City of Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes — May 2020

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on May 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present: King, Izer, Croell and Scheidel

Council members absent:  Kuehner

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake and Kurt Croell

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda with the following additions, Railroad Road Closures, Powerline, Utility Billing – Precision of New Hampton, Inc.  Second by Izer   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid.   Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

WINDSTREAM PHONE 113.86
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,193.02
STANTON ELECTRIC NEW TRANSFORMER CROELL HUGEBAC 1,211.16
RILEY’S REPLACE DRUMS 95
TEST AMERICA   114.45
EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 1,443.15
IPERS IPERS 1,078.13
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 224.2
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 21,661.41
FIVE STAR COOP SUN N SHADE SEED 188.83
HAWKINS AZONE 290.8
BROWN SUPPLY CO BURIED POWER LINES SIGNS 840
BLAZEK CORPORATION WATER MAIN BY CITY SHOP 703.08
TEAM LAB   1,560.68
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE WATER QUALITY REPORT 232.46
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY FEB, MAR, APRIL PYMT 3,450.00
ROGER DRECKMAN POST OFFICE 11,030.00
QUILL CORPORATION BOXES 43.99
UNITES STATES POSTAL   64
MARK KRIENER 1 HR TILLING 50
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL TRACTOR PAYMENT 8,009.34
PV BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 2020 OSHA COMPLIANCE JRNL 298.5
BMC AGGREGATES LC CLASS A ROADSTONE 174.4
VISA – J UHLENHAKE BEVERAGE CENTER 204.3
GWORKS W2 FORMS 55.8
DEPOSIT REFUNDS REFUND DATE 05/05/2020 226.12
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 5,235.01
  CLAIMS TOTAL 60,791.69 REVENUE
  GENERAL FUND 16,553.55 39856.52
  SANITATION FUND 2,193.02 2540.77
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 696.01 4328.41
  DEBT SERVICE FUND 8,009.34 704.9
  WATER FUND 4,587.11 6957.42
  SEWER FUND 3,533.37 7639.26
  ELECTRIC FUND 24,993.17 26976.96
  DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND 226.12

 

Utility Billing with Precision of New Hampton at 105 Langreck Lane was discussed.  Precision of New Hampton sent a letter requesting an allowance of minimum billing while the property sits empty.  Suzette had said if water is left on the minimum fee is charged to home owner per city ordinance.   If water is turned off, then there would not be a minimum fee.  The home owner had told Suzette they would like the water left on with no minimum payment.   Kurt Croell said he would discuss with Dennis Hanson who is the owner of the property.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve The Brite Spot liquor license.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Bucky’s liquor license.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to approve Building Permit for Gary and Nancy Cuvelier.  Second by Scheidel. All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Suzette explained the FY20 Budget needs to be amended before May 31, 2020.  Unexpected expenses within the General Fund are the reason for the amendment.  Motion made by Scheidel to set Public Hearing to approve FY20 Budget Amendment for May 18, 2020 at 7:00pm in City Hall.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

Resolution No. 05042020-1 Authorizing Transfer of Funds for Local Option Sales Tax fund to the General Fund As of May 4, 2020 was presented to Council.  Motion made by King to approve Resolution No. 05042020-1. Second by Izer.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

The city received street bids from Roger Dreckman Construction and Croell Redi Mix. Inc.  Croell Redi Mix put in a bid using rebar and another bid with fiber mesh.  Kurt Croell explained the advantage of using fiber mesh instead of rebar.  Since Roger Dreckman only bid using rebar it was decided to allow Roger Dreckman Construction to also bid using fiber mesh.  Motion made by Scheidel to allow Roger Dreckman Construction to send in bid using fiber mesh to be discussed May 18, 2020 at special meeting.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

The council discussed Roger Dreckman Construction to remove curb and sidewalk on corner of Grove and Benz by Fire Station and replace with handicap mats installed.   Also to remove curb and sidewalk on corner of Grove and Depot by Post Office and replace with handicap mats installed.  Saw and remove concrete and replace approach to City Shop.  Motion made by King to accept Roger Deskman Construction bid.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Nuisance complaints with in the city were discussed.  Nuisance letters will be sent out to residents and they will have 30 days from date of letter to correct the nuisance before the city will take further action.  Motion made by King to send letters.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Mark Mueterthies informed the council the city will be closing the street crossings located at Brush Street and Center Street which was agreed upon with Canadian Pacific Railroad on June 3, 2017.

