PAGE 308
MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 1, 2007
The Montrose City Council met for Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the 1st day of February 2007.
Council met at City Hall, 102 S. 2nd St. pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Junkins
presiding and the following Council members present: Conlee, Geyer, Hartman, Junkins and
Slater.
Call to Order. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk/Treasurer Cirinna stated that Item No. 3 under Old Business – Dave Beelman and Item
No.1 under New Business – Steve Cirinna would be deleted from this agenda and added to the
March 1, 2007 agenda. Neither gentleman was able to make this meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Junkins stated he had talked to the department heads and they all decided it
would be a good idea to have the employees moved up the agenda. The City has to pay them
overtime for sitting through a whole meeting. Council member Slater stated that council may
need to ask them questions during the course of the meeting. Junkins stated if council knew what
was on the agenda, they could ask before the meeting, or ask the employees under “Employee
Comments”. Moved by Conlee, seconded by Slater to approve moving “Employee Comments”
before “Public Forum”. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Consent Agenda. Moved by Conlee, seconded by Slater to approve Consent Agenda items:
- Minutes of January 4, 18, and 25, 2007.
- Treasurer’s report of January 2007.
- Casey’s Renewal “Class C Beer Permit”.
- Payment of Claims.
ADVANCED WATER TECH.-CHEMICALS
ALLIANT ENERGY (PD)-137.82 CH; 15.55 RVPARK GAZEBO; 61.86 CS; 20.22 PK;
446.90
2,005.72
16.28 CEM; 102.86 BARN; 109.26 CC; 51.89 GYM; 15.55 WATER TOWER; 486.10 PUMPHOUSE;
115.25 SHOP; 834.14 TREATMENT PLANT; 12.30 SHED; 36.64 LIFT STA.
ANDREWS PLUMBING- SEWER JETTING
ATMOS ENERGY-18.82 CC; 515.16 GYM; 54.52 SHOP
CASEY’S GEN STORES-BATTERIES
CIRINNA, CELESTE-INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE 150.00 GG; 75.00 W; 75.00 S
CITY OF FORT MADISON-SEWER TESTING
CIVIC SYSTEMS-SEMIANNUAL CITY SOFTWARE SUPPORT FEE
FARM & HOME SUPPLY-VEHICLE & BARN SUPPLIES
DEMOCRAT-PUBLICATION COSTS, GG
F.M. READY MIX-SAND
GRRWA-LANDFILL FEE
HAWKINS TOWING & SERVICE- POLICE VEH. MAINTENANCE
HD SUPPLY WATERWORKS-EQUIPMENT
HEMPEN MOBILE WASH INDUSTRIAL SERV.-SEWER JETTING
HOENIG, MICHAEL (PD)-CONS/PRO FEES 80.50 W; 80.50 S
HOENIG, MICHAEL-TRAVEL EXP. – WATER
HUFFMAN WELDING-SEWER PLANT SUPPLIES
HUNOLD OIL-546.79 POL; 507.52 RUT; 167.56 W; 167.56 S
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (PD)-MUN. LEADER BOOK
IOWA ASSN OF MUNI UTIL-EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
IOWA CODIFICATION-ORD. #205
IOWA HEALTH SOLUTIONS (PD)-343.34 POL; 343.34 RUT; 922.31 S
125.00
588.50
6.19
300.00
272.00
1787.00
103.37
101.48
267.88
1634.71
29.00
84.34
375.00
161.00
84.38
51.75
1389.44
18.00
92.50
55.00
1608.99
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 2007, PAGE 2
IOWA ONE CALL-WATER
IOWA RURAL WATER ASSO-WASTEWATER CLASS
IOWA TELECOM-171.53 CH; 52.23 CC; 69.26 S
LEE COUNTY SHERIFF-TELETYPE USE
KEMPKERS-61.44 CC; 195.40 RUT; 24.98 W; 49.74 S
KOHLMORGAN HAULING-GARBAGE FEES
MCFARLAND-SWAN OFC CENTER-248.13 CH; 39.95 PK; 56.32 CC
Matt PARROTT & SONS-GG
MEDIACOM LLC-22.97 POL; 22.98 CH
MERSCHMANN FERTILIZER-ROAD SALT
NAPA AUTO PARTS-RUT
NEWBERRY TOWING-HAUL TRACTOR
PETTY CASH (PD)-10.26 CH; 8.54 POL; 10.95 W
PETTY CASH-GG
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS-SEWER
SHOPKO-CH SUPPLIES
U.S. CELLULAR-25.14 POL; 25.13 CH; 25.14 RUT; 25.13 W; 25.13 S
VIS (PD)-BACKHOE FORKS 261.69 RUT; 261.69 W; 261.70 S
.90
10.00
293.02
107.82
331.56
1850.20
344.40
276.17
45.95
972.40
252.50
