The Lawler City Council met in regular session on October 1, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Mueterthies presided.
Council members present: Izer, King, Kuehner, Croell, Scheidel (arrived at 7:10pm)
Others present: Jay Uhlenhake, Kurt Croell, Frank Wilson, Stephanie Tangen, Cathy Humpal
Motion made by King to approve the Agenda. Seconded by Croell. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Moved made by Kuehner, seconded by King to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid. All Ayes. Motion passed.
| WINDSTREAM | PHONE | 113.3 | |
| ARAMARK | RUGS | 186.14 | |
| JENDRO | GARBAGE CONTRACT | 1,924.78 | |
| STANTON ELECTRIC | REPLACE POLE | 5,866.04 | |
| UPS | SHIPPING | 39.97 | |
| TEST AMERICA | DRINKING WATER | 50.75 | |
| EFTPS | FED/FICA TAX | 1,455.93 | |
| IPERS | IPERS | 1,012.56 | |
| STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 875 | |
| BLACK HILLS ENERGY | GAS UTILITY | 101.93 | |
| MIENERGY | ELECTRICITY | 26,159.02 | |
| CASH | LAGGOON | 356.82 | |
| FIVE STAR COOP | CLEAR #2 diesel FUEL DUMP TRUC | 57.67 | |
| HAWKINS | AZONE | 257.16 | |
| IOWA LEAGUE | 2018 BUDGET WORKSHOP | 45 | |
| WELLMARK BLUE CROSS | 10/01/2018-1/1/19 | 2,613.45 | |
| QUILL CORPORATION | PAPER TOWELS | 16.99 | |
| LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT | FY19 1ST ALLOTMENT | 2,756.13 | |
| DNR | ANNUAL WATER USE FEE 2019 | 134 | |
| ANDERSON | 6/14/2018-8/28/2018 | 1,125.00 | |
| MICK GAGE | RESTROOM RENTAL | 90 | |
| JAY UHLENHAKE | HOTEL REIMBURSEMENT | 327.8 | |
| TERRY DURIN CO | ELECTRIC | 220 | |
| MARC | WASH N WAX AND MINT POWER OFF | 239.19 | |
| DEPOSIT REFUNDS | REFUND DATE 09/19/2018 | 472.78 | |
| DEPOSIT REFUNDS | REFUND DATE 09/26/2018 | 27.97 | |
| PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 4,791.88 | |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 51,317.26 | ||
| EXPENSE | REVENUE | ||
| GENERAL FUND | 9,843.52 | 8510.97 | |
| SANITATION FUND | 1,924.78 | 2490.67 | |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 1,055.64 | 5392.1 | |
| WATER FUND | 2,613.21 | 7193.46 | |
| SEWER FUND | 2,845.69 | 7002.57 | |
| ELECTRIC FUND | 32,977.87 | 34666.92 | |
| DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND | 56.55 | 71.42 |
Kurt Croell was here to give the council an update on the annexation of property into city limits. Alliant Energy has agreed to give the property to Mienergy for electricity use. The city will need a letter stating that Alliant Energy is willing to do this. Suzette explained that the City cannot go any further with this until Kurt returns application for annexation. Suzette will send him a new form to fill out to return. After we receive the application we can move on. Mark said to call Ray Armel attend next month’s meeting.
Cathy Humpal discussed the Libraries proposal for the Chickasaw County Library Association Trustees on October 22, 2018 and the Chickasaw County Supervisors on November 5, 2018; this helps libraries accreditation for state funding.
The city hall and libraries carpet were discussed. Moisture is seeping through cracks in the cement under the carpet causing stains on the carpet. This has happened in the past. Motion made by King to take bids for cleaning the carpet and to jack up the floor with mud jacking. Second by Kuehner. All Ayes. Motion passed.
There have been bats in the city hall. Suzette did some checking on a $50 ultrasonic device to hang in the city hall. Bats don’t like the sound. She has called the Bat Control Specialists and left a message with them letting them know that there are still bats in the building. Motion made by Croell to call the bat specialists again and if they don’t respond in 48 hours to invest in ultrasonic. Second by Kuehner. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Cathy Humpal reminded the council that she is a city employee and did not get a raise when they gave city employees raises. King made a motion to give Cathy Humpal a 3% raise. Croell seconded. All ayes. Motion passed
Ordinance 6-6-21 Watercourses was discussed. The ordinance states the property owner or person in possession or control of the adjacent land is responsible to keep the flat or accessible portion of the creek bank free of any weeds and grasses more than six inches in height. Some residents do not have access to equipment to properly clean of the stream. Some cannot afford to pay to have this cleaned up. Izer suggested to have a City Clean Up the Creek Day on a Saturday. He said he could ask farmers if they would help with the use of their equipment and ask for volunteers within the city. The city would need signed easements from the property owners to have access to drive on their property. If the city cleans up the creek this one time, it would be the property owner’s responsibility to keep it clean. Motion made by Izer to hold a Saturday Clean Up the Creek day led by John Izer. Second by Croell. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Ordinance No. 331 regarding the $15 Utility Fee was discussed. Suzette explained why it hasn’t be on the assessed on the utility bills. The software company cannot fit the fees on the current utility bill postcards. Currently the $15 is made up of $5 for electric, $5 for water, $5 for sewer. Suzette is checking to find bigger utility billing postcards that is slightly bigger and checking with the software company again.
Suzette explained Resolutions 10012018-1 and 10012018-2 to transfer funds from Water, Sewer and LOST fund to the Debt Service fund for the John Deere tractor payment. Motion made by Scheidel to pass the Resolutions. Second by Izer. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Jay discussed the Maintenance Contract for the Generator at the Well house. He will look into other companies regarding this. Motion made by Izer to table the generator contract. Second by Croell. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Delinquent accounts were discussed.
The next meeting will be November 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
Motion by Scheidel and second by King to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. All Ayes. Motion passed.
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Suzette Byrne, City Clerk