City of Carson

Public Hearing Regarding 2006-2007 Budget Amendment,
Public Hearing Regarding Gas/Electric Franchise Renewal with MidAmerican Energy

Special Council Meeting Followed

May 7, 2007

Present: McClain, Pracht, Riddle, Hendricks, Damgaard

Mayor Taylor called the public hearing to order at 7:31 PM. The public hearing was regarding the 2006-2007 Budget Amendment. Public was present and no comments were made. Hendricks made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:31 PM, seconded by Damgaard – 5 ayes.

Mayor Taylor called a public hearing to order at 7:32 PM, the public hearing was regarding the gas/electric franchise renewal with MidAmerican Energy. Public was present and comments were made. Damgaard made a motion to close the hearing at 7:32 PM, seconded by Hendricks – 5 ayes.

Mayor Taylor called the special meeting to order at 7:33 PM.

Pracht made a motion to approve the agenda and to move the nuisances to the top of the agenda after the public, seconded by Riddle – 5 ayes.

Public was present, no comments were made.

Mayor Taylor stated that perhaps the City should pursue a method of stipulations attached to building permits, or amend the ordinances to require permits to be issued for remodeling projects. Mayor Taylor stated that he had been exploring the option of attaching a stipulation on remodeling building permit projects that stipulate a minimum value assessment would be enforced to force the property owners to complete their projects in a timely manner. Taylor stated that the City attorney disagrees with this method. Riddle stated the Clerk should gather some information from the League for suggestions to give project developers/property owners an incentive to complete their projects on a timely basis. Riddle made a motion to table further discussion regarding Building Permits to next meeting and allow City Clerk time to gather information from other City's, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Council discussed the condition of the property located at 416 Broadway. The Clerk informed them that she had notified the new property owners of the nuisance history on the property.

Damgaard made a motion to grant William Todd another 30 day extension to clean up his property at 328 N Central St. and to remove the demolished house debris, seconded by Hendricks – 4 ayes: Damgaard, Hendricks, McClain, Riddle 1 nay: Pracht. Motion carried.

Mayor Taylor instructed the Council that all complaints must be submitted to City Hall in writing, and no action will be taken on behalf of the City without a written complaint, and the Mayor must sign off on the complaint form. City Clerk presented a Citizen Complaint Form with Complaint Policy to better serve the public and explain the procedures for nuisances and complaint resolution.

John Sehnert & Robert Ryan, of MidAmerican Energy were present to discuss proposed amendments to Gas/Electric Franchise language. Sehnert stated that he would make the changes to the franchise as discussed and return it to the City Clerk, the City Clerk will then send the amended documents onto the City Attorney for review.

Pracht stated that he has witnessed 4-wheeler operators driving at high speeds down his alley. Council agreed that it would be fine for him to address the 4-wheeler operators parents regarding this issue.

Hendricks made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-13 (Approve 2006-2007 Budget Amendment), seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Community Center Manager Hansen stated that the City had received a $1,000 Trees Please Grant from MidAmerican Energy and presented a quote from Canoyer's Greenhouse for installing 4 trees on the island between the bank and Community Center. Damgaard made a motion to accept Canoyer's Tree bid for $1,000, seconded by McClain – 5 ayes.

Hendricks made a motion to approve the purchase of interior room signage for the community center not to exceed $200, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Hendricks made a motion to have the Community Center Manager Hansen do the cleaning at the Community Center, seconded by Damgaard – 5 ayes.

Hendricks made a motion to accept the Muxfeldt Associates auditing proposal for the WWTP Capital Project Fund with the stipulation that the bill not exceed $2,000, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

City Clerk Duede announced to the City Council that she had applied to FEMA for the March 2007 Blizzard Expenses and in April 2007 the City has been awarded a $4,225 FEMA Grant to reimburse the City for overtime, equipment, and material expenses related to the Blizzard.
Hendricks made a motion to accept the $2,500 bid from Mark Myers for Community Center Sidewalk Improvements with the stipulation that payment would not be made until after the start of the next fiscal year (July 1, 2007) and reject Myers additional $1,000 bid for replacing the cracked sidewalk section, seconded Damgaard – 5 ayes.

Hendricks made a motion to approve a 1 time credit/average in a 24 month period for James Umstot's high water bill, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Hendricks made a motion to approve a 1 time credit/average in a 24 month period for Scott Henderson's high water bill, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Mayor Taylor stated that the City Clerk should gather ordinance preparation/information to address this repetitive issue of citizen requests for high water bill credits.

McClain made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-14 (Approve Iowa West Grant Agreement for Website Improvements and City Survey Costs), seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

City Clerk gave an update on the Water Tower Bond conversion from a GO Bond to a Revenue Note.

Damgaard made a motion to grant an average bill credit for the Mayor's water bill account due to the City using water from his residence during the cleaning of the water tower, seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

Damgaard made a motion to allow the Maintenance Supervisor to hire additional seasonal part time help as needed with the Mayor's Approval and Contingent on Budget Availability, seconded by Hendricks – 5 ayes.

Maintenance Supervisor discussed the following: fuel purchases at the Co-op station in Oakland, fuel storage tank for the WWTP, gave recommendation to hire Scott Larson as Regular Part Time Maintenance Position (Replace Wayne Turner), recommended to Council to use Kristina Hansen for Part Time Seasonal Mowing, Water Tower Cleaning Update, Back Flow Prevention for Ag Water Customers, reported on City property damaged during the May 5-7, 2007 Storm/Flood, and informed Council of the broken water line across the river bridge.

Hendricks made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-15 (Hire Maintenance Part Time Applicant(s) and Set Wages for City Employees), seconded by Pracht – 5 ayes.

McClain made the motion to adjourn at 9:08 PM, seconded by Hendricks – 5 ayes.

Attest: Brianne Duede, City Clerk
Lyndon Taylor, Mayor

City of Carson April 2007 Revenue : General $29,410.86; Road Use $4,004.71, TIF $92,182.74; Employee Benefit Levy $1,709.40; Tort Levy $1,709.41; Debt Service $27,985.55; Capital Proj-WWTP $15,900.00; Community Center $74,301.60; Lewis/Lariviere Subdivision $1,225.19; Tibbles Subdivision $11.68; Water Revenue $5,760.70; Sewer $9,284.25; Garbage $4,853.40. Total April Revenues $268,339.49.

City of Carson April 2007 Expenses : General $17,935.73, Road Use $3,348.53, TIF $8,651.00; Employee Benefit $509.27, Tort Liability $5,000; Community Center $85,665.49, Tibbles Subdivision $4,282.76; Water $11,485.77, Sewer $ 7,613.08, Garbage $5,315.20. Total April Expenses $149,806.83.