Ida Grove, Iowa
November 6, 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, Rick Heeren.Councilmembers absent: Tom Peterson.Guests in attendance: Beth Wolterman, Mark Nielsen.The following item was added to the agenda for discussion only: Request to Trim Trees on Main Street.

Moved to approve the agenda as amended.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented additional information on how to set up an Urban Revitalization Plan and Chapter 404 of the Code of Iowa. Chapter 404 sets out the procedure for setting up the Urban Revitalization Area.

Moved to include Hillcrest and West View Addition in an Urban Revitalization Area.

Approved unanimously.

Mayor Ernst informed the Council he had attended the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, October 31st and presented the proposed 28E Agreement for the West Access. The agreement asked for the County to complete and pay for the work on the road that is located in the county and half of the bridge over the Maple River.

The City Clerk presented the letter from the Board. They agreed to reconfirm their commitment to building and maintaining the portion of the West Access Project that lies within the rural area.

The City Clerk reported the Water Tower Renovation Project is completed. The City Council needs to make a motion to authorize the proposed changes in the project. The changes in the project are for installing a 24-inch manhole in the bowl and priming and painting the riser stem.

Moved to authorize L.F.W. Sandblasting to install a 24-inch manhole in the bowl of the water tower and to prime and paint the riser stem for $6,800.00.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the letter the Mayor and Council received from the Iowa Underground Storage Tank Financial Responsibility Program concerning the Iowa/UST Fund/City of Ida Grove Water Well Cost-Share Agreement FINAL Payment.

In accordance with the agreement, the Iowa UST Fund has determined that a savings was realized by the actions that the City took in closing the former municipal wells. Based on their analysis the total estimated savings was $117,744.17. According to the agreement the City is to receive 40% which is $47,097.67.

The City Clerk recommended investing money for future water projects.

The City Clerk presented the packet of information on costs for a new locator that was prepared by Lon Schluter, Water Superintendent. Mr. Schluter recommends the Council order the TW-7700 Single Frequency Digital Line Tracer with the SONDE for a total of $2,570.00.

Moved to purchase the TW-7700 Single Frequency Digital Line Tracer with the SONDE for $2,570.00.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the Park Lane Right of Way Acquisition Plat that has been signed by Milton M. Zobel. The Council needs to accept and file the plat.

Moved to accept and file the Park Lane Right of Way Acquisition Plat for a second access to Zobel’s Addition.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk reported that Councilman Peterson had requested a cost for changing garbage collection at the maintenance shop, community hall, City Park, garbage cans in the business district, and the library.

The City Clerk informed the Council the City is currently paying $84.82 for pickup twice a week at the maintenance shop and the Rec Center pays $51.87 for a total of $136.69. The City has two employees who pickup up garbage and recyclables from the other areas and haul them to the maintenance shop.

Ida County Sanitation proposes to change the maintenance shop to once a week for a charge of $43.54, install a yard and a half dumpster behind the community hall for once a week for $38.50, dump the five barrels at the City Park for $38.50 a month, and if the Library would take their garbage and recyclables to the Rec Center it would be $12.50 a week. If the Library wants them picked up at the Library there would be an additional charge to the $12.50. There also would be a one time fuel surcharge of $7.00. The monthly cost would be $140.04. They did not quote the barrels downtown because it won’t work with their truck. The difference in cost is an additional $3.35 a month. The Library would have to include the cost in their upcoming budget.

Moved to change the garbage collection as previously quoted on December 1st.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a membership statement from the Iowa Rural Water Association. The annual dues for Ida Grove are $225.00. The Iowa Rural Water Association has several services for members that are cost saving. They have seven regional equipment facilities located around the state and cities can borrow equipment from them. This saves communities thousands of dollars. They have staff to assist community water and wastewater systems with on-site technical assistance, leak locating, line tracing, rate studies and various other issues at no charge. They provide regional operator training., informational materials and Wellhead/Sourcewater Protection Programs.

Moved to join the Iowa Rural Water Association for the annual fee of $225.00.

Approved unanimously.

The City received a request from NewCom for permit procedures for a 250-foot fiber optic interconnect between two vaults. NewCom is designing the project for Fiber Utilities Group to construct Iowa Health System’s fiber network in Iowa.

Moved to use the same agreement that is in place for fiber optic installation in the City of Ida Grove.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk informed the Council she is planning on retiring on March 31st and wanted to notify the Council so proper action could be taken for a replacement. The budget process is about to begin for the 2007-2008 budget. It would be difficult for a new employee if I were to leave before the budget is completed.

Moved to adjourn subject to the call of the Mayor.

Approved unanimously.

/s/Dennis R. Ernst, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/Diane F. Alborn, City Clerk