Lawler, Iowa

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on March 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present: Kuehner, King and Scheidel

Council members absent:  Izer and Croell

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake and Shirley Murray

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda with one addition of snow plow truck. Second by Scheidel.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Kuehner to approve the previous minutes with the change of correcting the spelling of Dawn Croell’s  name and current bills to be paid.   Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

WINDSTREAM	PHONE	106.7
ARAMARK	RUGS	146.6
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	1,908.74
POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO.	PEST	56.68
UPS		163.9
RILEY’S	TONER	539.8
TEST AMERICA	DRINKING WATER	50.75
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAX	1,398.95
IPERS	IPERS	1,049.63
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	334.4
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	26,233.20
CASH	PICKUP GAS	290.41
FIVE STAR COOP	DIESEL TRACTOR SNOW	85.22
IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES	SALES TAX	1,121.00
BLAZEK CORPORATION	WATER MAIN BREAK BY CITY SHOP	1,310.50
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	FY20/21 PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET	149.32
ROGER DRECKMAN	10 HOURS SNOW REMOVAL @$10	100
IAMU	MEMBER DUES	2,040.00
DENNIS UNGS	Windows 10 upgrade	164
INSURANCE ASSOCIATES	INSURANCE	23,855.00
REGION 1 AWWA	WATER WORKS MEETING	25
VISA – J UHLENHAKE	ELECTRI BOOM TRUCK CHAIN	24.3
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	5,104.59
	CLAIMS TOTAL	66,258.69	REVENUE
	GENERAL FUND	28,216.47	5,889.60
	SANITATION FUND	1,908.74	2,310.90
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	928.83	4,712.38
	WATER FUND	3,599.57	6,412.22
	SEWER FUND	1,913.42	7,518.41
	ELECTRIC FUND	29,691.66	29,319.57

Shirley Murray was concerned who owned the Croell Park Property since the Lions Club is raising money for the shelter to be constructed in Croell Park.  Mark presented the deed recorded with Chickasaw County December 11, 1987 which stated Roger Croell purchased the property from the railroad for $.50 and sold the property to the City of Lawler for $1.00.

Two bids for new lawnmower were presented to the council from Bodensteiner Implement Co. and P & K Midwest Inc.  Both were quoted for a John Deere Signature Series.  Bodensteiner bid $11,385 with trade in of $7,635 for a price of $3,750.  P & K Midwest bid $11,615 with trade in of $5,725 for a price of $5,890.00.  Motion made by King to accept Bodensteiner Implement Co.  bid.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Kuehner to open public hearing.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Suzette presented the FY20/21 Budget.  No comments were made.

King made motion to close public hearing.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Kuehner to approve Resolution #3022020 to approve Annual Budget for the Fiscal year Ending June 30, 2021.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Jay Uhlenhake and Dale King drove the streets in the city looking at the roads for repair.   A list was made and discussed with the council.  It would be cheaper to use concrete for repairing a whole road.  The council discussed which roads could be patched with Blacktop services.  Suzette presented the Budget report (expenses) with the amount of money unexpended this FY19/20 for the Public Works fund for the Roads expense.  The expenses of removing and repaving the concrete on N Lincoln street will be deducted and the remainder of the salaries until the end of June 2020 also will be deducted.   Street repair has been Budgeted in the FY20/21 Budget.  The council decided to table for next month.

The city Code of Ordinances will be updated in July 2020.  The council discussed the ordinances that need to be changed or add.  Some examples are adding a snow emergency ordinance which would require no parking vehicles on the snow during snow removal.  Councilman Dale King made a list of the current ordinances to be updated.  The council decided to table for next month to give the council members time to look over their Ordinance book.

John Cuvelier, Insurance Associates of Lawler discussed with Suzette the possibility of lowering coverage on some of the older vehicles.  The council will discuss with John Cuvelier at the April meeting.

Soo Green HVDC Link a green energy transmission project that would be located underground within the railroad right-of-way and crosses in the corporate limits of Lawler.  The Iowa Utilities Board has scheduled an informational meeting for Chickasaw County and cities to learn more about the proposal as part of the state permitting process.  This meeting will be held March 13, 2020 at 5:30pm at the Chickasaw Wellness Complex – 1050 West Hamilton St.  New Hampton.

