April 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on April 1, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Cathy Humpal, Duane Pitz

Motion made by Scheidel to approve the Agenda.  Seconded by Izer.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

Moved made by Scheidel, seconded by Izer to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

WINDSTREAM PHONE 95.77
ARAMARK RUGS 224.84
BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO SNAP RING – TRACTOR 10.86
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,152.48
UPS   159.44
TEST AMERICA DRINKING WATER 59.85
EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 1,373.34
IPERS IPERS 1,031.93
STATE WITHHOLDING STATE TAXES 809.00
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 404.15
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 22,254.40
CASH GASOLINE 491.75
TEAM LAB FINE ROAD PATCH 428.00
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE MARCH 2019 MINUTES 50.85
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS   2,979.45
UNITES STATES POSTAL 7 ROLLS POSTCARD STAMPS 575.00
DATA TECH 2019 USER GROUP MEETING 100.00
ANDERSON Alliant franchise fee 551.25
INSURANCE ASSOCIATES INSURANCE 21,019.00
AUDITOR FY 2018 FEES 1,200.00
MUNICIPAL PIPE TOOL CROELL WATER METER 946.87
PV BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 2019 OSHA COMPLIANCE JOURNAL 298.50
DEPOSIT REFUNDS REFUND DATE 03/07/2019 1,036.85
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 5,009.24
  CLAIMS TOTAL 63,262.82 REVENUE
  GENERAL FUND 28,396.92 724.81
  SANITATION FUND 2,152.48 2,388.19
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 1,911.36 3,273.15
  WATER FUND 2,750.95 6,645.77
  SEWER FUND 2,709.72 7,582.54
  ELECTRIC FUND 25,289.96 26,259.30
  DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND 51.43 -51.43

Izer made a motion to approve the Hole in the Wall Liquor License.  Second by Scheidel. All Ayes.  Motion passed.

King made a motion to approve the Starlite Ballroom Liquor License.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Jay informed the council there is no need to build a new Sand and Salt Shed.   Motion made by Izer to table. Seconded by Scheidel.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

Suzette explained the Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Department needs a Procurement Policy approved to receive the remainder of the FEMA money from the 2017 flood at Junko Park.  Motion made by Scheidel to approve the Procurement Policy.  Seconded by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Tekippe Engineering discussed with Mark and Jay what would help with the flooding in town.  He discussed a ditch to go along the area where the water is coming into town.  This ditch will help with water retention and slow water coming into town. It will hold up to 4” water per 1 hour.  We would need to put in a 2 ½ in Berm, tile land to slow the water.  The city will need easements from property owners.

Several small towns have a $5.00 fee per resident to help fix flooding problems in town.  This could also help with the creek that runs through town.  The council will discuss this at next month’s meeting.

Croell made a motion to table until next month meeting.  Seconded by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

INRCOG needs a current Resolution adopting a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation plan for Chickasaw County.    A motion made by King to set Public Hearing May 6, 2019 at 7:10 p.m. to approve Resolution adopting Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Seconded by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Jay discussed the street crack filling to be done.  The frost boils are popping up on Lincoln St.  Would need to start patching.  Street construction for Spring Street will be starting this week.

Jay will get 3 bids to make the sidewalk by the Post Office handicapped accessible.  Motion made by King to receive 3 bids to make sidewalk handicapped accessible.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be May 6, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

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

______________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

Why We Need Friends Who Tell it Like it is.

Local author, Bill Sheridan, writes articles for “Those Catholic Men.” Enjoy . . .

I must have been a freshman or sophomore in high school around 1958-1959. Stepping out onto our front porch in Lawler, Iowa, there was no doubt in my mind that GQ Magazine would be asking to feature me on their next cover.

I felt quite dapper looking into the mirror before going outside to impress the world. Well, if not the world, at least my buddies down at Martin’s Café. I was looking very fine, thank you!

I had on a white shirt, white pants, a white belt, and (you guessed it) white buck shoes. My only concern was how to successfully fight off all the girls who would be clamoring to get at me.

But that dream was short-lived.

My dear friend and neighbor, Joe Scally, was self-appointed chief of the Lawler Fashion Police. To my delight, he happened to be standing in his front yard.

“Sheridan, get over here. I want to check this out.”

This was great. Scally was about to compliment me on my attire. Perhaps even ask me where the ensemble was purchased, so he could run right out and copy my style. I was about to become a trendsetter.

Frankly, I was totally unprepared for the next thing that came out of his mouth. “That’s cool. I didn’t know that you got a job at the creamery!”

After which he doubled up in laughter.

Suddenly the whiteness from my neck to my toes was offset by the embarrassing redness in my face. I turned around without saying a word and rushed back into the house, changing into blue jeans and a tee shirt before another soul on the planet could see me.

Even after slamming the front door behind me, I could hear Fashion Chief Scally howling in the background.

To this day I’m not sure whether to thank him profusely, or punch him in the nose.

Based on what would have most likely happened, had I not seen Joe first and walked into Martin’s Café in front of the usual gang, something tells me that a long overdue thank you is probably the appropriate choice.