Dale updated the council regarding the Power Line which will be buried along the railroad.  This line stretches across Iowa.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be Monday, June 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Kingo and second by Croell to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

Notice of Public Hearing — Lawler City Budget

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
AMENDMENT OF FY2019-2020 CITY BUDGET
Form 653.C1
     The City Council of Lawler in CHICKASAW County, Iowa
will meet at City Hall
at 7:00 PM on 5/18/2020
(hour) (Date)
 ,for the purpose of amending the current budget of the city for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020
(year)
 by changing estimates of revenue and expenditure appropriations in the following programs for the reasons
given. Additional detail is available at the city clerk’s office showing revenues and expenditures by fund type
 and by activity.
Total Budget Total Budget
as certified Current after Current
or last amended Amendment Amendment
Revenues & Other Financing Sources
Taxes Levied on Property 1 0 0 0
Less: Uncollected Property Taxes-Levy Year 2 0 0 0
   Net Current Property Taxes 3 0 0 0
Delinquent Property Taxes 4 0 0 0
TIF Revenues 5 0 0 0
Other City Taxes 6 0 0 0
Licenses & Permits 7 0 0 0
Use of Money and Property 8 0 0 0
Intergovernmental 9 0 0 0
Charges for Services 10 0 0 0
Special Assessments 11 0 0 0
Miscellaneous 12 0 0 0
Other Financing Sources 13 0 0 0
Tranfers In 14 0 0 0
Total Revenues and Other Sources 15 0 0 0
Expenditures & Other Financing Uses
Public Safety 16 0 0 0
Public Works 17 0 0 0
Health and Social Services 18 0 0 0
Culture and Recreation 19 0 0 0
Community and Economic Development 20 0 0 0
General Government 21 0 15,200 15,200
Debt Service 22 0 0 0
Capital Projects 23 0 0 0
    Total Government Activities Expenditures 24 0 15,200 15,200
Business Type / Enterprises 25 0 0 0
Total Gov Activities & Business Expenditures 26 0 15,200 15,200
 Transfers Out 27 0 0 0
Total Expenditures/Transfers Out 28 0 15,200 15,200
Excess Revenues & Other Sources Over
(Under) Expenditures/Transfers Out for Fiscal Year 29 0 -15,200 -15,200
Beginning Fund Balance July 1 30 0 0 0
Ending Fund Balance June 30 31 0 -15,200 -15,200
Explanation of increases or decreases in revenue estimates, appropriations, or available cash:
Unexpected water heater repair in city hall and budgeted expenses to be paid in FY19 were paid in FY20

RIP John Francis Tierney, Former Lawler Resident

Unable to locate obituary, but this is what I was able to find out:

John Francis Tierney died on Good Friday, 2020, at age 84.  John, and his wife Judy, lived in Frankfurt, IL. However, he mostly lived and coached in Homewood, Illinois.

John is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Jill, and sons Steve, Scott, Mark.  (All sons played Div 1 basketball.)

Picture of 1951-52 Lawler Boys’ Basketball Team of which John was a member. Note: you can click on the picture a couple times to enlarge it.

Also, see comment section below and feel free to add if  you like.

Message from your City Clerk

“Homeland Energy donated a tote of Alcohol Antiseptic Topical Solution (hand sanitizer)to the City Of Lawler. Any citizens that would like to fill bottles are welcome to. Thank you Homeland Energy. You can also mix with Aloe for a gel type solution . This is located on South side of Lawler Fire Station. This will be ready for pickup anytime tomorrow, April 21, 2020. Take what you need without being GREEDY!

Thank you to Homeland Energy for the donation.”

What Really Matters by Bill Sheridan (former Lawler resident)

What Really Matters

Perhaps because my dad died at the age of 47, when I was only seven, I’ve always been drawn to stories about fathers and sons.

So, I vividly recall a little piece written several decades ago in ‘Reader’s Digest’ by a man who asked his adult son, “What was the most memorable experience you had with me as a kid?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the son answered. And that answer stunned his father.

“I fully expected him to say it was when we saw the San Fran Giants play the LA Dodgers in a home game. Or our family trip to the Grand Canyon. Or his first plane ride. Or when we took him to Cape Canaveral to witness a space launch.”

Instead, the son said, “The time you and I stopped to catch butterflies under that bridge!”

“What bridge? I have no recollection of the incident. When did it happen? And why do you remember it so well?”

“I was about ten. One afternoon I rode along with you on a sales call in the country. When I saw those beautiful butterflies, I asked if we could stop and catch some, expecting you to say no. But you did stop. And we had a blast!”

His son’s reaction had an impact on the writer as he pondered about potential relationships with his yet unborn grandchildren. He now understood that their ‘time’ spent together would be ‘what really matters.
’
The story has stuck in my memory-bank for decades.

So recently, at age 76, I asked our three sons, who grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa the same question. I did so without giving them a clue about how to respond.

We also had done the ‘big’ things: like flying to California and visiting Disney Land, riding a passenger-train along the Pacific Ocean toward Santa Cruz, a family vacay to Philadelphia and Washington, DC, a Minnesota Viking football game, trips to Florida, going to a rodeo in Cheyanne, Wyoming, and many other family events.

Following are their answers, with my reaction in parenthesis.

Ed (54) Iowa City, IA: “Pedaling on my bike to your insurance office where you would buy me a bottle of Mountain Dew from the vending machine. I always enjoyed it when you took me on a sales call, driving out in the country to a farm home. That was fun and I think you sold a policy every time I was with you.” (Melts my heart)

Tommie (51) Atlantic Beach, FL: “I remember going into your high school classroom at St. Edmond and you would show us off to your students. That was always fun. And going down to your insurance office where there was a coffee-maker, but I always drank hot chocolate instead. And the day I went with you on a sales call in Boone about an hour away from where Pope John Paul the Second said Mass at Living History Farms in Des Moines. I tried, without success, to talk you into going! (Wow! For a do-over on that one.) And how you always parked so far away from the church when we went to Sunday Mass. (None of the three have forgiven me for that minor idiosyncrasy. To this day they refer me as to Clark Griswold!). And Saturday morning breakfasts at D’Laney’s Restaurant. They made the best hash browns in Iowa.

Greg (48) West Des Moines, IA: “Fishing Saturday mornings in that farmer’s private pond. We caught a Bluegill fish every time we threw a line in the water! (Not an exaggeration). Getting into the booth at Dodger Stadium with you on cold Friday nights when you did the announcing for St. Edmond football games. Breakfast at D’Laney’s. Working in my first real job for $3.35/hour at your office filing and copying. Riding along on sales calls. I remember going to Bode with you one time. (30 miles away, population 298).

So, my conclusions?

That we were blessed with three terrific sons.

That what we think are big things in our minds are not always the really big things.

That kids are paying attention whether we know it or not.
That we sometimes do things right. And sometimes things not so right.

And that doing my best with and for the people I love is ‘what really matters,’ every day and in every way.

Oh, and if you promise not to tell my boys I will share a little secret with you. Now that they are ‘all-growed-up and gone,’ I park much closer to the church on Sunday.

Bill Sheridan

City of Lawler Council Meeting Minutes — April 2020

The Lawler City Council met in electronic/phone session on April 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Council members absent:  none

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the Agenda.  Second by Kuehner   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.

WINDSTREAM PHONE 103.14
ARAMARK RUGS 76.6
BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO 2020 LAWNMOWER 3,750.00
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,193.02
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC FITTING DUMP TRUCK 44.59
STANTON ELECTRIC HOUSE SERVICE 408 N BENZ 312.23
UPS   61.46
TEST AMERICA DRINKING WATER 50.75
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 281.26
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 23,767.01
CASH GAS-PICKUP 299.23
FIVE STAR COOP DIESEL TRACTOR 79.04
HAWKINS AZONE 546.79
BROWN SUPPLY CO   164
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE LEGAL MINUTES 75.73
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS   3,443.25
QUILL CORPORATION COPY PAPER 132.47
UNITES STATES POSTAL 10 COILS POSTCARD 625
INSURANCE ASSOCIATES COMM CYBER RENEWAL 750
GARY CUVELIER SNOW REMOVAL 2019-2020 165
DOT SALT ROCK 1,135.26
VISA – J UHLENHAKE TOOL BOX FOR PICKUP 310.29
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 5,081.01
  CLAIMS TOTAL 43,447.13 REVENUE
  GENERAL FUND 9,364.25 1050.3
  SANITATION FUND 2,193.02 2311.48
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 1,078.02 1883.96
  WATER FUND 2,362.38 6670.71
  SEWER FUND 3,026.87 9309.8
  ELECTRIC FUND 25,422.59 32672.41

Motion made by King to approve Hole in the Wall liquor license.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Croell to approve Starlite Ballroom liquor license.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

The lift station quote from Stanton Electric was discussed.  The quote is to remove and replace old generator and transfer switch with a new 45 KW 120/208 3 phase L.P. generator and automatic transfer switch. Battery, charger and cold weather kit included.  L.P. tank, piping, or associated items are NOT included in the quote.  The total price is $ 25,632.00.  Motion made by Croell to accept Stanton Electric bid.  Second by King.  Motion passed.

Emergency Protocol was discussed in case the Covid-19 affects Jay Uhlenhake or Suzette Byrne.    Jay had contacted Ray Armbrecht to help with water testing.   Dale has volunteered to help out daily.  Dawn Croell volunteered to help in the office for Suzette.

The City of Lawler will be taking out bids to remove and replace Center St. from Grove to Pitts Streets 20’ x 680’ with rebar 3 ft on center.  Replace 2 manholes and redo radius corner on Grove ST. tar the saw joints, fill in along edges of street.  The bids will be discussed at the May council meeting, May 4, 2020.

The council discussed fixing the Grove Street corners making them handicapped accessible.  It was also discussed repairing Depot Street and Grove Street near City Shop.  Suzette went through the street fund budget with the council.  After Lincoln Street is replaced and salaries have been paid there should be about $14, 200 left in Street Fund.   Motion made by Croell to table the handicap repairs and use the remaining street fund money to repair Depot Street and Grove Street near city shop.   Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Mark is concerned with hog sites building close to the city limits.  Mark spoke with Ray Armel, Chickasaw County Assessor regarding the city zoning ordinance.  Mark would like to annex 1 mile of ground into the city.  This would allow more city control to what can be built near the city limits.  King made a motion to extend city limits to 1 mile.  Second by Izer.  Motion carried.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Scheidelo and second by Croell to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

Lawler City Council Meeting — April 7, 2020

City of Lawler

414 E. Grove St.

PO Box 215

Lawler, IA  52154

563-238-3614

 

AGENDA

 

 

                                                      REGULAR MEETING

                                                      April 7, 2020

                                                      7:00 PM

Electronic Meeting

Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.8

The Public can attend telephone by calling into the meeting using the dial-in number and following the prompts to enter the access code

Dial-in number: 1-408-650-3123  ID:439-959-557

 

  1. ROLL CALL.
  2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA WITH ANY ADDITIONS.
  3. APPROVAL & CORRECTIONS, IF ANY, OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND APPROVAL OF THE BILLS PRESENTED TO BE PAID.
  4. MAYORS COMMENTS.
  5. BUSINESS:
  6. Liquor License Renewal

          – Hole in the Wall

          – Starlite Ballroom

  1. Lift station Generator
  2. Emergency Protocol – Corona Virus
  3. Street
  4. Zoning Ordinance
  5. Delinquents
  6. ADJOURNMENT.

Lawler Irish Fest 2020 Canceled

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

After careful thought and discussion by the Board of Directors for Lawler Irish Fest, we are sad to announce that Lawler Irish Fest will NOT take place in 2020.

As the world is still greatly affected by the spread of COVID-19, we cannot in good conscience risk the health and well-being of the community, artists and volunteers.

Could we have waited to make this call? Yes, but we needed to act now so no financial harm was done.

We greatly appreciate your understanding. Our actions are in the best interest of the community based on the information we have in front of us today. Thoughts of a scaled down event later in the summer/fall were also discussed. Watch here for any announcement in that regard.

Please keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and safe!

Thank you!