June City Council Meeting Minutes

Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting   June 2, 2014   7:00 PM   City Hall

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present: Dick Schnorenberg, Deb Speltz, Paul Rosenbaum, Tony Blazek Curt and Anita Franzen, Jay Uhlenhake.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve the Agenda. All Ayes.

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

Hawkeye REC Service

$16,345.41
Treasurer State of Iowa Sales tax

$922.00
United States Treasury FICA, with

$1,420.14
IPERS March

$935.72
Salaries Salaries

$5,288.54
Jendro Sanitation May garbage & spring cleanup

$3,233.33
Post Office Postage

$117.00
United Parcel Service shipping

$272.23
Windstream May

$72.20
Black Hills Energy natural gas

$172.14
Hawkins water supplies

$287.70
Iowa One Call locates

$20.10
K&W Coatings water tower cleaning

$550.00
Iowa Finance Authority sewer note

$32,460.00
Brown Supply Co. supplies

$686.06
Lawler Plumbing water supplies

$27.20
Stanton Electric electric repairs

$3,234.65
Aramark rental

$37.12
Office Depot office supplies

$97.26
Bodensteiner Imp supplies

$101.44
Iowa Prison Industries signs

$270.60
Test America water testing

$53.50
Jerry’s Electric transformers

$1,801.80
River City Paving cold mix

$431.36
Lawler Fire Dept. allotment

$5,512.50
Insurance Associates insurance

$20,986.00
CASH, Inc. supplies & fuel

$430.64

 

Total  

$96,228.64

 

Library Bills  

 

IPERS May

$182.34
Cathy Humpal wages

$1,225.40
Cathy Humpal mileage

$23.20
Food Network Magazine subscription

$29.97
Midwest Tape dvd’s

$24.14
INGRAM books

$310.22
Windstream service

$83.16

 

Library Total  

$1,878.43

 

April Receipts

General

$967.11
Property Tax

$2,795.88
Road Use Tax

$3,442.78
Local Option Tax

$2,851.65
Library

$0.00
Charges for Services

$34,174.01

Total  

$44,231.43

Moved by Scheidel seconded by Throndson to approve the following street closings for the Irish Fest weekend:  N Depot Street at the intersection of Grove Street north will closed Wednesday, June 18th through Monday June 23rd.  Grove Street from Depot Street to Benz Street and Grove Street from Benz Street to Brush Street will be closed from Friday, June 20th at 4 PM until Sunday, June 22 at 12 noon.  The intersection of Benz Street and Grove Street will be left open.  All areas will be enclosed with fence and barricades.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve a four-way stop on Highway 24 at the intersection of Lincoln Street on June 21-22.  All Ayes.

Correspondence from the City Attorney regarding water and sewer hookups was discussed.  The property owner agreed to install these services.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve Bucky’s cigarette permit renewal effective July 1, 2014.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to amend City Code 3-3-45 RE:  truck routes as follows:  Add Main Street from Depot Street to Benz Street and delete Lincoln Street.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Throndson to appoint John Izer as fire department representative to replace Jeremy Scheidel.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Izer to send notice to property owners to abate nuisances within 30 days.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve a 3.5% salary increase for city employees effective July 1, 2014.  All Ayes.

Dick Schnorenberg and Jay Uhlenhake will do a survey of city trees.

Curt Franzen and John Izer will work out street closing times for wedding parking on June 21st.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM.  All Ayes.

______________________________

Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May City Council Meeting Minutes

Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting   May 5, 2014   7:00 PM   City Hall

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present: Pat Sheridan, Dianna Gebel, Deb Speltz, Harold Busta & Jay Uhlenhake.

Moved by Zubrod, seconded by Scheidel to approve the Agenda with the addition of discussion on fire department representative appointment. All Ayes.

