October 2, 2017

Posted: October 2, 2017

Present: Meyer, Holthaus, Lienau, Langreck.
Absent: Beckman.
Don Dilaura along with Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee and Stephanie Fromm were present during the meeting. Karl Schroeder was present during a part of the meeting.

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

Kenneth Ney spoke to the Mayor and Council asking if it was possible to connect to the City’s water system. Ney resides at 1377 Co Rd W42 which is located outside the City’s corporate limits. Ney was informed that according to the City Code of Ordinances water may be furnished to a customer outside the corporate limits if a Service Contract Agreement with the City is entered into. A new service line must also be installed that connects to a City owned water source. Discussion followed. Meyer made a motion allowing Kenneth Ney to connect to the City’s water system pending a Service Contract Agreement is entered into between Ney and the City of Ossian, seconded by Holthaus, carried, one absent.

Stephanie Fromm from Winneshiek County Development suggested to the Council they may want to think about establishing a plan that would have information available for companies that are looking for a place to locate their business. Fromm indicated she would be willing to assist the Council with this process.

Bill Nelson, the engineer working with Military Trails Estates, went over plans for the housing addition to clarify some points with the Mayor and Council. After discussion it was the consensus of the Council that: the City will be responsible for the costs to construct the intersection at Jessie Street and Brooks Street going west toward the subdivision, the water main will be extended to a point beyond the intersection where the water main for the
subdivision can be connected, the developer will install 6″ water main but if it is determined to be in the best interest of the City to have 8″ water main the City will be responsible to pay the price difference between the 6″ and 8″ water main. Nelson indicated it is their goal to get the final plat to the Council sometime soon for their review and approval.

Mayor Green reported on various items that included: the seeding is completed at the City acquired church property, obsolete items sold at auction netted over $400.00, pavilion dedication went well, found storage space for the little league equipment.

The Mayor also discussed with the Council the opportunity to purchase dirt for fill from Winneshiek County. Meyer made a motion to purchase and haul up to 25 loads of fill dirt from Winneshiek County at a cost of $50.00/load for the purpose of filling in a ditch along the east side of Jessie Street, seconded by Langreck, carried, one absent.

Holthaus made a motion approving the following consent items: September 6, 2017 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Meyer, carried, one absent.

Holthaus made a motion authorizing Payment #6 in the amount of $37,230.10 to Croell Inc. for the Jessie-Brooks-West Street Project, seconded by Meyer, carried, one absent.

Lienau made a motion authorizing Payment #3 in the amount of $2,308.50 to Bacon Concrete, LLC for the the Reilly Addition Interceptor Sewer Project, seconded by Meyer, carried, one absent.

Langreck made a motion introducing Resolution #597, a resolution approving and accepting the Reilly Addition Interceptor Sewer Relocation 2017 Project as completed, seconded by Meyer.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Meyer.
Nays: None. Absent: Beckman.
Thereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

Holthaus made a motion accepting the City of Calmar’s proposal of a $10.00 set up fee to bring their Speed Trailer to a location and $25.00 per day fee to use the Speed Trailer, seconded by Langreck, carried with Lienau voting no and one absent.

Lienau made a motion appointing Diane Ameling as the City of Ossian’s designee to the 2018 Winneshiek County Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee, seconded by Meyer, carried, one absent.

Holthaus made a motion introducing Resolution #596, a resolution amending the City of Ossian’s Employee Handbook by adding two new sections referencing internet and email guidelines, seconded by Lienau.
Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Holthaus, Langreck, Lienau, Meyer.
Nays: None. Absent: Beckman.
Thereupon the Mayor declared said motion approved.

The City Clerk suggested to the Mayor and Council that a water rate increase should be considered. With on going  system maintenance getting more costly and the replacement of 20 year old meters, additional funds are needed. Water rates were last increased in 2003 and an improvement fee was added to the monthly bills in 2012. Following discussion it was the consensus of the Council to increase the base water rate by $1.00/month. The Clerk was directed to prepare an ordinance for the rate increase to be introduced at the November 6th council meeting.

The Council discussed setting an interest rate to charge on final assessments for the Jessie-Brooks-West Street Project when the assessments are attached to property taxes. It was determined advice will be sought from the City’s bonding attorney for his recommendation.

Holthaus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lienau, carried, one absent. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.