be asked to make a recommendation concerning a policy on future fees.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Council Member O’Donnell to approve the consent agenda including the minutes of the July 2, 2007 meeting and approval of expenditures totaling $ 75,463.90 as follows:

ALLIANT ENERGY

JUNE UTILITIES

8,634.33

ALLIED SYSTEMS

POOL PUMP & LAGOON PUMP

2,701.46

ANDERSON IMPLEMENT

KNIFE STOP

58.98

BENNETT SANITATION SERVICE

JUL-AUG

300.00

BOB'S SEPTIC & MOBILE TOILET SERV

MAY& JUNE

450.00

CHASE CARD SERVICES

THEISENS, STAPLES, SYMANTEC

236.36

CULLIGAN

H/C COOLER & WATER

82.85

CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING

TOWELS

139.20

CITY OF AMES

RESOURCE RECOVERY - 1ST 1/2

6,856.50

DATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC

ON-SITE HELP

619.36

DEMCO

TABLE/CPU HOLDER

345.79

IDNR

WATER SUPPLY FEE

159.12

DAVE WHITE PLUMBING

COPPER

76.50

DOUBLE D ENTERPRISES OF IOWA

HYDRANT

107.00

DRAINTECH

DRAINS

94.50

ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

GRILL LIGHT SERVICE 1ST RESP.

67.45

GENERAL INSURANCE

GENERAL LIAB.

674.00

GIBBS PLUMBING & HEATING

POOL

14,202.77

GIBBS PLUMBING & HEATING

SOD

450.00

HAWKINS, INC

CHLORINE, FILTER AID

2,791.62

HEART OF IOWA COOPERATIVE

UNLEADED GASOHOL

765.34

HACH

WATER/LAGOON CHEM.

39.19

HUXLEY COMMUNICATIONS

THRU JULY 20

130.53

TREAS., STATE OF IOWA

SALES TAXES

2,834.19

IOWA ONECALL

LOCATES

36.80

IOWA TELECOM

JULY BILL

261.68

MIDWEST BENEFIT, INC.

DEATH CONTRIBUTION

30.00

MIDWEST OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

COPIER REPAIR

110.00

MORTON SALT

BULK CRYSTAL COURSE SALT

2894.68

MOTION PICTURE LIC. CORP.

LIBRARY PERMIT

150.00

MINNESOTA VALLEY TESTING LABS

971,925,135,176,300,004,005,361,

272.49

NITE OWL PRINTING

SWIM LESSON HANDOUTS

83.46

N. CENTRAL IA REGIONAL INSP DIV.

POOL INSPECTION

458.50

NAT POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIM SYST

NPDES PERMIT

210.00

PARTNERS IN HEALTH

INSURANCE MEDICAL REIMB.

115.00

PETTY CASH

LIBRARY CASH (POSTAGE & SUPPLIES)

49.83

PRAXAIR

1ST RESP OXYGEN

50.75

PROCLEANING SERVICES

JANITORIAL SERVICES - JUNE

440.57

SAM'S CLUB

MISC SUPPLIES

300.23

SLATER FIRE FIGHTER ASSOC

JUNE CALL OUTS

240.00

SLATER MEDICAL CLINIC

INSURANCE MEDICAL REIMB.

370.20

SNYDER & ASSOCIATES

SERVICES

11,563.49

STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA

EBSCOHost DATABASE SUBSCRIPTION

64.18

STORY COUNTY SHERIFF

LAW ENFORCEMENT 1ST QUARTER

14,039.50

TOWN & COUNTRY MARKET

SUPPLIES

149.57

TRI-COUNTY TIMES

MINUTES & CLAIMS

303.84

ROBB, BETTY

REIMBURSE 4TH OF JULY SUPPLIES

201.72

ROBERTS, SUSAN

SWIM LESSON REFUND

20.00

US CELLULAR

CELL PHONES

230.37

The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, O’Donnell, Schick, Pritchard and Cook. No: none.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Council Member Cook to approve a pay estimate to RK Construction for work completed on the 400 Main Project in the amount of $24,547.85. The payment is to be released upon completion of items 1,5,7, and 10 from the punch list as set out in the request. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Cook, O’Donnell, Schick, and Pritchard. No: none.

A letter from Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell indicating her intention to retire on December 1, 2007 was made a part of the official records.

Discussion continued regarding staffing methods in the Public Works Department. The City Administrator provided two job descriptions based on job analysis of the desired positions as previously recommended by the Public Works Director. LaDonna Chriswell indicated that one candidate had not responded to her follow up phone calls regarding a proposed $13.00 salary.

Council Member Cook indicated his discomfort with micro – managing the hiring process by spending hours publicly negotiating a salary rather than setting a salary range tied to the position description and qualifications for the management team to use.

Mrs. Chriswell recommended a starting wage of $14.50 for the remaining finalist noting that Mark Estrem had received additional compensation when she delegated zoning responsibilities to him. She further indicated that it was likely only one certificate could be achieved in a year and she suggested a $.50 per grade allowance per certification.

It was moved by Council Member O’Donnell and seconded by Cook to offer $14.50 per hour plus $.50 per certification plus a budgeted annual cost of living factor. The motion failed with record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell and Cook. No: Staples and Pritchard. Abstain: Schick.

The staff reported that they had a preliminary discussion with People Services to privatize the water and wastewater enterprise. A meeting to define a scope of services is scheduled and it is hoped that a proposal will be available for the next meeting.

It was agreed by consensus to re-advertise the position with the desired credentials and a $13.00 per hour salary to attempt to develop additional interest in the position. No job descriptions were approved.

The job description for a full time Deputy City Clerk position was reviewed. With the addition of suggested changes it was moved by Council Member O’Donnell and seconded by Council Member Schick to approve the job description. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Schick, Prichard, Staples, and Cook. No: none.

It was moved by Council Member Cook and seconded by Council Member O’Donnell to anticipate a $12.00 - $12.36 per hour salary range for the position. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, O’Donnell, Schick, Pritchard and Staples. No: none.

Council Members O’Donnell and Pritchard volunteered to work with Sue North on preparation of a final recommendation regarding revisions to the Employment Policy and Procedures. The other Council Members will provide input for inclusion in the revision upon review of a draft presented with the agenda packet.

Council Member O’Donnell moved that the proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A STORMWATER UTILITY be considered and approved on first consideration. Council Member Cook seconded the motion. The Council Members voted on the motion as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Cook, Schick, and Pritchard. No: Staples. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council Member O’Donnell moved that the proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13.12.070 AND ESTABLISING NEW RATES FOR SEWER SERVICE AND USE be considered and approved on first consideration. Council Member Cook seconded the motion. The Council Members voted on the motion as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Cook, Schick, Pritchard, and Staples. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council Member Cook moved that the proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHNG A SOLID WASTE RECOVERY UTILITY be considered and approved on first consideration. Council Member Pritchard seconded the motion. The Council Members voted on the motion as follows: Yes: Cook, Pritchard, Staples, O’Donnell, and Schick. No: none. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Council Member Schick and seconded by Council Member O’Donnell to approve a cigarette permit renewal for Take Down Bar & Grill. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Schick, O’Donnell, Cook, Staples, and Pritchard. No: none. The motion carried and the permit was approved.

It was moved by Council Member Pritchard and seconded by Staples to authorize the closure of select streets for Vacation Bible School. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Pritchard, Staples, O’Donnell, Schick and Cook.

It was moved by Council Member Schick and seconded by Council Member Cook to purchase a John Deere Hustler mower in the amount of $3,699.25 from Van Wall Equipment. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Schick, Cook, Staples, Pritchard, and O’Donnell. No: none. It was noted that the cash for this purchase was included in the bond issue last fiscal year, however, no line item budget exists because the bond issue was passed after the budget was certified.

It was moved by Staples seconded by Council Member Pritchard to purchase used desk, credenza with hutch and two book shelves for a delivered price of $300.00. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, Pritchard, Cook, O’Donnell, and Schick. No: none.

It was moved by Council Member Cook and seconded by Council Member O’Donnell to submit a $75,000 REAP Grant application on behalf of the City of Slater regarding a section of multi-use trail development. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Cook, O’Donnell, Staples, Prichard, and Schick. No: none.

Mayor Rewerts submitted Dan Gonnerman’s name for the vacant position on Planning & Zoning to fill the unexpired term of Rick Njos. It was moved by O’Donnell and seconded by Pritchard to approve the appointment of Dan Gonnerman with a term to expire May of 2012. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Pritchard, Staples, Schick, and Cook. No: none.

Sue North was granted medical leave to facilitate non elective surgery. She will be gone an unspecified period of time.

Council Member Schick asked Gene Staples, Co-Chair of the Community Club about the 4th of July activities. Mr. Schick indicated that he had several constituents inquire about the well being of firefighter Brad Essex who was reported to have sustained second degree burns when injured at the Fireworks sponsored by the Community Club.

Council Member Schick requested evidence that proper permits and insurance had been secured for the event as previously discussed. Mr. Staples denied knowledge of the details of the situation and suggested that Fred Mason would need to be contacted. The matter was taken under advisement to allow further investigation.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Cook to adjourn at 10:30 P.M., the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.