THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BLUE GRASS CITY COUNCIL BLUE GRASS, IOWA DECEMBER 19, 2016

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1 THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BLUE GRASS CITY COUNCIL BLUE GRASS, IOWA DECEMBER 19, 2016 The Blue Grass City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 19 th day of December 2016, in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 114 N. Mississippi Street, pursuant to law, with Mayor Timothy Brandenburg presiding, with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of reflection. The following Council members were present: Chuck Barton, Brad Schutte, Bonnie Strong, James Goodin and Lisa Smith. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Council member Strong moved to approve the Agenda as presented, seconded by Council member Smith. All ayes, motion carried. MAYORAL COMMENTS: Mayor Brandenburg announced the following: Welcome to your Blue Grass City Council meeting. If you are not a member of the Fire, Ambulance, or Police Department, please turn off or silence your cell phones, pagers, etc. It is your right to be heard; however, please ask to be recognized by the Mayor. After being recognized, please stand and state your name and address. In an effort to keep the meeting on task, please limit your comments or concerns to several minutes. Please have the courtesy to allow the person speaking to finish uninterrupted. Thank you. PUBLIC FORUM: From those in attendance, there were none. ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE: Police Officer Andrew Roberts: Mayor Brandenburg administered the Oath of Office swearing in new Police Officer Andrew Roberts. Mayor and Council congratulated Officer Roberts. CONSENT AGENDA: Council member Goodin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Council member Smith: 1. Motion to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2016 City Council meeting 2. Payment of claims Council member Schutte referenced the claim payable to Truck Country explaining that it was for a fuel pump. A roll call was taken: Goodin-aye, Smith-aye, Barton-aye, Strong-aye and Schutte-nay. Motion carried. PARK BOARD: Park Board Chair Mike Hermann reported the following: 3. Board Report: The November 2016 report consisted of the following: reported that the Board had finalized their timeline of events for their annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony that was held on December 4, 2016 reporting that due to the cold weather, there was not as much of a turnout as the year before but said that overall, was satisfied and reported that the Blue Grass Savings Bank had donated $ to the Park Board as their yearend donation. He said that in January, the Board will look at all the Parks to see what is needed asking for ideas from the Council. Council asked that the Board look into exercise equipment to place in the City Parks as both Davenport and Bettendorf have several parks that have various types of exercise equipment. Chair Hermann agreed to bring the Council s recommendation to the Board. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Sergeant Jahns reported the following: 4. Police Department Report: The November 2016 report consisted of the following: 47 traffic contacts with 5 citations written and 37 warning citations issued with a total of 162 calls for service during the month and one arrest. Sergeant Jahns further expounded on the activity during the month reporting that he received a special invitation to talk to the preschool children at Noah s Ark Preschool on November 3, 2016 about community leaders and the role of a Police Officer adding that the Department s mascot Chase from Paw Patrol had also attended. He said that he had also talked to the children about how they, too can be a hero by simply helping others. Jahns continued to report that he had spoken with a Mr. Stout from the Family Assistance Center who was also involved in Human Resourcing Consulting 1