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

Hawkeye REC Service

$19,472.31
Treasurer State of Iowa Sales tax

$785.00
United States Treasury FICA, with

$1,420.12
IPERS March

$935.72
Salaries Salaries

$5,288.54
Jendro Sanitation Garbage-April

$2,049.31
Post Office Postage

$215.00
United Parcel Service shipping

$161.43
Windstream April

$73.77
Black Hills Energy natural gas

$318.26
Fehr Graham water project services

$1,351.00
Blazek Corporation water main repair

$917.50
Hawkins water supplies

$579.29
Bank Iowa street note

$14,228.76
Terry-Durin Co. electric supplies

$972.00
Richard Zahasky legal fees

$525.00
Gary Cuvelier 24 hours – snow removal

$240.00
Roger Dreckman 15 hours – snow removal

$150.00
Lawler Public Library allotment

$1,179.00
Stanton Electric electric repairs

$3,632.05
Post Office box rent

$50.00
Five Star Co-op fuel

$410.40
New Hampton Tribune proceedings

$52.15
Iowa Prison Industries signs

$491.15
Test America water & wastewater testing

$53.50
Paul Niemann Const. rock

$73.42
Marshall & Swift rental

$18.56
Total

$56,105.24
Library Bills
IPERS April

$170.73
Cathy Humpal wages

$1,147.42
Calmar Courier subscription

$32.00
Farm & Ranch Living subscription

$19.98
Craft Ideas subscription

$21.99
The Courier subscription

$66.69
Midwest Tape dvd’s

$206.76
INGRAM books

$220.37
Windstream service

$82.89
Riley’s, Inc. supplies

$79.00
Penworthy books

$113.72
Petty Cash postage & supplies

$77.75
Jane Lynch part-time wages

$65.25
Library Total

$2,304.55
April Receipts
General

$351.18
Property Tax

$26,545.54
Road Use Tax

$2,364.65
Local Option Tax

$2,851.64
Library

$0.00
Charges for Services

$37,209.09
Total

$69,322.10

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Izer to approve the Lawler Irish Fest, Inc. beer permit application, boundaries of the beer garden are subject to the property owners consent.  All Ayes.

Street closing times for the Lawler Irish Fest will be discussed at the next meeting.

Bids for street repairs were opened by Mayor Mueterthies.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Izer to accept the bid of $14,926.00 from Roger Dreckman Construction for street resurfacing at the intersection of Depot Street & Rogers Street approx. 2422 sq. ft.  All Ayes.

Moved by Izer, seconded by Scheidel to accept the bid of $19,980.00 from Roger Dreckman Construction for the resurfacing of S. Center Street 20’ x 168’.  All Ayes.

Discussion of resurfacing S. Lincoln Street was tabled.

The City has been awarded a CDBG grant for water system improvements.  The grant administrator will be at the next meeting.

Details on a Hazard Mitigation Grant through FEMA will be looked into.

Moved by Throndson, seconded by Scheidel to check with the City Attorney on the enforcement of code on water and sewer hookups giving the property owner 90 days to comply.  All Ayes.

Moved by Zubrod, seconded by Throndson to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM.  All Ayes.

______________________________

Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk

April City Council Meeting Minutes

Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting   April 7, 2014   7:00 PM   City Hall

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present: Tony Blazek, Pat Sheridan, Tim Speltz, Gail Stammeyer, Steve Stammeyer, Cathy Humpal, Rich Langreck & Jay Uhlenhake.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the Agenda with the addition of the Irish Fest beer permit discussion. All Ayes.

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

Hawkeye REC Service

$20,807.34
Treasurer State of Iowa Sales tax

$961.00
United States Treasury FICA, with

$1,420.16
IPERS March

$935.73
Salaries Salaries

$5,288.54
Jendro Sanitation Garbage-March

$2,060.32
Post Office Postage

$68.00
United Parcel Service shipping

$158.17
Windstream March

$75.47
Black Hills Energy natural gas

$384.61
Marshall & Swift rental

$37.12
CASH, Inc. fuel & supplies

$791.03
Five Star Coop fuel  – February

$361.77
New Hampton Tribune proceedings

$185.71
Bodensteiner Imp. lawn mower trade

$3,150.00
Bodensteiner Imp. broom

$3,850.00
Bucky’s fuel

$47.24
Wellmark health insurance

$3,144.15
Hawkins, Inc. water supplies

$1,023.79
Rosenbaum Auto tire repair

$14.75
Sandean service

$307.12
American Signal Corp siren parts

$814.14
NAPA of New Hampton parts

$37.98
Waucoma Tire Company tire repair

$146.25
Fehr Graham water project services

$965.00
IAMU membership dues

$1,043.00
Mracek Electric water

$250.00
Stanton Electiric repairs

$192.50
City of Lawler electric at lift station

$273.78
Treasurer State of Iowa withholding

$738.00
Iowa Workforce Development unemployment

$56.60
Five Star Coop fuel – March

$113.09
TestAmerica water testing

$191.99
Total

$50,356.35
Library Bills
IPERS March

$150.85
Cathy Humpal wages

$1,013.74
US Treasury FICA

$507.28
State of Iowa withholding

$24.00
Good Housekeeping subscription

$26.72
Prevention subscription

$22.97
Mitinet software maintenance

$329.00
MidAmerica Books books

$99.75
INGRAM books

$113.03
US Post Office box rent

$50.00
Library Total

$2,337.34
March Receipts
General

$217.15
Property Tax

$2,616.15
Road Use Tax

$3,487.19
Local Option Tax

$2,851.64
Library

$35.00
Charges for Services

$44,907.55
Total

$54,114.68

Several property owners who live along the north drainage ditch discussed their concerns about high water along the ditch.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to look into rebuilding the dike that diverts water in the north drainage ditch and to also look into what my need to be done to the Brush Street culvert.  All Ayes.

More information was needed for the Irish Fest beer permit application.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve Bucky’s beer permit renewal.  All Ayes.

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

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Zubrod to approve repairs to Main Street in the amount of $2,500 from Roger Dreckman Construction.  All Ayes.

There will be bids at the next meeting for more street repairs.

Discussion on a golf cart ordinance was tabled.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to approve the Law Enforcement contract with Chickasaw County effective July 1, 2014.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 PM.  All Ayes.

______________________________

Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-Book/Kindle Workshop @ Lawler Public Library

Need help using your e-book? A workshop is being planned at the Lawler Public Library on Saturday, April 12,  2014 @ 10:00 am. Walk-ins are welcome, but they prefer that you call the library to reserve a spot for yourself (563.238.2191). The comfort level with presenters will be with the Kindle products, but they should be able to assist you with other products, as well.

Swimming in New Hampton Pool

Not sure whether Lawler kids  still take ‘swimming lessons’ at New Hampton Pool…but here is my experience back in 1954. It was published in the New Hampton Tribune and Des Moines Register in March 2014 almost 60 years after it happened:

High Board Anxiety

With winter soon to be in our rear view mirror and summer hanging on to the heels of spring, I have been thinking about my youth in Lawler; and the thrill of learning new things each season. One such event was the year I learned to swim at the pool in nearby New Hampton.

I am guessing it was circa 1954 when my 10th birthday had arrived. To be able to swim in the ‘deep end’ without supervision, it was necessary to be approved by an instructor, but only  after performing proficiency in floating, back floating, breast stroke and other such tests. There was one, indeed, which required overcoming a phobia ingrained in me: I am afraid of heights.

The east end of New Hampton Municipal Pool at the time had five diving boards. The high board in the middle was approximately 10 feet above the water. To me it might as well have been 100 feet and terrified me! Below it on both sides were middle boards, probably five feet above the water, and on the outside of these, low boards a couple feet above splash down.

I had completed every task except bounding off the high board. The high school girl swimming instructor urged me on, “Don’t worry. You can do this. I’ll be here to catch you the minute you hit the water! It’s okay to jump. You don’t have to dive.”

Frankly, I did not share her optimism. Simply getting to the end of the board was ominous enough, let alone leaping to certain death at the end of that sojourn. “Nope,” I hollered down, “can’t do it.”

“Sure you can, Bill. Run out quickly and leap without thinking. It will all be over in a couple of seconds and you’ll be so proud of what you did. It’s the only thing left to pass your test,” she coaxed.

Buying time, and secretly hoping that the horn signaling the end of swimming lessons would blast, I asked, “Is it okay if I sit down and push myself to the end of the board?”

“That would be fine,” she agreed, much to my chagrin. “Do whatever it takes to get to the end of the board and then drop into the pool. But hurry. We are running out of time today.”

Now the rest of what happened is somewhat cloudy in my mind. After all, it was 60 years ago and sometimes a little difficult to separate historical fact from fiction. But I recall that time stood still, everyone else departed from the pool to watch, and the instructor looked up at me with a conglomeration  of empathy, exasperation, hope, and evil in her eyes.

Now I was doomed. She had agreed to my demands and there was no honorable way out. My buddies, the Timlins, Scallys and Leonards, who could do double back flips off the high board, would surely never let me forget this moment if I chickened out.

So, ever so slowly, I crept out toward the end of the board lifting my rump with my arms. She looks up. I look down. All eyes are on my next move. My white knuckles are velcroed to the diving board. My 10-year-old heart is pounding.

“Jump, Bill. You can do this. Close your eyes and jump!”

I really want to please her and want to get this over with and want my stupid buddies to look the other way, but I’m terrified. And not even half way to the end of the board.

“Come on. Do it. I will be so proud of you.” But for some inexplicable reason she turned her head, just for a split second.

At that very minute I did it! I pushed myself off the side of the board into the depths of the deep end at the east end of New Hampton Municipal Swimming Pool. Seconds later I came up to surface grinning as if I had successfully leapt off the Grand Canyon into swirling rapids.

And she missed it! Well, she probably heard it. But she didn’t see it.

Since I’m  70, she must now be in her mid to late 70s. I wish I knew her name so that I could thank her and apologize for taking so much of her time and energy that sunny summer 1954 morning. Hopefully, she will read this and remember the little red headed kid from Lawler who listened to and heeded her urging. She was able to sign my ‘Certificate of Passing’ to allow me the right to swim alone in the deep end.

One last thing. You might be wondering how many times I’ve since jumped off a high board in the six ensuing decades since that momentous occasion. The answer to that question:  Zero. I’m afraid of heights!

