Lawler Irish Fest V

Consciously or not, most of us schedule “Can’t Miss” events on our respective calendars.

One such happening on our calendar is a three-hour drive in June from the Des Moines suburb of Johnston to my hometown of Lawler for the annual Irish Fest.

I simply cannot miss it for all the obvious reasons that people love festivals: music, food, beverages, a parade, camaraderie, laughter, and reuniting with old friends.

But for me it’s more personal than for others. I just plain love my Irish heritage. All four of my grandparents enjoyed direct lineage to the Emerald Isle. When I grew up in Lawler between 1944-1964, the town had a lot of Irish families and an abundance of Irish Pride.

Prior to becoming a Turkey Valley Trojan, my buddies and I were thrilled to cheer for, and eventually represent, the Lawler High School Fighting Irish, claiming the Notre Dame fight song as our own.

Even as a youngster I was enchanted with Irish music such as ‘Danny Boy,’ ‘When Irish Eyes are Smiling,’ and ‘My Wild Irish Rose.’ At age 73 these and other Irish songs can still bring tears to my eyes.

Thankfully, perhaps through osmosis, I developed a love for Irish story-telling. It has only been in recent years that I’ve read about the great potato famine in Ireland that caused the little country to lose millions of citizens. Many to death and even more to migration. But during it all, they kept and transported their love of laughter and story-telling to the world. And some of that world is the village in northeast Chickasaw County by the name of Lawler.

And that brings me to another reason that the Fest is special to me.

I absolutely adore small towns.

I’m forever grateful for the privilege of not only growing up in one…but growing up in one of the best. Anything that enables the rest of our state’s larger cities to recognize and appreciate what the less populated communities have to offer is terrific. And the third weekend of June every year is a perfect example of one small town that exhibits its pride.

Bill Sheridan

Spring Clean Up Day — May 12, 2017

The city annual spring clean up day will be held on Friday, May 12. Have your items out by  7:00 am so you’re not missed.

Items that are NOT accepted:

  • tires
  • batteries
  • paint
  • oil
  • fuels
  • car & truck parts
  • hazardous waste
  • anti-freeze
  • chemicals

There is a 4 yard limit per household (that’s about a pickup box size).

Televisions, computer monitors, and microwaves will be picked up on May 13. There is a $20 charge for each of these items and this cost must be paid by May 11 at city hall. Any questions, call Suzie Byrne, city clerk, @ 563.238.3614.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The City of Lawler is hereby serving as Public Notice that on June 5, 2017, at 7:15 o’clock p.m., the City Council will hold a public hearing at City Hall to update residents of the community on possible road closings of Center Street and Brush Street.

This meeting will be held to provide residents with information concerning the railroad crossings.  Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide their input about the project.  Anyone having questions about the project or anyone requiring special accommodations to attend the hearing such as handicapped accessibility or translation services, may call the City Clerk at 563-238-3614.

May City Council Meeting Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on May 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

Council members present: Izer, Throndson, Zubrod and King.

Others present: Jay Uhlenhake, Nancy Babcock, Claude Babcock, John Cuvelier, Tony Blazek, Brittany Stange, Roger Dreckman, Duane Pitz, Cathy Humpal, Linda Alexander, and Frank Wilson

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the Agenda with additions.  All Ayes.

Moved by Izer, seconded by Throndson to approve the minutes of the previous meeting with one correction on last month’s bills of the John Deere Equipment for the lawn mower to pay half now and half in July and to approve the bills presented to be paid.  All Ayes.

MiEnergy Cooperative Service $19,879.85
Treasurer State of Iowa sales tax April $1,321.61
Treasurer State of Iowa IA Withholding $241.00
United States Treasury FICA, with $1,309.54
IPERS April $904.02
Salaries Salaries $5,641.59
Jendro Sanitation garbage April $2,125.84
Windstream April $123.26
Quill Printer toner $273.96
Mid American Research chemical $1,033.70
CASH $331.98
Blazek Corporation clean ditch and fill washout $369.51
IAMU IAMU Electric member Dues $1,241.00
Test America water & wastewater testing $0.00
Black Hills Energy gas $129.25
New Hampton Tribune council minutes $189.20
Aramark rugs $0.00
UPS $111.64
Zahasky review wetland mitigation agreement $100.00
Mark Kriener tilling park $160.00
Stanton Electric $1,981.21
Dayna Rosenbaum reimburse utility bill + deposit ($75) $111.13
Melissa Scheidel reimburse utility bill $7.63
Seth Wegman reimburse utility bill $14.37
Haileigh Maser reimburse utility deposit $100.00
Total $37,701.29
Library Bills
IPERS April $104.67
Cathy Humpal & Jane Lynch wages $1,236.00
Treasurer State of Iowa IA withholding $36.00
INGRAM books $0.00
The Iowan magazine $0.00
Calmar Courier subscription $34.00
Midwest Tape dvd’s $0.00
Windstream April $0.00
Prevention magazine $0.00
Gluten Free & More magazine $0.00
Demco office supplies $0.00
Library Total $1,410.67
April Receipts
General CD 5145 & 5146 $10,087.72
Gas Tax Refund $0.00
Transfer of jurisdiction $0.00
Local Option Tax $2,857.57
Road Use Tax $2,603.21
Property Tax $27,965.15
Total $43,513.65

It was moved by King and seconded by Izer to approve Lawler Irish Fest Liquor license.

It was moved by Izer and seconded by Zubrod to approve Bucky’s cigarette license.

John Izer discussed RAGBRAI.  There are now 7 on the committee.   The 1st of June RAGBRAI will be doing a trial run.  Need volunteers.

It was discussed that someone with a BB gun has shot out a window on the west side of town.  Please spread the word if anyone sees anyone shooting a BB gun at homes.

It was moved by Zubrod and seconded by Izer to open the Public Hearing regarding the Railroad.  Mayor Mueterthies discussed the DOT will pay 90% through a grant for installing lights and cross arms and the Railroad would pay with remaining 10% if the city closes Center Street and Brush Street.   The paperwork for the grant needs to be turned in by July 1, 2017.  Homeowners voiced their concerns of the closing of the streets.  Mayor Mueterthies said the railroad will not negotiate the road closings.

Motion made by Zubrod to close Center Street and Brush Street.  No second was made.

King made a motion to table Street closing until next meeting June 5, 2017 with a public hearing at 7:15pm.   Izer seconded.  All Ayes.

John Cuvelier discussed insurance.  It was discussed that certain vehicles with which have full coverage may need to look at to lower premiums.  Also, cyber solutions was discussed. The council may want to look at a higher coverage regarding cyber solutions.  Also, a recommendation from John was to look more closely at segregation of duties.

Bids from Roger Dreckman and Blacktop Service were reviewed and discussed regarding intersections on Grove Street and Benz Street and Grove Street and Depot Street.  The council decided that concrete would last longer than blacktop.  It was moved by King and seconded by Izer to have Roger Dreckman fix the intersections on Grove Street.

Roger Dreckman also presented 7 estimates to replace curb and gutter and install handicap mats on the corners.

Moved by King, seconded by Throndson to accept Estimate 1 to remove and replace curb and gutter along Grove Street and install handicap mat on the SE corner of Grove and Depot.  All ayes.

Moved by Izer and seconded by Throndson to accept Estimate 2 to remove and replace curb and gutter and install handicap mats NE corner of Grove and Benz.  All ayes.

Moved by King and seconded by Zubrod to accept Estimate 3 to remove and replace curb and gutter and install handicap mats NE corner of Grove and Depot.  All ayes.

Moved by King and seconded by Izer to accept Estimate 4 to remove and replace curb and gutter north side of Grove and east of Benz. All Ayes.

Moved by Izer and seconded by King to accept Estimate 5 to remove and replace curb and gutter south side of telephone office only if Windstream replaces the sidewalk in front of building.  All Ayes.

Moved by Izer and seconded by King to accept Estimate 6 to remove and replace curb and gutter SE corner of Starlite Ballroom.  All ayes.

Move by Izer and seconded by Throndson to accept Estimate 7 to remove and replace gutter corner of Diagonal and Larry’s Service.  All Ayes.

Street shoulders were discussed.  The city will need to scrape some yards to help prolong the maintenance of the city streets.  Jay will get names and Suzette will send a letter to the residence whose yards need to be scraped.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.

Moved by King, seconded by Izer to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM.  All Ayes.

Next Council Meeting is June 5, 2017 at 7:00pm

______________________________

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk

City of Lawler–Public Hearing Notice

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The City of Lawler is hereby serving as Public Notice that on May 1, 2017, at 7:15 o’clock p.m., the City Council will hold a public hearing at City Hall to update residents of the community on possible road closings of Center Street and Brush Street.

This meeting will be held to provide residents with information concerning the railroad crossings.  Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide their input about the project.  Anyone having questions about the project or anyone requiring special accommodations to attend the hearing such as handicapped accessibility or translation services, may call the City Clerk at 563-238-3614.