OAKLAND ACRES CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

7:00p.m. Monday, January 18, 2010

Drake Library Community Room

Call Meeting to Order: Mayor Lennie Smith called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m.

Roll Call: Robin Elliott, Roger Fisher, Nancy Minner, and Michael Osten were present. Absent: Anita Allwood. Also present: Angela Winburn

Inquiries from the Community: There were none.

Approval of Minutes: Fisher moved to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2009 meeting as submitted. Osten seconded. Ayes: All.

Treasurer’s Report: Osten moved to approve the December treasurer’s report as submitted. Minner seconded. Ayes: all.

Payment of Bills: Fisher moved to approve payment of the bills. Elliott seconded. Ayes: All.

*Payable to:*	*Amount:*	*Description:*
Alliant Energy	$84.13	Electricity
Jasper Co. Auditor's Office	$1,186.10	Election
IPERs	$38.33	Employee retirement
Angela Winburn	$308.18	December salary
IA Muni. Finance Officers Assn.	$30.00	Membership dues
Muckler Snow Removal	$ 6,876.25	Snow removal
Lennie Smith	$46.21	Materials, fuel
Jasper Co. Emergency Mgmt	$249.00	Per capita
Angela Winburn	$262.10	16.5 hours, 1/1-1/18
Iowa Telecom	$ 30.70	Internet service
	$ 9,111.00

Mayor’s Opening Address and Report

Smith reported that the DOT is operating behind schedule and it will be April or May before a formal speed study is conducted regarding the city’s request for a lower speed limit on Highway 6.

Smith is seeking bids for the tile work needed by 5 Eagle Drive.

Old Business

Maintenance Building Update: The Council discussed refurbishing the maintenance building to the extent that meetings and elections could be held there. No action taken.

Road Repair: Council will consult with the Planning and Zoning Committee regarding taking bids.

New Business

City Directory: The Council discussed the need for a new city directory and the possibility of selling advertising for its production. Because there are so many new residents, the Council agreed that it would be a good opportunity for Council members to survey the neighborhoods and get acquainted. Council tentatively decided to do this survey in April. Residents will be given an opportunity to limit their information in the directory.

Clerk Position: The Council decided to discuss the vacant clerk position in a closed meeting following adjournment.

Budget: The clerk presented a worksheet highlighting adjustments needed to the current budget year in police operations, snow removal, garbage collection, park maintenance, elections, and payroll. These adjustments will be presented to the public at the FY 2011 Budget Hearing. Council reviewed the clerk’s recommendations for 2011 and discussed appropriations for snow removal and curbing and road repair at the entrance to Oakland Acres. The clerk will prepare the budget for a public hearing on February 15.

The Community Betterment Fund currently totals $32,670. Fisher made a motion to reverse the current allocations of the Local Option Sales Tax. Hereafter 80% will be allocated to the General Fund and 20% will be allocated to the Community Betterment Fund.

CD Renewal: Following discussion, Fisher made a motion to renew one of the two CDs at University of Iowa Community Credit Union for 15 months. Osten seconded. Ayes: All. Smith will follow up at the Credit Union.

Clerical Equipment and Post Office Box: A new printer is needed for city use. Osten volunteered to research the purchase of a low-end laser printer. The Council agreed to continue using the post office box for city mail at this time and will discuss the issue again after a new clerk has been hired.

Meeting Location: Council discussed the possibility of holding council meetings in members’ homes. It was decided to keep the meetings in a public setting. For the winter months, meetings will continue to be held at Drake Library in Grinnell if the space is available. Council discussed the date of the next meeting in light of the need to hurry the budget process due to the clerk’s resignation and yet to allow time for budget preparation. Budget for FY 2011 is due March 15. The next council meeting and a public hearing to review the budget was scheduled on Monday, February 15 at 7 p.m. at Drake Library.

Council Reports: There were no reports.

Clerk Report: There was none.

Maintenance Report: Smith reported that he is creating a list of maintenance needs and will confer with Fisher to prioritize.

Adjournment: Fisher moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Osten seconded. Ayes: all.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Winburn, City Clerk

(These minutes are subject to council approval at the next regular city council meeting.)

The next regular meeting of the Oakland Acres City Council was postponed to February 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Drake Library Community Room in Grinnell, IA.