REGULAR MEETING
August 9, 2023
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session August 9, 2023 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Mike Abbas, Judy Crawford, Dan Scallon, Chuy Flores, and Joe Wessels. Quorum present.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve the August 9, 2023 agenda, as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) July 12, 2023 Regular Minutes and July 19, 2023 Special Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: July 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; July 2023 Clerk Budget; July 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; July 2023 Ambulance; July 2023 Fire; July 2023 Ackley Development Commission; June 2023 PeopleService; 2nd Quarter 2023 Airport Board of Trustees, and FY2023 Outstanding Debt Obligation. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis reported email communication from Marty Wymore, Region 6 Resource, about the grant application for Butler St. sidewalks.
Abbas spoke to M. Fistler from Prairie Bridges Park Board and Fistler would like Dennis to contact him about the Prairie Bridges Park 28E Agreement. Dennis will follow up.
Dennis shared concerns with the Peddler/Solicitor/Transient Chapter and the resolution that set the fees back in 2009. Dennis requested the council to rethink the $200 fee each time due to the popularity of food trucks. Dennis believes the City is missing out on opportunities that could bring visitors and residents uptown. Crawford also shared ideas. Flores suggested a per year fee. After discussion, the Council has requested Dennis to bring back an updated fee resolution for them to approve at the September meeting.
Dennis gave the Council the FY23 annual exam results. There was one finding and that finding is near impossible to correct. In speaking about the annual auditor’s exam, Dennis updated Council about the Auditor’s office as well as the League of Cities response on Chief Frick’s request to collect donations to then donate to other entities. This is not allowed per the Constitution of the State of Iowa. In the opinion of the auditor’s office, Frick is able to purchases trinkets, stickers, or plastic badges as those types of purchases could be considered community outreach, so long as the purchases are not significant in price and the council agrees.
Dennis informed Council that the Natural Gas Franchise agreement was terming on March 10, 2024. Council discussed increasing the fee from 1% to 3%. Dennis to get in touch with Black Hills and put in motion the updating of the ordinance, which would require public hearings and adopting of the ordinance.
Discussion regarding the speed feedback signs from the DOT. Wessels does not want to place signs in the particular place that the DOT wants to place them. Dennis believes that the DOT chooses the area of placement and they are the ones whom prepared the agreement. Abbas moved, Flores seconded to pass on the DOT speed feedback sign program. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Dennis updated Council of Darla Glenn’s request for the City to extend 3rd Avenue to a property she owns. Glenn requesting additional information about snow removal, tree stump removal, water run off on her property, and rocking all the way to Blue Earth St. Abbas to meet with Glenn on site to get exact requests and bring back to council in September. No action taken.
Flores moved, Scallon seconded to approve Clerk Dennis to close the AVAS Education Fund Account at GNB. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Nuss informed Council the Veterans Memorial Wall Committee is talking about replacing the solar lights with an archway with solar lights due to the moisture getting into the current ones and the lights failing.
Discussion regarding the Ambulance building updates. Abbas inquired as to the plan to get that started. Nuss informed Council that there could be a possibility of the neighboring property owner to give the City some footage on the side of the building to expand in exchange for a lot in Industrial Park. L. Gallentine, from CGA, Wessels, and Flores to meet at the building August 14, 2023 at 7 am to discuss options and needs. M. Carter, Eldora EMS director, informed Council their next board meeting was August 31, 2023. Carter requested the locks be changed on the building.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to adopt the Proclamation of Rail Safety Week. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 23-28 Approving Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between Iowa Department of Revenue and the City of Ackley. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Scallon, Flores, Wessels, and Abbas. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 23-29 Authorizing Mayor to enter into Engineering Agreement for Hardin Street Storm Sewer Replacement. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas, and Crawford. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Flores seconded to approve purchase Access Systems in the amount of $3,506.96. for City Hall Firewall Replacement. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to approve purchase to FAST Fiberglass in the amount of $10,801.69. for Splash Pad water slide. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
C. Ubben, PeopleService, reported a positive bacteria sample. Ubben retested up/down stream and the second test was negative. The 2-inch meters were discussed and the misreading of those meters. Dennis is working with PeopleService along with Ferguson and Simple City to get the 2-inch meters to import to the billing system correctly.
Gallentine, CGA, gave update on equalization basin. Woodruff to come wrap up project the end of August. There will be a change order on Sanitary Sewer Phase II project due to the change in schedule. Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve Pay Application 3 in the amount of $11,726.18 to Boomerang Corp. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to approve statement of completion and final acceptance of work for N. Butler St project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. D. Moore will be working remotely starting in September and will be retiring. James Sweeney and Gallentine will be taking over the City of Ackley projects to which Moore was involved in.
