New City Clerk

We  introduce Russell's new city clerk,   Cindy (Werts) Smith.  Cindy grew up on a farm southeast of Russell and is married to Bob Smith who also grew up in the Russell area.  Bob & Cindy moved back  from Arizona about a year ago and purchased the Ralph & Alice Werts home.  They have two sons, Juston & Jason Smith of Arizona & one daughter Jordon Smith of Des Moines, Iowa.  Please introduce yourselves to Cindy when you are in the City Hall.  

Russell News

Russell News June 26, 2018

                We appreciate those who mow around the Russell signs on Hwy 34 and south on S56 and homeowners who take pride in our community with well-kept property.

Calendar

                Sunday, July 1, 2  p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Handgun

                Monday, July 2,  7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                Tuesday, July 3^rd , 6 p.m. American Legion/Auxiliary

                Wednesday, July 4, —also known as Independence Day —has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4^th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence.

                 July 5th ,7:00 p.m. Chariton band will be playing in the Russell park bandstand  and  ice cream will be available   at the event. 

                Monday, July 9, 7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap Shoot

                Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls ,   Deloris Werts will be the hostess and, also have the lesson.

                Monday, July 9, 7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap Shoot

                Sunday, July 15,  2 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap Shoot

                Thursday, July 19, 1:15 p.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum-everyone welcome

                Thursday, July 19, 6 p.m. Russell Museum/Library Board meeting

                Monday, July 23 , 7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap Shoot              

                Friday, July 20-26, Lucas County Fair

                Thursday, August 9 – 19th, Iowa State Fair

City Council Minutes June 4, 2018

City of Russell

Council Meeting

June 4, 2018

Present:  Terry Newcomb, Jim Larrington, Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt ,  Cindy Smith, Shawn Werts and Nita Spaur.  Chris Feehan in as Mayor Pro-Tem, in Duane Bedford’s absence.

Chris Feehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Approval  on Resolution 2018-08 Fixing the date for the July 2^nd meeting to authorize a loan agreement for the backhoe was approved; Terry made a motion to approve and Casey seconded the motion.

Aye votes: Terry, Chris and Casey

Nay votes: None

Approval on Resolution 2018-09, declaring an official intent under Treasury Regulation 1.150-2 to issue debt to reimburse the city for certain original expenditures paid in connection with specified projects (backhoe); Terry made a motion to approve and Chris Feehan seconded the motion.

Aye votes: Terry, Chris and Casey

Nay votes: None

Last Chance cigarette licensing was approved by Chris motioning to approve for and seconded by Terry. Aye votes: Terry, Chris and Casey

Nay votes: None

Southside cigarette licensing was approved by Casey motioning to approve for and seconded by Chris.

Aye votes: Terry, Chris and Casey

Nay votes: None

Shawn Werts requested approval to use the city park on June 23^rd for a special event.  Casey made a motion to approve the request and Chris seconded the request.

New metal roofing for the band stand was approved to be ordered with Casey moving to approve the motion and seconded by Terry.  Chris Feehan notified Corey to proceed, by phone, with the ordering of the material.

Nita Spaur brought to the Council her questions on burning within the city limits.  The Council will investigate further. 

Minutes from last meeting were approved by Terry and seconded by Casey.  Council voted unanimously to approve minutes from the May 7^th meeting.

City Wide clean-up was discussed with the possibility of having pickup available next year for people that are unable to bring in their debris.

Discussion was made on Ordinances 148 and 149 that were approved at the May 30^th meeting that will be published in the paper next week, and citations can be made after that date.

Jim reported on the water/wastewater that the new meters are continuing to be installed.

Jim also to contact Alliant regarding energy efficiency for the fire department, community building and city garage.

Jim also reported on streets.  Questions were raised on mowing of ditches and Terry stated that he will look up ordinances on who is responsible for mowing ditches, property owner or city.  Also, in regards to ditches and water drainage, Chris Feehan will have the fire department blow out the culverts to allow for better water runoff.

Cindy A Smith was approved for all banking signatures as required by Great Western Bank and all other signing of documents  required as new city clerk.  Motioned for approval by Casey and seconded by Chris.

Next meeting agenda to include:  Ditch mowing, new street signs for speed limits and air braking,  fire burning within city limits, noise ordinances, tree stump removal, roof of new city office building, grant for new bench, Christmas decorations, and hydrants.

Casey motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.,  seconded by Terry.    Motion carried unanimously 3-0.

_______________________                                                  

Chris Feehan

Mayor Pro-Tem

Attest:

_______________________

Cindy Smith

City Clerk

Special City Council Minutes

City of Russell

Special Council Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 30, 6 p.m.

Present:  Duane Bedford, Chris Feehan, Jay Pierschbacher, Terry Newcomb, Casey DeHoedt, and Corey Paige.  Also present were Brian Beaty, Richard Foster, Jesse Rand, and Ashley Carroll.  Kris Wilkins and Cindy Smith took minutes of the meeting.

Duane Bedford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Terry Newcomb made a motion to approve Resolution 2018-07 for Amendment to the 2017-18 Budget of the City of Russell.  Casey DeHoedt seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Corey

Nay votes:  None

The Council had a second reading of Ordinance 148 Junk and Abandoned Vehicles.  Chris made a motion to approve Ordinance 148 as read and Casey seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay, Corey

Nay votes:  None

The Council had a second reading of Ordinance 149 Miscellaneous Junk and Debris.  Terry made a motion to approve Ordinance 149 as read and Casey seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay, Corey

Nay votes:  None

Chris made a motion to waive the third reading of the ordinances and adopt and publish as read.  Corey seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay, Corey

Nay votes:  None

Council was to discuss street work on Smith Street.  There was discussion on tiling a portion of the road to prevent water seepage.  Chris made a motion to have L.L. Pelling do the street work on Smith Street and Terry seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay, Corey

Nay votes:  None

The Council discussed the potential closing of Washington Street along the school.  The Council looked at the street plat/blueprint.  The City had turned over the alley by the school when the school was in operation.   The Council will talk to the current owner of the school regarding this.   Duane will talk to someone regarding possible costs.

Residents were in attendance that are impacted by the street closure.  The residents wanted to make sure they would still have access to their garages and personal property.  Discussion will be carried over to the June 4 Council meeting.

The Council discussed the possible selling of the campground or a possible lease.

Casey checked with Alliant regarding security lights on our poles at the field/campground.  Alliant quoted a price of $7 per light.

Casey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and Chris seconded the motion.

_______________________________

Duane Bedford, Mayor

Attest:

______________________________

Kris Wilkins, City Clerk