Mark Muetherthies found a 2003 snow plow dump truck for $19,500.  Jay Uhlenhake said he would look at it.  Motion made by Scheidel for Jay to look at truck and if he sees fit to put down payment to hold and to put on April Agenda.   Second by King.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be Monday, April 6, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Kuehnero and second by Scheidel to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

Form 631.1	NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
	BUDGET ESTIMATE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020 – ENDING JUNE 30, 2021
City of	Lawler			, Iowa
The City Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed Budget at				Lawler City Hall
on	3/2/2020	at	7:15 p.m.
The Budget Estimate Summary of proposed receipts and expenditures is shown below.
Copies of the the detailed proposed Budget may be obtained or viewed at the offices of the Mayor,
City Clerk, and at the Library.
The estimated Total tax levy rate per $1000 valuation on regular property  . .				11.91503
The estimated tax levy rate per $1000 valuation on Agricultural land is     . . . .				3.00375
At the public hearing, any resident or taxpayer may present objections to, or arguments in favor of,
any part of the proposed budget.
563-238-3614			Suzette Byrne
phone number			City Clerk/Finance Officer’s NAME
			Budget FY	Re-est. FY	Actual FY
			2021	2020	2019
			(a)	(b)	(c)
Revenues & Other Financing Sources
Taxes Levied on Property		1	132,161	110,455	95,560
Less: Uncollected Property Taxes-Levy Year		2	0	0	0
Net Current Property Taxes		3	132,161	110,455	95,560
Delinquent Property Taxes		4	0	0	0
TIF Revenues		5	0	0	0
Other City Taxes		6	41,876	41,910	44,905
Licenses & Permits		7	1,940	1,940	1,508
Use of Money and Property		8	1,270	1,270	5,104
Intergovernmental		9	80,580	80,080	104,719
Charges for Services		10	694,215	677,090	577,638
Special Assessments		11	0	0	0
Miscellaneous		12	0	19,400	2,189
Other Financing Sources		13	0	108,000	0
Transfers In		14	82,822	248,747	136,063
Total Revenues and Other Sources		15	1,034,864	1,288,892	967,686
Expenditures & Other Financing Uses
Public Safety		16	38,000	26,000	15,173
Public Works		17	214,230	163,230	126,035
Health and Social Services		18	500	500	0
Culture and Recreation		19	50,100	46,800	15,933
Community and Economic Development		20	0	0	0
General Government		21	67,395	64,634	87,674
Debt Service		22	20,000	22,460	8,460
Capital Projects		23	0	0	0
Total Government Activities Expenditures		24	390,225	323,624	253,275
Business Type / Enterprises		25	578,340	549,708	475,300
Total ALL Expenditures		26	968,565	873,332	728,575
Transfers Out		27	82,822	248,747	136,063
Total Expenditures/Transfers Out		28	1,051,387	1,122,079	864,638
Excess Revenues & Other Sources Over
(Under) Expenditures/Transfers Out		29	-16,523	166,813	103,048
Beginning Fund Balance July 1		30	574,135	407,322	304,274
Ending Fund Balance June 30		31	557,612	574,135	407,322

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on February 3, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Izer, Crowell, King and Scheidel

Council members absent:  Kuehner

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake and Jeremy Maklenburg

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda with one addition, Jeremy Maklenburg with Lawler Fire Department. Second by Scheidel.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

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

WINDSTREAM	PHONE	101.14
ARAMARK	RUGS	140
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	2,179.12
STANTON ELECTRIC	LINE WORK	621.53
UPS		39.15
TEST AMERICA	DRINKING WATER TESTIG	59.85
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAX	1,446.22
IPERS	IPERS	1,078.16
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	284
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	23,479.12
CASH	GAS-PICKUP	151.92
BROWN SUPPLY CO	CLAMP	315.06
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	JANUARY 6, 2020 MINUTES	189.56
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY		2,300.00
QUILL CORPORATION	paper towels and garbage bags	52.27
STOREY KENWORTHY	UTILITY BILL	586.72
IMFOA	2020-2021 DUES	50
IOWA ONE CALL	EMAIL	27.9
AUDITOR	FY2019 FEES	1,200.00
PERSONNEL CONCEPTS	IOWA & FEDERAL LABOR POSTER	20.9
K & W MOTORS LLC	2020 GMC 2500HD TRUCK	26,851.40
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	5,232.15
	CLAIMS TOTAL	66,406.17	REVENUE
	GENERAL FUND	17,821.08	4584.14
	SANITATION FUND	2,179.12	2519.09
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	793.28	5053.15
	WATER FUND	8,332.22	6875.07
	SEWER FUND	8,579.13	7754.56
	ELECTRIC FUND	28,701.34	30580.17

 

Jeremy Maklenburg gave an update regarding the Fire Department need for air bottles.   He informed the council they only need the air bottles and are good on the air packs.  They are asking the city and townships for help with payment.  The council informed him they would need dollar amounts needed.  He didn’t think on township was willing to pay.  The council informed him that we would not be willing to pay for the townships.

Clarification:  The Fire Department is asking the city and townships for equal share for payment.

The council went over the financial report for the Landfill.  No discrepancies were found.  Motion made by King to approve the Landfill Financial Report.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

The city has some property owner’s with buildings/homes not keeping up with maintenance.  Suzette will research the Code of Ordinances.

Motion made by King to table this until next month.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by King to open Public Hearing for approval of Resolution 02042020 for Proposed Property Tax Levy.  Second by Scheidel.

The Total Maximum Levy for FY20/21 was discussed.  The Roll Vote for Approval is as follows:

John Izer – YEA

Dale King – YEA

Jeremy Scheidel – YEA

Dawn Croell – YEA

Gwen Kuehner – ABSENT

Resolution No.  02042020 Approving the Maximum Property Tax Dollars requested for FY 20/21 was passed and approved.

Motion made by Croell to close Public Hearing.  Second by King.  All Ayes.  Motion passed

Mark informed the council the city may need to start paying for the emergency management.  The city has not received a requested dollar amount to budget for in FY 20-21.   The city will not be able to add this in the budget for FY 20-21.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Croello and second by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

Click on the following links to view notices from the City of Lawler (Clerk’s Office)

RES 2020-01062020 Max Levy Hearing for FY21 Budget

FY21 Public Hearing Notice Max Levy Hearing

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on January 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Cathy Humpal, Kurt Croell and Craig Schmitt

Motion made by Croell to approve the Agenda. Second by King.   All Ayes. Motion passed.

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

WINDSTREAM	PHONE	106.68
ARAMARK	RUGS	210
STANTON ELECTRIC		1,427.70
UPS	ROSENBAUM AUTO	43.64
TEST AMERICA		102.9
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAXES	1,688.75
IPERS	IPERS	1,244.20
STATE WITHHOLDING	STATE TAXES	838
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	252.21
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	22,454.36
CASH	GAS	436.61
FIVE STAR COOP	TRACTOR DIESEL	124.24
HAWKINS	AZONE 15	311.14
IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES	SALES TAX	1,152.00
BLAZEK CORPORATION	FIX WATER MAIN	1,855.00
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	COUNCIL MINUTES 12/7/2019	64.12
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS		3,443.25
LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT	1ST TRUCK PAYMENT 2020	5,671.25
CHICKASAW COUNTY AUDITOR	2019 ELECTION	548.5
IOWA ONE CALL	EMAIL	25.2
BARCO MUNICIPAL PRODUCTS	RAILROAD CROSSING	1,253.04
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	7,672.56
	CLAIMS TOTAL	50,925.35	REVENUE TOTAL
	GENERAL FUND	15,551.84	7736.3
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	2,547.92	2645.43
	WATER FUND	4,723.59	7191.49
	SEWER FUND	3,007.56	8002.22
	ELECTRIC FUND	25,094.44	32566.77
	STORM WATER		1313.24
	SANITATION		2551.45

Jeremy Scheidel, John Izer and Dale King were sworn in as Council persons.  Mark Mueterthies was sworn in as Mayor.

