April 6, 2020

Posted: April 6, 2020

Present: Knutson, Lienau Goltz, Langreck. Holthaus arrived at 5:50 pm
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura, along with Zak Kriener, from the Ossian Bee, were also present at the meeting.

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

The Mayor and Council reviewed the submitted March police report.

Mayor Beckman’s report included; welcomed Ashley Goltz as a new city employee; noted attending numerous Emergency Management meetings; COVID-19 proclamation; inspected the nuisance property at 209 Fisher  Avenue; community foundation grant recently awarded.

Lienau made a motion approving the following consent items: March 2, 2020 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Knutson, carried, one absent.

Lienau made a motion approving Resolution #630, a resolution setting policy regarding the enforcement of an ordinance regarding grass and other lawn debris on streets and alleys, seconded by Goltz. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz.
Nays: None. Absent: Holthaus.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Part-time city employee wages were discussed with no action being taken to change them for FY2020/2021, Langreck made a motion approving Resolution #631, a resolution approving FY2020/2021 wages for the city employees, seconded by Knutson. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz.
Nays: None. Absent: Holthaus.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Lienau made a motion approving Resolution #632, a resolution amending the City of Ossian’s Employee Handbook concerning vacation, seconded by Langreck. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz.
Nays: None. Absent: Holthaus.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Lienau made a motion setting a public hearing for May 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of amending the FY2019/2020 Budget, seconded by Knutson, carried, one absent.

Goltz made a motion to accept GreenLawns’s quote of $1010.00 for the 2020 fall broadleaf weed control application, seconded by Goltz, carried, one absent.

The Council discussed possible safety items the City could apply for using a 2020 ICAP Grant made available by the city’s insurance carrier. The matter was tabled for further consideration.

The nuisance abatement matter at 209 Fisher Ave was discussed. The city clerk explained information received from the city’s attorney. The Council concluded the yard would be cleaned up by the city employees with the bill being sent to the property owner.

The city clerk was directed to contact the city’s attorney to continue with the next step needed for the city to acquire the property.

Langreck made a motion authorizing the City of Ossian to sweep the City of Castalia’s streets one time this spring charging $750.00 for the service, seconded by Knutson, Carried.

Acentek’s current video franchise agreement expires this summer. A proposal for a new video franchise was submitted for Council review. The Council will further discuss the document at the May 4, 2020 council meeting.

The city clerk noted the Iowa Department of Transportation is proposing a project for the 2022 summer construction season to improve Hwy 52. It will involve the section of the highway through Ossian. The IDOT is planning a meeting later this month with the City to discuss the proposed project.

There was a general discussion concerning street maintenance and repairs between Dilaura and the Council.

Knutson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Goltz, carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm.