Lawler, Iowa Posts

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

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on May 6, 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, Lee Moorman, Renea Huinker, John Cuvelier and Lucas Elsbernd

Motion made by King to approve the agenda with addition of Fehr Graham

Second by Scheidel.   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

John Cuvelier with Insurance Associates discussed the current renewal insurance policy.  The premium had increased around $537.00.  He let the council know if the current deductible for wind and hail damage to property for $2,500 was increased to $5,000 it would save the city $1,300 per year of premium savings.  Motion made by King to increase insurance deductible to cover wind and hail damage to property.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  King, Roberson, Wilson and Scheidel

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve liquor license renewals for The Brite Spot, Bucky’s and Irish Fest and approval of cigarette permit for Bucky’s.  Second by Wilson.

Ayes: Scheidel, Wilson, King and Roberson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by King to approve building permit for Gordon and Theresa Sawyer located 208 N Lincoln.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: King, Scheidel, Roberson and Wilson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve building permit for Derek and Kelsey Panos located 202 S Owl St.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes: Scheidel, Roberson, King and Wilson

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to open Public Hearing for hazard mitigation.  Second by King.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Wilson and Roberson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed

Leon Begay with INRGOG explained the Update for Chickasaw County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  There were no comments regarding the Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Motion made by King to close Public Haring. Second by Roberson.

Ayes: King, Roberson, Wilson and Scheidel

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Resolution #2024-05062024-2 adopting the Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update. Second by King.

Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

Renea Huinker gave an update on the library renovation.  Currently there are 12 new patrons using the library.  The library plans to be open during Irish Fest for the open house.  The library purchased shades for the front windows.  The two new windows are leaking and will be getting fixed.

Lucas Elsbernd with Fehr Graham gave the council paper copies of the changes discussed last month with the council.

Lee Moorman informed the council he has had the electricity and water turned on for his property at 203 S Center St.  He is asking for more time to clean up property. He informed the city council he does not have the funding.  This project will take time.  Motion made by King to give Mr. Moorman 90 days to show improvement and have a plan to clean up property or the city will continue with a nuisance abatement,  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  King, Roberson, Scheidel and Wilson

Nays:  None

Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by King to approve Resolution #2024-05062024 transfer $70,000 from LOST Fund to the General Fund.  Second by Scheidel.

Ayes: King, Scheidel, Wilson and Roberson

Nays: None

Absent: Croell

The city receive a letter from the Office of the Auditor of State inform the city the city is required to have and annual examination for the fiscal year ending June 30. 2024.  Suzette will be contacting the Dana Davis with the Office of Auditor of State for the state to perform the annual exam.

Mayor Mueterthies was questioned regarding voting in Lawler.  After some research he received information about Satellite Absentee Voting.  Satellite voting stations provide in-person voting at other places other than the auditor’s office.  The city may request a satellite station by filing a petition with the county auditor.  The petition must contain signatures of 100 eligible electors living in the jurisdiction.  If this came to Lawler, we would need volunteer workers.

Next meeting will be June 3, 2024

Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:58pm.  Second by Roberson.

Ayes:  Wilson, King, Scheidel, and Roberson

Nays:  None

Motion passed.

Suzette Byrne

City Clerk