Ida Grove, Iowa
March 19, 2007

The City Council of the City of Ida Grove met in regular session at the Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Dennis R. Ernst presiding. Councilmembers present: William Carnine, Paul Bargar, James Weary, Craig Rupert, Paul Cates. Councilmembers absent: None. Guests in attendance: Beth Wolterman, Roger Spotts, Randall Spotts, Robert Spotts, Kim Jepsen, Jo Rettinghaus.The following items were added to the agenda for discussion only: Library Box and Letter to the Editor concerning the Ida Grove Cemetery.

Moved to approve the agenda as amended.

Approved unanimously.

Sheriff Wade Harriman informed the Council he has hired a new deputy. Nathan Balder of Pocahontas and he will start on April 1st. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, is a certified officer and has four years’ experience with the Cedar Falls Police Department. He currently is a security officer at the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Cedar Rapids.

Sheriff Harriman reported on recent cases his office is working on and the turnaround on state lab testing of drugs.

This being the time and place for a hearing on a nuisance at 402 Sixth Street where the owner is keeping an excessive number of dogs and rabbits.

Kim Jepsen informed the Council she will be moving the rabbits to a farm by May 1st and she is no longer cleaning cages in the alley. She also reported she has five dogs, all of which are properly licensed and are kept in a fenced in yard. She informed the Council she hasn’t received any complaints about the dogs and asked the council for permission to keep all of them. She noted she felt she was being penalized for properly licensing the dogs, and she knew of up to twenty other families in Ida Grove with more than four pets.

Ms. Jepsen asked the Council why her dogs couldn’t be grandfathered in so she could keep all of them. She stated she is taking care of her animals and feels she should be allowed to keep them.

Ms. Jepsen informed the Council she would be willing to pay a larger license fee for the puppy she wants to keep.

The Council discussed changing the ordinance to allow for additional animals and a larger license fee for the animals but decided it could open the door for a continuous request to change the number of animals.

After discussion the Mayor polled the Council. Four council members stated they wished to leave the number of animals at four to a residence. Councilman Carnine was open to changing the number.

Roger, Randall, and Robert Spotts appeared before the Council to discuss the development of High View Addition which is located close to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They informed the Council they are ready to set up the TIF area for the development.

The City Clerk asked Attorney Goldsmith if he had researched the question on the dispute on a lot line with an adjacent neighbor.

Attorney Goldsmith informed the Council it may delay or change the project if the situations aren’t cleared up.

The Spotts Brothers stated they would like to do the project in phases now starting with fifteen to sixteen lots. They requested water, sewer, storm sewer and Illinois Street be installed so they can start selling lots.

The City Clerk reviewed the cash flow projections for the project from Simmering and Cory Inc. The total increment generated would be $416,130.00. This would be divided $158,129.00 for the low/moderate income fund and $258,001.00 to help pay for the public improvements.

The Clerk stated the cash flow projections were for the entire development not doing the project in stages.

Mayor Ernst expressed concern about the development of the addition and the cost to the City for paying for the infrastructure improvements in the area.

After discussion the Clerk was directed to contact the engineer and get revised figures for phasing the project and refigure the TIF cash flow projection report.


Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented two proposals for crack sealing. The proposals were as follows:

TopKote Inc.
Yankton, South Dakota
$.274 per Linear Foot

The Road Guy
Yankton, South Dakota
$.30 per Linear Foot

Moved to accept the bid from TopKote Inc. for $.274 per linear foot for crack sealing.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented additional information on advertising costs for the Chambers new City Map.

Moved that the City Clerk check with the Chamber and see what other businesses are doing and go with the majority.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to approve Resolution Number 2007-09.

Approved unanimously.

Resolution Number 2007-09 is a resolution amending Resolution Number 74-4 changing ICMA retirement plan coordinator. Resolution Number 2007-09 is on file at the City Clerk’s office.

The City Clerk presented information pertaining to LIDAR Aerial photos for Ida County that she received from Ed Sohm.

The Council discussed participating and directed the Mayor to check into the cost and if the other city’s are going to participate.

The City Clerk presented two Water Well & Pump Maintenance Agreement Proposals.

Layne-Western
Grimes, Iowa
$400.00 for 2 Wells

Cahoy Inc.
Fredericksburg, Iowa
$380.00 for 2 Wells

Moved to approve the Layne Western proposal of $380.00 for two wells.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a copy of the minutes from May 15, 2006, with the motion concerning payment to the Ida Grove Economic Development Commission for $3,750.00 for the building of the Rec Center and the funds it comes from.

Moved to follow the motion made in May of 2006 for the fourth payment to the Ida Grove Economic Development Corporation and after that the $3,750.00 payment be taken out of the City’s share of the Hotel Motel Tax.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented her resignation as City Clerk due to her retirement effective March 31, 2007.

Moved to accept Diane Alborn’s resignation as City Clerk.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to adjourn subject to the call of the Mayor.

Approved unanimously.

/s/Dennis R. Ernst, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/Diane F. Alborn, City Clerk