Ida Grove, Iowa
December 4, 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: None.
Guests in attendance: Beth Wolterman, Roger Spotts, Randy Spotts, Richard Spotts, Gailen Wessel. The following items were added to the agenda for discussion only: Townships Fire Protection, Grinding Curb instead of Cutting Curb for Driveways, County Wide Law Coverage.

Moved to approve the agenda amended.

Approved unanimously.

This being the advertised time for the City Council to appoint a resident to fill the vacancy on the Council that was created by Tom Peterson’s resignation. The City Clerk stated there were four individuals interested in serving as Councilman at Large. The individuals are as follows: Paul Cates, Butch Williams, Larry Albrecht, and Steve Bruning.

Councilman Bargar nominated Larry Albrecht for the open position.

Moved to appoint Larry Albrecht to fill the vacancy of Councilman at Large until the next pending election.

The motion died for lace of a second.

The Mayor asked each Councilperson for their recommendation.

Councilman Weary and Councilman Carnine both recommended Paul Cates.

Councilman Heeren recommended Butch Williams.

Moved to appoint Paul Cates to fill the Councilman at Large vacancy until the next pending election.

Ayes: William Carnine, James Weary, Rick Heeren.

Nays: Paul Bargar.

Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

Councilman Carnine, a member of the Standing Committee on Transportation, presented a proposed truck route for the City.

The City Clerk was directed to mark the proposed route on a City map for review at the December 18th Council meeting.

The City Clerk presented a letter, spreadsheets with cost estimates, spreadsheet with comparisons of costs in the estimates, and actual costs from past projects for infrastructure improvements in High View Addition from Bob Payer. The City Clerk reported she had made copies available to the Spotts Brothers earlier in day so they would have the same information as the Council.

The infrastructure improvements to Phase One, Illinois Street and Forrest Avenue, were estimated at $426,816.00 and Phase Two, Spruce Lane, was estimated at $244,001.00. The work would include sanitary sewer, water main, streets and storm drainage.

After discussion, the Council directed the City Clerk to send the information to Mr. Simmering so he can prepare information on development needed to pay for the bonding costs.

The City presented what has been accomplished to set up an Urban Revitalization Plan in Hillcrest and West View Additions to allow for tax abatement for new homes built in the area.

The Clerk informed the Council the State Code sets a maximum tax abatement of 100% of the first $75,000.00 of improvements for five years. The City can use a smaller percentage but not more than the 100%.

Moved to establish the maximum tax abatement of 100% of the first $75,000.00 of improvements for five years.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a written request from the United States Department of Agriculture for the City to appoint an individual to sign FSA program documents.

Moved to designate the Mayor as the individual to sign documents for the United States Department of Agriculture.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the New TIF Indebtedness Forms to the Council and informed them the Council is to establish the amount that will be levied in each TIF District’s starting with the 2007-2008 budget.

The City does not need to levy for any funds in TIF West but in TIF South we have new debt in the amount of $429,207.00. This includes the amount for principal and interest for the bond issue and the 38.3% low/ moderate set aside for Zobel’s Seventh Addition. The amount for the 2007-2008 budget is $42,127.00.

Moved to approve the TIF Levy of $42,127.00 for the 2007-2008 Budget Year.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk informed the Council the meeting date for the first Council meeting in January needs to be changed due to the New Year Holiday.

Moved to change the first meeting in January to January 2, 2007 due to the New Year Holiday.

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