Kurt Croell would like permission to bore under Grove Street to allow water discharge from the old Hugeback Funeral building to flow into the creek.  He as permission from John Cuvelier to bore between his properties on Grove Street.    He spoke with Roger Dreckman and John Cuvelier to take the fence down in the pocket park to allow updates to the building.  He will pay to fix the pocket park.  He would like permission from the city since it is city owned.  Motion made by Scheidel access to pocket park and to bore under Grove Street to creek for water discharge.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed

Craig Schmitt with Hawkeye Telephone from Hawkeye, IA offered to put fiber optic cable to homes for phone, internet and cable TV.    Maynard, IA and Wesgate, IA have accepted his offer.  He will be mailing information to the City residents to ask permission to home owners for permission to allow fiber optic to homes.   Hawkeye Telephone will only be in Lawler once to run the fiber optic underground to home free of charge.     Homeowner’s do not have to sign up for the phone, internet or cable TV at this time.   If the homeowner doesn’t give permission to run fiber optic cable to the home at this time and would like this service at a later date then the homeowner will need to pay for this.  Motion made by Kuehner to add Hawkeye Telephone.  Seconded by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed

Cathy Humpal discussed the library board.  Renee Throndson is no longer on the board and Cathy Stevens agreed to serve on the board.   Motion made by King to appoint Cathy Stevens to the Library Board.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Cathy Humpal gave to council her Library Budge for FY20-21.  She also took the council to the library to discuss what she is working on in the library.  The library works with Iowa Shares which is a free service for interlibrary loans.  She also explained in order to be an accredited library; the library needs to have an online catalog which the library has.  She has a “Maker Space for children to work in.

The following Board Appointments were discussed

Appointments January 2020

Mayor pro-tem                                    Dale King

Bank                                                    Bank Iowa

City Attorney                                      John Anderson

City Clerk                                           Suzette Byrne

Toxic Cleanup                                     Jeremy Scheidel

Street Committee                                Dawn Croell, John Izer, Jay Uhlenhake

Utilities Committee                            Gwen Kuehner, Dale King, Jay Uhlenhake

Fire Dept. Rep.                                   John Izer & Dale King

Tree Committee                                  Dale King, Gwen Kuehner, Jay Uhlenhake

Health Officer                                     Dr. Lukas Brinkman

Ambulance Service Rep.                    Mark Mueterthies, Dawn Croell

Street Superintendent                         Jay Uhlenhake

Water Superintendent                         Jay Uhlenhake

Landfill Committee Rep.                    Jay Uhlenhake

Board of Adjustment                          5 year term

Linda Anderson                                  2020

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2017

Dawn Croell                                        2022

Roger Dreckman                                 2024

Frank Wilson                                       2020

Park Board                                          5 year term

Deb Njus                                             2020

Dale King                                            2022

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2020

Emergency Management Board

Mark Mueterthies

Dawn Croell

Motion made by King to accept the appointments.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

The Code of Ordinances need to be updated every 5 years.   Motion made by Scheidel to use Simmering-Cory Iowa Codification for $4200.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

If the resident runs their water during the winter months, that is the resident’s responsibility to pay for the water usage.   The water runs through the city’s sewer and costs the city money.  The city will not credit resident’s utility bills for this.  Suzette spoke to several cities and they do not do this.   Motion by Croell to not credit utility bills for water running at trickle.   Second by King.  Izer abstained for voting.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Dale discussed the fire department is in need of purchasing 21 air pack tanks and need to be purchased by December 2020.  The townships do not have the money to help.  Mayor Mueterthies made a statement; the City of Lawler should not have to pay for what the townships cannot pay.  Kuehner asked why the air pack tanks could not be purchased 3 or 4 per year instead of all in one year.  No answer was give.  Dale needs to know by January 21, 2020 how much the city can give.   Croell would like to ask local business to for donations for this expense.   Motion made by King to have Dawn Croell ask local businesses to donate money.  Second by Croell  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Budget FY20-21 was discussed.  Resolution NO.  2020-0106202 for setting Public Hearing for the Maximum Property Tax Levy was discussed.  Iowa SF634 requires a public hearing on the proposed maximum property tax dollars from certain levies.  Motion made by Kuehner to set Public Hearing February 3, 2020 at 7:15 p.m.  Second by Scheidel.  All ayes.  Motion passed.

It was discussed the city will need a new dump truck for FY20-21 and would need to increase Roads and Snow Removal Expenses in the Public Works fund by $50,000.  The Lift Station needs to be repaired around $2,400.  Suzette will enter new budget numbers in the Budget for FY20-21.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be Monday, February 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Croell and second by Scheidel to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk