REGULAR MEETING
October 11, 2023
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session October 11, 2023 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members present: Chuy Flores, Joe Wessels, Mike Abbas, Judy Crawford, and Dan Scallon. Quorum present.
Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to approve the October 11, 2023 agenda, as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) September 13, 2023 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: September 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; September 2023 Clerk Budget; September 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; September 2023 Ambulance; September 2023 Fire; August 2023 People Service; 2nd Quarter 2023 Ackley Public Library Investment; 3rd Quarter 2023 Investment; 3rd Quarter 2023 Deputy Clerk Ambulance Write Off; and 3rd Quarter 2023 Prairie Bridges/Park Fest. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis spoke with M. Fistler from Prairie Bridges about 28E agreement. Fistler spoke to T. Nederhoff whom is finishing up the agreement and hoping to have something to the City by next meeting.
Discussion regarding the ambulance shed remodel plans presented by L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants. Concerns with the condition of the building with angle cracking and some tuck pointing. ADA compliance was discussed. Wessels shared concerns with possible costs and the size of the sleep rooms. Flores and Wessels to meet with Ambulance Director about the plans and expectations on October 20, 2023 at 9 am. Crawford will meet with Flores and Director for follow up after the aforementioned meeting.
APD outside door was discussed. Clerk to bring back to Council next meeting for discussion/possible action.
900 block of 2nd Avenue side parking was discussed. Council members to observe the block and bring back ideas next month for possible ordinance change regarding that particular block.
Lee Gallentine on behalf of the Ackley Development Commission addressed Council on potential projects for economic development using TIF funds. Dennis gave update on funds available as well as what using those funds would do to the general fund on property taxes. Dennis reported discussion with Dorsey and Whitney along with Northland Securities. Council to review and prioritize list.
Dennis sent the attorney all the ordinances that were found regarding street grades for the extension of 3rd Ave. and is awaiting attorney response.
Dennis follow-up on the 402 Lincoln Ave street light request. After last month’s meeting, it was determined there was not a street light with a bulb out, in fact, this is not a street light pole. Dennis reported the options given to her from MidAmerican Energy. Option 1 was installing security light at the cost of the customer. Option 2 was installing a street light at the cost of the city. Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to go with Option 2. Ayes-2. Nays-Abbas, Flores, Crawford. Motion fails. Crawford moved, Scallon seconded to go with Option 1. Ayes-4. Nays-Wessels. Motion carries.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to close Ackley Police Department, Ackley Volunteer Ambulance Service, and Ackley Pool Betterment Group petty cash accounts. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Nuss informed Council he spoke to City Attorney, Seth Schroeder, whom advised City to waive late/shut off fees for the 1.5-2-inch metered accounts until the meter issue is resolved. Abbas moved, Crawford seconded to approve waiving late/shut off fees for the accounts that are associated with the 1.5-2-inch meter issues with the understanding the accounts stay current with the current billings and making payments on the past due amounts. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
No discussion regarding payment agreement on account 484990003, as this was addressed with Item #12.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve beer/liquor license outdoor service amendment for American Legion Post #252. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Council concerns regarding the cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permit for the Pop-Up Smoke Shop. Dennis informed council that owner has filed a peddler permit application and paid the fees associated. Owner has supplied the Department of Revenue letter authorizing sales tax permit and also the IRS letter assigning an EIN. Scallon moved to approve permit. Lack of a second. Motion fails. Dennis inquired to council on what Council would like for Dennis to inform applicant. Council/Mayor response was simply the motion died for a second and permit was not approved.
Crawford moved, Flores seconded to pass Resolution 23-35 Approving the Hardin County Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Ackley. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, and Flores. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 23-36 Authorizing Mayor Entering into Cylinder Deposit Agreement with Superior Welding Company. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores, and Wessels. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Flores to approve change order 5 for the 605 Main Street façade grant project. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve purchase to Ferguson Waterworks in the amount of $3,250.00 for utility billing software. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
C. Ubben, PeopleService, addressed Council regarding the previous approved purchase to EP, in December 2022, for work on Pump #3 at the WWTP. There is a price increase due to a cable that needed to be added that was unknown until the work started. Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve purchase to EP in the amount of $6,328.00 for work on Pump #3 at the WWTP. Ayes-all. Motion carried. This was an increase of $2,040.00 from previous approval.
Per Ubben, during the exercising of water valves, a seal on the top of the valve started leaking and needed to be fixed quickly, making it an emergency situation. Abbas moved, Flores seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $11,250.00 for water valve replacement on 9th/Cerro Gordo. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Gallentine, CGA, updated council on the punch list for the EQ basin. Ubben to do a walk around after the punch list is complete by Woodruff to be sure all is done. CGA will work on close out after punch list is complete. Sager structure is installed for Phase II Waste Water Project. There will be a change order coming. The one presented by Boomerang had incorrect formatting with lump sums rather than per piece pricing. Abbas moved, Flores seconded to approve Pay Application 5 in the amount of $337,915.00 to Boomerang Corp. Ayes-all. Motion carried. DOT is working on finalizing N. Butler St project. Gallentine and Dennis had a meeting with Region 6 regarding the grant funding for Butler St sidewalks. Preliminary costs would be about $200-250,000 and that would be just construction. Design and engineering costs would be not a part of the grant unless the City did another step in the process of bidding which would take an additional 3 months. Dennis informed Council there is 4 students whom currently live at Ackley Housing that would be using this possible sidewalk. Flores shared concerns with not doing the sidewalk. After further discussion, council had requested Gallentine to not pursue the project and for Dennis to update Region 6 and the school of the decision to not pursue the grant as the City is tight on funding.
Dennis updated Council on Former Chief Frick’s intentions on the speed cameras. Council is currently no longer interested in the speed cameras. Dennis to update Frick. JD Holmes, Hardin County Chief Deputy, addressed Council with an introduction and intentions for coverage. Junk/Junk vehicles were discussed along with other nuisances. The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office will serve the notices. Dennis requested guidance from Council as to if City Hall was to be begin preparing the notices for the Sheriff’s Office to serve. Council has requested City Hall to do the notices, if need be. Holmes requested the notices being sent via mail or email to Holmes, directly.
Nuss, on behalf of K. Meyer, public works supervisor, reported sand/salt has been received, spraying is complete, AAA was here and winterized the pool, and street sweeping is currently being performed.
Dennis reports she will be out of the office Friday, October 13 for a TIF workshop, Thursday and Friday the 19-20th for the fall IMFOA conference, and October 27-30 for vacation. Annual Financial Report is complete and will be presented to Council at the November meeting and the beginning of budget season starts in the November meeting.
Crawford inquired to Council as to the options for the joint meeting with AGWSR. Options were November 13 or December 11, 2023. Council chose to go with the November date. Crawford will report back to the school with decision.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to adjourn at 8:57 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
4.43
ACKLEY VETERINARY CENTER
KOWALKOWSKI BOARDING
64.00
AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL
CYLINDER RENTAL
27.56
BIRDS & BLOOMS
2 YEAR MAGAZINE
26.73
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
567.75
BOOMERANG CORP
SANITARY SEWER INPROVEMENT-2
337915.00
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
BARCODE SCANNER/BANDAID/CHIME/FOLDER
148.75
CASEYS GENERAL STORES
FUEL-PD2
23.02
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX
405.39
CGA
SAN SEWR PHASE II/EQ BASIN/N BUTLER/AMB
43086.35
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
9/27/23 CLEANING
150.00
CLEMONS, MARJEAN
HARDIN CO LIBRARIANS/CAR POOL MTG
55.81
DENNIS, MALENA
MILEAGE/NOMINATION PAPERS AUDI
20.57
DIAMOND LAKE BOOK CO.
BOOKS/SHIPPING
271.50
EAST WEST BOOKS
BOOKS/SHIPPING
297.88
EBS
HEALTH INSURANC
6547.12
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
6779.59
FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE
3250.00
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP
GLUE STICKS (6)
4.59
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
SEPTEMBER LANDFILL FEES
1922.80
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
64.50
HEARTLAND ASPHALT INC.
STREET PATACHES-WATERMAINS
13493.20
IMFOA
2023 FALL CONFERENCE-DENNIS
200.00
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
BOOKS/SHIPPING
604.18
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL/LAWNSPRAY
2098.20
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO
WATER USE FEE FY24
115.00
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES
2023 BUDGET WORKSHOP-DENNIS
50.00
IOWA OUTDOORS
1 YR MAGAZINE
15.00
IPERS
IPERS - REGULAR
4429.38
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
175.02
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC
CLEANER/GRINDER/NUTS/BOLTS
553.51
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
6762.33
OTTER CREEK FARMS INC.
AIRPORT LEASE
750.00
PARKERSBURG HARDWARE
TREES (21)
2310.00
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
21130.52
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
16533.00
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POSTAGE
340.00
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
3328.00
SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY LLC
ANNUAL SERVICE/JAWS OF LIFE
519.50
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
30.00
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAX
725.51
SUPERIOR WELDING SUPPLY
CYLINDER RENTAL (2)
819.72
THE COUGAR'S DEN
28E AGREEMENT FOR UTILITIES
8000.00
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
9/13/23 MINUTES
162.72
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
2 CELL/2 JETPACKS/FAX/MODEM
352.45
VILLISCA PUBLIC LIBRARY
CHRISTIAN FICTION SERIES
12.00
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
6640.66
WERTJES UNIFORMS
VALVERDE PANTS/TIE/SHIRTS
495.76
WILLIAMS EXCAVATION LLC
WATER VALVE REPLACEMENT
11250.00
CLAIMS TOTAL
508384.70
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
46333.13
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
53.73
TREE RESERVES FUND
2310.00
ROAD USE TAX FUND
13674.47
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND
752.50
WATER FUND
45691.09
SEWER FUND
14272.05
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
373394.40
GARBAGE FUND
6062.26
STORM WATER FUND
5841.07
TOTAL
508384.70
REVENUE
GENERAL
61655.68
LIBRARY RESERVE
80.00
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
0.04
ROAD USE TAX
24982.08
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
8803.31
EMERGENCY FUND
670.78
LOST TOTAL
19960.39
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
4990.10
TIF TOTAL
4506.81
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
14042.56
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL
4990.10
WATER
49923.28
WATER DEPOSITS
1050.00
SEWER TOTAL
58039.59
SEWER - SINKING
16345.00
SEWER - RESERVES/SURPLUS
15713.73
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL
42307.00
GARBAGE
12035.30
STORM SEWER
14362.61
TOTAL
354458.36