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September 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on September 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM.

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

 

Council members present:  King, Izer, Scheidel and Kuehner

Council members absent:  Croell

 

Others present:  Jane Lynch, Renee Huinker, Karen Wilson, Steve Lynch and Samantha Njus

 

Motion made by Kuehner to approve the Agenda.

Second by King   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

Motion made by King to approve the previous minutes with a wording change regarding the  cleanup for a resident’s property from “Clean up would be stored” to “Clean up items stored” and approval of  current bills.

Second by Scheidel    All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ARAMARK RUGS 407.1
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 3,237.46
POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO. PEST 63.68
UPS   80
TEST AMERICA DRINKING WATER 97.65
EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 1,737.66
IPERS IPERS 1,292.01
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 27.17
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 33,158.69
FIVE STAR COOP   319.28
IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES SALES TAX 2,756.41
TEAM LAB TERMINATOR WEED KILLER 515.5
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE AUGUST 2023 MINUTES 128.07
QUILL CORPORATION ENVELOPES 159.98
CHICKASAW COUNTY TREASURE FARMLANDS FY23-24 294
STATE HYGIENIC LAB MIC PH 1,126.15
MUNICIPAL PIPE TOOL SEWER CLEANING 4,091.75
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT   40.91
TREE DOCTOR TREATMENT OF ASH TREES 1,108.80
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 6,319.39 REVENUE
  CLAIMS TOTAL 56,961.66 72327.18
  GENERAL FUND 5,167.48 2666.29
  SANITATION FUND 3,237.46 3251.88
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 787.48 3796.18
  WATER FUND 2,490.60 7688.14
  SEWER FUND 7,639.11 7685.98
  ELECTRIC FUND 37,639.53 33426.72
LOST 6285.26
DEBT SERVICE 1411.4
WATER SINKING FUND 1685
SEWER SINKING FUND 3131.67
STORM WATER 1298.66

 

LIBRARY

 

IPERS IPERS 294.19
INGRAM BOOKS 73.56
CONSUMER REPORTS   32.1
HAWKEYE INTERCONNECT   32.27
VISA ANNUAL FEE 12
FEH DESIGN   2,500.00
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 1,422.90
  CLAIMS TOTAL 4,367.02
  GENERAL FUND 4,367.02

 

Samantha Njus let the council know she has been working on the cleanup of her property.  The council has notice her starting to cleanup her property and will keep checking with her.

 

Renee Huinker presented the council with a proposed layout of the changes for the library expansion.  The furnace room will need to be moved.  The kitchenette will need to be moved.  Window will be put in to the south and west.  They will a drop ceiling.  Mic’s Plumbing and Heating and Brinks Construction will be the contractors for the expansion work.  The library board is applying for a McElroy Trust Grant for this expansion.  Motion made by King to accept the proposed expansion and layout of the library.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  King, Izer, Kuehner and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

The council reviewed the Annual Street Finance Report.  Motion made by King to approve Resolution #2023-09052023.  Second by Kuehner.

Ayes: King, Izer, Kuehner and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

Bucky’s Amoco Liquor license was presented to be approved.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Bucky’s Amoco Liquor license.  Second by Izer.

Ayes: King, Izer, Kuehner, and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

Mark told the council he had been talking with the City Attorney, Jon Anderson regarding the some of the City Ordinances, specifically Ordinance #155.04 Property Maintenance.  He would like a paragraph about what can be considered lawn landscape, specifically old rubber tires.  It needs to also specify how many feet from property lines can the tires be placed.  Suzette will be calling other cities to see how their ordinance is read.

 

Mark also spoke with the city attorney about Ordinance #69.12 Outdoor Storage of Motor Vehicles.  Mark would like this ordinance revised.  Suzette will call other cities regarding this Ordinance.

 

The Ordinance discussion will be tabled until October meeting.

 

The Clyde Throndson Jr property at 307 E Spring was discussed.  He has a motor bike track in his back yard.  The city mailed a certified abatement letter to Clyde Throndson Jr in August to inform him of the ordinance in violation.  John Izer agreed to speak with Clyde regarding the motor bike track.

 

An abatement letter was mailed to James Bergeson property at 105 S Benz St to inform him of the ordinances in violation.  He has not requested a hearing with City Council.  The next step is the call attorney for the city to abate the nuisance.  Motion made by King to start the abatement process with city attorney.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  King, Izer, Kuehner and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

Dawn Croell filled a Citizen Complain form for the council to review.  Her complain was the Hole In the Wall had broken equipment behind the building.  Jay went behind the Hole In Wall and didn’t see any broken equipment and spoke with Brittney.  She told them they had a broken pizza under a tarp on her property.  They are waiting for an insurance claim on the oven before they can through it out.

 

Mark discussed the Box Culvert project.  Fehr Graham Engineering & Environment sent over the proposal for Civil Design and Construction Engineering services Box Culvert Improvements for Mark to sign.  This will put the project up for bids.  Motion made by King to accept the Fehr Graham proposal.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  King, Izer, Kuehner and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

 

Next meeting will be October 2, 2023 at 7:00pm.

 

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

Ayes:  Izer, Kuehner, Scheidel and King

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

 

 

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

August 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

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

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

 

Council members present:  King, Izer, Croell and Kuehner

Council members absent:  Scheidel

 

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Aiden Holthaus, Eric Holthaus, Lee Moorman, Liz Nieman-Simmons, Renee Huinker, Steve Lynch, Jane Lynch, Sandy Busta, Ashley Ewing and Mike Wilcoxson

 

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda.

Second by Croell.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

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

Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ARAMARK RUGS 271.4
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 3,198.25
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC TIRE CARLISLE 262.44
STANTON ELECTRIC   1,170.00
UPS   41.14
TEST AMERICA drinking water 95.6
EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 1,650.81
IPERS IPERS 1,235.86
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 240.76
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 5,938.48
CASH   544.24
FIVE STAR COOP WEED SPRAY PARKS 137.5
HAWKINS AZONE 775.75
BLAZEK CORPORATION lagoon 715.09
TEAM LAB TERMINATOR II WEED KILLER 514.5
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE JULY MINUTES 86.11
ROGER DRECKMAN PITTS ST FROM CHESTNUT TO 54,332.00
ULINE PARK SUPPLIES 265.54
DNR ANNUAL PERMIT FEE 254.67
CHICKASAW COUNTY SHERIFF DRIVE THROUTH CONTRACT 6,090.00
ANDERSON ONE CONF. W/MARK 120
INRCOT FY24 DUES 215.18
IOWA RURAL WATER TRAING 170
USABLUEBOOK   1,079.32
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY INC RADIO READS 1,725.66
IOWA ONE CALL EMAIL 9
STATE HYGIENIC LAB   21
VISA – J UHLENHAKE   113.21
VISA – S BYRNE   179.36
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT   39.68
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 6,059.95 REVENUE
  CLAIMS TOTAL 87,552.50 65382.95
  GENERAL FUND 11,784.63 3714.96
  SANITATION FUND 3,198.25 3115.69
  ARPA-AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND 54,332.00
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 787.48 3838.88
  WATER FUND 4,237.27 7319.02
  SEWER FUND 4,094.05 7493.70
  ELECTRIC FUND 9,118.82 27793.98
LOST 4593.90
DEBT SERVICE 1495.70
WATER SINKING FUND 1685.00
SEWER SINKING FUND 3131.67
STORM WATER 1200.45

 

LIBRARY

EFTPS QTR 1 2023 PENALTY 36.23
IPERS IPERS 284.54
INGRAM BOOKS 209.72
PETTY CASH PETTY CASH 86.43
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RENEWAL 2023 15.97
HAWKEYE INTERCONNECT   31.36
MIDWEST LIVING   6
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 1,379.79
  CLAIMS TOTAL 2,050.04
  GENERAL FUND 2,050.04

 

Aiden Holthaus, a senior at Turkey Valley High School explained an Eagle Scout project he is working on.  He would like to put benches at Junko Park on concrete pads.  He is working with Jay of where to put these benches and concrete pads.  He is collected donations as part of the project.  Motion made by King to allow Aiden Holthaus to put is Eagle Scout in Junko Park.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Croell, Izer and Kuehner

Nayes; None

Absent: Scheidel

Motion passed.

 

Lawler Library Board updated the council regarding the Library Expansion.  FEH Design informed the library board the library will need the whole room about 1800 square feet.  FEH Design will need to plan out the different areas needed for the library.  Next step the library board will work on a budget plan.  The council has asked to keep contractor, plumbing, etc. with the local area.  The library has asked the council to make a couple of changes in the agreement to transfer room to library.  The library will be moving the kitchenette and changing the countertop.  There will be more discussion regarding changes in the September 2023 meeting.

 

Lee Moorman discussed the abatement letter he received regarding his property.  He asked the council if he could have a couple of months to find some help with shingles to get fixed and clean up the trees.   Motion made by Croell to give Lee Moorman time to find the help he needs to clean up the property.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  Croell, Izer, Kuehner and King

Nayes: None

Absent: Scheidel

Motion passed.

 

Mike Wilcoxson and Ashley Ewing discussed the abatement letter they received regarding their property.  The city is asking for them to clean up the property.  Clean up would be stored on side of home.  Clean up and organize toys lying around property.  The council has let them know they cannot have more than one car per licensed driver living in home parked outside. The city was trying to explain the ordinance to them and they raised their voices.  Mike left the meeting before the council made a decision.

 

Liz Nieman-Simmons explained to the council Barb Smith donated a little library to the Turkey Valley Gala.  Mary Burns bought it and donated it back to Liz Nieman-Simmons and would like it to be set up at Highland Park in memory of her daughter, Lucy Nieman.  Liz is asking the council permission to set this up in Highland Park and would be temporary so it can be moved in the winter months.  Motion made by Croell to allow the little library to be set up in Highland Park.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  Croell, Izer, Kuehner and King

Nayes: None

Absent: Scheidel

Motion passed.

 

The council reviewed the Municipal Infraction draft for the Curran property by the city attorney John Anderson.  Motion made by Croell for Mayor Mark Muetherthies to sign the municipal infraction and mail to City Attorney John Anderson to file with the court.  Second by Izer.

Ayes:  Croell, Izer, Kuehner and King

Nayes: None

Absent: Scheidel

Motion passed.

 

Mark told the council the city has been approved for $1 million interest fee loan and 30% down payment to repair the 4 bridges within the city.  Jay will be seeking bids for contractors.  Kurt is also working the Governor Kim Reynolds for help with the creek.

Motion made by Croell to call engineer for the bridge repair. Second by Izer.

Ayes: Croell, Izer, Kuehner and King

Nayes: None

Absent: Scheidel

 

Mark spoke with the ambulance board regarding the 28E agreement with the city.  The ambulance is doing well in the first 6 months and if continue to do well, the payment per city can decrease.

 

Mayor Mark Muetherthies commented on the $50,000 of ARPA money the city asked the county for.  The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors turned the money down for the City of Lawler.  He tried to call Travis Suckow, Lawler’s county representation.  Mark wanted to know why Travis Suckow voted to give Nashua $50,000 for their dam repair who he doesn’t’ represent and voted against the $50,000 for Lawler where he does represent.  Travis did not return his call.  Kurt Croell will go to supervisors meeting August 14, 2023 to ask these questions.

 

Next meeting will be September 5, 2023 at 7:00pm.

 

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

Ayes:  Izer, Kuehner, Croell and King

Nays:  None

Absent: Scheidel

Motion passed.

 

 

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk