Lawler, Iowa

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on December 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Pro-tem King presided.

Council members present: King, Kuehner, Croell, Scheidel

Others present:

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

Moved made by Kuehner, seconded by Croell to approve the previous minutes and current bills to be paid with addition of Lawler Fire Department bill.   All Ayes.  Motion passed.

 

WINDSTREAM PHONE 111.44 ARAMARK RUGS 214.1 BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO SNOW PLOW TRUCK 109.71 JENDRO GARBAGE CONTRACT 687.38 POLLARD PEST CONTROL CO. PEST 54.5 STANTON ELECTRIC FIX PRIMARY YARD LIGHT 548.81 UPS   226.94 TEST AMERICA wastewater testing and drinking 102.9 EFTPS FED/FICA TAX 1,505.65 IPERS IPERS 1,044.76 BLACK HILLS ENERGY GAS UTILITY 160.55 MIENERGY ELECTRICITY 18,838.13 IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY MC119R INT 2018 8,143.75 CASH GAS PICK UP 437.79 FIVE STAR COOP ROADS DIESEL FUEL 88.15 PAUL NIEMANN CONSTRUCTION BRIDGE 232.17 BLAZEK CORPORATION FIX SEWER MAIN 3,704.34 NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE 2018 AFR REPORT 199.53 LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUG-NOV BUDGET PYMT 2018 2,133.34 QUILL CORPORATION OFFICE SUPPLIES 242.41 LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT ’19 1ST TRUCK PAYMENT 5,671.25 DATA TECH 2019 LICENSE FEE & SUPPORT FEE 2,428.14 IOWA RURAL WATER DUES MEMBERSHIP 1/19-12/19 225 QUALITY PUMP WASTE WATER LIFT STATION 1,161.00 IOWA UTILITIES BOARD FY 2019 ASSESSMENT 294 MARK MUETERTHIES MILEAGE 2018 325.62 DENNIS UNGS battery backup & jay’s laptop 60 ROSENBAUM AUTO MOUNT 4 NEW TIRES ON PICKUP 676 MITKO BOOM TRUCK 57.06 LARRY ELWOOD CONSTRUCTION CUTTING EDGE 318.74 PAYROLL CHECKS TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS 4,938.50   CLAIMS TOTAL 54,941.66   GENERAL FUND 15,922.99   SANITATION FUND 687.38   ROAD USE TAX FUND 646.32   LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FUND 676   WATER FUND 1,224.87   WATER SINKING FUND FUND 2,850.00   SEWER FUND 6,854.56   SEWER SINKING FUND FUND 5,293.75   ELECTRIC FUND 20,785.79

Discussed the current budget and Fy19-20 budget.  Discussed a possibly of adding Debit/Credit payments in next year’s budget.  Suzette has been doing research on what this would cost to add.  Jeremy Scheidel mentioned a 25% increase in fire protection from the fire department.

The Furnace Bids from Mic’ Plumbing and Heating, Fredericksburg Plumbing and Heating and Marv Smith Electric, Plbg & Htg were discussed.  After discussion of the three bids it was decided to go with Mic’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc.  Motion made by Croell to approve quote from Mic’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc.   Seconded by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Annexation was tabled.

The Home Rule amendment passed by citizens of Iowa in 1968 empowers cities to make decisions at the local level.  Motion made my Scheidel to approve the Home Rule Proclamation.  Seconded by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

The Dodge Pickup was discussed.  Need to upgrade the pickup.   Motion made by Scheidel to sell the pickup.  Seconded by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Heather Busta requested to go off the library board.  Emily Brincks has agreed to replace her and finish her term which goes until June 2021.  Motion made by Kuehner to approve Emily Brincks to the library board.  Seconded by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.  Mayor pro-tem King appointed Emily Brincks to the library board.

Lift Station quote from Quality Pump & Control was reviewed.  Motion made by Croell to accept Lift Station quote from Quality Pump & Control.  Seconded by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

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

Motion by Kuehner and second by Scheidel to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

_________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

 

 

 

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on November 5, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present: Jay Uhlenhake, Frank Wilson, Joe Langreck, Ray Armel

Motion made by King to approve the Agenda.  Seconded by Scheidel.  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	94.04
ARAMARK	RUGS	214.1
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	2,119.38
SANDEAN & COOMPANY, INC	DUMP TRUCK-BRAKE LINE	503.25
STANTON ELECTRIC		143.82
UPS	Karen Wilson	34.33
TEST AMERICA	WASTEWATER TESTING	179.55
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAX	1,530.70
IPERS	IPERS	1,059.60
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	116.96
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	19,877.55
CASH	GASOLINE	308.2
FIVE STAR COOP	FIELDMASTER DYED DLVD	403.01
HAWKINS	AZONE & LPC-4	673.66
IOWA DEPT OF REVNUE/SALES	SALES TAX	1,095.00
BLAZEK CORPORATION	CULVERT CLEANING AND STORM SEW	517.5
TEAM LAB	ROAD PATCH AND ICE MELT	545.5
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE	MEETING 10/1/2018	162
ROGER DRECKMAN	MANHOLE/MAIN & LINCOLN	5,000.00
UNITES STATES POSTAL	10 ROLLS POSTCARD STAMPS	600
MIC’S PLUMBING & HEATING	CITY HALL FURNACE	357.96
IWD	UNEMPLOY 9/2018	10.69
PATHWAYS	DONATION	468
QUALITY PUMP		3,845.25
JAY UHLENHAKE	STREET PAINT SPRAYER	350
CROELL INC	SAND SNOW REMOVAL	205.92
TERRY DURIN CO	street lights	604
NAPA	DISCONNECT SWITCH	44
DENNIS UNGS	SOFTWARE UPGRADE	321.6
ROYAL PUBLISHING	2018 IA XCOUNTRY AD	175
FRONTER	RAISE FLOOR IN LIBRARY	600
DOT	SALT ROCK	928.08
DEPOSIT REFUNDS	REFUND DATE 10/09/2018	123.81
DEPOSIT REFUNDS	REFUND DATE 10/26/2018	126.41
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	5,003.12
	CLAIMS TOTAL	48,341.99	REVENUE BY FUND
	GENERAL FUND	14,624.30	33541.01
	SANITATION FUND	2,119.38	2309.6
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	941.68	3398.81
	WATER FUND	2,347.33	5536.87
	SEWER FUND	6,073.51	6069.7
	ELECTRIC FUND	22,109.38	2636.46
	DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND	126.41	-225
	EMERGENCY FUND		725.06
	LOST		3491.17

 

The council reviewed the Annual Financial Report.  Motion made by Croell and seconded by Kuehner to approve the Annual Financial Report.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors approved the Voluntary Application for Annexation to the City of Lawler.  Jay, Mark and Suzette met with the Alliant Energy representative, Dustin Mohs to discuss the utility zoning map.  Currently, Alliant Energy has the Utility lines in the property to be annexed into the City.  Suzette has talked with MiEnergy if they have maps outlining the utility property lines.  The city attorney has recommended waiting until the utility problem is resolved before the resolution is passed and approved.  If it were to be approved before the issue is resolved the city would have to use Alliant Energy for the territory to be annexed.  Alliant would need to sign of first with written documentation.

Ray Armel, County Assessor also informed the city that the description of the property to be annexed in is incorrect.  I informed him of the only description I have for the property was on the survey which was given to the City by Kurt Croell.  Suzette will call the City attorney and discuss with him.

Municipal Pipe Contract was discussed.  It is a 5 year contract at $4,000 per year.  It includes emergency cleaning of the sewers.  Moved by Izer to accept the Municipal Pipe Contract and second by Croell.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

The city received three furnace bids from Marv Smith, Mic’s Plumbing and Heating and Fredericksburg Plumbing & Heating.  Jay will ask if they can give a bid to include A/C.

Motion made by Scheidel to table the Furnace bids.  Seconded by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion Passed.

Rosenbaum Auto and Sandean gave tire bids for the city pickup.  The council reviewed the bids. Moved by Scheidel to accept the Rosenbaum Auto bid.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Carpet cleaning bids was from Northeast Iowa Carpet Cleaning and Dean’s Carpet Cleaning.  The council reviewed the bids.  Moved by Izer to accept Dean’s Carpet Cleaning Bid.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes. Motion passed.

DOT sent an Application to Perform Work within State Highway Right of Way.  They need approval to put Detour Signs on Hwy 24 near County Roads V-56 and Vanderbilt Ave.  The Detour is planned to start April 2019.  Motion made by Izer to give approval.  Second by Scheidel.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Dale King was concerned when the Highland Park Restroom roof would be repaired since insurance paid.  Need to receive bids for the roof repair and privacy fence.  The insurance company will not insure the restroom until this is fixed and they will need pictures.

Frank Wilson discussed a variance for his garage.  He then decided he did not want to proceed.

The Federal Money has been approved for the Railroad Crossings.  The DOT sent the Federal agreements to be signed for the installation of arms and lights for 3 streets.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be December 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Scheidel and second by King to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

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The Lawler City Council met in regular session on October 1, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

Council members present: Izer, King, Kuehner, Croell, Scheidel (arrived at 7:10pm)

Others present: Jay Uhlenhake, Kurt Croell, Frank Wilson, Stephanie Tangen, Cathy Humpal

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

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

WINDSTREAM	PHONE	113.3
ARAMARK	RUGS	186.14
JENDRO	GARBAGE CONTRACT	1,924.78
STANTON ELECTRIC	REPLACE POLE	5,866.04
UPS	SHIPPING	39.97
TEST AMERICA	DRINKING WATER	50.75
EFTPS	FED/FICA TAX	1,455.93
IPERS	IPERS	1,012.56
STATE WITHHOLDING	STATE TAXES	875
BLACK HILLS ENERGY	GAS UTILITY	101.93
MIENERGY	ELECTRICITY	26,159.02
CASH	LAGGOON	356.82
FIVE STAR COOP	CLEAR #2 diesel FUEL DUMP TRUC	57.67
HAWKINS	AZONE	257.16
IOWA LEAGUE	2018 BUDGET WORKSHOP	45
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS	10/01/2018-1/1/19	2,613.45
QUILL CORPORATION	PAPER TOWELS	16.99
LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT	FY19 1ST ALLOTMENT	2,756.13
DNR	ANNUAL WATER USE FEE 2019	134
ANDERSON	6/14/2018-8/28/2018	1,125.00
MICK GAGE	RESTROOM RENTAL	90
JAY UHLENHAKE	HOTEL REIMBURSEMENT	327.8
TERRY DURIN CO	ELECTRIC	220
MARC	WASH N WAX AND MINT POWER OFF	239.19
DEPOSIT REFUNDS	REFUND DATE 09/19/2018	472.78
DEPOSIT REFUNDS	REFUND DATE 09/26/2018	27.97
PAYROLL CHECKS	TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS	4,791.88
	CLAIMS TOTAL	51,317.26
		EXPENSE	REVENUE
	GENERAL FUND	9,843.52	8510.97
	SANITATION FUND	1,924.78	2490.67
	ROAD USE TAX FUND	1,055.64	5392.1
	WATER FUND	2,613.21	7193.46
	SEWER FUND	2,845.69	7002.57
	ELECTRIC FUND	32,977.87	34666.92
	DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND	56.55	71.42

 

Kurt Croell was here to give the council an update on the annexation of property into city limits.  Alliant Energy has agreed to give the property to Mienergy for electricity use.  The city will need a letter stating that Alliant Energy is willing to do this.  Suzette explained that the City cannot go any further with this until Kurt returns application for annexation.  Suzette will send him a new form to fill out to return.  After we receive the application we can move on.  Mark said to call Ray Armel attend next month’s meeting.

Cathy Humpal discussed the Libraries proposal for the Chickasaw County Library Association Trustees on October 22, 2018 and the Chickasaw County Supervisors on November 5, 2018; this helps libraries accreditation for state funding.

The city hall and libraries carpet were discussed.  Moisture is seeping through cracks in the cement under the carpet causing stains on the carpet.   This has happened in the past.  Motion made by King to take bids for cleaning the carpet and to jack up the floor with mud jacking. Second by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

There have been bats in the city hall.  Suzette did some checking on a $50 ultrasonic device to hang in the city hall.  Bats don’t like the sound.  She has called the Bat Control Specialists and left a message with them letting them know that there are still bats in the building.  Motion made by Croell to call the bat specialists again and if they don’t respond in 48 hours to invest in ultrasonic.  Second by Kuehner.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Cathy Humpal reminded the council that she is a city employee and did not get a raise when they gave city employees raises.   King made a motion to give Cathy Humpal a 3% raise.   Croell seconded.   All ayes.  Motion passed

Ordinance 6-6-21 Watercourses was discussed.  The ordinance states the property owner or person in possession or control of the adjacent land is responsible to keep the flat or accessible portion of the creek bank free of any weeds and grasses more than six inches in height.   Some residents do not have access to equipment to properly clean of the stream.  Some cannot afford to pay to have this cleaned up.   Izer suggested to have a City Clean Up the Creek Day on a Saturday.  He said he could ask farmers if they would help with the use of their equipment and ask for volunteers within the city.  The city would need signed easements from the property owners to have access to drive on their property.    If the city cleans up the creek this one time, it would be the property owner’s responsibility to keep it clean.  Motion made by Izer to hold a Saturday Clean Up the Creek day led by John Izer.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Ordinance No. 331 regarding the $15 Utility Fee was discussed.  Suzette explained why it hasn’t be on the assessed on the utility bills.  The software company cannot fit the fees on the current utility bill postcards.  Currently the $15 is made up of $5 for electric, $5 for water, $5 for sewer.  Suzette is checking to find bigger utility billing postcards that is slightly bigger and checking with the software company again.

Suzette explained Resolutions 10012018-1 and 10012018-2 to transfer funds from Water, Sewer and LOST fund to the Debt Service fund for the John Deere tractor payment. Motion made by Scheidel to pass the Resolutions.  Second by Izer.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Jay discussed the Maintenance Contract for the Generator at the Well house.  He will look into other companies regarding this.  Motion made by Izer to table the generator contract.  Second by Croell.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

The next meeting will be November 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Scheidel and second by King to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

________________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk