February 3, 2020

Posted: February 3, 2020

Present: Langreck, Holthaus, Lienau, Knutson, Goltz.
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura and Art Uhlenhake were present at the meeting, along with Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee.

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

Winneshiek County Development & Tourism board member Renee Frana and Program Director Stephanie Fromm explained what their organization has achieved and what their vision is for the future. Their goal by attracting visitors to Decorah is to cross market all of the other communities thus promoting the entire county. They also noted a part-time individual has been hired that will be able to help the smaller communities with local projects.

The Mayor and Council reviewed the submitted January police report.

Mayor Beckman’s report included: clerk’s applications were due Jan 24th with review of applicants and interviews to continue into February; attended the Jan. 16th Winneshiek County Conference Board meeting; Jan 21st met with Soo Green HVDC Link representatives who presented information regarding the transmission of renewable energy; noted as of February 1st emergency management has taken over emergency dispatching duties with the new call sign now being “Winneshiek”; suggested to the Council they consider paying out any earned vacation to the current city clerk upon her departure instead of continuing employment to use the vacation time.

Lienau reported the Personnel Committee was unable to meet to begin discussing FY2021 wages.

Lienau made a motion approving the following consent items: January 6, 2020 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Lienau made a motion approving Resolution #627, a resolution concerning a maximum proposed property tax levy for the FY20/21 Budget, seconded by Knutson.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Goltz, Knutson.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Holthaus made a motion appointing Lance Peters to serve as the City of Ossian’s representative on the SW Recreation Board filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of Amanda Uhlenhake, seconded by Lienau, Carried.

Langreck made a motion approving the renewal of Silver Springs Golf and Country Club’s Class C Liquor/Outdoor Service/Sunday Sales alcoholic beverages permit, seconded by Knutson, carried.

Knutson made a motion renewing Kyle Meyer’s contract to mow Hillside Cemetery at the rate of $145.00/mowing for the 2020 mowing season, seconded by Goltz, carried.

Lienau made a motion approving both the re-estimated quote to install security cameras at the new shop/fire station building to include upgraded cameras, additional labor and conduit and the estimate to add a camera in the community center building entry, seconded by Knutson, carried.

The nuisance abatement matter at 209 Fisher Ave was discussed. It was the consensus of the Council to table the matter until further thought can be put into the next step necessary in the abatement process.

Discussion to set wages for the FY21 Budget was tabled until the March 2, 2020 council meeting.

A general discussion was held concerning the FY21 Budget. The city clerk went over the property tax levy explaining the various levies within the city’s budget making up the total levy of $12.62. This is an increase of $.01 from the current levy of $12.61. The other larger sources of revenue the city receives come from franchise fees, local option tax, road use tax and the water and sewer fees. The FY21 Budget does not include a large project but will include maintenance to well #2, another sewage lift station upgrade, some street repairs, park maintenance along with the routine and normal operating expenses.

Holthaus made a motion setting the public hearing date and time for the FY21 Budget for March 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., seconded by Lienau, carried.

The Mayor and Council reviewed the applications submitted for the city clerk’s position.

Lienau made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Langreck, carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm.