Slater Regular City Council Meeting 

October 1, 2007

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Rick Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on October 1, 2007 , at City Hall, 105 Greene St. , Slater, Iowa .  The roll being called the following Council members were present as follows: Gene Staples, Louise O’Donnell and Dave Cook.  Electronic connection - Mark Pritchard.  Absent – Don Schick.  Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Mary Beth Chinery and approximately 15 citizens.  (List on file) 

Don Ellis from Story County Sheriff’s Office gave the law enforcement report.  He stated that there were two new deputies in training and that there was in increase in civil papers being served.   

Gwen Ihle asked that the council not consider contracting for the water and sewer services.  She said that she doesn’t believe that it will save the city money and that maintenance personnel will still be needed to care for other public works functions.  She ended with a plea for the council to accept Chriswell’s offer to continue on as a volunteer.

It was moved by Cook and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the September 17, 2007 , minutes and expenditures totaling $ 17,908.39 as follows:

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

The 400 Main project is now finished.  Included in the bills is the final payment to RK Construction with the adjustments for patching and additional curb.

The council was briefed on the status of the storm water agreement with Jim Sievers.  Sievers indicated to North that he intended to continuing to pay the previously agreed portion of the engineering fees.  Cook moved to allow the engineers to continue with the balance of the work for the storm water agreement without a signed contract with Mr. Sievers.  Motion was seconded by O’Donnell.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes:  Cook, O’Donnell, Pritchard and Staples.  No:  none.  Absent:  Schick

The council discussed the public works supervisor position and shared varying thoughts on contracting services through a company such as PeopleServices.  An employee from the City of Huxley ’s public works department has said that he’d be willing to contract his services if needed.  Chriswell had also submitted a memo to the council in which she stated that she is willing to volunteer her time to cover the water and sewer systems until such time that the city can hire a qualified replacement.  Chriswell also indicated that she would be willing to volunteer to mentor the new hire until he/she was comfortable with the operation and facilities.  The issue of liability for both Chriswell and the City was raised if she were to be allowed to operate the water system as a volunteer.  After significant discussion the council decided to have Mayor Rewerts and Chriswell meet with the attorney.  They will advise the council on their findings at the next meeting.

Mayor Rewerts, O’Donnell and Chriswell volunteered to be the employee committee to review the current public works supervisor applications.  They will meet in the next few days.

Cook moved to accept Chriswell’s resignation effective November 30, 2007 .  Motion was seconded by Staples.  The motion died with record vote as follows and will be revisited next meeting:  Yes:  Cook and Staples.  No:  Pritchard and O’Donnell.  Absent:  Schick  

Pritchard moved to accept Chriswell’s resignation effective 30 days from today.  O’Donnell seconded the motion.  The motion died with record vote as follows and will be revisited next meeting:  Yes:  Pritchard and O’Donnell.  No:  Staples and Cook.  Absent:  Schick

The council also discussed other staffing.  Pritchard expressed the desire for PMRG to present their scope of services at the meeting on October 15, 2007 .  Mayor Rewerts started that they would already be in attendance to discuss the work they have been doing with the Planning and Zoning Board.  The Mayor will contact them and request the addition information regarding advice and services for the selection of new administrative staff.

The council also discussed the status of the current part time staff.  The city will look into adding another official signature for checks and documents.  No other changes were made at this time.

The council accepted the offer from Jennifer Davies to volunteer to be the liaison for the 2010 census information.  She will meet with Chriswell this week to get the instruction CD.  The council will order option 1 from the census bureau which will provide a list of all street, rural and P.O. address for the liaison to check against our records.

The Iowa DOT Street Finance report was finished by the auditor and submitted by September 30, 2007 .  Cook made the motion to adopt Resolution 2 (2007/2008) A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ANNUAL STREET FINANCE REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND RATIFYING THE SUMBITTAL OF THE SAME.  Pritchard seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes:  Cook, Pritchard, O’Donnell and Staples.  No:  none.  Absent:  Schick  

The mayor informed the council that John Spear, Superintendent of Ballard Community School will be attending the next meeting and offer the city the old school property.  North will provide the council with the amount available in the bond for land acquisition before the meeting.  The council briefly discussed several options.

Mayor Rewerts also informed the council that Story County Hospital had solicited a letter in support for their proposed expansion from all area communities to be submitted by October 3, 2007 .  It was the feeling of the council that the deadline was too close to be able to poll the community and accurately reflect the opinion from the majority.  No action was taken. 

Council person O’Donnell asked the other members about the status of pending projects.  The consensus was to continue to move forward with the human resources policy.  Job descriptions will be revisited following the presentation by PMRG.

Fred Mason asked the council about the approximate price of the old school ground and provided estimated figures from the school’s sale of their land in Kelley.  Randy Kennedy followed by asking about the zoning of the land and its development options.

It was moved by Cook and seconded by O’Donnell to adjourn at 9:09 P.M. , the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.