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Russell News December 26, 2017

Calendar

            Wednesday, January 3, 6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls will have their annual pizza party. Connie Smith will have the lesson.

                Monday, January 8, 7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                Thursday, January 18, 5:15 p.m. Russell Museum/Library Board meeting

                Thursday, January 18, 1:15 p.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum-everyone welcome

December City Council Minutes

City of Russell

Council Meeting

December 4, 2017, 7 p.m.

Present:  Duane Bedford, Terry Newcomb, Chris Feehan,  Jay Pierschbacher, Casey DeHoedt, Jeff Johnson, Jim Larrington,  and George Johnson.   Corey Paige did not attend.

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

Minutes were read and approved; Chris Feehan made the motion to approve as read and Terry Newcomb seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved unanimously 5-0.

Terry motioned to approve the Income and Expense reports; Casey seconded the motion.   Chris mentioned that the Accounts Payable printout was for November and December.  Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

George Johnson, Code Enforcement Officer for Chariton spoke about Chariton’s procedure for municipal infractions for junk and debris properties.  He said that he writes misdemeanor citations with a fine, generally $250 for first offense.   George said he takes many pictures of the properties, going back within 30 days and taking more pictures.  He also said that if there is more than one homeowner listed on property, all people listed are ticketed.  The defendant(s) will be required to appear in court.  George suggested that we adopt the International Property Maintenance Code which covers every scenario.  Chariton has not adopted this code.  Jeff said he would look into that code and the Council will discuss at the next meeting on January 8, 2018.

Jeff had nothing to report for the Police Dept.   The Council discussed getting Jeff a camera for property issues discussed earlier.

Chris made a motion to begin the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.  There were no citizens in attendance for this public hearing regarding the resolution instituting proceedings to take additional action for the authorization of a loan agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $432,000 Sewer Revenue Capital Loan Notes.   Terry Newcomb moved to adopt Resolution 2017-09 and Casey DeHoedt seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Chris made a motion to close the public hearing and Jay seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Chris reported no new information from the fire department.

Ordinance 147 – regarding penalties for illegal disposal of materials on City property was read a second time and Chris made a motion to adopt the ordinance and waive the third reading.  Terry seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

The Resolution 2017-07 written for illegal dumping will be rescinded because the ordinance is adopted.

Ordinance 146 – amending Sec 8-1.0112 of the Russell Municipal Code to specify new placement and replacement of culverts on City of Russell right-of-ways was read a second time and Casey made a motion to adopt the ordinance and waive the third reading and Chris seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Ordinance 145 - amending City of Russell Floodplain sections of Chapter 414 Code of Iowa to update floodplain maps for Lucas County and incorporated area was read a second time and Jay made a motion to adopt the ordinance and waive the third reading; Terry seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Casey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Duane discussed the sewer project and possible changes in the plan for the lagoon and has been in contact with Garden and Associates regarding the changes.

Jim reported on Water/wastewater.  He stated that he replaced a couple curb boxes.  Jim will be attending the free training at RRWA on January 24.

Jim reported on Streets.  Jim put up the Christmas decorations on the street lights with Alliant Energy’s assistance.  Some of the boxes on the poles for the decoration attachment are rotted.  Alliant said they would assist Jim in changing those out.

There was discussion regarding a street light at 312 E. Smith St. that has been out but is not one of the City’s street lights according to Alliant.  The Council agreed to go ahead and put a new one up there and add to our list of street lights.

Jim brought up for discussion the possibility of renting a lift to do some tree and brush cutting.  Jim reported that the lift cylinder for the bucket on the backhoe is leaking.  Casey asked Jim to get a two-year record of equipment repairs and maintenance.

Jim worked on the entry door at the Community Building which was falling off the hinges and door frame was coming apart.  Jim suggested we get a new door sometime because it was just a temporary fix.

The Council discussed applying for grants from SCICF, Vredenburg, and Coons Foundation for the bandstand roof and concrete.

The Council discussed the school kids who get on and off at the park who had been causing some damage.  Duane talked to Paula at the School Office and she said they would hand out notes for students to take home to parents.

The Council discussed setting a budget work session date and decided to wait and set one in January after regular council meeting on January 8, 2018.

The Council talked about the meter project progress again and decided to get a quote from another company since there has been no progress. 

The Council discussed the bank remodel and decided on not spending the money on an interior wall.

Terry made a motion to extend the meeting past 9 p.m. and Casey seconded the motion.

The Council picked out a paint color for the bank building.

The Council discussed the MESI contract for our water and wastewater testing.  The City of Russell received a letter from Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. stating that they have transitioned out of laboratory testing.  The operations have been purchased by Keystone Laboratories and they will continue our service at the same pricing through 2018.

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

___________________________                                                         __________________________

Mayor Duane Bedford                                                            Clerk, Kris Wilkins

Russell News- November 28, 2017

Russell News

November 28, 2017

Calendar

                Monday, December 4,  7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                Wednesday, December 6 ,  6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls  will meet at the home of Connie Smith. The program will be our annual Christmas gathering.

                Sunday December 10th at 6:00 p.m               . The First Baptist Church will be presenting the Christmas program "Born for Me!"  Dessert fellowship afterward. 

                Thursday, December 14, 1:15 p.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum-everyone welcome

                Thursday, December 21,   5:15 p.m. Russell Museum/Library Board meeting

                Sunday, December 24, First Baptist Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. & Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m.               

                Sunday, December 24 at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service at Faith United Methodist Church.  All are welcome to come and celebrate with us the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

                Monday, December 25, Enjoy the blessings of Christmas Day

============

Russell Sportsmen’s Club Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet Monday,

November 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the clubhouse.

                Present were Steve Mikesell, Tim Stroud, Dan Morrett, Vern Vogel, Dan Quillin, Stan Steenhoek, Andy Brink, Curt Catron, Jeremy Cochran, Duane Bedford, John Laing, Amy Laing, Weston Laing, Mike Sims, Vicki Sims, and Ted Williams.

                The membership voted to raise dues by $10.  Single memberships are now $35 and Family memberships are now $50.  Those who have already paid dues do not have to pay the difference.

                2018 Officers and Board Members were elected:President: Steve Mikesell , Vice-president: Tim Stroud, Secretary/Treasurer: Dan Morrett, At-large Board Members: Curt Catron, Jeremy Cochran, Paul Goldsmith, John Laing, Dan Quillin, Stan Steenhoek, and Ted Williams.

                Please thank Vern Vogel for keeping the grounds mowed all these years.

            2017   Grants, fundraisers, donations, $175 – Pheasants Forever grant for youth program expenses, $210 – 2 permit-to-carry classes, $810 – Dues above Basic (donations)

                 2017   range/lodge improvements, Acoustical ceiling tile in education building - $3,150 labor and materials (paid by Dekko Foundation),Shelter over rifle range firing line – $4,508 labor and materials, ($1,375 paid by Bob Sims memorial, $2,000 by Vredenburg Foundation).Remainder of 5 shooting benches are built and delivered, New pistol range target stand - $442 materials, volunteer labor.

                Thank you to the many volunteers who helped in many ways during the season.

November 6, 2017 City Council Minutes

City of Russell

Council Meeting

November 6, 2017, 7 p.m.

Present:  Duane Bedford, Terry Newcomb, Chris Feehan, Corey Paige, Jay Pierschbacher, Jeff Johnson, Jim Larrington, Brian Beaty, and Charles Musick.   Casey DeHoedt did not attend.

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

Minutes were read and approved; Chris Feehan made the motion to approve as read and Corey Paige seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved unanimously 5-0.

Chris motioned to approve the Income and Expense reports; Terry seconded the motion.   Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

Larry Templeton was on the agenda to discuss property line fencing, but did not attend.

Charles Musick addressed the Council regarding property that he was planning to purchase and had questions regarding surrounding rundown and abandoned properties.  The mayor said that owners still had time to pay up property taxes on said properties before those parties who paid the back taxes would receive title.

Jeff reported for the Police Dept.   Jeff talked about Chariton’s policy on nuisance properties and stated that Chariton has a code enforcement person who takes care of nuisance properties through civil means instead of criminally.  Duane will formalize a procedure through our attorney and have a draft by next Council meeting in December.  Jeff will ask Chariton’s code enforcement person to attend our meeting also.

Brian reported for the Fire Dept.  Brian said the fire department has made some improvements to the fire station for storage purposes.

Duane handed out a proposed ordinance from Jim Mefferd, Attorney, for assessing penalties for illegal dumping in the City brush dump.  The League of Cities suggested an ordinance instead of a resolution, which the Council approved last month.  The Council discussed the ordinance which would apply to all City property, not just the brush dump.  Jay made a motion to approve the ordinance as read and Terry seconded the motion.  The votes will serve as the first reading of the ordinance and the second reading will be at the December 4, 2017 Council meeting.  The Resolution 2017-07 written for illegal dumping will be rescinded when the ordinance is adopted.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Duane handed out a proposed ordinance amendment from Jim Mefferd, Attorney, for

8-1.0112 covering culvert installation on City right-of-ways.  The Council discussed who would be responsible for costs and labor and agreed the responsibility would remain with the property owner.  Terry made a motion to approve the amendment to the ordinance and Chris seconded the motion.  The votes will serve as the first reading of the ordinance and the second reading will be at the December 4, 2017 Council meeting.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Duane wanted to discuss Ordinance 135 dealing with livestock prohibition maps.  The Council discussed the ordinance but made no changes.

Chris made a motion to approve Ordinance 145 to amend City of Russell Floodplain sections of Chapter 414 Code of Iowa to update floodplain maps for Lucas County and incorporated areas; Terry seconded the motion.  The votes will serve as the first reading of the ordinance and the second reading will be at the December 4, 2017 Council meeting.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Jim reported on Water/wastewater.  He stated that he put in a couple new curb boxes on Chapman Street.  Jim stated he ran into trouble with water coming in on him in the hole before he got everything hooked up.  He stated that a smaller transfer pump would be nice to have and some trench shoring equipment.

Jim let the Council know that he needed to put more meter pits in on properties that could be using water that is unmetered.

Jim reported that the new meters are still not available from Metering and Technology Solutions.  Dan Sinclair, the company representative, told Jim that the company could not get good cell phone coverage in Russell.  Dan told Jim that another option could be to install an antenna (on Russell’s tower).  There would be a different cost breakdown for this type of meter reading.  Jim has talked to another company regarding a drive-by meter reading system.  The Council discussed and would like to look into other options.

Jim reported on Streets.  Jim and Duane have been cutting brush on Crocker St.  He reported that the shelter construction is completed.  Duane will give a report to organizations who gave grant money for the shelter project.

Terry made a motion to approve the 2017 Annual Financial Report and Chris seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Brian Beaty asked about the amount of insurance the City wanted to put on the bank building and the new shelter.  The Council decided on $150,000 coverage on the bank building and $25,000 on the shelter. 

Chris suggested the Council set up a work day at the bank building to remove wallpaper and other clean-up.

The Council discussed the final draft of the periodic exam/audit report.

Casey had drafted a letter for Council to look at regarding kids damaging city park property while waiting for the school bus.  The Council suggested that the school send letters to the parents of the kids who use the location for bus pickup and drop off.

The Council discussed the sidewalk ordinance.  It was suggested that the City try to obtain grant money as Chariton did to replace sidewalks.

The sealed bids were opened for the Ford tractor and the Council accepted the bid of $5500 from Colfax Tractor.  Terry motioned to accept the bid of $5500 from Colfax Tractor and Corey seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey, Jay

Nay votes:  None

Firemen got an emergency call at approx. 8:50 p.m. and Chris and Corey left the meeting.  The Council meeting adjourned because of the emergency and lack of quorum.

The mayor called the meeting back to order at 9:14 p.m.  Council members remaining were Terry Newcomb, Corey Paige, and Chris Feehan.

Terry made a motion to approve the Resolution fixing the hearing date of December 4, 2017 for authorization of a loan agreement and the issuance of Sewer Revenue Capital Loan Notes in the amount of not to exceed $432,000; Chris seconded the motion.

Aye votes:  Terry, Chris, Corey

Nay votes:  None

Council discussed Kris Wilkins attending a budget training this month and approved filling her car with fuel for travel purposes.

Chris motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Corey seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously 3-0.

___________________________                                                         __________________________

Mayor Duane Bedford                                                            Clerk, Kris Wilkins