Slater Regular City Council Meeting

November 19, 2007

The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Rick Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on November 19, 2007 , at City Hall, 105 Greene St. , Slater, Iowa .  The roll being called the following Council members were present as follows: Electronic connection - Mark Pritchard, Gene Staples, Dave Cook, and Louise O’Donnell.  Arriving 7:40 P.m. Don Schick.  Absent – None.  Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Mary Beth Chinery, Jennifer Davies and approximately 17 citizens.  (List on file) 

It was moved by Staples and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the consent agenda, November 5, 2007 minutes and expenditures totaling $ 198769.93 as follows:

ATRON, INC.

SOD WORK

400.00

BANKERS TRUST

BOND PAYMENTS

146263.67

BENNETT SANITATION

DUMPSTERS

300.00

COLLEGIATE PACIFIC

NETS (REIM 1/2 SCHOOL)

522.98

CULLIGAN

COOLER RENT

9.95

ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

FIRE PAGER

506.00

HAWKINS, INC

CHLORINE TANK RENT

30.00

HEART OF IOWA COOP

FUEL

722.40

HUXLEY COMMUNICATIONS

PHONES

57.32

IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY

INTEREST ON SEWER BONDS

17775.00

JUMPLINE.COM WEB HOSTING

DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION

35.00

LANDSCAPES BY DESIGN

POLYERSAND FOR PAVERS

75.00

MADRID AUTOMOTIVE

OIL FILTERS, THERMOSTAT

75.42

MALLON EXCAVATING

ROCK FOR STREET MAINT.

484.82

MIDWEST BENEFIT

DEATH CONTRIBUTION

31.25

MINNESOTA VALLEY

SEWER TESTING

100.18

MUNICIPAL SUPPLY

MISC. SUPPLIES

38.14

NITE OWL PRINTING

PUB . WORKS DIRECT MAILING

60.00

PLUMB SUPPLY CO.

COUPLING

3.54

POST OFFICE

POSTAGE FOR PW MAILING

574.00

REESE ELECTRIC

PUMP MAINT.

95.50

SNYDER & ASSOC.

SS & WATER TREATMENT

1095.00

SOUTH STORY BANK & TRUST

CREDIT CARD

376.02

STORY COUNTY TREASURER

TAXES FOR 400 MAIN

336.00

TOWN & COUNTRY MARKET

TRASH BAGS – LIBRARY

10.24

TREASURER, STATE OF IOWA

SALES TAX - OCT.

3100.76

TRI-COUNTY TIMES

NOTICES & PUBLICATIONS

244.93

TRUE NORTH

INSURANCE

3833.02

UTILITY SERVICE CO.

WATER TOWER  PAINTING

21613.79

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

Jeremy Schlee with Snyder & Assoc. and Public Works Director Chriswell recommended getting estimates for the HWY 210 Culvert that is in need of repair for the December 3 council meeting. 

Schlee also spoke on the Base Flood Elevation Summary being done in reference to the proposed FEMA floodplain for Slater.  The important part of the summary is the Lowest Adjacent Grade for each property.  Per this summary, Certificates will be submitted to exclude any qualifying home(s) (not necessarily property) from the floodplain.  A special council meeting, with Schlee and a representative from DNR , will be held after all information is complete.  Copies of the floodplain survey are anticipated to be available at City Hall by December 3, 2007 for public viewing.  

Possibilities were discussed of fixing/cleaning up the creek.  The original berm is now destroyed from wear, and it now flows into backyards with only 1 to 2 inch rains.  It is hoped that fixing the culvert and removing the silt fence alleviates most of that problem. 

Schlee will determine if a DNR permit is necessary if other work is necessary

Chriswell discussed the permit fee recommendations that were requested at the last meeting including rates for building, variance & special use permits, water tapping and/or connection fees, and sewer tapping and/or connection fees.  The recommended fees are based on estimated costs of labor and supplies incurred by the city.  The council agreed by consensus to accept the recommended fees and forward the fee structure on to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  The council set the date of December 17, 2007 for the Public Hearing of the updated Planning and Zoning Ordinances and Growth Policies.

Public Works Director, LaDonna Chriswell, updated the Council on the 4 dangerous buildings.  One has been sold and a dangerous building notice will be sent to the new owner when ownership is transferred.  The new owner has indicated that the building will be demolished.  The second has done some repairs, but is not complete.  The third has not done anything and has informed the city that they are unable to do anything with the property.  The forth has not yet contacted the city regarding their intentions.  After that November 21, 2007, the city can legally begin the abatement process and indicated a desire to do so.

It was brought to Council’s attention another community resident has expressed interest in obtaining/purchasing one of these properties.  However, there are several concerns including, but not limited to, the condition of the property and adjacent property, back taxes owed, and the significant investment it would take to restore the property.  O’Donnell informed the resident of the TIF program the City has in place and that an application could be obtained if and when he is serious about pursuing his plans. 

Cook moved that the proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMIT SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS be considered and approved on second consideration.  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. 

Pritchard inquired about the status of 400 Main .  It is not currently listed for sale.  The council will revisit the issue in an upcoming meeting.

Chinery reported on the Sheriff’s Office meeting from Nov 15, 2007    She reported that the City Officials present decided to freeze the per capita rate for the 2008-2009 budget.  

Chriswell presented the council with a letter offering the city her furniture in the water plant office in exchange for the old public works laptop.  She will continue to use the laptop as the cemetery sexton and as a volunteer for the Public Works department.  The council agreed by consensus to accept the trade.  The council will defer the purchase of a new computer for Public Works until research can be done on what will be compatible with the downloads from the lagoon.  

Mayor Rewerts informed the council that Sheldahl is installing the odor control device for one month.  The council expressed concerns over the accuracy of this reading since they are not hooked up to the lagoon and the weather has turned cold.  Since it appears the hook up is going to be delayed, the Council would like the hole covered at Southside Park due to safety issues.  A meeting is being scheduled with the engineers and Sheldahl to further discuss these issues.

It was moved by O’Donnell and seconded by Schick to adjourn at 9:40 P.M. , the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.