REGULAR MEETING
September 13 2023
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session September 13, 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.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve the September 13, 2023 agenda, as listed. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Crawford seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) August 09, 2023 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: August 2023 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; August 2023 Clerk Budget; August 2023 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; August 2023 Ambulance; August 2023 Fire. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis attempted to follow up with M. Fistler from Prairie Bridges about 28E agreement. Dennis will continue to follow up.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, is working on the plans for the ambulance upgrade. Gallentine will email plans to council soon.
M. Clemons, Library Director, provided the annual report to include the condition of the library and year end financials.
Dennis shared concerns from a resident at 402 Lincoln Ave., whom would like a street light placed just past his property along 15th Street. Resident has spoken to T. Lewis, MidAmerican Energy, whom stated placing a new pole would need to be approved by Council. K. Meyer, Public Works, informed Council there was a street light pole already there and it may just need the bulb replaced. Dennis to follow up with MidAmerican Energy.
Mayor Nuss informed Council and gallery about the September 21, 2023 deadline to turn in election nomination paperwork.
Abbas followed up regarding the extension of 3rd Ave. Abbas received a rough quote for the cost of this extension. Dennis reminded Council that this project would need to be put out for bid and suggested Capital Project - Lost funds to do this project. The project was not budgeted for and would need to have a budget amendment done. Gallentine suggested the City get with the City Attorney regarding the extension as the Ordinance book has specifications on street grades with curb and gutter. Dennis to follow up with attorney prior to Council making any decisions or bidding processes. Dennis inquired to Abbas regarding the run off issue. Abbas made it clear to D. Glenn that the storm outlet was a private line and is not city responsibility.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to accept Chief Frick’s resignation effective September 29, 2023. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Discussion regarding the future of the Ackley Police Department. Hardin County Sheriff’s Office informed Mayor Nuss, they will no longer operate in the same fashion they had with the City of Ackley. With the HCSO having little communication on when the Sheriff’s Office was to be covering shifts has made it difficult. Nuss informed Council about the option to use the HCSO for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for full coverage or hiring the City’s own full department for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and having the HCSO as back up for emergency issues only. Issues including the lack of police officers in the force, ability to pay wages for a full force, possibility of joining officers with a nearby community, and grants was discussed. Crawford suggested tabling the action until next month meeting to try and figure out some funding revenues. Wessels questioned B. Valverde, police officer, of intention of staying after Chief was gone. Discussion regarding Code Enforcement Officer. Flores moved, Wessels seconded to pursue the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week starting September 29, 2023. Ayes-4. Nays-Scallon. Motion carried.
Dennis requested Council waive the penalty fees for the Grand JiVante on this month’s billing. Dennis reached out the Mayor and Water Council Committee, prior to leaving on vacation, for the approval to hold the billing on that particular account until Dennis returned from vacation and could figure out metering with PeopleService and Ferguson. With the billing being held back, it was not the fault of the Grand JiVante on not paying their bill timely this month. Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to waive late fees until September 24, 2023 on the September statement. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to set date for Trick or Treat to October 31, 2023 from 5-7 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 23-30 Approving the Annual Street Financial Report FYE June 30, 2023. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, and Flores. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Flores seconded to pass Resolution 23-31 Authorizing Mayor to enter into Subordination Agreement with GBB&T. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Crawford, Scallon, Flores, and Wessels. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to pass Resolution 23-32 Amending Peddlers, Solicitors, and Transient License Fees. Roll call vote: Ayes-Crawford, Scallon, Flores, Wessels, and Abbas. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 23-33 Temporarily Closing Certain Streets for 2023 Trunk or Treat. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Flores, Wessels, Abbas, and Crawford. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Abbas seconded to pass Resolution 23-34 Approving the Annual Urban Renewal Report for FYE June 30, 2023. Roll call vote: Ayes-Flores, Wessels, Abbas, Crawford, and Scallon. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Flores to approve change order 4 for the 605 Main Street façade grant project. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to approve payment 5 to Cornerstone Commercial Contractors in the amount of $38,466.07 for 605 Main Street façade grant. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
C. Ubben, PeopleService, reported flushing fire hydrants this week. Grass seeding at the EQ basin was done. The sager is starting to be worked on.
Gallentine, CGA, informed council there should be a punch list on the EQ basin soon. Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve change order 2 for a decrease of $6,000 which is the restoration of gravel. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Further explanation on why the decrease was given, due to the Phase II project happening at the same time, the restoration is listed in that project also. Wessels moved, Abbas seconded to approve Pay Application 4 in the amount of $10,248.97 to Woodruff Construction on the EQ Basin project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. During the construction of Phase II Waste Water Project, Boomerang has found quite a few tiles, in addition, there was a telephone line that was cut. Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve Pay Application 4 in the amount of $262,801.35 to Boomerang Corp. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Crawford moved, Wessels seconded to approve Pay Application 5 – final payment in the amount of $7,989.20 to Heartland Asphalt for N. Butler St project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. CGA has started the survey work for the Hardin Street Storm Sewer project. K. Meyer reported AAA Construction was coming back in a few weeks to help winterize and seal the splash pad. Gallentine requested Meyer to get the operation manual and designs from the Contractor, in order to pay them in full, when the time comes.
K. Meyer, public works supervisor, is working on winterizing the pools and trimming trees.
Dennis is working on the 2-inch meter issue with Ferguson, PeopleService, and Simple City. Training with the new deputy clerk is going well.
Crawford shared a concern in the 900 block of 2nd Ave regarding No Parking signs. Crawford believes they need to be moved due to a property putting in a new driveway. Dennis to put on agenda next month for further discussion.
Nuss reminded council along with department heads to watch their expenses as budgets are exceeding the benchmark in the fiscal year already. Nuss, acting on behalf of Chief Frick, will be giving an award to Officer Valverde after the conclusion of the council meeting.
Public comment from Debbie Bobholz regarding police force and inquiring if the County would be patrolling the park and if they will be answering calls timely. B. Schipper, AWJ, inquired as to the cost of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. Dennis addressed her inquiry.
Abbas moved, Flores seconded to adjourn at 8:34 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS
FIREWALL/IT/BACKUP
4350.48
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC
CASH REGISTER TAPE
8.90
AGSOURCE COOPERATIVE SERV
POOL TESTING
56.50
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL
UTILITIES-GAS
430.21
BOOMERANG CORP
PHASE II PROJECT
262801.35
CAPITAL ONE
CLOROX/FEBREZE/DISINFECTANT
30.60
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
SAMS CLUB/CONCESSIONS
1785.62
CARRICO AQUATIC RESOURCES
LIFT CHAIR CONTROL BOX
388.39
CENTURYLINK
PHONES/FAX
405.39
CGA
PHASE II/EQ BASIN/N BUTLER/HARD
31057.75
CLEAR THE CHAOS CLEANING
8/30/23 CLEANING
150.00
CLEMONS, MARJEAN
MILEAGE
20.00
COPY SYSTEMS INC
COPIER MAINTENANCE 8/23-8/24
982.31
CORNERSTONE COMMERICIAL
626 MAIN ST/FACADE GRANT
38466.07
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP
WHITE PAINT/THINNER
852.23
DOLLAR GENERAL
MACE
6.00
EBS
HEALTH INSURANCE
7469.19
ELDORA AMBULANCE SERVICE
TIER/PARAMEDIC
2250.00
FAST FIBERGLASS, LLC
SLIDE/LANDING PAD
5025.00
FEDERAL W/H
FED/FICA TAX
11218.51
FRANKLIN COUNTY TREASURER
INDUSTRIAL PARK
1392.00
HARDIN COUNTY OFFICE SUPP
DESKTOP CALENDARS 4
39.56
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF
CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
3144.90
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE
2ND QTR FY23/24/AUGUST LANDFILL
14982.35
HEART OF IOWA
847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS
64.50
HEARTLAND ASPHALT INC.
NORTH BUTLER STREET PROJECT
7989.20
HH CONSTRUCTION
OIL/FUEL FILTERS/LIGHTS
700.00
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
BOOKS/SHIPPING
735.23
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO
GAS/DIESEL
1657.79
IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACAD
EVALUATION MMPI-VALVERDE
110.00
IPERS
IPERS - REGULAR
4259.48
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
SHOP DOOR PARTS
157.73
KEN'S REPAIR
WEEDEATER HEAD
29.99
MEDIACOM
PHONE/FAX/INTERNET
175.02
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC
BATTERY/BOLTS/SCREWS
439.93
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN
ELECTRIC
7012.08
P.C.C.
AMBULANCE BILLING FEES
1121.63
PAYROLL CHECKS
TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS
38428.70
PEOPLESERVICE INC.
WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE
16533.00
POSTMASTER
UTILITY BILL POST/IMPRINT PERMIT
650.00
REGION 6 PLANNING COMMISS
CDBG GENERAL ADMIN SVC-PH II
492.00
SALES TAX/LOST
SALES TAX PAYMENT
899.35
SHIELD PEST CONTROL
MONTHLY SERVICES
30.00
STATE WITHHOLDING
STATE TAX
720.40
THE IOWAN MAGAZINE
1 YR MAGAZINE
24.00
TIMES-CITIZEN CO.
8/9/23 MINUTES
157.92
USDA RF
MONTHLY PAYMENT
1151.00
VERIZON
2 CELL/2 JETPACKS
352.15
WARNER PLASTICS & LINERS
DUMPTRUCK BED LINER
870.00
WATER EXCISE TAX
WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT
2410.63
WOODRUFF CONSTRUCTION
EQUALIZATION BASIN RELINING
10248.97
CLAIMS TOTAL
484734.01
EXPENSES BY FUND
GENERAL FUND
118316.87
LIBRARY RESERVE FUND
330.75
ROAD USE TAX FUND
17222.97
CAP PROJ - SPLASH PAD FUND
5032.99
CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND
10079.70
WATER FUND
13698.37
SEWER FUND
23333.16
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND
288554.90
GARBAGE FUND
6638.86
STORM WATER FUND
1525.44
TOTAL
484734.01
REVENUE
GENERAL
62013.82
LIBRARY RESERVE
100.00
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP
0.04
ROAD USE TAX
17780.24
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL
240.64
EMERGENCY FUND
18.34
LOST TOTAL
23066.60
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
5766.65
TIF TOTAL
77.23
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL
376.10
CAPITAL PROJECTS - LOST TOTAL
5766.65
WATER
43959.72
WATER DEPOSITS
1380.00
SEWER TOTAL
58303.73
SEWER - SINKING
16345.00
SEWER - RESERVES/SURPLUS
25823.34
CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL
3072.00
GARBAGE
12545.27
STORM SEWER
14838.41
TOTAL
291473.78