2 Inc. for the Army National Guard about volunteering his services next Thanksgiving and provide 5 free dinners for 5 select families. Sergeant Jahns reported that he has been in contact with Taser International about hosting a taser instructor school in April Council member Smith expressed concerns on the safety of the children in regards to a recent incident that took place near a school bus stop asking that in the future that School officials be notified so that they, too are aware of the situation so that they may brief both the parents and children of the situation. Sergeant Jahns reassured the Council that the children were not in danger in regards to this particular situation adding that in the future if there ever was a threat to the children, he would most definitely contact the proper school officials. Mayor Brandenburg added that in the future, if such a threat were to happen that it would be protocol for the Police Department to notify the school officials immediately of the situation and asked that Sergeant Jahns follow up with the school to discuss contact protocol. Council member Smith then briefed Sergeant Jahns on two separate incidents that took place at various school bus pickup locations asking that the Department monitor these locations before and after school. Sergeant Jahns agreed to brief the other Officers and monitor those particular areas. RESOLUTION(S)/ORDINANCE(S): 5. Third reading/adoption of Ordinance Amendment ref: an Amendment to Chapter Home Occupation: Council member Schutte introduced a synopsis of the third reading of Ordinance Amendment commenting that the Amendment was on file at City Hall for review. Council member Schutte moved to accept the third reading of Ordinance Amendment , seconded by Council member Barton. A roll call vote was taken: Schutte-aye, Barton-aye, Smith-aye, Goodinaye and Strong-aye. Motion carried. Council member Schutte moved to adopt Ordinance Amendment , seconded by Council member Goodin. A roll call vote was taken: Schutte-aye, Goodin-aye, Barton-aye, Smith-aye and Strong-aye. Motion carried. NUISANCE ABATEMENT(S): 6. Nuisance Abatement(s): Mayor Brandenburg referenced two nuisance abatement letters that were sent to Relentless Rod reporting that the Building Commissioner had also posted a stop work order until the owner has an architectural engineer document that the structure of the building is in structurally safe. Nuisance Chair Barton referred to the Concerned Citizens Log Book reporting that there were no new logs. Mayor Brandenburg also reported that resident John Hermiston had complained about Delf s Landscaping as apparently they had a controlled burn that was left unattended for several hours and he has since then spoken with the Fire Chief in regards to this particular incident and Chief Seamer has agreed to send Delf s Landscaping a warning letter to avoid any citations. Council member Smith asked that when the weather is permitting, that the striping at the intersection of West Lauretta Street and North Oak Lane be restriped and also reported that there were two street signs on Prairie Meadow Drive that are in need of removing as they were useless. Smith also asked if the City ever followed up on a complaint that had been filed several months ago in regards to a resident that resides on Prairie Meadow Drive that had two flat tires due to nails from the construction in and around that area. Mayor Brandenburg reported that the Building Commissioner had spoken with the contractors in that area; however, unfortunately that is part of construction. POLICY & ADMINISTRATION: 7. Union Contract Addendum/Clarification: Previously, the Mayor had addressed a unique situation with the scheduling of the Police Department and the upcoming Christmas Holiday schedule as according to the Union Contract, the City will observe December 23, 2016 as Christmas Eve and December 26, 2016 as Christmas Day which is causing a conflict with the December Police schedule; therefore, the Union had drafted an agreement between the City and the Union and its employees to sign but after careful consideration, the Council requested that the City Attorney redraft the agreement accordingly. Council reviewed the revised Addendum prepared by the City Attorney. Mayor Brandenburg said that as it currently stands, Sergeant Jahns is scheduled for Friday night and will be paid at regular time 2

3 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight and the remaining shift will be at time and a half pay and Officer Guinn is scheduled for Saturday night into Sunday morning of which all of his time will be paid at time and a half. Council member Goodin moved to approve the City Attorney s Addendum to the Union Contract, seconded by Council member Barton. Council member Strong inquired about the Addendum being only a one-time request or was the Addendum to be included in the current Union Contract. Council member Schutte said that it was his recollection that it was an Addendum to the current Union Contract. Mayor Brandenburg replied that it was also his recollection that it was an Addendum to the current Union Contract. A roll call vote was taken: Goodin-aye, Barton-aye, Schutte-aye, Smith-aye and Strong-aye. Motion carried. 8. Clerk s Report: The November 2016 report consisted of the following: a total of 88 accounts that were accessed a $5.00 late fee and 19 accounts that used their free penalty status; 11 delinquent letters were sent out totaling $1, that were due November 28, 2016 reporting that all were paid within the time prescribed with the exception of 2 accounts that were charged a $25.00 late fee and liens were scheduled to be placed on December 19, 2016; 9/24/16 to 10/23/16 billing period totaling $47, and a total of $7, in the arrears; reviewed the list of outstanding Street Assessments, Sidewalk Assessments, Snow Removal Liens and Utility Liens; reported that the Office staff was still trying to get used to the new software adding that the Utility Billing was very complex and that there was an issue with comp time accrual in payroll; however, has been resolved; beginning preparations for 2016 calendar year-end; prepared FY budget reports for the Department Heads to start and once she has gathered all the data and revenue estimates she would schedule a meeting with the Finance Committee; finalized the Money Market Account and transferred the $600, from the Local Option Sales Tax Fund reporting that for 16 days the account had earned $ in interest and that once the City has received the sale proceeds totaling $1.3M, she would then transfer the funds immediately into the Money Market Account so that the City can gain a better investment; coordinating with Office Machine Consultants on install dates in regards to the equipment ordered to secure the City s server and combine the Police Department s data to the City s server; reported that she had filed the City s FY 18 Tax Increment Financing Debt Certificate to both the Scott County Auditor and Muscatine County Auditor and requested to remove certain designated properties from the City s Tax Increment Financing records as they have reached their 10-year limit as the reports were due by December 1, 2016; filed the City s Annual Financial Report as it, too was due December 1, 2016 and reported that the City Attorney reported had informed her that he had filed the City s Annual Urban Renewal Report that was due December 1, 2016 and reported that unfortunately, the City is still not set up to reconcile the City s Utility Billing Reconciliation Report as of yet due to the software conversion. COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Ordinance Chair Barton reported that he had reviewed the revised draft copy prepared by the City Attorney in reference to Ordinance Amendment and requested that the entire Council review at the next meeting. Mayor Brandenburg reported that both he and Council member Schutte had met a representative to discuss changing all the lighting at the Public Safety Building over to LED lighting as there are numerous rebates available that would help offset the costs as well as a cost savings of approximately $ a month. He said that he would try to get the information ready for the Council s review at the next meeting. Resident Mark Wakefield asked if the LED lighting would have the capability of being censored by a motion detector. Council member Schutte replied that they had not but would most certainly consider the possibilities of using motion detectors. Mayor Brandenburg reported that it was brought to his attention that the old vacated HM Mart was being foreclosed; however, he was unable to verify as the Treasurer s Office has no record of it going into foreclosure. Council member Smith asked Sergeant Jahns what the status was on implementing the Senior Watch Program. Sergeant Jahns reported that, unfortunately he has several other priority projects that have delayed the implementation but has not forgotten about the project. 3

4 Council member Schutte displayed a photo of an overturned ladder fire truck reporting that two fireman had received injuries from an accident due to ice stressing the importance of training. He informed the Council that that is why both he and the Fire Chief are so adamant that the Department receive training on various situations. Council member Goodin added that he, too, can relate as he was a law enforcement emergency driving instructor, so he understands the importance of training. Council member Strong reported several sidewalks that are in violation of the Snow Removal Policy. She also asked what the status was on the Sampson Variance violation. The Clerk reported that she would follow up with the City Attorney and send out an to the Council on the status. She added that the appraisal for the Rodgers property was scheduled for December 20, Council member Smith clarified the January 2017 meeting dates due to the Holidays as follows: Tuesday, January 3, 2016 and Tuesday, January 17, ADJOURNMENT: Council member Barton made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council member Schutte. All ayes, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Attest: Ann M. Schmidt, CMC, City Clerk/Financial Officer Mayor Timothy Brandenburg 4

5 CLAIMS REPORT BATTERIES PLUS BLDG & GROUNDS MAINT BLACKBURN, KURT UNIFORM ALLOW BOUTELLE, ROBERT METER DEPOSIT REFUND CASEY'S GENERAL STORES VEHICLE OPER CCP INDUSTRIES BLDG & GROUNDS MAINT CENTURYLINK TELEPHONE CONDON, STEPHANIE METER DEPOSIT REFUND DATA TECHNOLOGIES COMPUTER MAINT 2, DAVENPORT PRINTING CO. OPERATING SUPPLIES EASTERN IA LIGHT & POWER UTILITIES 1, ELECTRIC PUMP PUMP MAINT FORCE & SONS TRUCK EQUIP EQUIPMENT OPER GENESIS OCCUP'L HEALTH MEDICAL GENESIS PSYCHOLOGY MEDICAL GOODIN, BOBBI FUNDRAISING EXP IOWA ONE CALL PROF FEES JOHNSON DISTRIBUTING BLDG & GROUNDS MAINT 6.25 KAM KONCEPTS VEHICLE OPER KETTERER, ANDREW METER DEPOSIT REFUND MEDIACOM INTERNET MIDAMERICAN ENERGY UTILITIES MIDWEST BREATHING AIR SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT OPER NAPA AUTO PARTS VEHICLE OPER PARROTT, MATT OFFICE OPER QC ANALYTICAL SERVICES TESTING 2, RAGAN MECHANICAL BLDG & GROUNDS MAINT REPUBLIC SERVICES GARBAGE/RECYCLING 7, ROBERTSON, LONNIE TRAINING/TRAVEL/SAFETY RUTHENBERG, JOSEPH METER DEPOSIT REFUND SCHMIDT, ANN TRAINING/TRAVEL/SAFETY SPAHN, STEVEN METER DEPOSIT REFUND SYNCHRONY BANK BLDG & GROUNDS MAINT TALL GRASS BUSINESS OFFICE OPER TC AUTO VEHICLE OPER TRUCK COUNTRY EQUIPMENT OPERA 2, ***** REPORT TOTAL ***** 19, FUND TOTALS GENERAL FUND 7, PARK IMPROV RESERVE ROAD USE FUND WATER FUND SEWER FUND 3, SANITATION FUND 7, **** 19,