February 2, 2015

Posted: February 2, 2015

Present: Holthaus, M. Meyer, Langreck, Bushman, E. Meyer arrived at 5:08 pm.
Absent: None

Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee, Art Uhlenhake and Brian Zweibohmer were present during the meeting.

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

Lori Brockway from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) explained the various housing programs their organization has available for LMI persons. There are programs available that can offer assistance for qualifying home owners for things such as furnaces, windows, doors and roofing. Individuals who rent may be eligible for a rental assistance program.

Mark Jobgen from IIW PC, presented an Agreement for Professional Engineering Services to the City for the Jessie/Brooks/West Streets Project. Jobgen explained the agreement will authorize their firm to provide engineering and plan preparation required for submitting the plans to the IDOT, letting through the IDOT and special assessments.

Jobgen also told the Council the preliminary engineering work IIW is doing on Broadway, West, and Mechanic Street has stopped to allow the City to evaluated the funding, etc for the two projects. The Mayor noted the Visioning Committee have plans proposing a walking trail along the Jessie Street corridor. Not knowing if there is room in the city’s right-of-way for a walking trail, the Mayor and Council asked Jobgen if he would check that out.

Bushman made a motion approving an agreement for Engineering Services between the City of Ossian and IIW, P.C. for Jessie/Brooks/West Streets Reconstruction 2017, seconded by E. Meyer, carried.

Officer Lance Peters gave the police report noting no unusual activity occurred during the month.

Holthaus made a motion approving the following consent items January 5, 2015 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Langreck, carried.

The Mayor and Council reviewed plans for the concrete work necessary for the pavilion in Carey’s Park and authorized the soliciting of bids for the concrete work.

Interest rates submitted for a $140,000 loan needed to finance the Hall Street Lift Station Project were reviewed: State Bank; 3.1% and Luana Savings 1.65%. The Council directed the city clerk to have the necessary documents prepared for the City to enter into a $140,000 loan agreement with Luana Savings Bank with an interest rate of 1.65%.

Bushman made a motion approving the renewal of Coop One Stop’s Beer/Sunday Sales Permit, seconded by M. Meyer, carried.

A Return-To-Work Policy for the City’s employees was reviewed. E. Meyer made a motion approving the Return-To-Work-Policy for City’s employees, seconded by M. Meyer, carried.

The city clerk went over the revenue and expense figures for the FY16 Budget with the Mayor and Council. The proposed tax levy is set at $12.84; the current budget’s levy is $12.66. Larger budget items discussed included manhole maintenance, sewage lift station repairs, park improvements, street maintenance, water valve equipment, community center tables & chairs and debt payments.

Bushman made a motion setting the public hearing data and time for the FY16 Budget for March 2, 2015 at 5:00 p.m., seconded by E. Meyer carried.

The Mayor and Council discussed sections of the City Code giving consideration to changes that may be implemented during the re-codifying process of the City’s Code of Ordinances.

Bushman made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Langreck, carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.