But more importantly, the entire humorous episode has become an important life-lesson in my Catholic-Christian life. Am I always able to see my real self? Do I have true friends in my life today (like my buddy Joe) who have the courage and kindness to tell me what I need to hear rather that just what I want to hear?

Friends like that are a true blessing. The type of friends I want to have and the type of friend I want to be.

Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes — March 2019

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on March 4, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

 

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda with Addition of EMA.  Seconded by Kuehner.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

Moved made by Izer, seconded by King to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

WINDSTREAM PHONE 101.26
ARAMARK RUGS 224.84
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,152.48
POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO. PEST 54.50
SANDEAN & COMPANY, INC PICKUP 70.43
STANTON ELECTRIC LINCOLN STREET CUTOUTS 2,398.58
UPS 210.02
TEST AMERICA DRINKING WATER 50.75
EFTPS FED/FICA TAXES 1,361.13
IPERS IPERS 1,023.41
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 411.74
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 24,819.61
CASH GAS 358.58
FIVE STAR COOP DIESEL FUEL DUMP TRUCK AND 295.88
HAWKINS AZONE 15 379.00
IOWA DEPT OF REVENUE/SALES SALES TAX 830.00
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE FEB 2019 MEETING MINUTES 105.30
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY DEC 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019 3,200.01
NAPA wiper blades 45.47
CHICKASAW COUNTY RECORDER RESOLUTION 02042019 37.00
REGION 1 AWWA WATER WORKS OPERATOR MTG 25.00
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 4,968.54
CLAIMS TOTAL 43,123.53 REVENUE TOTAL
GENERAL FUND 6,952.69 5,092.96
SANITATION FUND 2,152.48 2,313.94
ROAD USE TAX FUND 1,162.65 4,150.07
WATER FUND 2,143.61 6,565.17
SEWER FUND 2,077.13 9,322.79
ELECTRIC FUND 28,634.97 26,584.63

The state will no longer be providing brine to cities for free.  This means more sand and salt will be used during the winter months.  Mark would like to build an addition to the current sand shed.  He received bids from CASH for materials, Roger Dreckman for concrete and Loren Franzen for Labor.  It came to a total of $14,525.7 to be charged to street fund.   Jay didn’t think he would need to build this.  The council discussed how this amount of money could affect road repair budget.

Motion made by King to table the Sand Shed addition until April Meeting.  Second by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Kuehner to open the Public Hearing to approve Budget Fy19/20.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes. Motion Passed.

There were no objections the Budget proposal.

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

A Motion by Kuehner to pass Resolution NO. 3042019 to adopt Annual Budget fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Suzette briefly explained the Franchise Fee Agreement Ordinance with Alliant Energy.  The city attorney reviewed the agreement sent by Alliant Energy and made a fee change.  Suzette emailed the changes to Alliant Energy.  As soon as Alliant Energy agrees to the changes the City can adopt the ordinance.

Mark discussed the Emergency Management.  The EMA board hired a lawyer to assist with the discussion of Chickasaw Ambulance Service with Jeremy McGrath.  The cities in the county will need to split the lawyer fee.  He wanted the City Council to be aware of the possible lawyer bill.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be April 1, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

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

________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

City of Lawler Council Meeting Agenda — March 2019

City of Lawler

414 E. Grove St.

PO Box 215

Lawler, IA  52154

563-238-3614

AGENDA

                                                      REGULAR MEETING

                                                      March 4, 2019

                                                      7:00 PM, CITY HALL

 

  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. Public Hearing Budget FY19/20
  7. Annexation Electric Franchise agreement
  8. Sand Shed Addition
  9. Delinquents
  10. ADJOURNMENT.

 

 

City of Lawler Council Meeting Minutes — February 2019

 

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on February 4, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake

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

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

Resolution No. 02042019 for Voluntary Petitions for Annexation to the City of Lawler was presented to Council to approve.  After approval it will be sent into the State of Iowa.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Resolution No.  02042019 to be sent into State of Iowa.  Seconded by Croell. All Ayes.  Motion approved.

The area to be annexed into the city is in the Alliant Energy territory for electric service.  Alliant does not want to give up the territory to MiEnergy.   Alliant will charge a franchise fee for the area to be service by them.  Alliant will send a check to the city quarterly for the franchise fee.  Suzette explained a resolution to approve a Revenue Purpose Statement needs to be approved.  She is working with City Attorney John Anderson.  Mark reviewed Resolution NO. 02042019-1 with the council.  Motion made by Croell to approve Resolution NO.  02042019-1. Seconded by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion approved.

The council reviewed the Budget FY19/20.  A motion made by King to approve Budget FY19/20.  Seconded by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion approved.

Motion made by Scheidel to set Public Hearing to approve Budget FY19/20.  Second by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion approved.

Suzette explained the Aramark Contract.  They keep increasing the rates.  They presented Suzette with a new Contract and told them we won’t sign if they keep raising rates.  They crossed out the raising rates section of the contract.   Croell made a motion to stay with Aramark.  Seconded by Scheidel.  Ally Ayes.  Motion passed.

Appointments were discussed.  These appointments were not approved by “Motion” in the January meeting.  It needed to be approved by motion.

Appointments January 2019

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-alternate

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                                 2019

Frank Wilson                                       2020

Park Board                                          5 year term

Deb Njus                                             2020

Dale King                                            2022

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2020

Emergency Management Board

Dawn Croell

Mark Mueterthies

Motion made by King to approve appointments.  Seconded by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion Passed.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be March 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Scheidel and second by King to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

______________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

City of Lawler, January City Council Meeting Minutes

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

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Cathy Humpal, Roger Dreckman, Frank Wilson, and Steve Lynch

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda with the addition of Crane Creek Trail.  Seconded by Croell.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

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

 

WINDSTREAM PHONE 100.1
ARAMARK RUGS 219.47
JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 2,152.48
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC GALLON HYDRAULIC OIL 25.2
STANTON ELECTRIC TRIM TREES 2,983.73
UPS SHIPPING 279.75
TEST AMERICA   59.85
EFTPS FED/FICA TAXES 1,709.35
IPERS IPERS 1,214.74
STATE WITHHOLDING STATE TAXES 863
BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 333.93
MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 20,848.66
CASH CITY WAGON STREETS 433.95
FIVE STAR COOP DIESEL FUEL 304.89
HAWKINS AZONE 415.4
BLAZEK CORPORATION NEW HYDRANT HWY 24& UNION 755
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE DECEMBER 2018 COUNSIL MTG 113.85
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS 01/01/2019-03/31/2019 2,979.45
ULINE TOILET PAPER AN TOWELS 152.11
DATA TECH W-2 ORDER 114.6
MIC’S PLUMBING & HEATING FURNACE 5,625.53
QUALITY PUMP SUBMERSIBLE PUMP 6,369.85
TERRY DURIN CO ELECTRIC LIGHTS 448
NAPA shop 158.03
CHICKASAW COUNTY RECORDER QUIT CLAIM DEED 22
DENNIS UNGS COMPUTER 198
ROSENBAUM AUTO   125.82
DEAN’S CARPET CLEANING CLEAN CARPET 400
PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 7,162.26
  CLAIMS TOTAL 56,569.00 REVENUE BY FUND
  GENERAL FUND 14,878.32 GENERAL 7159.8
  SANITATION FUND 2,152.48 SANITATION 2271.71
  ROAD USE TAX FUND 1,547.94 ROAD USE 4218.71
  WATER FUND 3,061.77 EMERGENCY FUND 144.88
  SEWER FUND 9,116.75 LOST 3595.16
  ELECTRIC FUND 25,811.74 WATER 6929.57
SEWER 7355.68
ELECTRIC 28910.72
DEPOSITS 200

City Attorney Richard Zahaskey will be retiring.  Mr. Zahaskey recommended his associate John Anderson.  Mr. Anderson has worked with the City of Lawler in the past.

Appointments January 2018

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

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                                 2019

Frank Wilson                                       2020

Park Board                                          5 year term

Deb Njus                                             2020

Dale King                                            2022

Jeremy Scheidel                                  2020

Emergency Management Board

Dawn Croell

Mark Mueterthies

Steve Lynch and Cathy Humpal discussed City Funding for the Library.  They are asking for a $200 increase.  Cathy requested an increase with her Health Insurance payment instead of an increase in wages.

The Highland Park restroom was discussed.  Instead of fixing the damage from wind and lightning last summer it was discussed that a new bathroom be built since the current one has damage over the years.  We have received money from the insurance company and they are willing to pay another $3,000 to bring the total up to $6,000 in insurance money.  Quotes from Roger Dreckman, Dakota Supply, Loren Franzen, CASH and Craig Speltz for the supplies and work to build an new bathroom.  The total would be about $19,300 minus the insurance money.  It was all discussed redoing the shelter at Highland Park with steel siding and soffit.  Material from CASH would be $2,383 and work from Loren Franzen would be $1,600.  Izer made a motion to redo the bathroom in the current fiscal year at $19,300 and redo the shelter in fiscal year 19/20.  Second by King.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

It has been decided the Dodge Pickup should be junked.   A motion made by Croell to junk the truck and sell the tires.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Roger Dreckman discussed the Croell Park Bathroom.  He had contacted West Union Trenching and they told him they would do the work for free to help with sewer and water lines.  Roger was asking if the city would be willing to put $5,000 towards the cost of the bathroom.  Izer made a motion for the city to commit $5,000 to the next year budget for the Croell Park Bathroom.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

King made a motion to approve Resolution 01072019 to transfer funds LOST to the General Fund.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

The council has reviewed expenses for the FY19-20 Budget.  It was decided January 21, 2019 @6:00 pm will be a Budget Workshop for the council to continue to work on Budgeting.

Roger Dreckman discussed the Crane Creek Trail.  He would like to chip weeds and trim leaves and trees.  He is asking to use the chipper and tractor.  He would like Jay to do this work since it is the cities equipment.  Izer made a motion to let the Crane Creek trail to use city’s equipment.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes. Motion passes.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be February 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Croell and second by King to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk