City of Russell
Council Meeting
September 10, 2018
Present: Duane Bedford (Mayor), Council members: Chris Feehan, Terry Newcomb and Casey
DeHoedt. City Maintenance Jim
Larrington, City Clerk Cindy Smith and residents Chris Knust, Dustin Dyke, Dean
Whaley and Scott Bear.
Meeting
called to order at 7:00 pm. By Duane Bedford, Mayor.
Public
hearing was held to notify the community that the property located at 410 S
Highland that is currently owned by the city will be put up for public sealed
bid. This property will be sold whole
and not separated into lots. There is
water and sewer near the property that if any new building is erected, the new
property owners would be responsible for hooking into the city utilities. This will be a sealed bid sale starting price
of no less then $700.00. All closing
cost, appraising and bringing abstract up to date will be the responsibility of
the new owners. Question was asked by
the residents if there was any other property located in the city limits that
is currently for sale and there is no other property at this time that is owned
by the city that will be up for sell.
Council members did mention several private properties that may
available for purchase.
Chris Feehan
motioned for the approval to proceed with the sealed bidding on the above
property and this was seconded by Terry Newcomb.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Minutes from
Council meeting held August 6th were motioned for approval by Chris Feehan and
seconded by Casey DeHoedt.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none.
Dean Whaley
presented the council with a quote for installing a scuttle hole access in City
Hall. This work was motioned for
approval by Chris Feehan and seconded by Terry Newcomb.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Washington
Street project was taken off the agenda for this meeting as we are still
awaiting legal information from both parties.
Chris Knust
presented to the council that there are cattle near his home that they have
been getting out a lot lately and causing damage to yards and gardens. Terry Newcomb had researched Iowa laws
regarding livestock inside city limits and it does state that they must be in a
permanent confined fenced area with a gate.
This permanent fencings must be “tight” fencing with a height of 54”
. The livestock owner and land owner are
responsible parties in maintaining the fence.
It was discussed that the owner of the cattle is 16. Duane Bedford will speak with Jeff Johnson to
have him speak with both owners. There
will be a new ordinance written by Terry Newcomb to include the State laws regarding
this matter. This issue will again be
discussed in the October council meeting.
Scott Bear
presented the council with recommendation on seeding of the property that he
leases from the city. He will plow and
reseed this fall if weather permits and will plant new alfalfa or winter rye as
he see’s fit and as weather allows. If
weather does not allow he will plow now as he can and reseed in the
spring. Council stated that he could do
as he sees fit. He will receive all state
permits as required. Terry Newcomb
motioned to amend the current contract to allow this leased practice, this was
seconded by Chris Feehan
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Income and
expenses were reviewed. Terry Newcomb
moved to approve report’s and this was seconded by Casey Dehoedt.
Cindy
requested the approval to attend a class in Des Moines for the computer
software that is used by the city. This
class was motioned for approval by Chris Feehan and seconded by Terry Newcomb.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Stump
removal quotes were reviewed. A total of
31 stumps with the option of a 32nd stump need to be removed. Bids received were from Edwin Borntrager for
$6,500.00, Paige Tree Service for $2,250.00 with the optional stump at $300.00,
Tom Carpenter for $2,140.00 including the optional stump, and from Rick
Hamilton for $4,002.00. Paige Tree
Service was selected for approval for the stump removal. Casey Dehoedt motioned for approve Paige Tree
Service and this motion was seconded by Terry Newcomb.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Russell Fire
Department report was presented by Chris Feehan in the absence of Chief Brian
Beaty who was unable to attend. The
Russell Fire Department came in 4th during the Fire Convention that
was held last week. We are very proud of
our fire department and the representation of Russell that they showed last
week. The Fire Department will be
holding their annual BBQ cook off in Russell during the Fall Festival on
September 15th. Please come
out and enjoy the parade, festivities and good food to show support for our
Fire Department.
Jim
Larrington presented the council with the water report and work that has been
completed. We received 2 new fire
hydrants. One will be replacing the fire
hydrant on Stanton Street next to Hundley Garage and the 2nd one
will be replacing a leaking fire hydrant on Grozier Street.
Jim also
reported on the streets that Stanton and Smith streets were graded today. Smith Street needs approximately 100 ton of
rock and Stanton needs approximately 70 ton of rock after the rains that we had
in the last couple of weeks.
There have
also been complaints of hanging wires from utility poles. Alliant was called in and it has been found
that these are old cable wires that the city had in the past that are no longer
used. When the lift is here for the
repair of the roof we will utilize the lift to take down these wires that are
presenting a problem. Also, while the
lift is here we will be doing fall tree trimming in mid-October to middle
of November. The fee for the rental of the lift will be
approximately $1,500.00 for the month.
Cleanup from
the storm has been completed.
Flags will
be put up for the Fall Festival/BBQ cookoff. Jim noted that some of the flags will need to
be replaced soon. Chris Feehan motioned
to purchase up to $500.00 worth of flags and hardware per year to replace and
build up number of flags. This motion
was seconded by Casey Dehoedt.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays – none
Terry
Newcomb motioned to extend the meeting past 9:00 and this was seconded by Chris
Feehan.
Ayes – All
approved
Nays - none
Street Signs
were ordered and are ready for pickup at the DOT garage in Chariton. These will be picked up and placed.
Two (2)
culverts have been ordered and are scheduled to ship on September 25th. These culverts will be placed at the
intersection of West Smith Street and Champman, and the second one will be
south on block on Chapman.
Street
lights have been reported out and Alliant energy was called to have these
lights replaced. Please call they City
Clerk if you notice any street lights that are out and need replaced.
The
bandstand roof project has been completed.
There will be a new flag and flagpole installed in the City park along
with additional concrete work and a bench. The work at the Bandstand Park is
being completed with grant monies from SCICF, The Coons Foundation and the
Vredenburg Foundation
We have
received 2 new swings and 2 new basketball nets for the park by the community
center that will be installed.
All City
Hall, Community Bldg., Fire Department, maintenance garages have all had new
LED lighting installed reducing the wattages used. We still have the post office to complete and
then a rebate request will be submitted to Alliant Energy.
Jim also questioned
if there were any funds budgeted for new equipment this year. We are in the need of either a dump trailer
or a 4 in 1 bucket for the backhoe. Jim
will research cost for what he needs and present to council in the next
meeting.
Old Business
discussed was proceeding to do an ordinance for NO jake braking inside city
limits. This will be enforced with a
straight fine. This ordinance will be
completed for the next council meeting.
Jim’s annual
raise went into effect on 9/1/2018.
Date for the
next council meeting will be held on October 8th instead of the 1st.
Chris Feehan
motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 and this was seconded by Casey Dehoedt.
Minutes
Approved by:
_____________________
Chris
Feehan, Mayor Pro-Tem
Attest:
______________________
Cindy Smith
City Clerk
