PAGE 203
MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 7, 2005
The Montrose City Council met for Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April 2005. Council
met at City Hall, 102 S. 2nd St. pursuant to law with Mayor Ronald Dinwiddie presiding and the
following Council members present: Brisby, Holland, Roberts (entered at 7:05) and Slater. Junkins
absent.
Call to Order. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda. Moved by Slater, seconded by Holland to approve Agenda as submitted. All ayes. Motion
declared carried.
Treasurer’s Report. Moved by Brisby, seconded by Holland to approve the Treasurer’s Report as
presented. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Minutes. Moved by Holland, seconded by Brisby to approve the Minutes of March 3, 10th, and 21st,
2005 meetings as presented. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Public Forum. Kenton Benner, Montrose Ball Association, says the Association would like to put in a
backstop, fence, tube for fence-top and canopy for the small diamond. He received one quote and is
expecting more. He understands the cost of metal will increase by 15% by April 15. They would like
to begin housing the materials before the next council meeting. Mayor Dinwiddie says this item needs
to be on the agenda. The Association would like the City to reimburse them the price of the materials.
Dinwiddie asks Council how they feel. They want Benner to order materials; the Association will pay;
the City will reimburse the Association; and the Association will try to get delivery after the season
ends.
Pauline Gill wants an exception to paying a utility bill on two houses. They don’t want to pay for water
on both. They will be tearing down the old house in the future. They are two-three months away from
moving into the new house.
Dinwiddie wants Michael Hoenig – Water Superintendent to install a meter at the new home; the Gills
will not pay for sewer, garbage and waste management.
Mrs. Gill says next year is her 10th and final year doing the Easter Egg Hunt. Council appreciates all
she has done.
GRRWA Presentation. In attendance were GRRWA Director Tim Yoder, Fort Madison Councilman
and GRRWA Commission Chairman Steve Ireland, and Lee County Supervisor Bob Woodruff,
GRRWA Commission member. Yoder gave a lengthy power point presentation of GRRWA
operations. He says he and the GRRWA staff are available for guided tours.
Councilwoman Brisby asked how much debt is owed and when is it paid off. Yoder says about $2.4
million and paid off in June 2007, ahead of schedule. She also wanted to know if the fee will
continue. The GRRWA Commission has not made a decision regarding this yet.
Councilwoman Roberts asked if the State is running behind in their audit of GRRWA. Yoder says
yes.
Dinwiddie wanted to know if the composting facility is subsidized by the residents. Yoder says no, it is
a separate department from the landfill. Dinwiddie says he doesn’t think it adds up in their budget. A
lot of expenses are going to the landfill; but expenses don’t show up on the balance sheet in
composting. He says if it makes money, great; but he thinks residents are subsidizing the composting
facility.
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2005, PAGE 2
Brisby wanted to know if there are minutes from GRRWA meetings. Mr. Woodruff says when he was
on the Keokuk City Council; he also was uncomfortable with the fee. He says the proposal included
paying off the debt plus purchasing equipment. He says there may have been the misconception the
fee only would pay off the debt. He protested the concept. He says waste diversion (compost,
recycling) helps the landfill stay in business. It is a profit to the overall landfill operation.
Mr. Ireland was on the Fort Madison City Council and was also led to believe the fee was to only pay
off the debt; and his constituents thought the same thing.
Dinwiddie wants to know how much waste is generated outside of Lee County. Yoder says Henry
County has over 120 tons per month and they pay their fair share. He says waste also comes from
Illinois. He says Illinois pays when they go to the landfill, but there is no fee such as the one Lee
County residents are paying.
Yoder says GRRWA has been saving money to open new sections (cells) of the landfill. Dinwiddie
says if the GRRWA operation were smaller, such as not having any composting, then we could take
care of our own waste and pay off the debt. Yoder says the life of the landfill has been extended
because equipment was purchased to compact cells and open more. If they had not done this, the
landfill would have closed in 2003.
Councilwoman Roberts wanted to know why meetings are held at 7:00 a.m. Ireland and Woodruff
say that, oddly enough, there is more participation from the public at that time. There are satellite
meetings four times a year at 4:30 p.m. She also wants to know how much debt is hanging over their
heads. Woodruff says it is because compliances had to be met. The leadership took the mandates to
heart and borrowed money because they panicked; and didn’t use the money well. They didn’t meet
the mandated guidelines and the landfill doesn’t collect property taxes. The bonds are guaranteed by
a note paid by the waste management fee.
Roberts understands they have a big job. Brisby says she appreciates them coming; the rest of
council concurred. Brisby also tells the commission members to not let what happened last time
happen again. Please make sure everything is explained and the public understands.
City cell phone contract. Dinwiddie spoke with a Nextel representative. Michael Hoenig says he
doesn’t like Nextel. Dinwiddie will keep looking.
Moved by Holland, seconded by Slater to move up New Business Item Nos. 1, 4, 5 & 6 and
continuing with Old Business items when they are finished; due to the late hour.
New Business Item – 1. GIS mapping. Kevin Dicks, representing Poepping, Stone, Bach &
Associates gave a lengthy GIS presentation to council. The Water/Sewer Dept. would be able to
overlay lines on a city map. It also is useful for zoning. Dinwiddie asked how accurate a city block
would be. Dicks said within five feet. Roberts asked about cost. Dicks said it would be about
$10,000.00 minimum. Dinwiddie says we will talk about this at a budget workshop.
4. Dead elm trees – Tweedy property. Rodney Tweedy spoke with Council regarding dead elm
trees on the strip of ground between the gravel road and the City. The trees are on the back slope on
his side of the road. If they don’t come down, they will fall on his property; and will the City take care
of the trees if they fall in the road. Street Superintendent Craig Junkins says they are on City
property. Dinwiddie will speak with Dennis Osipowicz, Lee County engineer to see if they can help
take the trees down. Even though Grand Ave. is a City road, the City owns half and the County owns
half.
5. Drainage ditch. Mark Conlee spoke with Council regarding runoff from his property into a
neighbor’s yard. He says Craig Junkins dug a trench and all is well now.
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2005, PAGE 3
6. Central Lee FFA. Greg Ruth, President Montrose Riverfront, Inc. and Travis Woodbury, Cody
Barnes, Scott Fedler, and Laura Seib, Central Lee FFA members, were in attendance to speak with
Council about planters for the downtown area.
Woodbury and Barnes planned the boxes first; then secured materials to make the planter. Twenty
boxes will cost approximately $800.00. They contacted Casey’s for totes as liners for the plants.
Labor is needed to make that many planters.
Seib and Fedler bought petunia, geranium and “spike” seeds from Denny’s Greenhouse. They
planted and are caring for these flowers. About 45 flowers will go in each box. The cost for plants is
about $200.00.
Ruth says each planter will be available for adoption so they can be taken care of.
Council was deeply impressed by the planter and strong work ethic of these fine young people.
OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 191. Moved by Holland, seconded by Brisby to pass the second reading of AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE, IOWA
2003 BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO CHAPTER 50 SO AS TO PROVIDE A
NUISANCE CODE FOR NUISANCE ENFORCEMENT. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Motion declared carried
unanimously.
Moved by Holland, seconded by Slater to waive the statutory third reading of Ordinance No. 191
regarding the nuisance code. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Ordinance No. 192. Moved by Brisby, seconded by Holland to pass the second reading of AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE, IOWA
2003 BY ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. Roll Call Vote 3-1. Voting Aye:
Brisby, Roberts, and Holland. Voting Nay: Slater. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Brisby, seconded by Holland to waive the statutory third reading of Ordinance No. 192
regarding adopting Int’l Building code. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted, signed by the
Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Ordinance No. 193. Moved by Holland, seconded by Roberts to pass the second reading of AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE, IOWA
2003 BY ADOPTING THE UNIFORM CODE ON ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS. Roll
Call Vote 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Holland, seconded by Roberts to waive statutory third reading of Ordinance No. 193
regarding abatement of dangerous buildings. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted
unanimously, signed by the Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Ordinance No. 194. Moved by Roberts, seconded by Holland to pass the second reading of AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE, IOWA
2003 BY ADOPTING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Motion declared carried
unanimously.
Moved by Brisby, seconded by Slater to waive statutory third reading of Ordinance No. 194 regarding
Uniform Fire Code. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the
Mayor and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2005, PAGE 4
Ordinance No. 195. second reading of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE, IOWA 2003 BY AMENDING TREES. Roll Call Vote: 3-1. Voting Aye:
Roberts, Brisby, and Holland. Voting Nay: Slater.
Moved by Brisby, seconded by Holland to waive statutory third reading of Ordinance No. 195
regarding trees. Roll Call Vote 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted, signed by the Mayor and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Street Dept. Truck. Tabled to get more prices.
Honoring PeeWee Fowler. Helen Fowler says PeeWee’s sons would like to see a couple of benches
placed at the Cemetery. She says PeeWee would like it because it is practical and useful. Council
agrees. They say the City could buy one. She says the Bentonsport Blacksmith does a good job. Dale
Sanders, Cemetery Caretaker, wants to know where to put it? He then says he doesn’t care where it
is placed. It would be a good idea to have them chained, but able to move them. Moved by Holland,
seconded by Brisby to put benches in the Cemetery to honor PeeWee Fowler. All ayes. Motion
declared carried.
Contract with Veterinarian. Kent Rubey, Chief Deputy, suggest we ask a vet to come to the City to
take care of stray animals. It would be safer for all concerned. Roberts says this should be at the
discretion of the Police. Clerk/Treasurer Cirinna will ask Deputy Clerk Anspach to get prices from
area vets. Moved by Slater, seconded by Holland to use a Vet to pick up and euthanize stray animals
at the discretion of the Police Dept. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Contract with Altorfer. Council considered contracting with Altorfer for the treatment plant generator.
The cost would be $3,972.00 over 6 years for a maintenance agreement. Item died for lack of a
motion.
Proposal for Sludge Treatment. Dinwiddie says Veenstra & Kimm’s original engineering idea didn’t
work. They have proposed another idea, but that will cost an extra $5,000.00. Dinwiddie will speak
with the City Attorney to see what can be done.
FY 05 Budget Amendment. Cirinna told Council Public Safety was over-budget. She suggested
having a Public Hearing on May 5th at 6.45 p.m. Council agrees.
Pay Bills. Moved by Roberts, seconded by Slater to pay bills as submitted. All ayes. Motion declared
carried.
ADVANCED WATER TECHNOLOGY - WATER
ALLIANT ENERGY (PD) – 103.25 CH; 13.43 CS; 16.70 PK; 89.29 BN; 1050.18 ST. LTS;
410.16
2,368.70
77.43 CC; 117.96 GYM; 12.33 WATER TOWER; 95.07 SHOP; 737.56 PLANT; 16.5 SHED; 38.95 LIFT STATION
ALLIANT ENERGY – 23.65 CEM; 1088.92 ST. LTS; 351.72 PUMPHOUSE
ATMOS ENERGY (PD) – 219.09 CC; 25.91 GYM; 228.10 BN; 208.54 SHOP
BENJAMIN, MIKE – POLICE JEEP REPAIR
CAPITAL SANITARY SUPPLY – CC
CARPENTER UNIFORM SUPPLY - REVOLVING
CASEY’S GEN. STORES – 11.25 POLICE
CIRINNA, CELESTE L. (PD) – EYE EXAM
CITY OF FORT MADISON – 2 MOS. SEWER TESTING
DAILY DEMOCRAT – GG
DONNELLSON IMPLEMENT – ROADS (LOT) MOWER DECK
F.M. READY-MIX CONCRETE – RUT
FARM & HOME SUPPLY – CEMETERY SUPPLIES
GOODS FROM THE WOODS – PARKS
1464.29
681.64
117.53
143.82
101.29
11.25
46.60
608.00
4.47
2,825.00
16.26
36.05
175.00
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2005, PAGE 5
GRAY QUARRIES – RUT
HAWKEYE NEWSPAPER – ADV. POLICE CHIEF
HOENIG, MICHAEL – 32.86 CELL PHONE; 105.00 SCHOOL MILEAGE
HOPKIRK & FEIGHTNER INSURANCE (PD) – ANN’L INS. PREMIUM
HUFFMAN WELDING/MACHINE – 60.08 RUT; 19/07 W; 264.52 S
HUNOLD OIL – CEMETERY
IOWA ASSN/MUN. UTILITIES – ANNUAL WATER DUES
IOWA HEALTH SOLUTIONS (PD) – 282.45 RUT; 758.73 SEWER
IOWA TELECOM – 186.77 CH; 49.89 CC; 66.67 SEWER
KEMPKERS – 6.87 POL; 17.07 WATER
KEYSTONE LABS – WATER TESTING
KOHLMORGAN
LAB SAFETY SUPPLY – REVOLVING (PD BY J. DINWIDDIE)
LEE COUNTY SHERIFF – 1ST QUARTER TELETYPE USE
MCFARLAND-SWAN OFC CENTER – 56.56 CH; 294.89 POL
MENARDS – 58.55 POL; 29.29 WATER; 518.27 SEWER
MIDWEST RADAR & EQUIP. – POLICE RADAR CHECK
MILLER, W.L. – RUT
NAPA AUTO PARTS – 379.49 POL; 16.00 WATER; 43.95 SEWER
NATIONAL WATERWORKS – NURSING HOME WATER METER
PC CONSULTANTS – CITY HALL PRINTER SERVER
PETTY CASH (PD) – 65.20 GG; 13.65 WATER
PETTY CASH
RUTH INDUSTRIES – SEWER
T.0. HAAS TIRE – 9.52 CEMETERY; 25.99 RUT
VISA – BUILDING CODE BOOKS
WOOD’S SERVICE – 9.26 RUT; 9.27 WATER; 9.27 SEWER
741.26
45.10
137.86
17,350.00
343.67
256.13
399.68
1,041.18
303.33
23.94
9.00
1,850.20
342.03
107.82
351.45
606.11
45.00
163.40
439.44
409.43
30.00
78.85
24.80
191.38
35.51
108.99
27.80
Employee Comments. Cirinna, Rubey, Junkins and Hoenig had no comments.
Dale Sanders says the Cemetery entrance sign should have been sandblasted. Huffman’s says it
was not part of the bid because it would have cost another $1200.00 and they thought the City would
not have gotten the sign. Don Smith says Huffman’s will touch-up spots. If this doesn’t help the rust,
the City will talk to Bob Huffman.
Melody Slater says she would like to see if the backhoe could be used to take the topsoil around the
Veterans Monument off. She would like to put down plastic, then rock. Brisby says maybe a shovel
would work better.
Adjournment. Moved by Brisby, seconded by Roberts to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. All ayes. Motion
declared carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronald L. Dinwiddie, Mayor
Attest:
Celeste L. Cirinna
Clerk/Treasurer