The Lawler City Council met in regular session on April 4, 2016 at 7:00 PM.

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

Council members present: Izer, King, Scheidel, Throndson & Zubrod.

Others present: Brad with Kluesner Construction, Tony Blazek, Francis Fisher, Curt Franzen, Anita Franzen & Jay Uhlenhake.

Moved by King, seconded by Throndson to approve the Agenda with the additions of nuisance at 106 E Grove Street, Iowa DOT maintenance agreement and Park Committee playground equipment purchase.  All Ayes.

Moved by Izer, seconded by Zubrod to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve the bills presented to be paid. All Ayes.

Brad from Kluesner Construction presented a proposal for street crack filling and seal coating.

Mayor Mueterthies opened the public hearing on the amendment of the current budget at 7:15 PM.  There were no oral or written comments or objections at this time.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to close the public hearing on the amendment of the current budget.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to pass resolution #04042016 a resolution amending the current budget for the FY ending June, 2016.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to hold a public hearing on May 2, 2016 at 7:15 PM for the second amendment of the current budget.  All Ayes.  This amendment is due to a SRF loan payment due in June and extra electrical line work needed.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve the Irish Fest street closings the same as last year as per map presented and approve a beer permit for the Irish Fest for June 17-19, 2016.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to approve the Starlite ballroom liquor license renewal.  All Ayes

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to have the City Attorney send notice to the property owner at 315 E Grove Street concerning the condition of the building and to proceed with any action necessary to abate the nuisance.  All Ayes.

The property owner at 507 E Pitts Street will be given until Spring Cleanup Dat on May 13^th to clean up the property.

The property owner at 106 E Grove Street will be sent notice to clean up the property.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Zubrod to allow the E911 Board to place an antenna on the water tower provided that a contract is signed having the E911 Board responsible for all maintenance and expense of the antenna.  All Ayes.

Moved by Zubrod, seconded by Throndson to approve Bucky’s beer permit renewal.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Izer to approve the Brite Spot liquor license renewal.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Zubrod to approve the first reading of Ordinance #330. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING WATER RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE CITY OF LAWLER, IA.  Moved by King, seconded by Izer to pass Ordinance #330 into its second reading.  All Ayes.  Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Throndson to suspend the requirements and pass Ordinance #330 into its third reading.  All Ayes.  Ordinance #330 will become effective and enforceable following publication.

Moved by King, seconded by Throndson to approve the first reading of Ordinance #320. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING REFUSE COLLECTION RATES FOR THE CITY OF LAWLER, IA.  Moved by Zubrod, seconded by Throndson to pass Ordinance #320 into its second reading.  All Ayes.  Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to suspend the requirements and pass Ordinance #320 into its third reading.  All Ayes.  Ordinance #320 will become effective and enforceable following publication.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Throndson to pass resolution #040616 a resolution adopting a policy on the deposit of City funds.  All Ayes.  This policy is amending the policy from the State Bank of Lawler to Bank Iowa.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Throndson to pass resolution #040716 a resolution amending the City of Lawler, IA depository.  All Ayes.  This resolution is amending the depository from the State Bank of Lawler to Bank Iowa.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the insurance policy renewal from Insurance Associates.  John Cuvelier will be at the next meeting to answer any questions.  All Ayes.

Delinquent accounts were discussed.  The City Clerk was instructed to file small claims on three accounts and to disconnect one account if not paid on April 5, 2016.  All Ayes.

Moved by Izer, seconded by King to sign an agreement with the Iowa DOT for maintenance and repair of roads within the City.  All Ayes.

The Lawler Park Committee can receive the playground equipment at a discount if ordered by April 15, 2016.  Moved by Izer, seconded by King to approve the purchase of playground equipment as presented in the amount of $26,292.00 with free delivery.  The equipment will be delivered in June with payment being made in July.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 PM.  All Ayes.

