REGULAR MEETING
November 10, 2021
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session November 10, 2021 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Chuy Flores, Joe Wessels, Mike Abbas, and Judy Crawford. Quorum present.
Abbas moved, Flores seconded, to approve the November 10, 2021 Agenda as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Flores seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) October 13, 2021 Regular Meeting, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: October 2021 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; October 2021 Clerk Budget; October 2021 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; October 2021 Police; October 2021 Ambulance; October 2021 Fire; October 2021 Ackley Development; September 2021 People Service; October 2021 Finance/Admin/Parks/Buildings Council Committee. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis informed council she had gotten a few employee requests to use their sick time on immediate family members. Currently, the handbook allows employee use only. Crawford and Abbas agreed and instructed Dennis to update handbook sick time section to allow employees use of sick time to employee and immediate family members as described in the funeral pay section of handbook at hour increments. Dennis will bring back to council next council meeting with changes to handbook and resolution to pass, as such.
Wessels informed council he didn’t feel S. Scallon should be responsible for the billed invoice as he and Jack Boelman made the decision to dig at the water main in order to be able to shut off the water service line that was broken. Scallon informed council she believed her shut off was under her driveway and should have been shut off there. Crawford stated that the decision was already made 2 council meetings ago that Scallon would be responsible for the invoice in question as it was for half the original billed invoice due to the water service line servicing 2 homes. Nuss informed council of the code of ordinances that states the water service line from the main corp to the property is that of the home owner.
Robert Harms addressed council on the water and sewer rates. Harms is requesting council to look at those rates when it comes time to budget for next year and see if council can give the residents some relief. Harms reports he has gotten more requests for utility bill assistance through the St. Mary’s church. Shut off and delinquencies were also discussed. Clerk Dennis informed the gallery as well as council that the City of Ackley and City Hall is required to do what the ordinance states regarding shut off procedures. Dennis stated that another city had just gotten an 80-page audit with quite a few deficiencies for not following billing procedures.
Discussion on the rental price and conditions for the new 6-yard dumpster. Dennis gave figures on milage/wear and tear/man power in conjunction with the rental fee/dumpster fee/tonnage fee of other competitors for the council to discuss. Abbas suggested to charge by the ton. Flores requested this subject be tabled and Flores will get with Clerk to discuss some suggestions on a rental price to bring back to council December meeting.
The 28E agreement with the Cougar’s Den was reviewed and the guidance given to Dennis was to invoice the Cougar’s Den for their meter replacement costs.
Preliminary budget items were discussed.
Mike Fistler from the Prairie Bridges Park Board discussed with council the changes that the Park Board would like to see done to the current Management Agreement for Prairie Bridges Park. Clerk Dennis will give those items in question to Attorney Mike Smith and get his legal opinion on those requested changes. Fistler also requested that when and if the City started billing them for water/sewer, he and the board wanted to be changed “at cost” for the water services. Dennis informed council and Fistler that she wasn’t aware that could be done and if it could be done in the billing system, the council would still need to make an ordinance change due to not billing according to code. Wessels and Crawford agreed that a water bill is a water bill and should be billed the same. Wessels requested Dennis to get with G-Works and inquiry as to if the system could bill a percentage of sewer based on the water a with sewer being a related service. Council would like to see discussion at December meeting.
K Meyer informed council that the pool pit pumps would need to be replaced. Nuss informed council this replacement could be done in the FY23 so that the council could budget for the replacement. One bid was received in the amount of $57,000. Wessels instructed Meyer to get more bids and to be sure they are comparing same equipment and specs.
Moved by Abbas, seconded by Crawford to set the public hearing to December 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm for the plans, specifications, form of contact, and estimate of cost for the splash pad project. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Mayor Nuss appointed Judy Crawford as Mayor Pro Tem.
Moved by Wessels, seconded by Abbas to pass Resolution 21-44 Approving the Annual City Street Financial Report FYE 06/30/21. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, and Flores. Motion carried.
Moved by Crawford, seconded by Abbas to pass Resolution 21-45 Approving the Annual Urban Renewal Report for FYE 06/30/21. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Flores, and Wessels. Motion carried.
Moved by Wessels, seconded by Flores to pass Resolution 21-46 Approving 2021 TIF Certifications. Ayes-Crawford, Flores, Wessels, and Abbas. Motion carried.
Moved by Wessels, seconded by Crawford to pass Resolution 21-47 Authorizing Mayor Entering into the LIHWAP Vender Agreement. Ayes-Flores, Wessels, Abbas, and Crawford. Motion carried.
Moved by Abbas, seconded by Crawford to approve payment to Hardin County Engineer’s Office for sand/salt mix in the amount of $4,683.25. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Moved by Crawford, seconded by Abbas to approve payment to William’s Underground Services for 610 Butler St water service line in the amount of $7,800.00. Ayes-3. Nays-Wessels. Motion carried.
Moved by Crawford, seconded by Wessels to approve payment to LaVelle Properties for development agreement in the amount of $462.55. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Meyer informed council that there was a tire on the end loader that was prolapsed and he had hoped to budget the tires next year but due to prolapse, tires need replaced now. Moved by Crawford, seconded by Wessels to approve bid for 4 new tires for end loader to M&G Tire in the amount of $8,202.56. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Don Moore from CGA informed council that MidAmerican would be placing 2 new poles in order for the Sager system to run economically. The current control room has enough power but the poles do not. Moore suggested that when the city get the agreement from MidAmerican Energy, they take a look at it and negotiate prices on electricity. He estimated that the new Sager system could run the City upwards of $2,500 a month in electricity. Moore informed council, 3 inches of soil would need to be taken off the basin to put the sager system in.
