Russell Special City Council Meeting

City of Russell

Special Council Meeting

June 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Duane Bedford, Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Corey Paige, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher.   Also in attendance was Jim Larrington. 

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

The Council opened with the public hearing regarding the Resolution 2017-03 agreeing to apply for financial assistance with the USDA, Rural Development to finance the wastewater rehabilitation project.  The Council passed and approved this resolution.

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

Nay votes:  None.

No person from the public attended the public hearing which was posted and advertised.

The Council discussed drafting a resolution for a new water meter charge of $3.00 per meter.  The Council will discuss at the July meeting.

The Council voted on the Resolution 2017-04 regarding the transfer of $37,000 garbage surplus funds to use for the new water meter project.  The Council passed and approved this resolution.

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

Nay votes:  None.

The Council voted on the Resolution 2017-05 regarding the transfer of $28,000 Local Option Sales Tax funds to use for the new water meter project.  The Council passed and approved this resolution.

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

Nay votes:  None.

L.L. Pelling is scheduled to start road work mid-July.

Casey made a motion to approve payments to Davidson Tree Service, Chariton Library, and Washington Township Cemetery and Terry seconded the motion.

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

Nay votes:  None.

The Council decided to hold July’s Council meeting on July 11 due to the holiday and Council members available.

Duane stated that Austin Smith from Garden & Assoc. would need to make a final plan for the sewer project.  Duane will speak with Austin again regarding costs of making a final plan and consulting fees.

The Council discussed the sewer needs and what to address first.  Duane mentioned that in 2019, the Ecoli and nitrogen limits will go into effect.  Casey stated that if sewer pipe repairs are made, that it could change the needs of the lagoon project.  The UV sewer program was discussed and the increased operating costs of the UV system.  It was discussed that not all problems have been identified through the camera testing of sewer lines.

Jim brought up that the tractor mower was not working and the quoted repair cost could be over $6500.  The Council discussed hiring someone for a period to mow road ditches.

Casey stated she would be donating materials and painting the bandstand.  Chris stated that benchs donated by Peggy Fulks need to be set up also.

Chris motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m.; Casey seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

___________________________                                                             __________________________

Mayor Duane Bedford                                                            Clerk, Kris Wilkins

Russell News

Russell News June 20, 2017

June Lunch Program

            Russell has been privileged to reap the benefits of the State sponsored (USDA) school lunch program through the Chariton school district. Each weekday, so far in June, up to 32 youth have eaten free meals at the Russell Museum. From 11:10-11:35 a meal can be eaten at the Library/Museum for ages 1-18. There is no enrollment or costs for the meals. The last days for the free meal is through Friday, June 30^th.

             Vacation Bible School

            Faith United Methodist Church will have Vacation Bible School, Monday through Thursday, July 10-13 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The theme will be Hero Central:  Discover Your Strength in God.  Children from 3 years of age (must be potty trained or have an adult with them) through 5th grade.  Come join the fun!  We will have snacks, singing, Bible stories and crafts.  The program will be Thursday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary with refreshments to follow.

 Calendar

            Monday, June 26, 7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

            Sunday, July 2^nd,  7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot (Ranges closed 2-5 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of each month for 4-H Shooting Sports )

            Friday, July 3^rd, 9 a.m. Charley Clark Legion Post will put out flags for the Avenue of Flags at the Russell Cemetery. On July 5^th at 9 a.m. they will retire them.

            July 10-13^th, Faith United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School

            Wednesday, July 5^th ,  6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls -  Carol Swigart will be the hostess and Lona Aldrich will have the lesson.

            Monday, July 10^th,  7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

            Monday, July 10^th, 7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

            Tuesday, July 11^h,  6 p.m. American Legion/Auxiliary meeting

            Sunday, July 16^th , 7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club handgun class

            Monday, July 24^th,7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

            Tuesday, July 18^th,   10:15 a.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum, everyone welcome

            Thursday, July 20^th   5:15 p.m. Russell Museum/Library Board meeting

            Sunday, July 30^th, 7 p.m.,  Russell Sportsmen's Club Center-fire rifle

Regular City Council Meeting

City of Russell

Council Meeting

June 5, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Corey Paige, Terry Newcomb, and Jay Pierschbacher.   Also in attendance was Jim Larrington. 

Duane Bedford, Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Chris made a motion to approve the minutes from the May Council meeting and the May 10 Special Meeting; Terry seconded it.  Motion carried unanimously.

Chris made a motion to approve the income and expense reports and Terry seconded it.  Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

Police – the police car is getting radar unit inspected; the part for the light bar is being delivered soon.  Chris asked if Jeff Johnson could work without the lights on the City’s junk and debris problems.  Duane will talk to Jeff about it.

The Council discussed property owners’ responsibility for their property maintenance.  The Council discussed abandoned house properties.

Chris reported on the Fire Dept. for Brian Beaty.  Alec Reynolds has started on the fire department.

Jim reported on Water – Jim pumped the old well out a few thousand gallons.

Sewer – a pump is not working.  Jim will check the motor.  The lagoon is running 46 gallon per minute while it has been dry. 

Streets – Jim stated that road safety signs are still on sale until July.  Jim has been working on hole patching after getting a load of cold patch.  The road grater and backhoe are back together.  Repairs have been done to the lawn mower; work needs done to mower tractor.  Jim got pricing on a John Deere offside brush cutter at approx. $7900.

L.L. Pelling will be starting road re-surfacing after the 4^th of July.  Jay asked that this be put on the agenda for the June 20 special meeting so Council could keep up on scheduling of road work.

Council discussed road safety signs and tool purchases and will finish discussing at the special meeting being held June 20 at 6 p.m.

Under old business, the Council discussed the water meter project for FY17-18.  Jay made a motion to use garbage surplus funds of $37,000 and $28,000 from local option sales tax for a total of $65,000 for the project.  Chris seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Terry made a motion to order the meters and Jay seconded it.  The Council will prepare resolutions at the June 20 meeting.  There was discussion about adding a meter fee.

Duane and Kris will check into amending the ordinance for rate increases and the process for that before the June 20 meeting.

The Council discussed an additional loan from the USDA Rural Development for the sewer project of lining pipes to the lagoon.  The Council will publish a public notice for the June 20 meeting so the public has a chance to attend and make comments.

Chris made a motion to extend the Council meeting past 9 p.m. and Terry seconded it.  The motion carried unanimously.

New Business - A copy of the unsigned Quit Claim deed was reviewed for the Great Western bank bldg. in Russell.  The Council decided to check on companies available to do commercial building inspections before proceeding.

Casey motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 p.m.; Jay seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

___________________________                                                             __________________________

Mayor Duane Bedford                                                            Clerk, Kris Wilkins

Special City Council Meeting

City of Russell

Special Council Meeting

May 10, 2017, at 6 p.m.

Duane called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.  Chris Feehan, Terry Newcomb, and Casey DeHoedt were in attendance.  Corey Paige and Jay Pierschbacher were not present.  Jim Larrington was present at the meeting.

Duane stated that he was to get paperwork to Ellen Walker at USDA regarding the sewer and state revolving funds to assist in our sewer project.

In regards to water meter project funding, the Council discussed using local option sales tax funds and using funds from the garbage fund.  The Council also looked at funds that could be left in the water fund at the end of this fiscal year.

Chris Feehan made a motion to use funds from the garbage account to buy water meters  and Terry seconded it.   The Council was informed by the state auditor that a resolution must be passed to declare a surplus in garbage and put in the resolution how the surplus figure was determined and whether or not the money will be paid back to the garbage fund.

The Council decided to buy all new water meters contingent on finding out when we can amend the next years FY17-18 budget and when funds can be transferred for the project.

Streets-L.L. Pelling can start the end of June resurfacing our streets and the city will pay them next fiscal year.

Jim got bids for work to be done on a sink hole at Smith Street.  The Council decided to let the bid to Kent Loynachan.  Casey made a motion to repair two sink holes-Smith Street and West Street and Terry seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously

Council discussed giving Shawn Davison a deadline of June 30 for the tree removal project.  Chris made a motion to inform Shawn of this deadline and Casey seconded it.  The motion carried unanimously.

Casey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m. and Terry seconded it.  Motion passed unanimously 3-0. The next regular council meeting will be on June 5^th at 7 p.m.

____________________________                                                            _______________________

Mayor, Duane Bedford                                                                                City Clerk, Kris Wilkins

Russell News

Russell News May 30, 2017

June Lunch Program

                Russell is privileged to reap the benefits of the school lunch program. Each weekday

from 11:10-11:35 a meal can be picked up at the Library/Museum for ages 1-18. There will be no enrollment or costs for the meals.

Congratulation to our Local Graduates

                We offer our congratulations and best wishes to all our local or former residents on their graduation from high school-Carver Dow, Joe McCurdy, Raegan Beck, Levi Gwinn, Levi Abbas, Chandler Briggs,   Caden Steinhausen, and Jake Whitham, the grandson of Terry Newcomb from Cassville, Mo.

                Samantha McCurdy has graduated form Iowa State University with a degree in graphic design.

                If we missed anyone, we apologize and would like to include them in a future edition.  Please let us know. 

           

Calendar

                Monday, June 5^th, 7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                Tuesday, June 6^th,  6 p.m. American Legion/Auxiliary meeting

                Wednesday, June 7th,  6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls - Deloris Werts is the hostess and will have the lesson about her daughter's (DeeAnn Walker) trip to India.

                Sunday, June 4^th,   2 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Ladies handgun class

                Sunday, June 4^th,  7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot (Ranges closed 2-5 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of each month for 4-H Shooting Sports )

                Monday, June 12, 7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

                Tuesday, June 13^th,   10:15 a.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum, everyone welcome

                Thursday, June 15^th   5:15 p.m. Russel Museum/Library Board meeting

                Sunday, June 18^th, Father's Day, make it special

                Monday, June 26, 7 p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

                July 10-13, 6-8 p.m. Faith United Methodist Vacation Bible school, more information later.

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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 or call 641-535-2402, or contact Casey at www.facebook.com/russell.iowa or 641-931- 6008, or dehoedtc@gmail.com