January 4, 2017

Posted: January 4, 2017

Present: Holthaus, Beckman, Meyer, 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.

Mayor Green commented on the following; good job with snow removal; community support to the firemen fighting the downtown fire on December 12th was exemplary; discussed having written instructions for the city’s utilities in case the pertinent personal are unavailable during emergency situations.

Holthaus made a motion approving the following consent items: December 5, 2016 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Lienau, carried.

The Council reviewed sample Special Use Permit Applications. The Council directed the city clerk to prepare a Special Use Permit Application using the one prepared by the city’s attorney as a basis with criteria from other sample applications being incorporated into the document.

The Council discussed over time and how it could possibly be reduced by adjusting the work week for the maintenance department employees.

The Mayor and Council discussed the preliminary assessments calculated for the Jessie-Brooks-West Street Project and how the final assessments will be affected with the project bids coming in higher than anticipated. Historically when special assessments are levied for a street project 40% of the construction costs are assessed to the property owner and the City pays 60%. This project has to follow Iowa Department of Transportation regulations resulting in the project costing more than if it was a typical city street project. After re-evaluating the circumstances involved with this project it was concluded the historical way special assessments were calculated for past street projects was not appropriate for the Jessie-Brooks-West Street Project.

Langreck made a motion recommending the final assessment for each property owner being assessed along the Jessie-Brooks-West Street Project will be no more than 50% of the preliminary assessment they each received, seconded by Beckman, carried with Holthaus abstaining.

Estimates to put a new security system in the entry of the community center were reviewed. The Council also discussed having cameras installed around the exterior of the building at the same time. Lienau made a motion to hire Baumler Computer Repair and Recycling to install a security system that will accommodate both the community center entry and exterior of the building, seconded by Langreck, carried.

After reviewing the city employees health insurance renewal options, Holthaus made a motion recommending the City renew the current health insurance plan; myBlue HSA /silver 3600 PPO SILVER effective February 1, 2017, seconded by Meyer, carried.

Meyer made a motion setting a public hearing for the plans, specifications, contract documents and cost estimate for the Reilly Addition Interceptor Relocation 2017 Project for February 6, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the council meeting room located in the community center building at 123 W. Main street, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Lienau made a motion approving the renewals of Wild Woods Event Center and Casey’s General Store alcoholic beverages permits, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

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 FY2018 Budget including: sewer and water utility repairs & upgrades, street repairs, building maintenance, debt payments and other miscellaneous items. Further consideration of the FY2018 budget will be made at the February 6th council meeting.

Holthaus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lienau, carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.