Slater Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2008

 The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Gary Halverson at 7:05 P.M. on May 5, 2008 , at City Hall, 105 Greene St. , Slater, Iowa .  The roll being called the following council members were present as follows: Mike Higgs, Gene Staples, and Steve Ransom; Tim Locker arrived at 7:15 .

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Higgs to approve the consent agenda, April 17, 2008 minutes, Sheriff’s Office town report and expenditures totaling $54,823.29 as follows:

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

Mayor Halverson recommended Ken May as the temporary replacement for councilmember Pritchard who will be absent on military leave.  Staples made the motion to accept the recommendation of Ken May as councilmember until Pritchard’s return.  Locker seconded the motion.  The Council voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, Ransom and Higgs.  No:  None.  The motion carried.  Mayor Halverson then administered the Oath of Office to councilmember May.

Lt. Dru Toresdahl from the Story County Sheriff’s Office gave the council an update on current happenings including the upcoming retirement of several deputies.

 Attorney James Wainwright presented brief comments regarding the status of attempting to bring the Pool Construction Project to closure.  Pursuant to authority under Iowa Code 21.5(c) he suggested the Council go into closed session to discuss strategy on matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.

 It was moved by Staples and seconded by Ransom at 7:25 to adjourn the regular session and go into closed session.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Ransom, Higgs, Locker and May.  No: none. 

 At 7:52 it was moved by Staples and seconded by Ransom to terminate the closed session and reconvene the regular meeting.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes:  Staples, Ransom, May, Locker and Higgs.  No:  none.

 Staples moved to instruct Attorney Wainwright to withdraw the potential settlement offer letter dated November 21, 2007 .  May seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, May, Locker, Higgs and Ransom.  No: none. 

 Mayor Halverson opened the public hearing at 7:59 regarding the renewal of the gas franchise with Alliant (Interstate Light and Power).  There was no public input so the hearing was closed.  Staples introduced the first consideration of the ORDINANCE granting to Interstate Power & Light the rights and franchise for all facets of operation of a gas utility in Slater, Iowa for a period of 25 years.  Higgs seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Higgs, Ransom, Locker and May.  No: none. 

 Mayor Halverson opened the public hearing at 8:04 regarding the sale of 400 Main .  The initial asking price is set at $25,000.  There was no public input regarding the wisdom of sale or the starting price so the hearing was closed.  Interest was expressed by an adjacent property owner in purchasing an option to buy.  The council indicated that they would look over any such proposals when presented in writing.   

Mayor Halverson opened the public hearing at 8:21 regarding the renewal of the gas franchise with Alliant (Interstate Light and Power).  There was no public input so the hearing was closed. 

 Mayor Halverson announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on the matter of the authorization of a Loan and Dispersement Agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $800,000 Water Revenue Capital Loan Notes, Series 2008.

The Mayor then asked the Clerk whether any petition had been filed in the Clerk’s Office, as contemplated in Section 384.26 of the City Code of Iowa, and the Clerk reported that no such petition had been filed, requiring that the question of issuing the notes be submitted to the qualified electors of the City.  The Mayor declared the hearing on the authorization of entering into a loan agreement and the issuance of notes to be closed.

 Council Member Staples moved to adopt Resolution 17(2007-2008), A RESOLUTION INSTITUTION PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION ON THE $800,000 WATER REVENUE CAPITAL LOAN NOTES, SERIES 2008.  Ransom seconded the motion The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Ransom, May and Higgs.  No: Locker.

Ransom moved that the form of Tax Exemption Certificate be placed on file and approved.  May seconded the motion and the roll being called thereon, the vote was as follows:  Yes:  Ransom, May, Locker, Staples and Higgs.  No:  none. 

 Council Member Staples moved to adopt Resolution 18(2007-2008), A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A FORM OF LOAN AND DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF SLATER AND THE IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY, AND AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SECURING THE PAYMENT OF $800,000 WATER REVENUE CAPITAL LOAN NOTES, SERIES 2008, OF THE CITY OF SLATER, IOWA UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF IOWA, AND PROVIDING FOR A METHOD OF PAYMENT OF SAID NOTES.  Locker seconded the motion. The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, Higgs, May and Ransom.  No: Locker.

 The council discussed the options and costs associated with making sidewalk corners handicapped accessible in the downtown district.  May introduced splitting the cost 50-50 with the property owner to install handicapped accessible corners in the commercial district of Main Street .  The council agreed by consensus.  The council instructed the clerk’s office to proceed with the writing of an ordinance for handicapped parking spaces at 417 Main Street .   

 Mary Beth Chinery informed the council that since May 31 is a Saturday the budget amendment isn’t due until June 2.   Ransom made the motion to move the public hearing for the budget amendment to June 2.  Locker seconded the motion.  The Council Members voted on the motion as follows:  Yes: Ransom, Locker, May, Higgs and Staples.  No:  None.  The motion carried.  The special meeting for May 19^th is cancelled.

 Chinery informed the council that Public Works Director, Mark Estrem recommended the hiring of Jeff Peterson on a temporary, part-time status as a licensed water and wastewater handler at the rate or $40/hr.  Peterson will be responsible for DNR reporting, etc until Estem completes his certificates.  Staples moved to accept Estrem’s recommendation and hire Jeff Peterson on a temporary, part-time status at a rate of $40/hr.  Locker seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, Ransom, Higgs and May.  No: none.

 The council reviewed the merits of regulating demolition.  Staples introduced the first consideration of the ORDINANCE regulation demolition.  Locker seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Staples, Locker, May, Ransom, and Higgs.  No: none.  Ransom moved to set the public hearing for the ORDINANCE regulating demolition on June 2, 2008 at 7:30 pm .  Locker seconded the motion.  The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes: Ransom, Locker, Higgs, Staples and May.  No: none.

 Ransom moved to adopt Resolution 19(2007-2008), A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NEED FOR A HOUSING AUTHORITY IN SLATER, IOWA .  Higgs seconded the motion.   The motion passed with record vote as follows:  Yes:  Ransom, Staples, May, Higgs and Locker.  No: none.  Ransom volunteered to be the representative to the Central Iowa Housing Authority and was administered the oath of office.

 Chinery informed the council that Estrem had received several bids for street repairs.  Approximately twenty locations will be cut out and fixed as soon as possible.

 The council had a brief discussion about animal control and instructed the clerk’s office to look at the policies in neighboring communities.  A draft ordinance will be presented at the next meeting.

 It was moved by Staples and seconded by Locker to adjourn at 10:28 P.M. , the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

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