Russell City Council Minutes

City of Russell

Council Meeting

May 1, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher.  Duane Bedford and Corey Paige could not attend.  Also in attendance were Jeff Johnson, Brian Beaty and Jim Larrington. 

Chris Feehan, Mayor Pro-tem called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Casey made a motion to approve the minutes from the April Council meeting and Terry seconded it.  Motion carried unanimously.

Chris made a motion to have a closed session with Jeff Johnson and Terry seconded the motion.  A roll call vote taken with Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher showed a yes vote unanimously to go into closed session.  After the closed session, Casey motioned to go back into open session with Terry seconding the motion.  A roll call vote was taken and all members voted unanimously to go back into open session for the Council meeting.  Jeff Johnson left the meeting after the closed session.

Casey made a motion to approve the income and expense reports and Jay seconded it.  Motion carried unanimously 4-0.

Brian reported on the Fire Dept.  Brian requested the Council vote on adding a new person to the fire department, Alec Reynolds, 21 years old.  Jay motioned to approve Alec to be added to the fire department and Terry seconded it.  Motion carried unanimously 4-0.

Jim reported on Water – The water leak detection test showed no major leaks.  Jim stated that chlorine levels changed so he flushed out some hydrants.

Jim stated that due to the amount of rain in April, the sewage lagoon is running   over the average amount of water.  There was discussion on getting back to repair work on the sewage lagoon.  Duane is taking care of the paperwork through Garden & Associates.

Jim is using the new GPS to mark curb box locations so we can have a record on the computer of locations.

Jim reported on Streets – He is ordering cold patch tomorrow for pothole work.

Under old business, the Council looked over the street bids for seal coating.  Terry made a motion to approve L. L. Pelling’s bid and Casey seconded the motion.  Jay made a motion before voting that he would like to change the approval of the bid to include a definite completion date by July and if not, table the bid process until the special meeting held on May 10 at 6pm.  Casey seconded Jay’s motion and the Council voted unanimously 4-0.  Jim will contact L. L. Pelling and find out if they can complete the project before August.

The Council discussed the tree cutting bid.  The trees have not been cut yet in town.  It was decided to contact the bidder and find out when he will begin work.  The Council will discuss again at the May 10 meeting.

Under new business, the Council discussed what kind of water meters to purchase and it was decided to go with Badger remote readers and meters.  Jim stated that he had about 60 meters that need changed out due to incorrect readings.  The Council discussed Local Option tax monies, and charging meter fees for funding the meter project.  It was decided that Kris will research options for funding and the Council will meet again on May 10 at 6 p.m. and discuss again at a special meeting on May 10.  Casey made a motion to table discussion on water meters pending funding options and Jay seconded the motion.  The Council voted unanimously and the motion carried 4-0.

The Council discussed the rate increase by Rathbun Rural Water beginning July 1, 2017.   A message on the water bills mailed April 30 shows a link for customers to see a 2016 water quality report on-line.  The link is http://iowaccr.org/Russell.

Chris made a motion to obtain bids to repair a hole in the 400 block of W. Smith and Jay seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously 4-0.  Jim will get pricing and bring information to the May 10 meeting.

Chris talked to Heather Hitt at Great Western Bank regarding the City taking the bank building in Russell.  She told him it was being worked on by the attorneys.

The Community club dissolved in Russell and turned over the property with ball fields over to the City.  The Council discussed whether or not to leave electrical power on the property.  Jay made a motion to pull the meter and Terry seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried 4-0.

The Council discussed mowing the track area and decided to mow two paths around the ball field.  Casey is working on a grant to put rock on track and obtain lighting.  Casey also stated that she would paint and fix lattice panels on the bandstand.  Jay made a motion to let Casey get materials to fix the bandstand and Terry seconded it.  The motion carried unanimously 4-0.

The bids for the old police vehicle were opened and the bid was let to Todd Atwell for $602.

Casey made a motion to put the tractor up for sealed bids as is and the Council can refuse any and all bids, and Jay seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously 4-0.

It was brought up that there is a city-wide garage sale in Russell on Saturday,

May 27 from 8-12:00.  Call Roberta 535-4191 if you have questions.

Terry motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.; Jay seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

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Mayor Pro-Temp, Chris Feehan                                             Clerk, Kris Wilkins