Regular City Council Meeting 2.22.16

The regular city council meeting for the City of Neola opened at 5:31pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pete Sorenson was present along with city council members Scott Brooks, Ethan Matthews, Joe Munch, Karla Pogge, and Aric Thomsen. Clint Fichter, Jeremy VanArsdol, Greg Heine, and Amber Sandoval also in attendance. Motion to approve the agenda made by Munch and seconded by Matthews. All in favor. Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Munch and seconded by Pogge. All in favor. General discussion on cleaning the water tower. Sandoval will contact the cleaning company, National Wash Authority, to get additional information. Motion to approve sewer camera inspection made by Thomsen and seconded by Munch. All in favor. VanArsdol to use his discretion to scope out problem areas in the city. Fourth and second streets would mostly likely be the two streets in which this inspection would first begin. Employee reports from VanArsdol, Heine, and Sandoval: VanArsdol reported to the council that street lights that are out are being replaced with new LED lights. VanArsdol also informed the council that potholes are currently being fixed on area streets. Heine reported on matters regarding the fire department. There are currently 19 members. Physicals are scheduled for February 23, 2016. A Firefighter I training class is to begin in approximately six months. Heine also informed the council that the department is gearing up for their annual corn-beef and cabbage fundraiser dinner that will be held on March 12, 2016 from 4:30-7:30pm. A newsletter will be sent out to Neola residents regarding this event. Sandoval briefed the council and mayor on concerns that some area residents have reported regarding the recycle bin. The bin has been modified by R&S Waste with smaller slots for the purpose of reducing the large amounts of non-recyclable items being tossed in the bins and for residents to take their time when sorting materials. Sandoval also gave a January utility report to the council members. There were 92 customers who had not paid by the due date; 28 of which then received a red tag notice for a non-payment, and there were no shut offs in the month of January. In addition to the utility report, customers with a set budget were reviewed and adjusted accordingly. Members of Neola Development Inc. presented information concerning a survey about senior housing and services. Munch motioned to include this survey in with the fire department newsletter mailing and Brooks seconded. All in favor.

Public comments: Teresa Blake presented information to the council and mayor about plans for a farmer’s market to operate May through October on Tuesdays from 3-7pm in Neola. Pogge motioned to pursue farmer’s market plans and Brooks seconded. All in favor. Motion to open a public hearing for the FY 2017 Budget made by Munch and seconded by Matthews. All ayes. Public hearing officially opened at 6:33pm. Public comments and questions were made by Mr. Mark Bjorling concerning the TIF, debt service, local option tax, and sewer/water sinking. Fichter addressed Bjorling’s comments about the proposed budget. Motion to close public hearing for the FY 2017 Budget made by Brooks and seconded by Munch. All ayes. Public hearing officially closed at 6:56pm. Munch motioned to approve the FY 2017 Budget and Pogge seconded. Roll call vote; all ayes. Discussion on a Volunteer Fire & Rescue applicant. Motion to approve Michael Porter’s application made by Pogge and seconded by Matthews. All in favor. General discussion on applying a fee for utility red tag notices. No action until a later date. General discussion on the St. Patrick’s Church alleyway. Sandoval is instructed contact the county auditor to find out the procedure of deeding over the alleyway to St. Patrick’s Church. No action until a later date. General discussion on the county bicycle trail. No action until a later date. Discussion on the Home Based Iowa Initiative resolution for military veterans. This resolution from the Office of the Governor is an effort to match military veterans with jobs available across Iowa. Pottawattamie County is striving to have all communities accept this resolution to support veterans. Motion to approve the Home Based Iowa Initiative Resolution made by Brooks and seconded by Thomsen. Roll call vote; all ayes. Elected official comments and directions to staff on operational matters: Brooks proposed a Variable Frequency Drives training class for VanArsdol. The class is one session on May 4, 2016. Mayor Sorenson wanted to add items for future meeting agendas: Annual employee reviews, Keep Iowa Beautiful campaign, and a resolution to thank the Hall Family for their gift to the City of Neola. In addition, Mayor Sorenson would like to set up a meeting for the utility board; Pogge and Brooks to help set up a meeting date and time. Motion to adjourn made by Thompsen and seconded by Pogge. All in favor. Meeting officially adjourned at 7:17 pm.