Bill Sheridan

8106 Brookview Drive – Urbandale, IA 50322

515.669.4913 (Cell)                    515.276.4790 (Landline)

March 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

Lawler City Council Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting   March 3, 2014   7:00 PM   City Hall

Mayor Mueterthies presided.

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

Others present: Orlo Njus, Chris Njus, Jay Uhlenhake, Anita Franzen, Deb Speltz, Rebecca Fayer, Betsy Roesler & Frank Wilson.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to approve the Agenda with the addition of sandbag stroage discussion. All Ayes.

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

Hawkeye REC Service

$23,636.79
Treasurer State of Iowa Sales tax

$1,045.00
United States Treasury FICA, with

$1,420.14
IPERS February

$935.72
Salaries Salaries

$5,288.54
Jendro Sanitation Garbage-February

$2,072.70
Post Office Postage

$117.55
United Parcel Service shipping

$334.99
Windstream February

$78.42
Black Hills Energy natural gas

$329.45
Marshall & Swift rental

$37.12
CASH, Inc. fuel & supplies

$345.60
Five Star Coop fuel

$292.88
New Hampton Tribune proceedings

$69.96
Schueth Hardware supplies

$19.98
Bodensteiner Imp. parts

$315.21
Franzen Sales& Service blade

$191.21
Pollard pest control

$54.50
Klimish Motor Sales parts

$73.00
Hawkins, Inc. water supplies

$331.50
Blazek Corporation water main repair

$1,682.10
Westrum Leak Detection leak locate

$762.50
Region 1 AWWA class fee

$20.00
Mic’s Plumbing & Heating frozen water line

$442.98
Team Lab road patch

$448.28

 

Total  

$40,808.12

 

Library Bills  

 

IPERS February

$152.50
Cathy Humpal wages

$1,024.88
MORE Magazine subscription

$20.00
INGRAM books

$158.86
Midwest Tapes dvd’s

$172.13
Windstream January

$83.10
Midwest Living subscription

$19.97

 

Library Total  

$1,631.44

 

February Receipts

General

$235.20
Property Tax

$94.76
Road Use Tax

$5,093.98
Local Option Tax

$3,248.05
Library

$0.00
Charges for Services

$44,885.90

Total  

$53,557.89

Rebecca Fayer from Chickasaw Connections gave a presentation on statistics of underage drinking.  Deb Speltz and Betsy Roesler also answered questions about the mission of Chickasaw Connections.  The Council decided to place signs in the parks regarding alcohol consumption.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to sign a declaration to support alcohol awareness month during the month of April.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Izer to open the public hearing on the FY 2014/2015 budget estimate at 7:15 PM.  All Ayes  There were no oral or written comments or objections at this time.

Moved by King, seconded by Scheidel to close the public hearing on the FY 2014/2015 budget estimate.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Zubrod to adopt the FY 2014/2015 budget estimate.  All Ayes.

There was no new information on Irish Fest plans.  The application for the beer permit was not submitted and will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Izer to approve the Starlite Ballroom liquor license renewal.  All Ayes.

Discussion on the gold cart ordinance was tabled for the next meeting.

Amendments for a new law enforcement contract were reviewed.  The City would like these changes to be incorporated into a new contract.  Supervisor Byrne and the Sheriff will be contacted regarding a new contract.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to accept the bid of $3,150.00 from Bodensteiner Imp to trade the lawn mower for a John Deere X754 plus deck.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to accept the bid of $3,850.00 from Bodensteiner Imp for a John Deere 60 in. heavy-duty rotary broom.  All Ayes.

Moved by King, seconded by Zubrod to accept the bid of $44,200.00 from Bodensteiner Imp to trade the tractor for a John Deere 6125M and H340 loader plus weights. All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by Zubrod to enter into a six year loan agreement with John Deere to finance the purchase of a John Deere 6125M tractor and H340 loader.  All Ayes.

Moved by Scheidel, seconded by King to appoint Jason Byrne as the City representative on the Turkey River Watershed Board.  All Ayes.

Spring Cleanup Day will be on May 16th.  The City will not be picking up appliances this year.  The TV, monitor and microwave pickup will be the same as last year.

The Fire Dept. no longer wants to store sandbags.  In the future the sandbags will be stored in the City Shop.  Ken Rasing will be contacted to check on the availability of sandbags to have on hand.

Moved by King, seconded by Izer to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM.  All Ayes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

Sue Cutsforth, City Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s Day Stew Supper

Lawler_funny

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s Stew Supper
Sponsored by the Lawler Irish Fest

Date: March 22, 2014
Time: 5:00 ~ 8:00p.m.
Where: Lawler Iowa
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Basement

Cost:
$7.50 in Advance
$8.00 at the Door
$5.00 for ages 6-12
5 and under Free

Come and join us for great food and great live Irish music.

Meal:
Homemade Irish Stew
Biscuits
Coleslaw
Bars and Cookies