REGULAR MEETING
November 8, 2023
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session November 8, 2023 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Judy Crawford, Dan Scallon, Chuy Flores, Joe Wessels, and Mike Abbas. Quorum present.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to approve the November 8, 2023 agenda, as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) October 13, 2023 Regular Minutes and October 17, 2023 Special Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: October 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; October 2023 Clerk Budget; October 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; October 2023 Ambulance; October 2023 Fire, and October 2023 Ackley Development. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis spoke with M. Fistler from Prairie Bridges about 28E agreement. The Park Board approved the agreement at this month’s meeting. Fistler sent the agreement back to T. Nederhoff for final approval and the City should have the agreement for review at December meeting.
S. Davis, Eldora-Ackley EMS Director, presented Dennis with the floor plan of the expectations of the building. Dennis presented those to council. Dennis reported the remaining funds available for the ambulance building is $335,007 from the 2020A GO Bond.
Preliminary budget discussions included employee wages, department reserve accounts, emergency management, water, storm sewer, animal control, police department, Cougar’s Den, public works, demos, community celebration, and Prairie Bridges. While discussing wages, M. Clemons, Library Director, addressed Council. Dennis reminded Council the importance of knowing what to budget for wages as that part of the budgeting takes quite a bit of work across many different areas of the budget. Council instructed Dennis to use a 5% increase on wages to begin budgeting amongst all departments that labor is accounted for. Council instructed Dennis to increase Cougar Den rent by $200 a month so the City is not taking a loss, per guidance from the USDA. Ground Penetrating Radar was discussed.
Mayor Nuss updated Council on the offer by J. Forgy, to sell a piece of the adjoining parcel to the ambulance shed. The City would be responsible for all fees incurred in the splitting of the parcel to include surveying, deed, recording, and etc. The parcel being sold to the City would be 15 foot south to the back alley, 20 foot north to Main Street, and 15 feet to the west of the ambulance shed. Surveying estimate from L. Gallentine is $700. This parcel would be intended to be used for the generator that is needed in the remodel and for personnel parking. Abbas moved, Crawford seconded to purchase the triangular parcel for $10,000. Ayes-all. Motion carried. The fees and parcel purchase would be spent from the 2020A GO Bond.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to approve Dennis to re-invest CD#45314 in the amount of $12,000 to GNB Bank for a term of 12 months at 5.30%. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Parking on the 900 block of 2nd Avenue was discussed. Council requested Dennis to work on an ordinance change to include no parking from the current no parking sign closest to Grundy Street to Hardin Street curb on the south side of the block. Dennis will present draft at December meeting.
No update from S. Schroeder, City Attorney, regarding 3rd Avenue extension and street gradings.
Ackley Police Department outside door was discussed. Wessels presented 2 bids, one from Menard’s and one from Iowa Falls Glass. Crawford would like to see a steel frame for the door be a part of the bid process. The replacement basement windows were discussed as that was budgeted for from the 2020A GO Bond. L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, suggested to do glass block windows for the basement. Due to the bids not being comparable, Council requested bid letters be sent to Iowa Falls Glass and Z & Z Glass to do the door and the basement windows.
Due to the 1.5-2-inch meter reading issues, Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to approve additional payment of $593.87 for a period of 23 months and waiving the late/shut off fees during said time as long as current monthly bill is paid timely for account 484990003. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Mason/Alicia Lindaman presented a request to the Council for chickens at their property. Dennis reminded Council on prior Council decisions made for 2 other requests, along with sharing the ordinance on livestock. Lindaman reported no roosters were requested and does have a coop for the chickens, as well as a fenced in back yard. Landman currently have 2 dogs and 1 bunny. Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to approve request of livestock with a max of 8 chickens. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Flores seconded to set public hearing date for CDBG Status of Funds for 605 Main Street façade grant to December 13, 2023 at 7 pm in the Ackley Council Chambers. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve Mayoral reappointments as follows: Steve Scallon to Planning & Zoning Commission term expiring 12/31/28, Bo Schipper to Board of Adjustments term expiring 12/31/28, Mike Abbas to Ambulance Service Board of Trustees term expiring 12/31/29, Jane Schlampp to Ambulance Service Board of Trustees term expiring 12/31/29, John Muller to Tree Board term expiring 12/31/26, and Marilyn Abbas to Cemetery Board of Trustees term expiring 12/31/28. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to pass Resolution 23-37 Approving the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas, and Crawford. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to pass Resolution 23-39 Setting Wages for Jessica Toomsen. Roll call vote: Ayes-Flores, Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, and Scallon. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 23-40 Approving the 2023 TIF Certifications. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, and Flores. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 23-41 Approving Bad Debt Write Off. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores, and Wessels. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to approve payment to gWorks in the amount of $6.471 for annual license fee for SimpleCity Accounting Software. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded to approve payment to Hardin County Engineer’s Office in the amount of $4,907.50 for sand/salt mix. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
C. Ubben, PeopleService, addressed Council regarding prohibited sanitary sewer discharge at 405 Sherman Ave. The City has jetted this line, jetted that zone, and recently had another jetting bill for this particular sanitary sewer. There is discharge happening that is causing the sewer main to backup. There was no televising done to know exactly what the substance is that is continually backing up. Dennis reminded Council of a previous issue with another business and what the requirement was of that particular business. Guidance requested on violation letter. Gallentine believes there should be a pretreatment agreement that was required by the DNR. Ubben to inquire to the DNR as the City does not have record of that agreement. Council requested Dennis hold off on violation letter until PeopleService finds out if there is a pretreatment agreement in place. Follow up in December meeting. The water tower was overflowing on Tuesday as the transducer was not reading correctly. This is now fixed. Abbas reported that the band clamp on Lincoln Avenue is still leaking. Guidance to repair/replace a portion of the Lincoln Avenue main and a shut off valve get installed. This will be a part of the emergency main repair as Lincoln Avenue is still open and the problem continues. A new valve is needed at Butler St/5th Avenue as it is leaking. Ubben informed the City that his last day will be November 17, 2023.
Gallentine, CGA, updated council on the punch list for the EQ basin. Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve Pay Application 6 in the amount of $224,312.77 to Boomerang Corp for Sanitary Sewer Phase II project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Gallentine and J. Sweeney, from CGA Consultants, presented Change Orders for the Sanitary Sewer Project Phase II. The change orders are contingent on Iowa DNR approval. Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to approve Change Order 2, Time Extension. Ayes-all. Motion carried. The time extension was only for the generator and blowers due to the back log of receiving them. Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to approve Change Order 3, Drainage Tile Relocate, increase of $24,880.75. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve Change Order 4, BIL Signage, increase of $1,575.79. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to approve Change Order 5, Flow Diverter, increase of $2,956.67. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Adding this diverter will give the City better treatment. Sweeney recommended the City approve. Scallon moved, Crawford seconded to approve Change Order 6, Generator Option 2, increase of $66,416.08. Ayes-all. Motion carried. This price increase includes the electric reconfiguration and a new panel for the generator. This order will eliminate having 2 generators on site. Possibility to move current generator to the 5th Avenue lift station. Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to refuse Change Order 7, Flow Meter. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Change Order 7 was a request to put a sensor in the flow meter. Per Sweeney, this is clearly stated in the bid documents.
K. Meyer, public works, has winterized all the City buildings, the new slide for the splash pad has arrived, and department is finishing up street sweeping next week.
Dennis inquired to the council about Former Chief Frick’s request to purchase B. Valverde’s uniforms. City of Sumner is willing to pay the City of Ackley 80% of the purchase price, due to uniforms being used. Council okayed the sale. Dennis inquired as to where Former Chief Miller’s bullet proof vest is located, as the City paid close to $500 and that is City property. Dennis will be out of the office for a budget workshop on November 16, 2023. Dennis will be working on the budget amendment for this fiscal year.
Nuss reminded Council of the special meeting with the school on November 13, 2023 at 7 pm. Ackley Library and American Legion received grants from the Ackley Community Foundation. The League of Cities is offering MLA classes if any council is interested. Nuss has been named Vice Chair of the Hardin County Emergency Management Board. Nuss thanked all personnel and departments for their work during the last week with the water main repairs and gas line leak.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to adjourn at 9:53 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP
559.80
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/POSTAGE
9.57
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC
DELINQUENT NOTICES/WINDOW ENVELOPES
302.59
AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM SA
CEMETERY FLAG/SHIPPING
24.90
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
373.68
BOOMERANG CORP
SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT-2
224312.77
CAPITAL ONE
COFFEE/PAPERTOWELS/TEA
19.96
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
COPY PAPER/UB POSTAGE/PESTICIDE CERT
603.50
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT
CHRISTIAN LEVEL I SERIES
560.88
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING
ICE MELT/FREIGHT
579.00
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX/INTERNET
405.60
CGA
SAN SEWR PHASE II/EQ BASIN/N BUTLER ST
33303.45
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
10/26/23 CLEANING
150.00
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR
CHILD SUPPORT
150.00
COUNTRY LIVING
MAGAZINE
32.07
COUNTRY SAMPLER
1 YR MAGAZINE
21.40
DENNIS, MALENA
MILEAGE/MEAL REIMBURSEMENT
340.14
DEPOSIT REFUNDS
REFUND WATER DEPOSITS
346.15
EBS
HEALTH INSURANC
4778.04
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
5481.76
GRIT
MAGAZINE
19.95
GWORKS
2024 SIMPLECITY LICENSE FEE
6471.00
HARDIN COUNTY ENGINEER
SAND & SALT MIX 75.5 TON
4907.50
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP
WHITE TABS (2)
21.56
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
OCTOBER LANDFILL FEES
1440.45
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
64.50
IBELING INSURANCE SERVICE
FY23 AUDIT
1133.31
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
BOOKS/SHIPPING
680.81
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
2296.65
IOWA DEPT OF REVENUE
GARNISHMENT
90.00
IPERS
IPERS - REGULAR
3893.14
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
PUZZLES
28.88
KEN'S REPAIR
4 CYCLE OIL/GAS MIXTURE
382.14
M&G TIRE SERVICE
TIRES/LABOR/AC REPAIR
1749.63
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERENT
175.56
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC
WAX/OIL/FUEL FILTER
176.93
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
5059.13
MORT'S WATER COMPANY
SEWER MAIN PLUGGED/405 SHERMAN
2416.00
P.C.C.
AMBULANCE BILLING FEES
625.15
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
21191.44
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
16533.00
POP UP SMOKE SHOP
RETURNED PEDDLER/CIGARETTE PERMIT
156.25
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
340.00
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
1669.72
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAXES
613.84
TASTE OF HOME
2 YR MAGAZINE
14.00
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
AFR/MINUTES/AWJ
432.67
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
CELL PHONES/JET PACKS/MODEM
352.94
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
1660.10
WESTRUM LEAK DETECTION IN
WATER LEAK BUTLER ST/PARK AVE.
890.00
CLAIMS TOTAL
352137.41
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
37348.41
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
648.30
ROAD USE TAX FUND
19421.10
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND
634.09
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND
2160.50
WATER FUND
13943.41
WATER DEPOSITS FUND
298.29
SEWER FUND
15883.75
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
248699.72
GARBAGE FUND
6643.35
STORM WATER FUND
6456.49
TOTAL
352137.41
REVENUE
GENERAL
191134.46
LIBRARY RESERVE
1602.66
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
500.04
TREE RESERVE TOTALS
1155.00
ROAD USE TAX
17952.09
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
57863.69
EMERGENCY FUND
3848.78
LOST TOTAL
18613.87
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
4653.47
TIF TOTAL
27034.31
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
80734.33
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL
4653.47
WATER
53792.17
WATER DEPOSITS
750.00
SEWER TOTAL
65026.48
SEWER - SINKING
16345.00
SEWER - RESERVES/SURPLUS
35915.32
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL
248483.23
GARBAGE
13590.42
STORM SEWER
16575.41
TOTAL
860224.20