January 4, 2016

Posted: January 4, 2016

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

Don Dilaura along with Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee were present during the meeting.

Mayor Green called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

George TeKippe, with the engineering firm of Fehr Graham, explained what their firm has to offer and asked for the opportunity to submit proposals for future city projects.

Joe Kriener, on behalf of Luana Savings Bank, submitted an application for approval of an Urban Revitalization/Tax Abatement Project for the portion of their new bank building that is unfinished as of 1/1/2016.

Joe Kriener explained there is a group of individuals from the area communities discussing the possibility of creating a multi-community recreational department for youth and adult programs. Funds would be pooled to have one recreational director who would manage and organize activities for all the small communities involved. Kriener noted the planning is in the early stages and more information would be presented at the February 1, 2016 council meeting.

Mayor Green told the Council he has plans to periodically put an article in the Ossian Bee to make the residents aware of what is happening in the City. Green also went over committee appointments with the Council.

Meyer made a motion approving the following consent items, December 7, 2015 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Holthaus made a motion approving a building permit for Justin Bohr, seconded by Beckman, carried.

The Council reviewed the Urban Revitalization/Tax Abatement project application submitted by Luana Savings Bank.

Following discussion it was determined the unfinished portion of the project, as of 1/1/2016, would be eligible for the tax abatement as outlined in the City’s Urban Revitalization Plan. Meyer made a motion approving the Urban Revitalization/Tax Abatement project submitted by the Luana Savings Bank, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Langreck made a motion approving the renewal of Casey’s General Store’s Beer/Native Wine/Sunday Sales Permit, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Holthaus made a motion approving an agreement with DigiFarm allowing them to mount an antenna on the city building located at 104 N. Lydia Street, seconded by Meyer, carried.

The Mayor and Council looked over the city employee’s health insurance renewal and the options available. The renewal date is February 1, 2016. Following discussion, Langreck made a motion recommending that effective February 1, 2016 the current health insurance plan for full-time employees, myBlue HSA Gold 2000 PPO Gold, not be renewed and be replaced with myBlue HSA Silver 3350 PPO Silver Plan. In addition, increase the $100 HSA monthly contribution made to the full-time employees to $150/month, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Preliminary plans submitted by the City’s engineer for making improvements to the sanitary sewer mains serving residents in and near by Reilly’s housing addition were reviewed.

It was the consensus of the Council to continue using the Ossian Bee as the City’s official newspaper.

A general discussion was held concerning the upcoming FY2017 Budget including; sewer and water utility repairs, debt payments, wages, equipment, property maintenance and other miscellaneous items. Further consideration of the FY2017 Budget will be made at the February 1st council meeting.

Holthaus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Langreck. Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.