75.00
29.75
81.84
5.56
13.26
125.67
785.08
Employee Comments. Water/Sewer Operator Hoenig stated the class in Centerville is for
Sewer. He also stated the Trackhoe would make it easier to dig ditches with a wider bucket. It
also won’t block the whole road as a backhoe would. Council Member Geyer stated renting it
wouldn’t be cost effective. If the city purchased it, dug the ditches, then sold it, the city would be
money ahead. The Trackhoe would be used for ditches and culverts. Work on the ditches would
begin in spring; then culverts would be done after this.
Cemetery Caretaker Dale Sanders says the building he hopes to erect will be about 40’ x 60’.
Michael Hoenig will be pouring the concrete and he thought it was smaller than that. It would add
to the expense of the building.
Public Forum. Mary Sue Chatfield of MRI handed the council the evaluation for America in
Bloom. Council will meet with Matt Mohrfeld on February 15, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. for the evaluation.
She also stated there is a grant from Hamburger Helper for $15,000.00 per month given to
organizations and governments. It is a 250 word narrative. Council consensus was to permit Mary
Sue Chatfield and Yvonne Knapp to write the narrative with any monies being spent on
perennials in established beds or around signs, or trees in the Cemetery.
Committee Reports. Slater says she and Council Member Hartman spoke about switching
committee responsibilities. She would like to be on Economic & Community Development; while
Hartman would switch with her and be on the Public Works committee.
Culture & Recreation – Slater looked at the gym and Community Center and commented on how
clean they were. She said there is no leaking from the roof at the gym and both buildings look
wonderful. Judy Brisby, 310 S.5th St., says Michael Hoenig cleaned and straightened the
backroom of the Community Center.
Public Works – Geyer stated there was one updated building permit. He is also talking to HudSon about the wood chipper. The hydraulics on the chipper is not compatible with the John
Deere Tractor. Geyer is looking into a conversion kit.
Public Safety; General Government & Enterprise; Economic and Community Development – no
comments.
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 2007, PAGE 3
Montrose Gym Committee. Greg Ruth of 41 Bluff Park says the committee would like to be on
the March 1, 2007 agenda. Expertise is needed outside the group. The committee has looked at
rough concepts and they are enthused about the potential. They are working with Christa Perkins
from USDA on grants and concepts. A market study also needs to be done by a third party. An
Energy Audit will be done at no cost to the city. Committee members will meet with Landscape
Architects to discuss landscaping the entire block. Through an asset/liability survey, it was
determined the gym does not meet the needs of the community. Many service organizations are
always looking for places to rent. They will continue to do research and present something to
council at the March 1 meeting. It was noted that it would cost approximately $1,000.00 for the
market survey. There is money in Local Option Tax for this purpose. Cirinna asked Ron
Dinwiddie of #1 Great River Road if the committee is thinking of changing the name. She said
she frequently gets requests for basketball and softball players to practice in there. It doesn’t
seem the gym would be suited for that in the future. Dinwiddie said they would change it to
Banquet/Meeting/Reception Hall.
Gym Lease with Dennis Day. Mike Ritchie was not in attendance. Slater asked if the city has to
have a lease. Council Member Conlee stated the lease could be month by month. Discussion
was tabled.
CC and Gym Maintenance Applicants. Cirinna told Council the Library wants to be added for
cleaning. Slater asked when the city should interview; and should the city narrow down the
applicants as there were seven applicants. Council decided they would interview on February 15,
2007 at 6:30 p.m. Slater suggested Council hire someone from Montrose.
Trackhoe Purchase. Geyer says a Trackhoe would be about $8,000.00 to $15,000.00. Moved by
Conlee, seconded by Hartman to have John Geyer and Michael Hoenig look at small used
Trackhoes. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
ICAP Insurance. Corey Grisham, State Central Bank, gave council information on ICAP. It said it
is member’s owned and members are vested after six years; then they receive a return on their
investment. He noted they have not raised their rates since the eighties. He says they will cover
everything but Worker’s Comp. Slater noted it is like owning instead of renting. Moved by Slater,
seconded by Conlee to get an ICAP proposal. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Scenic Byways Steering Committee. Ron Dinwiddie, Doc Kramer, Yvonne Knapp, Mary Sue
Chatfield, Melody Slater and Vic Riddle are on the committee.
Resolution Approving Professional Services Agreement.
Steering Committee.
Deferred to Scenic Byways
IAMU Class. Moved by Conlee, seconded by Slater to send Water/Sewer Operator Michael
Hoenig to class on March 8, 2007 in Centerville, IA. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Mayor Sciumbato’s Resignation and Consider Appointment. Council acknowledged the
resignation of Tony Sciumbato. It was noted it is costly to have a special election. Moved by
Geyer, seconded by Conlee to appoint a mayor to fill the term left vacant by Tony Sciumbato.
Term will expire January 1, 2008. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Library Board Vacancy. Moved by Slater, seconded by Geyer, to appoint Elizabeth Barker to fill
the vacancy left by Mary Lou Ingraham. All ayes. Motion declared carried.
Preliminary Budget and Public Hearing. Slater said of the raises for department heads, three
per cent in Cost of Living and seven per cent would be merit pay. She stated the need to have
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MONTROSE COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 2007, PAGE 4
personnel evaluations to merit the increase. She read the definition of the word “merit”: Superior
quality or worth; excellence. b. A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue. 2. Demonstrated
ability or achievement: promotions based on merit alone. 3. An aspect of character or behavior
deserving approval or disapproval. Often used in the plural: judging people according to their
merits. She said we need to tell the employees when they do a good job.
She said there would be morale problems if some work hard; but someone else doesn’t and they
also get a raise. Employees can request a closed session, but it must be given in writing to the
City clerk.
After some discussion, employee evaluations are set for March 1, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.
The Local Option Tax money for River View Park is allocated for dredging, docks and boardwalk.
Junkins asked about the $2,500.00 under Community Beautification. Cirinna said MRI came to
the January 4, 2007 meeting and requested it for planter boxes and flowers. Mary Sue Chatfield
and Greg Ruth said they didn’t want the City to give MRI the money directly; rather it is for
planters and flowers. They want the City to invest in the flowers. Moved by Geyer, seconded by
Hartman to approve the preliminary budget and set the date and time for public hearing for
March 1, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. in City Hall.
At this time, Cirinna told council that she neglected to give council members their copies of the
bills to be paid and the Treasurer’s Report. It was her understanding that council approved them
in the Consent Agenda but she realized when she saw them with her other meeting papers that
Council can’t approve them without looking at them. Moved by Conlee, seconded by Geyer to
approve the Treasurer’s Report of January 2007 and the list of Bills Paid. All ayes. Motion
declared carried.
Moved by Geyer, seconded by Conlee to approve Casey’s Renewal “Class C Beer Permit”. All
ayes. Motion declared carried.
Mayor and Council comments and future Agenda items. None.
Adjournment. Moved by, seconded by to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. All ayes. Motion declared
carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeffrey Junkins, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Celeste L. Cirinna
Clerk/Treasurer