The Lawler City Council met in regular session on June 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Mueterthies presided.
Council members present: Izer, Croell, King Absent: Scheidel, Kuehner
Others present: Jason Byrne and Sandy Reicks
Motion made by Croell to approve the Agenda. Seconded by King. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Moved made by King, seconded by Croell to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid. Suzette will price check with City Laundry. She will also call the City Attorney to receive a more itemized bill. All Ayes. Motion passed.
| FMC LANDFILL | LANDFILL FEE | 100 |
| WINDSTREAM | PHONE | 100.06 |
| ARAMARK | RUGS | 232.68 |
| BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO | BLADE | 59.1 |
| JENDRO | GARBAGE CONTRACT | 2,119.38 |
| POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO. | PEST | 54.5 |
| SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC | tank truck | 339.4 |
| STANTON ELECTRIC | SWITCH POLES | 3,822.82 |
| UPS | 170.58 | |
| TEST AMERICA | INVOICE 31177202 | 66.15 |
| EFTPS | FED/FICA TAX | 1,436.80 |
| IPERS | IPERS | 951.01 |
| BLACK HILLS ENERGY | GAS UTILITY | 213.86 |
| MIENERGY | ELECTRICITY | 18,457.02 |
| CASH | GASOLINE | 455.33 |
| HAWKINS | AZONE | 389.1 |
| PAUL NIEMANN CONSTRUCTION | CRANE CREEK TRAIL | 4,194.93 |
| IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES | SALES TAX | 1,225.00 |
| BLAZEK CORPORATION | REPAIR INTERSECTION PITTS AND | 3,459.47 |
| TEAM LAB | SURFACTANT, WEED KILLER, ALGAE | 2,277.00 |
| HEARTLAND ASPHALT | COLD MIX | 249.55 |
| NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE | WATER QUILITY REPORT | 56.62 |
| DRILLINGS | weed eater | 11.76 |
| ANDERSON | LEGAL FEE | 791.25 |
| MICK GAGE | Croell park restrooms | 90 |
| MARC | 836.51 | |
| CHICKASAW COUNTY RECORDER | RECORD DEED FOR POND | 17 |
| INSURANCE ASSOCIATES | COMM CYBER | 750 |
| GARY CUVELIER | 30 | |
| B & R BLASTING | SANDBLASTING MERRY GO ROUND | 267.5 |
| HANAWALT | 3 BUCKETS MULCH CROELL PARK | 105 |
| PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 4,788.16 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 48,117.54 | |
| GENERAL FUND | 10,622.66 | |
| SANITATION FUND | 2,219.38 | |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 4,092.36 | |
| WATER FUND | 2,790.52 | |
| SEWER FUND | 4,209.79 | |
| ELECTRIC FUND | 24,182.83 |
Jason Byrne discussed the All-Nighters ball tournament with the council. He has the schedule planned and everything would stay the same as previous years. John Izer will be in charge of the concession stand and gate. John Izer will also be there in case of bad weather. Motion made by Kin and second by Izer to close Grove Street from Hwy. 24 to Diagonal Street from Friday, July 20, 2018 to Sunday, July 22, 2018. All ayes. Motion passed.
The Utility Billing Rates were discussed. Suzette prepared a spreadsheet for the council to review that compares the amount of revenue and expenses for the 3 Utility Funds. (Electric, Water, Sewer) This was for the Current Fiscal Year. The Electric Fund has more expense than what it brings in for Revenue. Water and Sewer were bringing in more revenue than expense. However, Suzette explained to the council that the Fund Balances do not have enough money in them for Emergency Maintenance Expenses for the Utilities. For example the lagoon is in need of a repair and the Sewer Fund has never been built up for Expenses such as this. Suzette has did research how to build these enterprise funds. Cities charge an extra fee on utility bills to help with emergency expenses. This money would go into a Utility Fund and can only be spent on Utilities.
Moved by King to charge a $15.00 utility fee starting with the August 2018 utility bill. Second by Izer. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Part-time help has been discussed for city maintenance. This would be a seasonal, on call job. The applicant would need to be age 18+ years.
Moved by Croell to hang flyers in town describing the job. Seconded by Izer. All Ayes. Motion passed.
The Lawler Code of Ordinance Chapter 6 Trees and Weeds 6-6-18 Removal of Grass was discussed. Currently a letter is sent to property owners whose lawn has exceeded 6 inches in height to abate the nuisance immediately. The current ordinance would be amended to include the city would mow the grass if nuisance has not been abated within 48 hours. The property owner would be charged $250.00 penalty to be paid with 30 days. If not paid in 30 days, the city would access property taxes.
Moved by Croell seconded by King to amend current ordinance to include $250.00 penalty to abate nuisance or access property taxes. All Ayes. Motion passed.
City Raises have been tabled for next month.
The Annexation has been tabled for next month.
Mark talked about the Seal Coat bid from Blacktop Service Co. since Jay could not be at meeting. It was decided to table the seal coat bid for next month.
The next meeting will be July 2, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
Motion by King and second by Izer to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. All Ayes. Motion passed.
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Suzette Byrne, City Clerk