OAKLAND ACRES CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

6:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2011

Oakland Acres Golf Clubhouse

Call Meeting to Order: Mayor Lennie Smith called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.

Roll Call: Robin Elliott, Nancy Minner, Michael Osten, and Ted Schultz were present. Absent: Roger Fisher. Also present: Christina Machin and Duane Venenga.

Inquiries from the Community: Schultz had two inquiries from a community member. The first inquiry was if the city could have something on the website if residents would want to borrow tools/equipment from other residents. The Council discussed the liability issue of the city advertising it. The second item was rather than residents paying individual garbage fees if there could be a dumpster for different areas within the city. The Council discussed the issues with this such as the city having to collect money from residents, the unsightly dumpsters that would be present in the city, and the possible noise of emptying the dumpsters in the early morning hours.

Approval of Minutes: Schultz moved to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2011 meeting as submitted. Minner seconded. Ayes: All.

Treasurer’s Report: Minner moved to approve the April treasurer’s report as submitted. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All.

Payment of Bills: Council discussed the siren and the test that was to be done. Smith had told them the wrong time. The siren did go off the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. as part of a normal test. Smith could hear it in his basement. Smith will reschedule a test so Council members can be home to listen. Smith will try to reschedule the test for Wednesday at noon. Elliott moved to approve payment of the bills. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All.

*Payable to:*	*Amount:*	*Description:*
IPERS	$40.08	Retirement fund
Alliant Energy	$100.73	Electricity
S&S Electric Ltd.	$60.00	Service call to check siren
Oakland Acres Golf Course	$25.00	Clubhouse rental for 5/9
Petty Cash	$54.73	Postage – newsletter, W3, & 1096
Christina Machin	$314.48	Salary for April
TOTAL	*$595.02*

Mayor’s Opening Address and Report

Mayor Lennie Smith reported that he received notice from FEMA of another mitigation program due to severe storms this spring. Eligible projects could include ones that would reduce or eliminate losses from future natural disasters. FEMA’s share of total eligible costs would be 75% maximum and the non federal share would be 25% with 10% coming from the state of Iowa and 15% local. Possible Oakland Acres projects could include such things as a city tornado shelter or bigger culvert. The application deadline for the state is July 29, 2011 and the deadline for FEMA is August 29, 2011.

Old Business

Location of Meeting: Elliott moved and was seconded by Minner to hold the next City Council meeting at the maintenance building. Ayes: All.

Building Update: Smith reported that the lighting for the maintenance building will be done by the next meeting.

Clean-up Day May 14th: Council discussed possible projects for the city clean-up day. Projects included leveling the dirt in the park, pulling dead branches out of trees, adding extra chain to the swings, and putting up the new net on the basketball hoop. The Council also discussed options for replacing the posts around the lake.

New Business

Summer Projects: The Council reviewed the list of potential summer projects created by Duane Venenga. High priority projects include replacing traffic signs, replacing posts around the lake, cleaning up the dam area, replacing the shelter house roof, and staining the shelter house and benches at the park. The Council instructed Venenga to contact Smith regarding material purchases for these projects that would go against the $200 per month allowed for maintenance expenses without prior Council approval. Osten moved to spend up to $200 for posts by the lake. Elliott seconded. Ayes: All.

Codification of Ordinances: The Council discussed the need to have the Code of Ordinances updated. Machin will call Iowa Codification to get a quote on having this done.

Other New Business: Speeding is still an issue within the city. Smith will call the Sheriff’s Department to have them patrol more often. Please obey all traffic signs and SLOW DOWN!!!!!

City elections will be held in November. The following terms will be ending December 31, 2011 and will be up for election in November.

Mayor – currently held by Lennie Smith

City Council – currently held by Ted Schultz who is finishing out Anita Allwood’s term

City Council – currently held by Nancy Minner

City Council – currently held by Michael Osten

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the election process and the roles of city council and mayor, please feel free to call one of the current council members, mayor, or city clerk. The city clerk does have copies of the City Candidate’s Guide 2011 available which is a guide prepared by the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board for candidates for the offices of mayor and city council.

Council Report:

Transportation: There was none.

Community: There was none.

Treasurer: There was none.

Maintenance: There was none.

Interest and Events: There was none.

Osten asked for an update on the status of flooding at the park. Smith had talked with Greg Mielak and according to him, he is not able to do anything about it overflowing until the water level comes down. Once it comes down enough, he has the materials to put the barrier up. The Council discussed rocking the water coming through the park and making a permanent water feature out of it. Possible issues with this that were discussed were the weeds that would grow up through the rocks and it being a safety issue. Elliott will check into the availability of rock.

Osten also asked why the houses on the highway known as Rustic Ridges are not part of Oakland Acres. They are currently unincorporated. Smith has already talked to them about becoming part of the city, but they wanted to know what benefits would be available to them.

Clerk Report: Machin reported that the city’s tape recorder is full. Osten will transfer it to a computer.

Maintenance Report: Smith reported that the lift bar on the tractor needs replaced. It is what lifts the mower deck up and down. The cost will be about $100.

Smith presented the Council with the receipt for the box blade. The original price was $575. The sale price was $279.99. Minner moved to pay Smith for the box blade but requested next time it be brought to the Council first. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All.

Adjournment: Osten moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. Schultz seconded. Ayes: All.

The next regular meeting of the Oakland Acres City Council is scheduled on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at the Oakland Acres Maintenance Building.

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