April 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on April 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM.

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

 

Council members present:  King, Kuehner, Izer, Croell and Scheidel

Council members absent:    None

 

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Stephanie Tangen, Sandy Busta, Jane Lynch, Renee Huinker, Steve Lynch and Travis Suckow

 

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the Agenda with the addition of Highland Park.

Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Izer to approve the previous minutes and current bills

Second by Croell.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ARAMARK RUGS 242.02
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,652.63
STANTON ELECTRIC city property 180
UPS 2022 WATER QUALITY REPORT 175.09
TEST AMERICA DRINKING WATER TEST 95.6
EFTPS FED/FICA TAXES 1,504.87
IPERS IPERS 1,148.64
STATE WITHHOLDING STATE TAXES 658.78
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 1,405.08
CASH GAS 154.44
FIVE STAR COOP FIELDMATER DYED 353.56
HAWKINS AZONE 459.28
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE MARCH 2023 MINUTES 216.32
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS   4,694.25
ULINE ENVELOPES 158.83
QUILL CORPORATION ENVELOPS 232.98
CHICKASAW COUNTY AUDITOR AMBULANCE 28E AGREEMENT 10,368.00
IMFOA DUES FY23/24 50
MARC WEED KILLER 1,473.42
CHICKASAW COUNTY RECORDER RANGER PLATE 23.75
IAMU MEMBER DUES 2,375.00
AUDITOR EXAM FEE 2023 1,500.00
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT   46.12
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 5,673.06 REVENUE
  CLAIMS TOTAL 35,841.72    61,034.34
  GENERAL FUND 19,207.47      2,734.56
  SANITATION FUND 2,652.63      2,722.97
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 1,519.58      2,266.05
  WATER FUND 3,459.21      7,231.95
  SEWER FUND 4,849.63      8,152.03
  ELECTRIC FUND 4,153.20    36,653.20
STORM WATER FEE      1,273.58

 

LIBRARY

EFTPS FED/FICA TAXES 1,204.94
IPERS IPERS 287.07
STATE WITHHOLDING STATE TAXES 94.47
INGRAM BOOKS 183.27
RILEY’S PRINTER COPIER 1,200.00
READER’S DIGEST   34.98
US POSTAL SERVICE BOX RENT 2023 80
HAWKEYE INTERCONNECT Mar-23 63
TV EDUCATION FOUNDATION MEMORY OF LINDA ANDERSON 50
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 1,391.09
  CLAIMS TOTAL 4,588.82
  GENERAL FUND 4,588.82

 

The Lawler Library board discussed the Library expansion project.   Renee Huinker explained they would like to put a wall in the back meeting room of the city community room.  A needs assessment should be done by the state library before any action be taken.  The council let the library board know the city attorney would be called because they would need a contract with city for the use of the room.    There have been families using the community for holidays.  The city will need the room available for any emergencies that should arise within the city.  The city will need a public hearing to hear public opinions because this is a public building.

A motion made by Izer to transfer a portion of community room to the library.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  Izer, Scheidel and Croell

Nays; Kuehner and King

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by King to hold public hearing for public opinion for Library Expansion May 1, 2023 at 7:15pm.   Second by Croell

Ayes: Izer, Scheidel, Croell, Kuehner and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by King to open Public Hearing to discuss Ordinance 2023-1 Amending Section 6-5-20 of the Lawler Municipal Code of Regarding Refuse and Recycling Collection Rates for the City of Lawler.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Croell, King, Kuehner, Scheidel and Izer

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

 

The council reviewed Ordinance #2023-1 to add recycling fee of $3.00 per dwelling unit.

No public response.

 

Motion made by Croell to close Public Hearing.  Second by Kuehner.

Ayes: King, Croell, Kuehner, Scheidel and Izer

Nays: None

Motion Passed.

 

Motion by Croell waive second and third reading and adopt Ordinance #2023-1. Second by King.

Ayes: King, Croell, Kuehner, Scheidel and Izer

Nays: None

Motion passed.

 

Jay Uhlenhake informed the council the DNR said the water tower is in need of a new mixer.  Jay received to quotes from KLM for$14,500 and K& W for $14,000.

Motion made by Croell to go with K & W for $14,000 for the mixer for water tower. Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: Croell, Scheidel, Kuehner, Izer and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

 

The city requested consideration for the state Contingent Fund loan for damages sustained under the governor’s proclamation 2021-17 dated August 30, 2021.  The flash flooding occurred on August 28, 2021 and caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure resulting in the city needing to replace multiple culverts within the city to repair flood damage at an estimated cost of $1,377,070.  The city work with Iowa Homeland Security and Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments for a federal grant for funding.  These efforts have not been successful.  The city has been approved for a state contingent fund loan to make repairs necessary to the city’s infrastructure.  The city will receive a loan for 1,000,000.00 to be paid over the next 20 years.

Motion made by Croell to approve Resolution #2023-04032023 for the statutory repayment of state disaster aid for losses incurred due to Severe Weather/Flooding on August 28, 2021.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Croell, King, Scheidel, Kuehner and Izer

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

 

Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy will be planting trees within the city May 6, 2023.  Would like volunteers.  Suzette will be checking with Turkey Valley for student volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer, let Suzette know at the city hall.

 

Nuisances within the city were discussed.  The city has several dangerous buildings or structures that are structurally unsafe.  Mayor Mueterthies read the ordinance regarding Dangerous Buildings, Chapter 145 in the City Ordinance book.  The city will be sending by certified mail written notice to property owners.  The property owner will have 48 hours to commence either the required repairs or improvements or demolition and removal of the building or structure.  All work will be completed within 90 days from date of notice or the owner can request a hearing before the Council by filing a written request within the 90 days.

Motion made by Croell to proceed with sending the certified letters to property owners.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  Croell, Izer, Kuehner, Scheidel and King

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

 

Dale King will be donating baby changing tables for the park restrooms.  Jay will get them ordered.

 

Izer stated there has been interest in getting a volleyball league started at Highland Park.  The city will be discussing new volleyball nets and new basketball hoops at next council meeting.

 

Next council meeting will be May 1, 2023 at 7:00pm

 

Motion made by Croell to adjourn at 8:10pm.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  Croell, Izer, Scheidel, Kuehner and King

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

 

 

 

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk