May 1, 2017

Posted: May 1, 2017

Present: Holthaus, Beckman, Meyer, Lienau, Langreck.
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura, Brian Zweibohmer and Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee were present during the meeting.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Green called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.

Mayor Green announced the public hearing for the 2017 Budget Amendment was open for comments. The city clerk explained the increases in the budgeted expenses after which the Mayor asked if there were any questions or comments. There were no oral or written comments made. Meyer made a motion closing the public hearing, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Council Member Beckman introduced Resolution #594, a resolution amending the current budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, seconded by, Meyer.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Beckman, Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted

Clark Goltz, RAGBRAI committee chairman, gave a progress report on the planning taking place to get ready for RAGBRAI when it comes through the City on July 28th; committees are being formed, traffic issues are being
addressed; safety precautions are being thought through, etc.

Tonya & Jeremy Geisler explained their application for a fence permit and why they are requesting a variance to build a section of their fence taller than the height stipulated in the City’s Code of Ordinances. Based on the location of that section of fence the Council felt the taller fence height would be acceptable. Meyer made a motion approving a fence permit for Tonya & Jeremy Geisler along with granting a variance allowing the height of the fence to be six foot tall on the south side of their property, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Officer Ward gave the police report; monitoring speeding and stop sign violations were the main activities for the month.

Mayor Green reported on a drainage tile issue and damage to a fence the City is responsible for.

Holthaus made a motion approving the following consent items: April 3, 2017 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Beckman, carried

The Council discussed street maintenance options. Lienau made a motion to accept the proposal submitted by River City Paving to do some milling, cleaning, add an adhesive tack coat and place a 2″ hot mix asphalt overlay in the area near 600 W. Broadway; mill and remove existing asphalt surface, fine grade, compact the gravel base, prepare for surfacing and place a 2.5″ hot mix asphalt surface on the alley located south of the 100 block of E. Main Street and accept the proposal submitted by Bohr Construction to repair a section of concrete around a manhole on Ogden street and make concrete repairs around two water shutoff covers, seconded by Langreck, carried.

Lienau made a motion introducing Ordinance #71, an ordinance adding Chapter 124 to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ossian, Iowa entitled “Miscellaneous Permits-RAGBRAI”, seconded by Langreck.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Beckman, Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

Langreck made a motion requesting the second and third readings for Ordinance #71 be waived and Ordinance #71 be passed and approved, seconded by Beckman.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Beckman, Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved with Ordinance #71 becoming effective upon publication.

Holthaus made a motion authorizing approval of DNR Construction Permit Applications for both a Sewage Treatment Agreement and a Water Service Agreement for the Military Trail Estates-2017 Infrastructure Improvements, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Mayor Green explained the terms proposed between Living Hope Baptist Church and the City to purchase the property from them. It was the consensus of the Mayor and Council that owning the property will be beneficial to the City; allowing for a better intersection to the Military Trail Estates subdivision and possibly additional parking for Carey’s Park. Holthaus made a motion authorizing the purchase of the Living Hope Baptist Church property, located at 104 Jessie Street, for $12,000 with demolition of the building occurring soon after the City takes possession of the property, seconded by Beckman, carried.

The Mayor and Council discussed the Jessie-Brooks-West Streets Project and addressed various issues that residents living on those streets will have to be made aware of. With construction slated to start May 22nd, the Council decided to set a meeting for Wednesday May 17th so residents can be updated on such things as; garbage pick-up, mail delivery, etc.

The Council directed the city clerk to contact Troy Troge requesting he meet with them regarding the business he is operating at his property located at 109 Old Sewer Road.

After reviewing the employee handbook, Langreck and Lienau discussed their recommendations with the Mayor, the other Council members and city employees. It was suggested to change the work schedule to try and reduce overtime.

However, the majority of the Council felt the work schedule should be left as it is now. All agreed that since the following policies are already in place they need to be followed: a thirty minute lunch break must be taken and annual performance evaluations will be implemented.

A general discussion took place which included: re-evaluating what the City mows to see if there are areas that can be cut out; develop an inventory of equip, etc, prohibit storing personal property in various city buildings and parking issues on N. Boody Street.

Holthaus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lienau, carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.