Public Works reported they are sweeping streets, replacing tires on the red dump truck, and have gotten all buildings winterized. Meyer would like to see the City budget for a few street projects. Meyer questioned council on whether public works needs to do the snow removal on the downtown sidewalks, Nuss informed him of the past decision on why it was required of them.
Clerk Dennis informed the council she will be out of the office next Tuesday for a budget workshop.
Crawford voiced concerns with the upcoming increase in the sewer electric bill after the new Sager system goes in and that council needs to keep that in mind when it comes to a previously discussed item.
Mayor Nuss requested council keep in mind of the retention pond needing some attention when it comes time to budgeting, valves, fire hydrants, as well as street maintenance and repairs and maintenance budgeting for city buildings. Nuss reported Chief Miller is having some issues with internet, Clerk Dennis informed Nuss and council that when the new laptops arrive, she is hoping Access Systems can come and get them squared away upstairs. Street closure was discussed with guidance given to Chamber to pick an alternate date for future trunk or treat so that one resolution will cover any rain dates.
Public comment from S. Scallon request to be placed on the December agenda.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to adjourn at 9:48 p.m. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP
865.27
ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING
COPIER LEASE PAYMENT
179.91
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
REIMBURSE PETTY CASH
9.33
AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL
CYLINDER RENTAL
429.61
AMAZON
BOOKS/PRINTER CORD
526.20
BIRDS & BLOOMS
2 YEAR MAGAZINE
24.98
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
293.09
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
COPY PAPER/WHEN I WORK/BOOKS
181.25
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING
BLAZE ICE MELT
462.00
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX
377.38
CGA
SANITARY SE 2/AMB SHED/N BUTLER
11826.00
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
10/13/21 AND 10/27/21 CLEANING
250.00
CLIA LABORATORY PROGRAM
CERTIFICATE FEE 4/2/22-4/1/24
180.00
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR
CHILD SUPPORT
15.00
COURIER COMMUNICATIONS
OFFICER WANTED AD
153.25
DIAMOND LAKE BOOK CO.
GHOSTLY MYSTERY BOOKS
83.80
DICKES, JOYCE
JK INC FIRE-REIMBURSE FOOD
97.10
DOLLAR GENERAL
CORN STARCH
3.00
EBS
HEALTH INSURANC
5272.96
ELDORA FIRE DEPARTMENT
JK INC FIRE-REIMBURSE HOSES
1798.00
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
4906.07
FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC
METER REPLACEMENT PROJECT
10009.95
FISHER WHITING MEMORIAL L
AMULET BOOK
5.00
FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE
1 YEAR MAGAZINE
12.00
GARDNER MEDIA LLC
DRAGON BOOKS
150.98
GWORKS
2022 SIMPLE CITY LICENSE/W2/1099
5806.09
HARDIN COUNTY ENGINEER
SAND & SALT MIX 85.15 TON
4683.25
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP
PENS
18.20
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
OCTOBER LANDFILL FEES
1584.55
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
59.24
HH CONSTRUCTION
PRESTAGE FIRE-USE EXCAVATOR
1000.00
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
2185.66
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO
NPDES AMENDMENT FEE
85.00
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES
2021 BUDGET WORKSHOP-DENNIS
50.00
IPERS
IPERS - PROTECT
5342.75
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
LOCK ENTRY/KEY
36.78
MARTIN'S FLAG COMPANY
AMERICAN FLG
45.11
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
134.73
MEDICAL AIR SERVICES
REFUND - PAID IN ERROR
237.50
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
4769.70
MODERN MARKETING
MAGNET
288.61
MORT'S WATER COMPANY
9TH AVE/CERRO GORDO CLAMP LEAK
1179.40
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVI
SERVICE CALL/COMPRESSOR
204.50
NAPA AUTO PARTS
GREASE GUN/GREASE/FILTERS
661.78
P.C.C.
AMBULANCE BILLING FEES
567.83
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
14635.00
PITNEY BOWES INC.
POSTAGE MACHINE INK CARTRIDGE
113.02
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
270.00
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
785.00
SCHIPPER HOME CONSTRUCTIO
CITY HALL ADA DOOR REPLACEMENT
1300.00
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
30.00
SIMPSON CONSTRUCTION
POOL DECK CONCRETE LEVELING
5600.00
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAXES
1114.00
STEAMBOAT ROCK FIRE & RES
JK INC FIRE-TRUCKS
2055.88
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
AFR REPORT/MINUTES/SUBSCRIPTON
433.15
ULINE
PACKING PLASTIC
63.49
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
CELL/JETPACKS/INTERNET/MODEMS
344.26
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
2263.00
WILLIAMS EXCAVATION LLC
WATER SERVICE LINE/610 BUTLER
7800.00
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
18643.39
CLAIMS TOTAL
126798.90
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
40507.58
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
325.59
ROAD USE TAX FUND
19462.50
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST FUND
5600.00
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND
2133.30
WATER FUND
31191.53
SEWER FUND
9980.72
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
10992.70
GARBAGE FUND
5598.62
STORM WATER FUND
1006.36
126798.90
REVENUE
GENERAL
212810.31
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL
1387.14
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
0.04
ROAD USE TAX
17762.40
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
66074.26
EMERGENCY FUND
4585.29
LOST TOTAL
16819.34
LOST- DEBT SERV
4204.84
TIF TOTAL
30160.05
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
92924.89
CAP PROJECTS - LOST
4204.83
WATER
43094.41
WATER DEPOSITS
600.00
SEWER TOTAL
53674.28
SEWER - SINKING
16306.67
SEWER - RESERVES
20623.56
GARBAGE
12438.86
STORM SEWER
13558.93
TOTAL
611230.10