Russell News

Russell News August 29, 2017

                        Monday, September 11, 5 p.m. The Lucas County Genealogy Society will hold their business meeting at  the Russell Museum/ Library and to tour the building.

               It's BBQ time in Southern Iowa and you are invited to one of the best in Russell,  September 15th & 16th for the 7th annual "best in smoke" BBQ competition with cash prizes and trophies up for grabs. Your team could finish up the BBQ season with a win! Contact Shawn @ 641-203-3164. Friday-cooks check in, 8 p.m.-Ole' Skool DJ & Karaoke, Saturday-11 a.m. Take Pride in Your Ride Car Show Line-up, 12 noon-Jennifer Handling and Revolution Band, 3 p.m. Parade line-up, and Car Show Top 5 Awards, 4 p.m. Parade, 5 p.m. Free-will donation dinner at Fire Station, 5 p.m. Garden Tractor Pull, 6 p.m. Drawing of Raffle for Henry .44 barrel Rifle, and announcement of winners on City Park Bandstand.

               Faith United Methodist Church will be having a Gospel Sing on Sunday, September 17 at 2 p.m. Larry and the Messengers are coming!  Also, we are having lots of local talent.  Come for the music and for the silent auction!  Refreshments will follow.  All are welcome. 

                        The Russell Museum/Library welcomes Mandy Neer as its newest Board member and Joyce Miller as volunteer.  September will see new hours as follows: Monday 1-4, Wednesday 10-1 and Thursday 1-4. Another day will be added soon. The Museum will hold a breakfast on the Saturday of the Fall Festival from 7:30-10 a.m. Calendar

                        Sunday, September 3,  2 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot -youth shoot free (Ranges closed 2-5 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of each month for 4-H Shooting Sports )

                        Monday, September 4, Labor Day , “honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country”.

                        Tuesday, September 5,  6 p.m. American Legion/Auxiliary meeting

                        Wednesday, September 6,  6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls -  Marilyn Reynolds will be the hostess and Zelda Boldt will have the lesson.

                        Saturday, September 9, Russell Volunteer Fire Dept. Convention, Forest City

                        Monday, September 11,  7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                        Monday, September 11, 7  p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

                        Tuesday, September 12, Noon -8 p.m. Election-School board and renewal of PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy)

                        Fri-Saturday,  September 15-16 Russell Best in Smoke BBQ competition and activities, see above, & breakfast at the Museum

            Sunday , September 17,   2 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club handgun

            Sunday, September 17, 2 p.m. Faith United Methodist Gospel sing/auction, see above

            Thursday, September 21, 1 p.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum, everyone welcome-note change of date

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

            Monday, September 25, 7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

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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

August City Council Minutes

City of Russell

Council Meeting

August 7, 2017, 7 p.m.

Present: Duane Bedford, Terry Newcomb, Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Jay Pierschbacher, Corey Paige, Jeff Johnson, Delores Carroll, Ed Scheel, Jim Larrington, and Brian Beaty. 

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 seconded the motion.  Minutes were approved unanimously 5-0.

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

Jeff Johnson gave the police report.   Jeff stated he has sent several junk and debris letters out.  He will continue to send out notices.  Jeff stated that the fuel pump went out on the police car but it has been repaired.  Chris stated he has had some complaints from citizens regarding speeding in the city limits.  There was discussion on putting up more speed limit signs.

Brian Beaty gave the fire department report.  Brian reported that they are planning the Russell Fire Dept. Annual BBQ competition on September 15 and 16.  Brian requested the City pay for one Portajon ($90) as has been done in the past.  The Council agreed to pay for one.  Brian also stated that they would like to close the street (Shaw) for the car show.  The Council will ask Jeff to contact residents regarding the street closure.  The FD will block the street at the fire station.

Delores Carroll addressed the Council for approval to close the street in front of Southside for a bags tournament on Sept. 16.  Casey motioned to approve and Jay seconded the motion; Motion carried unanimously 5-0. 

The bids were reviewed for the John Deere tractor and the wooden chairs.  A $1000 bid was accepted from Colfax Tractor Parts for the John Deere and a bid of $87.50 was accepted from Jerri Holmes for the chairs.  Chris made a motion to accept the high bids as written and Terry seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously

5-0.

New ordinances were reviewed and discussed for raising the minimum charge for water, the charge for over 1000 gallon minimum, and a monthly meter fee.  Also, an ordinance was reviewed and discussed regarding the hourly charge for meter repairs due to damage, negligence, and/or tampering.

Chris made a motion to raise the minimum water charge from $12.50 to $15.00 and Terry seconded it.

Aye votes:  Chris, Terry, Jay, Corey

Nay votes:  Casey

Chris made a motion to raise the $7.00 water charge for every 1000 gallon over minimum to $8.00; Jay seconded the motion.

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

Nay votes:  None

Jay made a motion to add a $3.00 meter fee surcharge and Terry seconded the motion.

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

Nay votes:  None

The Council decided to make the effective date of this ordinance (Ordinance 144) after published and after the September and October Council meeting.  The ordinance will go into effect on the November 1 bill.

The Council discussed the ordinance to increase the charge for meter repairs.  Jay made a motion to change the repair charge from $35.00 per hour to $50.00 per hour and Casey seconded the motion. 

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

Nay votes:  None

Ordinance 143 will be published and go into effect after the September and October Council meeting.

Duane reported on the wastewater preliminary engineering report review by Garden & Associates.  Austin Smith sent a copy of his response to questions the USDA-Rural Development had on the proposed plan for the City of Russell.  Ellen Walker from USDA-Rural Development sent a copy of the approved request for a loan of $432,000 and a grant of $1,007,000 for the sewer project.

The Council discussed expenses incurred to City with the UV system.  Chris stated that we should check into other towns that have this system in place to get an idea of costs.  Duane will check into this.  Jim stated the lagoon is running 17 gallon per minute because of dry weather.

Jim reported on Water.  He stated there was a water main break at Lincoln and Chapman Streets last week.  After repairing that leak, there was another at Chapman and Northumberland.  Jim stated that the City lost approximately 230,000 gallons due to these breaks.  Jim also stated that several curb boxes need replaced.

Terry asked about the progress of our new meters.  Jim reported that he talked to Dan Sinclair of Metering and Technology Solutions and he said that they will be going with U.S. Cellular in September which will cover our area for the remote meter reading system.

Report on Streets.  A Council member was approached about getting a culvert on West Lincoln and Main put in to gain access to the owner’s back lot.  The Council discussed the owner paying costs of materials and installation.  The Council decided to table until next meeting after they have looked at the location.  The Council discussed needing a policy on this type of work request.

Terry Newcomb motioned to extend the meeting past 9 p.m.  Corey Paige seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

The Council discussed ditch maintenance.  Jim asked what the Council wanted to do with the Ford tractor which is in need of many repairs.  The Council tabled this discussion until next meeting.  Jim gave the Council quotes on a new backhoe.

Old Business – Ed Scheel asked what the City is planning on doing with the bank building.  Chris stated that the plan was to move city hall there.   Brian Beaty stated that the fire department needed the city hall space to expand their meeting room.  An asbestos test was completed on the bank building and small amounts were found but a quote to remove what was found would be approximately $3400.   Chris stated that the flooring that was found to have asbestos could be covered with new flooring and would not need to be removed as long as it is not disturbed.  Ed stated that there is a good building behind the fire station that could be used as city hall.  The Council did not vote again on the building since they had already voted to take the building in February.

Fireworks complaints were discussed.  The Council said they didn’t receive many complaints.

Duane brought up some illegal dumping at the brush dump.  Duane will find out what Chariton does as far as fines for illegal dumping and whether they have an ordinance for it.

Chris Feehan made a motion to donate to the Russell Library (administered by the Russell Historical Society) the same amount that is required by State Code to be given to the Chariton Library each fiscal year ($416).   Corey seconded that motion.

            Aye votes – Chris, Corey, Casey, Jay

            Terry abstained (on library board)

Casey motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.  Jay Pierschbacher seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

___________________________                                                         __________________________

Mayor Duane Bedford                                                            Clerk, Kris Wilkins

Russell News

Russell News August 1, 2017

Today-Special Election for Rural Residents

                Only people in the unincorporated areas of the county are eligible to vote.  That means no one in the city limits of any town are  eligible to vote.  This election is to re-purpose the 1% sales tax that now goes to the law center.  The supervisors would like  to change it to 45% property tax relief, 35% court house repairs, and 20% for any lawful purpose. 

                A pair of eye glasses in a black case has been found near the Museum. Ask about it inside.

                Calendar

                Tuesday,  Aug 1^st, Noon to 8 p.m. Special election for rural residents only. See article above

                Tuesday, August 1,  6 p.m. American Legion/Auxiliary meeting

                Wednesday, August 2^nd ,  6:30 p.m. Faith United Methodist Night Owls -  Lona Aldrich will be the hostess and Pastor Linda Reida will have the lesson.

                Sunday, August 6^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, August 7^th ,  7 p.m. Russell City Council meeting

                August 10-20^th, Iowa State Fair, the pride of Iowa

                Monday, August 14^th  p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot

                Thursday, August 17^th, 5:15 p.m. Russell Museum/Library Board meeting

                Sunday , August 20^th,   7 p.m. Russell Sportsmen's Club 22 rifle (youth shoot free)

                Tuesday, August 22,    10:15 a.m. Russell News meeting at the Museum, everyone welcome

                Wednesday, August 23, Chariton Schools begins their school year

                Wednesday, August 23, Wayne Community Schools begin their school year

                Monday, August 28^th,  p.m.  Russell Sportsmen's Club Trap shoot