G. Frick, Police Chief, addressed Council on speed cameras. Frick would like to see the cameras installed and the funds used for community improvement and on public safety budgets. Frick informed Council there would be no cost to the City and the camera company comes to do a speed study for the placement, does the install, and does the billing of the tickets. Camera company keeps 30% of revenue. Frick requested Crawford inquired as to how many cameras would be installed. Council gave approval to look into the cameras. Frick updated Council on researching interest in the reserve officers’ program.
K. Meyer, public works supervisor, gave report on sealing sidewalks, storm cleanup, painting street lines, and cemetery tree damage.
Dennis inquired as to the GBBT request for a subordination agreement on a CDBG Housing project. Dennis informed Council about her communication from Mark Newberg, Region 6. Council instructed Dennis to go ahead and get agreement and put a resolution together for said agreement for September meeting.
Nuss turned in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, explained the Tri-Rinse truck parking issue, and shared inquiry from owner of 717 Park Ave regarding catalyst grant. Nuss applauded public safety and residents for storm cleanup.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to adjourn at 8:55 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS
TECHICAL SUPPORT/BACK UP
592.80
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC
LETTERHEAD
79.69
AGSOURCE COOPERATIVE SERV
POOL TESTING
42.00
AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL
CYLINER RENTAL
65.72
AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM SA
VETERANS WALL/FLAGS
193.65
AQUA CREEK PRODUCTS
SHIPPING FOR ACTUATOR KIT
43.47
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
804.29
BOOMERANG CORP
SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT-2
11726.18
CAPITAL ONE
GORILLA GLUE/SWIFFER DUSTER/BA
26.74
CAPITAL SANITARY SUPPLY
PAPERTOWELS
66.34
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
CONCESSION/WHEN I WORK/1ST AID KIT
1587.91
CASEYS GENERAL STORES
FUEL-PD
326.94
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT
PREMIER FICTION SERIES
560.88
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING
TOILET PAPER/GARBAGE BAGS/SHIPPG
235.00
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX
377.38
CGA
SAN SEWR PHASE II/EQUALIZATION BASI
17601.65
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
7/26/23 CLEANING
150.00
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR
CHILD SUPPORT
872.30
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP
GUTTER BROOM/STREET SWEEPER
203.06
DENNIS, MALENA
MILEAGE/PEOPLES SAVINGS BANK
7.86
DOLLAR GENERAL
BAKING SODA
4.00
EBS
HEALTH INSURANC
6529.62
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
9811.91
FORGY ELECTRIC
TREE TRIMMING/STORM CLEANUP
70.00
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
JULY LANDFILL FEES
1588.95
HARDIN COUNTY TIRE & SERV
2019 TAURUS TIRES-4
748.00
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
64.50
IA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
SPLASH PAD REGISTRATION
35.00
IBELING INSURANCE SERVICE
EMC RENEWAL 23/24
102868.20
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
BOOKS/SHIPPING
656.44
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
1610.73
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO
ANNUAL NPDES WASTEWATER PERMIT
210.00
IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFE
ON-LINE WARRANTS AND ARTICLES
300.00
IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACAD
DE-ESCALATION CLASS-VALVERDE
25.00
IPERS
IPERS - PROTECT
5194.13
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
GLOVES/PAINT/ROLLER
133.04
KEN'S REPAIR
WEEDEATER CARBURETOR/STRING/OIL
121.12
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
174.54
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC
TAPE/BATTERY/DEF
197.06
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
7437.07
MIDWEST LIVING
1 YR MAGAZINE
6.00
NORTHEAST IOWA RESPONSE G
FY 23/24
799.50
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
33767.52
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
16533.00
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
340.00
ROTGERS, MICHELE
PAYROLL REIMBURSEMENT
15.60
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
1107.67
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
30.00
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAXES
997.47
THE NORTHWAY CORPORATION
WELL #2 TEST PUMP/EQUIPMENT
11600.00
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
7/12/23 & 7/19/23 MINUTES
174.24
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
2 CELLS/2 JETPACKS/INTERNET
352.15
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
2444.49
CLAIMS TOTAL
245806.71
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
103942.24
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
566.88
ROAD USE TAX FUND
19750.17
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND
30003.27
WATER FUND
35859.98
SEWER FUND
15438.62
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
28228.33
GARBAGE FUND
11662.07
STORM WATER FUND
355.15
TOTAL
245806.71
REVENUE
GENERAL
130037.70
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
3000.04
AMBULANCE RIG/EQUIP RESER TOTAL
610.00
ROAD USE TAX
17970.33
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
1842.36
EMERGENCY FUND
144.47
LOST TOTAL
18349.68
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
4587.42
TIF TOTAL
954.37
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
2861.31
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL
4587.42
WATER
43974.99
WATER DEPOSITS
600.00
SEWER TOTAL
57688.07
SEWER - SINKING
16345.00
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL
151506.32
GARBAGE
12759.96
STORM SEWER
15366.76
TOTAL
483186.20