Ida Grove, Iowa
December 18, 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, Paul Cates. Councilmembers absent: Rick Heeren. Guests in attendance: Jack Eggspuehler, Beth Wolterman, Wade Harriman, Wade Harriman, Lon Schluter. The following items were added to the agenda for discussion only: Appeal IPERS Decision and Administration Committee Meeting.

Moved to approve the agenda as amended.

Approved unanimously.

The Mayor asked the Clerk to include curb grinding and changes to the Personnel Policy to the next agenda.

Jack Eggspuehler, a representative of the United Bank of Iowa, appeared before the Council and informed them the bank is looking into moving the Operations Center above ground. This would require a 6,500 to 7,000 square foot addition to the existing bank. The bank has options on Gary’s Barber Shop and Nellie Anna’s. He asked the Council to consider vacating a portion of the alley behind the bank. The part of the alley to be closed is from Main Street to the alley going west. There would be an alley going from Selections west and Selections south.

The City Clerk reported she had visited with Gerrod Sholty, Street Superintendent about drainage and water and sewer mains. There isn’t any utility that would be in the way of the vacation. Gerrod also was the Fire Chief and he didn’t see a problem for fire protection because there still would be alley access.

Moved to authorize the City Attorney to prepare the necessary proceedings to vacate the portion of the alley behind the United Bank of Iowa for their proposed addition.

Approved unanimously.

Sheriff Wade Harriman appeared before the Council and informed them he didn’t have much to report. He has worked on the 2008 Budget and is waiting to see what the Supervisors do with the Compensation Boards recommendations on wages. Then he will work the budget.

Moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented two more applications for the City Clerk position.

Mayor Ernst inquired if the Council wanted to set a deadline for applications.

Moved to accept applications for the City Clerk position until February 1st.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented the Committee’s proposed truck route on a city map.

Moved to approve the proposed truck route and direct the City Attorney to draft the necessary ordinance to establish the route.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk reported Terry Lovett’s position on the Board of Adjustment expires on December 31, 2006. She had visited with him and he is willing to serve another five-year term. Pat Conard volunteered to serve on the Board to fill the vacancy, which occurred when Paul Cates was appointed to the Council. Paul Cates reported he had visited with Jane Goodenow and she is willing to serve as Chairman of the Board of Adjustment.

Moved to appoint Janet Goodenow as Chairman of the Board of Adjustment.

Approved unanimously.

Moved to reappoint Terry Lovett to the Board of Adjustment for a five-year term.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk reported Paul Cates had given her his written resignation from the Board of Adjustment before the meeting. This could be accepted by general consent.

Moved to accept Paul Cate’s resignation from the Board of Adjustment.

Moved to appoint Pat Conard to fill the vacancy on the Board of Adjustment created by Paul Cates resignation.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk reported the terms of Rose Weary and John Brookbank on the Planning and Zoning Commission expire on December 31, 2006. They are both willing to serve another three-year term.

Moved to reappoint Rose Weary and John Brookbank to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another three-year term.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a letter from Simpco concerning notification from the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division that funding is available for cities and counties to complete Pre-Disaster Local Mitigation Plans. They are going to submit a grant application to complete the plans.

The City Clerk was directed to contact Simpco and see what the City’s cost would be if they weren’t members and what the dues would be.

The City Clerk presented the answers to the auditor’s questions for the audit for fiscal year 2005-2006.

Moved to approve the City Clerk’s answers to the Auditor’s questions for the audit of fiscal year ending 2006.

Approved unanimously.

The City Clerk presented a letter from IPERS stating it determines the city attorneys to be employees of the city rather than independent contractors.

It was agreed by general consent to send the appeal to IPERS.

Moved to adjourn subject to the call of the Mayor.

Approved unanimously.

/s/Dennis R. Ernst, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/Diane F. Alborn, City Clerk