City Council Meeting

Special Council Mini-minutes   May 30, 2019

            Present Mayor: Duane Bedford, Council members Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher; City Maintenance Supervisor Jim Larrington and City Clerk Cindy Smith.

                The City Clerks wages were reviewed, $1.00 was to take place after 6 months and the 2nd $1.00 raise was to be increased after one year. It was  approved to the increase of $2.00 to clerk wages as one year has been met.

Council Mini-minutes,  June 3, 2019

                Present were Mayor Duane Bedford, Council members Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher; City Maintenance Supervisor Jim Larrington and City Clerk Cindy Smith.

                Duane Bedford then reviewed Resolution 2019-05 increasing the cost of city mowing and brush removal from $75.00 per hour to $80.00 per hour. This Resolution was motioned was approved.  

                Letters will be going out this week to the property owners and they will have 10 days to begin cleaning up of the properties. Any violation of no progress will result in a penalty of $200.00 per day that no clean up has begun.

                We did have a plugged main that was blown out and then Don’s John’s cleaned out the main. All is now clear. 

                New flags have been ordered to replace the ones that were damaged during rains/wind

from Memorial Day display.

                It was approved for Lockridge  placing a receiving tower on the city water tower for the internet

service that will be available to residents. The City Office, Fire Station and Library/Museum will be receiving free internet service. This will be a contract to be reviewed after 3 years.

                The city will request  a grant from IMT Insurance. It was decided that we would put in a

request to have 3 new picnic tables, 2 for the City park by the bandstand and one for the park at the

community center. 

                A contract from the County Sheriff’s office (28E Agreement for Police protection

between Lucas County Sheriff and the City of Russell) was approved. 

                 Duane Bedford will discuss pay increase for Jim Noble for mowing the entry into Russell

from Highway 34 in which he has been mowing for several years, with the Horizon members Karen

Werts, Robin Thompson and Judy Dorsey as these funds are used to pay Mr. Noble.

                Duane Bedford also discussed information he had researched on a few of the houses that we need to have demolished around town. The house located on the corner of Smith and Highland is between 2 owners one has stated that they would sign over the property to the city, the second owner’s have yet to be contacted to determine how they wish to proceed.

                Jay Pierschbacher was asked if he would be able to contact the Chariton Band to see if we could possibly schedule another concert here at the Bandstand for sometime this summer. He stated he would see if there were any openings .

For Russell news updates try the Russell Historical Society Blog http://Russelliowahistoricalsociety.blogspot.com. If you have comments, suggestions or you want to volunteer for this column, please e-mail myoak10@gmail.com,  call 641-344-6609, or contact Casey at www.facebook.com/russell.iowa