July 7, 2014

Posted: July 15, 2014

Present: E. Meyer, M. Meyer, Langreck, Holthaus, Bushman.
Absent: None

Don Dilaura along with Brian Smith from the Ossian Bee were present during the meeting. The following residents were in attendance regarding sewer backing up into their basements in June: Penny Hertges & Friend, Kevin
Schneider & Friend, Bob & Diane Einck, George Johnson, Gary & Danette Franzen and LeRoy & Shirley Bohr.

Mayor Covell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Mayor Covell announced the public hearing on the proposed adoption of Ordinance #61 which would grant ITC Midwest LLC an electric operating franchise agreement with the City was open for any questions or comments. There were no written comments or objections submitted, nor were there any comments or objections from those present. Bushman made a motion introducing Ordinance #61, an ordinance granting ICT Midwest LLC a franchise to acquire, construct, erect, maintain and operate in the City of Ossian a transmission system for electric power for the period of 25 years, seconded by E. Meyer.

The Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer, M. Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

Bushman made a motion requesting the second and third readings for Ordinance #61 be waived and Ordinance #61 be passed and approved, seconded by M. Meyer.

The Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer, M. Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved with Ordinance #61 becoming effective upon publication.

M. Meyer made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Langreck, carried.

A group of local residents approached the Council expressing their concerns when sewer water backed up into their basements during the heavy rainfall that occurred in June. They inquired as to what could be done to prevent it from happening again. The Council explained the sewer system can’t handle the extra flow that infiltrates into the system during extreme rainfall. Marc Ruden, the city’s engineer, interjected and explained options available to find and fix infiltration problem areas and suggested doing a study to find those vulnerable areas. The Council felt this may be a good starting point and asked Ruden to figure cost estimates to do such a study.

On behalf of the Ossian Fire Department, Fire Chief Dennis Holien expressed the departments gratitude for the new fire station the City built.

Austin Covell told the Council he is starting to make plans for his Eagle Scout Project. He explained he would like to add a park bench to the City Park and place it near a tree planted to honor his Grandpa and also remove a flag pole no longer used. The Council commended his project plans.

Marc Ruden, engineer from IIW, P.C., presented the preliminary plans & specs for the 2014 Hall Street Pumping Station Project and said they were ready to be filed with the DNR for their approval. Ruden is hopeful the DNR should have them reviewed and approved within sixty days.

Bushman made a motion approving the following consent items June 2, 2014 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

The Council discussed having the new shop/facility open for a period of time during Ossian Fest giving the public an opportunity to see the facility. A formal open house will be scheduled for a later date.

M. Meyer made a motion introducing Ordinance #62, an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to rules and regulations for providing water service outside the city limits for the second reading, seconded by E. Meyer.

The Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer, M. Meyer.
Nays: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

E. Meyer made a motion requesting the third reading for Ordinance #62 be waived and Ordinance #62 be passed and approved, seconded by Holthaus.
The Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer, M. Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved with Ordinance #62 becoming effective upon publication

Bushman made a motion introducing Resolution #547, a resolution waiving review of a final subdivision plat located outside the corporate limits of the City of Ossian, seconded by Holthaus.

The Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer, M. Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

The city clerk expressed concerns with the sewer revenue being collected not being able to keep up with the systems expenses and asked the Council to consider increasing the monthly sewer revenue improvement fee charged to the utility’s customers. Following discussion the clerk was directed to prepare an ordinance for the August council meeting proposing to increase the monthly sewer revenue improvement fee from $$6.00 to $16.00.

Mayor Covell told the Council he has had a business interested in a downtown building and would like the Council to consider economic incentives that could be made available to not only new business’s but existing ones as well. Covell went on to explain a forgivable loan incentive that may be an option. Following discussion Mayor Covell asked the Council to give some serious thought to this forgivable loan program idea noting it may also work for housing.

Bushman made a motion approving building permits for the following: Jeanette Miller, Brian & Karla Baumler, Chuck & Shannon Covell and Gordon & Marlys Oakland, seconded by E. Meyer, carried.

A general discussion took place regarding items being considered for the shop/fire station building and valve operating equipment.

Bushman made a motion to adjourn, seconded by E. Meyer, carried,. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m