Friday, March 16, 2018

Russell City Council Minutes



City of Russell
Council Meeting
March 12, 2018, 7 p.m.

Present: Duane Bedford, Chris Feehan, Jay Pierschbacher, Casey DeHoedt and Terry Newcomb.  Jim Larrington, Jeff Neer, and Delores Carroll were in attendance.  Corey Paige did not attend due to being out of town.

Duane Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Chris made a motion to open the public hearing regarding the FY18-19 Budget; Casey seconded the motion.  Duane stated it was open to comments and there were none.  The proposed FY18-19 Budget was approved.  Terry made a motion to close the hearing; Chris seconded the motion.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey
Nay votes:  None

Chris made a motion to open the public hearing regarding the FY17-18 Amended Budget and Terry seconded the motion.  There were no comments from the public.  The FY17-18 Amended Budget was approved and Casey made a motion to close the public hearing; Chris seconded the motion.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey
Nay votes:  None

Minutes of the February 5th meeting were read and approved; Chris Feehan made the motion to approve as read and Casey seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved unanimously 3-0.

Jay entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

Chris stated that there was a question regarding the propane bill for the fire department on the expenses.  It was determined there was an error on the ticket filled out by the truck driver.  The City will credit the fire department for the mistake.  Terry motioned to approve the Income and Expense reports; Casey seconded the motion. 
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

Delores Carroll asked to close the street (Shaw) again for a St. Patrick’s Day parade at noon on the 17th.  Terry made a motion and Jay seconded it to approve the street closing for the parade.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

Jeff Neer reported for the fire department in Brian’s absence.  Jeff said that the fire dept. wanted to add two new members:  Levi Gwinn and Caden Steinhausen.  Jay made a motion to approve adding the new members to the fire department and Chris seconded the motion.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

Jeff also wanted to discuss the propane bill for the fire department.  The City still uses a furnace in the water building and there was discussion on what percentage the City should pay for the propane.  The Council agreed on paying 15 percent of the fire department building propane.  Chris stated the fire department phone number should be re-instated at the fire station.  The phone number was disconnected when City Hall moved.  Kris will contact Windstream regarding this.
Duane stated that Jim Mefferd will have a draft written regarding municipal infractions for the April Council meeting.

The rental lease agreement between the City of Russell and the US Postal Service expires in February of 2019.  The USPS mailed a new agreement with a yearly rent of $5600 per year for five years.  The Council discussed making access to the basement of the building in case of emergencies.  Chris made a motion to approve the new lease agreement and Terry seconded the motion.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

Duane stated he has not signed the wastewater project agreement by Garden & Associates because he still has questions and will be talking with Austin Smith.  Duane said he may have Austin attend the April Council meeting.

Jim reported on water – the DNR sent an auditor, Jeff Theobald, to audit our records regarding our water and well.  He made some recommendations and will send a final report.  Jim stated that he has approximately 35-40 new meters installed around town.  Jim stated that a water payment drop off receptacle has been attached to the front of City Hall.

Jim reported on Streets – L.L. Pelling came down to look over streets the City is considering resurfaced.  There are approximately four culverts that need replaced before streets can be worked on.  Stanton Street can be seal coated but others such as Ames, Northumberland, State, will need tore up and resurfaced.  The Council will decide which streets to work on when the bids come back.  Jim handed out a map marking where and what streets to be worked on.

Jim brought the new lawn mower to the meeting for Council to see.  There was discussion and the Council decided on selling the old mower and putting it out for sealed bids.

Discussion was held regarding the donation of three private lots to the City.  The Council agreed to take the property if there are no liens against them.  Duane will check on that.

The Council voted to approve cigarette permits for Last Chance and Southside.  Casey made a motion to approve the permits and Terry seconded it.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

Jim and Craig Alexander traveled to Zeigler’s in Des Moines to look at a 2014 backhoe (800 hrs) with a price of $82,555 with forks at an extra $3500.  The Council discussed the financing for the new equipment.  The decision was made to withdraw $20,000 from the Fema CD and secure a loan for the balance.  Terry made a motion to purchase the backhoe from Zeigler for $85,000 including the forks and delivery; Jay seconded the motion.
Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

The Council discussed and decided to advertise the old backhoe and put it out for sealed bids.

The Council reviewed bids for heating and air installation in City Hall and the Post Office side.  Jay made a motion to approve the lowest bid from Keith’s Electric and Terry seconded the motion.  Chris abstained from voting.
Aye votes:  Terry, Casey, Jay
Nay votes:  None

The Council discussed the upcoming retirement of the city clerk and decided to advertise immediately to get someone in by May 1.

Casey commented that the new City Hall looked nice and thanked everyone who worked on it.

Chris motioned to adjourn the meeting and Terry seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously 4-0.




_______________________                                      _______________________
Mayor Duane Bedford                                                 Clerk, Kris Wilkins

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