______________________________

Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk

(This is a piece I wrote about a dozen years ago and was published in the Des Moines Register. Since this is Valentine’s Weekend, it came to mind)

It was so unexpected. And simple. And beautiful.
I had arrived at the West Des Moines restaurant earlier than anticipated. My wife Renee was driving directly from her job as we had planned to meet another couple for our usual weekly get-together. They had expected to arrive around 6:15 p.m., so it was going to be at least a 20-minute wait for me.
Because I had already read the Des Moines Register earlier in the day, I grabbed some type of “Over 50” paper and asked for the waitress for a booth in non-smoking.
Just as I sat down on the far east side facing toward the front doorway, an elderly couple entered. He was slightly bent and needed a walker to negotiate. I guessed him to be 80-years-old. He wore a dark suit jacket with a sports shirt and no tie. He was slightly balding with otherwise distinguished gray hair.
His wife appeared to be a couple of years younger with grayish-blue hair cut fairly short.
“You’re running late tonight,” joked the waitress.
“Yes,” she said, “almost too late for the early-bird special.”
“Not a problem. You still have plenty of time.”
He smiled at the waitress but said nothing. It was one of those awkward moments when he and I sat facing each other from neighboring booths. She sat with her back to me. Although there was nothing in the “Over 50” paper that appealed to me, I feigned interest so as not to intrude on them.
“I’ll have the steak special,” he told the waitress. Medium-well. And decaf coffee.”
I don’t recall her order, but noticed that they did not say another word until their food arrived. By the time it came, I found myself curiously aware of their presence and felt somewhat of an intruder. Several times he and I made eye contact and I self-consciously looked down at my paper, wishing either that Renee or our friends would soon arrive.
He was left-handed. And he was a fast eater. He rapidly alternated between the salad, the steak, and the baked potato.
I began to wonder about them. What had he done during his working years? A banker? Did he own a small business? Did they come in here every night?
There was no clue because he said not a word as his left hand sought out another piece of medium-well steak.
And without warning, he spoke. It was a question addressed to his partner.
“You know something?”
“What?” she asked.
“I love you.”
“That’s good.”
And his left hand effortlessly grabbed another bite of salad. From that moment on, he said not another word.
Our friends and Renee arrived simultaneously shortly thereafter. We began chatting, and I momentarily forgot about the mystery couple. Until I saw them leave. He clinging to his walker and she gently guiding him with her hand on his arm.
I related the story to my supper-mates as we watched them depart. The story of the medium- well-done steak and the early-bird romance.
And I was happy that I had arrived alone in time to witness it.
(Bill Sheridan)

This is a piece I published several years ago that I hope you enjoy:

An invitation from the administration of my alma mater, Turkey Valley High School of Jackson Junction, Iowa, was such a nice gesture. Perhaps other districts around the nation do it, but I am unaware if that is the case. If they don’t, they should.

On Sunday, May 13, 2012, the graduating TVHS class of 2012 received their diplomas at a wonderful commencement exercise surrounded family and friends.
Also in the crowd sat a contingent of 13 guests, most of whom the graduates had never met; but who shared a common experience with the honorees. Thirteen of us had walked up on that same stage fifty years prior to shake hands with the superintendent and school board president. Thirteen who had not the vaguest idea what might be in store for us in the years ahead. They are only eighteen. We are sixty-eight.

We were members of the second graduating class of Turkey Valley High in 1962, five decades ago. It was one of the first consolidations in the state consisting of five small town schools: Fort Atkinson, Lawler, Protivin, Saint Lucas, and Waucoma. The school was wisely constructed in between all five villages in the unincorporated town of Jackson Junction.
On Mother’s Day 2012, it felt as though our graduation had occurred five years ago rather than five decades ago.
Forty-three of us marched across the stage in 1962. Of that number, six are now deceased.
It was a strangely comforting feeling to sit in our little group, representing those who have died and the living members who either could not make it or made the choice not to attend. The six women and seven men who did are in unanimous agreement that it was time to reflect and be thankful.
I had the good fortune to be located in a chair next to the aisle where I could turn and watch the boys and girls, soon to officially become men and women, march forward to their seats in caps and gowns. As the band played ‘Pomp and Circumstances,’ some grinned from ear to ear while others did their best to hold back tears.
It occurred to me that these beautiful youngsters were looking at life through binoculars. My 1962 classmate friends and I were looking at life through rearview mirrors.
The 2012 graduates were anticipating their first adult paychecks, trade school, or college experience. We were mostly retired. They are on a mission to explore life with a mixture of bravado, enthusiasm, fear, and joy.
We are enjoying grandchildren and coping with the grief of lost friends and loved ones.
We knew, each from own perspective, that there would be much for them to celebrate in the days and years ahead. And that there will be sorrow and pain.
But this was a day to celebrate…for them and for us. As each picked up his or her diploma, it surprised and pleased me to hear many of the same surnames I heard lo those many years ago. These graduates were obviously grandkids or nieces and nephews of my peers.
As we departed from the event, our little contingent exchanged handshakes and hugs. We were genuinely grateful for a chance to share this day with one another. And with the young people who did not know us, but shared a common heritage.
It was a day to cherish, reflect, and remember. And similar to the graduates of 2012–some of us had broad smiles. And some of us shed a few tears.

The class of 2012 looked forward. The class of 1962 looked back.
And to be perfectly candid, I’m not entirely sure who had the better view.
Bill Sheridan

william_sheridan1@msn.com

Click here for obituary.

This is a little story from “Depot Street Memories-The Lawler Stories” that still makes me smile. Periodically I intend to put one of these on the site or something else that I’ve written, but not part of the book. Hope you enjoy:
The Silent Bells of Mt. Carmel
I would like to be able to blame my buddy, George Timlin, who had a knack for getting me into trouble when we were kids. A year older than me, he always had creative ideas on endeavors that were fun but all too often led to a bad ending.
Truth told, however, this one was on me.
The custodian of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church of Lawler, Iowa in 1955 was Billy Cutsforth. George and I liked Billy because he would allow us to ring the church bells at noon if we were around. To be more accurate—there was only one bell with two ropes. One was responsible for tripping a mechanism to hit a smaller ringer against the bell and the other to emit a louder sound with a bigger ringer. Of course, we had no idea how any of that worked, incorrectly assuming that there were two bells in the tower.
The small bell had a skinnier rope and was to be pulled nine times for something called the “Angelus.” This was immediately followed by the big bell which was to be rung twelve times, and had a rope that was strong enough to lift an 11-year-old up in the air a few feet. It was great fun to pull those ropes and announce to the little town of five hundred that lunch time had arrived.
On this particular day it was my turn to pull the small rope. As 12-year-old George waited his turn for the big one, I began to wonder what would happen if we pulled them both at the same time, but I said nothing to him.
“…six…seven…eight…nine.” I was finished.
My friend began his portion of the gig by dutifully tugging on his rope when I began to say aloud, “I wonder what would happen if…”
But for some reason I chose not to finish my sentence aloud. Instead, in the middle of George’s sixth ring, I simultaneously pulled on the skinny rope.
Bad move!
Suddenly there was silence.
Sickly, deadly silence.
Deafening silence.
Painful silence.
Ear-piercing silence.
I looked at George.
George looked at me.
We both looked to make sure that Billy Cutsforth was not around and did the most logical thing we could think of—run for home as fast as our little legs could take us! I’m not sure what George did when he got to his house, but I hid under my bed and prayed for a miracle.
It has been fifty-two years since the unfortunate incident, so I can’t recall all the sordid details of crime and punishment. I mostly remember that the church bells in Lawler, Iowa did not ring for at least two weeks, my nick-name for the rest of the summer was “Dinger;” and we were never asked to perform that coveted chore again.
I also realize now that if I had not impulsively pulled that rope when I did, I would have missed out on a wonderful adventure to share with my grandsons.
(Bill Sheridan)