Luther City Council

Regular Meeting Minutes

March 1, 2018

7:00 pm

The City Council meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm with Mayor Eric Krohn presiding.

Present at Roll Call:  Gus Johnson, Ellen Hartstack, Maggie Wilczak, Bob Owens, Jeff Sandegren

Other City Personnel Present:  City Clerk Deanna Sandegren

Special Guest:  Mary Beth Sprouse

Motion by Councilperson Johnson, seconded by Councilperson Wilczak, to approve the March 1, 2018 Agenda.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Mayor Krohn opened the public hearing for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019 City Budget.  Mayor Krohn stated the proposed budget was posted and asked for discussion from the city council and the public.

There were no written or oral objections.

Motion by Councilperson Johnson, seconded by Councilperson Owens, to close the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Motion by Councilperson Sandegren, seconded by Councilperson Wilczak, to approve the February 8, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes and the February 15, 2018 Work Session Minutes.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Sandegren, to approve the March, 2018 bills in the amount of $10,033.01.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Mayor Krohn explained the February, 2018 Treaurer Report had not been completed due to the regular meeting being moved up a week, the resignation of the City Treasurer Jim Paprocki, and the bank statements not available at this time.

Motion by Councilperson Wilczak, seconded by Councilperson Johnson, to table the Treasurer Report for February, 2018 until the next meeting on April 12, 2018.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

OLD BUSINESS

First Reading of Following Ordinances:

Mayor Krohn stated City Attorney Frank Feilmeyer sent the proposed ordinances ( Fireworks, Fence, Outdoor Events and Noise Control, and Offensive Vegetation) to the city with the changes and corrections the council discussed at a previous meeting.

Mayor Krohn opened the meeting up for discussion and asked the council to review the proposed ordinances.  Mayor Krohn asked the two citizens present if they had any questions.

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Johnson, to accept the first reading of Ordinance No. FY18-2 Fireworks; FY18-3 Fences; FY18-4 Outdoor Events and Noise Control; FY18-5 Offensive Vegetation.

Roll Call:  Wilczak-Aye; Sandegren-Aye; Johnson-Aye; Hartstack-Aye; Owens-Aye

Motion Carried

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Budget Fiscal Year 2019 by Resolution:

Motion by Councilperson Johnson, seconded by Councilperson Hartstack, for Resolution 03-01-18-A to adopt and approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget as posted and presented.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Audit Update:

City Clerk Sandegren presented an informal review of the city audit.  She noted the audit was a valuable learning tool.  The formal recommendations will be sent at a later date.

Treasurer/Clerk Position:

Acceptance of Resignation of City Treasurer Jim Paprocki:

Mayor Krohn presented the resignation letter of Treasurer Jim Paprocki.  Mr. Paprocki’s resignation would be effective February 28, 2018.

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Sandegren, to approve Jim Paprocki’s resignation from the Treasurer position.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Appointment of City Treasurer:

Mayor Krohn stated per the ordinance, the mayor may appoint a Treasurer subject to council approval.  He shared with the council Mary Beth Sprouse’s expertise, history, knowledge, and guidance she has provided for the city,  and recommended Ms. Sprouse for the position.

Ms. Sprouse was in attendance and stated she was interested in working with the city and she would be available to start on March 3, 2018.

Motion by Councilperson Johnson, seconded by Councilperson Hartstack, to appoint Mary Beth Sprouse as the City of Luther Treasurer beginning Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hartstack, for Resolution 03-01-18-B to appoint Mary Beth Sprouse to the City Treasurer Position at the rate equivalent to the City Clerk salary of $13.50 per hour.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Bank Authorization:

The Council discussed the persons needed to have bank authorization for the City of Luther due to the change in personnel.

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Wilczak, to approve Mayor Eric Krohn, City Clerk Deanna Sandegren, and City Treasurer Mary Beth Sprouse for bank authorization with Boone Bank and Trust and to remove Mayor Pro Tem/Councilperson Jeff Sandegren and former City Treasurer Jim Paprocki (James Paprocki) from the authorization.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Resolution Authorizing Certain Payments Prior to Council Approval:

Motion by Councilperson Hartstack, seconded by Councilperson Johnson, for Resolution 03-01-18-C  authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer to make certain payments prior to council approval and to secure payment approval at the next council meeting.  Such expenses include payroll, payroll deductions, city utility bills, postage, emergency repairs, bond and interest payments and such vendors that offer a discount if paid within a certain time period.  The City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Mayor will be allowed to spend up to $1,000 per item for emergency repairs or expenditures without prior approval from the City Council.  Whenever timing allows, and always when an emergency expenditure exceeds $1000, Council approval is needed before payment is issued.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Investment Policy:

City Clerk Sandegren presented a proposed Investment Policy.  She explained this policy is required for cities per the audit review.

Motion by Councilperson Sandegren, seconded by Councilperson Owens, to adopt the Investment Policy for the City of Luther pending the amounts determined from the Insurance Carrier for bonded employees and the amount of investments or loans.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Ragbrai:

Mayor Krohn shared with the council a letter he received from the Ragbrai committee regarding passing through Luther on the route and the steps to be taken if the city chooses to participate.  The council discussed past experiences and requirements that would be needed for thousands of bikers.

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Johnson, for the City of Luther to not be officially involved in Ragbrai 2018.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

Urban Renewal Project Discussion:

Mayor Krohn stated the tile project proposed for the north west end of town would need to be added to the Urban Renewal Plan as an amendment in order to use the TIF funds to help pay for the project.  Mayor Krohn explained the amendment process is a lengthy process and involves an abundance of paperwork.  To avoid too many amendments, Mayor Krohn asked the council to think of other projects the city may need in the future so only one more amendment would be needed.  The city would not be obligated to all the projects listed, however, the projects would be required to be on the list and approved in order to use TIF funds for payment.

OPEN FORUM

Jerry Olsen asked on behalf of his son, Jarrett Olsen, about any current ordinances the city may have regarding sump pump water discharging onto a neighbors property.  The council will check with the city attorney if this is a city matter or a civil issue.

Mayor Krohn stated he talked with an Alliant Energy representative and designated Luther City Hall as a location to receive top priority repairs in the event of an emergency.  Alliant will respond to emergency repairs for the City Hall in a 2 hour time frame.

Mayor Krohn shared he visited with Huxley Communications.  Citizens who have signed up and completed an account with Hux Comm should be wired with the fiber optic by June 1, 2018.  Mayor Krohn encourages citizens to call Huxley Communications at 515-597-2281 to set up an account.  You may also set up an account on their website: https://huxcomm.net

Huxley Communications will start working in Luther around April 1, 2018.  If you have not contacted them please do so as soon as possible.  If you have expressed interest to them but have not set up an account, you will need to set up an account by April 1.

Motion by Councilperson Owens, seconded by Councilperson Wilczak, to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m.

Ayes:  All Present                                                                  Motion Carried

These minutes are a draft and unapproved at the time of posting.

Posted: March 7, 2018