REGULAR MEETING
January 10, 2024
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session January 10, 2024 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Maliah Roelfs, Judy Crawford, and Dan Scallon. Absent: Mike Abbas and Chuy Flores. Quorum present.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to approve the January 10, 2024 agenda, as listed. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
With the removal of the 4th Quarter 2023 Deputy Clerk Ambulance Write off Report, Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) December 13, 2023 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: December 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; December 2023 Clerk Budget; December 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; December 2023 Ambulance; December 2023 Fire, December 2023 PeopleService, December 2023 Ackley Development, 3rd Quarter 2023 Ackley Public Library Investment; 4th Quarter 2023 Prairie Bridges/Park Fest: and 4th Quarter 2023 Airport Board of Trustees. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to open the public hearing for the CDBG status of funded activities on Sanitary Sewer WWTP Phase II project at 7:02 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried. Clerk Dennis gave the report on the general description of accomplishments to date. The wastewater treatment improvements project currently has expended $1,178,462. The CDBG share is $243,144 and the SRF share is $935,318. The remaining $256,856 of CDBG funds will be requested as the project continues construction. The wastewater treatment improvements will be completed in later calendar year 2024. No other comments or concerns were made. Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to close the public hearing for the CDBG status of funded activities on Sanitary Sewer WWTP Phase II at 7:03 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to open the public hearing for the first reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 522 Amending Chapter 69 of the Code of the City of Ackley Pertaining to the No Parking Zones at 7:04 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried. No comments or concerns were made or received. Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to close the public hearing for the first reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 522 Amending Chapter 69 of the Code of the City of Ackley Pertaining to the No Parking Zones at 7:04 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to open the public hearing for the FY24 Proposed Budget Amendment at 7:05 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried. No comments or concerns were made or received. Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to close the public hearing for the FY24 Proposed Budget Amendment at 7:06 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve the first reading of the Proposed Ordinance No. 522 Amending Chapter 69 of the Code of the City of Ackley Pertaining to the No Parking Zones. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried. Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to set a public hearing for the second reading of the Proposed Ordinance No. 522 Amending Chapter 69 of the Code of the City of Ackley Pertaining to the No Parking Zones to February 14, 2024 at 6 pm in the Council Chambers. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve Resolution 24-01 Amending Current Budget for FY June 30, 2024. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Scallon, Roelfs. Absent: Flores and Abbas. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis reported she had spoken to M. Fistler from the Prairie Bridges Park Board on December 27, 2023. Dennis emailed T. Nederhoff, on the same date, with an update request and to date has not received a response. Guidance given to Dennis to send a letter and phone call to inform Board that the City of Ackley will pursue an agreement drafted up by the City Attorney, Seth Schroeder. Dennis reported on the water leak at the park and leak appears to be fixed. Paul Williams, Prairie Bridges board member, is scheduling a time with White, PeopleService, to show White where the water lines and installed shut offs are located.
Discussion regarding the plans for the existing Ambulance shed. Gallentine is to work up specifications/estimates for bidding on the remodel of sleep quarters. The survey for the additional parcel was presented to Council and Dennis to forward that survey to the City Attorney.
James King, Deanna Arends, and Jesse Oelmann from the Eldora-Ackley EMS Advisory Board gave verbal report to the council. The Eldora-Ackley EMS will be hosting a Hot Beef Fundraiser and funds raised will go to the merged entity. Discussion regarding revisiting the Merger Agreement due to budgeting and coming up on the first-year end. Crawford inquired as to the EMS response time and Oelmann reported within 5 minutes to the shed. J. Frazier will request figures from City of Eldora for City of Ackley budgeting purposes. Discussion about rotating vehicles between the 2 communities.
Follow up on the demolition permit request. Dennis presented an example from another community. Guidance by Council to have Clerk work up a permit for the City of Ackley for follow up at February meeting.
Stan Siems from CNS Internet Service presented Council and Mayor with an Iowa Department of Transportation Right of Way permit to be signed off from the City, in order to continue with the fiber optic expansion for CNS Internet. This particular right of way permit is for Highway 57. Siems reported the agreement with MidAmerican Energy is complete, in order for CNS to use MidAmerican poles for the fiber optic expansion within the City. L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants informed Siems that CNS would need to do right of way permits if the plans include digging into City right of ways. Siems reported the airport situation was not intentional on their part. Crawford informed Siems there was no issue with CNS Internet expansion but that CNS needed to get approval from the Council. Crawford moved, Roelf seconded to approve CNS Internet Services for their expansion. Ayes-2. Abstain-Scallon. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Iowa Department of Transportation does still have the speed feedback sign program. Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to approve signing the application for the feedback signs. Ayes-3 Absent-2. Motion carried.
Three bids were sent out for the 3rd Avenue Extension Project. Two bids were received and presented to Council. Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve Scallon Lawn Care in the amount of $1,550 for the 3rd Avenue Extension Project. Ayes-3 Absent-2. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve beer/liquor license for Dolgen Corp DBA Dollar General. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve Mayoral reappointments of Mike Abbas as Representative and Chuy Flores as Alternate to the Hardin County Solid Waste Disposal Commission and Recycling and Judy Crawford for Mayor Pro Tem. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to appoint Malena Dennis as City Clerk for a 2-year term. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to appoint Seth Schroeder as City Attorney for a 2-year term. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 24-02 Setting Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement Rate for calendar year 2024. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Roelfs, Crawford. Absent-Flores and Abbas. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 24-03 Designating Ackley World Journal for the official newspaper for the City of Ackley for calendar year 2024. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Crawford, Scallon. Absent-Flores and Abbas Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 24-04 Setting Meeting Time and Place for the Ackley City Council. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Crawford, Scallon. Absent- Flores and Abbas Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 24-05 Authorizing the Mayor to sign the PeopleService Letter of Acknowledgement. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Scallon, Roelfs. Absent- Abbas and Flores. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Roelfs seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $17,260 for Lincoln Ave/13th St water valve insertion. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to approve final payment to Cornerstone Commercial Contractors in the amount of $23,696.46 for 605 Main Street Façade Grant. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
Matt White, PeopleService, reported what was thought to be a water main break on Sherman Ave was actually a private water line at Tri-Rinse. Tri-Rinse has installed an insert shut off valve into their vault for shut off purposes. White is attempting to get access to that vault, in case of emergencies. White informed Council of the test results of the Traditional Meats meter. The meter tested with 99.9% average accuracy. White will work with H. Draeger, PeopleService, on the ability to shut down Main Street.
Gallentine, CGA, updated council on the punch list for the EQ basin. Progress on Sanitary Sewer Phase II is currently pending weather. Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve Pay Application 8 in the amount of $531,500.94 to Boomerang Corp for Sanitary Sewer Phase II project. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried. Close out for N. Butler St is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Gallentine will be presenting plans and specifications, at the February meeting, for bidding on the Hardin Street Storm Sewer project. No update from AAA Construction on the Splash Pad. Discussion regarding abandonment for that project. Council requested the Clerk to contact City Attorney on our next step to deem it abandoned by the Contractor.
K. Meyer, public works supervisor, gave department report. There was a roof leak at the Civic Center. The contractor was called and the leak has been patched. The leak did ruin some ceiling tiles. Meyer working to find matching ones. Meyer has received garbage truck replacement quote and has given it to the clerk.
Dennis will be out of the office February 1-5, continues to work on the FY25 budget, fire townships are complete, and reported Tom Eiten would be interested in purchasing or taking 4-5 dump truck loads of dirt from the waste water treatment plant.
Nuss presented Council/Clerk with potential projects, while the City works through the FY25 Budget.
Dale Brass, Chair of the Airport Board of Trustees, voiced concerns and disappointment with how the City handled the CNS Antenna at the airport and the locking of the airport office door. Mike Siems, from CNS Internet, shared his concerns with the violation letter to remove the equipment from the airport building. Crystal Hunter shared concerns regarding Mediacom having the option to install equipment on City property but that the option wasn’t given to the CNS Internet. Reem Properties addressed Council regarding utility billing on a property they own which is installed with a 2-inch meter. Crawford advised to set up a meeting with the Mayor and Council Committee. Crystal Hunter addressed Council for the Neighborhood Watch. Pat Ubben shared frustrations with City Hall, violation letters, the handling of the CNS Internet issue, and the buildings downtown.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to adjourn at 8:57 pm. Ayes-3. Absent-2. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY | REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/STAMPS | 70.43 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 1459.75 |
BOOMERANG CORP | SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT-2 | 531500.94 |
CAPITAL ONE | AFTER SCHOOL FRIENDS-SNACKS | 39.30 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | WESTERN SERIES BOOKS | 563.85 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 405.60 |
CGA | SAN SEWR PH II/EQ BASIN/N BUTLER/AMBU | 29221.22 |
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING | 12/27/23 CLEANING | 125.00 |
CORNERSTONE COMMERICIAL | 626 MAIN ST/FACADE GRANT | 23696.46 |
EAST WEST BOOKS | BOOKS | 141.94 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 5662.58 |
ELECTRIC PUMP | REPLACE WWTP PUMP #3 SEAL LEAK | 6343.00 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 4137.07 |
FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC | TJ & TJ METER | 1204.11 |
FOLLETT SCHOOL SOLUTIONS | 1 YR SERVICE RENEWAL | 1042.36 |
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP | GLUE STICKS | 5.99 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | DECEMBER LANDFILL FEES | 1833.15 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 64.50 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS/SHIPPING | 330.18 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | FUEL/DIESEL | 520.21 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 4566.88 |
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL | BOOTS - K MEYER/B.HOLMGAARD | 344.98 |
MEDIACOM | PHONE/FAX/INTERNET | 193.05 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | AIR COMPRESSOR OIL/BATTERIES/FILTERS/CLEANR | 277.48 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN | ELECTRIC | 5109.31 |
OTTER CREEK FARMS INC. | AIRPORT LEASE | 750.00 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 14803.90 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 16533.00 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 340.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 845.28 |
SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC | GAS DETECTOR/SWIVEL ROCKER | 2106.79 |
SEQUEL ARCHITECTURE, PLC | 605 MAIN ST - FACADE WORK | 840.00 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 30.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 704.95 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | 12/13/23 MINUTES/PUBLIC NOTICES/BUD AMEN | 352.16 |
UMB BANK | 2014A/2016A GO BOND | 500.00 |
USDA RF | MONTHLY PAYMENT | 1151.00 |
VERIZON | CELL PHONE/MODEM/JETPACKS | 110.57 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2339.38 |
WILLIAMS EXCAVATION LLC | WATER VALVE/LINCOLN/13TH ST | 17260.00 |
Z&Z MEDICAL, INC | 2 WARMER BLANKETS/SHIPPING | 1395.09 |
CLAIMS TOTAL | 682066.36 | |
EXPENSES BY FUND | ||
GENERAL FUND | 49439.83 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 1606.21 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP RESERVES FUND | 2061.94 | |
ROAD USE TAX FUND | 12975.03 | |
DEBT SERVICE FUND | 500.00 | |
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND | 320.00 | |
WATER FUND | 31587.03 | |
SEWER FUND | 16886.26 | |
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND | 560121.26 | |
GARBAGE FUND | 6042.08 | |
STORM WATER FUND | 526.72 | |
TOTAL | 682066.36 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 66657.00 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL | 880.00 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 12271.02 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 19258.88 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 6107.18 | |
EMERGENCY FUND | 465.34 | |
LOST TOTAL | 20179.28 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 5044.82 | |
TIF TOTAL | 1743.33 | |
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 9507.87 | |
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL | 5044.82 | |
WATER | 42786.72 | |
WATER DEPOSITS | 750.00 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 54202.60 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 16345.00 | |
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL | 492629.12 | |
GARBAGE | 12732.70 | |
STORM SEWER | 17539.72 | |
TOTAL | 784145.40 |