February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Present: Beckman, Meyer, Langreck, Holthaus, Lienau.
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura, Brian Zweibohmer along with Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee were present during the meeting. Tom Jacobson, Don Witt, Chuck Sender, Terry Linderbaum & Pam Buddenberg were present during parts of the meeting.

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

The Mayor announced this was the time and place set for hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract and  estimate of cost for the proposed Reilly Addition Interceptor Sewer Relocation 2017 Project. The clerk reported there were no written comments submitted for or against the project. Adam Moris, the project engineer, gave a synopsis of the project and answered comments and questions from the Mayor, Council and those present. Moris went on to explain the next step is to advertise for bids for a February 22, 2016 letting with the bids being submitted to the City Council at the March 6, 2017 meeting. The Mayor then declared the public hearing closed.

Council Member Lienau introduced Resolution #581, approving and confirming plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the Reilly Addition Interceptor Sewer Relocation 2017 Project, 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.

Tom Jacobson whose building at 108 N. Lydia Street was lost to a fire on December 6, 2016 explained to the Mayor and Council his current plan to clean up the debris. Jacobson noted there is ice build up preventing him from going through what is left from the fire and as a result the process may take some time. Mayor Green and the Council indicated the City would do their best to accommodate his time-frame to get the debris removed.

Don Dilaura made the Mayor and Council aware of a problem with the water treatment facilities filter system leaking.

The company has been called to inspect the filter system to determine what repairs may be needed.

Chuck Sender, Terry Linderbaum and Pam Buddenberg representing the Visioning Committee, explained to the Council they have sought out quotes to build the pavilion at Carey’s Park. The group indicated with the funds they have on hand along with planned fund raisers, they would be able to finance the structure. The estimate for the building supplies, electrical and labor is approximately $74,000.00. They noted some of the extras can wait until more funds become available. The group concluded with recommending the Council to allow them to contact the following contractors ; Ossian Lumber, Bohr Builders, Becker Hardware, to start the pavilion project this spring.

Holthaus made a motion authorizing the Visioning Committee to proceed with the pavilion project, along with accepting the quotes submitted from Ossian Lumber, Bohr Builder and Becker Hardware to perform the work,
seconded by Meyer, carried.

Office Ward was not in attendance, but had submitted the 2016 Calmar/Ossian Police Report for the Council’s review.

Mayor Green reported on: the quick snow removal after this past month’s snow storm; Winneshiek County sanding city intersections; installing security cameras in both the lobby of the community center and around all sides outside the building.

Langreck made a motion approving the following consent items: January 4, 2017 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Following discussion Council Member Beckman introduced Resolution #582, approving the contract and performance and/or payment bonds for the Jessie-Brooks-West PCC Pavement-Grade and Replacement Project, 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.

Council Member Beckman introduced Resolution #583, a resolution setting the date for a public hearing on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $1,550,000, 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.

Council Member Holthaus introduced Resolution #584 a resolution adopting and approving tax compliance procedures relating to tax exempt bonds, 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.

A sample Special Use Permit Application prepared by the city clerk was presented to the Council for their review. It was the consensus of the Council to wait until the March 6, 2017 meeting to look more closely at the form.

Reviewing sections of the Employee Handbook was tabled until the March 6, 2017 meeting.

Holthaus made a motion approving the renewals of Coop One Stop and Silver Springs Golf and Country Club’s alcoholic beverages permits, seconded by Beckman, carried.

A general discussion was held concerning the FY2018 Budget. The city clerk discussed property tax levy options with the Mayor and Council with the proposed levy being set at $12.61; down $.04 from the current budget’s levy of $12.65.

Larger budget items discussed included: lift station maintenance, street maintenance, water utility repairs, new water meters and meter reading system, railroad crossing upgrade, building maintenance and debt payments.

Wages for the city clerk and water/sewer/maintenance department personal was discussed. Beckman made a motion recommending a $.35/hr raise for FY2018 for the following full-time city employees; J. Bakewell, D. Dilaura, B. Zweibohmer and part-time city employee: R. Timp, seconded by Meyer, carried with Langreck and Lienau voting no.

Beckman made a motion setting the public hearing date and time for the FY18 Budget for March 6, 2017 at 5:00 pm, seconded by Lienau, carried.

There was discussion regarding who should be charged by the City for loading and hauling snow along the Main Street business district. Lienau made the motion recommending that no businesses along the Main Street business district be charged for either hauling or loading snow, seconded by Beckman, carried with Langreck abstaining.

A pre-application sketch of a proposed sub-division submitted by Luana Savings Bank was reviewed.

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