The Lawler City Council met in regular session on March 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM.

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

 

Council members present:   King, Scheidel, Croell and Kuehner(phone) absent: Izer

 

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Cathy Humpal, Stephanie Tangen, Emily Eppens, Neil Jones, Lisa Agrimenti, Rodney Vrzak and Jason Byrne

 

Motion made by Croell to approve the Agenda with addition of Nuisances.

Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid.

Second by Croell.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ARAMARK	RUGS	208.82
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	2,560.88
POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO.	PEST	56.68
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC	DUMP TRUCK	1,932.18
UPS		46.5
TEST AMERICA		75.6
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAXES	1,416.73
IPERS	IPERS	1,072.42
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	743.36
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	24,044.94
CASH	GAS PICKUP	547.87
BROWN SUPPLY CO	WATER REPAIR	365
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	PH BUDGET FY22/23	186.24
DRILLINGS	RANGER	8,555.25
ANDERSON	PHONE CALL W/MAYOR RE: 204 S	45
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY INC	RADIO READS	1,725.66
IOWA UTILITIES BOARD	IUB LABOR ASSESSMENT	112.5
IAMU	MEMBER DUES	2,181.00
VISA – J UHLENHAKE	GAS	95.12
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT		42.57
BARCO PRODUCTS	CROELL PICNIC TABLES	9,791.95
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	5,244.43
	CLAIMS TOTAL	61,050.70	REVENUE
	GENERAL FUND	17,394.14	3154.18
	SANITATION FUND	2,560.88	2654.74
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	1,089.71	3781.88
	WATER FUND	5,232.69	7367.41
	SEWER FUND	4,830.82	9634.57
	ELECTRIC FUND	29,942.46	31668.29

 

Ordinance NO.  2021-3 to vacate portion City Street – Diagonal Street was reviewed for approval.  Motion made by Scheidel to approve Ordinance NO,  2021-3.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Scheidel, King, and Kuehner (phone)

Nayes: None

Abstain:  Croell

Motion passed.

 

The current Mienergy agreement still has the Hawkeye Tri-County Electric Cooperative name on it since July 2008.  It should be updated  to the correct name.  Kurt mentioned to negotiate with other utility companies to possibly update the city transformers.  Jay informed the council the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities is looking at rate studies to get pricing with other companies.

 

Spring cleanup dates were discussed.  Suzette will call to ask if April 23^rd or April 30^th will work for them to drop off 2 dumpsters.

 

The city will be selling the 1990 Ford dump truck with a start of a minimum $6,000 sealed bid to be sent to city hall.  Suzette will place an ad in the paper, Facebook and website.

 

Mark gave an ambulance update.  A feasibility company will be having interviews with supervisors, hospitals, fire departments, city councils and entities.  Jason Byrne let the council know they need more business for the feasibility study.  Kurt will help with finding more business to interview.  Mark said they need to contact Jeff Bernatz for an interview time.

 

Motion made by Croell to open Public Hearing to approve  Budget FY22-23, Resolution NO,  2022-03072022.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes:  Croell, Scheidel, King and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed:

 

The council reviewed Budget FY22-23 for approval.  No questions were asked.

 

Motion made by King to close public hearing. Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Croell, Scheidel and Kuehner(phone

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Budget FY22-23, Resolution NO:  2022-03072022.  Second by King.

Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Croell and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes; Non

Motion passed.

 

Mark and Kurt gave update on the Flood Grant update.  Mark had Jay and Suzette send pictures and flood damage costs to Mark Newell with the state.  Kurt will follow-up with the Department of Ag.

 

Stephanie Tangen discussed with the council the property to the east of her property is deteriorating.     The garage door was open and was concerned with the chance of dangerous animals could be living in there.  Since the house and garage are deteriorating, it brings property values of surrounding property.   The city will put this on the April agenda.

 

Motion by King to open  the Public Hearing regarding the Soo Green project.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: King, Croell, Scheidel and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Neil Jones with Soo Green HVDC Link presented a presentation regarding the project to maintain a new 525 kilovolt underground high –voltage direct current electric transmission line (Project)in the City and within City-owned property. The Project will transfer energy, including pints wet, between Mason City, IA and Yorkville, IL.  The Project route within the City will be located entirely with existing railroad rights of way.  Soo Green needs a franchise from the City authorizing Soo Green to erect, maintain and operate the Project.

 

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

Ayes: Scheidel, Croell, King and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the franchise with Soo Green. Second by King.

Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Croell and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed:

 

Motion made by Croell to waive the 2^nd and 3^rd reading.  Second by King.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Croell and Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Delinquents were discussed.

 

Next meeting will be April 4, 2022..

 

Motion made by Croell to adjourn meeting.  Second by King.

Ayes:  King, Scheidel, Croell, Kuehner(phone)

Nayes: None

Motion passed.   Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm

 

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on February 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM.

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

 

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

 

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Roger Dreckman, Cathy Humpal and Stephanie Tangen

 

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda

Second by Kuehner.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Kuehner to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid.

Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

ARAMARK	RUGS	208.82
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	2,560.07
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC		66.65
UPS		127.76
TEST AMERICA	DRINKING WATER	75.6
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAXES	1,436.38
IPERS	IPERS	1,085.32
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	557.34
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	22,157.85
CASH		339.32
HAWKINS	AZONE	426.29
IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES	SALES TAX	2,254.00
BLAZEK CORPORATION	WATER MAIN BREAK	807.5
TEAM LAB	WEED KILLER	1,701.50
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	JANUARY 2022 MINUTES	160.72
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY	2ND QTR FY21-22 PAYMENT	3,450.00
IWD		6.85
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY INC	RADIO READS	1,725.66
TERRY DURIN CO		837
MARC	WEED KILLER	1,522.32
NEICA	DONATION 2022	439
REGION 1 AWWA	TRAINING	25
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT	PHONE	58.3
TRUCK COMPANY	DUMP TRUCK 2022	39,062.50
DES MOINES STAMP MFG. CO.	ENDOREMENT STAMP	38.9
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	5,304.00
	CLAIMS TOTAL	86,434.65	REVENUE
	GENERAL FUND	35,137.13	4,211.89
	SANITATION FUND	2,560.07	2,626.12
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	747.24	3,895.94
	EMERGENCY FUND		106.80
	LOCAL OPTION TAX		4,603.42
	WATER FUND	7,979.27	7,013.18
	SEWER FUND	9,917.28	7,372.79
	ELECTRIC FUND	30,093.66	28,551.97

 

Suzette gave Gwen Kuehner and Kurt Croell the Oath of Office as Council persons.  Gwen and Kurt accepted.

 

Due to limited council members, Ordinance NO 2021-3 was tabled until next meeting March 7, 2022.

 

King made motion to set Public Hearing to approve Budget FY22/23 for March 7, 2022 at 7:15pm at city hall.   Kuehner seconded.

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Jay looked at the dump truck with snow plow attachment.  He let the council know it looked good to buy.  Suzette informed council it is in the Budget FY21/22 for purchase.  Croell made motion for the city to purchase the dump truck for $39,000.00 from Truck Country of Wisconsin.   King seconded.

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed

 

Motion made by Croell to sell the ’89 Dump truck with sander blade to public first and then look on line to sell.  Kind seconded.

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Soo Green is requesting the city to set a Public Hearing for granting a franchise to SOO Green HVDC Projectco, LLC to construct, operate and maintain a new 525 Kilovolt underground high-voltage direct current electric transmission line in the City and within City-owned property.

Motion made by Croell to set Public Hearing March 7, 2022 at 7:20p.m.  Second by Kuehner

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Mark discussed the Ambulance.  There is a 6 month extension at $24,500 monthly.  County supervisors are working on feasible study.

 

Motion made by King to open public hearing.

Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Suzette presented the council with the Proposed Property Tax Levy for Proposed fiscal year 22/23.

 

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

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by King to approve Resolution NO. 202-02072022 approving the maximum property tax dollars requested for Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.  Second by Croell.

Ayes: King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed

 

Cathy Humpal resented the council with the library budget.  She explained the Library is a Tier 3 accredited library with Enrich Iowa to receive revenue from.   She informed the council she is pleased with the Budget for FY 22/23.

 

Mark and Kurt gave an update regarding the funding for the Flood mitigation.  A meeting is scheduled with the Flood Center to receive enough information in the next 30 days, so that the City of Lawler is able to begin seeking funding with the detailed report to follow later this summer.

 

Upcoming Budget FY22-23 was discussed.  Suzette update Kurt and Gwen on the Budget figures discussed at last month’s meeting.  Kurt was requesting information regarding the cities balance on the SRF water loan, SRF sewer loan and the sewer loan.  Suzette said she would look up the balances in the morning and have them at the next meeting.

 

Motion made by King to adjourn meeting.  Second by Croell.

Ayes:  King, Kuehner and Croell

Nayes: None

Motion passed.   Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm

 

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk