REGULAR MEETING
April 12, 2023
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session April 12, 2023 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Joe Wessels, Mike Abbas, Judy Crawford, Dan Scallon, and Chuy Flores. Quorum present.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded to approve the April 12, 2023 agenda, as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) March 8, 2023 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: March 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; March 2023 Clerk Budget; March 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; March 2023 Ambulance; March 2023 Fire; February 2023 PeopleService; March 2023 Ackley Development Commission, 1st Quarter 2023 Investment; 1st Quarter 2023 Ackley Public Library Investment; 1st Quarter 2023 Deputy Clerk Ambulance Write Off; 1st Quarter 2023 Prairie Bridges/Park Fest; and 1st Quarter Airport Board of Trustees. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
At Mayor Nuss’ discretion, Nuss moved item #8 Ambulance Merger to be placed before item #5 Dumont Telephone fiber optic project.
The Mayor informed council of their options regarding the previous action made during the February meeting regarding the AVAS proposed merger with Eldora EMS. Nuss requested Council members present their alternative plan if Council would decide to rescind the previous vote. Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to rescind the previous action of the merger. Ayes-Abbas, Flores, Wessels. Nays-Crawford, Scallon. Motion carried.
Further discussion regarding the AVAS merger. Carey Morton Callaway from the Eldora City Council addressed council with clarification, information, and inquired as to what any other provider was proposing as Eldora would like an opportunity to counter propose any offer. M. Carter from Eldora EMS addressed council with the areas that her service is covering as all small communities are struggling with getting staff. Amber Gronewold, on behalf of the Ackley Pool Manager, voiced concerns with having no ambulance service for Ackley and having 15- and 16-year-old life guards try and save lives is a huge burden on them with no service in town. Jesse Gardner, Ackley resident and AVAS crew member, inquired as to out of town crew members versus in town crews. Jill Janssen, whom lives in the AVAS service area, addressed council with concerns of coverage with her parents getting elderly and wanting to make sure they would get the coverage they need. Ann Schriever, Ackley resident, voiced her concern and support of the Eldora merger. Dale Brass, Ackley resident, informed Council that the community needed to have an ambulance service in town, as well as, informed Council that the Lion’s Building was no longer an option for the Ambulance as the Lion’s Club needed to be able to address their own club business. Joan Frazier, Ambulance President, shared concerns knowing it was not an easy decision. Abbas addressed C. Calloway assuming Ackley goes forth with the merger, when would Ackley be guaranteed coverage here in Ackley? Carter and Calloway both responded with the timelines of Phase I and Phase II of the merger. Carter will be spending at least a 12-hour shift twice a week. Chuy Flores voiced concerns about the risk the City of Ackley would be taking with the merger. Dan Scallon voiced concerns of the risk the City of Ackley is taking by not merging and not currently having a service that is sustainable. Wages and on-call pay was discussed. Nuss strongly encouraged a motion for the merger as there were no other proposals/options presented. Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to continue on with the Eldora EMS Merger. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Crawford. Nays-Abbas, Flores, Wessels. Motion failed.
Clerk Dennis informed Council regarding the Dumont Telephone/Huntel Engineering fiber optic project. Dennis provided council with the city ordinance regarding right of way permits and fees. Huntel was inquiring as to the right of way permit and fees and if “pot holes” were considered a ROW dig. L. Gallentine has not considered those as excavations. Item will be on May’s agenda.
Teresa Keninger from the AGWSR shared concerns with Clerk Dennis about the lack of sidewalks on Butler St. from the Ackley Housing complexes to the school. At one time, the City had been awarded a “Safe Routes to School” grant but was unable to commit their financial part of the grant requirements. Gallentine will look to see if this type of grant is still available and give the council a rough estimate of cost. Council instructed Dennis to update Keninger with no definitive commitment but the City will look at it.
Abbas moved, Flores seconded to post job posting for the Pool lifeguards to Facebook, webpage, school. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Flores seconded to approve 605 Main Street CDBG-CV Façade Grant Change Order #3. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve the proposed contractor violation letter regarding turning on/off curb valves. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to open the public hearing for proposed ordinance No. 521 amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackey regarding the Regulation of Off-Road Utility Vehicles at 8:21 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
No written or oral comments/concerns/objections were given or shared.
Wessels moved, Flores seconded to close the public hearing for proposed ordinance No. 521 amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackey regarding the Regulation of Off-Road Utility Vehicles at 8:22 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to approve the first reading of the proposed Ordinance No. 521 amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackey regarding the Regulation of Off-Road Utility Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores, Wessels. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to waive the second and third readings of the proposed Ordinance No. 521 amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackey regarding the Regulation of Off-Road Utility Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes- Crawford, Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to adopt said proposed Ordinance No. 521 amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ackey regarding the Regulation of Off-Road Utility Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas, Crawford. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to approve Beer/Liquor License for Friends of Prairie Bridges and the Ackley Chamber of Commerce pending dram shop insurance. Ayes-All. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to pass Resolution 23-13 Authorizing Mayor entering into a 5-year sanitary sewer maintenance contract with CIT Sewer Solution. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas, Crawford. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to pass Resolution 23-14 Designating certain streets for use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road utility vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes-Flores, Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Flores seconded to pass Resolution 23-15 Hiring Amber Gronewold as pool manager and setting wages for the employees of the pool for the 2023 season. Roll call vote: Ayes- Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 23-16 Temporarily closing certain streets for the 2023 Sauerkraut Days. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores, Wessels. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve purchase to Mort’s Water in the amount of $2,678.78. for the sanitary sewer main repair at 405 Sherman Ave. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
L. Gallentine, from CGA, updated council on Sanitary Sewer Phase II and EQ basin projects. Contractor has been working on Splash pad, with a completion date of Memorial Day. Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve change order #2 for N. Butler St project for a reduction amount of $8,397.86. Ayes-all. Motion carried. City of Ackley was awarded a grant in the amount of $400,000 on the estimated projected cost of $600,000 for full reconstruction on Franklin St. north of the railroad tracks to Sherman Ave. The City would need to pay $200,000 of project for FY25.
Chief Frick presented an updated patch design. Frick will phase out old patch design and replace with new. Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve patch design. Ayes-all. Motion carried. The established date will be added to the new patch design. Frick updated council on 3 potential officers, 2 have passed the test. Frick to schedule time for interviews and inform Flores, Crawford, and Nuss of the available times.
K. Meyer, public works, reported storm sewer manhole on Hwy 57/Franklin St will be replaced next week, street sweeping is about done, repaired a storm sewer on 4th Ave/Mitchell St., and cleaned out the creek culverts.
Clerk Dennis reported Bagley’s claim has been paid by PeopleService insurance carrier, update on loan forgiveness for Phase II, legislature changes regarding open meeting laws, deputy clerk’s last day, upcoming conference and vacation days and having to close City Hall.
During council comments, Crawford is requesting 3 alternatives for the future of the ambulance service from the nay voters of the ambulance merger. Mayor Nuss reminded council of the special meeting on April 19, 2023.
Gary Hemphill spoke to council regarding the loss of the grocery store and now the ambulance service, 2 of the reasons he relocated to the City of Ackley. Dale Brass inquired as to the function of the outside lights on the sidewalk.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to adjourn at 9:04 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP
1185.60
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/SILO/INGRAM
22.80
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC
BUSINESS CARDS-DENNIS
29.28
AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL
CYLINDER RENTAL/HAZMAT DELIVERY
337.79
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
3299.93
CAPITAL ONE
DVDS/CARD GAMES/DISINFECTANT
66.28
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
COUNTER/LED LIGHT/WHEN I WORK/FOLDERS
408.51
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX
377.52
CGA
SAN SEWR PHASE II/N BUTLER ST/EQ BASIN
18255.60
CITY OF GRUNDY CENTER
PARAMEDIC INTERCEPT
200.00
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
3/22/23 CLEANING
150.00
CLEMONS, MARJEAN
STEM FAIR/HARDIN CO LIB MTG
91.31
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR
CHILD SUPPORT
140.00
COUNTRY LIVING
MAGAZINE
21.37
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP
SIGNAGE FOR SPLASHPAD
132.05
DIAMOND LAKE BOOK CO.
CHILDREN'S ENCYCLOPEDIAS
131.80
DOLLAR GENERAL
PUZZLES
22.95
EBS
HEALTH INSURANC
6368.75
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
11444.01
FIRE SERVICE TRAINING BUR
HAZMAT T. MEYER
50.00
GALLS INC.
PORELON INK PADS-2
41.99
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
MARCH LANDFILL FEES
1364.55
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATION
CAMERA CORD REPAIR
285.00
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
61.60
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
BOOKS/SHIPPING
524.21
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
1875.23
IOWA DEPT OF INSPECTIONS
CONCESSION STAND FOOD LICENSE
150.00
IOWA DEPT OF REVENUE
GARNISHMENT
80.00
IOWA FALLS EMS
CPR RECERTIFICATIONS-27 MEMBER
466.00
IPERS
IPERS - REGULAR
3668.74
JASPER ENGINEERING & EQUI
OMNISITE BALLS/ANTENNAS
15680.28
M&G TIRE SERVICE
2009 F450 AMB 2 TIRES/2007 TIRE REPAIR
495.58
MAIN STREET DESIGNS
HOLIDAY BANNERS-3
372.12
MAINSTAY SYSTEMS OF IOWA
UPGRADED PD COMPUTER MEMORY
305.00
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
174.88
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
5676.42
MOTHER EARTH LIVING
MAGAZINE
18.00
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVI
SERVICE CALL/COMPRESSOR
1180.00
NAPA AUTO PARTS
TRUCK 327/325 FUEL/OIL FILTERS/POOL SLIDE
763.20
NUCARA PHARMACY
RID
8.73
OTTER CREEK FARMS INC.
AIRPORT LEASE
750.00
P.C.C.
AMBULANCE BILLING FEES
867.97
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
38730.21
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
15437.00
PIONEER WOMAN
MAGAZINE
19.97
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
320.00
S & S AUTO REPAIR INC.
97 FORD L8000 RADIATOR REPLACE
1497.81
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
633.14
SEQUEL ARCHITECTURE, PLC
605 MAIN ST - FACADE WORK
120.00
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
30.00
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAXES
646.01
TASER INTERNATIONAL
TASER INSTRUCTOR CERT-FRICK
495.00
THE NORTHWAY CORPORATION
REMOVE EQUIPMEN WELL #2/TELEVISE SHAFT
6865.00
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
3/8/23 MINUTES/PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
165.60
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
CELL PHONES/EQUIPMENT/MODEM
790.97
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
1962.14
CLAIMS TOTAL
149553.80
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
60406.75
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND
5702.50
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
419.56
ROAD USE TAX FUND
17954.11
CAP PROJ - SPLASH PAD FUND
132.05
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND
2619.00
WATER FUND
19705.44
SEWER FUND
25654.00
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
9934.10
GARBAGE FUND
6448.89
STORM WATER FUND
577.40
TOTAL
149553.80
REVENUE
GENERAL
52463.83
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL
629.00
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
1000.04
ROAD USE TAX
10607.73
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
6053.45
EMERGENCY FUND
474.69
LOST TOTAL
16633.53
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
4158.38
TIF
8642.24
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
10304.49
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL
4158.38
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE
60.00
WATER
38843.72
WATER DEPOSITS
450.00
SEWER TOTAL
57352.71
SEWER - SINKING
16328.34
SEWER - RESERVES
31434.32
GARBAGE
13619.94
STORM SEWER
15633.93
TOTAL
288848.72