December 5, 2016

Posted: December 5, 2016

Present: Holthaus, Meyer, Beckman, Lienau, Langreck.
Absent: None.

Don Dilaura, Brian Zweibohmer along with 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.

Officer Joe Ward gave the police report. Ward also explained the Law Enforcement Agreement Between the Cities of Calmar and Ossian and Winneshiek County will become effective February 1, 2017.

The Mayor announced that bids for the construction of the PCC Pavement – Grade and Replace Project had been received, opened and read by the Iowa Department of Transportation (the “IDOT”) pursuant to the Notice to Bidders posted by the IDOT, and that this was the time and place set for the consideration of such bids.Thereupon, the results of the bidding were reported. The bids received for the construction of the PCC Pavement – Grade and Replace Project are as follows: Croell Inc. $1,083,929.70; Reilly Construction Co., Inc. $1,121,702.65;Wicks Construction, Inc.1,252,072.65; Tschiggfrie Excavating Co.$1,313,383.90.

Julie Neebel, the project engineer for the Jessie-Brooks-West Streets project, discussed the bid results for the project with the Mayor and Council. Neebel noted the bids were definitely higher than was anticipated. After reviewing the bids she explained the engineer’s cost estimate for the concrete was the main factor for the bids to be more than the engineer’s estimate. Re-bidding the project was discussed, after which it was decided more in likely the bids would not change so re-bidding would not be worth while. It was with the consensus of the Council to move forward with the project with the City being responsible for the extra costs. Following discussion Neebel recommended awarding the project to the low bidder.

Council Member Meyer introduced Resolution #579, a resolution awarding the contract for the PCC Pavement-Grade and Replace Project (Jessie-Brooks-West Streets) to the lowest responsible bid received from Croell, Inc, New Hampton, IA in the amount of $1,083,929.70 and moved that the said resolution be adopted; seconded by Council Member Beckman; and after due consideration thereof by the City Council, the Mayor put the question upon the motion and the roll being called, the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Beckman, Meyer.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared the said motion duly carried and the resolution adopted.

Holthaus made a motion approving the following consent items: November 7, 2016, council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Beckman, carried.

The Council tabled discussing establishing a Special Use Permit Application until a future meeting.

Reviewing the Employee Handbook was tabled until a future meeting.

The city clerk reported that In July of 2013 the City applied for funding to install concrete at the Lydia Street/Becker Avenue railroad crossing with the City being responsible for 20% of the total project cost. The city has been informed the IDOT is preparing the list of projects to be funded for Fiscal Year 2018 to present to the Iowa DOT Transportation Commission and is requesting the City to confirm if they are still willing to participate in the project. It was the consensus of the Council confirming their intent to participate in the project.

Beckman made a motion authorizing the City of Ossian’s participation in an Affordable Housing Study for Winneshiek County and contribute $645.00 toward the cost of the study, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Beckman made a motion introducing Resolution #580a resolution establishing a tobacco-free parks and trails policy, 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 approved.

The Mayor and Council discussed safety concerns with visibility and turning traffic at the Lydia and Main Street intersection after which it was decided to have installed “no trucking parking” signs; one on the east side of North Lydia Street at the corner of North Lydia Street and East Main Street and one on the south side of West Main Street at the corner of South Lydia Street and West Main Street.

Due to the New Year’s Day Holiday, the January council meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday January 5, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Lienau made a motion approving a building permit for Green Repair, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Lienau made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Langreck, carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.