Slater Special City Council Meeting June 16, 2008

A special meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Gary Halverson at 7:30 P.M. on June 16, 2008 , at City Hall, 105 Greene St. , Slater, Iowa .  The roll being called the following council members were present as follows: Gene Staples, Tim Locker, Ken May and Steve Ransom; Absent:  Mike Higgs.

 It was moved by May and seconded by Staples to approve the consent agenda, June 2, 2008 minutes, and expenditures totaling $16,626.01 as follows:

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

A resident informed the council that their property’s basement had flooded during a storm even in early June and asked if anything could be done.  Public Works had been out during the storms pumping water and clearing debris in an effort to remove water from the city as fast as possible but there was too much rain in too short a time period.  The council recognized that a complete overhaul of the storm water system needs to be considered and have asked for a water flow diagram at the July meeting.  The city is working with FEMA and anticipates that residents will be eligible for some type of assistance soon.

 Councilperson Mike Higgs arrived at the meeting at 8:05 .  Jim Underfer with TrueNorth Health Insurance spoke with the council regarding renewal options.  There was considerable discussion and many different options were reviewed.  Staples moved to select Option 7 (Wellmark JNS/T98) for the 2008-2009 fiscal year as presented with the city self-funding the deductible and drug card charges in an increased amount as to not pass on any change in these amounts being paid out of pocket by the employees.  The motion was seconded by May.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, May, Locker, and Ransom.  No: Higgs. 

 Mayor Halverson opened the public hearing at 9:10 regarding the amendment of the 2007-2008 fiscal budget.  With no comments made or filed with the clerk’s office the hearing was closed. Ransom moved to approve Resloution 22 (2007-2008), CITY BUDGET AMENDMENT AND CERTIFICATION.  Staples seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Ransom, Locker, Higgs, Staples and May.  No: none. 

 Council Member Ransom moved to adopt Resolution 23(2007-2008), A TRANSFER RESOLUTION.  Staples seconded the motion The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Ransom, Staples, May, Locker and Higgs.  No:  None.

 Mayor Halverson recommended the appointment of Sam Weeks to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  It was moved by Ransom and seconded by Locker to approve appointment of Nancy Thornwall to the Cemetery Board.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes:  Ransom, Locker, Higgs, May, and Staples.  No: none.  

The council held a work session to prepare salaries for resolution at the next meeting.  Considerable discussion ensued.

 The council quickly addressed a request for assistance on large water bill due to a leak for account 480000.  They agreed by consensus to adjust it back to an average bill and agreed that a formal policy needed to be written to address how to handle the bill when a leak has occurred.

 It was moved by Staples and seconded by May to adjourn at 11:15 P.M. , the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

_______________________________             ________________________________                           

  Mary E. Chinery, City Clerk/Admin    .                           Gary Halverson, Mayor