Melbourne City Council

Melbourne City Council

Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2014

Melbourne City council met in regular session on October 13, 2014 at the Rec Center at 7 pm. Council members present were Stahl, Fuller, Curl, Smith and Russo. Also present were John White, Gary Fricke, Lucas Hauser, Deb Mercer and Mary Pothast, Gene Wiemers, Judy Monroe, Bob Monroe, Brian Juel, Jake Borton, Jed Borton, Amy Hill Dieter Butzlaff, Cookie Purdy, Paul McGrew, Hannah McGrew, Saren Hauser, Angela Gibbs, Stone Gibbs, Jeff Lanning, Mary Jan Isaacson, Linda Fuller, Haley Nichols, Andrew Nichols, Sandy Kielman, Stacey Kielman, Kay Monroe, Pood Wilsterman, Ann Wilsterman, Mike Needham, Kristen Needham, Cole Needham, Emma Thye, and Madisen Streeter .

Mayor White called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Russo led us in the Invocation and in the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion by Smith to approve the agenda, second by Stahl. Vote was all ayes. Motion by Russo to approve the previous meeting minutes, second by Fuller. Vote was all ayes. Motion by Fuller to approve the bills, second by Smith. Vote was all ayes.

Public discussion of the Mousehole Options and Costs began with the Clerk giving everyone the prices we received from firms to tear down the Mousehole – Con-Struct-$18180; S.L. Baumeier, Gladbrook-$21660; Mumm Backhoe Excavating-$46000. We had also received one verbal quote from AP/M Permaform, Johnston-$180000-$200000 to repair the structure. This was the only company that was willing to come look at the Mousehole. Comments from the citizens present were varied and included: it is crumbling and falling apart and should be taken down before someone is killed by falling debris; it should be kept because it is part of the town’s history; someone asked if the grade of the street would be raised if the Mousehole is removed. Some asked about applying for grants. That is possible, however, you must have a definite plan in place, which would include hiring a structural engineer to tell us what needs to be done. We don’t have the money for the engineer, or for the funds we would need for the matching part of the grant. Grants do not just give you the funds to fix, you have to match whatever they give you. Also, there is never any guarantee that you will receive the grant. Not every application is accepted. You are not always going to get the amount you ask for either.

The City has gotten some complaints about dumping the snow on the empty lot across from the city hall. Some people think it looks terrible on Main Street after it starts to turn black. There was some discussion but no resolution was reached.

Question about what will happen to the old Preschool. A few people have inquired about using it for a daycare. They are curious what rent would be, library would want separate meter for water and electricity, library is concerned about the noise that can be heard upstairs. It was suggested that we put an ad in newspaper.

A request has been received for SLOW-Children playing signs to be placed around 4th Street and Main. There are a lot of children in that area and there are concerns about their safety. Many do not stop at the stop signs and go very fast through that area. Chief Hauser will write more tickets for not stopping at the stop signs and we will get the signs ordered and put in place.

Resolution 14-10-02 Naming MidWestOne Bank as Depository of the City of Melbourne funds to a maximum of $500,000. Motion by Smith to approve the resolution, second by Fuller. Vote was all ayes.

Resolution 14-10-01 Requirements for Bank Account Access (deposits, check signing, fax signatures, savings accounts and telephone/internet transfers). Motion by Smith to approve the resolution, second by Fuller. Vote was all ayes.

Clerk told the council about a consent agenda. This is used for approval of items that are approved all the time such as agenda, minutes, and bills for payment, etc. It would save time by having one motion instead of several. Motion to approve using a consent agenda by Fuller, second by Stahl. Vote was all ayes.

One building permit was turned in, Wayne Blubaugh-807 Knox St.-deck. Motion by Curl to approve the building permit, second by Fuller. Vote was all ayes.

Chief Hauser gave his report. He told of a random day when he ran radar from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. and counted cars. There were 52 vehicles going 30-40 mph, 36 vehicles going 40-50 mph, 6 cars and 2 semis going 50+ mph. Quote was given for a radar sign to let drivers know what speed they are going would be $3000. He gave 5 tickets, 4 warnings, 1 assault report, 1 theft report, and several EMS calls.

Superintendent of Public Works, Fricke, gave his report to the council. They serviced the blowers at the lagoon; changed air filters at the Rec Center; did more ditching, removed dirt and put seed, Curlex and watered on 4th Street; put rock around intake on 2nd Avenue to prevent washing out; lowered aerated lagoon to repair line that was leaking and pumped water back after repair; shut off water to both concession stands and blew out pool lines; shut off water at 2 locations that are vacant; Cessford patched streets; exercised main valves and flushed hydrants; Clean Up Week – 1 load of appliances, 2 loads to landfill and 2 loads of brush to lagoon; moved light fixtures and bulbs at old preschool; set out new benches on Main St. On their to-do list: trim trees; check hydrants and grease caps; check water panel at Rural Water; clean aerators at lagoon; send bad radio back to Automatic Systems for repair; put up snow fence; do repairs to sewer on 2nd St.; have not heard from trailer court owner, will have Greer contact; pickup tune up estimate is $480 - $920 from Dewey Ford to change plugs depending on whether any break; take class on 10/29-Fall Region 5 sewer meeting. Cost is $50 each and they will receive CEUs. Motion by Russo to approve the repairs on the pickup, second by Stahl. Vote was all ayes. Motion by Curl to approve the class, second by Fuller. Vote was all ayes. Bushes on corners need to be trimmed, Owen & Main and 4th & Main.

A donation of $5000 was received by the Community Development committee from Mr. Hauser to cover the costs and set up fees for the ice rink in Lollar Park. A thank you has been sent. The Rec Center received a donation from New Century of $200 for the use of tables for their appreciation dinner. Donation requests were received from the WM After Prom, Athletic Boosters, and the Music & Fine Arts Boosters. Motion by Smith to send each group $50, second by Stahl. Vote was all ayes.

Motion to adjourn by Smith, second by Curl. Vote was all ayes. Meeting adjourned.

REVENUES: General-$12769.18; Road Use-$6619.07; Employee Benefits-$24.03; Emergency Fund-$123.49; LOST-Fire Assoc.; $818.65; LOST-1st Responders-$818.65; Pool-$1.57; LOST-Rec Center-$14.80; LOST-Pool-$1637.30; Water-$12306.93; Sewer-$14713.38; TOTAL REVENUES-$49874.05. EXPENSES: General-$21424.02; Road Use-$1637.46; Employee Benefits-$1416.57; Pool-$2882.31; Water-$9401.24; Sewer-$6443.93; TOTAL EXPENSES-$43205.53.

______Attest:______

John White, MayorMary Pothast, City Clerk