CITY OF CENTRAL CITY
APRIL 12, 2017
Mayor Don Gray called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order with roll call as follows: Arthur, Eiben, Levenhagen, O’Leary, and Griggs all present. An Arthur/Levenhagen motion to approve the Agenda carried unanimously.
Deputy Steffens, Linn County Sheriff’s Department reported on hours and calls for March.
Zach Colby reported eight medical calls in the City and two fire calls in the District.
Stacey Colledge reported an award for Central City Mainstreet was given for the Linn County cooperative tourism campaign. A thank to the City Council for creating façade grants for building owners. To date, two applications have been submitted.
A Levenhagen/Griggs motion to approve the Minutes of the March 8 and March 28, 2017, meetings carried unanimously.
An Arthur/Eiben motion to approve the April financial report carried unanimously.
Eric Grodt, new business owner, requested bike racks in the downtown area. Placement of the bike racks was discussed.
City Engineer, Dave Gibbs, lead a discussion regarding the sidewalk project. The sidewalks needing repairs and grant recipiants will be done this summer.
Allowing chickens in the City will be revisited. Those having chickens within the City at this time will be told they need to be removed immediately.
A Levenhagen/Griggs motion to approve Resolution 5-2017 approving a $30 per month stipend to Public Works employees for using their private cell phones for City business was approved by roll call vote as follows: Griggs-yes; Levenhagen-yes; Arthur-yes; O’Leary-yes. Eiben abstained from the vote.
A discussion regarding long term vacant properties concluded that the City will pursue the owners to submit feasible plan. The owner will be given a deadline to complete work needed. If the owner fails to meet the requirements by the deadline, the City will pursue acquisition of the property.
An Eiben/Levenhagen vote to approve the bills and bills paid interim passed unanimously.
Mayor Gray noted that more flags have been ordered for the stop sign on North 4th Street. The fiber optics installation is causing a mess but the contractor stated another company is coming in to restore the yards after completion. If the yards are not restored, please inform the City.
Thomas Eiben requested another part-time/seasonal employee to help with mowing and edging. Seal coating will be done at the end of April. The two inch water main on East Maple has been replaced by a four inch main. He stated a letter will be sent to various businesses to have grease traps installed due to grease build up in the sewer lines servicing those businesses. Roto-Rooter did the annual cleaning. The Iowa DOT is removing all flashing lights at intersections on the state highways. They will provide new flashing devices on the stop signs to the City free of charge but the City will have to maintain them after installation.
The City has received 137 completed Income Surveys of the 270 needed. This Survey is essential to receive a $500,00 grant in order to minimize the increase in sewer rates. The Council directed hiring someone to go out and do the survey as soon as possible.
Small City Workshops are coming up for any council person interested. The council directed the clerk to order the League City Scape for all council members.
Discussion regarding a water bill refund was discussed and tabled until Thomas can investigate further. No peddler permits will be required if food trucks are at the Farmers’ Market during regular market hours only. Prior to contacting food trucks, the Council will request Mainstreet offer the options to various local groups first.
The Park & Rec Committee has requested various community groups, churches, and school groups to help in the City clean-up day on April 22, 2017. Pinicon Ridge Park gave the Frisbee Golf equipment to the City and the committee is contemplating a location to put the course. The Theater Camp is the week of June 12-16. This year there is a writing challenge for original scripts, stories and songs to be used in the performance. Future activities planned are Academic Camp with themes and a Reading Buddy program. A quarterly flier is being considered to send with the school children.
Questions regarding the timeline of the jail repairs and the erection of the gazebo were asked. No timeline has been established but it will be soon.
A Levenhagen/Arthur motion to adjourn at 8:39 p.m. carried unanimously.
______
Don Gray, Mayor
ATTEST:
______
Jara Pavlis, Deputy City Clerk