The Lawler City Council met in regular session on June 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Mueterthies presided.
Council members present: Izer, King, Scheidel, Throndson & Zubrod.
Others present: Mike Murray, Deb Merrill, Tony Blazek, Lucas Elsbernd, Roger Dreckman and Mary Gruenberg.
Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the Agenda with the additions of the Irish Fest Committee and Mary Gruenberg discussion of nuisance. All Ayes.
Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Throndson to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve the bills presented to be paid. All Ayes.
| Hawkeye REC | Service | $15,220.77 |
| Treasurer State of Iowa | sales tax May | $986.00 |
| United States Treasury | FICA, with | $1,533.72 |
| IPERS | May | $987.85 |
| Salaries | Salaries | $6,638.82 |
| Jendro Sanitation | May garbage | $2,167.96 |
| Post Office | Postage | $74.47 |
| Windstream | May | $90.70 |
| Black Hills Energy | natural gas | $127.45 |
| United Parcel Service | shipping | $101.00 |
| Post Office | box rent | $52.00 |
| ARAWARK | rental | $86.90 |
| Fehr Graham | services – water project | $254.50 |
| Bodensteiner Imp. | blade | $56.04 |
| Heartland Asphalt | cold mix | $535.62 |
| New Hampton Tribune | proceedings | $336.73 |
| TestAmerica | water & wastewater testing | $185.85 |
| Hawkins | water supplies | $345.58 |
| Blazek Corporation | park curbstop | $271.25 |
| Stanton Electric | electric pole & repairs | $924.57 |
| Paul Niemann Const. | rock | $78.36 |
| Anderson, Wilmarth Law Firm | legal fees | $850.00 |
| Roger Dreckman Construction | clean brush – park | $1,125.00 |
| Pollard | pest control | $54.50 |
| Team Lab | supplies – sewer | $1,508.50 |
| CASH, Inc. | park fence, supplies & fuel | $1,783.44 |
| Five Star Coop | fuel-April | $72.20 |
| Iowa Finance Authority | sewer loan payment | $32,742.50 |
| Iowa Finance Authority | water loan payment | $18,623.29 |
| Lawler Public Library | cleaning reimbursement | $412.82 |
| Rosenbaum Auto | stump grinding | $136.00 |
| Five Star Coop | fuel & lp tank at lift station | $956.31 |
| Total | $89,782.70 | |
| Library Bills | ||
| IPERS | May | $178.81 |
| Cathy Humpal | wages | $888.22 |
| do it yourself | subscription | $21.37 |
| Penworthy | books | $112.27 |
| Windstream | April | $85.94 |
| Midwest Tape | dvd’s | $71.97 |
| INGRAM | books | $166.54 |
| Food Network Magazine | subscription | $39.97 |
| House Beautiful | subscription | $32.07 |
| Cathy Humpal | insurance reimbursement | $750.00 |
| Library Total | $2,347.16 | |
| May Receipts | ||
| General | $1,229.06 | |
| Road Use Tax | $2,941.68 | |
| Property Tax | $3,667.96 | |
| Local Option Tax | $3,040.57 | |
| Transfer of Jurisdiction-County | $1,905.28 | |
| Charges for Services | $42,143.44 | |
| CDBG-water | $6,000.00 | |
| State Revolving Fund-water | $33,032.40 | |
| Total | $93,960.39 | |
Lucas Elsbernd from Fehr Graham Engineering explained the costs for the water project and the change order reduction. Moved by Izer, seconded by Throndson to approve change order #3 from Blazek Corporation for Well #2 and Water Main Project with a reduction of $17,665.98. All Ayes.
Moved by King, seconded by Izer to approve a variance to Eric Njus for his house at 306 W Grove Street provided that the Board of Adjustment approves the variance. This is being granted due to survey discrepancies. All Ayes.
The Lawler Irish Fest requested that the east side of the hardware store building be blocked off during the Irish Fest for a car show. Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to approve the east side of the hardware store building to be blocked off for a car show during the Irish Fest. All Ayes.
The Lawler Irish Fest requested a larger tent be used this year during the fest. It will be located 12 ft. further north and 8 ft. further south than previous years. Moved by King, seconded by Izer to allow the larger tent for the fest as presented. All Ayes.
The Lawler Fire Department requested using Croell Park for kids water ball on the Saturday of the Irish Fest. Moved by Izer, seconded by Zubrod to approve the use of Croell Park for kids water ball on the Saturday of the Irish Fest. All Ayes.
Mary Gruenberg had a complaint about the number of dogs at the residence and the excessive barking caused by the dogs in at 205 S Depot Street. There have also been other complaints from residents about this. Moved by King, seconded by Throndson to send the residents at 205 S Depot Street a letter to remedy the excessive barking from their dogs and comply with City Code on the number of dogs owned within seven to ten days. All Ayes.
The council answered questions that Mike Murray and Deb Merrill had about the new discontinuance of service and utility deposit policies.
Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the Utility Deposit Policy, Discontinuance of Service Policy, letter to landlords regarding new utility policies and letter to residents regarding new utility policies. All Ayes.
Moved by King, seconded by Izer to contact Shirley Kuehner about the possible conveyance of property south of town that is owned by the City. All Ayes.
Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to allow Pat & JoAnne Costigan to display the old fire bell. An agreement will be signed stating that the City will maintain ownership of the bell and if they no longer wish to display it, it will be returned to the City. All Ayes.
The park budget has all been used for this fiscal year so the City will not be able to contribute to the trail or park committee this fiscal year.
Cathy Humpal will continue to clean the bathrooms, hallway and meeting room as needed.
Moved by Izer, seconded by Throndson to send requests for proposals to three CPA firms to conduct an annual exam as required by the Auditor of the State. These proposals will be accepted until July 5, 2016. All Ayes.
Moved by Izer, seconded by King to approve a 2% salary increase for Jay Uhlenhake. All Ayes.
Moved by King, seconded by Throndson to approve a 2% salary increase for Sue Cutsforth. Ayes -King & Throndson. Nays- Izer, Scheidel & Zubrod. Jay Uhlenhake $51,305.54, Sue Cutsforth $29,366.28.
Delinquent accounts were discussed. Payment agreements as presented were approved.
Moved by Zubrod, seconded by Throndson to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. All Ayes.
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Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk