Ida Grove, Iowa
July 10, 2006

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, Tom Peterson.Councilmembers absent: Rick Heeren.Guests in attendance: Richard Spotts, Randy Spotts, Robert Spotts, Gailen Wessel, John Georg, Justin Georg, LaWayne Wessel, Gene Wessel, Patti Haack, Beth Wolterman.The following item was added to the agenda for discussion only: Use of Council Chambers.

Moved to approve the agenda as amended.

Approved unanimously.

The Mayor opened the public hearing on the proposal to vacate and sell all of Jones Street from Illinois Street to Forrest Avenue.

The City Clerk informed the Council the Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the request to vacate and sell the property as stated above and they recommended the request be approved.

The City Clerk presented a written request from MidAmerican Energy Company that the City reserve the westerly fifteen (15) feet of Jones Street for a permanent utility easement applicable for both overhead and underground utilities.

The City Clerk informed the Council she received a written comment from Frontier Telephone and they had no problem with vacating the street and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church was in favor of the vacation.

The Spotts Brothers stated they didn’t have any problem with the utility easement.

Moved to close the public hearing.

Approved unanimously.

Councilman Peterson introduced Resolution Number 2006-11 and moved its adoption. Councilman Carnine seconded the motion to adopt. Whereupon the Mayor put the question and the vote was:

Approved unanimously.

Resolution Number 2006-11 is a resolution vacating Jones Street from Illinois Street to Forrest Avenue and providing for sale of vacated property. Resolution Number 2006-11 is on file at the City Clerk’s office.

Patti Haack, President of the Library Board, appeared before the Council and inquired how the Council decided on the split for the Hotel Motel Tax monies.

The Council explained the State Code sets out that 50% of the monies are to be used for constructing, improving, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operating or maintaining of recreation, convention, cultural, or entertainment facilities including but not limited to memorial buildings, halls and monuments, civic center, convention buildings, auditoriums, coliseums, and parking areas or facilities located at those recreation, convention, cultural or entertainment facilities.

The Council decided to divide the fifty (50) percent between the outdoor pool, parks and trails, Community Hall, REC Center, and Heritage Days and it would be reviewed annually.

John and Justin Georg of Ida County Sanitation appeared before the Council to discuss landfill options and costs.

The City Council previously decided to break away from the county program and likely to direct haul its garbage to either Crawford or Cherokee County’s landfill.

John Georg informed the Council the City has until this October to make a decision on what they plan to do with the City’s garbage. He said the state law requires each town and county to provide recycling program options and his business would like to see the existing program continue in Ida County. He recommended the City do a cost study on recycling options, to see what would work best for Ida Grove.

Mr. Georg stated the most feasible way for hauling garbage would be full loads on his trucks and to have Ida Grove, Battle Creek, and Arthur go together to the same landfill.

Discussion was held on what would be done with construction and demolition material. Mr. Georg stated one alternative would be for the contractors and the property owners to haul their own material. If Ida County Sanitation were to haul the material, they would have to invest in a new trailer, which would increase the removal cost.

Mayor Ernst asked for a firm cost for hauling the City’s garbage.

Mr. Georg stated his best estimate is $14.25 per household. He also stated he preferred the Cherokee route because it was closer and straighter route for him because his business is located near Holstein.

Mr. Georg invited the Mayor and Council to attend a final meeting on Tuesday, July 18th at the Galva City Hall at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the landfill options and costs.

Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

Paul Bargar, Chairman of the Standing Committee for Buildings & Property, presented the committee’s recommendations for window repair at the City/Community Hall. The committee recommends replacement of four windows on the north side of the building and three windows on the east side of the building with Anderson windows, thirty inches by four foot, double hung with screens, double pane, low E. The sill is to be replaced if needed, if not required, cover with aluminum or vinyl and caulked. The area around the new windows is to be finished properly inside and out including insulation.

The eight windows on the north side of the building that have been covered on the inside are to be insulated, covered and caulked and painted using material like the windows that have been covered previously.

Moved to accept the Buildings & Property Committee’s specifications for replacing and covering the windows at the City/Community Hall and the specifications be sent to the contractors list.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a letter from City Attorney Boerner concerning sidewalks within the City limits. Some cities are now shifting the responsibility not only for maintenance of the sidewalk but also the liability for sidewalk.

The Council asked the City Attorney for more information from cities that have made the change and see if it has been beneficial for them.

Mayor Ernst requested building permits be on the agenda for discussion of imposing a fine if the property owner doesn’t get a permit before starting construction.

The City Clerk included the current ordinance pertaining to building permits that was passed on May 4, 2004. In that ordinance, there is a $500.00 fine per day for not having a building permit.

After discussion, the clerk was directed to run an advertisement on building permits and the amount of the fine. She was also directed to send a letter with a copy of the ordinance to local contractors so they are aware of what is required in the ordinance.

The City Clerk presented a proposal from Pro Co-op for dust control on the city’s gravel streets and alleys. The city has 9,000 feet of gravel streets and alleys. The cost is $3,500.00.

The Council decided not to do any dust control this year.

City Attorney Laurel Boerner presented a compendium of City Code Sections and corresponding State Code Sections for offenses that occur within the City limits, for which there is a City Ordinance, be written under City Ordinance Violations.

The City Attorney recommended amending the City Code to include ‘operating without valid insurance’ in the city limits and ‘driving under suspension’ within the city limits.

After discussion, the Council directed the City Attorney to amend the City Code to include the two new items.

The City Clerk presented a proposal from Densmore Concrete for replacing three areas on the trail that have cracked.

Moved to approve repairing the trail in three areas using city staff. If city staff doesn’t have enough time, the Council accepts Densmore Concrete proposal for the work.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the Agreement by and between the City of Ida Grove and the County of Ida for one third of the cost of operating the taxi in Ida Grove. The City’s share is $4,450.00.

Moved to accept and sign the City/County Agreement for operation of the SRTS Taxi in Ida Grove for $4,450.00.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the Inspection Report for the Ida Grove Flood Control Levee Project.

Moved to accept and file the Inspection Report for the Ida Grove Flood Control Levee Project.

Approved unanimously.

The Library Board recommends Jackie Netherton to fill the vacancy on the Library Board.

Moved to appoint Jackie Netherton to the Library Board to fill the vacancy created when Janet Lindgren resigned.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to cancel the regularly scheduled Council meeting on July 17, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk informed the Council the Emergency Levy has a balance of $14,413.81 and it needs to be transferred to the General Fund to defray the expenses of the outdoor swimming pool, city parks, and trail system.

Moved to transfer $14,413.8l from the Emergency Levy to the General Fund.

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