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Council Minutes - May 1, 2008

Submitted by City Administration on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 1:54pm. City Council

May 1, 2008

 

 

 

 

The City Council of the City of Marion, Linn County, Iowa met in regular session, Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall with Mayor Rehn presiding and the following council members present:  Sprague, Adamson, Lammers, Spinks, Pazour, and Glew.  Absent:  None.

 

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mayor Rehn read a proclamation for National Arson Awareness Week.  He presented the proclamation to Assistant Fire Chief Rick Boots.

 

Keith Patters, 3600 Winslow Road, asked for dust control on Winslow Road.  Mr. Patters requested that the City stop grading Winslow Road.  He noted that when there are more potholes motorists drive slower therefore stirring up less dust.  City Manager Lon Pluckhahn stated that the Public Services Director has asked the County to put down the dust control.  Mayor Rehn stated that staff will work with the County to see what can be done to help control the dust. 

Don Gray, Central City, stated that he is a candidate for Linn County Supervisor-District 4.  He noted that he is also the Mayor of Central City.

 

Maryann Armstrong, 3630 Winslow Road, explained that she is concerned that the dust on Winslow Road may cause an accident.  She noted that she has counted as many as 150 cars an hour on Winslow Road.  Mrs. Armstrong requested dust control on Winslow Road. 

 

Moved by Glew, seconded by Pazour to approve the Consent Calendar, as follows:

 

Motion to approve Project Calendar related to Planning and Development Department payments, as follows:

a.      Resolution No. 19858 approving Partial Payment 2 to East Central Iowa Council of Governments for completion of an updated 2008 Housing Needs Assessment in the amount of $735.00.

b.      Resolution No. 19859 approving Partial Payment No. 40 to East Central Iowa Council of Governments for Administration of the 2003 Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program in the amount of $1,764.00.

Motion to receive and file request to temporarily install sign in city right-of-way on Alburnett Road through September 2008 (Lininger Park Make-Over Committee).

Resolution No. 19860 approving Partial Payment No. 1 to Rathje Construction Co. regarding the 2008 Brookside Drive Sanitary Sewer Project in the amount of $6,136.76.

Resolution No. 19861 approving contract and bond with Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC regarding the 2008 Sanitary Sewer Repair Project.

Resolution No. 19773 approving and adopting final plans, specifications, notice of hearing and letting, notice to bidders, form of contract and estimate of cost regarding the 2008 Sidewalk Assessment Project.

Motion to receive and file report regarding existing street conditions and proposed emergency repairs.

Motion to receive and file correspondence regarding condition of Winslow Road (John and Claudia Schroeder, 4395 Flagstick Drive).

Motion to receive and file and refer to TAC request to revise parking to 15-minute parking adjacent to 710 10th Street (Deb and Jim Hoffmann).

Motion to approve the minutes of the April 15 and 17, 2008 City Council meetings.

Motion to approve bills as presented in the amount of $375,370.39.

Resolution No. 19862 naming depositories.

Motion to receive and file request for waiver of special weed assessment for 1356 13th Avenue (John McNamara).

Resolution No. 19863 approving renewal of health insurance for FY 08-09 with Wellmark, Inc.

Motion to receive and file Departmental Performance Criteria for FY 08-09.

Motion to approve non-bargaining pay schedule for FY 08-09.

Motion to approve Hold Harmless Agreement related to waiver of noise ordinance and traffic for Marion by Moonlight on June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2008 in City Square Park (Farmers State Bank).

 

All in favor of motion to approve the consent calendar, motion carried.

 

Resolution No. 19864 approving Final Plat and Memorandum of Agreement for Edgebrooke Seventh Addition, located on Pebble Creek Drive, northeasterly of Stone Creek Court (A replat of Lots 155-160 of Edgebrooke Sixth Addition) (Midwest Development Co.) was read by Sprague.  Moved by Sprague, seconded by Pazour to approve Res. No. 19864.  All in favor, motion carried.

Resolution No. 19865 approving reallocation of funds for emergency street repairs in an amount not to exceed $117,000 and determining the level of road maintenance to be provided for Big Spring Road was read by Adamson.  Moved by Adamson, seconded by Glew to approve Res. No. 19865.  City Engineer Dan Whitlow presented the staff report.  Council discussed the proposed street repair projects.  Roll Call:  Yeas:  Adamson, Lammers, Rehn, Spinks, Pazour and Glew.  Nays:  Sprague.  Motion carried.

Ordinance No. 08-07 amending Chapter 105 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances relating to Solid Waste Fees was read by Lammers for initial consideration.  Moved by Lammers, seconded by Pazour to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 08-07.  All in favor, motion carried.

Ordinance No. 08-08 amending Chapter 99 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances relating to Sanitary Sewer User Fees was read by Spinks for initial consideration.  Moved by Spinks, seconded by Adamson to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 08-08.  City Manager Lon Pluckhahn presented the staff report.  All in favor, motion carried.

Mayor Rehn opened the public hearing regarding amendments to the Marion Electrical Code by adopting the 2006 International Code Council Electrical Code and the 2008 National Electrical Code.  No comments, written or verbal, were received.  Mayor Rehn declared the public hearing closed.

Ordinance No. 08-09 relating to amendment of Chapter 162 of the City of Marion Code of Ordinances adopting by reference the ICC Electrical Code, 2006 Edition, and the National Electrical Code, 2008 Edition, and providing penalties was read by Pazour for initial consideration.  Moved by Pazour, seconded by Lammers to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 08-09.  All in favor, motion carried.

Resolution No. 19866 approving waiver of special weed assessment for 1356 13th Avenue (John McNamara) was read by Glew.  Moved by Glew, seconded by Adamson to approve Res. No. 19866.  City Attorney Don Hoskins presented the staff report.  Mayor Rehn asked the City Manager to look at any changes that could be made to the assessment process.  All in favor, motion carried.

Ordinance No. 08-10 relating to bothersome animals was read by Sprague for initial consideration.  Moved by Sprague, seconded by Adamson to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 08-10.  City Attorney Don Hoskins presented the staff report.  Judy Potter, 1540 8th Avenue, asked about the definition of bothersome animal.  City Attorney Hoskins read the definition from the City Code.  All in favor, motion carried.

Ordinance No. 08-06 amending Chapter 152 of the Code of Ordinances related to trees was read by Adamson for second consideration.  Moved by Adamson, seconded by Lammers to approve the second reading of Ord. No. 08-06.  All in favor, motion carried.

Moved by Pazour, seconded by Lammers to suspend the rules and place Ord. No. 08-06 on the agenda for adoption and to adopt Ord. No. 08-06.  All in favor, motion carried.

Council discussed the status of the Lang property at 1595 8th Avenue.  City Manager Lon Pluckhahn presented the staff report.  Richard Noska, 1372 8th Avenue, expressed concern that the property will be beyond repair and will have to be demolished if something is not done soon.  He noted that the property is a historic home within the historic district.  He stated that the property needs to be sold to someone that can rehab the property.  Dick Lynch, 1649 8th Avenue, suggested that a roof be put on the house and that a conservator be appointed.  Judy Potter, 1540 8th Avenue, also asked that a conservator be appointed so the property could be sold.  Mr. Lynch noted that there is a lot of damage to the home.  Council Member Spinks suggested that a contractor be hired to tarp the house.  This will help minimize further damage until a conservator can be appointed and the house can be sold.  
 

Council Member Lammers left the Council Chambers at 8:28 p.m.

Council Member Lammers returned at 8:29 p.m.

 

Mayor Rehn directed staff to request that a conservator be appointed and that the City contract with a qualified roofing contractor to tack down the tarps and stabilize the roof. 

 

Council Discussion Time:
            Council Member Adamson thanked the citizens and students that attended the Council meeting.

            Council Member Sprague requested that the City’s bond counsel provide a training session for Council Members on bonding.

            Council Member Glew thanked the audience for their participation at tonight’s meeting.  He asked when the special work sessions to focus on issues and priorities will begin.  City Manager Lon Pluckhahn stated that he is hoping to have the first special work session on May 15th. 

            Council Member Glew asked about the communications committee.  Mayor Rehn stated that he will have the appointments for the committee soon.

 

Mayor Rehn adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    Attest:

 

 

 

____________________________                     _______________________________

Paul E. Rehn, Mayor                                               Beth J. Little, Assistant City Clerk

 

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