OAKLAND ACRES CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2011
Oakland Acres Golf Clubhouse
Call Meeting to Order: Mayor Lennie Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Robin Elliott, Roger Fisher, Nancy Minner, Michael Osten, and Ted Schultz were present. Also present: Christina Machin, Greg Mielak, Tom Simpson, and Dustin Ver Ploeg.
Inquiries from the Community: There were none.
Approval of Minutes: Fisher moved to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2011 meeting as submitted. Minner seconded. Ayes: All. Minner moved to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2011 special meeting as submitted. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All. Schultz moved to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2011 special meeting as submitted. Fisher seconded. Ayes: All.
Treasurer’s Report: Fisher moved to approve the March treasurer’s report as submitted. Elliott seconded. Ayes: All. Smith reported that he has not been able to get in contact with Alliant Energy as to why the last few months’ bills were so high. The only thing he saw was that the space heater for the tractor was running, but that should not pull that much electricity. He will follow up with Alliant Energy.
Payment of Bills: Fisher moved to approve payment of the bills. Minner seconded. Ayes: All.
|
Payable to: |
Amount: |
Description: |
|
|
IPERS |
$40.08 |
Retirement fund |
|
|
Alliant Energy |
$132.28 |
Electricity |
|
|
Alliant Energy |
$725.39 |
Upgrade electric service to maint bldg |
|
|
Muckler Snow Removal |
$400.00 |
Snow removal and sand & salt application |
|
|
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities |
$240.00 |
Affiliate dues for 2011-2012 |
|
|
Ramsey – Weeks, Inc. |
$2,715.00 |
Insurance |
|
|
Marengo Publishing Corporation |
$88.00 |
Ad for mowing bids |
|
|
News Printing Company |
$134.40 |
Ad for mowing bids |
|
|
Caldwell & Brierly, PLLC |
$30.00 |
Phone conference with city attorney |
|
|
Oakland Acres Golf Course |
$50.00 |
Clubhouse rental for 3/21 & 4/11 |
|
|
United States Treasury |
$139.65 |
941 for 1st Quarter 2011 |
|
|
Christina Machin |
$314.48 |
Salary for March |
|
|
TOTAL |
$5,009.28 |
Mayor’s Opening Address and Report
Mayor Lennie Smith reported that he was out of the area helping a family member for the budget hearing and the meeting that followed. He listened to the meetings via the recorder. Listening to the meetings was disappointing with regards to how the meetings were handled. He thought the Council knew how to be organized when setting up meetings as well as taking care of everything in them. Smith takes the blame for it as well because being out of town was a spur of the moment thing. He reported that the Iowa Code states that if the community approves the budget, the council does not have the right to go against it and that the resolution should have been voted on and passed the same night as the public hearing. He reminded the members of the council that they are representatives of the community and personal opinions should not enter into a vote. Osten and Elliott assured the Council that they were representing the community when they voted against the FY 2012 budget because the mowing expense was coming out of the Community Betterment Fund instead of the General Fund. Elliott did speak to community members after the public hearing and would like to really encourage members to come to the meetings and voice their opinions.
Smith also researched and found in the Iowa Code where it states that a mayor may vote to break a tie on motions not involving ordinances, resolutions, or appointments made by the council alone.
Old Business
Update of Siren: Smith reported that the tornado siren is working now. He finally heard back from Sieck Electric. They told him what might have happened was as the siren kicked on, the power went off and tripped something. Because of the age of the siren, this is not uncommon. If there continues to be problems with it, the regulator may need to be replaced. That would be a cost of $800 - $1,000. The siren was fixed last Thursday or Friday. Smith will contact the Sheriff’s department to have it tested.
Bids for Mowing Review: The Council reviewed and discussed mowing bids for the 2011 and 2012 mowing seasons. Elliott moved to accept Greg & Tom’s bid for $3,500 for mowing for the next 2 mowing seasons . Fisher seconded. Ayes: All.
Other Old Business: Council revisited the dates for the garage sale and spring dumpsters. Elliott moved to change the garage sale day to Saturday, May 14th and dumpster days from May 6th thru May 16th. Schultz seconded. Ayes: Elliott, Minner, Osten, and Schultz. Nays: Fisher. Motion carried 4-1.
Maintenance Building Update: Smith reported that Alliant Energy ran new power to the building. The door and light are now switched over to the new panel. The furnace works and is set at the lowest that it can be. The new sensored light is now working on the side of the maintenance building as well. Smith is to find a handicap accessible kybo. Meetings can then be held at the maintenance building.
New Business
Assignment and Schedule for Next Workshop: The Council discussed the best time to hold a workshop. It was decided to move up the time of next month’s Council meeting on May 9, 2011 to 6:30 p.m. and hold the workshop immediately following the Council meeting. Chapters 3 & 4 of the Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders’ Handbook and Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances will be discussed.
Suggestions for City Clean-up Day: The Council discussed having a city clean-up day in which volunteers would do tree trimming, pick up sticks, plant flowers, clean up the park and dam, etc. Minner made a motion to have volunteers meet at the park at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14th for a city clean-up day. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All.
Council Report:
Transportation: There was none.
Community: Elliott wanted to make sure the chain was purchased for the new swings. Boland Recreation assured her that the swings will settle. Suggestions were made by residents that one swing be lower than the other to accommodate different age children. Elliott will let Smith know how much chain is needed. The Council discussed replacing the board on the old swing set and installing a baby swing on it. The basketball hoop is also in need of a new net. Schultz will check into getting a new one. Elliott suggested that as part of the city clean-up day that the dirt could be leveled out in the park and grass seed put down.
Treasurer: There was none.
Maintenance: There was none.
Interest and Events: There was none.
Clerk Report: There was none.
Maintenance Report: Smith reported that the grass is growing and will soon be time to mow and clean up the dam area. He also reported that Duane Venenga is anxious to begin on some community improvements such as staining the picnic tables, sanding and repainting the entrance door to the maintenance building, etc.
Smith asked the Council if they would be interested in purchasing a box scraper from him that he had bought on sale at Theisen’s last fall. He used it last October around the dam area. Other city uses for it include at the park and putting rock on the shoulders of the roads to keep it contained so it doesn’t go in resident’s yards. Smith will bring the receipt to the next Council meeting for approval.
Smith reported that his expenses last year were $1,569.54 which was well under the $2,400.00 allowed. Osten pointed out the resolution in which the maintenance person is allowed to spend $200 per month and would like to see the invoices submitted in a more timely manner.
Adjournment: Fisher moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Elliott seconded. Ayes: All.
The next regular meeting of the Oakland Acres City Council is scheduled on Monday, May 9, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at the Oakland Acres Golf Clubhouse.
These minutes are as recorded by the City Clerk and are subject to council approval at the next regular City Council Meeting.
Lennie Smith, Mayor Christina Machin, City Clerk