REGULAR MEETING
November 13, 2024
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session November 13, 2024 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Council members present: Mike Abbas, Judy Crawford, Dan Scallon, and Maliah Roelfs. Absent: Chuy Flores. Quorum present.
With the Mayor moving #10 agenda item before #9 agenda item, Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve the November 13, 2024 agenda. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) October 9, 2024 Regular Minutes and October 23, 2024 Special Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: October 2024 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; October 2024 Clerk Budget; October 2024 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; October 2024 Ambulance; October 2024 PeopleService; and October 2024 Deputy Clerk Nuisance. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Dennis updated Council on 28E Prairie Bridges Agreement. The PB board has seen the agreement and has presented it to their attorney, T. Nederhoff, for his review.
Crawford IS waiting on quotes from contractors regarding the ambulance shed upgrades and a list of wants from J. Frazier.
No update on Ambulance Plat of Survey.
EMC Insurance adjuster has rendered the sewer backup claim for 1016 Park Ave to Municipal Pipe’s insurance. EMC has determined the claim was not the fault of the City.
Cyndi Arends, on behalf of the Ackley’s Helping Hands (AHH) group, introduced the group to the Council. Crawford inquired as to what the group’s intentions are. AHH is open to ideas and suggestions from the Council on areas they could assist the City. AHH is discussing holding a fund raiser event to assist with costs for taking down the ash trees in the City park. Taylor Bass is hoping to clean up areas around town with no intent on taking away from the Public Works Department and their duties. During the cleanup in October, AHH noticed the light at the Ackley Welcome Sign needs repaired. Public Works to look into.
Agenda item 7 was inadvertently listed as FY24 budget amendment when it was to be FY25. FY25 budget amendment was discussed with Dennis discussing the areas that need to be amended. Those include fire calls and vehicle repairs, sidewalk repairs, pool donation purchases, legal fees, codification, city hall copier maintenance, speed feedback signs, public work vehicle repairs, capital project costs, and water and sewer issues. Dennis inquired as to the Depot roof repair. There are some tiles at the depot that can be used. Scallon will get some quotes from roofing companies to repair those tiles due to being clay. Dennis inquired to Council if there was anything else that needed to be amended for any projects Council was thinking about during this budget year. There were none. Dennis informed Council there would be time for one budget amendment for the remaining part of the year. Dennis to work on amendment for December meeting to review and set public hearing date for January/February time. Final budget amendments are to be filed by March 31.
Agenda item 8 was inadvertently listed as preliminary FY25 budget items when it was to be FY26. FY26 library wages was set by the library board and was presented. Discussion on other city employee wages. Suggestion of a 5% increase with Crawford voicing concerns. Discussion by Scallon and Roelfs regarding employee retention and prioritizing current employees was important. Mayor Nuss addressed the increase of insurance costs to the City and the cost-of-living expenses to seniors. Due to the wages being a large part of the budget and in many different departments and the amount of time that piece takes, the Clerk requested a consensus on what they would like her to use. Suggestion to use the average of the library wage increase. The consensus of the Council was to use the suggested average. Airport, park, tree, and emergency reserves was discussed. Discussion on Prairie Bridges, town celebration fireworks, demo funds, ADC funding, water, sewer, animal control, city hall, storm sewer, capital projects, and garbage funds. Library expenses to stay at current budget amount and Cougar’s Den rent increase of $100. Dennis will be starting FY26 budgeting with the discussed items entered and will get budget worksheets to department heads in December after bills are paid for their input and Council chair input.
Gary Hemphill, Ackley resident, addressed council on concerns of spending $10,000 dollars on 3 speed feedback signs. Hemphill suggested other flashing type signs with better resolve for far less money. During Hemphill’s research, the average decrease in speed was 1.9-2.1 MPH with the speed feedback signs. Hemphill questioned whether Council thought the money spent was worth that little of an MPH decrease. After being present during the beginning phases of the next budget, Hemphill expressed there are much better ways to spend tax payer money than these signs.
Due to the City purchase policy, Dennis reached out to another company and presented a 2nd quote for speed feedback signs prior to Council making the purchase. Dennis shared that company’s opinion on the sign size for city streets vs the ones on Highway 57 which was the size of the Elan City signs. Scallon agreed with Hemphill and didn’t believe the signs are needed. Installing signs would be one more thing that the City would need to upkeep and repair especially with only a 2-year warranty. Abbas agreed and suggested moving the current speed trailer to different areas in town. Nuss and Crawford voiced concerns about speeding. Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to deny the purchase of speed feed back signs to Elan City. Ayes-3. Nays-Crawford. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to invest current matured cemetery cd for 24 months at Green Belt Bank & Trust at 4.05%. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Roelfs seconded to set Public Hearing date for Ordinance 534 Repealing Chapter 24 Ambulance Service Board of Trustees and Chapter 37 Ackley Volunteer Ambulance Services and Ordinance 535 Amending Chapter 35 Fire Department Pertaining to Fees for Service to December 11, 2024 at 6 pm in the Ackley Council Chambers. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve the following appointments: Brent Harrenstein and Paul McAfoos to Tree Board term expiring 12/31/27, Kenny Reed to Board of Adjustments term expiring 12/31/29, Joe Hunt to Airport Board of Trustees term expiring 12/31/29, Joel Bagley replacing Earl Akers to Library Board of Trustees term expiring 6/30/29, Joe Wessels and Jim Roelfs to Cemetery Board of Trustees term expiring 12/31/29. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
With the addition of the Cougar’s Den rent change on 7/1/25, Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve Resolution 24-37 Approving the Fee Schedule for the City of Ackley. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Scallon, Roelfs, Abbas. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve Resolution 24-38 Re-Zoning Property 100 Sherman Ave/Parcel #890902102001. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Roelfs, Abbas, Crawford. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to approve Resolution 24-39 Approving 2024 TIF Certifications. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
No action on Resolution 24-40 Authorizing Mayor Signing Terms and Conditions for the Sale of Goods with Elan City, Inc – Speed Feed Back Signs.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $10,250 for Lincoln Ave water main/street repair. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded to approve payment to Hardin County Engineer’s Office in the amount of $3,510 for sand/salt mixture. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve payment to Ferguson Waterworks in the amount of $2,902.50 for annual maintenance fee. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Abbas seconded to approve purchase to M&G Tire in the amount of $3,400 for fire truck tires. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
No update on well #7. Nuss went through the proposed PeopleService 5-year agreement and noted a couple changes to descriptions and update due to the Sager system.
Gallentine, CGA, reported there was not enough power to the sager system for a startup on the Phase II Project. This is being worked on. Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to approve Pay Application 18 in the amount of $114,580.93 to Boomerang Corp for Sanitary Sewer Phase II project. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried. Gallentine is working on finalizing the Hardin St/4th Ave/5th Ave storm sewer project. Well #2 is on hold due to issues with Well #7. It would be spring before Northway could get to this project. Due to the Engineering Services Agreement being presented to Council earlier this morning, the Clerk was unable to get a resolution prepared for Council approval for Mayor to sign. A special meeting will be held Friday at noon to get this completed in order for CGA to proceed with the Franklin Street north of the Railroad tracks project.
K. Meyer, Public Works Department, reports the roof is leaking at the Civic Center again. Ron’s Roofing came and repaired. The replacement of ceiling tiles was roughly $20 so Council didn’t suggest having Ron’s Roofing pay to replace. Department is gearing up for the winter season.
Dennis will be at a budget workshop and out of the office on November 19. The DNR is requiring cities to mail out notices to those owners who answered “unknown” to lead lines in their homes. This is a requirement of DNR and costly to the City due to postage so encouraging citizens to get that information to City Hall would be beneficial.
Roelfs will be attending a budget workshop in November. Nuss thanked Crawford for her efforts for working with PurpleWave on selling the police cruisers and ambulance.
Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to adjourn at 8:25 pm. Ayes-4. Absent-Flores. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS | TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP/COPIER MAINT | 679.54 |
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY | REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/STAMPS | 73.00 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 313.26 |
BOOMERANG CORP | SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT-2 | 114580.93 |
CAPITAL ONE | K-CUP/GLASS CLEANER/PLEDGE | 15.11 |
CARDMEMBER SERVICE | PAINTPROJ/BRUSHES/ROLLERS/EPOXY/FOLDERS | 1501.15 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINT BOOKS | 170.79 |
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING | TOOLBOX/TOILET PAPER | 157.00 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 435.89 |
CGA | SAN SEWR PHASE II/HARDIN ST STORM | 18264.15 |
COLLECTION SERVICES CENTR | CHILD SUPPORT | 180.00 |
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP | POSTS/2 | 194.89 |
DENNIS, MALENA | MILEAGE IMFOA FALL CONFERENCE | 370.65 |
DEPOSIT REFUNDS | REFUND DATE 10/25/2024 | 135.70 |
DOLLAR GENERAL | TOILET PAPER/PAPER TOWELS/POOL TOTES | 97.20 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 4924.79 |
FAMILY HANDYMAN | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 9.00 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 5728.39 |
FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC | ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE | 2902.50 |
FLORES CONSTRUCTION | 822 1ST AVE SIDEWALK/WATSON | 1410.00 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 217.82 |
GWORKS | W-2/1099/ENVELOPES | 145.02 |
HARDIN COUNTY ENGINEER | SAND & SALT MIX 54 TON | 3510.00 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | OCTOBER LAND FILL FEES | 1460.25 |
HARDIN COUNTY TREASURER | LIEN CERT-PILOT CREEK/N GRAHAM/GOLDEN | 55.00 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 68.21 |
HERONIMUS, SCHMIDT, ALLEN | LEGAL FEES | 2430.00 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS/SHIPPING | 453.14 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | GAS/DIESEL | 1804.44 |
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO | ANNUAL NPDES WASTEWATER PERMIT | 85.00 |
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES | 2024 BUDGET WORKSHOP/DENNIS | 50.00 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 3400.05 |
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL | POOL PAINT PROJ/TAPE/ROLLERS | 50.92 |
KEN'S REPAIR | 4 CYCLE GAS/OIL MIX | 276.89 |
MACQUEEN EQUIPMENT, LLC | STREET SWEEPER BELT | 555.07 |
MEDIACOM | PHONE/FAX/INTERNET | 295.85 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | 42-326 BEARING/OIL SEAL/O RING | 697.31 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN | ELECTRIC | 4515.41 |
MORT'S WATER COMPANY | 2ND AVE/STATE ST JET STORM | 233.00 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 22496.09 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 17211.00 |
PITNEY BOWES INC. | RESERVE ACCT POSTAGE/MAINT AGMT | 539.00 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 376.88 |
R COMM | REPROGRAM 2 PAGERS/PAGER/CLIP | 508.80 |
REGION 6 PLANNING COMMISS | CDBG GENERAL ADMIN SVC/PH II | 776.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 1031.08 |
SCALLON'S LAWN CARE | STATE ST/5TH AVE STORM-RESEED | 100.00 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 60.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 497.25 |
THE IOWAN MAGAZINE | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 24.00 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | ORD 526-533 PUBLICATIONS/MINUTES | 861.88 |
TITAN PRO SCI | ROUNDUP | 137.25 |
USDA RF | MONTHLY PAYMENT | 1151.00 |
VERIZON | PHONE/MODEM | 139.09 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2818.80 |
WESTRUM LEAK DETECTION IN | N 12TH ST-15TH ST/SHERMAN AVE | 605.00 |
WILLIAMS UNDERGROUND SERV | WATERMAIN REPAIR LINCOLN AVE | 10250.00 |
WOMAN'S DAY | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 13.36 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 235188.70 |
EXPENSES BY FUND | ||
| GENERAL FUND | 38165.44 |
| LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 217.15 |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 17282.64 |
| CAP PROJ-DEMO/REP OF BLDG FUND | 105.00 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST FUND | 651.34 |
| WATER FUND | 27268.79 |
| WATER DEPOSITS FUND | 135.70 |
| SEWER FUND | 10875.59 |
| CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND | 132846.88 |
| GARBAGE FUND | 5850.05 |
| STORM WATER FUND | 1790.12 |
TOTAL | 235188.70 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 222115.45 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL | 1658.14 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 0.04 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 17911.00 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 39029.13 | |
LOST TOTAL | 23606.31 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 5901.58 | |
TIF TOTAL | 25798.03 | |
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 90475.27 | |
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL | 5801.58 | |
WATER | 51515.49 | |
WATER DEPOSITS | 1050.00 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 65412.38 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 35036.00 | |
GARBAGE | 12454.01 | |
STORM SEWER | 15390.34 | |
TOTAL | 613154.75 |
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