Ida Grove, Iowa
March 24, 2008

The City Council of the City of Ida Grove met in regular session in the Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Dennis R. Ernst presiding. Councilmembers present: William Carnine, Robert Fineran, Paul Bargar, Craig Rupert and Paul Cates. Council members absent: None. Guests in attendance: Gailen Wessel, Josephine Huffman and Beth Wolterman

Moved to approve the agenda as amended.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

Mayor Ernst presented the proposed ordinance and resolution for Sidewalk Snow Removal Fines. A revised ordinance will be presented at the next meeting.

The City Clerk presented the subject of Electrical Inspector. The City could drop the State Inspector Program if they hired their own Electrical Inspector at a later time.

Mayor Ernst presented the subject of Summer Mowing. The Committee on Buildings and Property met March 13, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Changes are being made to reduce fuel and labor costs for mowing. The City Council specified the summer mowing should be no more than 30 hours a week, sometimes less.

Moved to place an ad in the paper for contracting a part time summer mower for a maximum of 30 hours a week (may be less) using the City’s equipment doing mowing and light trimming starting May 1, 2008 (or earlier) and ending September 1, 2008 (or later), with the bid being submitted as an hourly rate bid.

Approved unanimously.

Mayor Ernst presented the topic of Local Option Sales Tax. An election needs to be held 90 days prior to implementation of the tax. A special election would need to be held prior to the November election to have the tax affective January 1, 2009.

Moved to endorse and participate promoting a local option sales tax for Ida Grove and Ida County.

Approved unanimously.

Councilman Bargar presented the topic of the drainage ditch along 7th Street. The County Line is where the pavement and blacktop meet and the County will not go beyond the County Line. The City Council directed contact be made with Lundell Construction to obtain a cost for cleaning the ditch and proceed with it.

Councilman Paul Cates presented the topic of street signs. Some of the street name signs are difficult to read. A list of the location of signs that need replaced will be made before proceeding with replacement.

Mayor Ernst presented the topic of a request to place a semi trailer box behind a building in the downtown area to be used for storage. A building permit is required to place the box for storage. The individual was contacted and asked what type of things would be stored in it. A response has not yet been received. City Council determined no action would be made until it is known what will be stored in the box.

Mayor Ernst presented the topic of reading water meters bi-monthly rather than monthly. Billing would be monthly using an average for the months the meters are not read. It was recommended to read the meters in February, April, June, August, October and December. The City Council directed Attorney Goldsmith to develop an amendment to the ordinance for reading water meters bi-monthly.

Mayor Ernst reported he had been contacted by Congressman King’s Aid regarding the West Access. King’s Aid advised Mayor Ernst if the project is not on the State Improvement Plan there will be no Federal funding. King’s Aid indicated they would look for Economic Development funds as another possibility. The State has to commit to the improvement to get it on the 5 or 10 year State Improvement Plan.

Moved to adjourn subject to the call of the Mayor.

Approved unanimously.

/s/Dennis Ernst, Mayor

Attest:

/s/Cindy Murray, City Clerk