August 7, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on August 7, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Bruce Walker
Brian Lorentz
James Zehner
Del Houger
Wes Lester

Councilmember absent:

Georgia DeHaas

City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, and Clerk Kennedy. Attorney Albers was absent.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the July 24th regular meeting was approved as presented by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Heather Wagenmann, 504 East North Street, was present to ask the Council to pave Boulevard Street. Heather understands that the City doesn’t pay, but wanted to know what her next step would be to have the street paved. Heather doesn’t feel the residents should have to pay to pave the street. Mayor Vanderwall stated that the City doesn’t pave the streets unless there is 100% contribution from the neighbors adjoining the street. Public Works Director Gortsema stated that he could get a quote on the paving from POE and get that number to Heather so she could discuss it with her neighbors.

John Warford was present to thank the Council for their permission to use Heritage Square for Trinity Lutheran Church’s vacation bible camp.

SIDEWALK WAIVER AND FENCE REQUEST: Bob and Linda Jensen, 711 N State, requested a sidewalk waiver on 6th Street. In order to install the sidewalk they would need to cut the tree roots which could possibly kill the tree. Linda also asked permission to place a cedar privacy fence closer than 50’ to the corner. The existing tree already restricts the line of vision and the fence wouldn’t cause any additional restrictions. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to grant an indefinite sidewalk waiver to Bob and Linda Jensen on 6th Street because installing the sidewalk would kill their tree. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to grant Bob and Linda Jensen permission to start their six foot privacy fence 35’ from their property line on State Street and go east to their property line on 6th street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 216 calls for service. There were 133 cases written, 41 misdemeanor arrests, 4 felony arrests, 61 citations, 18 written warnings issued, 6 dogs and 3 cats impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for July 2006 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Water Leak report for July 2006 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 15 leaks (63 year to date) and installed 3 new services.

WATER PROJECT UPDATE: Mike Sturdevant provided numbers representing the percentage of work completed as follows:

Footage of pipe = 75%
Hydrants = 88%
Customer services = 57%

The second crew from Bodiford arrived last week and started laying pipe from the High Zone Tank. Bodiford will not meet their August completion date; however they also haven’t adjusted their time schedule for the extra work the City has requested. Public Works Director Gortsema explained that they plan to submit a time schedule change.

2006-07 FISCAL YEAR TENTATIVE BUDGET: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to adopt the 06-07 Tentative Budget and to authorize the publication of the notice of hearing on the budget. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CONFLICT ATTORNEY: Due to Attorney Albers having a conflict of interest on an upcoming legal issue, the City needed to authorize the hiring of a conflict attorney. Councilman Walker stated that he has a concern about who the City hires and what the attorney is hired for. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Houger to hire a conflict attorney for the one meeting the City needs him for. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

DON HOUGARDY CONDITIONAL USE: Clerk Kennedy explained that a conditional use was granted to Don Hougardy in 1989. The conditional use was granted solely to Mr. Hougardy to operate his accounting office at 204 South Boulevard. The business is now Bledsoe, Hougardy & Strausser. Attorney Albers had told the business last year as long as Don Hougardy maintains an ownership interest in the business they could continue to operate the business at their current location.

Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to have Attorney Albers draw up a new conditional use agreement to put in the name of Bledsoe, Hougardy & Strausser located at 204 South Boulevard and to give them a two year conditional use to run their CPA business out of the premise, to be reviewed at the expiration. Councilman Houger stated that if the business wanted to remain at the location after it expires, they would need to come back to the City Council. Councilman Lester felt an accounting business is the perfect business for that type of neighborhood since there isn’t much traffic. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council received copies of the 3rd Quarter Budget Reports.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.

_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk