Category: City Council Agendas/Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on January 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson and Roberson

Council members absent:   Croell

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Renea Huinker and Sandy Busta

Motion made by King to approve the agenda. Second by Roberson

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by King.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

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Appointments were made by council for 2025.  The Board of Adjustment will need another appointment to for a replacement until 2026

Appointments January 2024

Mayor pro-tem                                    Dale King

Bank                                                    Bank Iowa

City Attorney                                      John Anderson

City Clerk                                           Suzette Byrne

Toxic Cleanup                                    Jeremy Scheidel

Street Committee                                Kurt Croell, Cole Roberson, Jay Uhlenhake

Utilities Committee                            Karen Wilson, Dale King, Jay Uhlenhake

Fire Dept. Rep.                                   Cole Roberson & Dale King

Tree Committee                                  Dale King, Karen Wilson, Jay Uhlenhake

Health Officer                                     Dr. Lukas Brinkman

Street Superintendent                         Jay Uhlenhake

Water Superintendent                         Jay Uhlenhake

Landfill Committee Rep.                    Jay Uhlenhake

Board of Adjustment                          5 year term

2025

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2025

Kurt Croell                                          2027

Roger Dreckman                                2025

Frank Wilson                                      2025

Park Board                                          5 year term

Roger Dreckman                                2026

Dale King                                            2026

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2025

Emergency Management Board

Mark Mueterthies

Dale King

REAP

Mark Mueterthies

Motion made by Roberson to approve Mark Mueterthies and Dale King to the Emergency Management Board.  Second by Wilson.

Ayes:  Roberson, Wilson, King and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Renea Huinker and Sandy Busta gave the council the Library Budget for FY25-26.  They are requesting an increase of $1,000 from the city.

The library windows are still leaking.  Renea discussed with the council regarding siding on the west wall of the building.    Suzette said this would need to be put in the budget for FY25-26 under building repairs.

Jay discussed with the council GIS Mapping for the city to find underground electric, water and sewer lines.  It is always updated.  This will cost the city $51,000 and will be budgeted from the electric, water and sewer funds in FY25-26.

The council worked on the Budget FY24-25.  Street repairs were discussed.  Suzette explained whatever expensed you budget for will need revenue to pay them.  Suzette will run the numbers the council gave.  Budget numbers will be discussed next month.

Delinquents were discussed.  The city will be updating the utility ordinances to charges $25-$35 for delinquent accounts receiving a 24 hour notice on their doors.  The utility bills are due the 20^th of the month, if not paid, a 12 disconnect notice is mailed to home owners, if not by with in the 12 days, 24 hour notice is posting on homeowner doors.  This cost the city money in postage and time.  This will be further discussed at the February meeting.

Next meeting will be February 3, 2025 at 7:00pm

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 8:45pm.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  King, Wilson, Scheidel and Roberson

Nays:

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on December 2, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, Croell and Roberson

Council members absent:   None

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Nick LaRosa-Fehr Graham, Ray Armel and Chris Rigel

Motion made by King to approve the agenda with the addition of no truck parking signs on E Spring Street. Second by Croell

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by Roberson.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham gave the council an update on the box culvert improvements.  Bacon Concrete will be seeding grass for the residents along the creek next spring.

Motion made by Croell to approve Bacon Concrete pay estimate #7.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, Wilson, Croell and King

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Bacon Concrete pay estimate #8 final retainage.  Second by King.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, Wilson, Croell and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Roberson to accept Bacon Concrete final change order #4.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, Wilson, Croell and King.

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Suzette informed the council the cities current Municipal Software annual fee increased by 40%.  The current software company is upgrading the software by the end of 2025.   Suzette has spoken with the company regarding the invoice.  If the city signs the upgrade agreement by March 31, 2025 they will lock the rate through 2026.  Suzette will continue to speak with other software companies.

Motion made by Croell to pay the current invoice.  Second by Wilson.

Ayes: Croell, Wilson, Scheidel, King and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to open the Public Hearing at 7:15pm.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  Croell, Wilson, Scheidel, King and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Local Residents attending:  None

Public Hearing was open to take action to institute proceedings to enter into a loan and disbursement agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $60,000, for the purpose of paying the cost, to that extent, of planning, designing, and constructing improvements and extensions to the Municipal Waterworks Utility System (the “Utility”) of the City.  The Agreement will not constitute a general obligation of the City, nor will it be payable in any manner by taxation, but together with City’s outstanding Water Revenue Bond SRF Series 2015, dated September 25, 2015 and any additional obligations of the City as may be hereafter issued and outstanding from time to time ranking on the parity therewith, will be payable solely and only form the Net Revenues of the Utility.

Motion made by Scheidel to close the Public Hearing.  Second by King.

Motion made by Scheidel to Accept Resolution #2024-12022024 taking additional action with respect to a Water Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and authorizing, approving and securing the payment of a $60,000 Water Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement Anticipation Project Note (IFA Interim Loan and Disbursement Agreement) Second by Croell.

Ayes: Scheidel, Croell, Roberson, Wilson and King.

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Chickasaw County Assessor Ray Armel explained the Joint Agreement with Chickasaw County the Urban Renewal Plan.  A new Urban Renewal area will include Homeland Energy Property for the purpose of undertaking eligible urban renewal projects.  Some of the land proposed to be included within the Urban Renewal Area is within two miles of, or within, the corporate limits of the city.  The agreement is not expected to affect the city’s tax base with its boundaries.

Motion made by Croell to accept the Urban Renewal Joint agreement with Chickasaw County.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Croell, King Scheidel, Roberson and Wilson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Kurt Croell received a call from a property owner on E. Spring St. regarding semi-trucks parking on the road blocking the property owner’s garage.  He would like no parking signs to be installed.  Jay informed the council the signs have already been installed.

Next meeting will be January 6, 2024 at 7:00pm

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 8:45pm.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Wilson, Scheidel, Croell and Roberson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on October 7, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  King, Croell and Roberson

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake and Nick LaRosa-Fehr Graham

Motion made by King to approve the agenda with the addition of park damage,

Second by Croell

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by King.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham updated the council on the box culvert project.  He informed the council the fencing will be worked on this week.  Bacon Concrete should be finished at the end of the month with the box culverts and rip rap.

Motion made by King to approve Bacon Concrete payment #5.   Second by Croell.

Ayes: King, Croell and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by King to approve the Financial Services Agreement for Well #3 for a SRF Loan Bond.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: King, Croell and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by King to work with Water Infrastructure Grant Opportunities through Ashley Hinson Community Project Funding. Second by Croell.

Ayes: King, Croell and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed

The Croell Park cameras caught three kids to damage to freshly poured cement for basketball hoops installation.  Jay spoke with the parents and the kids regarding the incident.  All three kids confessed and felt bad.  Mark received an apology letter from one kid.  They all admitted to knew it was wrong.

The Lawler Link newsletter was discussed with the council.  The time and money spent on the newsletter out ways the information in the newsletters. This information can be posted on the website and Facebook page.  Motion made by Croell to eliminate the Lawler Link Newsletter.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  King, Croell and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to accept the building permit for Valerie Rhodus.  Second by King.

Ayes:  King, Croell and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Next meeting will be November 4, 2024

Motion made by Croell to adjourn at 7:43pm.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  King, Croell and Roberson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on September 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, Croell and Roberson

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Nick LaRosa-Fehr Graham and Justin Hoehn

Motion made by Croell to approve the agenda,

Second by Scheidel

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by Croell.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham updated the council regarding the Box Culvert project.  They will be doing all the four change links at once when the culverts are finished.  Bacon Concrete LLC gave an estimate to continue ditching 175 feet West of Benz St.  City will supply trucks and haul away dirt for $4,400.00.  Motion made by Croell to accept the estimate from Bacon Concrete for $4,400 to continue ditching 175 feet west of Benz St.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Croell, King, Wilson, Scheidel and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Change Order #3 was represented to council.  This change order will save the city $12,348.36.

Motion made by King to accept Change Order #3.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: King, Scheidel, Croell, Wilson and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

The council discussed the Agreement for Professional Service for the Well NO. 3 Construction.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the Annual Financial Report for FY23-24. Second by Croell

Ayes:  Scheidel, Croell, Roberson Wilson and King

Nays: None

Motion passed,

Motion made by Croell to approve Annual Street Financial Report, Resolution 2024-09032024. Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Croell, Roberson, Wilson, Scheidel and King

Nays: None

Motion passed

Suzette informed the council the Annual Exam will be September 10, 2024

Mark informed the council City Attorney John Anderson recommended to by the property located at 201 N. Benz Street from the state with an offer of $4,000.  Motion made by Croell to make an offer of $4,000 for property at 201 N. Benz St from the state.  Seconded by Scheidel.

Ayes:  Croell, Scheidel, Wilson, Roberson and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Water Infrastructure Grant Opportunities was tabled.

Motion made by Croell to spend $2,500 for new Christmas lights for the city.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Croell, Roberson, Wilson, King and Scheidel

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to support the Lion’s Club for a new digital sign.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Croell, Roberson, Wilson, King and Scheidel

Nays: None

Motion passed

Mark is worked with UPS for a drop box outside of the City Hall.  This will be discussed further next month.

Motion made by Croell to adjourn at 7:43pm.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes:  Wilson, King, Scheidel, Croell and Roberson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

Please click on the link to review the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FY23-24

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on August 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, and Roberson

Council members absent:   Croell

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Nick LaRosa-FehrGraham, Isiah Corbin –INRCOG, Renea Huinker and Jason Byrne

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the agenda,

Second by King

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by Roberson.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham explained the culvert progress on Diagonal Street and Owl Street is close to being finished.  Bacon is will be regrading corner gravel and need to put fencing. Diagonal & Owl should be completed in 2 weeks depending on weather.  The culvert on Depot Street has been started.

Motion made by King to approve Bacon payment #3.  Seconded by Roberson.

Ayes: King, Roberson, Scheidel and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham explained the probable cost of the new well and location south of Pitts street.  After review of the probable cost, Jay noticed the item of Well controls and electrical for $25,000 should not be there since this is already set up. Fehr Graham will remove this item and let the council review at September’s meeting.

Isiah Corbin, with INRCOG spoke to the council regarding help with a CDBG grant for the Water Well project.  Communities with population less than 1,000 can receive up to $300,000.  These federal funds are competitive.  The city LMI (low to moderate income) must be less than or equal to 51%.  The city will be mailing a LMI survey to residents of Lawler to be completed in September.  In November a draft of application and the city will hold public Hearing. The application will be submitted December of 2024.  If the city does not receive 50% of the surveys back the city council will go door to door.

Renea Huinker with the library wanted to know if the council was going to enclose the city clerk’s office.  According to the agreement with the library, the library would need to pay for this change and would like to know regarding their budget.  Motion made by King not to enclose the city clerk’s office per agreement.  Seconded by Wilson.

Ayes:  Wilson King, Scheidel and Roberson

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Several property nuisances were discussed.  Suzette will mail nuisance letters to property owners.

City Clerk performance was discussed.  Mark informed the council Suzette apologized to him for her being upset in the lumberyard.  Dale apologized to Suzette for walking in and yelling at her and admitted he was wrong.

The property line on north Center Street was discussed for the need to help mitigate water from the corn field.   The city will be asking permission for the property owners along the property line.

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 8:00pm.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Wilson, King, Scheidel, and Roberson

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on July 1, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, and Roberson

Council members absent:   Croell

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake,  Nick LaRosa-FehrGraham, Deb Throndson, Frank Wilson and Sam Njus

Motion made by King to approve the agenda,

Second by Roberson

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by Wilson.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Mayor Mueterthies informed the council, Frank Wilson found grants for the water project to apply for.  Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham Engineering informed the council they can help with the grant applications.  Fehr Graham will need to re-estimate the water project.  The new well location will be moved to help with the cost of the project.

Nick LaRosa also gave updates on the culvert project in town.  The project is currently behind schedule due to the rain.

Motion made by Scheidel to accept the Partial Pay Estimate number two for Bacon Concrete, LLC.  Seconded by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, King and Wilson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by King to open public hearing to amend section 92.02 of Municipal Code regarding water rates.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: King, Scheidel, Wilson and Robeson

Nayes:None

Absent: Croell

Ordinance # 2024-1 amending Section 92.02 of the Lawler Municipal Code regarding Water Rates for Service in the City of Lawler was discussed.   Motion made by Scheidel to approve Ordinance #2024-1.   Second by King.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to close the public hearing.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion by Scheidel to waive 2^nd and 3^rd readings.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Deb Throndson presented council with application for fireworks permit to be set of July 5^th or July 6^th, 2024.  Motion made by King to accept the fireworks permit for Deb Throndson. Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

The city received quotes from Hacker, Nelson, CPA and Keith Oltrogge, CPA to perform the city annual examination.  Motion made by King to accept Keith Oltrogge, CPA to perform the city annual examination.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Samantha Njus explained issues with her house electricity.   She would like the city to pay a portion of her bill with Ryan Meier Electric.  Motion made by Wilson for the city to pay $150.00 towards Samantha’s bill form Ryan Meier Electric.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nayes: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Mayor Mueterthies discussed Nuisance properties within the city.  Letters will be sent to property owners.

Fixing the curb and gutter in front of city hall has been put on hold for 2 years.

Next meeting will be August 5, 2024

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:44pm.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Wilson, King, Scheidel, and Roberson

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on June 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, Croell and Roberson

Council members absent:   None

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Renea Huinker, Nick LaRosa-FehrGraham

Motion made by King to approve the agenda,

Second by Croell

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by King.

All Ayes.  Motion passed.

LIBRARY

Nick LaRosa with Fehr Graham went over the Preliminary Engineering Report for the Water System Study. The city will need a new well.  The council discussed the expense related to this project and will need to raise water rates.  Motion made by Croell to set a Public Hearing July 1, 2024 at 7:15pm to update the Ordinance to increase city water rates.  Seconded by King.

Ayes:  Croell, King, Roberson, Wilson and Scheidel

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to accept the Partial Pay Estimate number one for Bacon Concrete, LLC.  Seconded by Scheidel.

Ayes: Croell, Scheidel, Roberson, King and Wilson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to accept Change Order No. 1 for the Box Culvert improvements.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: Scheidel, Croell, Wilson, Roberson and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to accept Resolution No 2024-06032024 to approve temporary easements for the box culvert improvements project. Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, Wilson, Croell and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Renea Huinker with the library informed the city Steve Lynch will no longer be on the library board and his replacement will be Randy Kuennen. Motion mad by King to accept Randy Kuennen to a 6 year term with the Lawler Library Board.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: King, Croell, Wilson, Roberson and Scheidel

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Renea also informed the council the library will have an open house Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm during Irish Fest.  A St Croix Hospice meeting will take place June 19, 2024 at 10:30am in the library.  She also informed the council the library would like to use memorial money to have a Story Walk around the trail at Highland Park.

Motion made by Scheidel to accept the purchase agreement from Bodenstiener Implement for the purchase of a lawn mower.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  Scheidel, Croell, Wilson, Roberson and King

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette spoke with Dana Davis with the Office of Auditor of State regarding the annual examination.  Miss Davis informed Suzette the city will need to send out a request to at least 2 CPA firms in the area.  Motion made by King to call Hacker Nelson and Bergen Paulson.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Croell, Wilson, Scheidel and Roberson

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to close Grove St from Diagonal Street to Benz Street and Depot from the Brite Spot to Insurance Associates during Irish Fest, June 14^th – 15^th.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: Scheidel, Croell, Roberson, Wilson and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Next meeting will be July 1, 2024

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:47pm.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  Wilson, King, Scheidel, Croell and Roberson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in special session on May 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Wilson, Roberson and Croell

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda

Second by Croell   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Fehr Graham sent a change in contract from Bacon concrete to remove old wall and replace with new.   They will add area intake behand wall and outlet pipe through new wall.  With this change order will be an increase of $33,780.00 to contract price.  Motion made by Scheidel to accept the change order presented.  Seconded by Croell.

Ayes: Scheidel, Croell, Roberson, Wilson and King

Nays: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:02pm.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Scheidel, Roberson, King, Wilson and Croell

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk